WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. surgeon general said Sunday that he's concerned about what lies ahead with cases of COVID-19 increasing in every state, millions still unvaccinated and a highly contagious virus variant spreading rapidly.

Noting that nearly all coronavirus deaths now are among the tens of millions of people who haven't received shots, despite widespread vaccine availability, Dr. Vivek Murthy painted an unsettling picture of what the future could hold.

“I am worried about what is to come because we are seeing increasing cases among the unvaccinated in particular. And while, if you are vaccinated, you are very well protected against hospitalization and death, unfortunately that is not true if you are not vaccinated," Murthy said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

U.S. cases of COVID-19 last week increased by 17,000 nationwide over a 14-day period for the first time since late fall, and an increase in death historically follows a spike in illness. Much of the worsening problem is being driven by the delta variant first identified in India, that has since hit the United Kingdom and other countries, said Murthy.

While U.S. case numbers and hospitalizations are still far below levels from the worst of the pandemic early this year, Murthy said the worsening situation shows the need to convince more people to get inoculations.

“It is our fastest, most effective way out of this pandemic,” he said.

About 186 million Americans have received at least one shot, but another 90 million eligible Americans haven't. Officials are trying to overcome a refusal among some — particularly conservative, rural white people — to get vaccinated, but it's unclear how to do that. So, for the meantime at least, some places have reverted to health precautions that had been cast aside.

In Las Vegas, some resorts and casinos are again requiring employees to wear masks in response to a recommendation issued by health officials amid rising COVID-19 case rates in Nevada; it ranks fifth among U.S. states for the most new cases per capita over the last two weeks.

Los Angeles County late Saturday reinstated rules&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-los-angeles-coronavirus-pandemic-2a84d86250b0dcd3befa6b4bd266f5b6">requiring everyone to wear masks inside public buildings</a>. Around San Francisco's Bay Area, which has some of the highest vaccination rates in California, health officials have recommended that everyone again wear masks inside public buildings, regardless of their vaccination status.

But in conservative Alabama, where COVID-19 hospitalizations have more than doubled in a month and only about a third of the population is fully vaccinated, officials have refused to reinstitute statewide health rules or use gimmicks such as lotteries to boost immunizations.

“I think the best thing for us to do is just encourage everyone to use their common sense and practice personal responsibility and make themselves and their families safe,” Gov. Kay Ivey told reporters last week.

Cases also are on the rise in Springfield, Missouri, where Mayor Ken McClure told CBS-TV's “Face the Nation” that false information about the pandemic was hampering the fight to get people vaccinated.

“I think we are seeing a lot spread through social media as people are talking about fears which they have, health related fears, what it might do to them later on in their lives, what might be contained in the vaccinations,” he said.

Murthy, the surgeon general, said “not nearly enough” progress was being made in the fight against misinformation spread through social media about COVID-19 and vaccines. Individuals, not just platforms such as Facebook, need to combat the problem, he said.

"Each of us has a decision that we make every time we post something on social media, and I’m asking people to pause and to see, is a source accurate? Is it coming from a scientifically credible authority? And if it’s not, or if you’re not sure, don’t share,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626690532293.png" alt="Murthy said the worsening situation shows the need to convince more people to get inoculations.-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Murthy said the worsening situation shows the need to convince more people to get inoculations.-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. surgeon general said Sunday that he's concerned about what lies ahead with cases of COVID-19 increasing in every state, millions still unvaccinated and a highly contagious virus variant spreading rapidly.Noting that nearly all coronavirus deaths now are among the tens of millions of people who haven't received shots, despite widespread vaccine availability, Dr. Vivek Murthy painted an unsettling picture of what the future could hold.“I am worried about what is to come because we are seeing increasing cases among the unvaccinated in particular. And while, if you are vaccinated, you are very well protected against hospitalization and death, unfortunately that is not true if you are not vaccinated," Murthy said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”U.S. cases of COVID-19 last week increased by 17,000 nationwide over a 14-day period for the first time since late fall, and an increase in death historically follows a spike in illness. Much of the worsening problem is being driven by the delta variant first identified in India, that has since hit the United Kingdom and other countries, said Murthy.While U.S. case numbers and hospitalizations are still far below levels from the worst of the pandemic early this year, Murthy said the worsening situation shows the need to convince more people to get inoculations.“It is our fastest, most effective way out of this pandemic,” he said.About 186 million Americans have received at least one shot, but another 90 million eligible Americans haven't. Officials are trying to overcome a refusal among some — particularly conservative, rural white people — to get vaccinated, but it's unclear how to do that. So, for the meantime at least, some places have reverted to health precautions that had been cast aside.In Las Vegas, some resorts and casinos are again requiring employees to wear masks in response to a recommendation issued by health officials amid rising COVID-19 case rates in Nevada; it ranks fifth among U.S. states for the most new cases per capita over the last two weeks.Los Angeles County late Saturday reinstated rules&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-los-angeles-coronavirus-pandemic-2a84d86250b0dcd3befa6b4bd266f5b6">requiring everyone to wear masks inside public buildings</a>. Around San Francisco's Bay Area, which has some of the highest vaccination rates in California, health officials have recommended that everyone again wear masks inside public buildings, regardless of their vaccination status.But in conservative Alabama, where COVID-19 hospitalizations have more than doubled in a month and only about a third of the population is fully vaccinated, officials have refused to reinstitute statewide health rules or use gimmicks such as lotteries to boost immunizations.“I think the best thing for us to do is just encourage everyone to use their common sense and practice personal responsibility and make themselves and their families safe,” Gov. Kay Ivey told reporters last week.Cases also are on the rise in Springfield, Missouri, where Mayor Ken McClure told CBS-TV's “Face the Nation” that false information about the pandemic was hampering the fight to get people vaccinated.“I think we are seeing a lot spread through social media as people are talking about fears which they have, health related fears, what it might do to them later on in their lives, what might be contained in the vaccinations,” he said.Murthy, the surgeon general, said “not nearly enough” progress was being made in the fight against misinformation spread through social media about COVID-19 and vaccines. Individuals, not just platforms such as Facebook, need to combat the problem, he said."Each of us has a decision that we make every time we post something on social media, and I’m asking people to pause and to see, is a source accurate? Is it coming from a scientifically credible authority? And if it’s not, or if you’re not sure, don’t share,” he said.

Surgeon General worried as COVID cases increase across U.S

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials in Lincoln are defending their actions to remove a homeless encampment that had been set up in a wooded area.

 City officials say concerns from residents nearby prompted an investigation by Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.

 Jon Carlson, the mayor’s deputy chief of staff, told the Lincoln Journal Star that conditions were found to be dangerous for those who were living there. 

But some homeless advocates say it was unjust to demolish a community people made for themselves. 

About 20 people attended a protest and sought to raise donations to help those affected by the demolition.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials in Lincoln are defending their actions to remove a homeless encampment that had been set up in a wooded area. City officials say concerns from residents nearby prompted an investigation by Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. Jon Carlson, the mayor’s deputy chief of staff, told the Lincoln Journal Star that conditions were found to be dangerous for those who were living there. But some homeless advocates say it was unjust to demolish a community people made for themselves. About 20 people attended a protest and sought to raise donations to help those affected by the demolition.

Lincoln officials defend removal of homeless encampment

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A girl from Missouri was hospitalized after a large bolt and nut crashed through the windshield of the vehicle she was riding in.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said the incident happened in west Lawrence around 5 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and Bob Billings Parkway.

Fifteen-year-old Linzie Sanders, of Willard, Missouri, was struck in the face by the bolt. The Highway Patrol did not say in the accident report where the nut and bolt came from.

