Report identifies troubling data collection practices among several ISPs

Many
 internet service providers (ISPs) collect and share far more data about
 their customers than many consumers may expect—including access to all 
of their Internet traffic and real-time location data—while failing to 
offer consumers meaningful choices about how this data can be used, 
according to an<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/reports/look-what-isps-know-about-you-examining-privacy-practices-six-major-internet-service"> FTC staff report</a>&nbsp;on ISPs’ data collection and use practices.

The
 staff report, which details the expanding scope and some troubling 
aspects of some ISP data collection practices, stems from &nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/08/ftc-revises-list-companies-subject-broadband-privacy-study">orders the FTC issued in 2019</a>
 using its authority under 6(b) of the FTC Act to six internet service 
providers, which make up about 98 percent of the mobile Internet market:

The
 FTC also issued orders to three advertising entities affiliated with 
these ISPs: AT&amp;T’s Appnexus Inc., rebranded as Xandr; Verizon’s 
Verizon Online LLC; and Oath Americas Inc., rebranded as Verizon Media. 
The FTC sought information on their data collection and use practices, 
as well as any tools provided to consumers to control these practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As
 noted in the report, these companies have evolved into technology 
giants who offer not just internet services but also provide a range of 
other services including voice, content, smart devices, advertising, and
 analytics—which has increased the volume of information they are 
capable of collecting about their customers. The report identified 
several troubling data collection practices among several of the ISPs, 
including that they combine data across product lines; combine personal,
 app usage, and web browsing data to target ads; place consumers into 
sensitive categories such as by race and sexual orientation; and share 
real-time location data with third-parties.

At the same time, the 
report found the privacy protections many of the companies offer raised 
several concerns. Even though several of the ISPs promise not to sell 
consumers personal data, they allow it to be used, transferred, and 
monetized by others and hide disclosures about such practices in fine 
print of their privacy policies. For example, several news outlets noted
 that subscribers’ real-time location data shared with third-party 
customers was being accessed by car salesmen, property managers, bail 
bondsmen, bounty hunters, and others without reasonable protections or 
consumers’ knowledge and consent, according to the report.

Many of
 the ISPs also claim to offer consumers choices about how their data is 
used and allow them to access such data. The FTC found, however, that 
many of these companies often make it difficult for consumers to 
exercise such choices and sometimes even nudge them to share even more 
information. In addition, while several of the ISPs promise to only keep
 the data for as long as needed for business purposes, the definition of
 what constitutes a “business purpose” varies widely among the 
companies.

The report concludes that many of the ISPs’ data 
collection and use practices mirror problems identified in other 
industries and underscore the importance of restricting data collection 
and use.

The Commission voted 4-0 to approve and issue the report. Staff presented findings from the report at today’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events-calendar/open-commission-meeting-october-21-2021">open virtual Commission meeting</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chair Lina M. Khan <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/2021/10/remarks-chair-lina-m-khan-regarding-6b-study-privacy-practices-six-major">issued a separate statement</a>&nbsp;on the report.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Report identifies troubling data collection practices among several ISPs</h2>FTCMany
 internet service providers (ISPs) collect and share far more data about
 their customers than many consumers may expect—including access to all 
of their Internet traffic and real-time location data—while failing to 
offer consumers meaningful choices about how this data can be used, 
according to an<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/reports/look-what-isps-know-about-you-examining-privacy-practices-six-major-internet-service"> FTC staff report</a>&nbsp;on ISPs’ data collection and use practices.The
 staff report, which details the expanding scope and some troubling 
aspects of some ISP data collection practices, stems from &nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/08/ftc-revises-list-companies-subject-broadband-privacy-study">orders the FTC issued in 2019</a>
 using its authority under 6(b) of the FTC Act to six internet service 
providers, which make up about 98 percent of the mobile Internet market:<ul>
 <li>AT&amp;T Mobility LLC;</li><li>Cellco Partnership, which does business as Verizon Wireless;</li><li>Charter Communications Operating LLC;</li><li>Comcast Cable Communications, which does business as Xfinity;</li><li>T-Mobile US Inc.; and</li><li>Google Fiber Inc.</li>
 </ul>The
 FTC also issued orders to three advertising entities affiliated with 
these ISPs: AT&amp;T’s Appnexus Inc., rebranded as Xandr; Verizon’s 
Verizon Online LLC; and Oath Americas Inc., rebranded as Verizon Media. 
The FTC sought information on their data collection and use practices, 
as well as any tools provided to consumers to control these practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;As
 noted in the report, these companies have evolved into technology 
giants who offer not just internet services but also provide a range of 
other services including voice, content, smart devices, advertising, and
 analytics—which has increased the volume of information they are 
capable of collecting about their customers. The report identified 
several troubling data collection practices among several of the ISPs, 
including that they combine data across product lines; combine personal,
 app usage, and web browsing data to target ads; place consumers into 
sensitive categories such as by race and sexual orientation; and share 
real-time location data with third-parties.At the same time, the 
report found the privacy protections many of the companies offer raised 
several concerns. Even though several of the ISPs promise not to sell 
consumers personal data, they allow it to be used, transferred, and 
monetized by others and hide disclosures about such practices in fine 
print of their privacy policies. For example, several news outlets noted
 that subscribers’ real-time location data shared with third-party 
customers was being accessed by car salesmen, property managers, bail 
bondsmen, bounty hunters, and others without reasonable protections or 
consumers’ knowledge and consent, according to the report.Many of
 the ISPs also claim to offer consumers choices about how their data is 
used and allow them to access such data. The FTC found, however, that 
many of these companies often make it difficult for consumers to 
exercise such choices and sometimes even nudge them to share even more 
information. In addition, while several of the ISPs promise to only keep
 the data for as long as needed for business purposes, the definition of
 what constitutes a “business purpose” varies widely among the 
companies.The report concludes that many of the ISPs’ data 
collection and use practices mirror problems identified in other 
industries and underscore the importance of restricting data collection 
and use.The Commission voted 4-0 to approve and issue the report. Staff presented findings from the report at today’s <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events-calendar/open-commission-meeting-october-21-2021">open virtual Commission meeting</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chair Lina M. Khan <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/public-statements/2021/10/remarks-chair-lina-m-khan-regarding-6b-study-privacy-practices-six-major">issued a separate statement</a>&nbsp;on the report.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and file a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/complaint">consumer complaint online</a> or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).&nbsp;For the latest news and resources, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/social-media">follow the FTC on social media</a>, <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> and read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>.

FTC: ISPs collecting troves of personal data with few restrictions on use

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say remains found in a Florida wilderness park are those of Brian Laundrie, who was a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito. Petito was found slain at a Wyoming national park months while the pair was on a cross-country van trip chronicled on social media. 

The FBI’s Denver office said in a news release that a comparison of dental records confirmed that the remains were Laundrie. The remains were discovered Wednesday in a swampy nature preserve near North Port, Florida, after a massive search. That search began shortly after Laundrie disappeared Sept. 14, two weeks after the 23-year-old returned alone to his parents’ home in Florida.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634065104645.png" alt="Laundrie and girlfriend Gabby Petito traveled across Kansas during their trip to Wyoming." />
 <figcaption>Laundrie and girlfriend Gabby Petito traveled across Kansas during their trip to Wyoming.</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say remains found in a Florida wilderness park are those of Brian Laundrie, who was a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito. Petito was found slain at a Wyoming national park months while the pair was on a cross-country van trip chronicled on social media. The FBI’s Denver office said in a news release that a comparison of dental records confirmed that the remains were Laundrie. The remains were discovered Wednesday in a swampy nature preserve near North Port, Florida, after a massive search. That search began shortly after Laundrie disappeared Sept. 14, two weeks after the 23-year-old returned alone to his parents’ home in Florida.

