DETROIT (AP) — Over 30 million air bags in more than 200 models from 20 car and truck makers are being investigated by a U.S. safety agency because they have the potential to explode and hurl shrapnel.

In a document posted Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened the probe into air bag inflators made from 2011 through 2019 by now-bankrupt Takata that weren’t recalled previously.

The probe could reverse a decision made in May of last year not to recall the inflators, which contain a moisture-absorbing chemical called a dessicant.

It wasn’t clear what prompted the agency to open the investigation. Last year, it decided against recalling the inflators, based largely on industry research, and said it would monitor them.

“While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled dessicated inflators,” the agency said in the document.

Included in the probe are models made by Honda, Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis), General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Tesla, BMW, Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover, Daimler Vans, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Mazda, Karma, Fisker, Spartan Fire vehicles.

Some of the most popular vehicles in the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2021/INOA-EA21002-7663.PDF" target="_blank">are identified in the probe</a>, including certain Chevrolet Silverado pickups from 2014 and 2015, some Jeep Grand Cherokees from 2011 through 2019 and the Honda CR-V from 2012 through 2015.

The document posted Tuesday said none of the inflators under investigation have blown apart while in use. About 25 million vehicles have the questionable driver or front passenger inflators that were installed at the factory. At least 5 million more had the inflators installed as replacement parts for more dangerous Takata inflators that have been recalled.

NHTSA didn’t immediately comment when asked what changed, prompting it to open the investigation. The agency said in a statement Monday that drivers don’t need to take any action. “NHTSA will conduct a thorough investigation, and should we determine that a safety defect exists, we will act,” the agency said.

At least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-business-61e8b31d57720ccfe704d2bd500b096c">19 people in the U.S. and 28 worldwide have been killed&nbsp;</a>by exploding Takata inflators. More than 400 have been injured in the U.S.

The Japanese company used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. But the chemical can become more volatile over time when exposed to moisture in the air and high temperatures. The explosion can blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

The problem caused the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million inflators recalled. About 17 million had not been repaired as of January. Worldwide, around 100 million inflators have been recalled.

Takata added the dessicant to absorb moisture and stop the ammonium nitrate from deteriorating. But in the document, NHTSA said at some point the dessicants will become saturated. In the most hot and humid locations, saturation can take place in five years, the agency said.

Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit advocacy group, said he’s not sure what caused the agency to change from last year. But he said NHTSA is opening the probe before something bad happens. “What’s refreshing here is that NHTSA is taking a step that says we don’t have to wait for a body count. That’s great,” Levine said.

Under President Donald Trump, the agency enacted few safety regulations and was less active in regulating the industry than under past administrations. But Levine said it is being far more active under President Joe Biden.

Levine said the agency should have begun the investigation last year so owners of vehicles with the questionable inflators could know by now whether their air bag systems are safe or whether they’re defective.

“It leaves consumers in an unnecessary state of concern,” Levine said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576782225717.png" alt="photo National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" />
 <figcaption>photo National Highway Traffic Safety Administration</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Over 30 million air bags in more than 200 models from 20 car and truck makers are being investigated by a U.S. safety agency because they have the potential to explode and hurl shrapnel.In a document posted Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened the probe into air bag inflators made from 2011 through 2019 by now-bankrupt Takata that weren’t recalled previously.The probe could reverse a decision made in May of last year not to recall the inflators, which contain a moisture-absorbing chemical called a dessicant.It wasn’t clear what prompted the agency to open the investigation. Last year, it decided against recalling the inflators, based largely on industry research, and said it would monitor them.“While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled dessicated inflators,” the agency said in the document.Included in the probe are models made by Honda, Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis), General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Tesla, BMW, Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover, Daimler Vans, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Mazda, Karma, Fisker, Spartan Fire vehicles.Some of the most popular vehicles in the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2021/INOA-EA21002-7663.PDF" target="_blank">are identified in the probe</a>, including certain Chevrolet Silverado pickups from 2014 and 2015, some Jeep Grand Cherokees from 2011 through 2019 and the Honda CR-V from 2012 through 2015.The document posted Tuesday said none of the inflators under investigation have blown apart while in use. About 25 million vehicles have the questionable driver or front passenger inflators that were installed at the factory. At least 5 million more had the inflators installed as replacement parts for more dangerous Takata inflators that have been recalled.NHTSA didn’t immediately comment when asked what changed, prompting it to open the investigation. The agency said in a statement Monday that drivers don’t need to take any action. “NHTSA will conduct a thorough investigation, and should we determine that a safety defect exists, we will act,” the agency said.At least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-carolina-business-61e8b31d57720ccfe704d2bd500b096c">19 people in the U.S. and 28 worldwide have been killed&nbsp;</a>by exploding Takata inflators. More than 400 have been injured in the U.S.The Japanese company used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. But the chemical can become more volatile over time when exposed to moisture in the air and high temperatures. The explosion can blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel into the passenger compartment.The problem caused the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million inflators recalled. About 17 million had not been repaired as of January. Worldwide, around 100 million inflators have been recalled.Takata added the dessicant to absorb moisture and stop the ammonium nitrate from deteriorating. But in the document, NHTSA said at some point the dessicants will become saturated. In the most hot and humid locations, saturation can take place in five years, the agency said.Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit advocacy group, said he’s not sure what caused the agency to change from last year. But he said NHTSA is opening the probe before something bad happens. “What’s refreshing here is that NHTSA is taking a step that says we don’t have to wait for a body count. That’s great,” Levine said.Under President Donald Trump, the agency enacted few safety regulations and was less active in regulating the industry than under past administrations. But Levine said it is being far more active under President Joe Biden.Levine said the agency should have begun the investigation last year so owners of vehicles with the questionable inflators could know by now whether their air bag systems are safe or whether they’re defective.“It leaves consumers in an unnecessary state of concern,” Levine said.

US probes Takata air bags in 200 models from 20 automakers

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say two victims who died recently in a highway crash in southeastern South Dakota were from Nebraska.

 The state Department of Public Safety says 75-year-old Albert Wingate and 74-year-old Marilyn Wingate, of Norfolk, died a week or more following the Sept. 11 crash in Hutchinson County. 

Safety officials say the driver of a pickup truck pulling an empty horse trailer tried to pass a semi on Highway 81 near Freeman, but collided head-on with the Wingates’ Chevy Corvette. 

The couple was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital. Marilyn Wingate died Monday. 

The 28-year-old pickup driver was taken to a Freeman hospital for treatment of his injuries.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say two victims who died recently in a highway crash in southeastern South Dakota were from Nebraska. The state Department of Public Safety says 75-year-old Albert Wingate and 74-year-old Marilyn Wingate, of Norfolk, died a week or more following the Sept. 11 crash in Hutchinson County. Safety officials say the driver of a pickup truck pulling an empty horse trailer tried to pass a semi on Highway 81 near Freeman, but collided head-on with the Wingates’ Chevy Corvette. The couple was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital. Marilyn Wingate died Monday. Albert Wingate died Sept. 18. The 28-year-old pickup driver was taken to a Freeman hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Couple from Nebraska killed in South Dakota highway crash

By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A proposal being pushed by the Biden administration that banks
report all transactions of more than $600 and keep tabs on accounts above that
threshold is strongly opposed by the Missouri Bankers Association.

Executive Vice President of Member Services Jackson Hataway
says the IRS claims the proposal would catch the wealthiest Americans
attempting to move money around outside of the tax system.

“And the reality is our federal agencies do not use data that
well as it is now,” Hataway tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, what in the world
would lead us to believe that a landslide of more data from millions of Americans
is suddenly going to make our tax policy more effective? The ones and zeroes
don’t add up. The math doesn’t make sense.”

Hataway says the $600-dollar threshold would affect the vast
majority of bank customers.

“Basically, affects every consumer at every bank,” according
to Hataway. “There will certainly be those who have underneath the $600
threshold, but the vast majority of accounts will be subject to this kind of
regulation and intrusive action from the government.”

Hataway says the federal government at present requires banks
to report transactions of more than $10,000 under the Currency Transaction
Report (CTR). This proposal greatly expands that requirement, lowering the
threshold to transactions exceeding $600.

The proposal was attached to the $3.5 trillion reconciliation
bill, but removed. The MBA expects it to resurface in another form.

Hataway calls the proposal a breach of privacy.

“While we can appreciate the objective goal of trying to track
down more revenues from people who are dodging the tax system, this methodology
for doing it is unproven, it’s unsound, and honestly in a world of data
breaches, where we see the IRS and other agencies constantly dealing with cyber
struggles, the thought of all of our account information flowing into an entity
that can’t keep data secure, should reasonably be something that we’re all deeply
concerned about,” Hataway says.

