HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — Police are investigating a fatal shooting in the Nebraska town of Hastings. 

Police the shooting was reported shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. 

When officers arrived at the home on South Pine Avenue, they found a 28-year-old man with a gunshot wound dead inside. 

The victim was identified as Santinorey Adalberto Gonzalez of Harvard, Nebraska. 

Details about the circumstances of the shooting weren’t immediately released and no arrests were reported, but officials said there was no threat to the public. 

Police initially detained a person of interest in the case, but later released that person. 

Hastings Police and the Nebraska State Patrol are investigating, and an autopsy will be performed on Monday.

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — Police are investigating a fatal shooting in the Nebraska town of Hastings. Police the shooting was reported shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. When officers arrived at the home on South Pine Avenue, they found a 28-year-old man with a gunshot wound dead inside. The victim was identified as Santinorey Adalberto Gonzalez of Harvard, Nebraska. Details about the circumstances of the shooting weren’t immediately released and no arrests were reported, but officials said there was no threat to the public. Police initially detained a person of interest in the case, but later released that person. Hastings Police and the Nebraska State Patrol are investigating, and an autopsy will be performed on Monday.

Police investigate fatal shooting in Hastings

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top U.S. pork producer is pushing federal lawmakers to allow immigrant workers to stay on the job year-round.

A spokeswoman for Iowa Select Farms — the state's largest pork producer — <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/immigrant-farmworkers-are-essential-to-feeding-america">told U.S. senators during </a>a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week that seasonal employment currently allowed under a federal visa program is insufficient to meet the industry’s needs.

Farmers and meatpacking plants are facing severe labor shortages and need immigrant workers to be able to work year-round, said spokeswoman Jen Sorenson.

“If the labor shortage is not addressed, it could lead to farms and packing plants shutting down, causing serious financial harm to the communities in which they operate,” said Sorenson, who’s also president of the National Pork Producers Council.

Wednesday’s hearing focused on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would provide a pathway to legal status for more than 1 million undocumented farmworkers. The U.S. House passed the bill in March.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, also testified at the hearing.

While Sorenson praised the legislation's call for year-round visas, she urged lawmakers to lift its cap on the number of those visas, saying that would force producers to “compete against one another for the same limited number of year-round visas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626980146257.png" alt="&nbsp;Jen Sorenson during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee- image courtesy Judiciary Committee" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Jen Sorenson during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee- image courtesy Judiciary Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A top U.S. pork producer is pushing federal lawmakers to allow immigrant workers to stay on the job year-round.A spokeswoman for Iowa Select Farms — the state's largest pork producer — <a href="https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/immigrant-farmworkers-are-essential-to-feeding-america">told U.S. senators during </a>a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week that seasonal employment currently allowed under a federal visa program is insufficient to meet the industry’s needs.Farmers and meatpacking plants are facing severe labor shortages and need immigrant workers to be able to work year-round, said spokeswoman Jen Sorenson.“If the labor shortage is not addressed, it could lead to farms and packing plants shutting down, causing serious financial harm to the communities in which they operate,” said Sorenson, who’s also president of the National Pork Producers Council.Wednesday’s hearing focused on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would provide a pathway to legal status for more than 1 million undocumented farmworkers. The U.S. House passed the bill in March.U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, also testified at the hearing.While Sorenson praised the legislation's call for year-round visas, she urged lawmakers to lift its cap on the number of those visas, saying that would force producers to “compete against one another for the same limited number of year-round visas.

Pork producer: We need year-round immigrant workers

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The number of NFL players in the COVID-19 vaccination process has reached 80%, with nine teams having 90% or more of their players in that category.

Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s medical director, said Friday that nearly all Tier 1 and Tier 2 team employees — those who deal directly with players — have been vaccinated. Five teams are at less than 70% of players who have either received one vaccination shot or both. He is optimistic the number of vaccinated players will continue to rise as training camps open.

“I think we are off to an excellent start,” Sills said. “Those numbers are much higher than what we’re seeing in society as a whole. There has been a lot of movement in that area. As you see players coming to training camp, you will see more players beginning that process (of vaccination).”

Sills cited teams having strong advocates for vaccination among players and coaches, as well as the educational materials available.

“I think that has influenced a lot of players,” he said. “I think we are still seeing a lot of positive momentum. Numbers are changing on a day-by-day basis and I think we’ll be seeing them day by day going up.

“What matters is that individuals have the most accurate information. Let’s not get information from Instagram or Facebook posts. Let’s try to hear from the most reputable professionals. You don’t shout anyone into belief here — there have to be thoughtful conversations. What we can do is provide the facts and make sure the entirety of the medical facts are presented.”

On Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to the 32 teams warning that forfeited regular-season games could occur for a COVID-19 outbreak caused by nonvaccinated players.

Dawn Aponte, the league’s chief football administrative officer, reiterated that games will not be postponed to avoid roster issues because of the flexibility built in: COVID-19 replacement players; expanded practice squads to 16 players; a three-week minimum stay on injured reserve instead of six weeks; no limit on activating players from IR.

That means 272 games on time within 18 weeks “safely and responsibly,” she said.

“Flexible and adaptable will continue to be key,” Aponte added, noting that Goodell’s memo was vetted by people in a variety of NFL roles. “We are committed to playing a full season as scheduled. There is the no-play/no-pay provision (from 2020), which has been agreed to with the players’ association and will carry into this season.”

“Health and science truly is what drives and guides these decisions,” she added. “And I think we illustrated that last season and will continue to do so. I think we know a lot more this year ... the biggest difference is a vaccination is available.”

Minnesota has an assistant, Rick Dennison, who is not vaccinated. After ESPN reported that Dennison has been ousted from his role as offensive line coach and run game coordinator, the Vikings released a statement confirming they were in discussions with him regarding league protocols for training camp and preseason games. As of Friday afternoon, Dennison remained a team employee.

“At this time, coach Dennison does not have an exemption to the vaccination requirements of those protocols. We will adhere to the requirements of the protocols and of applicable law,” the Vikings said in their statement.

Said Peter Schaffer, Dennison’s agent: “Rick is 100% committed to and invested in being the best football coach he can be for the Vikings with the singular focus of winning the Super Bowl this year.”

Kansas City is one team well above the threshold of 85% vaccinated players.

“There’s six teams that are over 90%, so we’re glad to be in that area there,” coach Andy Reid said. “We’re one of the teams where the players have really challenged themselves to get things done and take care of business.”

The Chiefs are a prime example of what Sills discussed: NFL vaccinations outpacing those in the community. For Missouri, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 40.8% of the population is fully vaccinated. In Buchanan County where the Chiefs train in northwest Missouri, that number drops to 19.34%.

The league has said that determining who makes the roster can’t involve whether a player is vaccinated. Policing such roster moves would be difficult, but Aponte dismissed any conspiracy theories.

“Cutting players is for their performance,” she said. “And I don’t think clubs will — I can’t stand in their shoes — but I think there are protocols that have been put in place ... that are not restricting their ability to perform. I don’t see the two tying together.”

Still, it is clear the league and the players’ union are strongly advocating vaccinations with every move they make.

