WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday that the United States was weighing a diplomatic boycott of next year's Winter Olympics in Beijing over China's human rights abuses, a move that would keep American dignitaries, but not athletes, from the games.

Speaking to reporters as he hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office, Biden said backing a boycott of the Olympics in February is “something we’re considering.”

The U.S. and other nations traditionally send high-level delegations to each Olympics. First lady Jill Biden led the American contingent to the Summer Olympics in Tokyo this year and second gentleman Doug Emhoff led a delegation to the Paralympic Games.

International advocacy groups and some members of Congress have called for a symbolic U.S. boycott of the games in Beijing over China's treatment of Uyghurs and its crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong. The participation of American athletes would be unaffected by the boycott.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said there was no timeline for a decision by the president on whether to go through with a possible boycott.

The White House has said the Olympics did not come up on Monday when Biden met virtually with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637270716339.png" alt="President Biden during a meeting with&nbsp; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics in China is “something we’re considering.”-photo White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during a meeting with&nbsp; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics in China is “something we’re considering.”-photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday that the United States was weighing a diplomatic boycott of next year's Winter Olympics in Beijing over China's human rights abuses, a move that would keep American dignitaries, but not athletes, from the games.Speaking to reporters as he hosted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office, Biden said backing a boycott of the Olympics in February is “something we’re considering.”The U.S. and other nations traditionally send high-level delegations to each Olympics. First lady Jill Biden led the American contingent to the Summer Olympics in Tokyo this year and second gentleman Doug Emhoff led a delegation to the Paralympic Games.International advocacy groups and some members of Congress have called for a symbolic U.S. boycott of the games in Beijing over China's treatment of Uyghurs and its crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong. The participation of American athletes would be unaffected by the boycott.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637061329696.png" alt="&nbsp;President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden held a virtual summit this week.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden held a virtual summit this week.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>White House press secretary Jen Psaki said there was no timeline for a decision by the president on whether to go through with a possible boycott.The White House has said the Olympics did not come up on Monday when Biden met virtually with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Biden: US considering diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted the death sentence of condemned inmate Julius Jones on Thursday, just hours before his scheduled execution. Jones has proclaimed his innocence from death row for more than two decades in the 1999 killing of a suburban Oklahoma City businessman.

Stitt commuted the 41-year-old Jones’ death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He had been scheduled for execution at 4 p.m.

“After prayerful consideration and reviewing materials presented by all sides of this case, I have determined to commute Julius Jones’ sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole,” Stitt said in a news release.

A crowd that had gathered inside of the Oklahoma Capitol in support of Jones broke out into loud applause and cheers after the decision was announced shortly after noon Thursday.

Earlier Thursday, Jones’ attorneys had filed a last-minute emergency request seeking a temporary stop to his execution, saying Oklahoma’s lethal injection procedures post a “serious and substantial risk of severe suffering and pain to prisoners” and citing last month’s execution in which John Marion Grant convulsed and vomited as he was being put to death.

The state’s Pardon and Parole Board recommended in a 3-1 vote on Nov. 1 that Stitt commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison, with several members of the panel agreeing they had doubts about the evidence that led to Jones’ conviction.

Jones was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to die for the 1999 shooting death of Edmond businessman Paul Howell during a carjacking.

Jones’ case drew widespread attention after it was profiled in “The Last Defense,” a three-episode documentary produced by actress Viola Davis that aired on ABC in 2018. Since then, reality television star Kim Kardashian West and athletes with Oklahoma ties, including NBA stars Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Trae Young, have urged Stitt to commute Jones’ death sentence and spare his life.

Jones alleges he was framed by the actual killer, a high school friend and former co-defendant who was a key witness against him. But Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and the state’s former attorney general, Mike Hunter, have said the evidence against Jones is overwhelming.

Information from trial transcripts shows that witnesses identified Jones as the shooter and placed him with Howell’s stolen vehicle. Investigators also found the murder weapon wrapped in a bandanna with Jones’ DNA in an attic space above his bedroom. Jones claimed in his commutation filing that the gun and bandanna were planted there by the actual killer, who had been inside Jones’ house after the killing.

Howell’s sister, Megan Tobey, and two young daughters were in Howell’s SUV when the carjacking happened in his parents’ driveway in the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond. Tobey testified before the board that she distinctly remembers seeing Jones shoot her brother.

“He is the same person today as he was 22 years ago. He’s still getting into trouble. He’s still in a gang. He’s still lying. And he still feels no shame, guilt or remorse for his action,” Tobey said. “We need Julius Jones to be held responsible.”

Oklahoma ended a six-year moratorium on executions — brought on by concerns over its lethal injection methods — last month. Grant, 60, convulsed and vomited as he was being put to death Oct. 28.

Grant was the first person in Oklahoma to be executed since a series of flawed lethal injections in 2014 and 2015. Richard Glossip was just hours away from being executed in September 2015 when prison officials realized they had the wrong lethal drug. It was later revealed that the same wrong drug had been used to execute an inmate in January 2015.

The drug mix-ups followed a botched execution in April 2014 in which inmate Clayton Lockett struggled on a gurney before dying 43 minutes into his lethal injection — and after the state’s prisons chief ordered executioners to stop.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637261067035.png" alt="Jones photo Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Jones photo Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted the death sentence of condemned inmate Julius Jones on Thursday, just hours before his scheduled execution. Jones has proclaimed his innocence from death row for more than two decades in the 1999 killing of a suburban Oklahoma City businessman.Stitt commuted the 41-year-old Jones’ death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He had been scheduled for execution at 4 p.m.“After prayerful consideration and reviewing materials presented by all sides of this case, I have determined to commute Julius Jones’ sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole,” Stitt said in a news release.A crowd that had gathered inside of the Oklahoma Capitol in support of Jones broke out into loud applause and cheers after the decision was announced shortly after noon Thursday.Earlier Thursday, Jones’ attorneys had filed a last-minute emergency request seeking a temporary stop to his execution, saying Oklahoma’s lethal injection procedures post a “serious and substantial risk of severe suffering and pain to prisoners” and citing last month’s execution in which John Marion Grant convulsed and vomited as he was being put to death.The state’s Pardon and Parole Board recommended in a 3-1 vote on Nov. 1 that Stitt commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison, with several members of the panel agreeing they had doubts about the evidence that led to Jones’ conviction.Jones was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to die for the 1999 shooting death of Edmond businessman Paul Howell during a carjacking.Jones’ case drew widespread attention after it was profiled in “The Last Defense,” a three-episode documentary produced by actress Viola Davis that aired on ABC in 2018. Since then, reality television star Kim Kardashian West and athletes with Oklahoma ties, including NBA stars Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Trae Young, have urged Stitt to commute Jones’ death sentence and spare his life.Jones alleges he was framed by the actual killer, a high school friend and former co-defendant who was a key witness against him. But Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and the state’s former attorney general, Mike Hunter, have said the evidence against Jones is overwhelming.Information from trial transcripts shows that witnesses identified Jones as the shooter and placed him with Howell’s stolen vehicle. Investigators also found the murder weapon wrapped in a bandanna with Jones’ DNA in an attic space above his bedroom. Jones claimed in his commutation filing that the gun and bandanna were planted there by the actual killer, who had been inside Jones’ house after the killing.Howell’s sister, Megan Tobey, and two young daughters were in Howell’s SUV when the carjacking happened in his parents’ driveway in the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond. Tobey testified before the board that she distinctly remembers seeing Jones shoot her brother.“He is the same person today as he was 22 years ago. He’s still getting into trouble. He’s still in a gang. He’s still lying. And he still feels no shame, guilt or remorse for his action,” Tobey said. “We need Julius Jones to be held responsible.”Oklahoma ended a six-year moratorium on executions — brought on by concerns over its lethal injection methods — last month. Grant, 60, convulsed and vomited as he was being put to death Oct. 28.Grant was the first person in Oklahoma to be executed since a series of flawed lethal injections in 2014 and 2015. Richard Glossip was just hours away from being executed in September 2015 when prison officials realized they had the wrong lethal drug. It was later revealed that the same wrong drug had been used to execute an inmate in January 2015.The drug mix-ups followed a botched execution in April 2014 in which inmate Clayton Lockett struggled on a gurney before dying 43 minutes into his lethal injection — and after the state’s prisons chief ordered executioners to stop.