None of the four other people riding in the 2017 Honda Pilot was injured when the bolt crashed through the windshield. The vehicle was driven by 45-year-old Andrew Sears and the passengers were 43-year-old Amanda Sue Sanders, 19-year-old Lauren Sears and 10-year-old Dylan Sears. Everyone in the vehicle is from Willard, Missouri.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A girl from Missouri was hospitalized after a large bolt and nut crashed through the windshield of the vehicle she was riding in.The Kansas Highway Patrol said the incident happened in west Lawrence around 5 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and Bob Billings Parkway.Fifteen-year-old Linzie Sanders, of Willard, Missouri, was struck in the face by the bolt. The Highway Patrol did not say in the accident report where the nut and bolt came from.None of the four other people riding in the 2017 Honda Pilot was injured when the bolt crashed through the windshield. The vehicle was driven by 45-year-old Andrew Sears and the passengers were 43-year-old Amanda Sue Sanders, 19-year-old Lauren Sears and 10-year-old Dylan Sears. Everyone in the vehicle is from Willard, Missouri.

Girl hurt when bolt crashes through SUV's windshield on Kan. highway

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman whose family went on an Iowa amusement ride shortly before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adventureland-raging-river-accident-273dbf870b1cbab93f92ea1df8bff413">an accident</a>&nbsp;that killed an 11-year-old boy and critically injured his brother said Friday her boat also had problems floating properly and felt unsafe.

Amber Estrada, 31, said the boat carrying her and her husband, their three children and nephew at times struck and dragged along the bottom of the manmade river on the Raging River ride at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-iowa-accidents-d69eb5812a5c1938d5e3666ff3a86e36">Adventureland Park</a>&nbsp;in Altoona on July 3.

She said the boat made a grinding sound that she could feel under her feet. Estrada, of Eagle Grove, Iowa, said her husband told her that he felt scared and wanted to get off the ride.

The couple made the decision to lean forward in their seats with their children because they were worried it would tip over, she said. They were able to reach the end of the ride safely, but “unfortunately that did happen to another family,” she said.

A boat carrying six members of the Jaramillo family of Marion, Iowa capsized minutes later, trapping 11-year-old Michael Jaramillo and his now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ia-state-wire-iowa-travel-lifestyle-accidents-aeffcb63bef90c63920b207c1bffa227">16-year-old brother David</a>&nbsp;in their seatbelts underneath the water for several minutes. Michael died of his injuries the next day.

A funeral service for the boy, who was going into sixth grade, is scheduled for Saturday in Des Moines. His family remembered him in an obituary as a “fun, loving child,” who loved playing with his older brothers, cousins and friends and liked to play the violin and read the bible.

David remains in critical condition at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, unable to talk, family attorney Ryan Best said. Their father, also David Jaramillo, underwent a four-hour surgery Tuesday to repair broken bones in his shoulder, he said.

Iowa inspectors are looking into what caused the boat to flip, and the ride has been shut down until the investigation is complete and hazards are corrected.

A state report dated July 4 said that the Jaramillos’ boat “immediately began taking on water as the ride began” and touched the bottom of the trough multiple times. Inspectors said they saw scrape marks on the trough’s concrete bottom and gouges in wooden poles along the ride from boat contact.

The boat eventually overturned during the ride’s final curve, according to the report, first reported by The Des Moines Register.

Estrada said she saw the Jaramillos in line a few places behind her and witnessed emergency responders rushing to the scene after her family got off. She said she did not report her family’s negative experience to Adventureland staff because her autistic son was upset about a stolen toy, and they left.

Estrada said she has been on the ride many times and never experienced such problems. She said she later reached out to the Jaramillo family through their pastor, and shared her experience with their lawyer Thursday.

“My heart breaks for them,” she said. “I think something needs to be done about this ride.”

Best said Estrada’s account was consistent with what happened to the Jaramillos and suggests “the boats were not properly floating on the day of the incident.”

“There was a broader problem,” he said.

Adventureland attorney Guy Cook said Friday that the park was unaware of Estrada’s claims and that the investigation to date has “found no such narrative.”

“The senior operators have no reports of any difficulties with the boats from guests prior to the tragic accident,” he said. “Nevertheless, all information and reports will be considered as the investigation continues.”

The state report notes that the park’s maintenance staff took the Jaramillos’ boat and others out of service earlier that day “due to rafts on boats deflating.” Workers replaced the deflated bladders in the rafts before putting the boats back into service.

Cook said each boat’s raft has eight bladders, and they are monitored and routinely taken out so they can be refilled with air or replaced if they get deflated.

“There’s nothing unusual about that,” he said.

He noted that the Jaramillos’ boat was found after the accident with only one of its bladders deflated and an “exterior indentation in the outer rubber tube.” He said the boats, which weigh 1,700 pounds and have a heavy metal plate on the bottom for ballast, would not flip due to a single deflated bladder and it’s not clear when its deflation occurred.

“If you stay in your seat and the weight is evenly distributed regardless of whether a bladder is fully inflated, it’s very difficult to see how a 1,700-pound boat flips over,” he said. “That’s why it would appear there was some other factor at work on this day.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625693882938.png" alt="First responders at the park on the night of the accident -Photo courtesy KCCI" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the park on the night of the accident -Photo courtesy KCCI</figcaption>
 </figure>IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A woman whose family went on an Iowa amusement ride shortly before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adventureland-raging-river-accident-273dbf870b1cbab93f92ea1df8bff413">an accident</a>&nbsp;that killed an 11-year-old boy and critically injured his brother said Friday her boat also had problems floating properly and felt unsafe.Amber Estrada, 31, said the boat carrying her and her husband, their three children and nephew at times struck and dragged along the bottom of the manmade river on the Raging River ride at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-iowa-accidents-d69eb5812a5c1938d5e3666ff3a86e36">Adventureland Park</a>&nbsp;in Altoona on July 3.She said the boat made a grinding sound that she could feel under her feet. Estrada, of Eagle Grove, Iowa, said her husband told her that he felt scared and wanted to get off the ride.The couple made the decision to lean forward in their seats with their children because they were worried it would tip over, she said. They were able to reach the end of the ride safely, but “unfortunately that did happen to another family,” she said.A boat carrying six members of the Jaramillo family of Marion, Iowa capsized minutes later, trapping 11-year-old Michael Jaramillo and his now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ia-state-wire-iowa-travel-lifestyle-accidents-aeffcb63bef90c63920b207c1bffa227">16-year-old brother David</a>&nbsp;in their seatbelts underneath the water for several minutes. Michael died of his injuries the next day.A funeral service for the boy, who was going into sixth grade, is scheduled for Saturday in Des Moines. His family remembered him in an obituary as a “fun, loving child,” who loved playing with his older brothers, cousins and friends and liked to play the violin and read the bible.David remains in critical condition at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, unable to talk, family attorney Ryan Best said. Their father, also David Jaramillo, underwent a four-hour surgery Tuesday to repair broken bones in his shoulder, he said.Iowa inspectors are looking into what caused the boat to flip, and the ride has been shut down until the investigation is complete and hazards are corrected.A state report dated July 4 said that the Jaramillos’ boat “immediately began taking on water as the ride began” and touched the bottom of the trough multiple times. Inspectors said they saw scrape marks on the trough’s concrete bottom and gouges in wooden poles along the ride from boat contact.The boat eventually overturned during the ride’s final curve, according to the report, first reported by The Des Moines Register.Estrada said she saw the Jaramillos in line a few places behind her and witnessed emergency responders rushing to the scene after her family got off. She said she did not report her family’s negative experience to Adventureland staff because her autistic son was upset about a stolen toy, and they left.Estrada said she has been on the ride many times and never experienced such problems. She said she later reached out to the Jaramillo family through their pastor, and shared her experience with their lawyer Thursday.“My heart breaks for them,” she said. “I think something needs to be done about this ride.”Best said Estrada’s account was consistent with what happened to the Jaramillos and suggests “the boats were not properly floating on the day of the incident.”“There was a broader problem,” he said.Adventureland attorney Guy Cook said Friday that the park was unaware of Estrada’s claims and that the investigation to date has “found no such narrative.”“The senior operators have no reports of any difficulties with the boats from guests prior to the tragic accident,” he said. “Nevertheless, all information and reports will be considered as the investigation continues.”The state report notes that the park’s maintenance staff took the Jaramillos’ boat and others out of service earlier that day “due to rafts on boats deflating.” Workers replaced the deflated bladders in the rafts before putting the boats back into service.Cook said each boat’s raft has eight bladders, and they are monitored and routinely taken out so they can be refilled with air or replaced if they get deflated.“There’s nothing unusual about that,” he said.He noted that the Jaramillos’ boat was found after the accident with only one of its bladders deflated and an “exterior indentation in the outer rubber tube.” He said the boats, which weigh 1,700 pounds and have a heavy metal plate on the bottom for ballast, would not flip due to a single deflated bladder and it’s not clear when its deflation occurred.“If you stay in your seat and the weight is evenly distributed regardless of whether a bladder is fully inflated, it’s very difficult to see how a 1,700-pound boat flips over,” he said. “That’s why it would appear there was some other factor at work on this day.”