FBI: Remains found in Florida park ID'd as Brian Laundrie

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — In an abrupt change, the White House on Wednesday floated new plans to pay for parts of President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion social services and climate change package, shelving a proposed big increase in corporate tax rates though also adding a new billionaires’ tax on the investment gains of the very richest Americans.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?515469-1/president-biden-delivers-remarks-scranton-infrastructure-proposals">Click here to watch t</a>he President's comments

The reversal came as Biden returned to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to highlight the middle class values he says are at the heart of the package that Democrats are racing to finish. Biden faces resistance from key holdouts, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who has not been on board with her party’s plan to undo Trump-era tax breaks to help pay for it.

“This has been declared dead on arrival from the moment I introduced it, but I think we’re going to surprise them, because I think people are beginning to figure out what’s at stake,” Biden said in a speech at Scranton’s Electric City Trolley Museum, his first visit home since becoming president.

Negotiations between the White House and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are underway on what’s now a scaled-back package but would still be an unprecedented federal effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">expand social services</a>&nbsp;for millions and confront the rising threat of climate change. It’s coupled with a separate $1 trillion bill to update roads and bridges.

Biden and his Democratic Party have given themselves a deadline to seal agreement after laboring to bridge his once-sweeping $3.5 trillion vision preferred by progressives with a more limited focus that can win over party centrists. He has no Democratic votes to spare for passage in the closely divided Congress, and leaders want agreement by week’s end.

The newly proposed tax provisions, though, are likely to sour progressives and even some moderate Democrats who have long campaigned on undoing the 2017 GOP tax cuts that many believe unduly reward the wealthy, costing the federal government untold sums in lost revenue at a time of gaping income inequality.

Administration officials spoke with congressional leaders on the tax alternatives, according to a person familiar with the private talks and granted anonymity to discuss them. The changes may be needed to win over Sinema, who had objected to plans to raise the rates on corporations and wealthy individuals earning more than $400,000 a year, said the person and several others.

As it stands, the corporate tax rate is 21%, and Democrats want to lift it to 26.5% for companies earning more than $5 million a year. The top individual income tax rate would rise from 37% to 39.6% for those earning more than $400,000, or $450,000 for married couples.

Under the changes being floated that 21% corporate rate would stay the same.

However, the revisions wouldn’t be all positive for big companies and the wealthy. The White House is reviving the idea of a minimum corporate tax rate, similar to the 15% rate Biden had proposed earlier this year. That’s even for companies that say they had no taxable income — a frequent target of Biden who complains that they pay “zero” in taxes.

And there could be a new billionaires’ tax, modeled on legislation from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the Finance Committee, who has proposed taxing stock gains of those with more than $1 billion in assets — fewer than 1,000 Americans.

Sinema has not publicly stated her position, and her office did not respond to a request for comment.

Another key Democrat, conservative Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has said he prefers a 25% corporate rate. He has been withholding his support for the bill with additional objections to its provisions on climate change and social services.

On the call with the administration and the White House, Wyden said he “stressed the importance of putting an end to America’s two tax codes, and finally showing working people in this country that the wealthiest Americans are going to pay taxes just like they do.”

The possible shift comes as Democrats appear to have made progress uniting themselves, ready to abandon what had been a loftier package in favor of a smaller, more workable proposal the party can unite around

In the mix: At least $500 billion to battle climate change, $350 billion for child care subsidies and free pre-kindergarten, a new federal program for at least four weeks of paid family leave, a one-year extension of the $300 monthly child tax credit put in place during the COVID-19 crisis, and funding for health care provided through the Affordable Care Act and Medicare.

Likely to be eliminated or shaved back: plans for tuition-free community college, a path to permanent legal status for certain immigrants in the U.S. and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-environment-and-nature-environment-e9b976d57b1b8b35e459c9950b34fca0">clean energy plan</a>&nbsp;that was the centerpiece of Biden’s strategy for fighting climate change.

“Nothing is decided until everything is decided,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus after a morning meeting of House Democrats. “We’re just trying to get it done.”

Democrats are growing anxious they have little to show voters despite their campaign promises and have had trouble explaining what they’re trying to do with the massive package, made up of so many different proposals.

It’s a tall order that was leading to an all-out push Wednesday to answer the question — “What’s in the damn bill?” — as a press release from Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, put it.

The president especially wants to advance his signature domestic package to bolster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">federal social services</a>&nbsp;and address&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-environment-and-nature-environment-e9b976d57b1b8b35e459c9950b34fca0">climate change&nbsp;</a>by the time he departs for a global climate summit next week.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a progressive caucus member, said, “He really believes American leadership, American prestige is on the line.”

Manchin has made clear&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-environment-environment-and-nature-81ccfa671e8cdd095ce26b62c33641ce">he opposes the president’s initial energy plan,&nbsp;</a>which was to have the government impose penalties on electric utilities that fail to meet clean energy benchmarks and provide financial rewards to those that do.

Instead, Biden is focused on providing at least $500 billion in tax credits, grants and loans for energy producers that reach emission-reduction goals.

On other fronts, to preserve Biden’s initial sweep, Democrats are moving to retain many of the programs but trim their duration to shave costs.

Biden wants to extend the $300 monthly child tax credit that was put in place during the COVID-19 crisis for another year, rather than allow it to expire in December, but not as long as Democrats wanted.

What had been envisioned as a months-long federal paid family leave program could be shrunk to as few as four weeks — an effort to at least start the program rather than eliminate it.

Biden also wants to ensure funding for health care programs, including for home- and community-based health care services, supporting a move away from widespread nursing home care.

And a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-seniors-environment-health-7c573827e3e96f1f4c15bb3234815321">program to provide dental, vision and hearing aid benefits to people on Medicare</a>&nbsp;proposed by Sanders, is likely to remain in some fashion.

Biden has told lawmakers that after his top priorities there would be $300 billion remaining.