Execution day: Gov. commutes Oklahoma killer's death sentence

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol says an Iowa man was killed in a crash north of Fremont. 

The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. Highway 77 when a van rear-ended a semitrailer near the intersection of the highway and a county road. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the driver of the van, 32-year-old Anthony Branam, of Villisca, Iowa, died at the scene of the crash. 

The crash closed a stretch of the highway for about three hours.

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol says an Iowa man was killed in a crash north of Fremont. The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. Highway 77 when a van rear-ended a semitrailer near the intersection of the highway and a county road. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the driver of the van, 32-year-old Anthony Branam, of Villisca, Iowa, died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the semi was not injured. The crash closed a stretch of the highway for about three hours.

Investigators say Iowa man killed in crash north of Fremont

News Release United States Attorney-Omaha

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Timothy Fox, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court for distribution and receipt of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Fox to 128 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Fox will serve 15 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

In August 2020, members of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducting undercover investigations into peer-to-peer file sharing of child exploitation materials identified an IP address associated with a residence in Omaha, Nebraska, as sharing files of child pornography. In December 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence of Fox and co-defendant Kevin Jacoway and seized several electronic devices. More than 4,000 images and 700 videos depicting child pornography were located on devices that Fox claimed as his own. Co-defendant Jacoway is scheduled for sentencing on January 14, 2022.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559657144941.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release United States Attorney-OmahaActing United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Timothy Fox, 35, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court for distribution and receipt of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Fox to 128 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal prison system. After his release from prison, Fox will serve 15 years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.In August 2020, members of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducting undercover investigations into peer-to-peer file sharing of child exploitation materials identified an IP address associated with a residence in Omaha, Nebraska, as sharing files of child pornography. In December 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence of Fox and co-defendant Kevin Jacoway and seized several electronic devices. More than 4,000 images and 700 videos depicting child pornography were located on devices that Fox claimed as his own. Co-defendant Jacoway is scheduled for sentencing on January 14, 2022.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force

Omaha men sentenced for distribution of child pornography

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressed to address gaping inequality in global&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccines</a>, the Biden administration took steps Wednesday to make billions of dollars available to drugmakers to scale up domestic production to share with the world and prepare for the next pandemic.

Under the new initiative, the government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/influenza-and-emerging-infectious-diseases/coronavirus/pharmaceutical-manufacturing-in-america#mrna" target="_blank">soliciting pharmaceutical companies</a>&nbsp;with proven ability to make the more-effective&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/archive-fact-checking-9340521654">mRNA vaccines</a>&nbsp;to bid for U.S. investment in scaling up their manufacturing. Pfizer and Moderna produce the two U.S.-approved mRNA shots.

The White House hopes the move will build capacity to produce an additional 1 billion shots per year.

The initiative comes as the Biden White House has faced growing pressure at home and abroad over inequity in the global vaccine supply — as the U.S. moves toward approving booster shots for all adults while vulnerable people in poorer nations wait for their first dose of protection.

According to an analysis by the ONE Campaign, an international aid and advocacy organization, only 4.7% of people living in low-income countries have received a first dose. Wealthy nations administered more than 173 million booster shots, while lower-income countries have administered about 32 million first shots.

The Biden administration believes increasing capacity of COVID-19 shots will help ease a global shortage of doses, particularly in lower- and middle-income nations, stopping preventable death and limiting the development of potentially new, more dangerous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-pandemics-ce1812e48165798df53c6b15ee66751b">variants of the virus</a>.

“The goal of this program is to expand existing capacity by an additional billion doses per year, with production starting by the second half of 2022,” White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said.

On Wednesday, Zients announced that the U.S. has now donated 250 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally — the most of any nation — with a goal of sharing more than 1.1 billion shots by the end of 2022.

There are no firm agreements yet with Moderna or Pfizer to take up the U.S. on the investment, but the Biden administration hopes that the enhanced manufacturing capacity, through support for the company’s facilities, equipment, staff or training, will by mid-2022 allow more COVID-19 doses to be shared overseas as well as help prepare for the next public health emergency.

The administration is prioritizing the mRNA vaccines, which have proven to be more effective against preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19 than the Johnson &amp; Johnson viral vector vaccine, which uses a harmless virus that carries genetic material to stimulate the immune system. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are made with a piece of genetic code called messenger RNA that tells the body to make harmless copies of the spike protein so it’s trained to recognize the virus.

Robbie Silverman, senior advocacy manager at Oxfam America, welcomed Biden’s plan to invest into vaccine manufacturing capacity but said it was nowhere near sufficient.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressed to address gaping inequality in global&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccines</a>, the Biden administration took steps Wednesday to make billions of dollars available to drugmakers to scale up domestic production to share with the world and prepare for the next pandemic.Under the new initiative, the government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicalcountermeasures.gov/barda/influenza-and-emerging-infectious-diseases/coronavirus/pharmaceutical-manufacturing-in-america#mrna" target="_blank">soliciting pharmaceutical companies</a>&nbsp;with proven ability to make the more-effective&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/archive-fact-checking-9340521654">mRNA vaccines</a>&nbsp;to bid for U.S. investment in scaling up their manufacturing. Pfizer and Moderna produce the two U.S.-approved mRNA shots.The White House hopes the move will build capacity to produce an additional 1 billion shots per year.The initiative comes as the Biden White House has faced growing pressure at home and abroad over inequity in the global vaccine supply — as the U.S. moves toward approving booster shots for all adults while vulnerable people in poorer nations wait for their first dose of protection.According to an analysis by the ONE Campaign, an international aid and advocacy organization, only 4.7% of people living in low-income countries have received a first dose. Wealthy nations administered more than 173 million booster shots, while lower-income countries have administered about 32 million first shots.The Biden administration believes increasing capacity of COVID-19 shots will help ease a global shortage of doses, particularly in lower- and middle-income nations, stopping preventable death and limiting the development of potentially new, more dangerous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-pandemics-ce1812e48165798df53c6b15ee66751b">variants of the virus</a>.“The goal of this program is to expand existing capacity by an additional billion doses per year, with production starting by the second half of 2022,” White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said.On Wednesday, Zients announced that the U.S. has now donated 250 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally — the most of any nation — with a goal of sharing more than 1.1 billion shots by the end of 2022.There are no firm agreements yet with Moderna or Pfizer to take up the U.S. on the investment, but the Biden administration hopes that the enhanced manufacturing capacity, through support for the company’s facilities, equipment, staff or training, will by mid-2022 allow more COVID-19 doses to be shared overseas as well as help prepare for the next public health emergency.The administration is prioritizing the mRNA vaccines, which have proven to be more effective against preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19 than the Johnson &amp; Johnson viral vector vaccine, which uses a harmless virus that carries genetic material to stimulate the immune system. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are made with a piece of genetic code called messenger RNA that tells the body to make harmless copies of the spike protein so it’s trained to recognize the virus.Robbie Silverman, senior advocacy manager at Oxfam America, welcomed Biden’s plan to invest into vaccine manufacturing capacity but said it was nowhere near sufficient.

US to spend billions to boost global COVID vaccine capacity

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A Republican primary challenger to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Wednesday that the governor is bound to corporate interests and has repeatedly sided against conservatives.