“No one is trying to be punitive or anything like that,” Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “Simply, if your choice is not to get vaccinated, it’s going to be a much more difficult season.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The number of NFL players in the COVID-19 vaccination process has reached 80%, with nine teams having 90% or more of their players in that category.Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s medical director, said Friday that nearly all Tier 1 and Tier 2 team employees — those who deal directly with players — have been vaccinated. Five teams are at less than 70% of players who have either received one vaccination shot or both. He is optimistic the number of vaccinated players will continue to rise as training camps open.“I think we are off to an excellent start,” Sills said. “Those numbers are much higher than what we’re seeing in society as a whole. There has been a lot of movement in that area. As you see players coming to training camp, you will see more players beginning that process (of vaccination).”Sills cited teams having strong advocates for vaccination among players and coaches, as well as the educational materials available.“I think that has influenced a lot of players,” he said. “I think we are still seeing a lot of positive momentum. Numbers are changing on a day-by-day basis and I think we’ll be seeing them day by day going up.“What matters is that individuals have the most accurate information. Let’s not get information from Instagram or Facebook posts. Let’s try to hear from the most reputable professionals. You don’t shout anyone into belief here — there have to be thoughtful conversations. What we can do is provide the facts and make sure the entirety of the medical facts are presented.”On Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to the 32 teams warning that forfeited regular-season games could occur for a COVID-19 outbreak caused by nonvaccinated players.Dawn Aponte, the league’s chief football administrative officer, reiterated that games will not be postponed to avoid roster issues because of the flexibility built in: COVID-19 replacement players; expanded practice squads to 16 players; a three-week minimum stay on injured reserve instead of six weeks; no limit on activating players from IR.That means 272 games on time within 18 weeks “safely and responsibly,” she said.“Flexible and adaptable will continue to be key,” Aponte added, noting that Goodell’s memo was vetted by people in a variety of NFL roles. “We are committed to playing a full season as scheduled. There is the no-play/no-pay provision (from 2020), which has been agreed to with the players’ association and will carry into this season.”“Health and science truly is what drives and guides these decisions,” she added. “And I think we illustrated that last season and will continue to do so. I think we know a lot more this year ... the biggest difference is a vaccination is available.”Minnesota has an assistant, Rick Dennison, who is not vaccinated. After ESPN reported that Dennison has been ousted from his role as offensive line coach and run game coordinator, the Vikings released a statement confirming they were in discussions with him regarding league protocols for training camp and preseason games. As of Friday afternoon, Dennison remained a team employee.“At this time, coach Dennison does not have an exemption to the vaccination requirements of those protocols. We will adhere to the requirements of the protocols and of applicable law,” the Vikings said in their statement.Said Peter Schaffer, Dennison’s agent: “Rick is 100% committed to and invested in being the best football coach he can be for the Vikings with the singular focus of winning the Super Bowl this year.”Kansas City is one team well above the threshold of 85% vaccinated players.“There’s six teams that are over 90%, so we’re glad to be in that area there,” coach Andy Reid said. “We’re one of the teams where the players have really challenged themselves to get things done and take care of business.”The Chiefs are a prime example of what Sills discussed: NFL vaccinations outpacing those in the community. For Missouri, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 40.8% of the population is fully vaccinated. In Buchanan County where the Chiefs train in northwest Missouri, that number drops to 19.34%.The league has said that determining who makes the roster can’t involve whether a player is vaccinated. Policing such roster moves would be difficult, but Aponte dismissed any conspiracy theories.“Cutting players is for their performance,” she said. “And I don’t think clubs will — I can’t stand in their shoes — but I think there are protocols that have been put in place ... that are not restricting their ability to perform. I don’t see the two tying together.”Still, it is clear the league and the players’ union are strongly advocating vaccinations with every move they make.“No one is trying to be punitive or anything like that,” Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said. “Simply, if your choice is not to get vaccinated, it’s going to be a much more difficult season.”___

Number of NFL players in vaccination process up to 80%

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is making her debut in South Carolina next month, an initial step of introduction to the first southern state to cast Republican-primary votes for president. 

U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan tells The Associated Press on Friday that Noem will speak August 23 at his “Faith &amp; Freedom BBQ” fundraiser in Anderson.

 Duncan says the event is the state’s largest annual gathering of Republicans. 

In the past it’s attracted speakers including then-Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Ted Cruz. 

Like others in the field, Noem has downplayed the prospect, when asked publicly about any White House ambitions. 

But other actions — like registering a federal political action committee and hopscotching the early-voting states — suggest otherwise.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is making her debut in South Carolina next month, an initial step of introduction to the first southern state to cast Republican-primary votes for president. U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan tells The Associated Press on Friday that Noem will speak August 23 at his “Faith &amp; Freedom BBQ” fundraiser in Anderson. Duncan says the event is the state’s largest annual gathering of Republicans. In the past it’s attracted speakers including then-Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Ted Cruz. Like others in the field, Noem has downplayed the prospect, when asked publicly about any White House ambitions. But other actions — like registering a federal political action committee and hopscotching the early-voting states — suggest otherwise.

Noem to headline GOP event in early-voting South Carolina

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will not stop paying extended federal unemployment benefits that started during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Laura Kelly said.

Business groups, companies and Republican leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-government-and-politics-347b82421fea01e0f12ca9527a857d92">have been pressuring Kelly to end the benefits</a>, which include extra $300 weekly unemployment payments. They argue the additional benefits are discouraging people from searching for work, at a time when businesses can’t find enough employees.

Kelly said Thursday the state focused on improving child care&nbsp;and other programs that would help people return to work.

”What we did is we evaluated what happened in other states that had eliminated those benefits and we really found that wasn’t a silver bullet that is going to solve the workforce problem,” Kelly said.

The federal program is scheduled to end Sept. 6.

Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Republican from Stillwell, said people who lost work during the pandemic should be back in the workforce.

“They can walk into just about any store and get a vaccine and get back into the workforce,” Tarwater said Thursday. “COVID should no longer be an excuse to not work. We all woke up this morning and went to work, why didn’t they? Are they special? Why are they different than us?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627077845617.png" alt="Laura Kelly at the grand opening of Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka on Friday" />
 <figcaption>Laura Kelly at the grand opening of Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka on Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will not stop paying extended federal unemployment benefits that started during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Laura Kelly said.Business groups, companies and Republican leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-government-and-politics-347b82421fea01e0f12ca9527a857d92">have been pressuring Kelly to end the benefits</a>, which include extra $300 weekly unemployment payments. They argue the additional benefits are discouraging people from searching for work, at a time when businesses can’t find enough employees.Kelly said Thursday the state focused on improving child care&nbsp;and other programs that would help people return to work.”What we did is we evaluated what happened in other states that had eliminated those benefits and we really found that wasn’t a silver bullet that is going to solve the workforce problem,” Kelly said.The federal program is scheduled to end Sept. 6.Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Republican from Stillwell, said people who lost work during the pandemic should be back in the workforce.“They can walk into just about any store and get a vaccine and get back into the workforce,” Tarwater said Thursday. “COVID should no longer be an excuse to not work. We all woke up this morning and went to work, why didn’t they? Are they special? Why are they different than us?”

Kansas will continue extended federal unemployment benefits

WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the United States has shipped 22 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine to other countries this week.

The total was a weekly record as vaccines went to 23 countries. Psaki says the recipients included Pakistan, Vietnam, Guatemala, Panama, Senegal, Cameroon and Morocco, among other nations. By this weekend, roughly 80 million doses in total will have shipped from the United States to other countries.

Psaki stressed at Friday’s White House news briefing that the United States is “donating more to the world than any other country.” Still, there is a global vaccine gap between wealthier nations and poorer ones, a reflection of the economic might of American and European countries as well as the pressure to address the needs of domestic populations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627067356444.png" alt="Pixabay vaccine" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay vaccine</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the United States has shipped 22 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine to other countries this week.The total was a weekly record as vaccines went to 23 countries. Psaki says the recipients included Pakistan, Vietnam, Guatemala, Panama, Senegal, Cameroon and Morocco, among other nations. By this weekend, roughly 80 million doses in total will have shipped from the United States to other countries.Psaki stressed at Friday’s White House news briefing that the United States is “donating more to the world than any other country.” Still, there is a global vaccine gap between wealthier nations and poorer ones, a reflection of the economic might of American and European countries as well as the pressure to address the needs of domestic populations.