Woman says her boat had problems before Iowa ride accident

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/17/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-daca-and-legislation-for-dreamers/" target="_blank">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;said Saturday that the Justice Department intends to appeal a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-f01fc0f485a8983b5f072e7af324c43f">federal judge’s ruling</a>&nbsp;deeming illegal an Obama-era program that has protected hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation and he renewed his calls for Congress to create a permanent solution.

He said in a statement that&nbsp;<a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/gov.uscourts.txsd_.1501682.575.0.pdf" target="_blank">Friday’s decision</a>&nbsp;was “deeply disappointing,” and although the judge’s order did not affect those already covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, it ”relegates hundreds of thousands of young immigrants to an uncertain future.”

The program has allowed thousands of young people who were brought illegally into the United States as children, or overstayed visas, to live, work and remain in the country. Many of the recipients, commonly known as “Dreamers,” have now been in the U.S. for a decade or longer.

But Texas and eight other states sued to halt DACA, arguing that President Barack Obama lacked the power to create the program because it circumvented Congress. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Houston agreed, and while his ruling left the program intact for existing recipients, it barred the government from approving any new applications.

In his statement, Biden urged Congress to move forward with legislation to permanently protect those covered by the program. “Only Congress can ensure a permanent solution by granting a path to citizenship for Dreamers that will provide the certainty and stability that these young people need and deserve,” the president said.

“I have repeatedly called on Congress to pass the American Dream and Promise Act, and I now renew that call with the greatest urgency,” he said. “It is my fervent hope that through reconciliation or other means, Congress will finally provide security to all Dreamers, who have lived too long in fear.”

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said, "The decision is a victory for the rule of law that reaffirms no president has the unilateral authority to rewrite or suspend our immigration laws. Even President Obama stated this obvious fact on numerous occasions until, capitulating to political pressure, he purported to create DACA by executive action. As I have said many times during the course of this lengthy litigation, DACA recipients are a sympathetic group with significant public support and a compelling argument that their circumstance is unique. But, because of President Obama’s unlawful executive action, for the past decade DACA recipients have lived under the cruel illusion of a program that in fact never could lawfully exist."

The House approved legislation in March creating a pathway toward citizenship for those impacted, but the measure has stalled in the Senate. Immigration advocates hope to include a provision in sweeping budget legislation Democrats want to pass this year, but it’s unclear whether that language will survive.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592492596183.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said, "The decision is a victory for the rule of law that reaffirms no president has the unilateral authority to rewrite or suspend our immigration laws.-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said, "The decision is a victory for the rule of law that reaffirms no president has the unilateral authority to rewrite or suspend our immigration laws.-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/17/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-daca-and-legislation-for-dreamers/" target="_blank">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;said Saturday that the Justice Department intends to appeal a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-f01fc0f485a8983b5f072e7af324c43f">federal judge’s ruling</a>&nbsp;deeming illegal an Obama-era program that has protected hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation and he renewed his calls for Congress to create a permanent solution.He said in a statement that&nbsp;<a href="https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/gov.uscourts.txsd_.1501682.575.0.pdf" target="_blank">Friday’s decision</a>&nbsp;was “deeply disappointing,” and although the judge’s order did not affect those already covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, it ”relegates hundreds of thousands of young immigrants to an uncertain future.”The program has allowed thousands of young people who were brought illegally into the United States as children, or overstayed visas, to live, work and remain in the country. Many of the recipients, commonly known as “Dreamers,” have now been in the U.S. for a decade or longer.But Texas and eight other states sued to halt DACA, arguing that President Barack Obama lacked the power to create the program because it circumvented Congress. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen in Houston agreed, and while his ruling left the program intact for existing recipients, it barred the government from approving any new applications.In his statement, Biden urged Congress to move forward with legislation to permanently protect those covered by the program. “Only Congress can ensure a permanent solution by granting a path to citizenship for Dreamers that will provide the certainty and stability that these young people need and deserve,” the president said.“I have repeatedly called on Congress to pass the American Dream and Promise Act, and I now renew that call with the greatest urgency,” he said. “It is my fervent hope that through reconciliation or other means, Congress will finally provide security to all Dreamers, who have lived too long in fear.”Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said, "The decision is a victory for the rule of law that reaffirms no president has the unilateral authority to rewrite or suspend our immigration laws. Even President Obama stated this obvious fact on numerous occasions until, capitulating to political pressure, he purported to create DACA by executive action. As I have said many times during the course of this lengthy litigation, DACA recipients are a sympathetic group with significant public support and a compelling argument that their circumstance is unique. But, because of President Obama’s unlawful executive action, for the past decade DACA recipients have lived under the cruel illusion of a program that in fact never could lawfully exist."The House approved legislation in March creating a pathway toward citizenship for those impacted, but the measure has stalled in the Senate. Immigration advocates hope to include a provision in sweeping budget legislation Democrats want to pass this year, but it’s unclear whether that language will survive.

Biden pledges appeal after judge ends DACA immigration program

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Approvals for companies to drill for oil and gas on U.S. public lands are on pace this year to reach their highest level since George W. Bush was president, underscoring President Joe Biden’s reluctance to more forcefully curb petroleum production in the face of industry and Republican resistance.

The Interior Department approved about 2,500 permits to drill on public and tribal lands in the first six months of the year, according to an Associated Press analysis of government data. That includes more than 2,100 drilling approvals since Biden took office January 20.

New Mexico and Wyoming had the largest number of approvals. Montana, Colorado and Utah also had hundreds each.

Biden campaigned last year on a pledge to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-donald-trump-pennsylvania-fa798602a357d0f4a765739e36f4f82b">end new drilling on federal lands&nbsp;</a>to rein in climate-changing emissions. His pick to oversee those lands, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, was an adamant opponent of drilling on federal lands while in Congress and a co-sponsor of the liberal Green New Deal.

But the steps taken by the administration to date on fossil fuels are more modest, including a temporary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-climate-climate-change-environment-energy-and-the-environment-71001caf45220548deb26343d3889816">suspension on new oil and gas leases</a>&nbsp;on federal lands that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-climate-change-environment-and-nature-business-9751c4909a8b1baba28f3bcff9d5fa6e">a judge blocked last month</a>, blocked petroleum sales in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-arctic-wildlife-refuge-oil-gas-drilling-biden-b9f20088957d42e99b791ff94169198f">the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-alberta-2fbcce48372f5c29c3ae6f6f93907a6d">cancellation of the Keystone XL oil pipeline&nbsp;</a>from Canada.

Because vast fossil fuel reserves already are under lease, those actions did nothing to slow drilling on public lands and waters that account for about a quarter of U.S. oil production.

Further complicating Biden’s climate agenda is a recent rise in gasoline prices to $3 a gallon ($0.79 a liter) or more in many parts of the country. Any attempt to limit petroleum production could push gasoline prices even higher and risk souring economic recovery from the pandemic.