 State Rep. Steve Haugaard, a Sioux Falls lawyer, told a crowded room of supporters during his formal campaign announcement Wednesday that Noem has been on the wrong side of issues like sports participation by transgender athletes and COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

 Noem, who has traveled the country meeting with political organizations and other supporters, formally announced her reelection campaign last week. 

Her campaign says she has raised $10 million since she was elected three years ago and has more than $6.5 million in cash on hand.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A Republican primary challenger to South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Wednesday that the governor is bound to corporate interests and has repeatedly sided against conservatives. State Rep. Steve Haugaard, a Sioux Falls lawyer, told a crowded room of supporters during his formal campaign announcement Wednesday that Noem has been on the wrong side of issues like sports participation by transgender athletes and COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Noem, who has traveled the country meeting with political organizations and other supporters, formally announced her reelection campaign last week. Her campaign says she has raised $10 million since she was elected three years ago and has more than $6.5 million in cash on hand.

Primary challenger says Noem hasn't sided with conservatives

DETROIT (AP) — President Joe Biden punched the accelerator on a battery-powered Hummer on Wednesday, causing the wheels to squeal and the truck to jet forward as he tried in his own way to drive the country toward an electric vehicle future.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516164-1/president-biden-infrastructure-spending-gm-factory-michigan">Click here to watch the </a>President's comments from Detroit

The engine was quiet as the president pulled up to a waiting delegation of reporters and officials.

“Anyone wanna jump in the back?” Biden asked.

The president had just toured a General Motors plant in Detroit to showcase how his newly signed $1 trillion infrastructure law could transform the auto industry.

He is highlighting billions of dollars in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">his giant bipartisan infrastructure deal</a>&nbsp;to pay for the installation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-u-s-news-technology-detroit-electric-vehicles-0dbe44f4626fcfd6b3ccee274980188e">electric vehicle chargers</a>&nbsp;across the country, an investment he says will go a long way to curbing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-science-business-scotland-pollution-04a455d42fb66b61330b47b308e80498">planet-warming carbon emissions</a>&nbsp;while creating good-paying jobs. It’s also an attempt to leapfrog China in the plug-in EV market. Currently, the U.S. market share of plug-in electric vehicle sales is one-third the size of the Chinese EV market.

The president noted that the U.S. was not yet leading with electric vehicles, something he believes his infrastructure package can change with plans to build 500,000 charging stations. The Hummer he drove has a starting price of $108,700, as the electric market seems designed so far to serve luxury buyers instead of a mass audience.

“Up until now, China has been leading in this race — that’s about to change,” he said. “We’re going to make sure that the jobs of the future end up here in Michigan, not halfway around the world.”

Two top White House advisers,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2021/11/17/opinion-bidens-infrastructure-plan-u-s-can-compete-globally/8642680002/" target="_blank">writing in the Detroit Free Press</a>, said the legislation will help America regain its global competitiveness, which has waned, they contend, “after decades of delay and decay.”

“Nobody knows this better than Detroit, which has been at the heart of American industrial strategy in the past and now can again, which is why President Biden is coming today,” wrote Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, and national security adviser Jake Sullivan in an opinion column published Wednesday.

Republicans, even some of those who voted in favor of the infrastructure package, are criticizing Biden for being preoccupied with electric vehicle technology at a time when Americans are contending with a spike in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-new-jersey-0667348f8ee7f018a92448a79e66fae3">gasoline and natural gas prices</a>.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell took the Senate floor Tuesday to make the case that “the Biden administration doesn’t have any strategic plan to snap its fingers and turn our massive country into some green utopia overnight.”

“They just want to throw boatloads of government money at things like solar panels and electric vehicles and hope it all works out,” said McConnell, one of 19 GOP senators who voted in favor of the infrastructure bill. He added, “American families are staring down the barrel of skyrocketing heating bills, and the Democrats’ response is to go to war against affordable American energy.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has stressed that the administration is looking at “every tool in our arsenal” to combat high gasoline prices, saying that Biden and his economic team are “quite focused” on the issue.

Biden has asked the Federal Trade Commission to monitor gasoline prices and address any illegal conduct being observed and is engaging with countries and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-economy-prices-opec-54c606517408481b9f99895b168a07cb">entities abroad like OPEC</a>&nbsp;on increasing supply.

Biden went a step further Wednesday, sending a letter asking the FTC chair to consider investigating “whether illegal conduct is costing families at the pump.” The letter noted an “unexplained” gap in the price of unfinished gasoline and prices for consumers at the pump.

The GM plant Biden visited was slated to be closed in 2018 as the automaker tried to shed excess factory capacity to build sedans as buyers shifted toward SUVs and trucks. But the plant, which built cars with internal combustion engines since it opened in 1985, was rescued a year later and designated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-detroit-92ba4b007c3483594d1f43b5b47882aa">Factory Zero</a>&nbsp;to build zero-emissions electric vehicles.

Currently, the 4.1 million-square-foot plant, which straddles the border between Detroit and the enclave of Hamtramck, is making pre-production versions of the electric GMC Hummer pickup truck.

Next year it will start making a Hummer electric SUV. The plant will start cranking out the Origin, an electric vehicle for GM’s Cruise autonomous vehicle subsidiary, in 2023, and an electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup at an unspecified date.

The plant won’t see much direct impact from the infrastructure spending, but it will benefit from $7.5 billion designated to help build an electric vehicle charging network.

Biden wanted $15 billion to build 500,000 chargers and hasn’t given a number for how many could be constructed for half that amount.

It’s likely $7.5 billion won’t be enough. The International Council on Clean Transportation says the U.S. will need 2.4 million charging stations by 2030 if 36% of new vehicle sales are electric. Currently there are about 45,500 charging stations nationwide with about 112,000 plugs.

Biden is hoping to do even more to promote electric vehicles, including a provision for a $7,500 tax credit for consumers who buy electric vehicles through 2026 that’s been floated as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-democrats-budget-framework-60a1bc276d0ab8eb3e0347fc54ee8c2c">his proposed $1.85 trillion social services and climate bill</a>.