That could lower the overall price tag or be used for other programs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634768784360.png" alt="President Biden delivered remarks on his Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and Build Back Better Agenda during a stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania Wednesday.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden delivered remarks on his Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and Build Back Better Agenda during a stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania Wednesday.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — In an abrupt change, the White House on Wednesday floated new plans to pay for parts of President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion social services and climate change package, shelving a proposed big increase in corporate tax rates though also adding a new billionaires’ tax on the investment gains of the very richest Americans.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?515469-1/president-biden-delivers-remarks-scranton-infrastructure-proposals">Click here to watch t</a>he President's commentsThe reversal came as Biden returned to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to highlight the middle class values he says are at the heart of the package that Democrats are racing to finish. Biden faces resistance from key holdouts, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who has not been on board with her party’s plan to undo Trump-era tax breaks to help pay for it.“This has been declared dead on arrival from the moment I introduced it, but I think we’re going to surprise them, because I think people are beginning to figure out what’s at stake,” Biden said in a speech at Scranton’s Electric City Trolley Museum, his first visit home since becoming president.Negotiations between the White House and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are underway on what’s now a scaled-back package but would still be an unprecedented federal effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">expand social services</a>&nbsp;for millions and confront the rising threat of climate change. It’s coupled with a separate $1 trillion bill to update roads and bridges.Biden and his Democratic Party have given themselves a deadline to seal agreement after laboring to bridge his once-sweeping $3.5 trillion vision preferred by progressives with a more limited focus that can win over party centrists. He has no Democratic votes to spare for passage in the closely divided Congress, and leaders want agreement by week’s end.The newly proposed tax provisions, though, are likely to sour progressives and even some moderate Democrats who have long campaigned on undoing the 2017 GOP tax cuts that many believe unduly reward the wealthy, costing the federal government untold sums in lost revenue at a time of gaping income inequality.Administration officials spoke with congressional leaders on the tax alternatives, according to a person familiar with the private talks and granted anonymity to discuss them. The changes may be needed to win over Sinema, who had objected to plans to raise the rates on corporations and wealthy individuals earning more than $400,000 a year, said the person and several others.As it stands, the corporate tax rate is 21%, and Democrats want to lift it to 26.5% for companies earning more than $5 million a year. The top individual income tax rate would rise from 37% to 39.6% for those earning more than $400,000, or $450,000 for married couples.Under the changes being floated that 21% corporate rate would stay the same.However, the revisions wouldn’t be all positive for big companies and the wealthy. The White House is reviving the idea of a minimum corporate tax rate, similar to the 15% rate Biden had proposed earlier this year. That’s even for companies that say they had no taxable income — a frequent target of Biden who complains that they pay “zero” in taxes.And there could be a new billionaires’ tax, modeled on legislation from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the Finance Committee, who has proposed taxing stock gains of those with more than $1 billion in assets — fewer than 1,000 Americans.Sinema has not publicly stated her position, and her office did not respond to a request for comment.Another key Democrat, conservative Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has said he prefers a 25% corporate rate. He has been withholding his support for the bill with additional objections to its provisions on climate change and social services.On the call with the administration and the White House, Wyden said he “stressed the importance of putting an end to America’s two tax codes, and finally showing working people in this country that the wealthiest Americans are going to pay taxes just like they do.”The possible shift comes as Democrats appear to have made progress uniting themselves, ready to abandon what had been a loftier package in favor of a smaller, more workable proposal the party can unite aroundIn the mix: At least $500 billion to battle climate change, $350 billion for child care subsidies and free pre-kindergarten, a new federal program for at least four weeks of paid family leave, a one-year extension of the $300 monthly child tax credit put in place during the COVID-19 crisis, and funding for health care provided through the Affordable Care Act and Medicare.Likely to be eliminated or shaved back: plans for tuition-free community college, a path to permanent legal status for certain immigrants in the U.S. and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-environment-and-nature-environment-e9b976d57b1b8b35e459c9950b34fca0">clean energy plan</a>&nbsp;that was the centerpiece of Biden’s strategy for fighting climate change.“Nothing is decided until everything is decided,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus after a morning meeting of House Democrats. “We’re just trying to get it done.”Democrats are growing anxious they have little to show voters despite their campaign promises and have had trouble explaining what they’re trying to do with the massive package, made up of so many different proposals.It’s a tall order that was leading to an all-out push Wednesday to answer the question — “What’s in the damn bill?” — as a press release from Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, put it.The president especially wants to advance his signature domestic package to bolster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">federal social services</a>&nbsp;and address&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-environment-and-nature-environment-e9b976d57b1b8b35e459c9950b34fca0">climate change&nbsp;</a>by the time he departs for a global climate summit next week.Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a progressive caucus member, said, “He really believes American leadership, American prestige is on the line.”Manchin has made clear&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-environment-environment-and-nature-81ccfa671e8cdd095ce26b62c33641ce">he opposes the president’s initial energy plan,&nbsp;</a>which was to have the government impose penalties on electric utilities that fail to meet clean energy benchmarks and provide financial rewards to those that do.Instead, Biden is focused on providing at least $500 billion in tax credits, grants and loans for energy producers that reach emission-reduction goals.On other fronts, to preserve Biden’s initial sweep, Democrats are moving to retain many of the programs but trim their duration to shave costs.Biden wants to extend the $300 monthly child tax credit that was put in place during the COVID-19 crisis for another year, rather than allow it to expire in December, but not as long as Democrats wanted.What had been envisioned as a months-long federal paid family leave program could be shrunk to as few as four weeks — an effort to at least start the program rather than eliminate it.Biden also wants to ensure funding for health care programs, including for home- and community-based health care services, supporting a move away from widespread nursing home care.And a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-seniors-environment-health-7c573827e3e96f1f4c15bb3234815321">program to provide dental, vision and hearing aid benefits to people on Medicare</a>&nbsp;proposed by Sanders, is likely to remain in some fashion.Biden has told lawmakers that after his top priorities there would be $300 billion remaining.That could lower the overall price tag or be used for other programs.

Big changes in Biden's plan to pay for $2T social services program

KANSAS CITY —The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of&nbsp;Salmonella&nbsp;Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions, according to a media release from the agency.

FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Inc. (also known as ProSource Produce, LLC) of Hailey, Idaho as a source of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Epidemiological data collected by investigators from the CDC and state and local partners identified 20 illness clusters at restaurants where onions were served. Information from these clusters shows that many ill people ate raw onions. Investigators worked to identify a common food item eaten by all of the sick people in an effort to identify the source of the outbreak.

State officials collected food items from some of the restaurants where sick people ate. The outbreak strain of&nbsp;Salmonella&nbsp;Oranienburg was found in a sample taken from a takeout condiment cup containing cilantro and lime. The sick person reported that the condiment container also contained onions, but none were left in the cup when it was tested. Because multiple food items were present in the container and in the sample that was tested, it is not possible to know which food item was contaminated.

FDA’s traceback investigation identified ProSource Inc. as a common supplier for many of the restaurants that sick people reported eating at, including the restaurant where the sample from the condiment cup containing cilantro, lime, and previously onions, was collected.

The FDA continues to conduct its traceback investigation to determine if additional products or suppliers have been affected. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

ProSource Inc. has agreed to voluntarily recall red, yellow, and white onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, MX, with import dates from July 1, 2021 through August 27, 2021. Descriptions of these onion types include, but are not limited to, jumbo, colossal, medium, and sweet onions. Additional recall information will be made public as soon as it is available from ProSource Inc.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634830825034.png" alt="Illness per state -FDA&nbsp; map" />
 <figcaption>Illness per state -FDA&nbsp; map</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of&nbsp;Salmonella&nbsp;Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions, according to a media release from the agency.FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Inc. (also known as ProSource Produce, LLC) of Hailey, Idaho as a source of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.Epidemiological data collected by investigators from the CDC and state and local partners identified 20 illness clusters at restaurants where onions were served. Information from these clusters shows that many ill people ate raw onions. Investigators worked to identify a common food item eaten by all of the sick people in an effort to identify the source of the outbreak.State officials collected food items from some of the restaurants where sick people ate. The outbreak strain of&nbsp;Salmonella&nbsp;Oranienburg was found in a sample taken from a takeout condiment cup containing cilantro and lime. The sick person reported that the condiment container also contained onions, but none were left in the cup when it was tested. Because multiple food items were present in the container and in the sample that was tested, it is not possible to know which food item was contaminated.FDA’s traceback investigation identified ProSource Inc. as a common supplier for many of the restaurants that sick people reported eating at, including the restaurant where the sample from the condiment cup containing cilantro, lime, and previously onions, was collected.The FDA continues to conduct its traceback investigation to determine if additional products or suppliers have been affected. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.<h2>Recall Information</h2>ProSource Inc. has agreed to voluntarily recall red, yellow, and white onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, MX, with import dates from July 1, 2021 through August 27, 2021. Descriptions of these onion types include, but are not limited to, jumbo, colossal, medium, and sweet onions. Additional recall information will be made public as soon as it is available from ProSource Inc.

Onions recalled: Salmonella illness in Nebraska, 36 other states

BILLING, Mont. (AP) — Coal production has increased in Montana and Wyoming due to demand in the Asia Pacific region. 

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said coal production increased 2% in Montana and 7% in Wyoming this year compared to the first nine months of 2020. 

Steve Read of Signal Peak Energy says exports are the primary driver of Montana coal production. 

Exports of U.S. steam coal, the kind used in power plants and the kind of coal produced in the two states, were up about 47% in the first half of the year compared to the first six months of 2020.

BILLING, Mont. (AP) — Coal production has increased in Montana and Wyoming due to demand in the Asia Pacific region. The U.S. Energy Information Administration said coal production increased 2% in Montana and 7% in Wyoming this year compared to the first nine months of 2020. Steve Read of Signal Peak Energy says exports are the primary driver of Montana coal production. Exports of U.S. steam coal, the kind used in power plants and the kind of coal produced in the two states, were up about 47% in the first half of the year compared to the first six months of 2020.

Wyoming, Montana see increase in coal production

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police arrested a Des Moines man on murder charges in the shooting death of an Omaha woman at a Des Moines bar.

 Police on Wednesday charged 33-year-old Wichang Gach Chawech with first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with the Oct. 10 shooting at the High Dive Bar. 