US ships 22M vaccine doses to other countries

MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A 29-year-old Nebraska man who set a fire in a northwest Missouri county jail has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

 Ethen Mark Bentley, of Stella, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 16 for the fire at the Nodaway County Jail, and for the charges for which he was originally jailed.

 The fire on Jan. 14 forced the jail to evacuate about 20 inmates, who were relocated to other jails for about a month. 

Bentley pleaded guilty to first-degree arson, as well as two counts of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault and resisting arrest.

MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A 29-year-old Nebraska man who set a fire in a northwest Missouri county jail has been sentenced to 10 years in state prison. Ethen Mark Bentley, of Stella, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 16 for the fire at the Nodaway County Jail, and for the charges for which he was originally jailed. The fire on Jan. 14 forced the jail to evacuate about 20 inmates, who were relocated to other jails for about a month. No one was injured. Bentley pleaded guilty to first-degree arson, as well as two counts of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault and resisting arrest.

Nebraska man who set fire in Missouri jail sentenced

Reports of athletes, lawmakers and others getting the coronavirus despite vaccination may sound alarming but top health experts point to overwhelming evidence that the shots are doing exactly what they are supposed to: dramatically reducing severe illness and death.

The best indicator: U.S. hospitalizations and deaths are nearly all among the unvaccinated, and real-world data from Britain and Israel support that protection against the worst cases remains strong. What scientists call “breakthrough” infections in people who are fully vaccinated make up a small fraction of cases.

“When you hear about a breakthrough infection, that doesn’t necessarily mean the vaccine is failing,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease specialist, told a worried Senate panel this week. The shots are holding up, he said, even in the face of the highly contagious delta variant that is burning through unvaccinated communities

Health authorities have warned that even though the COVID-19 vaccines are incredibly effective -- the Pfizer and Moderna ones about 95% against symptomatic infection in studies -- they’re not perfect. No vaccine is.

But it wasn’t until delta variant began spreading that the risk of breakthroughs started getting much public attention. The barrage of headlines is disconcerting for vaccinated people wondering how to balance getting back to normal with more exposure to unvaccinated strangers — especially if they have vulnerable family members, such as children too young to qualify for the shots.

Sports fans are seeing daily reports about infected athletes, from the New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-yankees-science-mlb-baseball-coronavirus-pandemic-60d860682e6c2253f800a39da550c2ca">Yankees</a>&nbsp;to the Summer Olympics. With the Games soon to start, Kara Eaker, a member of the U.S. women’s gymnastic team who said she was vaccinated, tested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gymnast-covid-2020-tokyo-olympics-44e21e98694b6c82cb57429bf8af4644">positive</a>&nbsp;in a training camp just outside Tokyo. WNBA player Katie Lou Samuelson pulled out of the Olympics and the 3-on-3 basketball competition after testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-2020-tokyo-olympics-basketball-health-coronavirus-pandemic-84a6a4e504c6cf9fa754256495351a29">positive</a>&nbsp;despite being vaccinated.

And politicians in the nation’s capital are being rattled by reports of breakthrough cases, including from a congressman, Florida Republican Vern Buchanan; some Texas Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-texas-health-coronavirus-pandemic-d6f7396d3507ed629ecc58c530b0cda7">lawmakers</a>&nbsp;visiting Washington as a political protest; at least two people in the White House and several congressional staff members.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that with 2,000 people on the White House campus each day some breakthrough cases are inevitable, but that the administration will release information if doctors determine any staffer had close contact with the president, vice president or their spouses.

One critical question about breakthrough cases is whether the person actually had symptoms, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told The Associated Press. “Or is this somebody just being sampled out of an abundance of caution because they had to go into some place like the Congress?” he added.

Indeed, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said for months that vaccinated people don’t even need to get tested after a virus exposure unless they develop symptoms. The agency cites limited evidence that they’re less likely to infect others than unvaccinated people who get an asymptomatic infection.

But different places have different rules. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- who survived COVID-19 early in the pandemic and now is fully vaccinated -- began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-cc5f64eb13bf363534cd905cfcef343f">quarantining</a>&nbsp;over the weekend after contact with someone experiencing mild symptoms from a breakthrough infection.

And rigorous testing is required as thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and media -- not all of whom are vaccinated -- descend on Tokyo for the pandemic-delayed Olympics.

While there’s not a specific count, it’s clear breakthrough infections are rare. As of July 12, the CDC had tallied 5,492 vaccinated people who were hospitalized or died and also tested positive for coronavirus — out of more than 159 million fully vaccinated Americans. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has said 99.5% of all deaths from COVID-19 are in the unvaccinated.

There isn’t a separate count of mild or asymptomatic breakthroughs, although CDC is tracking those through studies such as one that gives weekly virus tests to more than 5,000 essential workers, she told senators.

Breakthroughs tend to be mild because a vaccinated person’s immune system doesn’t have to start from scratch to fight the coronavirus. Even if the virus sneaks past vaccine-spurred antibodies and starts replicating in your nose or throat, secondary defenses jump into action and usually, “the virus is stopped in its tracks within a few days,” said University of Pennsylvania immunologist Scott Hensley.

There are caveats. The vaccines don’t work as well in people with severely weak immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients.

And the government is watching closely for signs that breakthrough cases, especially serious ones, are rising, because that might signal the need for booster vaccinations.

But meanwhile White House officials want to “normalize” the concept of breakthrough infections for the public, because they’re worried that these rare, inevitable events could play into the misinformation wars that have helped to keep millions from rolling up their sleeves.

“The vaccines were developed to keep us out of those terrible institutions we call hospitals,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University. “We have to keep coming back to that.”