The following year, only purchases of electric vehicles made in the U.S. would qualify for the credit. The base credit would go up by $4,500 if the vehicle is made at a U.S. plant that operates under a union-negotiated collective bargaining agreement. Only auto plants owned by GM, Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis NV qualify.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637241658810.png" alt="President Biden took an electric vehicle for a quick test drive at the General Motors factory in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday- White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden took an electric vehicle for a quick test drive at the General Motors factory in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday- White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — President Joe Biden punched the accelerator on a battery-powered Hummer on Wednesday, causing the wheels to squeal and the truck to jet forward as he tried in his own way to drive the country toward an electric vehicle future.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516164-1/president-biden-infrastructure-spending-gm-factory-michigan">Click here to watch the </a>President's comments from DetroitThe engine was quiet as the president pulled up to a waiting delegation of reporters and officials.“Anyone wanna jump in the back?” Biden asked.The president had just toured a General Motors plant in Detroit to showcase how his newly signed $1 trillion infrastructure law could transform the auto industry.He is highlighting billions of dollars in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">his giant bipartisan infrastructure deal</a>&nbsp;to pay for the installation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-u-s-news-technology-detroit-electric-vehicles-0dbe44f4626fcfd6b3ccee274980188e">electric vehicle chargers</a>&nbsp;across the country, an investment he says will go a long way to curbing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-science-business-scotland-pollution-04a455d42fb66b61330b47b308e80498">planet-warming carbon emissions</a>&nbsp;while creating good-paying jobs. It’s also an attempt to leapfrog China in the plug-in EV market. Currently, the U.S. market share of plug-in electric vehicle sales is one-third the size of the Chinese EV market.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden has asked the FTC to examine why prices at the pump aren’t going down, despite declining oil and gas prices. “I do not accept hard-working Americans paying more for gas because of anti-competitive or otherwise potentially illegal conduct.” — <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/JBaSYg9WmI">pic.twitter.com/JBaSYg9WmI</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1461006225861132296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The president noted that the U.S. was not yet leading with electric vehicles, something he believes his infrastructure package can change with plans to build 500,000 charging stations. The Hummer he drove has a starting price of $108,700, as the electric market seems designed so far to serve luxury buyers instead of a mass audience.“Up until now, China has been leading in this race — that’s about to change,” he said. “We’re going to make sure that the jobs of the future end up here in Michigan, not halfway around the world.”Two top White House advisers,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2021/11/17/opinion-bidens-infrastructure-plan-u-s-can-compete-globally/8642680002/" target="_blank">writing in the Detroit Free Press</a>, said the legislation will help America regain its global competitiveness, which has waned, they contend, “after decades of delay and decay.”“Nobody knows this better than Detroit, which has been at the heart of American industrial strategy in the past and now can again, which is why President Biden is coming today,” wrote Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, and national security adviser Jake Sullivan in an opinion column published Wednesday.Republicans, even some of those who voted in favor of the infrastructure package, are criticizing Biden for being preoccupied with electric vehicle technology at a time when Americans are contending with a spike in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-new-jersey-0667348f8ee7f018a92448a79e66fae3">gasoline and natural gas prices</a>.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell took the Senate floor Tuesday to make the case that “the Biden administration doesn’t have any strategic plan to snap its fingers and turn our massive country into some green utopia overnight.”“They just want to throw boatloads of government money at things like solar panels and electric vehicles and hope it all works out,” said McConnell, one of 19 GOP senators who voted in favor of the infrastructure bill. He added, “American families are staring down the barrel of skyrocketing heating bills, and the Democrats’ response is to go to war against affordable American energy.”White House press secretary Jen Psaki has stressed that the administration is looking at “every tool in our arsenal” to combat high gasoline prices, saying that Biden and his economic team are “quite focused” on the issue.Biden has asked the Federal Trade Commission to monitor gasoline prices and address any illegal conduct being observed and is engaging with countries and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-economy-prices-opec-54c606517408481b9f99895b168a07cb">entities abroad like OPEC</a>&nbsp;on increasing supply.Biden went a step further Wednesday, sending a letter asking the FTC chair to consider investigating “whether illegal conduct is costing families at the pump.” The letter noted an “unexplained” gap in the price of unfinished gasoline and prices for consumers at the pump.The GM plant Biden visited was slated to be closed in 2018 as the automaker tried to shed excess factory capacity to build sedans as buyers shifted toward SUVs and trucks. But the plant, which built cars with internal combustion engines since it opened in 1985, was rescued a year later and designated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michigan-detroit-92ba4b007c3483594d1f43b5b47882aa">Factory Zero</a>&nbsp;to build zero-emissions electric vehicles.Currently, the 4.1 million-square-foot plant, which straddles the border between Detroit and the enclave of Hamtramck, is making pre-production versions of the electric GMC Hummer pickup truck.Next year it will start making a Hummer electric SUV. The plant will start cranking out the Origin, an electric vehicle for GM’s Cruise autonomous vehicle subsidiary, in 2023, and an electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup at an unspecified date.The plant won’t see much direct impact from the infrastructure spending, but it will benefit from $7.5 billion designated to help build an electric vehicle charging network.Biden wanted $15 billion to build 500,000 chargers and hasn’t given a number for how many could be constructed for half that amount.It’s likely $7.5 billion won’t be enough. The International Council on Clean Transportation says the U.S. will need 2.4 million charging stations by 2030 if 36% of new vehicle sales are electric. Currently there are about 45,500 charging stations nationwide with about 112,000 plugs.Biden is hoping to do even more to promote electric vehicles, including a provision for a $7,500 tax credit for consumers who buy electric vehicles through 2026 that’s been floated as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-democrats-budget-framework-60a1bc276d0ab8eb3e0347fc54ee8c2c">his proposed $1.85 trillion social services and climate bill</a>.The following year, only purchases of electric vehicles made in the U.S. would qualify for the credit. The base credit would go up by $4,500 if the vehicle is made at a U.S. plant that operates under a union-negotiated collective bargaining agreement. Only auto plants owned by GM, Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis NV qualify.

🎥 President promotes electric vehicles as gas prices spike

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Search warrants have been unsealed in the investigation into South Dakota billionaire T. Denny Sanford. 

The search warrants show investigators looked into his email account in 2019. Law enforcement also sought search warrants on his cellular and internet service providers.&nbsp;

The investigation into Sanford was reported last year by ProPublica and the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Both news outlets went to court for access to the search warrants. 

The state Supreme Court ruled last month that the warrants should be unsealed. The unsealing of the legal documents was the first time investigative documents have been released that name Sanford.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Search warrants have been unsealed in the investigation into South Dakota billionaire T. Denny Sanford. The search warrants show investigators looked into his email account in 2019. Law enforcement also sought search warrants on his cellular and internet service providers.&nbsp;The investigation into Sanford was reported last year by ProPublica and the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Both news outlets went to court for access to the search warrants. The state Supreme Court ruled last month that the warrants should be unsealed. The unsealing of the legal documents was the first time investigative documents have been released that name Sanford.

Search warrants unsealed in probe of billionaire Sanford

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California's highest court rejected on Wednesday a challenge by Monsanto Co.'s to $86.2 million in damages to a couple who developed cancer after spraying the company's Roundup weed-killer in their yards for three decades.

The state Supreme Court's denial of review upholds an appeals court's ruling in favor of Alva and Alberta Pilliod.

The First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco found in a 2-1 ruling in August that Monsanto was at fault for knowingly marketing a product whose active ingredient, glyphosate, could be dangerous.

Monsanto’s parent company, Bayer, said it disagreed with the high court's decision.

"We continue to stand strongly behind the safety of Roundup, a position supported by assessments of expert regulators worldwide as well as the overwhelming weight of four decades of extensive science,” the company said in a statement.

Brent Wisner, a lawyer for the Pilliods,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/86-2-million-Roundup-damage-award-to-Livermore-16630082.php">told the San Francisco Chronicle</a>&nbsp;the verdict “was based on solid science and unanimous law” and the company should halt its “frivolous appeals.”

Bayer announced over the summer that it would stop selling the current version of Roundup for home and garden use in U.S. stores, starting in 2023.

Bayer said it would replace the herbicide’s main ingredient, glyphosate, with an unspecified active ingredient, subject to federal and state approval, while continuing to sell Roundup with glyphosate for farm use.

Bayer has agreed to pay $10 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits that have already been filed in state and federal courts and has sought, unsuccessfully so far, to resolve future lawsuits with a settlement fund of up to $2 billion, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593022262288.png" alt="Monsanto’s parent company, Bayer announced over the summer that it would stop selling the current version of Roundup for home and garden use in U.S. stores, starting in 2023." />
 <figcaption>Monsanto’s parent company, Bayer announced over the summer that it would stop selling the current version of Roundup for home and garden use in U.S. stores, starting in 2023.</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California's highest court rejected on Wednesday a challenge by Monsanto Co.'s to $86.2 million in damages to a couple who developed cancer after spraying the company's Roundup weed-killer in their yards for three decades.The state Supreme Court's denial of review upholds an appeals court's ruling in favor of Alva and Alberta Pilliod.The First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco found in a 2-1 ruling in August that Monsanto was at fault for knowingly marketing a product whose active ingredient, glyphosate, could be dangerous.Monsanto’s parent company, Bayer, said it disagreed with the high court's decision."We continue to stand strongly behind the safety of Roundup, a position supported by assessments of expert regulators worldwide as well as the overwhelming weight of four decades of extensive science,” the company said in a statement.Brent Wisner, a lawyer for the Pilliods,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/86-2-million-Roundup-damage-award-to-Livermore-16630082.php">told the San Francisco Chronicle</a>&nbsp;the verdict “was based on solid science and unanimous law” and the company should halt its “frivolous appeals.”Bayer announced over the summer that it would stop selling the current version of Roundup for home and garden use in U.S. stores, starting in 2023.Bayer said it would replace the herbicide’s main ingredient, glyphosate, with an unspecified active ingredient, subject to federal and state approval, while continuing to sell Roundup with glyphosate for farm use.Bayer has agreed to pay $10 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits that have already been filed in state and federal courts and has sought, unsuccessfully so far, to resolve future lawsuits with a settlement fund of up to $2 billion, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Couple's $86M award in Monsanto pesticide case stands

DETROIT (AP) — Deere &amp; Co. workers approved a new contract Wednesday that will deliver 10% raises immediately and end a monthlong strike for more than 10,000 employees.

