WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans on Friday panned President Joe Biden’s latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-coronavirus-pandemic-pittsburgh-jen-psaki-8865ffc8f5ad3142155a5bd3c3a3e6d3">infrastructure proposal&nbsp;</a>and were expected to make a revised offer as talks grind toward next week’s slipping deadline for progress on a bipartisan deal.

Speaking after the release of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-bb295afe6ec8d8b88b1b944f3eba7931">modest May jobs report</a>, Biden made the case for his robust investment package to push the economy past the COVID-19 crisis and downturn, and into a new era.

“Now is the time to build on the progress we’ve made,” Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. “We need to make those investments today to continue to succeed tomorrow.”

Biden was talking again Friday with the lead GOP negotiator, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, in what the White House characterized as a discussion rather than an exchange of formal proposals.

Capito’s office released a statement with few details except to say the two spoke by telephone on a bipartisan infrastructure package and “agreed to connect again on Monday.”

The White House had been eyeing a deadline early next week as Congress returns from its Memorial Day break to see progress toward a deal and Democrats are setting ground work for a go-it-alone approach. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has indicated that Biden will look to act without Republican support if there is no consensus.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki downplayed any hard-set deadline Friday and said the administration continues to talk to lawmakers from both parties, giving a nod to a group of bipartisan senators who are privately working on possible areas of compromise with the White House.

“There’s runway left,” Psaki told reporters at the White House. “We’re going to keep a range of pathways open.”

For weeks, the president has been engaged in talks with GOP senators trying to strike a compromise on Biden’s top legislative a priority, the big infrastructure investment package. While the two sides appear to have narrowed the price gap between his initial $2.3 trillion proposal and the GOP’s $568 billion opening bid, they remain far apart on how to pay for what could be a compromise $1 trillion investment.

Republicans are showing no interest in Biden’s latest proposal for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-donald-trump-business-government-and-politics-767504f2366617e89a35375a0786e59a">15% corporate minimum tax rate&nbsp;</a>that would ensure all companies pay something in taxes, rather than allowing so many write-offs or deductions that they contribute zero to the treasury.

A Republican familiar with the talks and granted anonymity to discuss the private assessment said the GOP senators view Biden’s latest idea as an unnecessary tax hike.

Instead, Republicans were poised to submit a revised offer when Capito spoke with Biden again Friday, the person said. They will insist on using untapped COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the infrastructure investments, the Republican said. Biden’s team has rejected that approach.

Still, neither Biden nor the GOP senators appear ready to call off talks, even as Democrats prepare to use budget rules to pass any big package on their own, without Republican votes.

On Friday, House Democrats released a plan for spending $547 billion over the next five years on road, mass transit and rail projects, a blueprint of their priorities and a potential building block for Biden’s broader package.

The proposal from Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, the Democratic chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, continues existing programs set to expire and adds key pieces of the larger measure Biden is negotiating with Republicans.

DeFazio’s legislation, a reauthorization of surface transportation programs set to expire Sept. 30, doesn’t address how to pay for the projects. He called the effort a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to move our transportation planning out of the 1950s and toward our clean energy future.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-donald-trump-business-government-and-politics-767504f2366617e89a35375a0786e59a">In addition to Biden’s proposed 15% minimum tax on corporations</a>&nbsp;— there’s no minimum tax now on corporate profits — he envisions additional revenues from increased IRS enforcement. He is seeking roughly $1 trillion in new infrastructure spending. Senate Republicans have countered with only $257 billion in additional spending.

The House bill would authorize up to $343 billion for roads, bridges and safety improvements. Another $109 billion would go to public transit programs and $95 billion would go to freight and passenger rail system, including a tripling of funding for Amtrak.

DeFazio’s bill is not expected to attract much GOP support, as Republicans unveiled their own legislation recently that would authorize about $400 billion over five years for road, bridge and transit programs.

Republicans on the House panel panned the bill in a statement. “Instead of working with Republicans to find common ground on a bill that could earn strong bipartisan support – something our Senate counterparts did successfully last month – this bill moves even further to the left to appease the most progressive members in the Majority’s party.”

A Senate panel recently passed its version of the highway bill unanimously, but the lawmakers didn’t have to vote yet on how they would pay for it, a focal point of negotiations between GOP senators and the White House.

Business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable have called on lawmakers to continue negotiations and work toward a bipartisan compromise.

But some Democrats have questioned the merits of that approach and are already unhappy with some of the compromises that Biden has offered. They support using a process that would allow Democrats to pass an infrastructure boost with a simple majority, which they did through a COVID-19 relief measure that delivered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-sales-economy-2f20ee18d72ed056412fde0fe94f9fae">$1,400 payments</a>&nbsp;to most Americans.