The proposal seems to have flown under the radar for a while,
but Hataway says more and more banks report customers have started complaining
about the proposal. The MBA is encouraging Missourians to contact members of Congress
and voice opposition to the proposal.

By BRENT MARTIN <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A proposal being pushed by the Biden administration that banks
report all transactions of more than $600 and keep tabs on accounts above that
threshold is strongly opposed by the Missouri Bankers Association.Executive Vice President of Member Services Jackson Hataway
says the IRS claims the proposal would catch the wealthiest Americans
attempting to move money around outside of the tax system.“And the reality is our federal agencies do not use data that
well as it is now,” Hataway tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, what in the world
would lead us to believe that a landslide of more data from millions of Americans
is suddenly going to make our tax policy more effective? The ones and zeroes
don’t add up. The math doesn’t make sense.”Hataway says the $600-dollar threshold would affect the vast
majority of bank customers.“Basically, affects every consumer at every bank,” according
to Hataway. “There will certainly be those who have underneath the $600
threshold, but the vast majority of accounts will be subject to this kind of
regulation and intrusive action from the government.”Hataway says the federal government at present requires banks
to report transactions of more than $10,000 under the Currency Transaction
Report (CTR). This proposal greatly expands that requirement, lowering the
threshold to transactions exceeding $600.The proposal was attached to the $3.5 trillion reconciliation
bill, but removed. The MBA expects it to resurface in another form.Hataway calls the proposal a breach of privacy.“While we can appreciate the objective goal of trying to track
down more revenues from people who are dodging the tax system, this methodology
for doing it is unproven, it’s unsound, and honestly in a world of data
breaches, where we see the IRS and other agencies constantly dealing with cyber
struggles, the thought of all of our account information flowing into an entity
that can’t keep data secure, should reasonably be something that we’re all deeply
concerned about,” Hataway says.The proposal seems to have flown under the radar for a while,
but Hataway says more and more banks report customers have started complaining
about the proposal. The MBA is encouraging Missourians to contact members of Congress
and voice opposition to the proposal.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Mo. bankers object to Biden proposal to track $600 cash transactions

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — A suburban Omaha principal is on leave after being charged with drunken driving after rear ending a motorcycle and injuring its driver. 

Andrew Miller, 46 of Omaha, was arrested Friday after the crash near 141st and Pacific streets. 

Motorcyclist Bruce Blaydes, 58, of Omaha, remained in critical condition Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said. 

The Bellevue schools district said Miller remains on paid leave from his job as principal of LeMay Elementary School. 

Miller remained jailed Tuesday in lieu of $250,000 bail. 

Online court records do not show an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — A suburban Omaha principal is on leave after being charged with drunken driving after rear ending a motorcycle and injuring its driver. Andrew Miller, 46 of Omaha, was arrested Friday after the crash near 141st and Pacific streets. Motorcyclist Bruce Blaydes, 58, of Omaha, remained in critical condition Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said. The Bellevue schools district said Miller remains on paid leave from his job as principal of LeMay Elementary School. Miller remained jailed Tuesday in lieu of $250,000 bail. Online court records do not show an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Omaha elementary principal on leave after drunken driving arrest

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator and veteran Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Senators Ted Cruz, James Lankford, and Tommy Tuberville&nbsp;in introducing the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/HEY21B23-2.pdf" target="_blank">COVID-19 Vaccine Dishonorable Discharge Prevention Act</a>.

It prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from giving U.S. service members a dishonorable discharge for choosing not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The House Armed Services Committee recently passed similar language led by Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) in an amendment to the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation comes on the heels of President Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/09/09/1035149651/biden-will-require-vaccines-for-federal-workers-as-part-of-a-new-covid-strategy" target="_blank">mandating millions</a>&nbsp;of Americans – including service members – to get vaccinated and the DOD issuing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-army/2021/09/14/armys-plan-for-mandatory-covid-19-vaccines-is-here/" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;stating that soldiers who refuse the vaccine will face “administrative or non-judicial punishment [under UCMJ] – to include relief of duties or discharge.”

“As a physician and veteran who is confident that the vaccine has saved countless lives, I believe vaccinating our service members against COVID-19 is an important effort; however, whether or not to receive the vaccine should be a personal choice between an individual and their doctor,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“Service members who refuse to get vaccinated, and are subsequently separated from the service, should not receive anything other than an honorable discharge. There is no question about it: American heroes should not be treated as felons because of their personal medical choices.”

“It’s an insult to our servicemen and women who have served with honor to dishonorably discharge them for refusing the COVID vaccine. It is the same way we dishonorably discharge those convicted of serious crimes such as treason, desertion, sexual assault, and murder. Forcing all service members, including pregnant women and those who have already had COVID-19, to receive the vaccine is just one more example of President Biden and his administration putting politics ahead of science. I am proud to join Sen. Marshall on this crucial bill to ensure the proper steps are taken by the military chain of command in response to those seeking exemptions from this vaccine,”&nbsp;said Senator Cruz.

“When America shut down last year, our military personnel continued to serve us at home and abroad,”&nbsp;said Senator Lankford.&nbsp;“Now, Biden wants to remove service members who have already recovered from COVID, but will not also take the vaccine, or have a medical, religious or personal reason not to take the vaccine.&nbsp;Our men and women in uniform have fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy, and it’s right for us to protect their freedom now to choose whether or not to get the vaccine. President Biden should not give our military members a ‘less than honorable’ or ‘dishonorable’ discharge from the military for a conscious objection to a vaccine after they have risked their lives for our country. ”

“The brave men and women of our military who make the personal medical decision to not to take the COVID-19 vaccine should not receive anything other than an honorable discharge. I was proud to get this legislation included as an amendment to the NDAA in the House and am grateful to Senator Marshall for his leadership in the Senate,”&nbsp;said Representative Green.

Dishonorably discharged U.S. service members surrender the following rights and benefits:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ownership of any sort of firearm or ammunition

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Access to the GI Bill for further education

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;VA home loans

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;VA medical benefits

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Military Funeral Honors

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Re-enlistment in another military branch

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629972789785.png" alt="&nbsp;photo U.S. Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;photo U.S. Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator and veteran Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Senators Ted Cruz, James Lankford, and Tommy Tuberville&nbsp;in introducing the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/HEY21B23-2.pdf" target="_blank">COVID-19 Vaccine Dishonorable Discharge Prevention Act</a>.It prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from giving U.S. service members a dishonorable discharge for choosing not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The House Armed Services Committee recently passed similar language led by Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) in an amendment to the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation comes on the heels of President Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/09/09/1035149651/biden-will-require-vaccines-for-federal-workers-as-part-of-a-new-covid-strategy" target="_blank">mandating millions</a>&nbsp;of Americans – including service members – to get vaccinated and the DOD issuing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-army/2021/09/14/armys-plan-for-mandatory-covid-19-vaccines-is-here/" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;stating that soldiers who refuse the vaccine will face “administrative or non-judicial punishment [under UCMJ] – to include relief of duties or discharge.”“As a physician and veteran who is confident that the vaccine has saved countless lives, I believe vaccinating our service members against COVID-19 is an important effort; however, whether or not to receive the vaccine should be a personal choice between an individual and their doctor,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“Service members who refuse to get vaccinated, and are subsequently separated from the service, should not receive anything other than an honorable discharge. There is no question about it: American heroes should not be treated as felons because of their personal medical choices.”“It’s an insult to our servicemen and women who have served with honor to dishonorably discharge them for refusing the COVID vaccine. It is the same way we dishonorably discharge those convicted of serious crimes such as treason, desertion, sexual assault, and murder. Forcing all service members, including pregnant women and those who have already had COVID-19, to receive the vaccine is just one more example of President Biden and his administration putting politics ahead of science. I am proud to join Sen. Marshall on this crucial bill to ensure the proper steps are taken by the military chain of command in response to those seeking exemptions from this vaccine,”&nbsp;said Senator Cruz.“When America shut down last year, our military personnel continued to serve us at home and abroad,”&nbsp;said Senator Lankford.&nbsp;“Now, Biden wants to remove service members who have already recovered from COVID, but will not also take the vaccine, or have a medical, religious or personal reason not to take the vaccine.&nbsp;Our men and women in uniform have fought to protect the freedoms we enjoy, and it’s right for us to protect their freedom now to choose whether or not to get the vaccine. President Biden should not give our military members a ‘less than honorable’ or ‘dishonorable’ discharge from the military for a conscious objection to a vaccine after they have risked their lives for our country. ”“The brave men and women of our military who make the personal medical decision to not to take the COVID-19 vaccine should not receive anything other than an honorable discharge. I was proud to get this legislation included as an amendment to the NDAA in the House and am grateful to Senator Marshall for his leadership in the Senate,”&nbsp;said Representative Green.Background:Dishonorably discharged U.S. service members surrender the following rights and benefits:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ownership of any sort of firearm or ammunition·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Access to the GI Bill for further education·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;VA home loans·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;VA medical benefits·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Military Funeral Honors·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Re-enlistment in another military branch

Bill prohibits dishonorable discharge for unvaccinated service members

News Release Nance County Sheriff's Office

FULLERTON, Neb.-Authorities in Nance County said a mountain lion was struck by a vehicle.