“He’s walking the tightrope,” said energy industry analyst Parker Fawcett with S&amp;P Global Platts, noting that Keystone and ANWR came without huge political costs because they were aimed at future projects.

“Those easy wins don’t necessarily have huge impacts on the market today,” Fawcett said. “He is definitely backing off taking drastic action that would rock the market. ... What you’re going to see is U.S. oil production is going to continue to rebound.”

Haaland has sought to tamp down Republican concern over potential constraints on the industry. She said during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing last month that there was no “plan right now for a permanent ban.”

“Gas and oil production will continue well into the future and we believe that is the reality of our economy and the world we’re living in,” Haaland told Colorado Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn.

Interior officials declined further comment on permits issued under Biden.

Under former President Donald Trump, a staunch industry supporter, the Interior Department reduced the time it takes to review drilling applications from a year or more in some cases, to just a few months.

Companies rushed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-climate-wyoming-coronavirus-pandemic-a917f51126fa2641e0713573424b2b11">lock in drilling rights</a>&nbsp;before the new administration. And in December, Trump’s last full month in office, agency officials approved more than 800 permits — far more than any prior month during his presidency.

The pace dropped when Biden first took office, under a temporary order that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-billings-a3a37acf2fce55449b704b01badc1f67">elevated review of permits to senior administration officials</a>. Approvals have since rebounded to a level that exceeds monthly numbers seen through most of Trump’s presidency.

The data obtained by AP from a government database is subject to change because of delays in transmitting data from Interior field offices to headquarters.

If the recent trends continue, the Interior Department could issue close to 6,000 permits by the end of the year. The last time so many were issued was fiscal year 2008, amid an oil boom driven by crude prices that reached an all-time high of $140 per barrel that June.

Decisions on about 4,700 drilling applications remained pending as of June 1, which means approvals are likely to continue at a heavy pace as officials work through a backlog left over from the Trump administration, said Fawcett, the industry analyst.

Environmentalists who share the administration’s goals on climate have expressed growing frustration in recent weeks as the prospects for a ban on drilling fade. They contend the administration has authority to take executive action that would stop further permits from being issued, but has caved to Republican pressure.

“Every indication is they have no plans of actually fulfilling their campaign promise,” said Mitch Jones, policy director for the environmental group Food &amp; Water Watch. “The result of that will be continued and increasing development of fossil fuels on public lands, which means more climate change.”

The administration’s defenders say that it’s been forced to be pragmatic in the face of a Senate split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans and questions over whether the government could legally stop drilling on leases already sold to companies.

That’s meant forgoing a drilling ban in hopes of getting bipartisan support for a huge infrastructure package that includes clean energy incentives and other measures to address global warming.

“It’s the long game. ... You’ve got to appease some of those oil and gas state senators,” said Jim Lyons, who was deputy assistant Interior secretary under Barack Obama and is now an environmental consultant. “It means jobs back home for thousands of workers. You can’t just pull the plug overnight.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1567081192406.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Approvals for companies to drill for oil and gas on U.S. public lands are on pace this year to reach their highest level since George W. Bush was president, underscoring President Joe Biden’s reluctance to more forcefully curb petroleum production in the face of industry and Republican resistance.The Interior Department approved about 2,500 permits to drill on public and tribal lands in the first six months of the year, according to an Associated Press analysis of government data. That includes more than 2,100 drilling approvals since Biden took office January 20.New Mexico and Wyoming had the largest number of approvals. Montana, Colorado and Utah also had hundreds each.Biden campaigned last year on a pledge to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-donald-trump-pennsylvania-fa798602a357d0f4a765739e36f4f82b">end new drilling on federal lands&nbsp;</a>to rein in climate-changing emissions. His pick to oversee those lands, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, was an adamant opponent of drilling on federal lands while in Congress and a co-sponsor of the liberal Green New Deal.But the steps taken by the administration to date on fossil fuels are more modest, including a temporary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-climate-climate-change-environment-energy-and-the-environment-71001caf45220548deb26343d3889816">suspension on new oil and gas leases</a>&nbsp;on federal lands that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-climate-change-environment-and-nature-business-9751c4909a8b1baba28f3bcff9d5fa6e">a judge blocked last month</a>, blocked petroleum sales in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-arctic-wildlife-refuge-oil-gas-drilling-biden-b9f20088957d42e99b791ff94169198f">the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-alberta-2fbcce48372f5c29c3ae6f6f93907a6d">cancellation of the Keystone XL oil pipeline&nbsp;</a>from Canada.Because vast fossil fuel reserves already are under lease, those actions did nothing to slow drilling on public lands and waters that account for about a quarter of U.S. oil production.Further complicating Biden’s climate agenda is a recent rise in gasoline prices to $3 a gallon ($0.79 a liter) or more in many parts of the country. Any attempt to limit petroleum production could push gasoline prices even higher and risk souring economic recovery from the pandemic.“He’s walking the tightrope,” said energy industry analyst Parker Fawcett with S&amp;P Global Platts, noting that Keystone and ANWR came without huge political costs because they were aimed at future projects.“Those easy wins don’t necessarily have huge impacts on the market today,” Fawcett said. “He is definitely backing off taking drastic action that would rock the market. ... What you’re going to see is U.S. oil production is going to continue to rebound.”Haaland has sought to tamp down Republican concern over potential constraints on the industry. She said during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing last month that there was no “plan right now for a permanent ban.”“Gas and oil production will continue well into the future and we believe that is the reality of our economy and the world we’re living in,” Haaland told Colorado Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn.Interior officials declined further comment on permits issued under Biden.Under former President Donald Trump, a staunch industry supporter, the Interior Department reduced the time it takes to review drilling applications from a year or more in some cases, to just a few months.Companies rushed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-climate-wyoming-coronavirus-pandemic-a917f51126fa2641e0713573424b2b11">lock in drilling rights</a>&nbsp;before the new administration. And in December, Trump’s last full month in office, agency officials approved more than 800 permits — far more than any prior month during his presidency.The pace dropped when Biden first took office, under a temporary order that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-billings-a3a37acf2fce55449b704b01badc1f67">elevated review of permits to senior administration officials</a>. Approvals have since rebounded to a level that exceeds monthly numbers seen through most of Trump’s presidency.The data obtained by AP from a government database is subject to change because of delays in transmitting data from Interior field offices to headquarters.If the recent trends continue, the Interior Department could issue close to 6,000 permits by the end of the year. The last time so many were issued was fiscal year 2008, amid an oil boom driven by crude prices that reached an all-time high of $140 per barrel that June.Decisions on about 4,700 drilling applications remained pending as of June 1, which means approvals are likely to continue at a heavy pace as officials work through a backlog left over from the Trump administration, said Fawcett, the industry analyst.Environmentalists who share the administration’s goals on climate have expressed growing frustration in recent weeks as the prospects for a ban on drilling fade. They contend the administration has authority to take executive action that would stop further permits from being issued, but has caved to Republican pressure.“Every indication is they have no plans of actually fulfilling their campaign promise,” said Mitch Jones, policy director for the environmental group Food &amp; Water Watch. “The result of that will be continued and increasing development of fossil fuels on public lands, which means more climate change.”The administration’s defenders say that it’s been forced to be pragmatic in the face of a Senate split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans and questions over whether the government could legally stop drilling on leases already sold to companies.That’s meant forgoing a drilling ban in hopes of getting bipartisan support for a huge infrastructure package that includes clean energy incentives and other measures to address global warming.“It’s the long game. ... You’ve got to appease some of those oil and gas state senators,” said Jim Lyons, who was deputy assistant Interior secretary under Barack Obama and is now an environmental consultant. “It means jobs back home for thousands of workers. You can’t just pull the plug overnight.”___

US drilling approvals increase despite Biden climate pledge

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A federal freeze on most evictions that was enacted last year is scheduled to expire July 31, after the Biden administration extended the date by a month. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, has been the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. Many of them lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and have fallen months behind on their rent.