“Getting Republicans on board is not necessary. Getting the American people back on their feet is,” Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622232957258.png" alt="&nbsp;President Biden dismissed a fresh Republican infrastructure proposal offering modestly more spending. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the $50 billion increase the GOP offered fell short of the president's objectives for growing the economy.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President Biden dismissed a fresh Republican infrastructure proposal offering modestly more spending. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the $50 billion increase the GOP offered fell short of the president's objectives for growing the economy.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans on Friday panned President Joe Biden’s latest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-coronavirus-pandemic-pittsburgh-jen-psaki-8865ffc8f5ad3142155a5bd3c3a3e6d3">infrastructure proposal&nbsp;</a>and were expected to make a revised offer as talks grind toward next week’s slipping deadline for progress on a bipartisan deal.Speaking after the release of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-bb295afe6ec8d8b88b1b944f3eba7931">modest May jobs report</a>, Biden made the case for his robust investment package to push the economy past the COVID-19 crisis and downturn, and into a new era.“Now is the time to build on the progress we’ve made,” Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. “We need to make those investments today to continue to succeed tomorrow.”Biden was talking again Friday with the lead GOP negotiator, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, in what the White House characterized as a discussion rather than an exchange of formal proposals.Capito’s office released a statement with few details except to say the two spoke by telephone on a bipartisan infrastructure package and “agreed to connect again on Monday.”The White House had been eyeing a deadline early next week as Congress returns from its Memorial Day break to see progress toward a deal and Democrats are setting ground work for a go-it-alone approach. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has indicated that Biden will look to act without Republican support if there is no consensus.White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki downplayed any hard-set deadline Friday and said the administration continues to talk to lawmakers from both parties, giving a nod to a group of bipartisan senators who are privately working on possible areas of compromise with the White House.“There’s runway left,” Psaki told reporters at the White House. “We’re going to keep a range of pathways open.”For weeks, the president has been engaged in talks with GOP senators trying to strike a compromise on Biden’s top legislative a priority, the big infrastructure investment package. While the two sides appear to have narrowed the price gap between his initial $2.3 trillion proposal and the GOP’s $568 billion opening bid, they remain far apart on how to pay for what could be a compromise $1 trillion investment.Republicans are showing no interest in Biden’s latest proposal for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-donald-trump-business-government-and-politics-767504f2366617e89a35375a0786e59a">15% corporate minimum tax rate&nbsp;</a>that would ensure all companies pay something in taxes, rather than allowing so many write-offs or deductions that they contribute zero to the treasury.A Republican familiar with the talks and granted anonymity to discuss the private assessment said the GOP senators view Biden’s latest idea as an unnecessary tax hike.Instead, Republicans were poised to submit a revised offer when Capito spoke with Biden again Friday, the person said. They will insist on using untapped COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the infrastructure investments, the Republican said. Biden’s team has rejected that approach.Still, neither Biden nor the GOP senators appear ready to call off talks, even as Democrats prepare to use budget rules to pass any big package on their own, without Republican votes.On Friday, House Democrats released a plan for spending $547 billion over the next five years on road, mass transit and rail projects, a blueprint of their priorities and a potential building block for Biden’s broader package.The proposal from Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio, the Democratic chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, continues existing programs set to expire and adds key pieces of the larger measure Biden is negotiating with Republicans.DeFazio’s legislation, a reauthorization of surface transportation programs set to expire Sept. 30, doesn’t address how to pay for the projects. He called the effort a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to move our transportation planning out of the 1950s and toward our clean energy future.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-donald-trump-business-government-and-politics-767504f2366617e89a35375a0786e59a">In addition to Biden’s proposed 15% minimum tax on corporations</a>&nbsp;— there’s no minimum tax now on corporate profits — he envisions additional revenues from increased IRS enforcement. He is seeking roughly $1 trillion in new infrastructure spending. Senate Republicans have countered with only $257 billion in additional spending.The House bill would authorize up to $343 billion for roads, bridges and safety improvements. Another $109 billion would go to public transit programs and $95 billion would go to freight and passenger rail system, including a tripling of funding for Amtrak.DeFazio’s bill is not expected to attract much GOP support, as Republicans unveiled their own legislation recently that would authorize about $400 billion over five years for road, bridge and transit programs.Republicans on the House panel panned the bill in a statement. “Instead of working with Republicans to find common ground on a bill that could earn strong bipartisan support – something our Senate counterparts did successfully last month – this bill moves even further to the left to appease the most progressive members in the Majority’s party.”A Senate panel recently passed its version of the highway bill unanimously, but the lawmakers didn’t have to vote yet on how they would pay for it, a focal point of negotiations between GOP senators and the White House.Business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable have called on lawmakers to continue negotiations and work toward a bipartisan compromise.But some Democrats have questioned the merits of that approach and are already unhappy with some of the compromises that Biden has offered. They support using a process that would allow Democrats to pass an infrastructure boost with a simple majority, which they did through a COVID-19 relief measure that delivered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-sales-economy-2f20ee18d72ed056412fde0fe94f9fae">$1,400 payments</a>&nbsp;to most Americans.“Getting Republicans on board is not necessary. Getting the American people back on their feet is,” Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., said.

Battle growing over Biden's $1 Trillion infrastructure plan 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government cannot give a definitive explanation of aerial phenomena spotted by military pilots but has found no evidence that they are linked to aliens, according to two officials briefed on an intelligence report examining the issue.

<a href="https://www.navair.navy.mil/foia/sites/g/files/jejdrs566/files/2020-04/1%20-%20FLIR.mp4">Click here to watch </a>the video

The report due to Congress later this month examines multiple unexplained sightings from recent years that in some cases have been captured on video of pilots exclaiming about objects flying in front of them. The two people briefed on the report said it found no proof of an extraterrestrial link and does not rule out that what pilots have seen may be new technologies developed by other countries. One of the officials said there is no indication that the unexplained phenomena are from secret U.S. programs.

The two officials were not authorized to discuss the information publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Findings of the report were first published Thursday by The New York Times.

Congress in December required the Director of National Intelligence to summarize and report on the U.S. government’s knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs — better known to the public as unidentified flying objects or UFOs. The effort has included officials on a Defense Department UAP task force established last year. The expected public release of an unclassified version of the report this month will amount to a status report, not the final word, according to one official.

A Pentagon spokeswoman, Sue Gough, declined Friday to comment on news reports about the intelligence report. She said the Pentagon’s UAP task force is “actively working with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the report, and DNI will provide the findings to Congress.”

The Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency have for decades looked into reports of aircraft or other objects in the sky flying at inexplicable speeds or trajectories.

The U.S. government takes unidentified aerial phenomena seriously given the potential national security risk of an adversary flying novel technology over a military base or another sensitive site, or the prospect of Russian or Chinese development exceeding current U.S. capabilities. It also is seen by the U.S. military as a security and safety issue, given that in many cases the pilots who reported seeing unexplained aerial phenomena were conducting combat training flights.

The report’s lack of firm conclusions will likely disappoint people anticipating the report given many Americans’ long-standing fascination with UFOs and the prospect of aliens having reached humankind. A recent story on CBS’ “60 Minutes” further bolstered interest in the government report.

But skeptics caution that the videos and reported sightings have plausible Earth-bound explanations. Mick West, an author, investigator, and longtime skeptic of UFO sightings, said he supported the military looking into any possible incursion of U.S. airspace, especially by an adversary.

“People are conflating this issue with the idea that these UFOs demonstrate amazing physics and possibly even aliens,” West said. He added, “The idea that this is some kind of secret warp drive or it’s defying physics as we know it, there really isn’t any good evidence for that.”

The Pentagon last year announced a task force to investigate the issue and the Navy in recent years created a protocol for its pilots to report any possible sightings. And lawmakers in recent years have pushed for more public disclosure.

“There’s a stigma on Capitol Hill,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, told “60 Minutes” in May. “I mean, some of my colleagues are very interested in this topic and some kind of, you know, giggle when you bring it up. But I don’t think we can allow the stigma to keep us from having an answer to a very fundamental question.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622822273014.png" alt="UFO image courtesy U.S. Department of Defense Naval Air System Command" />
 <figcaption>UFO image courtesy U.S. Department of Defense Naval Air System Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government cannot give a definitive explanation of aerial phenomena spotted by military pilots but has found no evidence that they are linked to aliens, according to two officials briefed on an intelligence report examining the issue.<a href="https://www.navair.navy.mil/foia/sites/g/files/jejdrs566/files/2020-04/1%20-%20FLIR.mp4">Click here to watch </a>the videoThe report due to Congress later this month examines multiple unexplained sightings from recent years that in some cases have been captured on video of pilots exclaiming about objects flying in front of them. The two people briefed on the report said it found no proof of an extraterrestrial link and does not rule out that what pilots have seen may be new technologies developed by other countries. One of the officials said there is no indication that the unexplained phenomena are from secret U.S. programs.The two officials were not authorized to discuss the information publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Findings of the report were first published Thursday by The New York Times.Congress in December required the Director of National Intelligence to summarize and report on the U.S. government’s knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs — better known to the public as unidentified flying objects or UFOs. The effort has included officials on a Defense Department UAP task force established last year. The expected public release of an unclassified version of the report this month will amount to a status report, not the final word, according to one official.A Pentagon spokeswoman, Sue Gough, declined Friday to comment on news reports about the intelligence report. She said the Pentagon’s UAP task force is “actively working with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on the report, and DNI will provide the findings to Congress.”The Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency have for decades looked into reports of aircraft or other objects in the sky flying at inexplicable speeds or trajectories.The U.S. government takes unidentified aerial phenomena seriously given the potential national security risk of an adversary flying novel technology over a military base or another sensitive site, or the prospect of Russian or Chinese development exceeding current U.S. capabilities. It also is seen by the U.S. military as a security and safety issue, given that in many cases the pilots who reported seeing unexplained aerial phenomena were conducting combat training flights.The report’s lack of firm conclusions will likely disappoint people anticipating the report given many Americans’ long-standing fascination with UFOs and the prospect of aliens having reached humankind. A recent story on CBS’ “60 Minutes” further bolstered interest in the government report.But skeptics caution that the videos and reported sightings have plausible Earth-bound explanations. Mick West, an author, investigator, and longtime skeptic of UFO sightings, said he supported the military looking into any possible incursion of U.S. airspace, especially by an adversary.“People are conflating this issue with the idea that these UFOs demonstrate amazing physics and possibly even aliens,” West said. He added, “The idea that this is some kind of secret warp drive or it’s defying physics as we know it, there really isn’t any good evidence for that.”The Pentagon last year announced a task force to investigate the issue and the Navy in recent years created a protocol for its pilots to report any possible sightings. And lawmakers in recent years have pushed for more public disclosure.“There’s a stigma on Capitol Hill,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, told “60 Minutes” in May. “I mean, some of my colleagues are very interested in this topic and some kind of, you know, giggle when you bring it up. But I don’t think we can allow the stigma to keep us from having an answer to a very fundamental question.”