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressReports of athletes, lawmakers and others getting the coronavirus despite vaccination may sound alarming but top health experts point to overwhelming evidence that the shots are doing exactly what they are supposed to: dramatically reducing severe illness and death.The best indicator: U.S. hospitalizations and deaths are nearly all among the unvaccinated, and real-world data from Britain and Israel support that protection against the worst cases remains strong. What scientists call “breakthrough” infections in people who are fully vaccinated make up a small fraction of cases.“When you hear about a breakthrough infection, that doesn’t necessarily mean the vaccine is failing,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease specialist, told a worried Senate panel this week. The shots are holding up, he said, even in the face of the highly contagious delta variant that is burning through unvaccinated communitiesHealth authorities have warned that even though the COVID-19 vaccines are incredibly effective -- the Pfizer and Moderna ones about 95% against symptomatic infection in studies -- they’re not perfect. No vaccine is.But it wasn’t until delta variant began spreading that the risk of breakthroughs started getting much public attention. The barrage of headlines is disconcerting for vaccinated people wondering how to balance getting back to normal with more exposure to unvaccinated strangers — especially if they have vulnerable family members, such as children too young to qualify for the shots.Sports fans are seeing daily reports about infected athletes, from the New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-yankees-science-mlb-baseball-coronavirus-pandemic-60d860682e6c2253f800a39da550c2ca">Yankees</a>&nbsp;to the Summer Olympics. With the Games soon to start, Kara Eaker, a member of the U.S. women’s gymnastic team who said she was vaccinated, tested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gymnast-covid-2020-tokyo-olympics-44e21e98694b6c82cb57429bf8af4644">positive</a>&nbsp;in a training camp just outside Tokyo. WNBA player Katie Lou Samuelson pulled out of the Olympics and the 3-on-3 basketball competition after testing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-2020-tokyo-olympics-basketball-health-coronavirus-pandemic-84a6a4e504c6cf9fa754256495351a29">positive</a>&nbsp;despite being vaccinated.And politicians in the nation’s capital are being rattled by reports of breakthrough cases, including from a congressman, Florida Republican Vern Buchanan; some Texas Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-texas-health-coronavirus-pandemic-d6f7396d3507ed629ecc58c530b0cda7">lawmakers</a>&nbsp;visiting Washington as a political protest; at least two people in the White House and several congressional staff members.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that with 2,000 people on the White House campus each day some breakthrough cases are inevitable, but that the administration will release information if doctors determine any staffer had close contact with the president, vice president or their spouses.One critical question about breakthrough cases is whether the person actually had symptoms, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, told The Associated Press. “Or is this somebody just being sampled out of an abundance of caution because they had to go into some place like the Congress?” he added.Indeed, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said for months that vaccinated people don’t even need to get tested after a virus exposure unless they develop symptoms. The agency cites limited evidence that they’re less likely to infect others than unvaccinated people who get an asymptomatic infection.But different places have different rules. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- who survived COVID-19 early in the pandemic and now is fully vaccinated -- began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-health-government-and-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-cc5f64eb13bf363534cd905cfcef343f">quarantining</a>&nbsp;over the weekend after contact with someone experiencing mild symptoms from a breakthrough infection.And rigorous testing is required as thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and media -- not all of whom are vaccinated -- descend on Tokyo for the pandemic-delayed Olympics.While there’s not a specific count, it’s clear breakthrough infections are rare. As of July 12, the CDC had tallied 5,492 vaccinated people who were hospitalized or died and also tested positive for coronavirus — out of more than 159 million fully vaccinated Americans. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has said 99.5% of all deaths from COVID-19 are in the unvaccinated.There isn’t a separate count of mild or asymptomatic breakthroughs, although CDC is tracking those through studies such as one that gives weekly virus tests to more than 5,000 essential workers, she told senators.Breakthroughs tend to be mild because a vaccinated person’s immune system doesn’t have to start from scratch to fight the coronavirus. Even if the virus sneaks past vaccine-spurred antibodies and starts replicating in your nose or throat, secondary defenses jump into action and usually, “the virus is stopped in its tracks within a few days,” said University of Pennsylvania immunologist Scott Hensley.There are caveats. The vaccines don’t work as well in people with severely weak immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients.And the government is watching closely for signs that breakthrough cases, especially serious ones, are rising, because that might signal the need for booster vaccinations.But meanwhile White House officials want to “normalize” the concept of breakthrough infections for the public, because they’re worried that these rare, inevitable events could play into the misinformation wars that have helped to keep millions from rolling up their sleeves.“The vaccines were developed to keep us out of those terrible institutions we call hospitals,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University. “We have to keep coming back to that.”___

'Breakthrough' COVID cases are causing alarm, confusion

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska governor’s office has approved press credentials for an online, Omaha-based news outlet that had been denied access to the governor’s news conferences. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that NOISE Omaha was approved Wednesday to cover the official briefings with the governor. 

A NOISE Omaha reporter had repeatedly tried to submit remote questions to Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts during his coronavirus news conferences, and eventually showed up in person at a press event when they weren’t answered. 

She was then told she lacked credentials, even though the governor’s office had no formal credentialing process at the time. 

The incident prompted the governor’s office to create a formal policy.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska governor’s office has approved press credentials for an online, Omaha-based news outlet that had been denied access to the governor’s news conferences. The Omaha World-Herald reports that NOISE Omaha was approved Wednesday to cover the official briefings with the governor. A NOISE Omaha reporter had repeatedly tried to submit remote questions to Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts during his coronavirus news conferences, and eventually showed up in person at a press event when they weren’t answered. She was then told she lacked credentials, even though the governor’s office had no formal credentialing process at the time. The incident prompted the governor’s office to create a formal policy.

Governor's office grants press credentials to Omaha outlet

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — A 75-year-old Bellevue woman has been sentenced to probation for causing a crash last year in southwest Omaha that killed a motorcyclist.

 The Omaha World-Herald reports that Susan Barrett was sentenced Thursday to two years' probation for the the September death of 23-year-old Nicholas Scarpino-Vestal, of La Vista. 

Barrett pleaded no contest in May to misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide. 

Authorities say Barrett turned left in front of Scarpino-Vestal's motorcycle in an intersection, causing the motorcycle to hit Barrett’s vehicle. 

Scarpino-Vestal was thrown from the cycle and died later at a hospital.

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — A 75-year-old Bellevue woman has been sentenced to probation for causing a crash last year in southwest Omaha that killed a motorcyclist. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Susan Barrett was sentenced Thursday to two years' probation for the the September death of 23-year-old Nicholas Scarpino-Vestal, of La Vista. Barrett pleaded no contest in May to misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide. Authorities say Barrett turned left in front of Scarpino-Vestal's motorcycle in an intersection, causing the motorcycle to hit Barrett’s vehicle. Scarpino-Vestal was thrown from the cycle and died later at a hospital.

Woman gets probation for wreck that killed motorcyclist

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration is beginning to make $3 billion in economic development grants available to communities — a tenfold increase in the program paid for by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">this year’s COVID-19 relief bill</a>.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said her agency on Thursday will begin accepting applications for the competitive grants, which officials hope will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and help struggling cities and towns make long-term investments to drive development for years to come. Applications for the grants are available at the website for Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration.

“This is about real help for communities across the country as they rebuild,” Raimondo said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s about longer-term investments to help communities build themselves back from the bottom up in the ways that work best for them.”

The grants will be targeted at supporting local infrastructure, job training programs and developing new industries. Recipients will be selected on the basis of the anticipated return on investment to taxpayers, which Raimondo said at Thursday’s White House briefing would involve job creation and racial and gender equity goals. She estimated that 300,000 jobs would be created by the grants in the near term.

“Our number one investment priority is equity,” Raimondo said. “In order to qualify to get the money, you’ll have to prove to us that you’ll have an equity lens.”

The administration hopes that the competitive nature of the program will also coax private businesses and philanthropies to focus on rehabilitating their communities by making their own development commitments. There will be $1 billion available for 20 to 30 regions to spend on projects that would rebuild their economies, as well as $750 million in grants targeted for travel, tourism and outdoor recreation.

Fully 10% of the total will be earmarked for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-business-government-and-politics-joe-biden-climate-change-4384bc4e6c09fee9185ef089e65537e3">coal communities</a>, which have struggled for decades amid the nation’s shift away from fossil fuels and are set to bear the economic brunt of the Biden administration’s even more aggressive efforts to move toward clean energy technologies.