Landlords successfully challenged the order in court, arguing that they also had bills to pay. They pointed out that tenants could access more than $45 billion in federal money set aside to help pay rents and related expenses.

Advocates for tenants say the distribution of the money has been slow and that more time is needed to distribute it and repay landlords. Without an extension, they feared a spike in evictions and lawsuits seeking to boot out tenants who are behind on their rent.

As of June 7, roughly 3.2 million people in the U.S. said they would face eviction within the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. The survey measures the social and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic every two weeks through online responses from a representative sample of U.S. households.

WHAT’S THE STATUS OF EVICTION MORATORIUMS IN THE STATE?

South Dakota does not have its own eviction moratorium, leaving only the CDC moratorium.

WHAT’S BEING DONE TO HELP PEOPLE FACING EVICTION?

South Dakota has received $360 million in federal funds to help tenants with outstanding rent, utility payments and other expenses. The money can go toward 15 months of rent and other expenses, including internet access. Renters who pay 30% of their income toward rent and earn 80% or less of their area's median income qualify.

So far, only a small fraction of the funds have been sent to renters. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority, which oversees the funds, estimates that it has distributed about $10.7 million to 1,475 tenants.

Brent Thompson, the executive director of East River Legal Services, said there is a lack of awareness about the federal assistance available for renters facing evictions.

HOW ARE THE COURTS HANDLING EVICTION ACTIONS?

Thompson said during the CDC moratorium that courts have halted many eviction actions or landlords have decided not to file them.

Eviction filings have dipped during the pandemic. According to the state court system, evictions decreased by about 10% after the pandemic hit in March 2020. This year, evictions filings have been even lower, decreasing by about 22% from pre-pandemic levels.

HOW AFFORDABLE ARE THE STATE’S MAJOR RENTAL MARKETS?

South Dakota's rental housing market has tightened, partly due to the strong economy and a shortage of affordable housing. From 2015 through 2020, rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Sioux Falls, the state's largest city, increased by 17%, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The state's vacancy rate was about 7% before the pandemic, which roughly matched the national average.

Data on rental housing during the pandemic hasn't been released yet. But lawmakers have sounded the alarm about a run on affordable housing during the pandemic and formed a special committee to try to find solutions to the problem. Republican Rep. Roger Chase, who also works as a realtor, said this month that the housing market is as tight as he's seen in over 30 years.

ARE EVICTIONS EXPECTED TO CREATE A SURGE IN HOMELESSNESS?

It’s hard to say how much homelessness will increase in South Dakota. Thompson, of East River Legal Services, expects evictions and eviction-related lawsuits to spike after the CDC's moratorium ends. One indication of the scope of the problem is census data estimating that there are 21,500 adults in the state who are not confident they will be able to pay next month's rent.

Thompson feared the moratorium's end would create a “crisis event” in evictions, and his legal clinic is bracing for a surge in people facing evictions or owing multiple months of rent.

“Housing was already a very serious problem and you are adding literally a natural disaster that is a worldwide pandemic,” he said. “It’s just the perfect storm.”

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A federal freeze on most evictions that was enacted last year is scheduled to expire July 31, after the Biden administration extended the date by a month. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, has been the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. Many of them lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and have fallen months behind on their rent.Landlords successfully challenged the order in court, arguing that they also had bills to pay. They pointed out that tenants could access more than $45 billion in federal money set aside to help pay rents and related expenses.Advocates for tenants say the distribution of the money has been slow and that more time is needed to distribute it and repay landlords. Without an extension, they feared a spike in evictions and lawsuits seeking to boot out tenants who are behind on their rent.As of June 7, roughly 3.2 million people in the U.S. said they would face eviction within the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. The survey measures the social and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic every two weeks through online responses from a representative sample of U.S. households.Here’s the situation in South Dakota:WHAT’S THE STATUS OF EVICTION MORATORIUMS IN THE STATE?South Dakota does not have its own eviction moratorium, leaving only the CDC moratorium.WHAT’S BEING DONE TO HELP PEOPLE FACING EVICTION?South Dakota has received $360 million in federal funds to help tenants with outstanding rent, utility payments and other expenses. The money can go toward 15 months of rent and other expenses, including internet access. Renters who pay 30% of their income toward rent and earn 80% or less of their area's median income qualify.So far, only a small fraction of the funds have been sent to renters. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority, which oversees the funds, estimates that it has distributed about $10.7 million to 1,475 tenants.Brent Thompson, the executive director of East River Legal Services, said there is a lack of awareness about the federal assistance available for renters facing evictions.HOW ARE THE COURTS HANDLING EVICTION ACTIONS?Thompson said during the CDC moratorium that courts have halted many eviction actions or landlords have decided not to file them.Eviction filings have dipped during the pandemic. According to the state court system, evictions decreased by about 10% after the pandemic hit in March 2020. This year, evictions filings have been even lower, decreasing by about 22% from pre-pandemic levels.HOW AFFORDABLE ARE THE STATE’S MAJOR RENTAL MARKETS?South Dakota's rental housing market has tightened, partly due to the strong economy and a shortage of affordable housing. From 2015 through 2020, rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Sioux Falls, the state's largest city, increased by 17%, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The state's vacancy rate was about 7% before the pandemic, which roughly matched the national average.Data on rental housing during the pandemic hasn't been released yet. But lawmakers have sounded the alarm about a run on affordable housing during the pandemic and formed a special committee to try to find solutions to the problem. Republican Rep. Roger Chase, who also works as a realtor, said this month that the housing market is as tight as he's seen in over 30 years.ARE EVICTIONS EXPECTED TO CREATE A SURGE IN HOMELESSNESS?It’s hard to say how much homelessness will increase in South Dakota. Thompson, of East River Legal Services, expects evictions and eviction-related lawsuits to spike after the CDC's moratorium ends. One indication of the scope of the problem is census data estimating that there are 21,500 adults in the state who are not confident they will be able to pay next month's rent.Thompson feared the moratorium's end would create a “crisis event” in evictions, and his legal clinic is bracing for a surge in people facing evictions or owing multiple months of rent.“Housing was already a very serious problem and you are adding literally a natural disaster that is a worldwide pandemic,” he said. “It’s just the perfect storm.”

EXPLAINER: South Dakota has $315M to aid struggling renters

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the shooting death of a 40-year-old man at an apartment complex in northwest Omaha.

 The Omaha Police Department said Friday that Julian Lopez was taken into custody without incident. 

He was booked Friday morning into the Douglas County jail on suspicion of second-degree murder and using a weapon to commit a felony.

 The shooting happened just after 12:30 a.m. Friday. 

Police said that officers were called to a shooting at Tudor Heights Apartments just west of Interstate 680 and north of Maple Street.

 Officers found Jose Valenzuela dead inside an apartment unit.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the shooting death of a 40-year-old man at an apartment complex in northwest Omaha. The Omaha Police Department said Friday that Julian Lopez was taken into custody without incident. He was booked Friday morning into the Douglas County jail on suspicion of second-degree murder and using a weapon to commit a felony. The shooting happened just after 12:30 a.m. Friday. Police said that officers were called to a shooting at Tudor Heights Apartments just west of Interstate 680 and north of Maple Street. Officers found Jose Valenzuela dead inside an apartment unit.

Police arrest 23-year-old man over shooting death in Omaha

News Release US Attorney's Office-Omaha

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Timothy E. Caruso, 45, was found guilty on July 15 after a jury trial in Omaha, Nebraska, on charges of distributing of child pornography and accessing with intent to view child pornography. Caruso faces a sentence of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and up to 40 years.&nbsp; Chief United States District Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. will sentence Caruso on October 8at 11 a.m.