At approximately 8:30 pm on Sept. 21, the Nance County Sheriff’s Office was called to a single-vehicle accident on Highway 14 just south of Fullerton, north of the Loup River Bridge. The driver reported striking an animal they believed to be a mountain lion. 

Deputies found evidence that the driver had correctly identified the animal, but were not able to locate the animal along the highway. 

Due to the close proximity to houses and to the city of Fullerton a search of the area was conducted by members of the Nance County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska Game and Parks. Residents in the area were notified of the situation. The animal was not located. 

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with Game and Parks to ensure the safety of everyone in our community. We will be conducting further searches of the area south of Fullerton during the daytime.

An injured predator such as a mountain lion can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable if encountered in the wild. We encourage everyone to be aware of your surroundings and if you do come across an injured animal do not approach it, leave the area slowly and  cautiously, then contact the Sheriff’s Office at 308-536-2452. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560361906017.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release Nance County Sheriff's OfficeFULLERTON, Neb.-Authorities in Nance County said a mountain lion was struck by a vehicle.At approximately 8:30 pm on Sept. 21, the Nance County Sheriff’s Office was called to a single-vehicle accident on Highway 14 just south of Fullerton, north of the Loup River Bridge. The driver reported striking an animal they believed to be a mountain lion. Deputies found evidence that the driver had correctly identified the animal, but were not able to locate the animal along the highway. Due to the close proximity to houses and to the city of Fullerton a search of the area was conducted by members of the Nance County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska Game and Parks. Residents in the area were notified of the situation. The animal was not located. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with Game and Parks to ensure the safety of everyone in our community. We will be conducting further searches of the area south of Fullerton during the daytime.An injured predator such as a mountain lion can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable if encountered in the wild. We encourage everyone to be aware of your surroundings and if you do come across an injured animal do not approach it, leave the area slowly and cautiously, then contact the Sheriff’s Office at 308-536-2452.

Mountain lion struck by vehicle near Fullerton

The Cybersecurity and Infastructure Security Agency (CISA) along with the FBI recommend consumers and businesses <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/news/2021/08/31/cisa-and-fbi-urge-organizations-remain-vigilant-ransomware-threats-holidays" target="_blank">take steps to protect electronic devices against cyber attacks.</a>

Ransomware attacks are becoming a regular occurrence, locking 
computers and networks using file encryption software, with hackers 
demanding payment by Bitcoin or other non-traceable crypto-currency to 
release the data. The attack typically enters through a phishing email 
and then spreads to other machines on the same network.&nbsp;

BBB joins with the <a href="http://www.staysafeonline.org/" target="_blank">National Cyber Security Alliance</a>&nbsp;in suggesting the following cyber hygiene defenses:

Businesses need to take special precautions when it comes to protecting their customers’ information. One of the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>
 is "Safeguard Privacy: Protect any data collected against mishandling 
and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the 
preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information."

&nbsp;BBB recommends the following <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/23641-bbb-business-tip-cybersecurity-practices-every-small-business-needs-to-do-now" target="_blank">cybersecurity tips for U.S. small businesses</a> and <a href="https://cyber.gc.ca/en/" target="_blank">Cyber Security tips for Canada</a>

Consumers can learn more about avoiding scams and fraud at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">10 Steps to Avoid Scams</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632330784200.jpeg" alt="Pixabay photo" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BBBThe Cybersecurity and Infastructure Security Agency (CISA) along with the FBI recommend consumers and businesses <a href="https://www.cisa.gov/news/2021/08/31/cisa-and-fbi-urge-organizations-remain-vigilant-ransomware-threats-holidays" target="_blank">take steps to protect electronic devices against cyber attacks.</a>Ransomware attacks are becoming a regular occurrence, locking 
computers and networks using file encryption software, with hackers 
demanding payment by Bitcoin or other non-traceable crypto-currency to 
release the data. The attack typically enters through a phishing email 
and then spreads to other machines on the same network.&nbsp;BBB joins with the <a href="http://www.staysafeonline.org/" target="_blank">National Cyber Security Alliance</a>&nbsp;in suggesting the following cyber hygiene defenses:<ul>
 <li>Don’t click on links&nbsp;from unfamiliar sources. Even 
if you think you know the sender, be cautious about clicking on email 
links. When in doubt, delete it. Be especially wary of messages 
requiring you to act quickly, asking for personal information, or 
threatening you in any way.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Keep clean machines and stay up-to-date with software:&nbsp;Prevent
 infections by updating critical software as soon as patches or new 
operating system versions are available. This includes mobile and other 
internet-connected devices.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Use strong authentication, requiring more than a 
username and password to access accounts, especially critical networks, 
to prevent access through stolen or hacked credentials.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Conduct regular backups of systems:&nbsp;Systems can be restored in cases of ransomware and having current backup of all data speeds the recovery process.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Make better passwords:&nbsp;In cases where passwords are
 still used, require long, strong and unique passwords to better harden 
accounts against intrusions.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Enable popup blockers.&nbsp;Popups are regularly used by
 scammers to spread malware. Prevent them from appearing in the first 
place by adjusting your browser settings.</li>
 </ul> Businesses need to take special precautions when it comes to protecting their customers’ information. One of the <a href="https://www.bbb.org/standards-for-trust" target="_blank">BBB Standards for Trust</a>
 is "Safeguard Privacy: Protect any data collected against mishandling 
and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the 
preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information."&nbsp;BBB recommends the following <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/23641-bbb-business-tip-cybersecurity-practices-every-small-business-needs-to-do-now" target="_blank">cybersecurity tips for U.S. small businesses</a> and <a href="https://cyber.gc.ca/en/" target="_blank">Cyber Security tips for Canada</a>Consumers can learn more about avoiding scams and fraud at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams" target="_blank">10 Steps to Avoid Scams</a>.&nbsp;

BBB Tip: Update software to help prevent ransomware

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted to keep the government funded, suspend the federal debt limit and provide disaster and refugee aid, setting up a high-stakes showdown with Republicans who oppose the package despite the risk of triggering a fiscal crisis.

The federal government faces a shutdown if funding stops on Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year — midnight next Thursday. Additionally, at some point in October the U.S. risks defaulting on its accumulated debt load if its borrowing limits are not waived or adjusted.

Rushing to prevent that dire outcome, the Democratic-led House passed the measure Tuesday night by a party-line vote of 220-211. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is likely to falter because of overwhelming GOP opposition.

“Our country will suffer greatly if we do not act now to stave off this unnecessary and preventable crisis,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said shortly before the vote.

Backed by the White House, the Democratic leaders pushed the package to approval at a time of great uncertainty in Congress. With lawmakers already chiseling away at the $3.5 trillion price tag of President Joe Biden’s broad “build back better” agenda, immediate attention focused on the upcoming deadlines to avert deeper problems if votes to shore up government funding fail.

The package approved Tuesday would provide stopgap money to keep the government funded to Dec. 3 and extend borrowing authority through the end of 2022. It includes $28.6 billion in disaster relief for the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and other extreme weather events, and $6.3 billion to support Afghanistan evacuees in the fallout from the end of the 20-year war.

While suspending the debt ceiling allows the government to meet financial obligations already incurred, Republicans argued it would also facilitate a spending binge in the months ahead.

“I will not support signing a blank check as this majority is advancing the most reckless expansion of government in generations,” said Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., during the debate.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said since Democrats control the White House and Congress, it’s their problem to find the votes — even though he had relied on bipartisan cooperation to approve the debt limits when Republicans were in charge.

“The debt ceiling will be raised as it always should be, but it will be raised by the Democrats,” McConnell said.

In the 50-50 Senate, Democrats will be hard-pressed to find 10 Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster.

“This is playing with fire,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

The Treasury Department has been using “extraordinary measures” to fund the government since the last debt limit suspension expired July 31, and projects that at some point next month will run out cash reserves. Then, it will have to rely on incoming receipts to pay its obligations, now at $28.4 trillion. That could force the Treasury to delay or miss payments, a devastating situation.

Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, warned if lawmakers allow a federal debt default “this economic scenario is cataclysmic.”

In a report being circulated by Democrats, Zandi warned that a potential downturn from government funding cutbacks would cost 6 million jobs and stock market losses would wipe out $15 trillion of household wealth.