🎥 US report makes no definitive finding about UFOs

LINCOLN&nbsp; — Troopers have arrested one person after multiple pursuits early Friday morning in Saunders County.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. Friday, a trooper observed a northbound Chevrolet Impala with a defective light on Highway 77 near Wahoo. The trooper then observed that the Impala was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit. After a short pursuit, the trooper discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons.

Troopers learned that the vehicle was registered to a home in Prague and began searching the area. Another trooper located the vehicle just west of Prague and attempted another traffic stop. The Impala again fled, and the trooper initiated another pursuit.

After a short pursuit, the suspect vehicle drove into a field and came to a stop, near the intersection of Highway 79 and County Road X. The driver then fled on foot into the field. The first trooper to arrive noticed that the Impala was now on fire and attempted to extinguish the fire. The driver was apprehended shortly thereafter by another trooper on the other side of the field.

The driver, Jeffrey Oreskovich, 38, of Prague, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving under suspension, and numerous traffic violations. He was lodged in Saunders County Jail.

LINCOLN&nbsp; — Troopers have arrested one person after multiple pursuits early Friday morning in Saunders County.At approximately 12:30 a.m. Friday, a trooper observed a northbound Chevrolet Impala with a defective light on Highway 77 near Wahoo. The trooper then observed that the Impala was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit. After a short pursuit, the trooper discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons.Troopers learned that the vehicle was registered to a home in Prague and began searching the area. Another trooper located the vehicle just west of Prague and attempted another traffic stop. The Impala again fled, and the trooper initiated another pursuit.After a short pursuit, the suspect vehicle drove into a field and came to a stop, near the intersection of Highway 79 and County Road X. The driver then fled on foot into the field. The first trooper to arrive noticed that the Impala was now on fire and attempted to extinguish the fire. The driver was apprehended shortly thereafter by another trooper on the other side of the field.The driver, Jeffrey Oreskovich, 38, of Prague, was arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving under suspension, and numerous traffic violations. He was lodged in Saunders County Jail.

Prague man arrested following multiple pursuits

NORTH PLATTE&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested an Arizona man following the discovery of 55 pounds of cocaine in a vehicle in Cozad.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:00 p.m. Thursday, when a trooper contacted a motorist at the Cozad interchange of Interstate 80. During the encounter, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.

Troopers searched the vehicle and found 55 pounds of cocaine hidden in floor compartments of the vehicle. There was also a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was accompanied by an adult female passenger and a small child.

The driver, Donovan Grange, 31, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was arrested for possession of more than 140 grams of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, child abuse/neglect, and no drug tax stamp. 

He was lodged in Dawson County Jail. The female passenger was released with the child.&nbsp;

NORTH PLATTE&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested an Arizona man following the discovery of 55 pounds of cocaine in a vehicle in Cozad.The incident occurred at approximately 1:00 p.m. Thursday, when a trooper contacted a motorist at the Cozad interchange of Interstate 80. During the encounter, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.Troopers searched the vehicle and found 55 pounds of cocaine hidden in floor compartments of the vehicle. There was also a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was accompanied by an adult female passenger and a small child.The driver, Donovan Grange, 31, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was arrested for possession of more than 140 grams of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, child abuse/neglect, and no drug tax stamp. He was lodged in Dawson County Jail. The female passenger was released with the child.&nbsp;

Troopers find 55 LBs of cocaine in Cozad

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A prosecutor and a defense attorney in Nebraska have been reprimanded for a scheme reminiscent of the Wild West in which they told two convicted criminals to get out of town and never return. 

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued public reprimands Friday for Custer County Attorney Steven Bowers and Broken Bow defense attorney Christopher Wickham for carrying out the “banishment plan." 

The high court says the two violated rules of professional conduct by scheming to have two men plead guilty to felony charges, then secure a low bail with the understanding that the men would leave the county before their sentencing hearings, never to return.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A prosecutor and a defense attorney in Nebraska have been reprimanded for a scheme reminiscent of the Wild West in which they told two convicted criminals to get out of town and never return. The Nebraska Supreme Court issued public reprimands Friday for Custer County Attorney Steven Bowers and Broken Bow defense attorney Christopher Wickham for carrying out the “banishment plan." The high court says the two violated rules of professional conduct by scheming to have two men plead guilty to felony charges, then secure a low bail with the understanding that the men would leave the county before their sentencing hearings, never to return.

Prosecutor, attorney reprimanded for 'banishment' scheme

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln officials have announced the names of four finalists who want to serve as the city’s next police chief. 

The finalists are retired Lincoln Police Capt. Genelle Moore, former Mesa, Arizona Police Chief Ramon Batista, San Francisco Police Department Commander Teresa Ewins, and Darryl McSwain, the police chief for the Maryland-National Capital Park Police-Montgomery County Division.

 The finalists were among 31 people who applied for the job. 

Everyone’s application went to a consulting firm hired by the city, which worked with the mayor’s office to narrow the lists to eight finalists. 

The search committee interviewed the eight last week and narrowed the list to four.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln officials have announced the names of four finalists who want to serve as the city’s next police chief. The finalists are retired Lincoln Police Capt. Genelle Moore, former Mesa, Arizona Police Chief Ramon Batista, San Francisco Police Department Commander Teresa Ewins, and Darryl McSwain, the police chief for the Maryland-National Capital Park Police-Montgomery County Division. The finalists were among 31 people who applied for the job. Everyone’s application went to a consulting firm hired by the city, which worked with the mayor’s office to narrow the lists to eight finalists. The search committee interviewed the eight last week and narrowed the list to four.

4 finalists identified for Lincoln police chief job

NORFOLK&nbsp; — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people during an investigation in Plainview.

Thursday, June 3, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence at 108 S. 2nd&nbsp;Street in Plainview. During the search, investigators located a package containing one pound of suspected methamphetamine. Smaller amounts of methamphetamine were also located in other areas of the home.