Two people were injured in the shooting and on Tuesday, 26-year-old Nyamal Deng died at a hospital. 

A 27-year-old man was treated for his injury and released from the hospital.

 Chawech was held at the Polk County Jail. 

The death was the eight homicide in Des Moines this year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police arrested a Des Moines man on murder charges in the shooting death of an Omaha woman at a Des Moines bar. Police on Wednesday charged 33-year-old Wichang Gach Chawech with first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with the Oct. 10 shooting at the High Dive Bar. Two people were injured in the shooting and on Tuesday, 26-year-old Nyamal Deng died at a hospital. A 27-year-old man was treated for his injury and released from the hospital. Chawech was held at the Polk County Jail. The death was the eight homicide in Des Moines this year.

Des Moines man charged with murder in death of Omaha woman

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are seeking a motorist after a pedestrian was struck and killed in a collision that shut down southbound lanes of U.S. 77 for four hours in Lincoln. 

The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that a Lincoln police spokesperson declined to say whether the driver of a car captured in a video near the scene of the Wednesday morning crash is thought to be directly involved in the collision or whether it was a hit-and-run. 

 Further details on the pedestrian and what led to the crash haven’t been released.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are seeking a motorist after a pedestrian was struck and killed in a collision that shut down southbound lanes of U.S. 77 for four hours in Lincoln. The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that a Lincoln police spokesperson declined to say whether the driver of a car captured in a video near the scene of the Wednesday morning crash is thought to be directly involved in the collision or whether it was a hit-and-run. Further details on the pedestrian and what led to the crash haven’t been released.

Lincoln police seek vehicle tied to fatal crash on US 77

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A judge on Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order that details how picketing workers at the Deere &amp; Co. plant in Davenport must conduct themselves.

In seeking the injunction Wednesday, Deere officials alleged that striking workers had disrupted access to the Davenport Works plant and put others at risk.

District Court Judge Marlita Greve ordered the union to allow only four picketers at a time near the gates of the plant. The order also banned the use of chairs and barrel fires, and prohibited picketers from harassing or intimidating people entering and leaving the plant.

Deere spokeswoman Jen Hartmann said the company sought the injunction to provide a safe environment for contractors and employees, including those participating in the strike.

The injunction prohibits picketing or congregating “near the Contractor Gate entrance,” which is regarded a neutral gate that cannot be picketed, according to Deere.

The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-auto-workers-moline-strikes-447c2d911c1314c247011522e30f9bd2">went on strike&nbsp;</a>on Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract. Contract negotiations have resumed.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack met with striking workers Wednesday at Deere’s plant in Ankeny. Vilsack told the union workers that he stood with them, noting the UAW had long supported him in his political career, WHO-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://who13.com/news/tom-vilsack-repays-support-to-uaw-members-with-visit-to-john-deere-picket-line/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

A contract would cover 10,000 striking workers at 14 Deere plants, including seven in Iowa, four in Illinois and one each in Kansas, Colorado and Georgia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634596496067.png" alt="The strike began Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would have delivered 5% raises to some workers and 6% raises to others depending on their positions in the factory.-Photo courtesy WQAD TV" />
 <figcaption>The strike began Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would have delivered 5% raises to some workers and 6% raises to others depending on their positions in the factory.-Photo courtesy WQAD TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A judge on Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order that details how picketing workers at the Deere &amp; Co. plant in Davenport must conduct themselves.In seeking the injunction Wednesday, Deere officials alleged that striking workers had disrupted access to the Davenport Works plant and put others at risk.District Court Judge Marlita Greve ordered the union to allow only four picketers at a time near the gates of the plant. The order also banned the use of chairs and barrel fires, and prohibited picketers from harassing or intimidating people entering and leaving the plant.Deere spokeswoman Jen Hartmann said the company sought the injunction to provide a safe environment for contractors and employees, including those participating in the strike.The injunction prohibits picketing or congregating “near the Contractor Gate entrance,” which is regarded a neutral gate that cannot be picketed, according to Deere.The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-auto-workers-moline-strikes-447c2d911c1314c247011522e30f9bd2">went on strike&nbsp;</a>on Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract. Contract negotiations have resumed.U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack met with striking workers Wednesday at Deere’s plant in Ankeny. Vilsack told the union workers that he stood with them, noting the UAW had long supported him in his political career, WHO-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://who13.com/news/tom-vilsack-repays-support-to-uaw-members-with-visit-to-john-deere-picket-line/" target="_blank">reported</a>.A contract would cover 10,000 striking workers at 14 Deere plants, including seven in Iowa, four in Illinois and one each in Kansas, Colorado and Georgia.

Restraining order: Strike at Deere plants moves into 2nd week

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending COVID-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.

The Food and Drug Administration’s decisions mark a big step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign, which began with extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month. But before more people roll up their sleeves, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consult an expert panel Thursday before finalizing official recommendations for who should get boosters and when.

The latest moves would expand by tens of millions the number of Americans eligible for boosters and formally allow “mixing and matching” of shots — making it simpler to get another dose, especially for people who had a side effect from one brand but still want the proven protection of vaccination.

Specifically, the FDA authorized a third Moderna shot for seniors and others at high risk from COVID-19 because of their health problems, jobs or living conditions — six months after their last shot. One big change: Moderna’s booster will be half the dose that’s used for the first two shots, based on company data showing that was plenty to rev up immunity again.

For J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine, the FDA said all U.S. recipients, no matter their age, could get a second dose at least two months following their initial vaccination.

The FDA rulings differ because the vaccines are made differently, with different dosing schedules — and the J&amp;J vaccine has consistently shown a lower level of effectiveness than either of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

As for mixing and matching, the FDA said it’s OK to use any brand for the booster regardless of which vaccination people got first. The interchangeability of the shots is expected to speed the booster campaign, particularly in nursing homes and other institutional settings where residents have received different shots over time.

FDA’s acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said the agency wanted to make its booster guidance as flexible as possible, given that many people don’t remember which brand they first received. In other cases, some people may want to try a different vaccine if they previously experienced common side effects like muscle ache or chills.

Still, regulators said it’s likely many people will stick with the same vaccine brand.

The decision was based on preliminary results from a government study of different booster combinations that showed an extra dose of any type revs up levels of virus-fighting antibodies. That study also showed recipients of the single-dose J&amp;J vaccination had a far bigger response if they got a full-strength Moderna booster or a Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J shot. The study didn’t test the half-dose Moderna booster.

Health authorities stress that the priority still is getting first shots to about 65 million eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated. But the booster campaign is meant to shore up protection against the virus amid signs that vaccine effectiveness is waning against mild infections, even though all three brands continue to protect against hospitalization and death.

“Today the currently available data suggest waning immunity in some populations of fully vaccinated people,” Woodcock told reporters. “The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease.”

The Moderna booster decision essentially matches FDA’s ruling that high-risk groups are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, which is made with the same technology.

FDA recommended that everyone who’d gotten the single-shot J&amp;J vaccine get a booster since it has consistently shown lower protection than its two-shot rivals. And several independent FDA advisers who backed the booster decision suggested J&amp;J’s vaccine should have originally been designed to require two doses.

Experts continue to debate the rationale of the booster campaign. Some warn that the U.S. government hasn’t clearly articulated the goals of boosters given that the shots continue to head off the worst effects of COVID-19, and wonder if the aim is to tamp down on virus spread by curbing, at least temporarily, milder infections.

FDA’s top vaccine official suggested regulators would move quickly to expand boosters to lower age groups, such as people in their 40s and 50s, if warranted.

“We are watching this very closely and will take action as appropriate to make sure that the maximum protection is provided to the population,” said FDA’s Dr. Peter Marks.

In August, the Biden administration announced plans for an across-the-board booster campaign aimed at all U.S. adults, but outside experts have repeatedly argued against such a sweeping effort.

On Thursday an influential panel convened by the CDC is expected to offer more specifics on who should get boosters and when. Their recommendations are subject to approval by the CDC director.