The United Auto Workers union said 61% of its members approved the deal with the tractor maker on their third vote, even though this offer was strikingly similar to one that 55% of workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-strikes-united-auto-workers-7124f0d5f729c0a722e62c87c94fc14a">rejected two weeks ago</a>.

Deere workers — and other unions — have been emboldened to ask for more this year because of the ongoing worker shortages and because workers didn’t always feel appreciated while working long hours during the pandemic.

This latest proposal made only modest changes to the details of Deere’s internal incentive pay plan. The new contract covers 12 plants in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas where the Moline, Illinois-based company’s iconic John Deere green agricultural and construction equipment is made.

The company said work would resume on Wednesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634596496067.png" alt="The strike began Oct. 14 -Photo courtesy WQAD TV" />
 <figcaption>The strike began Oct. 14 -Photo courtesy WQAD TV</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Deere &amp; Co. workers approved a new contract Wednesday that will deliver 10% raises immediately and end a monthlong strike for more than 10,000 employees.The United Auto Workers union said 61% of its members approved the deal with the tractor maker on their third vote, even though this offer was strikingly similar to one that 55% of workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-strikes-united-auto-workers-7124f0d5f729c0a722e62c87c94fc14a">rejected two weeks ago</a>.Deere workers — and other unions — have been emboldened to ask for more this year because of the ongoing worker shortages and because workers didn’t always feel appreciated while working long hours during the pandemic.This latest proposal made only modest changes to the details of Deere’s internal incentive pay plan. The new contract covers 12 plants in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas where the Moline, Illinois-based company’s iconic John Deere green agricultural and construction equipment is made.The company said work would resume on Wednesday night.

Deere workers approve 3rd contract offer, will end strike

Gift exchange campaign became popular several years ago through Facebook&nbsp;

A "Secret Santa" around the office, or with friends and family 
can be fun. A gift exchange among online friends you haven’t met, well, 
that’s a little different and carries a heftier consequence. These gift 
exchanges, while they look like innocent fun, are really pyramid schemes
 – and are considered illegal.

The “Secret Sister” gift exchange campaign quickly became popular 
several years ago through Facebook posts promising participants would 
receive up to 36 gifts, in exchange for sending one gift. Each holiday 
season, the scheme pops back up. A newer version of this scam revolves 
around exchanging bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts
 online. You might see references to receiving "happy mail" or doing the
 exchange "for the good of the sisterhood." During the 2021 holiday 
season, be aware of variations of this theme that may crop up on social 
media.

The scheme starts with a convincing invitation, either by email or 
social media to sign up for what seems like a great, fun program. All 
you must do is provide your name and address and personal information of
 a few additional friends, and tack this information on to a list that’s
 already started of people you’ve never met on the internet. Next, it’s 
your turn to send an email or social media invitation to send a modest 
gift or bottle of wine to a stranger along with their friends, family 
and contacts.

A newer twist on the idea asks you to give your etransfer email and 
asks users to pick a name off of a list and send money to strangers, to 
"pay it forward."&nbsp;

There was even another new twist called "Secret Santa Dog" where you are asked to buy a $10 gift for a "secret dog."&nbsp;

In all of these versions, you give away your personal information, 
and you’re left with buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown 
individuals, in hopes that the favor is reciprocated by receiving the 
promised number of gifts in return. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen. 
Just like any other pyramid scheme, it relies on the recruitment of 
individuals to keep the scam afloat. Once people stop participating in 
the gift exchange, the gift supply stops as well, and leaves hundreds of
 disappointed people without their promised gifts or cash.

It should be noted that pyramid schemes are illegal in the <a href="https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/pyramid-schemes/" target="_blank">US</a> and <a href="https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/00518.html" target="_blank">Canada</a>. The U.S. Postal Inspection Services <a href="https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/pyramid-schemes/" target="_blank">explains that these gift exchanges</a>
 are considered&nbsp;a form of gambling and that participants could be 
subject to penalties such as jail time, fines or a lawsuit for mail 
fraud.

There is another layer of danger to participating in these schemes. 
When signing up, the alleged campaign organizer is asking for personal 
information such as a mailing address or an email. With just a few 
pieces of information, cyber thieves could expose you to future scams or
 commit identity theft. The next time someone promises a bounty of gifts or cash by mail, email, or social media, BBB recommends the following:&nbsp;

More information on scams is available by visiting <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/news/scams" target="_blank">the BBB scam news feed</a>. Report scams to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>.&nbsp;

Visit the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">BBB Holiday Tips page</a> for more tips on shopping safely this season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Gift exchange campaign became popular several years ago through Facebook&nbsp;</h2>BBBA "Secret Santa" around the office, or with friends and family 
can be fun. A gift exchange among online friends you haven’t met, well, 
that’s a little different and carries a heftier consequence. These gift 
exchanges, while they look like innocent fun, are really pyramid schemes
 – and are considered illegal.The “Secret Sister” gift exchange campaign quickly became popular 
several years ago through Facebook posts promising participants would 
receive up to 36 gifts, in exchange for sending one gift. Each holiday 
season, the scheme pops back up. A newer version of this scam revolves 
around exchanging bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts
 online. You might see references to receiving "happy mail" or doing the
 exchange "for the good of the sisterhood." During the 2021 holiday 
season, be aware of variations of this theme that may crop up on social 
media.How the Scam WorksThe scheme starts with a convincing invitation, either by email or 
social media to sign up for what seems like a great, fun program. All 
you must do is provide your name and address and personal information of
 a few additional friends, and tack this information on to a list that’s
 already started of people you’ve never met on the internet. Next, it’s 
your turn to send an email or social media invitation to send a modest 
gift or bottle of wine to a stranger along with their friends, family 
and contacts.A newer twist on the idea asks you to give your etransfer email and 
asks users to pick a name off of a list and send money to strangers, to 
"pay it forward."&nbsp;There was even another new twist called "Secret Santa Dog" where you are asked to buy a $10 gift for a "secret dog."&nbsp;In all of these versions, you give away your personal information, 
and you’re left with buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown 
individuals, in hopes that the favor is reciprocated by receiving the 
promised number of gifts in return. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen. 
Just like any other pyramid scheme, it relies on the recruitment of 
individuals to keep the scam afloat. Once people stop participating in 
the gift exchange, the gift supply stops as well, and leaves hundreds of
 disappointed people without their promised gifts or cash.It should be noted that pyramid schemes are illegal in the <a href="https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/pyramid-schemes/" target="_blank">US</a> and <a href="https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/00518.html" target="_blank">Canada</a>. The U.S. Postal Inspection Services <a href="https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/pyramid-schemes/" target="_blank">explains that these gift exchanges</a>
 are considered&nbsp;a form of gambling and that participants could be 
subject to penalties such as jail time, fines or a lawsuit for mail 
fraud.There is another layer of danger to participating in these schemes. 
When signing up, the alleged campaign organizer is asking for personal 
information such as a mailing address or an email. With just a few 
pieces of information, cyber thieves could expose you to future scams or
 commit identity theft. The next time someone promises a bounty of gifts or cash by mail, email, or social media, BBB recommends the following:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Ignore it! Keep in mind that pyramid schemes are 
international. Chain letters involving money or valuable items and 
promise big returns are illegal. Stop and ask, is it worth breaking the 
law? Report it instead to <a href="https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm" target="_blank">Canadian agencies</a> or to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uspis.gov/report/" target="_blank">U.S. Postal Inspection Services</a>. &nbsp;</li><li>Report social media posts. If you receive an 
invitation to join a pyramid scheme on social media, report it to 
Facebook by clicking in the upper righthand corner and selecting “Report
 post” or “report photo.”</li><li>Never give your personal information to strangers. This will open you up to identity theft and other scams.</li><li>Be wary of false claims. Some pyramid schemes try 
to win your confidence by claiming they’re legal and endorsed by the 
government. These imposter schemes are false as the government will 
never endorse illegal activity. No matter what they claim, pyramid 
schemes will not make you rich. You will receive little to no money back
 on your “investment” or gift exchange. </li>
 </ul>More information on scams is available by visiting <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/news/scams" target="_blank">the BBB scam news feed</a>. Report scams to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>.&nbsp;Visit the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">BBB Holiday Tips page</a> for more tips on shopping safely this season.