Two subjects were in the home at the time of the search and were both arrested. Bryan Gloe, 43, and Alan Sharples, 63, were lodged in Pierce County Jail for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

The NSP SWAT Team assisted in this operation.

NORFOLK&nbsp; — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people during an investigation in Plainview.Thursday, June 3, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence at 108 S. 2nd&nbsp;Street in Plainview. During the search, investigators located a package containing one pound of suspected methamphetamine. Smaller amounts of methamphetamine were also located in other areas of the home.Two subjects were in the home at the time of the search and were both arrested. Bryan Gloe, 43, and Alan Sharples, 63, were lodged in Pierce County Jail for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.The NSP SWAT Team assisted in this operation.

Methamphetamine located in Plainview drug investigation

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say one 17-year-old has died and a second one was injured Thursday in a shooting in north Omaha. 

Police say they were called to a home around 8 p.m. 

There they found Jiaquan Williams and Javondre McIntosh with gunshot injuries. 

Both victims were taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where Williams died. McIntosh’s injuries are considered life threatening, and he's listed in critical condition. Police say they’re still investigating. 

Anyone with information is urged to call Omaha Crime Stoppers anonymously at 402-444-7867, or at <a href="http://www.p3tips.com">www.p3tips.com</a>.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say one 17-year-old has died and a second one was injured Thursday in a shooting in north Omaha. Police say they were called to a home around 8 p.m. There they found Jiaquan Williams and Javondre McIntosh with gunshot injuries. Both victims were taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where Williams died. McIntosh’s injuries are considered life threatening, and he's listed in critical condition. Police say they’re still investigating. Anyone with information is urged to call Omaha Crime Stoppers anonymously at 402-444-7867, or at <a href="http://www.p3tips.com">www.p3tips.com</a>.

Omaha shooting leaves 1 teen dead, 1 in critical condition

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added 559,000 jobs in May, an improvement from April’s sluggish gain but still evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers as the economy rapidly recovers from the pandemic recession.

Last month’s job gain was above April’s revised total of 278,000, the Labor Department said Friday. The unemployment rate fell to 5.8% from 6.1%.

The speed of the rebound from the pandemic recession has caught employers off guard and touched off a scramble to hire. The reopening of the economy, fueled by substantial federal aid and rising vaccinations, has released pent-up demand among consumers to eat out, travel, shop, attend public events and visit with friends and relatives.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-5eb1432c117e217fea65bfaa138002e9" target="_blank">Many large chains</a>, including Amazon, Walmart, Costco, and Chipotle, have raised starting pay to better attract applicants. Yet so far, those efforts aren’t bearing much fruit. The number of people working or looking for work last month slipped slightly in May after three months of gains.

The economy expanded last quarter at a robust 6.4% annual rate, and economists envision growth in the current quarter reaching a sizzling pace of 9% or more. All that growth, driven by higher spending, has raised inflation fears. But for now, it has mainly propelled demand for labor.

Job postings in late May were nearly 26% above pre-pandemic levels, according to the employment website Indeed. Government data shows that posted jobs are at the highest level on records dating back to 2000.

And consumers are opening their wallets. In April, they increased their spending after a huge gain in March that was fueled by the distribution of $1,400 stimulus checks. With more Americans feeling comfortable about staying in hotels and visiting entertainment venues, spending on services jumped.

In fact, service industries, including banking, retail, and shipping,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-959a1a97847ec7a1dc18d96ade834a8d" target="_blank">expanded at the fastest pace</a>&nbsp;on record in May. The evidence suggests that consumers have begun to embark on a long-anticipated shift away from the sizable goods purchases that many of them had made while hunkered down at home to spending on services, from haircuts to sporting events to vacation trips.

The number of people seeking unemployment aid has fallen for five straight weeks to its lowest level since the pandemic began, a sign that layoffs are dwindling. There are still 15 million people receiving either federal or state jobless aid, though that number has also declined from roughly 20 million in February.

The fading of the pandemic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-82aa4f9fddcea22918d010c55b5e55b3" target="_blank">produced a disconnect</a>&nbsp;between companies and the unemployed. While businesses are rushing to add workers immediately, many of the unemployed are either seeking better jobs than they had before the pandemic, still lack affordable child care, worry about contracting COVID-19 or have decided to retire early.

That mismatch resulted in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-5dc338627748f7c75ba7e9a040a894d7" target="_blank">sharp slowdown in hiring in April</a>, when employers added far fewer jobs than economists had forecast and many fewer than had been hired in March.

Though the economy still has 8.2 million fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic struck, job postings in late May were nearly 26% above pre-pandemic levels, according to the employment website Indeed. Government data shows that posted jobs have reached their highest level on record dating back to 2000.

Many businesses blame a $300-a-week federal unemployment benefit for discouraging some of the jobless from taking work. Republican governors in 25 states have responded by cutting off that benefit prematurely, starting this month, before the benefits are scheduled to end nationally on Sept. 6.

Becky Frankiewicz, president of the temporary staffing firm Manpower Group’s North American division, said many of the firm’s clients are raising pay and benefits to try to attract more applicants. Some of these companies, particularly in manufacturing and warehousing, are also trying other tactics, like paying their workers weekly or even daily, rather than every two weeks. Manpower is also encouraging its clients to make job offers the same day as an interview rather than waiting.

About 60% of Manpower’s temporary placements are leaving their jobs before a temporary assignment ends, Frankiewicz said, mostly because they are receiving better offers.

“People have options,” she said. “Companies have to offer speed in cash, speed to hire and a lot of flexibility in how they work.”

For now, though, there are signs that many of the unemployed remain cautious about seeking jobs.

On Thursday, Tony Sarsam, CEO of SpartanNash, a grocery distributor and retailer, said on a conference call with investors that the company took part last month in a job fair with 60 companies that had 500 jobs to fill.