The vast majority of the nearly 190 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while about 15 million have received the J&amp;J vaccine.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending COVID-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rou7tf4vaUU?start=414" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Food and Drug Administration’s decisions mark a big step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign, which began with extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month. But before more people roll up their sleeves, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consult an expert panel Thursday before finalizing official recommendations for who should get boosters and when.The latest moves would expand by tens of millions the number of Americans eligible for boosters and formally allow “mixing and matching” of shots — making it simpler to get another dose, especially for people who had a side effect from one brand but still want the proven protection of vaccination.Specifically, the FDA authorized a third Moderna shot for seniors and others at high risk from COVID-19 because of their health problems, jobs or living conditions — six months after their last shot. One big change: Moderna’s booster will be half the dose that’s used for the first two shots, based on company data showing that was plenty to rev up immunity again.For J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine, the FDA said all U.S. recipients, no matter their age, could get a second dose at least two months following their initial vaccination.The FDA rulings differ because the vaccines are made differently, with different dosing schedules — and the J&amp;J vaccine has consistently shown a lower level of effectiveness than either of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.As for mixing and matching, the FDA said it’s OK to use any brand for the booster regardless of which vaccination people got first. The interchangeability of the shots is expected to speed the booster campaign, particularly in nursing homes and other institutional settings where residents have received different shots over time.FDA’s acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said the agency wanted to make its booster guidance as flexible as possible, given that many people don’t remember which brand they first received. In other cases, some people may want to try a different vaccine if they previously experienced common side effects like muscle ache or chills.Still, regulators said it’s likely many people will stick with the same vaccine brand.The decision was based on preliminary results from a government study of different booster combinations that showed an extra dose of any type revs up levels of virus-fighting antibodies. That study also showed recipients of the single-dose J&amp;J vaccination had a far bigger response if they got a full-strength Moderna booster or a Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J shot. The study didn’t test the half-dose Moderna booster.Health authorities stress that the priority still is getting first shots to about 65 million eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated. But the booster campaign is meant to shore up protection against the virus amid signs that vaccine effectiveness is waning against mild infections, even though all three brands continue to protect against hospitalization and death.“Today the currently available data suggest waning immunity in some populations of fully vaccinated people,” Woodcock told reporters. “The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease.”The Moderna booster decision essentially matches FDA’s ruling that high-risk groups are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, which is made with the same technology.FDA recommended that everyone who’d gotten the single-shot J&amp;J vaccine get a booster since it has consistently shown lower protection than its two-shot rivals. And several independent FDA advisers who backed the booster decision suggested J&amp;J’s vaccine should have originally been designed to require two doses.Experts continue to debate the rationale of the booster campaign. Some warn that the U.S. government hasn’t clearly articulated the goals of boosters given that the shots continue to head off the worst effects of COVID-19, and wonder if the aim is to tamp down on virus spread by curbing, at least temporarily, milder infections.FDA’s top vaccine official suggested regulators would move quickly to expand boosters to lower age groups, such as people in their 40s and 50s, if warranted.“We are watching this very closely and will take action as appropriate to make sure that the maximum protection is provided to the population,” said FDA’s Dr. Peter Marks.In August, the Biden administration announced plans for an across-the-board booster campaign aimed at all U.S. adults, but outside experts have repeatedly argued against such a sweeping effort.On Thursday an influential panel convened by the CDC is expected to offer more specifics on who should get boosters and when. Their recommendations are subject to approval by the CDC director.The vast majority of the nearly 190 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while about 15 million have received the J&amp;J vaccine.___

🎥 FDA answers questions after approval to mix COVID vaccines

WASHINGTON (AP) — Children ages 5 to 11 will soon be able to get a COVID-19 shot at their pediatrician’s office, local pharmacy and potentially even their school, the White House said Wednesday as it detailed plans for the expected authorization of the Pfizer shot for elementary school youngsters in a matter of weeks.

Federal regulators will meet over the next two weeks to weigh the safety and effectiveness of giving low-dose shots to the roughly 28 million children in that age group.

Within hours of formal approval, which is expected after the Food and Drug Administration signs off and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel meets on Nov. 2-3, millions of doses&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-coronavirus-vaccine-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-84ff9189e142536f90940366bcfa3f22">will begin going out to providers across the country</a>, along with the smaller needles needed for injecting young children.

Within days of that, the vaccine will be ready to go into arms on a wide scale.

“We’re completing the operational planning to ensure vaccinations for kids ages 5 to 11 are available, easy and convenient,” White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said. “We’re going to be ready, pending the FDA and CDC decision.”

The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses three weeks apart and a two-week wait for full protection to kick in, meaning the first youngsters in line will be fully covered by Christmas.

Dr. Sterling Ransone said his rural Deltaville, Virginia, office is already getting calls from people asking for appointments for their children and saying, “I want my shot now.”

“Judging by the number of calls, I think we’re going to be slammed for the first several weeks,” said Ransone, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Justin Shady, a film and TV writer in Chicago, said his 6-year-old daughter, Grey, got nervous when he told her she would be getting the shots soon. But he is bribing her with a trip to Disney World, and “she’s all in.”

The family likes to travel, “we really just want to get back in the swing of seeing the world,” Shady said.

As for youngsters under 5, Pfizer and Moderna are studying their vaccines in children down to 6 months old, with results expected later in the year.

The Biden administration noted that the expansion of shots to children under 12 will not look like the start of the country’s vaccine rollout 10 months ago, when limited doses and inadequate capacity meant a painstaking wait for many Americans.

The country now has ample supplies of the Pfizer shot to vaccinate the children who will soon be eligible, officials said, and they have been working for months to ensure widespread availability of shots. About 15 million doses will be shipped to providers across the U.S. in the first week after approval, the White House said.

More than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers have already signed on to dispense the vaccine to elementary school children, the White House said, in addition to the tens of thousands of drugstores that are already administering shots to adults.

Hundreds of school- and community-based clinics will also be funded and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help speed the process.

The White House is also preparing a stepped-up campaign to educate parents and children about the safety of the shots and the ease of getting them. As has been the case for adult vaccinations, the administration believes trusted messengers — educators, doctors and community leaders — will be vital to encouraging vaccinations.

Dr. Lisa Reed, medical director for family medicine at MAHEC, a western North Carolina safety net provider that serves patients from rural Appalachia and more urban communities such as the tourist town of Asheville, said it is going to take effort to get some families on board.

Reed said she lives “in a community that has a lot of vaccine hesitancy, unfortunately.”

“Some have lower health literacy or belong to ethnic groups that are more hesitant in general” because of a history of mistrust, she said. And Asheville, she said, has a sizeable population of well-educated adults who are longtime vaccine skeptics.

While children run a lower risk than older people of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, at least 637 people age 18 or under have died from the virus in the U.S., according to the CDC. Six million U.S. children been infected, 1 million of them since early September amid the spread of the more contagious delta variant, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

Health officials believe that expanding the vaccine drive will not only curb the alarming number of infections in children but also reduce the spread of the virus to vulnerable adults. It could also help schools stay open and youngsters get back on track academically, and contribute to the nation’s broader recovery from the pandemic.

“COVID has also disrupted our kids’ lives. It’s made school harder, it’s disrupted their ability to see friends and family, it’s made youth sports more challenging,” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told NBC. “Getting our kids vaccinated, we have the prospect of protecting them, but also getting all of those activities back that are so important to our children.”

Murthy said the administration, which is imposing vaccine mandates for millions of adults, is leaving it up to state and local officials to decide whether to require schoolchildren to get vaccinated. But he said such measures would be “a reasonable thing to consider.”

“It’s also consistent with what we’ve done for other childhood vaccines, like measles, mumps, polio,” he said.

The U.S. has purchased 65 million doses of the Pfizer pediatric shot, which is expected to be one-third the dose given to adults and adolescents, according to officials. They will be shipped in smaller packages of about 100 doses each, so that more providers can deliver them, and they won’t require the super-cold storage that the adult version did at first.