Caruso was on federal supervision after a prior conviction for failing to register as a sex offender. In December 2018, Caruso uploaded an image of child pornography to a private section of Pinterest. Pinterest reported the upload to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The image was traced back to a Google account used by Caruso and sent from an IP address where he was staying. Further investigation discovered Caruso’s search terms indicating an interest in young girls. His messages on Pinterest included that he had lost his child pornography collection and was seeking to trade child pornography and acquire new images.

This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lecia E. Wright.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1567093537444.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>News Release US Attorney's Office-OmahaActing United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Timothy E. Caruso, 45, was found guilty on July 15 after a jury trial in Omaha, Nebraska, on charges of distributing of child pornography and accessing with intent to view child pornography. Caruso faces a sentence of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and up to 40 years.&nbsp; Chief United States District Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. will sentence Caruso on October 8at 11 a.m.Caruso was on federal supervision after a prior conviction for failing to register as a sex offender. In December 2018, Caruso uploaded an image of child pornography to a private section of Pinterest. Pinterest reported the upload to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The image was traced back to a Google account used by Caruso and sent from an IP address where he was staying. Further investigation discovered Caruso’s search terms indicating an interest in young girls. His messages on Pinterest included that he had lost his child pornography collection and was seeking to trade child pornography and acquire new images.This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lecia E. Wright.

Nebraska man found guilty on child porn charges

WASHINGTON — The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. is becoming “a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

Speaking during a White House briefing, Dr. Rochelle Walensky says cases in the U.S. are up about 70% over the last week, hospital admissions are up 36% and deaths rose by 26%. Nearly all hospital admissions and deaths, she says, are among the unvaccinated.

White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients echoed the pandemic is “one that predominantly threatens unvaccinated people.”

He says the Biden administration expects cases to increase in the weeks ahead because of spread in communities with low vaccination rates. Four states accounted for 40% of new cases last week, with one in five coming from Florida.

But Zients says there are signs that increased cases are driving more people in those communities to seek vaccination at rates faster than the national average.

WASHINGTON — The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. is becoming “a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”Speaking during a White House briefing, Dr. Rochelle Walensky says cases in the U.S. are up about 70% over the last week, hospital admissions are up 36% and deaths rose by 26%. Nearly all hospital admissions and deaths, she says, are among the unvaccinated.White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients echoed the pandemic is “one that predominantly threatens unvaccinated people.”He says the Biden administration expects cases to increase in the weeks ahead because of spread in communities with low vaccination rates. Four states accounted for 40% of new cases last week, with one in five coming from Florida.But Zients says there are signs that increased cases are driving more people in those communities to seek vaccination at rates faster than the national average.___

CDC Director: U.S. becoming pandemic of the unvaccinated

A federal judge in Texas on Friday ruled illegal an Obama-era program that prevents the deportation of some immigrants brought into the United States as children, putting new pressure for action on President Joe Biden and Democrats who control Congress for legislation to safeguard the people known as “Dreamers.”

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ruled in favor of Texas and eight other conservative states that sued to halt the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides limited protections to about 650,000 people. People who are already enrolled won’t lose protections, but Hanen is barring the approval of any new applications.

On the decision, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said, “Today’s decision is a victory for the rule of law that reaffirms no president has the unilateral authority to rewrite or suspend our immigration laws. Even President Obama stated this obvious fact on numerous occasions until, capitulating to political pressure, he purported to create DACA by executive action. As I have said many times during the course of this lengthy litigation, DACA recipients are a sympathetic group with significant public support and a compelling argument that their circumstance is unique. But, because of President Obama’s unlawful executive action, for the past decade DACA recipients have lived under the cruel illusion of a program that in fact never could lawfully exist."

Hanen’s decision limits the immediate ability of Biden, who pledged during his campaign to protect DACA, to keep the program or something similar in place. His ruling is the second by a federal judge in Texas stopping Biden’s immigration plans, after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-texas-barack-obama-51688033e490d50867e52ef9c8ec574f">court barred enforcement of Biden’s 100-day stay</a>&nbsp;on most deportations. The program has been challenged in court since former President Barack Obama instituted it in June 2012.

In Friday’s ruling, Hanen wrote that the states proved “the hardship that the continued operation of DACA has inflicted on them.”

He continued: “Furthermore, the government has no legitimate interest in the continuation of an illegally implemented program.”

Biden has already proposed legislation that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-legislation-immigration-border-security-2179887c74cfd8d156bbd293abfc9fb0">provide a pathway to citizenship</a>&nbsp;for the estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. without authorization. He also ordered agencies to make efforts to preserve the program.

Supporters of DACA, including those who argued before Hanen to save it, have said a law passed by Congress is necessary to provide permanent relief. Hanen has said Congress must act if the U.S. wants to provide the protections in DACA to recipients commonly known as “Dreamers.”

The House approved legislation in March creating a pathway toward citizenship for “Dreamers,” but the measure has been stalled in the Senate. Immigration advocates hope to include a provision opening that citizenship doorway in sweeping budget legislation Democrats want to approve this year, but it’s unclear whether that language will survive.

Hanen’s ruling came after a nearly 3 1/2 hour&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-houston-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-program-immigration-us-supreme-court-bc19608c6aa54623902c44ded180d005">court hearing</a>&nbsp;Dec. 22 on DACA’s fate.

The states argued that Obama never had the authority in 2012 to create DACA because it circumvented Congress. The states also argued that the program drains their educational and healthcare resources.

Suing alongside Texas were Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, and West Virginia — states that all had Republican governors or state attorneys general.

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, which defended the program on behalf of a group of DACA recipients, argued Obama did have the authority and that the states lacked the standing to sue because they had not suffered any harm due to the program.

Hanen rejected Texas’ request in 2018 to stop the program through a preliminary injunction. But in a foreshadowing of his latest ruling, he said he believed DACA as enacted was likely unconstitutional.

“If the nation truly wants to have a DACA program, it is up to Congress to say so,” Hanen wrote in 2018.

Hanen ruled in 2015 that Obama could not expand DACA protections or institute a program shielding their parents.

While DACA is often described as a program for young immigrants, many recipients have lived in the U.S. for a decade or longer after being brought into the country without permission or overstaying visas. The liberal Center for American Progress says roughly 254,000 children have at least one parent relying on DACA. Some recipients are grandparents.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump’s attempt to end DACA in 2017 was unlawful. A New York judge in December&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-immigration-courts-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-program-ab070236efdcadce2659800f88b68507">ordered</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration to restore the program as enacted by Obama.

Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, a progressive organization, expressed disappointment at Friday’s ruling, saying in a statement that DACA has been a big success that has transformed many lives.

“Today makes absolutely clear: only a permanent legislative solution passed by Congress will eliminate the fear and uncertainty that DACA recipients have been forced to live with for years. We call on each and every elected office to do everything within their power so that DACA recipients and their families and communities can live free from fear, and continue to build their lives here,” Schulte said.