“We know that it will enable these communities to recover, diversify their economies and grow,” Raimondo said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627036493350.png" alt="According to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the grants will be targeted at supporting local infrastructure, job training programs and developing new industries." />
 <figcaption>According to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the grants will be targeted at supporting local infrastructure, job training programs and developing new industries.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration is beginning to make $3 billion in economic development grants available to communities — a tenfold increase in the program paid for by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">this year’s COVID-19 relief bill</a>.Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said her agency on Thursday will begin accepting applications for the competitive grants, which officials hope will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and help struggling cities and towns make long-term investments to drive development for years to come. Applications for the grants are available at the website for Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration.“This is about real help for communities across the country as they rebuild,” Raimondo said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s about longer-term investments to help communities build themselves back from the bottom up in the ways that work best for them.”The grants will be targeted at supporting local infrastructure, job training programs and developing new industries. Recipients will be selected on the basis of the anticipated return on investment to taxpayers, which Raimondo said at Thursday’s White House briefing would involve job creation and racial and gender equity goals. She estimated that 300,000 jobs would be created by the grants in the near term.“Our number one investment priority is equity,” Raimondo said. “In order to qualify to get the money, you’ll have to prove to us that you’ll have an equity lens.”The administration hopes that the competitive nature of the program will also coax private businesses and philanthropies to focus on rehabilitating their communities by making their own development commitments. There will be $1 billion available for 20 to 30 regions to spend on projects that would rebuild their economies, as well as $750 million in grants targeted for travel, tourism and outdoor recreation.Fully 10% of the total will be earmarked for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-business-government-and-politics-joe-biden-climate-change-4384bc4e6c09fee9185ef089e65537e3">coal communities</a>, which have struggled for decades amid the nation’s shift away from fossil fuels and are set to bear the economic brunt of the Biden administration’s even more aggressive efforts to move toward clean energy technologies.“We know that it will enable these communities to recover, diversify their economies and grow,” Raimondo said.

Biden Admin: $3B in community grants from COVID bill available 

BEIJING (AP) — China cannot accept the World Health Organization’s plan for the second phase of a study into the origins of COVID-19, a senior Chinese health official said Thursday.

Zeng Yixin, the vice minister of the National Health Commission, said he was “rather taken aback” that the plan includes further investigation of the theory that the virus might have leaked from a Chinese lab.

He dismissed the lab leak idea as a rumor that runs counter to common sense and science.

“It is impossible for us to accept such an origin-tracing plan,” he said at a news conference called to address the COVID-19 origins issue.

The search for where the virus came from has become a diplomatic issue that has fueled China’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-pandemics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-c0bd15235531b31fc506ed578afbf62e">deteriorating relations with the U.S.</a>&nbsp;and many American allies. The U.S. and others say that China has not been transparent about what happened in the early days of the pandemic. China accuses critics of seeking to blame it for the pandemic and politicizing an issue that should be left to scientists.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-world-news-health-science-coronavirus-pandemic-c0c594f9060f676c0ea48c2d1c69daec">acknowledged last week&nbsp;</a>that there had been a “premature push” after the first phase of the study to rule out the theory that the virus might have escaped from a Chinese government lab in Wuhan, the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019.

Most experts don’t think a lab leak is the likely cause. The question is whether the possibility is so remote that it should be dropped, or whether it merits further study.

The first phase was conducted earlier this year by an international team of scientists who came to Wuhan to work with their Chinese counterparts. The team was accused of bowing to demands from the Chinese side after it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-virus-unlikley-leaked-china-lab-7a739e01f0713ebcc031d7ca81c51345">initially indicated</a>&nbsp;that further study wasn’t necessary.

Zeng said the Wuhan lab has no virus that can directly infect humans and noted that the WHO team concluded that a lab leak was highly unlikely. He added that speculation that staff and graduate students at the lab had been infected and might have started the spread of the virus in the city was untrue.

Yuan Zhiming, the director of the biosafety lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, said they had not stored or studied the new coronavirus before the outbreak. “I want to emphasize that .... the Wuhan Institute of Virology has never designed, made or leaked the novel coronavirus,” he said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-report-animals-source-covid-19-coronavirus-8a839c179c330c56fa46a763b7286a7f">WHO team concluded&nbsp;</a>that the virus most likely jumped from animals to humans, probably from bats to an intermediate animal. The experts visited markets in Wuhan that had sold live animals, and recommended further study of the farms that supplied the market.

“In the next step, I think animal tracing should still be the priority direction. It is the most valuable field for our efforts,” Liang Wannian, who headed the Chinese side, said at Thursday’s news conference.

Tedros said last week that he hoped for better cooperation and access to data from China. “We are asking China to be transparent, open and cooperate, especially on the information, raw data that we asked for in the early days of the pandemic,” he said.

His words were echoed at the same virtual news conference by Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, who called on China to intensify cooperation in the search for the origin of the virus.

Zeng said China has always supported “scientific virus tracing” and wants to see the study extended to other countries and regions. “However, we are opposed to politicizing the tracing work,” he said.

China has frequently sought to deflect accusations that the pandemic originated in Wuhan and was allowed to spread by early bureaucratic missteps and an attempted coverup.

Government spokespersons have called for an investigation into whether the virus might have been produced in a U.S. military laboratory, a theory not widely shared in the scientific community.

China has largely ended local transmission of COVID through lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements, and has now administered more than 1.4 billion doses of Chinese vaccines. Just 12 new domestically spread cases were reported Thursday and China’s death toll from the virus has remained unchanged for months at 4,636.

BEIJING (AP) — China cannot accept the World Health Organization’s plan for the second phase of a study into the origins of COVID-19, a senior Chinese health official said Thursday.Zeng Yixin, the vice minister of the National Health Commission, said he was “rather taken aback” that the plan includes further investigation of the theory that the virus might have leaked from a Chinese lab.He dismissed the lab leak idea as a rumor that runs counter to common sense and science.“It is impossible for us to accept such an origin-tracing plan,” he said at a news conference called to address the COVID-19 origins issue.The search for where the virus came from has become a diplomatic issue that has fueled China’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-pandemics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-c0bd15235531b31fc506ed578afbf62e">deteriorating relations with the U.S.</a>&nbsp;and many American allies. The U.S. and others say that China has not been transparent about what happened in the early days of the pandemic. China accuses critics of seeking to blame it for the pandemic and politicizing an issue that should be left to scientists.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-world-news-health-science-coronavirus-pandemic-c0c594f9060f676c0ea48c2d1c69daec">acknowledged last week&nbsp;</a>that there had been a “premature push” after the first phase of the study to rule out the theory that the virus might have escaped from a Chinese government lab in Wuhan, the city where the disease was first detected in late 2019.Most experts don’t think a lab leak is the likely cause. The question is whether the possibility is so remote that it should be dropped, or whether it merits further study.The first phase was conducted earlier this year by an international team of scientists who came to Wuhan to work with their Chinese counterparts. The team was accused of bowing to demands from the Chinese side after it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-virus-unlikley-leaked-china-lab-7a739e01f0713ebcc031d7ca81c51345">initially indicated</a>&nbsp;that further study wasn’t necessary.Zeng said the Wuhan lab has no virus that can directly infect humans and noted that the WHO team concluded that a lab leak was highly unlikely. He added that speculation that staff and graduate students at the lab had been infected and might have started the spread of the virus in the city was untrue.Yuan Zhiming, the director of the biosafety lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, said they had not stored or studied the new coronavirus before the outbreak. “I want to emphasize that .... the Wuhan Institute of Virology has never designed, made or leaked the novel coronavirus,” he said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-report-animals-source-covid-19-coronavirus-8a839c179c330c56fa46a763b7286a7f">WHO team concluded&nbsp;</a>that the virus most likely jumped from animals to humans, probably from bats to an intermediate animal. The experts visited markets in Wuhan that had sold live animals, and recommended further study of the farms that supplied the market.“In the next step, I think animal tracing should still be the priority direction. It is the most valuable field for our efforts,” Liang Wannian, who headed the Chinese side, said at Thursday’s news conference.Tedros said last week that he hoped for better cooperation and access to data from China. “We are asking China to be transparent, open and cooperate, especially on the information, raw data that we asked for in the early days of the pandemic,” he said.His words were echoed at the same virtual news conference by Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, who called on China to intensify cooperation in the search for the origin of the virus.Zeng said China has always supported “scientific virus tracing” and wants to see the study extended to other countries and regions. “However, we are opposed to politicizing the tracing work,” he said.China has frequently sought to deflect accusations that the pandemic originated in Wuhan and was allowed to spread by early bureaucratic missteps and an attempted coverup.Government spokespersons have called for an investigation into whether the virus might have been produced in a U.S. military laboratory, a theory not widely shared in the scientific community.China has largely ended local transmission of COVID through lockdowns and mask-wearing requirements, and has now administered more than 1.4 billion doses of Chinese vaccines. Just 12 new domestically spread cases were reported Thursday and China’s death toll from the virus has remained unchanged for months at 4,636.