About 219 million Americans age 12 and up, or 66% of the total population, have received a COVID-19 shot, and nearly 190 million are fully vaccinated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634737018344.png" alt="“We’re completing the operational planning to ensure vaccinations for kids ages 5-11 are available, easy and convenient,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients on Wednesday-photo White House" />
 <figcaption>“We’re completing the operational planning to ensure vaccinations for kids ages 5-11 are available, easy and convenient,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients on Wednesday-photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Children ages 5 to 11 will soon be able to get a COVID-19 shot at their pediatrician’s office, local pharmacy and potentially even their school, the White House said Wednesday as it detailed plans for the expected authorization of the Pfizer shot for elementary school youngsters in a matter of weeks.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rWMGuplSq4o?start=1647" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Federal regulators will meet over the next two weeks to weigh the safety and effectiveness of giving low-dose shots to the roughly 28 million children in that age group.Within hours of formal approval, which is expected after the Food and Drug Administration signs off and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel meets on Nov. 2-3, millions of doses&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-coronavirus-vaccine-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-84ff9189e142536f90940366bcfa3f22">will begin going out to providers across the country</a>, along with the smaller needles needed for injecting young children.Within days of that, the vaccine will be ready to go into arms on a wide scale.“We’re completing the operational planning to ensure vaccinations for kids ages 5 to 11 are available, easy and convenient,” White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said. “We’re going to be ready, pending the FDA and CDC decision.”The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses three weeks apart and a two-week wait for full protection to kick in, meaning the first youngsters in line will be fully covered by Christmas.Some parents can hardly wait.Dr. Sterling Ransone said his rural Deltaville, Virginia, office is already getting calls from people asking for appointments for their children and saying, “I want my shot now.”“Judging by the number of calls, I think we’re going to be slammed for the first several weeks,” said Ransone, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.Justin Shady, a film and TV writer in Chicago, said his 6-year-old daughter, Grey, got nervous when he told her she would be getting the shots soon. But he is bribing her with a trip to Disney World, and “she’s all in.”The family likes to travel, “we really just want to get back in the swing of seeing the world,” Shady said.As for youngsters under 5, Pfizer and Moderna are studying their vaccines in children down to 6 months old, with results expected later in the year.The Biden administration noted that the expansion of shots to children under 12 will not look like the start of the country’s vaccine rollout 10 months ago, when limited doses and inadequate capacity meant a painstaking wait for many Americans.The country now has ample supplies of the Pfizer shot to vaccinate the children who will soon be eligible, officials said, and they have been working for months to ensure widespread availability of shots. About 15 million doses will be shipped to providers across the U.S. in the first week after approval, the White House said.More than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers have already signed on to dispense the vaccine to elementary school children, the White House said, in addition to the tens of thousands of drugstores that are already administering shots to adults.Hundreds of school- and community-based clinics will also be funded and supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help speed the process.The White House is also preparing a stepped-up campaign to educate parents and children about the safety of the shots and the ease of getting them. As has been the case for adult vaccinations, the administration believes trusted messengers — educators, doctors and community leaders — will be vital to encouraging vaccinations.Dr. Lisa Reed, medical director for family medicine at MAHEC, a western North Carolina safety net provider that serves patients from rural Appalachia and more urban communities such as the tourist town of Asheville, said it is going to take effort to get some families on board.Reed said she lives “in a community that has a lot of vaccine hesitancy, unfortunately.”“Some have lower health literacy or belong to ethnic groups that are more hesitant in general” because of a history of mistrust, she said. And Asheville, she said, has a sizeable population of well-educated adults who are longtime vaccine skeptics.While children run a lower risk than older people of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, at least 637 people age 18 or under have died from the virus in the U.S., according to the CDC. Six million U.S. children been infected, 1 million of them since early September amid the spread of the more contagious delta variant, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.Health officials believe that expanding the vaccine drive will not only curb the alarming number of infections in children but also reduce the spread of the virus to vulnerable adults. It could also help schools stay open and youngsters get back on track academically, and contribute to the nation’s broader recovery from the pandemic.“COVID has also disrupted our kids’ lives. It’s made school harder, it’s disrupted their ability to see friends and family, it’s made youth sports more challenging,” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told NBC. “Getting our kids vaccinated, we have the prospect of protecting them, but also getting all of those activities back that are so important to our children.”Murthy said the administration, which is imposing vaccine mandates for millions of adults, is leaving it up to state and local officials to decide whether to require schoolchildren to get vaccinated. But he said such measures would be “a reasonable thing to consider.”“It’s also consistent with what we’ve done for other childhood vaccines, like measles, mumps, polio,” he said.The U.S. has purchased 65 million doses of the Pfizer pediatric shot, which is expected to be one-third the dose given to adults and adolescents, according to officials. They will be shipped in smaller packages of about 100 doses each, so that more providers can deliver them, and they won’t require the super-cold storage that the adult version did at first.About 219 million Americans age 12 and up, or 66% of the total population, have received a COVID-19 shot, and nearly 190 million are fully vaccinated.___

 🎥COVID response team's plan to vaccinate children ages 5-11

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota lawmakers have advanced a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults while repealing much of the state’s new medical marijuana law. 

The Adult-Use Marijuana Study Subcommittee, which has been studying the issue since June, voted to recommend a bill that would allow people over 21 to purchase up to 1 ounce of cannabis for recreational use. 

It would repeal most aspects of the medical marijuana law that voters passed last year, but still contain provisions for people under 21 to use medical pot. 

To become law, the bill would still need to be cleared by a pair of legislative committees, the full Legislature next year and the governor’s desk.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota lawmakers have advanced a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults while repealing much of the state’s new medical marijuana law. The Adult-Use Marijuana Study Subcommittee, which has been studying the issue since June, voted to recommend a bill that would allow people over 21 to purchase up to 1 ounce of cannabis for recreational use. It would repeal most aspects of the medical marijuana law that voters passed last year, but still contain provisions for people under 21 to use medical pot. To become law, the bill would still need to be cleared by a pair of legislative committees, the full Legislature next year and the governor’s desk.

SD lawmakers craft proposal for recreational marijuana

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Omaha woman has died, more than a week after she was shot at a Des Moines bar.

 Police say officers were called to a shooting at the High Dive Bar just before 1 a.m. Oct. 10 and found two people with gunshot wounds. 

 A 27-year-old man was treated and quickly released. 

A 26-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition and died Tuesday. 

Police didn’t release the names of those injured. 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Omaha woman has died, more than a week after she was shot at a Des Moines bar. Police say officers were called to a shooting at the High Dive Bar just before 1 a.m. Oct. 10 and found two people with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to a hospital. A 27-year-old man was treated and quickly released. A 26-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition and died Tuesday. Police didn’t release the names of those injured. The death was the eight homicide in Des Moines this year.

Omaha woman dies after being shot at Des Moines bar

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Lincoln Diocese has reassigned and placed restrictions on a pair of priests after an investigation into misconduct claims. 

The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that the reassigned priests are Scott Courtney, who faced allegations that he had sexual contact with a woman, and Thomas Dunavan, who was accused of sexual misconduct that dated back 20 years. 

Neither priest has been charged with a crime. But Courtney has been out of active ministry since September 2018, and Dunavan was placed on administrative leave in March 2019. 

Bishop James Conley announced this month that Courtney was assigned to minister to prisons, nursing and retirement homes. 

Dunavan was assigned to provide administrative assistance to the chancery and help retired priests.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Lincoln Diocese has reassigned and placed restrictions on a pair of priests after an investigation into misconduct claims. The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that the reassigned priests are Scott Courtney, who faced allegations that he had sexual contact with a woman, and Thomas Dunavan, who was accused of sexual misconduct that dated back 20 years. Neither priest has been charged with a crime. But Courtney has been out of active ministry since September 2018, and Dunavan was placed on administrative leave in March 2019. Bishop James Conley announced this month that Courtney was assigned to minister to prisons, nursing and retirement homes. Dunavan was assigned to provide administrative assistance to the chancery and help retired priests.