By ASTRID GALVAN, Associated PressA federal judge in Texas on Friday ruled illegal an Obama-era program that prevents the deportation of some immigrants brought into the United States as children, putting new pressure for action on President Joe Biden and Democrats who control Congress for legislation to safeguard the people known as “Dreamers.”U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ruled in favor of Texas and eight other conservative states that sued to halt the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides limited protections to about 650,000 people. People who are already enrolled won’t lose protections, but Hanen is barring the approval of any new applications.On the decision, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said, “Today’s decision is a victory for the rule of law that reaffirms no president has the unilateral authority to rewrite or suspend our immigration laws. Even President Obama stated this obvious fact on numerous occasions until, capitulating to political pressure, he purported to create DACA by executive action. As I have said many times during the course of this lengthy litigation, DACA recipients are a sympathetic group with significant public support and a compelling argument that their circumstance is unique. But, because of President Obama’s unlawful executive action, for the past decade DACA recipients have lived under the cruel illusion of a program that in fact never could lawfully exist."Hanen’s decision limits the immediate ability of Biden, who pledged during his campaign to protect DACA, to keep the program or something similar in place. His ruling is the second by a federal judge in Texas stopping Biden’s immigration plans, after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-immigration-texas-barack-obama-51688033e490d50867e52ef9c8ec574f">court barred enforcement of Biden’s 100-day stay</a>&nbsp;on most deportations. The program has been challenged in court since former President Barack Obama instituted it in June 2012.In Friday’s ruling, Hanen wrote that the states proved “the hardship that the continued operation of DACA has inflicted on them.”He continued: “Furthermore, the government has no legitimate interest in the continuation of an illegally implemented program.”Biden has already proposed legislation that would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-legislation-immigration-border-security-2179887c74cfd8d156bbd293abfc9fb0">provide a pathway to citizenship</a>&nbsp;for the estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. without authorization. He also ordered agencies to make efforts to preserve the program.Supporters of DACA, including those who argued before Hanen to save it, have said a law passed by Congress is necessary to provide permanent relief. Hanen has said Congress must act if the U.S. wants to provide the protections in DACA to recipients commonly known as “Dreamers.”The House approved legislation in March creating a pathway toward citizenship for “Dreamers,” but the measure has been stalled in the Senate. Immigration advocates hope to include a provision opening that citizenship doorway in sweeping budget legislation Democrats want to approve this year, but it’s unclear whether that language will survive.Hanen’s ruling came after a nearly 3 1/2 hour&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-houston-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-program-immigration-us-supreme-court-bc19608c6aa54623902c44ded180d005">court hearing</a>&nbsp;Dec. 22 on DACA’s fate.The states argued that Obama never had the authority in 2012 to create DACA because it circumvented Congress. The states also argued that the program drains their educational and healthcare resources.Suing alongside Texas were Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, and West Virginia — states that all had Republican governors or state attorneys general.The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, which defended the program on behalf of a group of DACA recipients, argued Obama did have the authority and that the states lacked the standing to sue because they had not suffered any harm due to the program.Hanen rejected Texas’ request in 2018 to stop the program through a preliminary injunction. But in a foreshadowing of his latest ruling, he said he believed DACA as enacted was likely unconstitutional.“If the nation truly wants to have a DACA program, it is up to Congress to say so,” Hanen wrote in 2018.Hanen ruled in 2015 that Obama could not expand DACA protections or institute a program shielding their parents.While DACA is often described as a program for young immigrants, many recipients have lived in the U.S. for a decade or longer after being brought into the country without permission or overstaying visas. The liberal Center for American Progress says roughly 254,000 children have at least one parent relying on DACA. Some recipients are grandparents.The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump’s attempt to end DACA in 2017 was unlawful. A New York judge in December&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-immigration-courts-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-program-ab070236efdcadce2659800f88b68507">ordered</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration to restore the program as enacted by Obama.Todd Schulte, president of FWD.us, a progressive organization, expressed disappointment at Friday’s ruling, saying in a statement that DACA has been a big success that has transformed many lives.“Today makes absolutely clear: only a permanent legislative solution passed by Congress will eliminate the fear and uncertainty that DACA recipients have been forced to live with for years. We call on each and every elected office to do everything within their power so that DACA recipients and their families and communities can live free from fear, and continue to build their lives here,” Schulte said.

Federal judge orders end to DACA immigration program

CHEYENNE, Wyo.-A one-year-old child is safe after an Amber Alert led to a Wyoming trooper locating the child and the suspect.

On July 14, 2021, around 11:04 p.m., the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) was notified of an active Amber Alert out of Colorado.  

The Amber Alert was issued after the Westminster Police Department reported a man had taken his one-year-old daughter and allegedly threatened to kill her and himself in a car crash. Law enforcement was told that the suspect vehicle involved in the incident was headed towards Wyoming via Interstate 25. 

A WHP trooper located the suspect vehicle near Cheyenne, Wyoming, and stopped the car.  Thankfully, the child was found safe inside the vehicle.   

The child was released to authorities in Colorado to be reunited with family.  

The driver was identified as 28-year-old Alexander D. Martinez.  Martinez was arrested on a warrant from Colorado, which included charges of domestic violence, felony eluding, child abuse, reckless driving, reckless endangering, and violating a protection order.  

The incident is still under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626470917529.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Wyoming Highway PatrolCHEYENNE, Wyo.-A one-year-old child is safe after an Amber Alert led to a Wyoming trooper locating the child and the suspect.On July 14, 2021, around 11:04 p.m., the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) was notified of an active Amber Alert out of Colorado. The Amber Alert was issued after the Westminster Police Department reported a man had taken his one-year-old daughter and allegedly threatened to kill her and himself in a car crash. Law enforcement was told that the suspect vehicle involved in the incident was headed towards Wyoming via Interstate 25. A WHP trooper located the suspect vehicle near Cheyenne, Wyoming, and stopped the car. Thankfully, the child was found safe inside the vehicle. The child was released to authorities in Colorado to be reunited with family. The driver was identified as 28-year-old Alexander D. Martinez. Martinez was arrested on a warrant from Colorado, which included charges of domestic violence, felony eluding, child abuse, reckless driving, reckless endangering, and violating a protection order. The incident is still under investigation.

Wyoming trooper finds baby, arrests suspect after Amber Alert

KEARNEY, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;—&nbsp;Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a Colorado man following a pursuit on Interstate 80 early Friday morning.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. Friday, a trooper clocked a 2012 Audi traveling 103 miles per hour on I-80 eastbound near Kearney.&nbsp; The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle accelerated and fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle reached speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour during the pursuit, before the vehicle exited at the Shelton interchange, driving north to Highway 30 and eventually stopping after becoming high-centered on railroad tracks at the junction of Highway 30 and Schauppsville road.&nbsp; Troopers were then able to take the driver into custody without incident.

The driver, Jacob Rhoades, 20, of Parker, Colorado was arrested for flight to avoid arrest and willful reckless driving. He was lodged in the Buffalo County Jail.

KEARNEY, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;—&nbsp;Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a Colorado man following a pursuit on Interstate 80 early Friday morning.At approximately 1:30 a.m. Friday, a trooper clocked a 2012 Audi traveling 103 miles per hour on I-80 eastbound near Kearney.&nbsp; The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle accelerated and fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The vehicle reached speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour during the pursuit, before the vehicle exited at the Shelton interchange, driving north to Highway 30 and eventually stopping after becoming high-centered on railroad tracks at the junction of Highway 30 and Schauppsville road.&nbsp; Troopers were then able to take the driver into custody without incident.The driver, Jacob Rhoades, 20, of Parker, Colorado was arrested for flight to avoid arrest and willful reckless driving. He was lodged in the Buffalo County Jail.

Troopers arrest Colorado man after pursuit in Buffalo County

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s unemployment rate remained almost unchanged last month while the rates in some of its biggest cities increased slightly.

 The Nebraska Department of Labor reports a statewide, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.5% in June, compared to 2.6% in May.

 The rate is substantially lower than the 6.6% unemployment rate in June 2020, in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, the non-seasonally adjusted rates in the Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island areas ticked upward.

 The Omaha area’s unemployment rate increased to 3.2% in June, from 2.7% the prior month. 

The Lincoln area’s rate increased to 2.5%, from 2.5% the previous month. 

And the Grand Island area’s rate rose to 2.8% in June, up from 2.4% in May.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s unemployment rate remained almost unchanged last month while the rates in some of its biggest cities increased slightly. The Nebraska Department of Labor reports a statewide, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 2.5% in June, compared to 2.6% in May. The rate is substantially lower than the 6.6% unemployment rate in June 2020, in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic.Meanwhile, the non-seasonally adjusted rates in the Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island areas ticked upward. The Omaha area’s unemployment rate increased to 3.2% in June, from 2.7% the prior month. The Lincoln area’s rate increased to 2.5%, from 2.5% the previous month. And the Grand Island area’s rate rose to 2.8% in June, up from 2.4% in May.