BBB says 'Secret Sister' gift exchange is illegal pyramid scheme

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the launch 
of an improved identity verification and sign-in process that enables 
more people to securely access and use IRS online tools and 
applications.

Taxpayers using the new mobile-friendly verification procedure can gain entry to existing IRS online services such as the:

Additional IRS applications will transition to the new method over the next year.

"Identity verification is critical to protect taxpayers and their 
information. The IRS has been working hard to make improvements in this 
area, and this new verification process is designed to make IRS online 
applications as secure as possible for people," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "To help taxpayers and the tax community, we are improving
 the accessibility of online tools that help families manage their Child
 Tax Credit, check on their IRS accounts and securely perform other 
routine tasks online."

The new process can reach more people through the expanded use of 
identity documents and increased help desk assistance for taxpayers who 
encounter a problem when attempting to verify their identity online. 
Developed under the Secure Access Digital Identity initiative (SADI), 
the new process complies with a federal mandate.

To provide verification services, the IRS is using ID.me, a trusted 
technology provider. The new process is one more step the IRS is taking 
to ensure that taxpayer information is provided only to the person who 
legally has a right to the data.

The IRS also integrated this new account-creation process into some 
applications used by tax professionals, including those used to request 
powers of attorney or tax information authorizations online using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/use-tax-pro-account">Tax Pro Account</a> or to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/submit-forms-2848-and-8821-online">submit Forms 2848 and 8821 online</a>.

When accessing the tools listed above, taxpayers will be asked to 
sign in with an ID.me account. People who already have IRS usernames may
 continue to use their credentials from the old system to sign-in until 
summer 2022, but are prompted to create an ID.me account as soon as 
possible. Anyone with an existing ID.me account from the Child Tax 
Credit Update Portal, or from another government agency, can sign in 
with their existing credentials.

To verify their identity with ID.me, taxpayers need to provide a 
photo of an identity document such as a driver's license, state ID or 
passport. They'll also need to take a selfie with a smartphone or a 
computer with a webcam. Once their identity has been verified, they can 
securely access IRS online services.

Taxpayers who need help verifying their identity or submitting a support ticket can visit the <a href="https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/categories/1500002213102?utm_campaign=IRS-group1&amp;utm_medium=sadi&amp;utm_source=irs-website&amp;utm_content=newsrelease&amp;utm_term=news">ID.me IRS Help Site</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the launch 
of an improved identity verification and sign-in process that enables 
more people to securely access and use IRS online tools and 
applications.Taxpayers using the new mobile-friendly verification procedure can gain entry to existing IRS online services such as the:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>,</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">Online Account</a>,</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript">Get Transcript Online</a>,</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin">Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)</a> and</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application">Online Payment Agreement</a>.</li>
 </ul>Additional IRS applications will transition to the new method over the next year."Identity verification is critical to protect taxpayers and their 
information. The IRS has been working hard to make improvements in this 
area, and this new verification process is designed to make IRS online 
applications as secure as possible for people," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "To help taxpayers and the tax community, we are improving
 the accessibility of online tools that help families manage their Child
 Tax Credit, check on their IRS accounts and securely perform other 
routine tasks online."The new process can reach more people through the expanded use of 
identity documents and increased help desk assistance for taxpayers who 
encounter a problem when attempting to verify their identity online. 
Developed under the Secure Access Digital Identity initiative (SADI), 
the new process complies with a federal mandate.To provide verification services, the IRS is using ID.me, a trusted 
technology provider. The new process is one more step the IRS is taking 
to ensure that taxpayer information is provided only to the person who 
legally has a right to the data.The IRS also integrated this new account-creation process into some 
applications used by tax professionals, including those used to request 
powers of attorney or tax information authorizations online using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/use-tax-pro-account">Tax Pro Account</a> or to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/submit-forms-2848-and-8821-online">submit Forms 2848 and 8821 online</a>.<h2>Accessing IRS tools</h2>When accessing the tools listed above, taxpayers will be asked to 
sign in with an ID.me account. People who already have IRS usernames may
 continue to use their credentials from the old system to sign-in until 
summer 2022, but are prompted to create an ID.me account as soon as 
possible. Anyone with an existing ID.me account from the Child Tax 
Credit Update Portal, or from another government agency, can sign in 
with their existing credentials.To verify their identity with ID.me, taxpayers need to provide a 
photo of an identity document such as a driver's license, state ID or 
passport. They'll also need to take a selfie with a smartphone or a 
computer with a webcam. Once their identity has been verified, they can 
securely access IRS online services.Taxpayers who need help verifying their identity or submitting a support ticket can visit the <a href="https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/categories/1500002213102?utm_campaign=IRS-group1&amp;utm_medium=sadi&amp;utm_source=irs-website&amp;utm_content=newsrelease&amp;utm_term=news">ID.me IRS Help Site</a>.

IRS changes identity verification process for accessing self-help tools

BALTIMORE (AP) — U.S. Catholic bishops overwhelmingly approved a long-anticipated document on Communion on Wednesday that stops short of calling for withholding the sacrament from politicians such as President Joe Biden who support abortion rights but offers plenty of tacit justification for individual bishops to do so.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ first major statement on Communion in 15 years, “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” does not explicitly address the debate over elected officials, abortion and the sacrament that has surrounded the document over the past several months and partly inspired its creation in the first place.

Instead, it gives an overview of church teaching, emphasizing the centrality of the Eucharist in the faith and worship and in part reflecting concern among bishops that many Catholics don’t know or accept such teachings.

It was approved by a 222-8 vote at the conference’s fall assembly in Maryland after receiving only minor revisions in recent days by drafters on the bishops’ Committee on Doctrine.

Drafters added a reference to defending “the unborn” along with other vulnerable persons, such as immigrants, older adults and victims of racial injustice. They also bolstered the definition of “scandal” as weakening the resolve of other Catholics to follow church teachings.

The latter revision came in a passage reaffirming a 2006 statement saying it’s a scandal if a Catholic “in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly or obstinately to reject” the church’s doctrines or moral teachings.

The document does not identify Biden or other politicians by name, though it says at one point, “Lay people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody Church teaching.”

It calls on Catholics to examine their conscience and make sure they’re in harmony with church teachings, and says bishops have a “special responsibility” to respond to situations “that involve public actions at variance with the visible communion of the church and the moral law.”

Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, who chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and whose work includes advocacy against abortion, took the document as affirming the importance of “our responsibility for the care of the souls of these politicians.”

Naumann, wearing a facemask with the words “REMEMBER The Unborn,” called for bishops to find common ground where politicians agree with the church’s vision for “the dignity of the human person.” But he also urged them “not to be afraid to fulfill our obligations to let them know how serious” it is to dissent from church teaching.

Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, an outspoken critic of the president, asked colleagues to amend the document by quoting the church catechism and the Bible as saying anyone who creates scandal would be better off having a “millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in ... the sea.”

The proposal was met with silence when put to a voice vote and was not adopted.

The conference cannot dictate a blanket policy on denying Communion to politicians; each bishop has authority in his own diocese.

While some bishops have said they would deny the sacrament to Biden, the archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, has affirmed that the president is welcome to receive the sacrament there.

Biden has said that Pope Francis, too, told him in a recent private meeting in Rome to continue receiving Communion. While the Vatican has not confirmed that, Biden did subsequently go to Mass and receive Communion at a church in Rome — evidence that Francis did not forbid priests in the Diocese of Rome, which he oversees, from giving Communion to Biden.

The document highlights the centrality of the doctrine of transubstantiation, which says that when a priest celebrates Mass, the bread and wine is transformed into Jesus’ actual body and blood. It says Catholics can perceive this as a reality through faith, even though the elements appear to the senses to be bread and wine.

Some bishops have expressed concern over Catholics’ acceptance of the doctrine, citing a 2019 survey that found most church members don’t believe in transubstantiation. Other researchers have questioned that finding, however, saying that when survey questions are phrased differently, higher numbers of Catholics align with church teaching.

The document also says the sacrament is central to church unity and worship and leads to “personal and moral transformation,” motivating believers to take care of vulnerable people and, in a broader sense, the environment.

Bishops began working on the document after Biden took office, with some citing “confusion” over the president presenting himself as a devout Catholic despite his political stance on abortion.

The Vatican repeatedly sent caution signals to the U.S. bishops as they prepared the document.

The papal ambassador to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, on Tuesday urged bishops to listen before they teach, even in situations where some want to clarify “confusion.” And earlier this year, the head of the Vatican’s doctrine office urged bishops to go slowly on the document, pursuing dialogue among themselves and with Catholic politicians.

Also during the fall meeting, bishops are launching a broader initiative to promote devotions centered on the Eucharist with plans for a major gathering focused on the sacrament in 2024 in Indianapolis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635513708354.png" alt="President Biden with the Pope during a visit at the Vatican earlier this month-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden with the Pope during a visit at the Vatican earlier this month-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — U.S. Catholic bishops overwhelmingly approved a long-anticipated document on Communion on Wednesday that stops short of calling for withholding the sacrament from politicians such as President Joe Biden who support abortion rights but offers plenty of tacit justification for individual bishops to do so.The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ first major statement on Communion in 15 years, “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” does not explicitly address the debate over elected officials, abortion and the sacrament that has surrounded the document over the past several months and partly inspired its creation in the first place.Instead, it gives an overview of church teaching, emphasizing the centrality of the Eucharist in the faith and worship and in part reflecting concern among bishops that many Catholics don’t know or accept such teachings.It was approved by a 222-8 vote at the conference’s fall assembly in Maryland after receiving only minor revisions in recent days by drafters on the bishops’ Committee on Doctrine.Drafters added a reference to defending “the unborn” along with other vulnerable persons, such as immigrants, older adults and victims of racial injustice. They also bolstered the definition of “scandal” as weakening the resolve of other Catholics to follow church teachings.The latter revision came in a passage reaffirming a 2006 statement saying it’s a scandal if a Catholic “in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly or obstinately to reject” the church’s doctrines or moral teachings.The document does not identify Biden or other politicians by name, though it says at one point, “Lay people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to embody Church teaching.”It calls on Catholics to examine their conscience and make sure they’re in harmony with church teachings, and says bishops have a “special responsibility” to respond to situations “that involve public actions at variance with the visible communion of the church and the moral law.”Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, who chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities and whose work includes advocacy against abortion, took the document as affirming the importance of “our responsibility for the care of the souls of these politicians.”Naumann, wearing a facemask with the words “REMEMBER The Unborn,” called for bishops to find common ground where politicians agree with the church’s vision for “the dignity of the human person.” But he also urged them “not to be afraid to fulfill our obligations to let them know how serious” it is to dissent from church teaching.Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, an outspoken critic of the president, asked colleagues to amend the document by quoting the church catechism and the Bible as saying anyone who creates scandal would be better off having a “millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in ... the sea.”The proposal was met with silence when put to a voice vote and was not adopted.The conference cannot dictate a blanket policy on denying Communion to politicians; each bishop has authority in his own diocese.While some bishops have said they would deny the sacrament to Biden, the archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, has affirmed that the president is welcome to receive the sacrament there.Biden has said that Pope Francis, too, told him in a recent private meeting in Rome to continue receiving Communion. While the Vatican has not confirmed that, Biden did subsequently go to Mass and receive Communion at a church in Rome — evidence that Francis did not forbid priests in the Diocese of Rome, which he oversees, from giving Communion to Biden.The document highlights the centrality of the doctrine of transubstantiation, which says that when a priest celebrates Mass, the bread and wine is transformed into Jesus’ actual body and blood. It says Catholics can perceive this as a reality through faith, even though the elements appear to the senses to be bread and wine.Some bishops have expressed concern over Catholics’ acceptance of the doctrine, citing a 2019 survey that found most church members don’t believe in transubstantiation. Other researchers have questioned that finding, however, saying that when survey questions are phrased differently, higher numbers of Catholics align with church teaching.The document also says the sacrament is central to church unity and worship and leads to “personal and moral transformation,” motivating believers to take care of vulnerable people and, in a broader sense, the environment.Bishops began working on the document after Biden took office, with some citing “confusion” over the president presenting himself as a devout Catholic despite his political stance on abortion.The Vatican repeatedly sent caution signals to the U.S. bishops as they prepared the document.The papal ambassador to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, on Tuesday urged bishops to listen before they teach, even in situations where some want to clarify “confusion.” And earlier this year, the head of the Vatican’s doctrine office urged bishops to go slowly on the document, pursuing dialogue among themselves and with Catholic politicians.Also during the fall meeting, bishops are launching a broader initiative to promote devotions centered on the Eucharist with plans for a major gathering focused on the sacrament in 2024 in Indianapolis.

Bishops OK Communion document, avoid direct rebuff to Biden

LEXINGTON&nbsp; — Nebraska State Patrol investigators, working with the CODE Task Force, have arrested an Orleans man following an investigation into reports of juveniles purchasing THC and Nicotine products from an adult.

The investigation began earlier this month, when the Lexington Police Department received reports that juveniles were possessing THC and Nicotine vape products. That investigation developed information that the juveniles were purchasing the products from a subject with whom they had connected via social media.

Investigators were able to identify the subject as Hector Lugo, 22, of Orleans, Nebraska. A search warrant was served at Lugo’s residence in Orleans, where investigators located THC vape cartridges, more than six pounds of THC edibles, a large machete, drug paraphernalia, and apparent drug money. A warrant was then issued for Lugo’s arrest.

On Tuesday, November 16, Lugo was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, and possession of money during a drug violation. He was lodged in Dawson County Jail.

The CODE Task Force, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska State Patrol cooperated in this investigation.

LEXINGTON&nbsp; — Nebraska State Patrol investigators, working with the CODE Task Force, have arrested an Orleans man following an investigation into reports of juveniles purchasing THC and Nicotine products from an adult.The investigation began earlier this month, when the Lexington Police Department received reports that juveniles were possessing THC and Nicotine vape products. That investigation developed information that the juveniles were purchasing the products from a subject with whom they had connected via social media.Investigators were able to identify the subject as Hector Lugo, 22, of Orleans, Nebraska. A search warrant was served at Lugo’s residence in Orleans, where investigators located THC vape cartridges, more than six pounds of THC edibles, a large machete, drug paraphernalia, and apparent drug money. A warrant was then issued for Lugo’s arrest.On Tuesday, November 16, Lugo was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, and possession of money during a drug violation. He was lodged in Dawson County Jail.The CODE Task Force, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska State Patrol cooperated in this investigation.