Lincoln bishop reassigns priests accused of misconduct

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A 36-year-old California truck driver pleaded no contest to charges filed after a crash in Nebraska that killed three people.

 Kenneth Kratt, of Madera, California, pleaded Tuesday to three counts of felony manslaughter. 

He remains free on bond before his sentencing. Prosecutors said Kratt was driving a semitrailer truck on Interstate 80 in September 2019 when he approached a construction zone near Gibbon. 

His truck hit a car driven by Ryan Vanicek, of Schuyler, who had slowed for traffic. 

Vanicek and Daniel Seelhoff, of Lincoln, were killed in that car. 

The chain reaction crash also killed Scott Gaylord, also of Lincoln.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A 36-year-old California truck driver pleaded no contest to charges filed after a crash in Nebraska that killed three people. Kenneth Kratt, of Madera, California, pleaded Tuesday to three counts of felony manslaughter. He remains free on bond before his sentencing. Prosecutors said Kratt was driving a semitrailer truck on Interstate 80 in September 2019 when he approached a construction zone near Gibbon. His truck hit a car driven by Ryan Vanicek, of Schuyler, who had slowed for traffic. Vanicek and Daniel Seelhoff, of Lincoln, were killed in that car. The chain reaction crash also killed Scott Gaylord, also of Lincoln.

California man pleads no contest in fatal Nebraska crash

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say two tractor-trailer drivers have been killed in a crash that closed westbound Interstate 80. 

Nebraska State Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas says the crash happened around 11 a.m. 

Tuesday when an eastbound rig crossed the median and struck an oncoming semi west of Seward. 

Traffic was detoured around the wreckage for hours on U.S. 34. 

Thomas says the crash investigation is ongoing.

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say two tractor-trailer drivers have been killed in a crash that closed westbound Interstate 80. Nebraska State Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas says the crash happened around 11 a.m. Tuesday when an eastbound rig crossed the median and struck an oncoming semi west of Seward. Traffic was detoured around the wreckage for hours on U.S. 34. Thomas says the crash investigation is ongoing.

2 semi drivers die in crash that closed westbound I80

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers that the next quarterly payroll tax return is <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employment-tax-due-dates">due</a> November 1, 2021. The IRS urges employers to use the speed and convenience of filing the returns electronically.

E-filing is the most accurate method to file returns and saves 
taxpayers time by performing calculations and auto-populating forms and 
schedules with a step-by-step process. The IRS acknowledges receipt of 
e-filed returns within 24 hours, giving taxpayers reassurance that their
 return was not misplaced or lost in the mail. Electronically filed 
returns reduce processing time and have fewer errors,&nbsp;which reduces a 
taxpayer's chance of receiving an IRS notice. E-file users also receive 
missing information alerts.

Two options for electronically filing payroll tax returns:

The IRS requires all authorized IRS e-file providers to ensure 
only authorized users have access to secure information. Only the 
business owner, authorized signers and reporting agents can <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/use-an-on-line-signature-pin-to-e-file-employment-tax-forms">apply for an online signature PIN</a>.
 Third parties (such as attorneys, CPAs, tax return preparers or other 
tax professionals) can't request a PIN on behalf of the business, nor 
can they use the PIN to sign returns on behalf of their clients.

For more information on electronic filing of payroll tax returns, see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/e-file-employment-tax-forms">E-file Employment Tax Forms</a>&nbsp;page.

The credit for qualified sick and family leave wages has been extended and amended.

The employer tax credits for qualified sick and family leave wages&nbsp;gives
 all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide 
their employees with paid leave, either for the employee's own health 
needs or to care for family members. The American Rescue Plan of 
2021&nbsp;further amended and extended the tax credits (and the availability 
of advance payments of the tax credits) for paid sick and family leave. 
See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-24.pdf">Notice 2021-24</a>&nbsp;PDF
 for guidance on the ability to reduce deposits and request advances for
 the credits for periods of leave through September 30, 2021.

The Employee Retention Credit&nbsp;has been extended and amended.

The Employee Retention Credit is a 
refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of 
the qualified wages an eligible employer pays to employees.&nbsp;The modified
 and extended credit is available for qualified wages paid before 
January 1, 2022. Generally, the rules for the Employee Retention Credit 
for the second quarter of 2021 and the third and fourth quarters of 2021
 are substantially similar.

For more information about other coronavirus-related tax relief, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments">IRS.gov/coronavirus</a>.

The IRS encourages employers to help get the word out about the 
advance&nbsp;payments of the Child Tax Credit. Employers have direct access 
to many who may receive this credit. More information on the 
Advance&nbsp;Child Tax Credit is available on IRS.gov. The website has <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">tools employers can use</a>
 to deliver this information, including e-posters, drop-in articles (for
 paycheck stuffers, newsletters) and social media posts to share.

For more information see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers that the next quarterly payroll tax return is <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employment-tax-due-dates">due</a> November 1, 2021. The IRS urges employers to use the speed and convenience of filing the returns electronically.E-filing is the most accurate method to file returns and saves 
taxpayers time by performing calculations and auto-populating forms and 
schedules with a step-by-step process. The IRS acknowledges receipt of 
e-filed returns within 24 hours, giving taxpayers reassurance that their
 return was not misplaced or lost in the mail. Electronically filed 
returns reduce processing time and have fewer errors,&nbsp;which reduces a 
taxpayer's chance of receiving an IRS notice. E-file users also receive 
missing information alerts.<h2>Two options for electronically filing payroll tax returns:</h2><ul>
 <li>Self file

	Purchase IRS-approved <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/94x-mef-providers">software</a>.Business owners may need to pay a fee to electronically file their returns.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/use-an-on-line-signature-pin-to-e-file-employment-tax-forms">Apply for an online signature PIN</a> or scan and attach <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8453-emp">Form 8453-EMP</a> for the required signature.</li><li>Purchase IRS-approved <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/94x-mef-providers">software</a>.</li><li>Business owners may need to pay a fee to electronically file their returns.</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/use-an-on-line-signature-pin-to-e-file-employment-tax-forms">Apply for an online signature PIN</a> or scan and attach <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8453-emp">Form 8453-EMP</a> for the required signature.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Tax professional file

	Use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/authorized-irs-e-file-provider-locator-service-for-tax-professionals">Authorized IRS e-file Provider Locator Service</a>&nbsp;to find a tax professional who can file on behalf of the business.</li><li>Use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/authorized-irs-e-file-provider-locator-service-for-tax-professionals">Authorized IRS e-file Provider Locator Service</a>&nbsp;to find a tax professional who can file on behalf of the business.</li>
 </ul>The IRS requires all authorized IRS e-file providers to ensure 
only authorized users have access to secure information. Only the 
business owner, authorized signers and reporting agents can <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/use-an-on-line-signature-pin-to-e-file-employment-tax-forms">apply for an online signature PIN</a>.
 Third parties (such as attorneys, CPAs, tax return preparers or other 
tax professionals) can't request a PIN on behalf of the business, nor 
can they use the PIN to sign returns on behalf of their clients.For more information on electronic filing of payroll tax returns, see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/e-file-employment-tax-forms">E-file Employment Tax Forms</a>&nbsp;page.<h2>COVID-related Employer Tax Credits</h2><h2>The credit for qualified sick and family leave wages has been extended and amended.</h2>The employer tax credits for qualified sick and family leave wages&nbsp;gives
 all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide 
their employees with paid leave, either for the employee's own health 
needs or to care for family members. The American Rescue Plan of 
2021&nbsp;further amended and extended the tax credits (and the availability 
of advance payments of the tax credits) for paid sick and family leave. 
See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-24.pdf">Notice 2021-24</a>&nbsp;PDF
 for guidance on the ability to reduce deposits and request advances for
 the credits for periods of leave through September 30, 2021.<h2>The Employee Retention Credit&nbsp;has been extended and amended.</h2>The Employee Retention Credit is a 
refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of 
the qualified wages an eligible employer pays to employees.&nbsp;The modified
 and extended credit is available for qualified wages paid before 
January 1, 2022. Generally, the rules for the Employee Retention Credit 
for the second quarter of 2021 and the third and fourth quarters of 2021
 are substantially similar.For more information about other coronavirus-related tax relief, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments">IRS.gov/coronavirus</a>.<h2>Advance Child Tax Credit</h2>The IRS encourages employers to help get the word out about the 
advance&nbsp;payments of the Child Tax Credit. Employers have direct access 
to many who may receive this credit. More information on the 
Advance&nbsp;Child Tax Credit is available on IRS.gov. The website has <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">tools employers can use</a>
 to deliver this information, including e-posters, drop-in articles (for
 paycheck stuffers, newsletters) and social media posts to share.For more information see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Advance Child Tax Credit Payments</a>.