“Only four candidates showed up,” Sarsam said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added 559,000 jobs in May, an improvement from April’s sluggish gain but still evidence that many companies are struggling to find enough workers as the economy rapidly recovers from the pandemic recession.Last month’s job gain was above April’s revised total of 278,000, the Labor Department said Friday. The unemployment rate fell to 5.8% from 6.1%.The speed of the rebound from the pandemic recession has caught employers off guard and touched off a scramble to hire. The reopening of the economy, fueled by substantial federal aid and rising vaccinations, has released pent-up demand among consumers to eat out, travel, shop, attend public events and visit with friends and relatives.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-5eb1432c117e217fea65bfaa138002e9" target="_blank">Many large chains</a>, including Amazon, Walmart, Costco, and Chipotle, have raised starting pay to better attract applicants. Yet so far, those efforts aren’t bearing much fruit. The number of people working or looking for work last month slipped slightly in May after three months of gains.The economy expanded last quarter at a robust 6.4% annual rate, and economists envision growth in the current quarter reaching a sizzling pace of 9% or more. All that growth, driven by higher spending, has raised inflation fears. But for now, it has mainly propelled demand for labor.Job postings in late May were nearly 26% above pre-pandemic levels, according to the employment website Indeed. Government data shows that posted jobs are at the highest level on records dating back to 2000.And consumers are opening their wallets. In April, they increased their spending after a huge gain in March that was fueled by the distribution of $1,400 stimulus checks. With more Americans feeling comfortable about staying in hotels and visiting entertainment venues, spending on services jumped.In fact, service industries, including banking, retail, and shipping,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-959a1a97847ec7a1dc18d96ade834a8d" target="_blank">expanded at the fastest pace</a>&nbsp;on record in May. The evidence suggests that consumers have begun to embark on a long-anticipated shift away from the sizable goods purchases that many of them had made while hunkered down at home to spending on services, from haircuts to sporting events to vacation trips.The number of people seeking unemployment aid has fallen for five straight weeks to its lowest level since the pandemic began, a sign that layoffs are dwindling. There are still 15 million people receiving either federal or state jobless aid, though that number has also declined from roughly 20 million in February.The fading of the pandemic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-82aa4f9fddcea22918d010c55b5e55b3" target="_blank">produced a disconnect</a>&nbsp;between companies and the unemployed. While businesses are rushing to add workers immediately, many of the unemployed are either seeking better jobs than they had before the pandemic, still lack affordable child care, worry about contracting COVID-19 or have decided to retire early.That mismatch resulted in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-5dc338627748f7c75ba7e9a040a894d7" target="_blank">sharp slowdown in hiring in April</a>, when employers added far fewer jobs than economists had forecast and many fewer than had been hired in March.Though the economy still has 8.2 million fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic struck, job postings in late May were nearly 26% above pre-pandemic levels, according to the employment website Indeed. Government data shows that posted jobs have reached their highest level on record dating back to 2000.Many businesses blame a $300-a-week federal unemployment benefit for discouraging some of the jobless from taking work. Republican governors in 25 states have responded by cutting off that benefit prematurely, starting this month, before the benefits are scheduled to end nationally on Sept. 6.Becky Frankiewicz, president of the temporary staffing firm Manpower Group’s North American division, said many of the firm’s clients are raising pay and benefits to try to attract more applicants. Some of these companies, particularly in manufacturing and warehousing, are also trying other tactics, like paying their workers weekly or even daily, rather than every two weeks. Manpower is also encouraging its clients to make job offers the same day as an interview rather than waiting.About 60% of Manpower’s temporary placements are leaving their jobs before a temporary assignment ends, Frankiewicz said, mostly because they are receiving better offers.“People have options,” she said. “Companies have to offer speed in cash, speed to hire and a lot of flexibility in how they work.”For now, though, there are signs that many of the unemployed remain cautious about seeking jobs.On Thursday, Tony Sarsam, CEO of SpartanNash, a grocery distributor and retailer, said on a conference call with investors that the company took part last month in a job fair with 60 companies that had 500 jobs to fill.“Only four candidates showed up,” Sarsam said.

Another weak U.S. jobs report, a sign of more hiring struggles

News Release US Attorney's Office-Omaha

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Taeh Mitchell, 27, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal&nbsp;court in Lincoln for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Mitchell to 63 months in prison followed by a 4-year term of supervised release.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp;

On August 4, 2019, law enforcement was dispatched to investigate a suspicious vehicle in Lincoln.&nbsp; Law enforcement encountered Mitchell in a van with another individual.&nbsp; Mitchell’s purse was seized from the van and searched.&nbsp; Inside was 97.65 grams of lab-confirmed methamphetamine, of which at least 93 grams was actual methamphetamine, a digital scale, and number of unused baggies.&nbsp;

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

News Release US Attorney's Office-OmahaActing United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Taeh Mitchell, 27, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal&nbsp;court in Lincoln for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Mitchell to 63 months in prison followed by a 4-year term of supervised release.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp;On August 4, 2019, law enforcement was dispatched to investigate a suspicious vehicle in Lincoln.&nbsp; Law enforcement encountered Mitchell in a van with another individual.&nbsp; Mitchell’s purse was seized from the van and searched.&nbsp; Inside was 97.65 grams of lab-confirmed methamphetamine, of which at least 93 grams was actual methamphetamine, a digital scale, and number of unused baggies.&nbsp;This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department and Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.

Lincoln woman sentenced to federal prison for selling meth

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden is trying to break a logjam with Republicans on how to pay for infrastructure improvements, proposing a 15% minimum tax on corporations and the possibility of revenues from increased IRS enforcement as a possible compromise.

The offer was made Wednesday to Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia as part of the bipartisan negotiations and did not reflect a change in Biden’s overall vision for funding infrastructure.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden examined possible tax code changes from his plans that Republicans might support. The president concluded that a minimum corporate tax could provide some common ground.

“He looked to see what could be a path forward with his Republican colleagues on this specific negotiation,” Psaki told reporters at a Thursday briefing. “This is a component of what he’s proposed for a pay-for that he’s lifting up as a question as to whether they could agree to that.”

Biden has proposed increasing the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% to help fund his plans for roads, bridges, electric vehicles and broadband internet, and that remains one of his preferred approaches. But the rate hike is a nonstarter with Republicans because it would undo the 2017 tax cuts signed into law by President Donald Trump.

By floating an alternative — there is no minimum corporate tax now on profits — Biden was trying to give Republicans a way to back infrastructure without violating their own red line of keeping corporate tax rates at their current level. The Washington Post first reported the offer.

On Thursday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he spoke with Capito after the session and is “still hoping” to reach a deal with the administration. But he prefers the GOP approach that is eyeing a scaled-down package, paid for by tapping unspent COVID-19 relief funds, rather than taxes.

“Let’s reach an agreement on infrastructure that’s smaller but still significant, and fully paid for,” he said in Paducah, Kentucky.

The president is essentially staking out the principle that profitable corporations should pay income taxes. Many companies can avoid taxes or minimize their bills through a series of credits, deductions and other ways of structuring their income and expenses.

The president has insisted that the middle class should not bear the cost of greater infrastructure spending. Yet a chasm exists in negotiations because Republicans say that corporate tax increases will hinder economic growth.

The idea of imposing a minimum corporate tax is not new for Biden, who proposed the policy during the presidential campaign last year, and that could turn off some Republicans. The center-right&nbsp;<a href="https://taxfoundation.org/joe-biden-tax-plan-2020/#Key" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>&nbsp;estimated that a minimum tax would subtract 0.21% from long-run U.S. gross domestic product.

“He’s been pushing it since the primaries over a year ago,” said George Callas, managing director of government affairs for the law firm Steptoe and a former tax counsel to House Republicans. Callas said that the minimum tax would mostly hit firms such as electric utilities and telecoms that make substantial capital investments as well as companies that rely on paying their employees with stock.

At the same time, both Democrats and Republicans have eyed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/personal-taxes-business-government-and-politics-e6151149b8fdba343a9053e5942c0679">revenues that could come from stepped-up IRS enforcement of unpaid taxes</a>. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has suggested it could amount to some $1 trillion, but others say the estimate is far lower.

Biden is seeking roughly $1 trillion in infrastructure spending, down from an initial pitch of $2.3 trillion. Republicans, so far, have countered with only $257 billion in additional spending on infrastructure as part of a $928 billion package. The GOP’s new spending on infrastructure would be a fraction of what the president says is necessary to compete globally and boost economic growth.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during a Thursday visit to Memphis, Tennessee, that both sides appeared to embrace “the principle that something on the order of $1 trillion around the transportation side of things was appropriate.”