Once a routine matter, raising the debt ceiling has become a political weapon of choice for Republicans in Washington ever since the 2011 arrival of tea party lawmakers who refused to allow the increase. At the time, they argued against more spending and the standoff triggered a fiscal crisis.

Echoing that strategy, McConnell is setting the tone for his party, but some GOP senators might have a tough time voting no.

Republican John Kennedy of Louisiana, whose state was battered by the hurricane and who is up for election next year, said he will likely vote for the increase. “My people desperately need the help,” he said.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that “in our view, this should not be a controversial vote.” Psaki said Congress has raised the debt ceiling numerous times on a bipartisan basis, including three times under President Donald Trump.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the Democratic chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, was forced to introduce another version of the bill Tuesday after some within the Democratic caucus objected to the inclusion of $1 billion for Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, which uses missiles to intercept short-range rockets fired into the country.

The Israel defense issue splits Democrats, but DeLauro assured colleagues that money for the weapons system would be included in the annual defense spending bill. Hoyer went a step further and said he would bring a bill to the floor this week to replenish the Iron Dome system.

Republicans were highly critical of the change and vowed to stand as allies with Israel.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Democrats were negotiating over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-5ff8a8f7403e1e8cc27f192d87894d9e">Biden’s big “build back better” package</a>&nbsp;as the price tag likely slips to win over skeptical centrist lawmakers who view it as too much.

Publicly, the White House has remained confident the legislation will pass soon, despite sharp differences among progressives and moderates in the party over the eventual size of the package and a companion $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.

There has been a flurry of outreach from the White House to Democrats on Capitol Hill, and Biden himself was given a call sheet of lawmakers to cajole. The president has been talking to a wide number of lawmakers beyond his recent meetings with key centrist Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., according to a White House official familiar with the calls and granted anonymity to discuss them.

Biden’s big initiative touches almost all aspects of Americans’ lives. It would impose tax hikes on corporations and wealthy Americans earning beyond $400,000 a year and plow that money back into federal programs for young and old, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">government health, education and family support&nbsp;</a>and environmental efforts to fight climate change.

With Republicans opposed to Biden’s vision, Democrats have no votes to spare in the Senate, and just a few votes’ margin in the House.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised a Sept. 27 vote on the companion $1 trillion bill of public works projects that has already passed the Senate.

Even though that bipartisan bill should be an easy legislative lift, it too faces a political obstacle course. Dozens of lawmakers in the Congressional Progressive Caucus are expected to vote against it if it comes ahead of the broader Biden package. And centrists won’t vote for the broader package unless they are assured the bipartisan bill will also be included.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632274549553.png" alt="House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. fields questions about the politics of the federal debt, at the Capitol Tuesday-photo courtesy House Appropriations Committee" />
 <figcaption>House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. fields questions about the politics of the federal debt, at the Capitol Tuesday-photo courtesy House Appropriations Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted to keep the government funded, suspend the federal debt limit and provide disaster and refugee aid, setting up a high-stakes showdown with Republicans who oppose the package despite the risk of triggering a fiscal crisis.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act provides vital services that working families need. Watch Chair <a href="https://twitter.com/rosadelauro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rosadelauro</a> discuss this crucial legislation with <a href="https://twitter.com/RulesDemocrats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RulesDemocrats</a>: <a href="https://t.co/UOQEdIrNDd">pic.twitter.com/UOQEdIrNDd</a>&mdash; House Appropriations (@AppropsDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/AppropsDems/status/1440386314914828298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The federal government faces a shutdown if funding stops on Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year — midnight next Thursday. Additionally, at some point in October the U.S. risks defaulting on its accumulated debt load if its borrowing limits are not waived or adjusted.Rushing to prevent that dire outcome, the Democratic-led House passed the measure Tuesday night by a party-line vote of 220-211. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is likely to falter because of overwhelming GOP opposition.“Our country will suffer greatly if we do not act now to stave off this unnecessary and preventable crisis,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said shortly before the vote.Backed by the White House, the Democratic leaders pushed the package to approval at a time of great uncertainty in Congress. With lawmakers already chiseling away at the $3.5 trillion price tag of President Joe Biden’s broad “build back better” agenda, immediate attention focused on the upcoming deadlines to avert deeper problems if votes to shore up government funding fail.The package approved Tuesday would provide stopgap money to keep the government funded to Dec. 3 and extend borrowing authority through the end of 2022. It includes $28.6 billion in disaster relief for the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and other extreme weather events, and $6.3 billion to support Afghanistan evacuees in the fallout from the end of the 20-year war.While suspending the debt ceiling allows the government to meet financial obligations already incurred, Republicans argued it would also facilitate a spending binge in the months ahead.“I will not support signing a blank check as this majority is advancing the most reckless expansion of government in generations,” said Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., during the debate.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said since Democrats control the White House and Congress, it’s their problem to find the votes — even though he had relied on bipartisan cooperation to approve the debt limits when Republicans were in charge.“The debt ceiling will be raised as it always should be, but it will be raised by the Democrats,” McConnell said.In the 50-50 Senate, Democrats will be hard-pressed to find 10 Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster.“This is playing with fire,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.The Treasury Department has been using “extraordinary measures” to fund the government since the last debt limit suspension expired July 31, and projects that at some point next month will run out cash reserves. Then, it will have to rely on incoming receipts to pay its obligations, now at $28.4 trillion. That could force the Treasury to delay or miss payments, a devastating situation.Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, warned if lawmakers allow a federal debt default “this economic scenario is cataclysmic.”In a report being circulated by Democrats, Zandi warned that a potential downturn from government funding cutbacks would cost 6 million jobs and stock market losses would wipe out $15 trillion of household wealth.Once a routine matter, raising the debt ceiling has become a political weapon of choice for Republicans in Washington ever since the 2011 arrival of tea party lawmakers who refused to allow the increase. At the time, they argued against more spending and the standoff triggered a fiscal crisis.Echoing that strategy, McConnell is setting the tone for his party, but some GOP senators might have a tough time voting no.Republican John Kennedy of Louisiana, whose state was battered by the hurricane and who is up for election next year, said he will likely vote for the increase. “My people desperately need the help,” he said.White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that “in our view, this should not be a controversial vote.” Psaki said Congress has raised the debt ceiling numerous times on a bipartisan basis, including three times under President Donald Trump.Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the Democratic chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, was forced to introduce another version of the bill Tuesday after some within the Democratic caucus objected to the inclusion of $1 billion for Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, which uses missiles to intercept short-range rockets fired into the country.The Israel defense issue splits Democrats, but DeLauro assured colleagues that money for the weapons system would be included in the annual defense spending bill. Hoyer went a step further and said he would bring a bill to the floor this week to replenish the Iron Dome system.Republicans were highly critical of the change and vowed to stand as allies with Israel.Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Democrats were negotiating over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-5ff8a8f7403e1e8cc27f192d87894d9e">Biden’s big “build back better” package</a>&nbsp;as the price tag likely slips to win over skeptical centrist lawmakers who view it as too much.Publicly, the White House has remained confident the legislation will pass soon, despite sharp differences among progressives and moderates in the party over the eventual size of the package and a companion $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.There has been a flurry of outreach from the White House to Democrats on Capitol Hill, and Biden himself was given a call sheet of lawmakers to cajole. The president has been talking to a wide number of lawmakers beyond his recent meetings with key centrist Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., according to a White House official familiar with the calls and granted anonymity to discuss them.Biden’s big initiative touches almost all aspects of Americans’ lives. It would impose tax hikes on corporations and wealthy Americans earning beyond $400,000 a year and plow that money back into federal programs for young and old, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-health-care-69c7bb592f8d73232bec1d8e15be82e3">government health, education and family support&nbsp;</a>and environmental efforts to fight climate change.With Republicans opposed to Biden’s vision, Democrats have no votes to spare in the Senate, and just a few votes’ margin in the House.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised a Sept. 27 vote on the companion $1 trillion bill of public works projects that has already passed the Senate.Even though that bipartisan bill should be an easy legislative lift, it too faces a political obstacle course. Dozens of lawmakers in the Congressional Progressive Caucus are expected to vote against it if it comes ahead of the broader Biden package. And centrists won’t vote for the broader package unless they are assured the bipartisan bill will also be included.

House votes to suspend federal debt limit inviting clash with GOP

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;The IRS today introduced a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/large-tax-refunds-and-credits-subject-to-review-by-the-joint-committee-on-taxation-what-to-expect">new webpage</a>
 that provides information to taxpayers whose large refunds are subject 
to further review by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT or Joint 
Committee).

By law, when taxpayers claim a federal tax refund or credit of more 
than $2 million ($5 million for a C corporation), the IRS must review 
the refund or credit and provide a report to the JCT, a non-partisan 
committee of the U.S. Congress. Refunds subject to this review are known
 as “Joint Committee Refund Cases.”