China rejects plan for 2nd phase of COVID-19 origins probe

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. highway safety regulators have opened an investigation into about a half-million semis with brakes that can catch fire.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted on its website this week that it has 11 complaints about brakes made by Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems, including seven fires. No injuries were reported. Haldex has its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City.

The complaints say problems occurred mostly on Kenworth and Peterbilt semis. The agency is investigating brakes from the 2015 through 2020 model years.

NHTSA says the investigation covers certain Haldex Gold Seal brake chambers, which convert compressed air into a mechanical force that stops the trucks. It says a spring can fracture, puncturing a diaphragm and causing air loss. That can make the brakes drag without warning to the driver and eventually cause fires.

The fires caused extensive damage to the trucks and in some cases the cargo, the agency says. NHTSA says it has learned that multiple truck fleets were having issues with the brake chambers. It says Haldex has replaced brake chambers on some vehicles in the fleets.

NHTSA says it will determine how often the problem happens and what models it affects. An investigation can lead to a recall.

Messages were left seeking comment from Haldex.

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. highway safety regulators have opened an investigation into about a half-million semis with brakes that can catch fire.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted on its website this week that it has 11 complaints about brakes made by Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems, including seven fires. No injuries were reported. Haldex has its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City.The complaints say problems occurred mostly on Kenworth and Peterbilt semis. The agency is investigating brakes from the 2015 through 2020 model years.NHTSA says the investigation covers certain Haldex Gold Seal brake chambers, which convert compressed air into a mechanical force that stops the trucks. It says a spring can fracture, puncturing a diaphragm and causing air loss. That can make the brakes drag without warning to the driver and eventually cause fires.The fires caused extensive damage to the trucks and in some cases the cargo, the agency says. NHTSA says it has learned that multiple truck fleets were having issues with the brake chambers. It says Haldex has replaced brake chambers on some vehicles in the fleets.NHTSA says it will determine how often the problem happens and what models it affects. An investigation can lead to a recall.Messages were left seeking comment from Haldex.

US probes overheating brakes that cause fires in 500K semis

WAHOO, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol says an 18-year-old driver and two children killed in a crash near Wahoo were siblings. 

The patrol says the crash happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday at a rural intersection north of Wahoo. 

Investigators had initially said that 18-year-old Monica Chohon, of Wahoo, proceeding into the intersection when an eastbound vehicle on U.S. Highway 77 also stopped, even though traffic on the highway has no stop signs. 

But the patrol later determined the car only slowed to avoid a collision after seeing Chohon's car driving into the intersection.

 Investigators say Chohon was then hit by a pickup truck also traveling on the highway, killing her, 11-year-old James Chohon and 7-year-old Andrew Chohon all of Wahoo.

WAHOO, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol says an 18-year-old driver and two children killed in a crash near Wahoo were siblings. The patrol says the crash happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday at a rural intersection north of Wahoo. Investigators had initially said that 18-year-old Monica Chohon, of Wahoo, proceeding into the intersection when an eastbound vehicle on U.S. Highway 77 also stopped, even though traffic on the highway has no stop signs. But the patrol later determined the car only slowed to avoid a collision after seeing Chohon's car driving into the intersection. Investigators say Chohon was then hit by a pickup truck also traveling on the highway, killing her, 11-year-old James Chohon and 7-year-old Andrew Chohon all of Wahoo.

Nebraska patrol says 3 killed in crash were siblings

OMAHA&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested an Omaha man following a pursuit overnight.

At approximately 12:20 a.m. Thursday, a trooper observed a Ford Focus failing to maintain its lane on Highway 75 near L Street in South Omaha. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle accelerated and fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle fled through area parking lots and city streets, reaching speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour, before colliding with a retaining wall and a speed limit sign near 36th&nbsp;and Washington. The vehicle then drove through Upland Park before coming to a stop near 30th&nbsp;and Upland Parkway. The driver then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by another trooper.

The driver, Robert Williams, 26, of Omaha, was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, leaving the scene of a property damage crash, obstructing a peace officer, no operator’s license, several traffic violations, and multiple outstanding warrants from Douglas County. He was lodged in Douglas County Jail.

OMAHA&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested an Omaha man following a pursuit overnight.At approximately 12:20 a.m. Thursday, a trooper observed a Ford Focus failing to maintain its lane on Highway 75 near L Street in South Omaha. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle accelerated and fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The vehicle fled through area parking lots and city streets, reaching speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour, before colliding with a retaining wall and a speed limit sign near 36th&nbsp;and Washington. The vehicle then drove through Upland Park before coming to a stop near 30th&nbsp;and Upland Parkway. The driver then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by another trooper.The driver, Robert Williams, 26, of Omaha, was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, leaving the scene of a property damage crash, obstructing a peace officer, no operator’s license, several traffic violations, and multiple outstanding warrants from Douglas County. He was lodged in Douglas County Jail.

South Omaha pursuit leads to arrest

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials in south-central Nebraska say they’ve pulled the body of a 3-year-old girl from Johnson Lake.

 Station KRVN reports that the body of Avery Grace Mendiola, of Lexington, was found about 7:30 a.m. Thursday after she was reported missing in the lake Wednesday evening. 

Gosper County Sheriff Dennis Ocke says a caller to the sheriff’s office around 6 p.m. Wednesday said the child was on a toy float that had drifted out of the main swim area. 

Witnesses told arriving deputies that the toy had flipped, pitching the child into the water.

 A dive team and Nebraska Game and Parks officers searched the lake until 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and resumed around 6:30 a.m.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials in south-central Nebraska say they’ve pulled the body of a 3-year-old girl from Johnson Lake. Station KRVN reports that the body of Avery Grace Mendiola, of Lexington, was found about 7:30 a.m. Thursday after she was reported missing in the lake Wednesday evening. Gosper County Sheriff Dennis Ocke says a caller to the sheriff’s office around 6 p.m. Wednesday said the child was on a toy float that had drifted out of the main swim area. Witnesses told arriving deputies that the toy had flipped, pitching the child into the water. A dive team and Nebraska Game and Parks officers searched the lake until 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and resumed around 6:30 a.m.

Sheriff: Body of 3-year-old girl pulled from Johnson Lake

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Smoke from wildfires in the western U.S. and Canada is blanketing much of the continent and reaching unhealthy levels this week in communities from Washington state to Washington D.C. 

Experts say get used to it, as a warmer climate stokes bigger and more intense blazes. 

Growing research points to potential long-term health damage from breathing in microscopic particles of smoke, with millions of people potentially at risk far from where huge fires burn.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Smoke from wildfires in the western U.S. and Canada is blanketing much of the continent and reaching unhealthy levels this week in communities from Washington state to Washington D.C. Experts say get used to it, as a warmer climate stokes bigger and more intense blazes. Growing research points to potential long-term health damage from breathing in microscopic particles of smoke, with millions of people potentially at risk far from where huge fires burn.