Talks over Biden’s top legislative priority have been moving slowly, a daunting undertaking given the massive infrastructure investment, and time for a deal is running out. The administration has set a Monday deadline to see clear direction and signs of progress.

Biden and Capito are set to meet again on Friday, though it’s not clear if the meeting will be in-person.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622762916262.png" alt="Missouri Senator Roy Blunt speaks at a news conference along with from left Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the GOP's lead negotiator on a counteroffer to President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan,&nbsp; Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Republican Conference at the Capitol in Washington. -image courtesy Senate GOP" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Senator Roy Blunt speaks at a news conference along with from left Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the GOP's lead negotiator on a counteroffer to President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan,&nbsp; Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Republican Conference at the Capitol in Washington. -image courtesy Senate GOP</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden is trying to break a logjam with Republicans on how to pay for infrastructure improvements, proposing a 15% minimum tax on corporations and the possibility of revenues from increased IRS enforcement as a possible compromise.The offer was made Wednesday to Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia as part of the bipartisan negotiations and did not reflect a change in Biden’s overall vision for funding infrastructure.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden examined possible tax code changes from his plans that Republicans might support. The president concluded that a minimum corporate tax could provide some common ground.“He looked to see what could be a path forward with his Republican colleagues on this specific negotiation,” Psaki told reporters at a Thursday briefing. “This is a component of what he’s proposed for a pay-for that he’s lifting up as a question as to whether they could agree to that.”Biden has proposed increasing the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% to help fund his plans for roads, bridges, electric vehicles and broadband internet, and that remains one of his preferred approaches. But the rate hike is a nonstarter with Republicans because it would undo the 2017 tax cuts signed into law by President Donald Trump.By floating an alternative — there is no minimum corporate tax now on profits — Biden was trying to give Republicans a way to back infrastructure without violating their own red line of keeping corporate tax rates at their current level. The Washington Post first reported the offer.On Thursday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he spoke with Capito after the session and is “still hoping” to reach a deal with the administration. But he prefers the GOP approach that is eyeing a scaled-down package, paid for by tapping unspent COVID-19 relief funds, rather than taxes.“Let’s reach an agreement on infrastructure that’s smaller but still significant, and fully paid for,” he said in Paducah, Kentucky.The president is essentially staking out the principle that profitable corporations should pay income taxes. Many companies can avoid taxes or minimize their bills through a series of credits, deductions and other ways of structuring their income and expenses.The president has insisted that the middle class should not bear the cost of greater infrastructure spending. Yet a chasm exists in negotiations because Republicans say that corporate tax increases will hinder economic growth.The idea of imposing a minimum corporate tax is not new for Biden, who proposed the policy during the presidential campaign last year, and that could turn off some Republicans. The center-right&nbsp;<a href="https://taxfoundation.org/joe-biden-tax-plan-2020/#Key" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>&nbsp;estimated that a minimum tax would subtract 0.21% from long-run U.S. gross domestic product.“He’s been pushing it since the primaries over a year ago,” said George Callas, managing director of government affairs for the law firm Steptoe and a former tax counsel to House Republicans. Callas said that the minimum tax would mostly hit firms such as electric utilities and telecoms that make substantial capital investments as well as companies that rely on paying their employees with stock.At the same time, both Democrats and Republicans have eyed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/personal-taxes-business-government-and-politics-e6151149b8fdba343a9053e5942c0679">revenues that could come from stepped-up IRS enforcement of unpaid taxes</a>. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has suggested it could amount to some $1 trillion, but others say the estimate is far lower.Biden is seeking roughly $1 trillion in infrastructure spending, down from an initial pitch of $2.3 trillion. Republicans, so far, have countered with only $257 billion in additional spending on infrastructure as part of a $928 billion package. The GOP’s new spending on infrastructure would be a fraction of what the president says is necessary to compete globally and boost economic growth.Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during a Thursday visit to Memphis, Tennessee, that both sides appeared to embrace “the principle that something on the order of $1 trillion around the transportation side of things was appropriate.”Talks over Biden’s top legislative priority have been moving slowly, a daunting undertaking given the massive infrastructure investment, and time for a deal is running out. The administration has set a Monday deadline to see clear direction and signs of progress.Biden and Capito are set to meet again on Friday, though it’s not clear if the meeting will be in-person.___

Biden offers tax deal on $1 trillion infrastructure plan

Consumers
 who lost money to fraudsters and paid through MoneyGram between 2013 
and 2017 can now file a claim to get their money back. This claims process is the result of <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/11/moneygram-agrees-pay-125-million-settle-allegations-company">settlements with the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice charging</a> that MoneyGram violated previous agreements with the government to crack down on fraudulent money transfers.

“MoneyGram
 profited by making it easy for con-artists to get away with people’s 
hard earned money. Today, people can begin to recover, and we urge 
anyone who lost money to a scammer via MoneyGram to file a claim and get
 their check,” said Daniel Kaufman, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau 
of Consumer Protection. “We’re also committed to ensuring that MoneyGram
 lives up to its promises in the future to crack down on fraud in its 
system.”

In February 2021, prefilled forms 
were mailed to victims who had already been identified.&nbsp; Beginning June 
1, 2021, people who did not receive prefilled forms, but were victimized
 through MoneyGram, may file claims online or obtain a paper claim form 
(referred to as a petition) at the website: <a href="http://www.moneygramremission.com">www.moneygramremission.com(link is external)</a>. These claims must be submitted by August 31, 2021. The claims process is being overseen by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Money
 transfers are a preferred method of payment for fraudsters because 
money sent through money transfer systems can be picked up quickly at 
locations all over the world, and once the money is paid out, it is all 
but impossible for consumers to get their money back. The systems also 
often allow scam artists to remain anonymous when receiving money from 
their victims.

In <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/moneygram_unopposed_motion_11-8-18.pdf">a 2018 court filing</a>,
 the FTC alleged that MoneyGram violated the FTC’s 2009 order by failing
 to implement the comprehensive fraud prevention program mandated by 
that order. That order required MoneyGram to promptly investigate, 
restrict, suspend, and terminate high-fraud agents.