Taxpayers can now find answers to most questions about Joint Committee case reviews and links to additional resources at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/large-tax-refunds-and-credits-subject-to-review-by-the-joint-committee-on-taxation-what-to-expect">Large Tax Refunds and Credits Subject to Review by the Joint Committee on Taxation – What to Expect</a>.

The new webpage covers the following topics:

A Joint Committee Refund Case may arise from the following:

The IRS estimates the new webpage will help hundreds of 
taxpayers. The agency notifies taxpayers who have Joint Committee Refund
 Cases that are subject to review. Taxpayers who have been contacted by 
an IRS agent should work with the agent assigned to their Joint 
Committee Refund Case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON —&nbsp;The IRS today introduced a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/large-tax-refunds-and-credits-subject-to-review-by-the-joint-committee-on-taxation-what-to-expect">new webpage</a>
 that provides information to taxpayers whose large refunds are subject 
to further review by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT or Joint 
Committee).By law, when taxpayers claim a federal tax refund or credit of more 
than $2 million ($5 million for a C corporation), the IRS must review 
the refund or credit and provide a report to the JCT, a non-partisan 
committee of the U.S. Congress. Refunds subject to this review are known
 as “Joint Committee Refund Cases.”Taxpayers can now find answers to most questions about Joint Committee case reviews and links to additional resources at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/large-tax-refunds-and-credits-subject-to-review-by-the-joint-committee-on-taxation-what-to-expect">Large Tax Refunds and Credits Subject to Review by the Joint Committee on Taxation – What to Expect</a>.The new webpage covers the following topics:<ul>
 <li>What is a Joint Committee Refund Case</li><li>How the IRS handles a Joint Committee Refund Case</li><li>What you need to do</li>
 </ul>A Joint Committee Refund Case may arise from the following:<ul>
 <li>A refund claim for previously assessed and paid taxes. A refund 
claim may be made on an amended return or be made by a claim submitted 
during an examination. A refund claim would be reviewed by the IRS and 
reported to the JCT before being paid.</li><li>A tentative refund from tentative carrybacks of net operating 
losses, capital losses or credits. The tentative refund would be claimed
 on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1139">Form 1139, Corporation Application for Tentative Refund</a>, or on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1045">Form 1045, Application for Tentative Refund</a>. A tentative refund would be paid prior to IRS and JCT review.</li><li>A refund or credit of income taxes due to certain losses relating to federally declared disasters.</li>
 </ul>The IRS estimates the new webpage will help hundreds of 
taxpayers. The agency notifies taxpayers who have Joint Committee Refund
 Cases that are subject to review. Taxpayers who have been contacted by 
an IRS agent should work with the agent assigned to their Joint 
Committee Refund Case.

New IRS website launched to help taxpayers with refund reviews

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — A suburban Omaha principal is on leave after being charged with drunken driving after rear-ending a motorcycle and injuring its driver. 

Andrew Miller, 46 of Omaha, was arrested Friday after the crash near 141st and Pacific streets.

 Motorcyclist Bruce Blaydes, 58, of Omaha, remained in critical condition Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said. 

Miller remained jailed Tuesday in lieu of $250,000 bail. Online court records do not show an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632263919172.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — A suburban Omaha principal is on leave after being charged with drunken driving after rear-ending a motorcycle and injuring its driver. Andrew Miller, 46 of Omaha, was arrested Friday after the crash near 141st and Pacific streets. Motorcyclist Bruce Blaydes, 58, of Omaha, remained in critical condition Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said. The Bellevue schools district said Miller remains on paid leave from his job as principal of LeMay Elementary School. Miller remained jailed Tuesday in lieu of $250,000 bail. Online court records do not show an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Nebraska elementary principal on leave after drunken driving arrest

WASHINGTON (AP) —Several progressive lawmakers on Tuesday introduced a bill that would reimpose a nationwide eviction moratorium at a time when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-pandemics-united-states-coronavirus-pandemic-c15d5c6dd7ece88d0832993f11279fbb">deaths from COVID-19</a>&nbsp;are running at their highest levels since early March.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., said the bill would direct the secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a ban on evictions in response to the COVID pandemic. It would also amend a section of the Public Health Service Act to grant permanent authority to Health and Human Services to implement an eviction moratorium to address public health crises.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-courts-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-daa34fb48a04dc9f3ddad94fb6b4cbb2">Supreme Court’s conservative majority</a>&nbsp;at the end of August allowed evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This pandemic isn’t over, and we have to do everything we can to protect renters from the harm and trauma of needless eviction, which upends the lives of those struggling to get back on their feet,” Warren said in a statement. “Pushing hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes will only exacerbate this public health crisis, and cause economic harm to families, their communities, and our overall recovery."

Bush, who pressured Biden to extend the moratorium until the end of August and was once evicted herself, said the delta variant-fueled surge makes a moratorium critical.

“As the delta variant continues to force individuals to quarantine, close schools, and stifle businesses, we must do all we can to save lives. That starts with keeping every person safely housed,” she said. Three dozen other lawmakers supported the bill.

Eviction filings have begun to tick up since the moratorium was lifted but most advocates said a surge in actual evictions is still weeks away. Nearly 3.7 million people in the U.S. as of Aug. 30 said they face eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. That is slightly higher than the numbers early in August.

Many tenants at risk of eviction are counting on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-us-supreme-court-172517788bd2d5974c245627086ca6f8">emergency rental relief</a>&nbsp;to keep them housed. But that money has been slow to reach them so pressure has increased to reimpose a moratorium.

The Treasury Department said last month that just over $5.1 billion of the estimated $46.5 billion in federal rental assistance — only 11% — has been distributed by states and localities through July. This includes some $3 billion handed out by the end of June and another $1.5 billion by May 31.

The prospects for the bill remain unclear but housing advocates said a moratorium was the best way to ensure more people are forced from their homes.

“The federal eviction moratorium was a lifeline for millions of renters, and the last federal protection keeping many of them stably housed as they wait for emergency rental assistance to reach them,” said Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Without the moratorium in place, families will be pushed deeper into poverty, communities will struggle with increased spread of COVID-19, and our country will have a harder time containing the virus.”

Landlords, who have long opposed the moratorium, said it would only saddle renters with debt they can't pay.

"Instead of responsibly addressing the crisis at hand, moratoriums leave renters strapped with insurmountable debt and housing providers left to unfairly hold the bag," said Greg Brown, a senior vice president for government affairs at the National Apartment Association. “Ultimately, any effort to pursue additional moratoriums will only balloon the nation’s rental debt ... and exacerbate the housing affordability crisis, permanently jeopardizing the availability of safe and affordable housing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632242311950.png" alt="During the Tuesday news conference, Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. and&nbsp;Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. said the bill would direct the secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a ban on evictions in response to the COVID pandemic.-photo office of Rep. Cori Bush" />
 <figcaption>During the Tuesday news conference, Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. and&nbsp;Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. said the bill would direct the secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a ban on evictions in response to the COVID pandemic.-photo office of Rep. Cori Bush</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Several progressive lawmakers on Tuesday introduced a bill that would reimpose a nationwide eviction moratorium at a time when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-pandemics-united-states-coronavirus-pandemic-c15d5c6dd7ece88d0832993f11279fbb">deaths from COVID-19</a>&nbsp;are running at their highest levels since early March.Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., said the bill would direct the secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a ban on evictions in response to the COVID pandemic. It would also amend a section of the Public Health Service Act to grant permanent authority to Health and Human Services to implement an eviction moratorium to address public health crises.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-courts-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-daa34fb48a04dc9f3ddad94fb6b4cbb2">Supreme Court’s conservative majority</a>&nbsp;at the end of August allowed evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.“This pandemic isn’t over, and we have to do everything we can to protect renters from the harm and trauma of needless eviction, which upends the lives of those struggling to get back on their feet,” Warren said in a statement. “Pushing hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes will only exacerbate this public health crisis, and cause economic harm to families, their communities, and our overall recovery."Bush, who pressured Biden to extend the moratorium until the end of August and was once evicted herself, said the delta variant-fueled surge makes a moratorium critical.“As the delta variant continues to force individuals to quarantine, close schools, and stifle businesses, we must do all we can to save lives. That starts with keeping every person safely housed,” she said. Three dozen other lawmakers supported the bill.Eviction filings have begun to tick up since the moratorium was lifted but most advocates said a surge in actual evictions is still weeks away. Nearly 3.7 million people in the U.S. as of Aug. 30 said they face eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. That is slightly higher than the numbers early in August.Many tenants at risk of eviction are counting on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-us-supreme-court-172517788bd2d5974c245627086ca6f8">emergency rental relief</a>&nbsp;to keep them housed. But that money has been slow to reach them so pressure has increased to reimpose a moratorium.The Treasury Department said last month that just over $5.1 billion of the estimated $46.5 billion in federal rental assistance — only 11% — has been distributed by states and localities through July. This includes some $3 billion handed out by the end of June and another $1.5 billion by May 31.The prospects for the bill remain unclear but housing advocates said a moratorium was the best way to ensure more people are forced from their homes.“The federal eviction moratorium was a lifeline for millions of renters, and the last federal protection keeping many of them stably housed as they wait for emergency rental assistance to reach them,” said Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Without the moratorium in place, families will be pushed deeper into poverty, communities will struggle with increased spread of COVID-19, and our country will have a harder time containing the virus.”Landlords, who have long opposed the moratorium, said it would only saddle renters with debt they can't pay."Instead of responsibly addressing the crisis at hand, moratoriums leave renters strapped with insurmountable debt and housing providers left to unfairly hold the bag," said Greg Brown, a senior vice president for government affairs at the National Apartment Association. “Ultimately, any effort to pursue additional moratoriums will only balloon the nation’s rental debt ... and exacerbate the housing affordability crisis, permanently jeopardizing the availability of safe and affordable housing.”