Orleans man arrested following multi-agency investigation

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials say an estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year. That's a total the nation has never seen. 

Experts say it's tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply. 

Overdose deaths have been rising for more than two decades. But they accelerated dramatically in the past two years — jumping nearly 30% in the last year alone. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the new figures Wednesday. 

The numbers for the period from May 2020 to April 2021 aren't yet final.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560348099371.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials say an estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year. That's a total the nation has never seen. Experts say it's tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply. Overdose deaths have been rising for more than two decades. But they accelerated dramatically in the past two years — jumping nearly 30% in the last year alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the new figures Wednesday. The numbers for the period from May 2020 to April 2021 aren't yet final.

US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in one year, officials say

KEARNEY, Neb (AP) — Bill McMullen, the current chairman and nearly three-decade member of the Buffalo County Board, has died following recent heart problems. 

 O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney said McMullen died Friday at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln. 

McMullen joined the board in 1992 and first served as its chairman from 2000 to 2003. 

He was selected as chairman again in 2012 and served in that role until his death. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday at the American Legion Club in Kearney, where he worked as manager for decades.

KEARNEY, Neb (AP) — Bill McMullen, the current chairman and nearly three-decade member of the Buffalo County Board, has died following recent heart problems. He was 64. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney said McMullen died Friday at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln. McMullen joined the board in 1992 and first served as its chairman from 2000 to 2003. He was selected as chairman again in 2012 and served in that role until his death. A memorial service will be held Saturday at the American Legion Club in Kearney, where he worked as manager for decades.

Longtime Buffalo County Board member Bill McMullen dies

CODY, Wyo. (AP) — Wildfires pushed by strong winds have forced evacuations of homes in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado and led to a death in Wyoming. 

A fire caused by a downed power line near the Wyoming town of Clark burned at least two homes and seven outbuildings. 

Park County fire officials say a member of a firefighter's family was killed. 

In south-central Montana, the Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office says 35 evacuation notices were issued for an area southwest of the town of Absarokee late Monday, but now major structures were believed to have been damaged. 

Near Estes Park in north-central Colorado, homes were evacuated Tuesday morning due to a fire.

CODY, Wyo. (AP) — Wildfires pushed by strong winds have forced evacuations of homes in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado and led to a death in Wyoming. A fire caused by a downed power line near the Wyoming town of Clark burned at least two homes and seven outbuildings. Park County fire officials say a member of a firefighter's family was killed. In south-central Montana, the Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office says 35 evacuation notices were issued for an area southwest of the town of Absarokee late Monday, but now major structures were believed to have been damaged. Near Estes Park in north-central Colorado, homes were evacuated Tuesday morning due to a fire.

Wind-stoked wildfire causes death in Wyoming, evacuations

&nbsp;Acting United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 7 unsealed Indictments charging 7 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Timothy S. Daly, age 49, of Ponca, Nebraska, is charged with attempted enticement of a minor on or about August 26, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $5,000 additional special assessment.&nbsp;

*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Christian Genchi, age 28, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment.&nbsp;Count I charges Genchi with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about August 9, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a ten-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges the defendant with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about August 9, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bryan William Gloe, age 44, of Plainview, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment.&nbsp;Count I charges Gloe with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about June 3, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a 10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Counts II through IV charge the defendant with distribution of methamphetamine on or about May 7, 2021 and continuing through on or about May 27, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;

*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Omar Vaillant, Jr., age 39, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment.&nbsp;Count I charges Vaillant with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about April 9, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges the defendant with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about April 9, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment

Count III charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 9, 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;

*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Patrick Walker, age 55, is charged in a two-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count I charges Walker with assault on an officer with physical contact and bodily injury on or about October 30, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges the defendant with assault resulting in serious bodily injury on or about October 30, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;

*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Leonard Woodrum, Jr., age 56, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about July 9, 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a ten-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment&nbsp;&nbsp; There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about July 9, 2021.

*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Domingo Zacarias-Ciprian, age 41, is charged in a three-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count I charges&nbsp;Zacarias-Ciprian with unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature on or about September 21, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges the defendant with possession with intent to transfer five or more documents or authentication features on or about November 3, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count III charges the defendant with sale of a card purporting a social security card on or about September 21, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about November 3, 2021.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637167352924.png" alt="us-attorney.png" />
 <figcaption>us-attorney.png</figcaption>
 </figure>From the United States Attorney-Omaha&nbsp;Acting United States Attorney Jan W. Sharp announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 7 unsealed Indictments charging 7 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Timothy S. Daly, age 49, of Ponca, Nebraska, is charged with attempted enticement of a minor on or about August 26, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a life term of supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $5,000 additional special assessment.&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Christian Genchi, age 28, of Omaha, is charged in a two-count Indictment.&nbsp;Count I charges Genchi with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about August 9, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a ten-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges the defendant with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about August 9, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Bryan William Gloe, age 44, of Plainview, Nebraska, is charged in a four-count Indictment.&nbsp;Count I charges Gloe with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) on or about June 3, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a 10,000,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Counts II through IV charge the defendant with distribution of methamphetamine on or about May 7, 2021 and continuing through on or about May 27, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Omar Vaillant, Jr., age 39, of Omaha, is charged in a three-count Indictment.&nbsp;Count I charges Vaillant with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on or about April 9, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges the defendant with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on or about April 9, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment consecutive to Count I, a $250,000 fine, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessmentCount III charges the defendant with felon in possession of a firearm on or about April 9, 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Patrick Walker, age 55, is charged in a two-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count I charges Walker with assault on an officer with physical contact and bodily injury on or about October 30, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges the defendant with assault resulting in serious bodily injury on or about October 30, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Leonard Woodrum, Jr., age 56, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about July 9, 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;The maximum possible penalty if convicted is life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a ten-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment&nbsp;&nbsp; There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about July 9, 2021.*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Domingo Zacarias-Ciprian, age 41, is charged in a three-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count I charges&nbsp;Zacarias-Ciprian with unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature on or about September 21, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count II charges the defendant with possession with intent to transfer five or more documents or authentication features on or about November 3, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count III charges the defendant with sale of a card purporting a social security card on or about September 21, 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; There is also an allegation to forfeit United States currency seized on or about November 3, 2021.&nbsp;

Dist. of Nebraska federal Grand Jury Indictments

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Construction of new homes in the U.S. fell 0.7% in October, a sign that builders are still facing difficulties keeping up with demand as supply chain problems persist. 

The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that October’s decline put home construction at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.52 million units, which is an increase of 0.4% from the rate at this time last year. 

Applications for building permits, a barometer of future activity, rose 4% from September and is up 3.4% from October of last year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637159337174.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Construction of new homes in the U.S. fell 0.7% in October, a sign that builders are still facing difficulties keeping up with demand as supply chain problems persist. The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that October’s decline put home construction at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.52 million units, which is an increase of 0.4% from the rate at this time last year. Applications for building permits, a barometer of future activity, rose 4% from September and is up 3.4% from October of last year.

US home construction dips 0.7% in October, but permits jump

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say a longtime University of Michigan violin professor pleaded guilty to transporting an underage girl across states lines for sex back in 2002. 

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say a longtime University of Michigan violin professor pleaded guilty to transporting an underage girl across states lines for sex back in 2002. The U.S. attorney’s office in Detroit said Tuesday that 68-year-old Stephen Shipps faces up to 15 years in prison when he’s sentenced. Shipps was indicted last year on charges alleging that he took a girl across state lines several times between February and July of 2002 with the intention of having sex with her. His arrest came two years after the university placed him on paid leave when former students accused him of sexual misconduct while he taught them in the 1970s and 1980s in Nebraska and North Carolina.