Unemployment rate ticks up slightly in Omaha, Lincoln

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police in Omaha are searching for a suspect in the overnight shooting death of man at an apartment complex in northwest Omaha. 

Police say in a news release that the shooting happened just after 12:30 a.m. Friday, when officers were called to a shooting at Tudor Heights Apartments just west of Interstate 680 and north of Maple Street.

 Arriving officers found 40-year-old Jose Valenzuela dead inside an apartment unit. 

Police have not released other details of the death or announced any suspects in the case.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police in Omaha are searching for a suspect in the overnight shooting death of man at an apartment complex in northwest Omaha. Police say in a news release that the shooting happened just after 12:30 a.m. Friday, when officers were called to a shooting at Tudor Heights Apartments just west of Interstate 680 and north of Maple Street. Arriving officers found 40-year-old Jose Valenzuela dead inside an apartment unit. Police have not released other details of the death or announced any suspects in the case.

Police seek suspect in shooting death of Omaha man

The
 owners of a New Jersey-based company that sells septic tank cleaning 
products agreed to a permanent ban on telemarketing and will pay more 
than $1.6 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the 
company and its telemarketer made illegal robocalls to consumers, 
including tens of millions of calls to numbers listed on the agency’s Do
 Not Call Registry. In addition, the defendants will turn over a 
residential property as part of the settlement.

<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/complaint_doc._no._1.pdf">According to the FTC’s complaint</a>,
 Environmental Safety International, Inc. or ESI; ESI’s two officers, 
brothers Joseph Carney and Sean Carney; and their other brother Raymond 
Carney, acted together to initiate more than 45 million illegal 
telemarketing calls to consumers nationwide between January 2018 and 
March 2019 to promote ESI’s “Activator 1000” line of septic tank 
cleaning products. The FTC alleges that 31 million of those calls were 
made to numbers on the DNC Registry. The Department of Justice filed the
 complaint and proposed orders on the FTC’s behalf.

According to the complaint, the defendants’ telemarketers falsely 
told consumers they were calling from an unnamed “environmental company”
 to give consumers “free info” on their septic tank cleaning product. 
Despite being told the robocall was “not a sales call or solicitation,” 
consumers who “pressed one” to receive free information instead received
 a sales pitch.

The complaint also alleges that ESI sent letters to consumers who 
agreed to buy their products but had unpaid invoices, falsely claiming 
that they would be referred to a “national collection agency” or to an 
attorney. However, ESI never took either of these actions.

In addition to the bans on telemarketing, the settlement orders 
impose $10.2 million civil penalty judgments against all defendants, 
which will be partially suspended after <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/signed_order_-_esi_jc_sc_doc._no._7.pdf">Joseph and Sean Carney</a> pay $1,646,210 to the U.S. Treasury and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/signed_order_-_rc_doc._no._8.pdf">Raymond Carney</a> pays $15,000 to the Treasury.

In addition, Joseph and Sean Carney are prohibited from making 
material misrepresentations to consumers, including that they would be 
referred to an attorney or collection agency. They are prohibited from 
billing or attempting to collect payments from any consumers in 
connection with the sale of their septic tank cleaning products, and are
 required to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/attachment_a.pdf">notify all ESI customers</a>
 with unpaid balances that they no longer have to pay ESI because their 
balances have been cancelled. Joseph and Sean Carney must also apply for
 ESI’s dissolution within 30 days.

The Commission vote to refer the civil penalty complaint and consent 
orders to the DOJ for filing was 4-0. The DOJ filed the complaint on 
behalf of the FTC in the U.S. District Court for District of New Jersey 
and the settlements have been approved by the Court.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Like the FTC on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/federaltradecommission">Facebook(link is external)</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/FTC">Twitter(link is external)</a>, get <a href="http://ftc.gov/subscribe">consumer alerts</a>, read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> for the latest FTC news and resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 owners of a New Jersey-based company that sells septic tank cleaning 
products agreed to a permanent ban on telemarketing and will pay more 
than $1.6 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the 
company and its telemarketer made illegal robocalls to consumers, 
including tens of millions of calls to numbers listed on the agency’s Do
 Not Call Registry. In addition, the defendants will turn over a 
residential property as part of the settlement.<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/complaint_doc._no._1.pdf">According to the FTC’s complaint</a>,
 Environmental Safety International, Inc. or ESI; ESI’s two officers, 
brothers Joseph Carney and Sean Carney; and their other brother Raymond 
Carney, acted together to initiate more than 45 million illegal 
telemarketing calls to consumers nationwide between January 2018 and 
March 2019 to promote ESI’s “Activator 1000” line of septic tank 
cleaning products. The FTC alleges that 31 million of those calls were 
made to numbers on the DNC Registry. The Department of Justice filed the
 complaint and proposed orders on the FTC’s behalf.According to the complaint, the defendants’ telemarketers falsely 
told consumers they were calling from an unnamed “environmental company”
 to give consumers “free info” on their septic tank cleaning product. 
Despite being told the robocall was “not a sales call or solicitation,” 
consumers who “pressed one” to receive free information instead received
 a sales pitch.The complaint also alleges that ESI sent letters to consumers who 
agreed to buy their products but had unpaid invoices, falsely claiming 
that they would be referred to a “national collection agency” or to an 
attorney. However, ESI never took either of these actions.In addition to the bans on telemarketing, the settlement orders 
impose $10.2 million civil penalty judgments against all defendants, 
which will be partially suspended after <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/signed_order_-_esi_jc_sc_doc._no._7.pdf">Joseph and Sean Carney</a> pay $1,646,210 to the U.S. Treasury and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/signed_order_-_rc_doc._no._8.pdf">Raymond Carney</a> pays $15,000 to the Treasury.In addition, Joseph and Sean Carney are prohibited from making 
material misrepresentations to consumers, including that they would be 
referred to an attorney or collection agency. They are prohibited from 
billing or attempting to collect payments from any consumers in 
connection with the sale of their septic tank cleaning products, and are
 required to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/attachment_a.pdf">notify all ESI customers</a>
 with unpaid balances that they no longer have to pay ESI because their 
balances have been cancelled. Joseph and Sean Carney must also apply for
 ESI’s dissolution within 30 days.The Commission vote to refer the civil penalty complaint and consent 
orders to the DOJ for filing was 4-0. The DOJ filed the complaint on 
behalf of the FTC in the U.S. District Court for District of New Jersey 
and the settlements have been approved by the Court.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Like the FTC on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/federaltradecommission">Facebook(link is external)</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/FTC">Twitter(link is external)</a>, get <a href="http://ftc.gov/subscribe">consumer alerts</a>, read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> for the latest FTC news and resources.

FTC: Millions of robocalls will cost septic cleaning company $1.6M

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The company that’s building casinos in Nebraska after voters legalized them has announced plans for another facility in Norfolk. 

WarHorse Gaming, LLC says it will pitch a horse-racing track and eventual casino at the DeVent Center.

 The company, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk, Inc., which financed the casino legalization campaign, will present its plans Friday to the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. 

WarHorse Gaming is seeking a racing license before the company breaks ground for construction of the new track and an overhaul of existing buildings. 

WarHorse Gaming also plans to manage casinos in South Sioux City, Lincoln and Omaha.

 The Omaha and Lincoln properties are a partnership with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The company that’s building casinos in Nebraska after voters legalized them has announced plans for another facility in Norfolk. WarHorse Gaming, LLC says it will pitch a horse-racing track and eventual casino at the DeVent Center. The company, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk, Inc., which financed the casino legalization campaign, will present its plans Friday to the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. WarHorse Gaming is seeking a racing license before the company breaks ground for construction of the new track and an overhaul of existing buildings. WarHorse Gaming also plans to manage casinos in South Sioux City, Lincoln and Omaha. The Omaha and Lincoln properties are a partnership with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.