Lawmakers attempt to revive nationwide eviction moratorium 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former chancellor for the Roman Catholic Church's Archdiocese of Omaha is under criminal investigation after being accused of stealing a total of $275,000 from a former priest accused of sexual abuse and from a Springfield parish. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Rev. Michael Gutgsell is accused of stealing $179,000 from the saving of the late Rev. Theodore Richling Jr. and $96,000 from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield.

 The archdiocese announced the 72-year-old Gutgsell's resignation last month, saying a routine audit had uncovered the theft. 

Deacon Tim McNeill, the current chancellor of the archdiocese, says Gutgsell wrote unauthorized loans to himself during his time at St. Joseph.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former chancellor for the Roman Catholic Church's Archdiocese of Omaha is under criminal investigation after being accused of stealing a total of $275,000 from a former priest accused of sexual abuse and from a Springfield parish. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Rev. Michael Gutgsell is accused of stealing $179,000 from the saving of the late Rev. Theodore Richling Jr. and $96,000 from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield. The archdiocese announced the 72-year-old Gutgsell's resignation last month, saying a routine audit had uncovered the theft. Deacon Tim McNeill, the current chancellor of the archdiocese, says Gutgsell wrote unauthorized loans to himself during his time at St. Joseph.

Ex-Omaha Archdiocese chancellor accused of stealing $275K

SPRINGFIELD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man died in a tractor accident on private property in eastern Nebraska over the weekend.

 The Sarpy County Sheriff's Office says the accident happened Saturday afternoon on property just east of Springfield. 

Lt. Greg Monico tells the Omaha World-Herald that the 79-year-old victim had gone out to trim trees on his property. 

When he didn't return home as scheduled, his wife went to look for him and found him pinned under the tractor.

 Authorities have not released the man's name.

SPRINGFIELD, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a man died in a tractor accident on private property in eastern Nebraska over the weekend. The Sarpy County Sheriff's Office says the accident happened Saturday afternoon on property just east of Springfield. Lt. Greg Monico tells the Omaha World-Herald that the 79-year-old victim had gone out to trim trees on his property. When he didn't return home as scheduled, his wife went to look for him and found him pinned under the tractor. Authorities have not released the man's name.

Man killed in farm accident on property in eastern Nebraska

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — President Joe Biden used his first address before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-health-china-coronavirus-pandemic-africa-3284c8ff8739dd7cfaf78db214098403">U.N. General Assembly</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday to declare that the world stands and at an “inflection point in history” and must move quickly and cooperatively to address the festering issues of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and human rights abuse.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514742-1/president-biden-world-leaders-address-un-general-assembly&amp;live&amp;vod">Click here to watch </a>a replay of President Biden's comments.

Amid growing China tensions Biden also declared the U.S. is “not seeking a new Cold War.”

Without mentioning China directly, Biden acknowledged increasing concerns about rising tensions between the two nations. But he said, “We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocs.”

The president noted his decision to end America’s longest war last month, in Afghanistan, and set the table for his administration to shift U.S. attention to intensive diplomacy with no shortage of crises facing the globe. He said he is driven by a belief that “to deliver for our own people, we must also engage deeply with the rest of the world.”

“We’ve ended 20 years of conflict in Afghanistan,” Biden said. “And as we close this period of relentless war, we’re opening a new era of relentless diplomacy of using the power of our development aid to invest in new ways of lifting people up around the world.”

Biden, who arrived in New York on Monday evening to meet with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of Tuesday’s address, offered a full-throated endorsement of the body’s relevance and ambition at a difficult moment in history.

The president, in brief remarks at the start of his meeting with Guterres, returned to his mantra that “America is back” — a phrase that’s become presidential shorthand meant to encapsulate his promise to take a dramatically different tack with allies than predecessor Donald Trump. In his remarks, he declared the United States was “back at the table.”

“We will lead not just with the example of our power but God willing with the power of our example,” Biden said Monday night.

But the president was facing a healthy measure of skepticism from allies during his week of high-level diplomacy. The opening months of his presidency have included a series of difficult moments with friendly nations that were expecting greater cooperation from Biden following four years of Trump’s “America first” approach to foreign policy.

Eight months into his presidency, Biden has been out of sync with allies on the chaotic ending to the U.S. war in Afghanistan. He has faced differences over how to go about sharing coronavirus vaccines with the developing world and over pandemic travel restrictions. And there are questions about the best way to respond to military and economic moves by China.

Biden also finds himself in the midst of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-france-new-york-paris-a3098023771399baea74520cf8adaa7f">fresh diplomatic spat with France,&nbsp;</a>the United States’ oldest ally, after announcing plans — along with Britain — to equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. The move is expected to give Australia improved capabilities to patrol the Pacific amid growing concern about the Chinese military’s increasingly aggressive tactics, but it upended a French defense contract worth at least $66 billion to sell diesel-powered submarines to Australia.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Monday there was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-france-new-york-paris-a3098023771399baea74520cf8adaa7f">“crisis of trust”</a>&nbsp;with the U.S. as a result of the episode.

Biden downplayed the tensions with France. Asked by a reporter as he arrived at the U.N. on Tuesday how he planned to repair relations with the French, Biden responded merely, “They’re great.”

Before Biden’s arrival, EU Council President Charles Michel strongly criticized the Biden administration for leaving Europe “out of the game in the Indo-Pacific region” and ignoring the underlying elements of the trans-Atlantic alliance — transparency and loyalty — in the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the announcement of the U.S.-U.K.-Australia alliance.

Despite such differences, Biden hoped to use his address to the General Assembly as well as a series of one-on-one and larger meetings with world leaders this week to make the case for American leadership on the world stage.

“There are points of disagreement, including when we have disagreed with the decisions other countries are making, the decision points of when countries have disagreed with the decisions we’re making,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. “But the larger point here ... is that we are committed to those alliances, and that always requires work from every president, from every global leader.”

In an interview before his meeting with Biden, Guterres&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-china-climate-united-states-health-f1186707bee7f8376b0be5523496ddca">told The Associated Press&nbsp;</a>that he was concerned about the “completely dysfunctional” U.S.-China relationship and that it could lead to a new cold war. Psaki said the administration disagreed with the assessment, adding that the U.S.-China relationship was “one not of conflict but of competition.”

The secretary-general did not back off his concerns about the U.S.-China tensions as he addressed leaders at the opening of Tuesday’s gathering. “It will be impossible to address dramatic economic and development challenges, while the world’s two largest economies are at odds with each other”

Biden put a heavy emphasis on a need for world leaders to work together on the COVID-19 pandemic, meet past obligations to address climate change, head off emerging technology issues and firm up trade rules.

“We will choose to build a better future. We, you and I, we have the will and capacity to make it better. Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot afford to waste any more time. ... We can do this.”

The Biden administration on Monday announced plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-easing-foreign-travel-restrictions-requiring-vaccines-5d78d14dab51389b02fd70228a5b55b9">ease foreign travel restrictions</a>&nbsp;to the U.S. beginning in November. The U.S. has largely restricted travel by non-U.S. citizens coming from Europe since the start of the pandemic, an issue that had become a point of contention in trans-Atlantic relations.

The new rules will allow foreigners in if they have proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test, the White House said Monday.

Biden planned to limit his time at the United Nations due to coronavirus concerns. He was to meet with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison while in New York before shifting the rest of the week’s diplomacy to virtual and Washington settings.

At a virtual COVID-19 summit Biden is hosting Wednesday, leaders will be urged to step up vaccine-sharing commitments, address oxygen shortages around the globe and deal with other critical pandemic-related issues.