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>FTCConsumers
 who lost money to fraudsters and paid through MoneyGram between 2013 
and 2017 can now file a claim to get their money back. This claims process is the result of <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/11/moneygram-agrees-pay-125-million-settle-allegations-company">settlements with the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice charging</a> that MoneyGram violated previous agreements with the government to crack down on fraudulent money transfers.“MoneyGram
 profited by making it easy for con-artists to get away with people’s 
hard earned money. Today, people can begin to recover, and we urge 
anyone who lost money to a scammer via MoneyGram to file a claim and get
 their check,” said Daniel Kaufman, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau 
of Consumer Protection. “We’re also committed to ensuring that MoneyGram
 lives up to its promises in the future to crack down on fraud in its 
system.”In February 2021, prefilled forms 
were mailed to victims who had already been identified.&nbsp; Beginning June 
1, 2021, people who did not receive prefilled forms, but were victimized
 through MoneyGram, may file claims online or obtain a paper claim form 
(referred to as a petition) at the website: <a href="http://www.moneygramremission.com">www.moneygramremission.com(link is external)</a>. These claims must be submitted by August 31, 2021. The claims process is being overseen by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.Money
 transfers are a preferred method of payment for fraudsters because 
money sent through money transfer systems can be picked up quickly at 
locations all over the world, and once the money is paid out, it is all 
but impossible for consumers to get their money back. The systems also 
often allow scam artists to remain anonymous when receiving money from 
their victims.In <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/moneygram_unopposed_motion_11-8-18.pdf">a 2018 court filing</a>,
 the FTC alleged that MoneyGram violated the FTC’s 2009 order by failing
 to implement the comprehensive fraud prevention program mandated by 
that order. That order required MoneyGram to promptly investigate, 
restrict, suspend, and terminate high-fraud agents.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: Victims of fraudulent MoneyGram transfers can recoup lost money

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha police officer is facing felony charges after he detained two juveniles who had been pounding on doors in his neighborhood during the early morning hours.

 The Omaha World-Herald reports that 43-year-old Ja’Price Spears is charged with two counts of terroristic threats and one count of use of a firearm to commit a felony.

 Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said Thursday that in early April, three juveniles were pounding on doors in the town of Gretna, then got into a vehicle. 

Polikov said Spears drove after them and got them to pull over, then detained two of the three and handcuffed them until sheriff’s deputies arrived.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha police officer is facing felony charges after he detained two juveniles who had been pounding on doors in his neighborhood during the early morning hours. The Omaha World-Herald reports that 43-year-old Ja’Price Spears is charged with two counts of terroristic threats and one count of use of a firearm to commit a felony. Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said Thursday that in early April, three juveniles were pounding on doors in the town of Gretna, then got into a vehicle. Polikov said Spears drove after them and got them to pull over, then detained two of the three and handcuffed them until sheriff’s deputies arrived.

Omaha officer faces felony charges for detaining youths

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Only two years after historic flooding along the Missouri River ravaged parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, officials are now dealing with what's shaping up to be one of river's driest years. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday that the forecast from last month hasn't changed: Significantly less water is expected to flow into the river this year because conditions remain so dry and snowpack is below normal levels. 

Officials say only about 69% of the normal amount of water is expected to flow into the Missouri River this year, which would be the 22nd driest year in the upper basin since 1898.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Only two years after historic flooding along the Missouri River ravaged parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, officials are now dealing with what's shaping up to be one of river's driest years. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday that the forecast from last month hasn't changed: Significantly less water is expected to flow into the river this year because conditions remain so dry and snowpack is below normal levels. Officials say only about 69% of the normal amount of water is expected to flow into the Missouri River this year, which would be the 22nd driest year in the upper basin since 1898.

Missouri River winter water release expected to be minimum

GRAND ISLAND&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested two people after an incident at the Wood River interchange of Interstate 80.

At approximately 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, troopers responded to a report of a fight at a truck stop at the Wood River interchange, at mile marker 300 on I-80. Upon arrival, troopers located the people believed to be involved in the incident. During the investigation, an NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance coming from inside one subject’s vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers located suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a machete. A search of another vehicle involved in the incident led to the location of additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Troopers arrested Steve Williams, 42, of Pueblo, Colorado for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. Troopers also arrested Jennifer Jones, 34, of Pueblo, Colorado for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were lodged in Hall County Jail.

GRAND ISLAND&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested two people after an incident at the Wood River interchange of Interstate 80.At approximately 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, troopers responded to a report of a fight at a truck stop at the Wood River interchange, at mile marker 300 on I-80. Upon arrival, troopers located the people believed to be involved in the incident. During the investigation, an NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance coming from inside one subject’s vehicle.During a search of the vehicle, troopers located suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a machete. A search of another vehicle involved in the incident led to the location of additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.Troopers arrested Steve Williams, 42, of Pueblo, Colorado for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. Troopers also arrested Jennifer Jones, 34, of Pueblo, Colorado for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were lodged in Hall County Jail.

2 arrested after incident at Wood River interchange

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A player on Omaha's pro soccer team has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of defrauding people in internet romance scams. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that 24-year-old Abdul Osumanu, of Ghana, is charged with two counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and receipt of stolen money in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. 

Osumanu is a starting defender for the Union Omaha professional soccer team, starting in the team's first five matches until he was arrested May 27. 

Authorities say Osumanu and another man created a fake online profile in 2017, pretending to be a woman and convinced two people to send them more than $200,000 in the years since.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A player on Omaha's pro soccer team has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of defrauding people in internet romance scams. The Omaha World-Herald reports that 24-year-old Abdul Osumanu, of Ghana, is charged with two counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and receipt of stolen money in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. Osumanu is a starting defender for the Union Omaha professional soccer team, starting in the team's first five matches until he was arrested May 27. Authorities say Osumanu and another man created a fake online profile in 2017, pretending to be a woman and convinced two people to send them more than $200,000 in the years since.

Omaha pro soccer player charged in 'romance scam' fraud case

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has filed a nearly $2.4 million building permit for work that will transform the simulcast building at Lincoln Race Course into a temporary casino floor with more than 300 slot machines.

 The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the developers of the planned WarHorse Casino on the same site expect the temporary slots casino to be up and running within six months. 

Opening of the full WarHorse Casino, which will include more than 1,200 gaming stations, a 196-room hotel, event space, five or six restaurants, will take up to two years once construction begins.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has filed a nearly $2.4 million building permit for work that will transform the simulcast building at Lincoln Race Course into a temporary casino floor with more than 300 slot machines. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the developers of the planned WarHorse Casino on the same site expect the temporary slots casino to be up and running within six months. Opening of the full WarHorse Casino, which will include more than 1,200 gaming stations, a 196-room hotel, event space, five or six restaurants, will take up to two years once construction begins.

Lincoln racetrack site of temporary casino with 300 slots

Acting United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Joseph Knipe, age 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution of child pornography.&nbsp; United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Knipe to 8 years of imprisonment.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp; After completing his term of imprisonment, Knipe will begin a 10-year term of supervised release and will also be required to register as a sex offender.&nbsp;

On May 3, 2017, Knipe used his online DropBox account to transfer images of child pornography to other DropBox users.&nbsp; Agents later executed a search warrant of Knipe’s DropBox account and located about 2,000 images and 1,000 videos of child pornography.&nbsp; On October 31, 2019, agents executed a search warrant at Knipe’s residence in Omaha.&nbsp; Agents located a USB card containing about 105 images of child pornography.&nbsp; Knipe admitted to possessing child pornography.&nbsp;

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justice.gov/psc" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/psc</a>.