EXPLAINER: As wildfire smoke spreads, who's at risk?

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State Sen. Matt Williams, of Gothenburg, announced that he will run for an open seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents next year. 

Williams has served in the Legislature the last seven years, and is ineligible to run again because of term limits. 

He’s seeking to fill the seat of Regent Bob Phares, of North Platte, who has endorsed Williams and announced that he won’t seek re-election in 2022. 

Williams says that, if elected, he’ll demand transparency, push for strong public-private partnerships, support policies to retain students, and fight to keep the university’s in-state tuition rates the lowest of all Big Ten institutions.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State Sen. Matt Williams, of Gothenburg, announced that he will run for an open seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents next year. Williams has served in the Legislature the last seven years, and is ineligible to run again because of term limits. He’s seeking to fill the seat of Regent Bob Phares, of North Platte, who has endorsed Williams and announced that he won’t seek re-election in 2022. Williams says that, if elected, he’ll demand transparency, push for strong public-private partnerships, support policies to retain students, and fight to keep the university’s in-state tuition rates the lowest of all Big Ten institutions.

State Sen. Williams announces U. of Nebraska regent bid

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A woman has died in a boating accident on a river in western Wyoming. 

The 67-year-old was on a guided fishing trip on the Snake River when the drift boat she and two others were in tipped, took on water and overturned Tuesday. 

Teton County Search and Rescue chief advisor Cody Lockhart says a guide and another tourist in the boat were able to swim to shore and were unhurt. 

The Jackson Hole News &amp; Guide reports rescuers reached the woman on the river about 5 miles southwest of Jackson within 45 minutes but couldn't revive her. 

The woman's identity hasn't been released.

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A woman has died in a boating accident on a river in western Wyoming. The 67-year-old was on a guided fishing trip on the Snake River when the drift boat she and two others were in tipped, took on water and overturned Tuesday. Teton County Search and Rescue chief advisor Cody Lockhart says a guide and another tourist in the boat were able to swim to shore and were unhurt. The Jackson Hole News &amp; Guide reports rescuers reached the woman on the river about 5 miles southwest of Jackson within 45 minutes but couldn't revive her. The woman's identity hasn't been released.

Wyoming river boat fishing accident kills woman

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the 
Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced today they have
 disbursed more than 2.2 million additional Economic Impact Payments 
under the American Rescue Plan.

Today's announcement covering the most recent six weeks of the effort
 brings the total disbursed so far under the American Rescue Plan to 
more than 171 million payments. They represent a total value of more 
than $400 billion since these payments began rolling out to Americans in
 batches <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">on March 12</a>.

Here is additional information on the last six weeks of payments, 
which includes those with official payment dates through July 21:

The IRS will continue to disburse Economic Impact Payments on a 
weekly basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for 
whom the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but 
who recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for 
"plus-up" payments.

Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return

Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Child Tax Credit</a>, and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit</a>.
 Filing a 2020 tax return will also assist the IRS in determining 
whether someone is eligible for monthly advance payments of the 2021 
Child Tax Credit, which began earlier this month.

For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.

People who don't normally have an obligation to file a tax return and
 don't receive federal benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact 
Payments. This includes those experiencing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/those-experiencing-homelessness-can-get-economic-impact-payments-and-other-tax-benefits-permanent-address-not-required">homelessness</a>,
 the rural poor, and other historically under-served groups. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.

The IRS has provided an online&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-Filer tool</a>&nbsp;to
 allow individuals who weren't required to file (and have not filed) a 
tax return for 2020 to file a simplified tax return.&nbsp;This simplified tax
 return allows eligible individuals to register for advance Child Tax 
Credit payments and the third Economic Impact Payment, as well as claim 
the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.&nbsp;Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is also available for qualifying people.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this third round 
of Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.

Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the 
Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced today they have
 disbursed more than 2.2 million additional Economic Impact Payments 
under the American Rescue Plan.Today's announcement covering the most recent six weeks of the effort
 brings the total disbursed so far under the American Rescue Plan to 
more than 171 million payments. They represent a total value of more 
than $400 billion since these payments began rolling out to Americans in
 batches <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">on March 12</a>.Here is additional information on the last six weeks of payments, 
which includes those with official payment dates through July 21:<ul>
 <li>In total, this includes about 2.2 million payments with a value of more than $4 billion.</li><li>About 1.3 million payments, with a value of approximately $2.6 
billion, went to eligible individuals for whom the IRS previously did 
not have information to issue an Economic Impact Payment but who 
recently filed a tax return.&nbsp;</li><li>This also includes additional ongoing supplemental payments for 
people who earlier this year received payments based on their 2019 tax 
returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their 
recently processed 2020 tax returns. In the last six weeks, there were 
more than 900,000 of these "plus-up" payments, with a value of more than
 $1.6 billion. In all, the IRS has made more than 9 million of these 
supplemental payments this year worth approximately $18.5 billion.</li>
 </ul>The IRS will continue to disburse Economic Impact Payments on a 
weekly basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for 
whom the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but 
who recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for 
"plus-up" payments.<h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">Child Tax Credit</a>, and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc">Earned Income Tax Credit</a>.
 Filing a 2020 tax return will also assist the IRS in determining 
whether someone is eligible for monthly advance payments of the 2021 
Child Tax Credit, which began earlier this month.For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.People who don't normally have an obligation to file a tax return and
 don't receive federal benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact 
Payments. This includes those experiencing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/those-experiencing-homelessness-can-get-economic-impact-payments-and-other-tax-benefits-permanent-address-not-required">homelessness</a>,
 the rural poor, and other historically under-served groups. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.The IRS has provided an online&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-Filer tool</a>&nbsp;to
 allow individuals who weren't required to file (and have not filed) a 
tax return for 2020 to file a simplified tax return.&nbsp;This simplified tax
 return allows eligible individuals to register for advance Child Tax 
Credit payments and the third Economic Impact Payment, as well as claim 
the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit.&nbsp;Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is also available for qualifying people.The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this third round 
of Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

IRS: 2.2M more COVID stimulus checks sent to Americans

BEIJING (AP) — China rejected an accusation by the Biden administration and Western allies this week that Beijing is to blame for a hack of the Microsoft Exchange email system and complained Chinese entities are victims of damaging U.S. cyberattacks.

A foreign ministry spokesman demanded Washington drop charges announced Monday against four Chinese nationals accused of working with the Ministry of State Security to try to steal U.S. trade secrets, technology and disease research.

The announcement that the Biden administration and European allies formally blame Chinese government-linked hackers for ransomware attacks increased pressure over long-running complaints against Beijing but included no sanctions.

“The United States ganged up with its allies to make unwarranted accusations against Chinese cybersecurity,” said the spokesman, Zhao Lijian. “This was made up out of thin air and confused right and wrong. It is purely a smear and suppression with political motives.”

“China will never accept this,” Zhao said, though he gave no indication of possible retaliation.

China is a leader in cyberwarfare research along with the United States and Russia, but Beijing denies accusations that Chinese hackers steal trade secrets and technology. Security experts say the military and security ministry also sponsor hackers outside the government.