The president is also scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday at the White House, and invited the prime ministers of Australia, India and Japan — part of a Pacific alliance known as “the Quad” — to Washington on Friday. In addition to the gathering of Quad leaders, Biden will sit down for one-on-one meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632235233386.png" alt="President Biden, arrived in New York on Monday evening to meet with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of Tuesday’s address. photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden, arrived in New York on Monday evening to meet with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of Tuesday’s address. photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>UNITED NATIONS (AP) — President Joe Biden used his first address before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-health-china-coronavirus-pandemic-africa-3284c8ff8739dd7cfaf78db214098403">U.N. General Assembly</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday to declare that the world stands and at an “inflection point in history” and must move quickly and cooperatively to address the festering issues of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and human rights abuse.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514742-1/president-biden-world-leaders-address-un-general-assembly&amp;live&amp;vod">Click here to watch </a>a replay of President Biden's comments.Amid growing China tensions Biden also declared the U.S. is “not seeking a new Cold War.”Without mentioning China directly, Biden acknowledged increasing concerns about rising tensions between the two nations. But he said, “We are not seeking a new Cold War or a world divided into rigid blocs.”The president noted his decision to end America’s longest war last month, in Afghanistan, and set the table for his administration to shift U.S. attention to intensive diplomacy with no shortage of crises facing the globe. He said he is driven by a belief that “to deliver for our own people, we must also engage deeply with the rest of the world.”“We’ve ended 20 years of conflict in Afghanistan,” Biden said. “And as we close this period of relentless war, we’re opening a new era of relentless diplomacy of using the power of our development aid to invest in new ways of lifting people up around the world.”Biden, who arrived in New York on Monday evening to meet with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ahead of Tuesday’s address, offered a full-throated endorsement of the body’s relevance and ambition at a difficult moment in history.The president, in brief remarks at the start of his meeting with Guterres, returned to his mantra that “America is back” — a phrase that’s become presidential shorthand meant to encapsulate his promise to take a dramatically different tack with allies than predecessor Donald Trump. In his remarks, he declared the United States was “back at the table.”“We will lead not just with the example of our power but God willing with the power of our example,” Biden said Monday night.But the president was facing a healthy measure of skepticism from allies during his week of high-level diplomacy. The opening months of his presidency have included a series of difficult moments with friendly nations that were expecting greater cooperation from Biden following four years of Trump’s “America first” approach to foreign policy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632234956890.png" alt="Biden put a heavy emphasis on a need for world leaders to work together on the COVID-19 pandemic, meet past obligations to address climate change, head off emerging technology issues and firm up trade rules.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Biden put a heavy emphasis on a need for world leaders to work together on the COVID-19 pandemic, meet past obligations to address climate change, head off emerging technology issues and firm up trade rules.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Eight months into his presidency, Biden has been out of sync with allies on the chaotic ending to the U.S. war in Afghanistan. He has faced differences over how to go about sharing coronavirus vaccines with the developing world and over pandemic travel restrictions. And there are questions about the best way to respond to military and economic moves by China.Biden also finds himself in the midst of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-france-new-york-paris-a3098023771399baea74520cf8adaa7f">fresh diplomatic spat with France,&nbsp;</a>the United States’ oldest ally, after announcing plans — along with Britain — to equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. The move is expected to give Australia improved capabilities to patrol the Pacific amid growing concern about the Chinese military’s increasingly aggressive tactics, but it upended a French defense contract worth at least $66 billion to sell diesel-powered submarines to Australia.French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Monday there was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-france-new-york-paris-a3098023771399baea74520cf8adaa7f">“crisis of trust”</a>&nbsp;with the U.S. as a result of the episode.Biden downplayed the tensions with France. Asked by a reporter as he arrived at the U.N. on Tuesday how he planned to repair relations with the French, Biden responded merely, “They’re great.”Before Biden’s arrival, EU Council President Charles Michel strongly criticized the Biden administration for leaving Europe “out of the game in the Indo-Pacific region” and ignoring the underlying elements of the trans-Atlantic alliance — transparency and loyalty — in the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the announcement of the U.S.-U.K.-Australia alliance.Despite such differences, Biden hoped to use his address to the General Assembly as well as a series of one-on-one and larger meetings with world leaders this week to make the case for American leadership on the world stage.“There are points of disagreement, including when we have disagreed with the decisions other countries are making, the decision points of when countries have disagreed with the decisions we’re making,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. “But the larger point here ... is that we are committed to those alliances, and that always requires work from every president, from every global leader.”In an interview before his meeting with Biden, Guterres&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-china-climate-united-states-health-f1186707bee7f8376b0be5523496ddca">told The Associated Press&nbsp;</a>that he was concerned about the “completely dysfunctional” U.S.-China relationship and that it could lead to a new cold war. Psaki said the administration disagreed with the assessment, adding that the U.S.-China relationship was “one not of conflict but of competition.”The secretary-general did not back off his concerns about the U.S.-China tensions as he addressed leaders at the opening of Tuesday’s gathering. “It will be impossible to address dramatic economic and development challenges, while the world’s two largest economies are at odds with each other”Biden put a heavy emphasis on a need for world leaders to work together on the COVID-19 pandemic, meet past obligations to address climate change, head off emerging technology issues and firm up trade rules.“We will choose to build a better future. We, you and I, we have the will and capacity to make it better. Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot afford to waste any more time. ... We can do this.”The Biden administration on Monday announced plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-easing-foreign-travel-restrictions-requiring-vaccines-5d78d14dab51389b02fd70228a5b55b9">ease foreign travel restrictions</a>&nbsp;to the U.S. beginning in November. The U.S. has largely restricted travel by non-U.S. citizens coming from Europe since the start of the pandemic, an issue that had become a point of contention in trans-Atlantic relations.The new rules will allow foreigners in if they have proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test, the White House said Monday.Biden planned to limit his time at the United Nations due to coronavirus concerns. He was to meet with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison while in New York before shifting the rest of the week’s diplomacy to virtual and Washington settings.At a virtual COVID-19 summit Biden is hosting Wednesday, leaders will be urged to step up vaccine-sharing commitments, address oxygen shortages around the globe and deal with other critical pandemic-related issues.The president is also scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday at the White House, and invited the prime ministers of Australia, India and Japan — part of a Pacific alliance known as “the Quad” — to Washington on Friday. In addition to the gathering of Quad leaders, Biden will sit down for one-on-one meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.___

🎥  Pres. Biden declares World at 'inflection point' amid crises

LONDON (AP) — Johnson &amp; Johnson released data showing that a booster dose to its one-shot coronavirus vaccine provides a strong immune response months after people receive a first dose.

J&amp;J said in statement Tuesday that it ran two early studies in people previously given its vaccine and found that a second dose produced an increased antibody response in adults from age 18 to 55. The study’s results haven’t yet been peer-reviewed.

“A booster dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccine further increases antibody responses among study participants who had previously received our vaccine,” said Dr. Mathai Mammen, global head of research and development at J&amp;J. The company previously published data showing its one-shot dose provided protection for up to eight months after immunization.

J&amp;J said it is now in talks with regulators including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and others regarding using booster doses of its vaccine.

J&amp;J’s vaccine is approved for use in the U.S., across Europe and there are plans for at least 200 million doses to be shared with the U.N.-backed COVAX effort aimed at distributing vaccines to poor countries. But the company has been plagued by production problems and millions of doses made at a troubled factory in Baltimore had to be thrown out.

The J&amp;J vaccine has been considered critical by numerous health officials to ending the pandemic because it requires only one shot, but fears about the easier-to-spread delta coronavirus variant have prompted numerous governments to consider the use of booster shots for many approved vaccines.

Last week, experts at the FDA recommended people 65 and older get a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech while Britain previously authorized booster shots for people 50 and over in addition to priority groups like health workers and those with underlying health conditions. Other countries including Israel, France and Germany have also begun offering third vaccine doses to some people.

The World Health Organization has urged rich countries to stop administering booster doses until at least the end of the year, saying vaccines should immediately be redirected to Africa, where fewer than 4% of the population is fully immunized. In a paper published last week in the journal Lancet, top scientists from the WHO and FDA argued that the average person doesn’t need a booster shot and that the authorized vaccines to date provide strong protection against severe COVID-19, hospitalization and death.