IRS reminds employers to file e-file payroll tax returns timely

More COVID-19 booster shots may be on the way -- but when it’s your turn, you’ll get an extra dose of the original vaccine, not one updated to better match the extra-contagious delta variant.

And that has some experts wondering if the booster campaign is a bit of a missed opportunity to target delta and its likely descendants.

“Don’t we want to match the new strains that are most likely to circulate as closely as possible?” Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts Medical Center, an adviser to the Food and Drug Administration, challenged Pfizer scientists recently.

“I don’t quite understand why this is not delta because that’s what we’re facing right now,” fellow adviser Dr. Patrick Moore of the University of Pittsburgh said last week as government experts debated whether it’s time for Moderna boosters. He wondered if such a switch would be particularly useful to block mild infection.

The simple answer: The FDA last month OK’d extra doses of Pfizer’s original recipe after studies showed it still works well enough against delta -- and those doses could be rolled out right away. Now the FDA is weighing evidence for boosters of the original Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines.

“It’s less churn and burn on the manufacturing” to only switch formulas when it’s really necessary, said FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks.

But Pfizer and Moderna are hedging their bets. They’re already testing experimental doses customized to delta and another variant, learning how to rapidly tweak the formula in case a change eventually is needed -- for today’s mutants or a brand new one. The tougher question for regulators is how they’d decide if and when to ever order such a switch.

CURRENT VACCINES ARE WORKING EVEN AGAINST DELTA

Vaccines used in the U.S. remain strongly effective against hospitalization and death from COVID-19, even after the delta variant took over, but authorities hope to shore up waning protection against less severe infection and for high-risk populations. Studies show an extra dose of the original formulas revs up virus-fighting antibodies that fend off infection, including antibodies that target delta.

MIGHT A DELTA-SPECIFIC BOOSTER WORK EVEN BETTER?

Vaccines target the spike protein that coats the coronavirus. Mutations in that protein made delta more contagious but to the immune system, it doesn’t look all that different, said virus expert Richard Webby of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

That means there’s no guarantee a delta-specific booster would protect any better, said University of Pennsylvania immunologist John Wherry. Waiting for studies to settle that question -- and if necessary, brewing updated doses -- would have delayed rolling out boosters to people deemed to need them now.

Still, because delta is now the dominant version of the virus worldwide it almost certainly will be a common ancestor for whatever evolves next in a mostly unvaccinated world, said Trevor Bedford, a biologist and genetics expert at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

A delta-updated vaccine would “help to provide a buffer against those additional mutations,” he said. Bedford is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports The Associated Press Health and Science Department.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressMore COVID-19 booster shots may be on the way -- but when it’s your turn, you’ll get an extra dose of the original vaccine, not one updated to better match the extra-contagious delta variant.And that has some experts wondering if the booster campaign is a bit of a missed opportunity to target delta and its likely descendants.“Don’t we want to match the new strains that are most likely to circulate as closely as possible?” Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts Medical Center, an adviser to the Food and Drug Administration, challenged Pfizer scientists recently.“I don’t quite understand why this is not delta because that’s what we’re facing right now,” fellow adviser Dr. Patrick Moore of the University of Pittsburgh said last week as government experts debated whether it’s time for Moderna boosters. He wondered if such a switch would be particularly useful to block mild infection.The simple answer: The FDA last month OK’d extra doses of Pfizer’s original recipe after studies showed it still works well enough against delta -- and those doses could be rolled out right away. Now the FDA is weighing evidence for boosters of the original Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines.“It’s less churn and burn on the manufacturing” to only switch formulas when it’s really necessary, said FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks.But Pfizer and Moderna are hedging their bets. They’re already testing experimental doses customized to delta and another variant, learning how to rapidly tweak the formula in case a change eventually is needed -- for today’s mutants or a brand new one. The tougher question for regulators is how they’d decide if and when to ever order such a switch.What we know so far:CURRENT VACCINES ARE WORKING EVEN AGAINST DELTAVaccines used in the U.S. remain strongly effective against hospitalization and death from COVID-19, even after the delta variant took over, but authorities hope to shore up waning protection against less severe infection and for high-risk populations. Studies show an extra dose of the original formulas revs up virus-fighting antibodies that fend off infection, including antibodies that target delta.MIGHT A DELTA-SPECIFIC BOOSTER WORK EVEN BETTER?Vaccines target the spike protein that coats the coronavirus. Mutations in that protein made delta more contagious but to the immune system, it doesn’t look all that different, said virus expert Richard Webby of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.That means there’s no guarantee a delta-specific booster would protect any better, said University of Pennsylvania immunologist John Wherry. Waiting for studies to settle that question -- and if necessary, brewing updated doses -- would have delayed rolling out boosters to people deemed to need them now.Still, because delta is now the dominant version of the virus worldwide it almost certainly will be a common ancestor for whatever evolves next in a mostly unvaccinated world, said Trevor Bedford, a biologist and genetics expert at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.A delta-updated vaccine would “help to provide a buffer against those additional mutations,” he said. Bedford is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports The Associated Press Health and Science Department.TWEAKING THE RECIPEThe 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. Updating the formula merely requires swapping out the original genetic code with mRNA for a mutated spike protein.Both companies first experimented with tweaked doses against a mutant that emerged in South Africa, the beta variant, that has been the most vaccine-resistant to date, more so than the delta variant. Lab tests showed the updated shots produced potent antibodies. But the beta variant didn’t spread widely.Now the companies have studies underway of fully vaccinated people who agreed to test a booster dose tweaked to match delta. Moderna’s studies also include some shots that combine protection against more than one version of the coronavirus -- much like today’s flu vaccines work against multiple influenza strains.The mRNA vaccines are considered the easiest kind to tweak but some other vaccine makers also are exploring how to change their recipes if necessary.WHY STUDY UPDATED SHOTS IF THEY’RE NOT YET NEEDED?Moderna’s Dr. Jacqueline Miller told an FDA advisory panel last week the company is studying variant-specific boosters now to learn if they offer advantages, and to be ready if they’re needed.And Penn’s Wherry said it is critical to carefully analyze how the body reacts to updated shots because the immune system tends to “imprint” a stronger memory of the first virus strain it encounters. That raises questions about whether a subtly different booster would prompt a temporary jump in antibodies the body’s made before -- or the bigger goal, a broader and more durable response that might even be better positioned for the next mutations to come along.NO RULES YET FOR MAKING A SWITCH“What is the tripping point?” asked Webby, who is part of a World Health Organization network that tracks influenza evolution. “A lot of what is going to need to go into that decision making is just going to be learned by experience, unfortunately.”Bedford said now is the time to decide what drop in vaccine effectiveness would trigger a formula change, just as is done with flu vaccines every year.That’s important not just if a dramatically worse variant suddenly develops. Like many scientists, Bedford expects the coronavirus to eventually evolve from a global crisis into a regular threat every winter -- which might mean more regular boosters, maybe even yearly in combination with the flu shot.Timing between shots matters, too, Wherry noted.“Your boostability may actually improve with longer intervals between stimulation,” he said. While scientists have learned a lot about the coronavirus, “the story’s not finished yet and we don’t know what the last chapters say.”___