On Monday, U.S. authorities said government-affiliated hackers targeted American and other victims with demands for millions of dollars. Officials alleged contract hackers associated with the MSS engaged in extortion schemes and theft for their own profit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626782148821.png" alt="The<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer-intrusion">&nbsp;Justice Department announced charges</a>&nbsp;against four Chinese nationals who prosecutors said worked with the MSS to target computers at companies, universities and government entities. The defendants are accused of targeting trade secrets, scientific technologies and infectious-disease research. Image U.S. Department of Justice, FBI" />
 <figcaption>The<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer-intrusion">&nbsp;Justice Department announced charges</a>&nbsp;against four Chinese nationals who prosecutors said worked with the MSS to target computers at companies, universities and government entities. The defendants are accused of targeting trade secrets, scientific technologies and infectious-disease research. Image U.S. Department of Justice, FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>BEIJING (AP) — China rejected an accusation by the Biden administration and Western allies this week that Beijing is to blame for a hack of the Microsoft Exchange email system and complained Chinese entities are victims of damaging U.S. cyberattacks.A foreign ministry spokesman demanded Washington drop charges announced Monday against four Chinese nationals accused of working with the Ministry of State Security to try to steal U.S. trade secrets, technology and disease research.The announcement that the Biden administration and European allies formally blame Chinese government-linked hackers for ransomware attacks increased pressure over long-running complaints against Beijing but included no sanctions.“The United States ganged up with its allies to make unwarranted accusations against Chinese cybersecurity,” said the spokesman, Zhao Lijian. “This was made up out of thin air and confused right and wrong. It is purely a smear and suppression with political motives.”“China will never accept this,” Zhao said, though he gave no indication of possible retaliation.China is a leader in cyberwarfare research along with the United States and Russia, but Beijing denies accusations that Chinese hackers steal trade secrets and technology. Security experts say the military and security ministry also sponsor hackers outside the government.On Monday, U.S. authorities said government-affiliated hackers targeted American and other victims with demands for millions of dollars. Officials alleged contract hackers associated with the MSS engaged in extortion schemes and theft for their own profit.Microsoft Corp. blamed Chinese spies for the Microsoft Exchange attack that compromised tens of thousands of computers around the world. The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, on Monday called that “a reckless but familiar pattern of behavior.”Also Monday, the<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer-intrusion"> Justice Department announced charges</a> against four Chinese nationals who prosecutors said worked with the MSS to target computers at companies, universities and government entities. The defendants are accused of targeting trade secrets, scientific technologies and infectious-disease research.“China firmly opposes and combats any form of cyberattacks, and will not encourage, support or condone any cyberattacks,” Zhao said.Citing what he said was Chinese cybersecurity research, Zhao accused the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency of carrying out hacking attacks on China’s aerospace research facilities, oil industry, internet companies and government agencies over an 11-year period.Those attacks “severely compromised” national and economic security, Zhao said.“China once again strongly demands that the United States and its allies stop cyber theft and attacks against China, stop throwing mud at China on cybersecurity issues and withdraw the so-called prosecution,” he said. “China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard China’s cybersecurity and interests.”-------WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration and Western allies formally blamed China on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-national-security-hacking-email-4813d462835dcf54cd1397adb94d468b">for a massive hack of Microsoft Exchange email server software</a>&nbsp;and asserted that criminal hackers associated with the Chinese government have carried out ransomware and other illicit cyber operations.The announcements, though not accompanied by sanctions against the Chinese government, were intended as a forceful condemnation of activities a senior Biden administration official described as part of a “pattern of irresponsible behavior in cyberspace.” They highlighted the ongoing threat from Chinese hackers even as the administration remains consumed with trying to curb ransomware attacks from Russia-based syndicates that have targeted critical infrastructure.The broad range of cyberthreats from Beijing disclosed on Monday included a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-joe-biden-europe-business-government-and-politics-cd21d84b5fd070421f871610b40e91d0">ransomware attack</a>&nbsp;from government-affiliated hackers that has targeted victims — including in the U.S. — with demands for millions of dollars. U.S officials also alleged that criminal contract hackers associated with China’s Ministry of State Security have engaged in cyber extortion schemes and theft for their own profit.Meanwhile, the Justice Department on Monday announced charges against four Chinese nationals who prosecutors said were working with the MSS in a hacking campaign that targeted dozens of computer systems, including companies, universities and government entities. The defendants are accused of stealing trade secrets and confidential business information.Unlike in April,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ap-top-news-moscow-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-4c368f4734d5d1c5938645aa09641c79">when public finger-pointing of Russian hacking&nbsp;</a>was paired with a raft of sanctions against Moscow, the Biden administration did not announce any actions against Beijing. Nonetheless, a senior administration official who briefed reporters said that the U.S. has confronted senior Chinese officials and that the White House regards the multination shaming as sending an important message.President Joe Biden told reporters “the investigation’s not finished,” and White House press secretary Jen Psaki did not rule out consequences for China, saying, “This is not the conclusion of our efforts as it relates to cyber activities with China or Russia.”Even without fresh sanctions, Monday’s actions are likely to exacerbate tensions with China at a delicate time. Just last week, the U.S. issued separate stark warnings against transactions with entities that operate in China’s western Xinjiang region, where China is accused of repressing Uyghur Muslims and other minorities.Then on Friday, the administration advised American firms of the deteriorating investment and commercial environment in Hong Kong, where China has been cracking down on democratic freedoms it had pledged to respect in the former British colony.The European Union and Britain also called out China. The EU said malicious cyber activities with “significant effects” that targeted government institutions, political organizations and key industries in the bloc’s 27 member states could be linked to Chinese hacking groups. The U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre said the groups targeted maritime industries and naval defense contractors in the U.S. and Europe and the Finnish parliament.In a statement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the hacking was “conducted from the territory of China for the purpose of intellectual property theft and espionage.”The Microsoft Exchange cyberattack “by Chinese state-backed groups was a reckless but familiar pattern of behaviour,” U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.NATO, in its first public condemnation of China for hacking activities, called on Beijing to uphold its international commitments and obligations “and to act responsibly in the international system, including in cyberspace.” The alliance said it was determined to “actively deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats.”That hackers affiliated with the Ministry of State Security were engaged in ransomware was surprising and concerning to the U.S. government, the senior administration official said. But the attack, in which an unidentified American company received a high-dollar ransom demand, also gave U.S. officials new insight into what the official said was “the kind of aggressive behavior that we’re seeing coming out of China.”The majority of the most damaging and high-profile recent ransomware attacks have involved Russian criminal gangs. Though the U.S. has sometimes seen connections between Russian intelligence agencies and individual hackers, the use of criminal contract hackers by the Chinese government “to conduct unsanctioned cyber operations globally is distinct,” the official said.Dmitri Alperovitch, the former chief technology officer of the cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, said the announcement makes clear that MSS contractors who for years have worked for the government and conducted operations on their behalf have over time decided — either with the approval or the “blind eye of their bosses” — to ”start moonlighting and engaging in other activities that could put money in their pockets.”The Microsoft Exchange hack that months ago compromised tens of thousands of computers around the world was swiftly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-email-89a61f711e14e51dc9f5b74ffe9c2ebf">attributed to Chinese cyber spies</a>&nbsp;by private sector groups. An administration official said the government’s attribution to hackers affiliated with the Ministry of State Security took until now in part because of the discovery of the ransomware and for-profit hacking operations and because the administration wanted to pair the announcement with guidance for businesses about tactics that the Chinese have been using.Given the scope of the attack, Alperovitch said it was “puzzling” that the U.S. avoided sanctions.“They certainly deserve it, and at this point, it’s becoming a glaring standout that we have not,” he said.He added, in a reference to a large Russian cyberespionage operation discovered late last year, “There’s no question that the Exchange hacks have been more reckless, more dangerous and more disruptive than anything the Russians have done in SolarWinds.A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately return an email seeking comment Monday. But a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has previously deflected blame for the Microsoft Exchange hack, saying that China “firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms” and cautioning that attribution of cyberattacks should be based on evidence and not “groundless accusations.”