LONDON (AP) — Johnson &amp; Johnson released data showing that a booster dose to its one-shot coronavirus vaccine provides a strong immune response months after people receive a first dose.J&amp;J said in statement Tuesday that it ran two early studies in people previously given its vaccine and found that a second dose produced an increased antibody response in adults from age 18 to 55. The study’s results haven’t yet been peer-reviewed.“A booster dose of the Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccine further increases antibody responses among study participants who had previously received our vaccine,” said Dr. Mathai Mammen, global head of research and development at J&amp;J. The company previously published data showing its one-shot dose provided protection for up to eight months after immunization.J&amp;J said it is now in talks with regulators including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and others regarding using booster doses of its vaccine.J&amp;J’s vaccine is approved for use in the U.S., across Europe and there are plans for at least 200 million doses to be shared with the U.N.-backed COVAX effort aimed at distributing vaccines to poor countries. But the company has been plagued by production problems and millions of doses made at a troubled factory in Baltimore had to be thrown out.The J&amp;J vaccine has been considered critical by numerous health officials to ending the pandemic because it requires only one shot, but fears about the easier-to-spread delta coronavirus variant have prompted numerous governments to consider the use of booster shots for many approved vaccines.Last week, experts at the FDA recommended people 65 and older get a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech while Britain previously authorized booster shots for people 50 and over in addition to priority groups like health workers and those with underlying health conditions. Other countries including Israel, France and Germany have also begun offering third vaccine doses to some people.The World Health Organization has urged rich countries to stop administering booster doses until at least the end of the year, saying vaccines should immediately be redirected to Africa, where fewer than 4% of the population is fully immunized. In a paper published last week in the journal Lancet, top scientists from the WHO and FDA argued that the average person doesn’t need a booster shot and that the authorized vaccines to date provide strong protection against severe COVID-19, hospitalization and death.

J&J: Booster dose of its COVID shot prompts strong response

COVID-19 has now killed about as many Americans as the 1918-19 Spanish flu pandemic did — approximately 675,000.

The U.S. population a century ago was just one-third of what it is today, meaning the flu cut a much bigger, more lethal swath through the country. But the COVID-19 crisis is by any measure a colossal tragedy in its own right, especially given the incredible advances in scientific knowledge since then and the failure to take maximum advantage of the vaccines available this time.

“Big pockets of American society — and, worse, their leaders — have thrown this away,” medical historian Dr. Howard Markel of the University of Michigan said of the opportunity to vaccinate everyone eligible by now.

Like the Spanish flu, the coronavirus may never entirely disappear from our midst. Instead, scientists hope it becomes a mild seasonal bug as human immunity strengthens through vaccination and repeated infection. That could take time.

“We hope it will be like getting a cold, but there’s no guarantee,” said Emory University biologist Rustom Antia, who suggests an optimistic scenario in which this could happen over a few years.

For now, the pandemic still has the United States and other parts of the world firmly in its jaws.

While the delta-fueled surge in infections may have peaked, U.S. deaths are running at over 1,900 a day on average, the highest level since early March, and the country’s overall toll topped 675,000 Monday, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University, though the real number is believed to be higher.

Winter may bring a new surge, with the University of Washington’s influential model projecting an additional 100,000 or so Americans will die of COVID-19 by Jan. 1, which would bring the overall U.S. toll to 776,000.

The 1918-19 influenza pandemic killed 50 million victims globally at a time when the world had one-quarter the population it does now. Global deaths from COVID-19 now stand at more than 4.6 million.

The Spanish flu’s U.S. death toll is a rough guess, given the incomplete records of the era and the poor scientific understanding of what caused the illness. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-pandemic-h1n1.html" target="_blank">675,000 figure</a>&nbsp;comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated PressCOVID-19 has now killed about as many Americans as the 1918-19 Spanish flu pandemic did — approximately 675,000.The U.S. population a century ago was just one-third of what it is today, meaning the flu cut a much bigger, more lethal swath through the country. But the COVID-19 crisis is by any measure a colossal tragedy in its own right, especially given the incredible advances in scientific knowledge since then and the failure to take maximum advantage of the vaccines available this time.“Big pockets of American society — and, worse, their leaders — have thrown this away,” medical historian Dr. Howard Markel of the University of Michigan said of the opportunity to vaccinate everyone eligible by now.Like the Spanish flu, the coronavirus may never entirely disappear from our midst. Instead, scientists hope it becomes a mild seasonal bug as human immunity strengthens through vaccination and repeated infection. That could take time.“We hope it will be like getting a cold, but there’s no guarantee,” said Emory University biologist Rustom Antia, who suggests an optimistic scenario in which this could happen over a few years.For now, the pandemic still has the United States and other parts of the world firmly in its jaws.While the delta-fueled surge in infections may have peaked, U.S. deaths are running at over 1,900 a day on average, the highest level since early March, and the country’s overall toll topped 675,000 Monday, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University, though the real number is believed to be higher.Winter may bring a new surge, with the University of Washington’s influential model projecting an additional 100,000 or so Americans will die of COVID-19 by Jan. 1, which would bring the overall U.S. toll to 776,000.The 1918-19 influenza pandemic killed 50 million victims globally at a time when the world had one-quarter the population it does now. Global deaths from COVID-19 now stand at more than 4.6 million.The Spanish flu’s U.S. death toll is a rough guess, given the incomplete records of the era and the poor scientific understanding of what caused the illness. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-pandemic-h1n1.html" target="_blank">675,000 figure</a>&nbsp;comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The ebbing of COVID-19 could happen if the virus progressively weakens as it mutates and more and more humans’ immune systems learn to attack it. Vaccination and surviving infection are the main ways the immune system improves. Breast-fed infants also gain some immunity from their mothers.Under that optimistic scenario, schoolchildren would get mild illness that trains their immune systems. As they grow up, the children would carry the immune response memory, so that when they are old and vulnerable, the coronavirus would be no more dangerous than cold viruses.The same goes for today’s vaccinated teens: Their immune systems would get stronger through the shots and mild infections.“We will all get infected,” Antia predicted. “What’s important is whether the infections are severe.”Something similar happened with the H1N1 flu virus, the culprit in the 1918-19 pandemic. It encountered too many people who were immune, and it also eventually weakened through mutation. H1N1 still circulates today, but immunity acquired through infection and vaccination has triumphed.Getting an annual flu shot now protects against H1N1 and several other strains of flu. To be sure, flu kills between 12,000 and 61,000 Americans each year, but on average, it is a seasonal problem and a manageable one.Before COVID-19, the 1918-19 flu was universally considered the worst pandemic disease in human history. Whether the current scourge ultimately proves deadlier is unclear.In many ways, the 1918-19 flu — which was wrongly named Spanish flu because it first received widespread news coverage in Spain — was worse.Spread by the mobility of World War I, it killed young, healthy adults in vast numbers. No vaccine existed to slow it, and there were no antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections. And, of course, the world was much smaller.Yet jet travel and mass migrations threaten to increase the toll of the current pandemic. Much of the world is unvaccinated. And the coronavirus has been full of surprises.Markel said he is continually astounded by the magnitude of the disruption the pandemic has brought to the planet.“I was gobsmacked by the size of the quarantines” the Chinese government undertook initially, Markel said, “and I’ve since been gob-gob-gob-smacked to the nth degree.” The lagging pace of U.S. vaccinations is the latest source of his astonishment.Just under 64% of the U.S. population has received as least one dose of the vaccine, with state rates ranging from a high of approximately 77% in Vermont and Massachusetts to lows around 46% to 49% in Idaho, Wyoming, West Virginia and Mississippi.Globally, about&nbsp;<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations" target="_blank">43% of the population</a>&nbsp;has received at least one dose, according to Our World in Data, with some African countries just beginning to give their first shots.“We know that all pandemics come to an end,” said Dr. Jeremy Brown, director of emergency care research at the National Institutes of Health, who wrote a book on influenza. “They can do terrible things while they’re raging.”COVID-19 could have been far less lethal in the U.S. if more people had gotten vaccinated faster, “and we still have an opportunity to turn it around,” Brown said. “We often lose sight of how lucky we are to take these things for granted.”The current vaccines work extremely well in preventing severe disease and death from the variants of the virus that have emerged so far.It will be crucial for scientists to make sure the ever-mutating virus hasn’t changed enough to evade vaccines or to cause severe illness in unvaccinated children, Antia said.If the virus changes significantly, a new vaccine using the technology behind the Pfizer and Moderna shots could be produced in 110 days, a Pfizer executive said Wednesday. The company is studying whether annual shots with the current vaccine will be required to keep immunity high.One plus: The coronavirus mutates at a slower pace than flu viruses, making it a more stable target for vaccination, said Ann Marie Kimball, a retired University of Washington professor of epidemiology.So, will the current pandemic unseat the 1918-19 flu pandemic as the worst in human history?“You’d like to say no. We have a lot more infection control, a lot more ability to support people who are sick. We have modern medicine,” Kimball said. “But we have a lot more people and a lot more mobility. ... The fear is eventually a new strain gets around a particular vaccine target.”To those unvaccinated individuals who are counting on infection rather than vaccination for immune protection, Kimball said, “The trouble is, you have to survive infection to acquire the immunity.” It’s easier, she said, to go to the drugstore and get a shot.___