The case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

News Release US Attorney's OfficeActing United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Joseph Knipe, age 43, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for distribution of child pornography.&nbsp; United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Knipe to 8 years of imprisonment.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp; After completing his term of imprisonment, Knipe will begin a 10-year term of supervised release and will also be required to register as a sex offender.&nbsp;On May 3, 2017, Knipe used his online DropBox account to transfer images of child pornography to other DropBox users.&nbsp; Agents later executed a search warrant of Knipe’s DropBox account and located about 2,000 images and 1,000 videos of child pornography.&nbsp; On October 31, 2019, agents executed a search warrant at Knipe’s residence in Omaha.&nbsp; Agents located a USB card containing about 105 images of child pornography.&nbsp; Knipe admitted to possessing child pornography.&nbsp;This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justice.gov/psc" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/psc</a>.The case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Omaha man gets 8 years for distributing child pornography

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A move by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to shutter dozens of shelters housing about 4,000 migrant children is threatening to disrupt a national program offering care for minors who cross the U.S.-Mexico border. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that it didn't intend to close any facilities but that it was “assessing” the Republican governor’s late Tuesday disaster declaration. 

The proclamation directs a state agency to deny new licenses for child care facilities sheltering migrant children or discontinue them within 90 days. 

The department funds 56 shelters in Texas, out of about 200 licensed shelters in the U.S.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A move by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to shutter dozens of shelters housing about 4,000 migrant children is threatening to disrupt a national program offering care for minors who cross the U.S.-Mexico border. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that it didn't intend to close any facilities but that it was “assessing” the Republican governor’s late Tuesday disaster declaration. The proclamation directs a state agency to deny new licenses for child care facilities sheltering migrant children or discontinue them within 90 days. The department funds 56 shelters in Texas, out of about 200 licensed shelters in the U.S.

Texas push to close shelters for migrant kids alarms groups

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dangling everything from sports tickets to a free beer, President Joe Biden is looking for that extra something — anything — that will get people to roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 shots when the promise of a life-saving vaccine by itself hasn’t been enough.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?512242-1/president-biden-announces-steps-increase-covid-19-vaccination-rates">Click here to watch </a>the President's announcement

Biden on Wednesday announced a “month of action” to urge more Americans to get vaccinated before the July 4 holiday, including an early summer sprint of incentives and a slew of new steps to ease barriers and make getting shots more appealing to those who haven't received them. He is closing in on his goal of getting 70% of adults at least partially vaccinated by Independence Day — essential to his aim of returning the nation to something approaching a pre-pandemic sense of normalcy this summer.

“The more people we get vaccinated, the more success we’re going to have in the fight against this virus," Biden said from the White House. He predicted that with more vaccinations, America will soon experience “a summer of freedom, a summer of joy, a summer of get togethers and celebrations. An All-American summer."

The Biden administration views June as “a critical month in our path to normal," Courtney Rowe, the director of strategic communications and engagement for the White House COVID-19 response team, told the AP.

Biden's plan will continue to use public and private-sector partnerships, mirroring the “whole of government” effort he deployed to make vaccines more widely available after he took office. The president said he was “pulling out all the stops” to drive up the vaccination rate.

Among those efforts is a promotional giveaway announced Wednesday by Anheuser-Busch, saying it will “buy Americans 21+ a round of beer” once Biden’s 70% goal is met.

“Get a shot and have a beer," Biden said, advertising the promotion even though he himself refrains from drinking alcohol.

Additionally, the White House is partnering with early childhood centers such as KinderCare, Learning Care Group, Bright Horizons and more than 500 YMCAs to provide free childcare coverage for Americans looking for shots or needing assistance while recovering from side effects.

The administration is also launching a new partnership to bring vaccine education and even doses to more than a thousand Black-owned barbershops and beauty salons, building on a successful pilot program in Maryland.

They're the latest vaccine sweeteners, building on other incentives like cash giveaways, sports tickets and paid leave, to keep up the pace of vaccinations.

“The fact remains that despite all the progress, those who are unvaccinated still remain at risk of getting seriously ill or dying or spreading the disease to others," said Rowe.

Aiming to make injections even more convenient, Biden is announcing that many pharmacies are extending their hours this month — and thousands will remain open overnight on Fridays. The White House is also stepping up its efforts to help employers run on-site vaccination clinics.

Biden will also announce that he is assigning Vice President Kamala Harris to lead a “We Can Do This” vaccination tour to encourage shots. It will include first lady Jill Biden, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Cabinet officials. Harris' travel will be focused on the South, where vaccination rates are among the lowest in the country, while other officials will travel to areas of the Midwest with below average rates.

To date 62.9% of the adult U.S. population have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 133.9 million are fully vaccinated. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed to an average below 555,000 per day, down from more than 800,000 when incentives like lotteries were announced, and down from a peak of nearly 2 million per day in early April when demand for shots was much higher.

The lengths to which the U.S. is resorting to convince Americans to take a shot stands in contrast to much of the world, where vaccines are far less plentiful. Facing a mounting U.S. surplus, the Biden administration is planning to begin sharing 80 million doses with the world this month.

“All over the world people are desperate to get a shot that every American can get at their neighborhood drugstore," Biden said.

“Incentives can work, and I think the White House’s focus on making vaccination the easy and convenient choice is important,” said Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, public health professor at George Washington University and former Baltimore health commissioner.

“It’s the height of American exceptionalism that we are having to beg people to get a life-saving vaccine, when healthcare workers and vulnerable people around the world are dying because they can’t get access to it,” she added.

Thanks to the vaccinations, the rate of cases and deaths in the U.S. are at their lowest since the beginning of the pandemic last March, averaging under 16,000 new cases and under 400 deaths per day.

As part of the effort to drive Americans to get shots, the White House is borrowing some tools from political campaigns, including phone banks, door-knocking and texting. The administration says more than 1,000 such events will be held this weekend alone. Additionally, it is organizing competitions between cities and colleges to drive up vaccination rates.

Other new incentives include a $2 million commitment from DoorDash to provide gift cards to community health centers to be used to drive people to get vaccinated. CVS launched a sweepstakes with prizes including free cruises and Super Bowl tickets. Major League Baseball will host on-site vaccine clinics and ticket giveaways at games. And Kroger will give $1 million to a vaccinated person each week this month and dozens of people free groceries for the year.

The fine print on the Anheuser-Busch promotion reveals the benefits to the sponsoring company, which will collect consumer data and photos through its website to register for the $5 giveaway. The company says it will hand out credits to however many people qualify.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1622685321440.png" alt="“Get a shot and have a beer," Biden said, advertising the&nbsp;Anheuser-Busch promotion even though he himself refrains from drinking alcohol." />
 <figcaption>“Get a shot and have a beer," Biden said, advertising the&nbsp;Anheuser-Busch promotion even though he himself refrains from drinking alcohol.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Dangling everything from sports tickets to a free beer, President Joe Biden is looking for that extra something — anything — that will get people to roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 shots when the promise of a life-saving vaccine by itself hasn’t been enough.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?512242-1/president-biden-announces-steps-increase-covid-19-vaccination-rates">Click here to watch </a>the President's announcementBiden on Wednesday announced a “month of action” to urge more Americans to get vaccinated before the July 4 holiday, including an early summer sprint of incentives and a slew of new steps to ease barriers and make getting shots more appealing to those who haven't received them. He is closing in on his goal of getting 70% of adults at least partially vaccinated by Independence Day — essential to his aim of returning the nation to something approaching a pre-pandemic sense of normalcy this summer.“The more people we get vaccinated, the more success we’re going to have in the fight against this virus," Biden said from the White House. He predicted that with more vaccinations, America will soon experience “a summer of freedom, a summer of joy, a summer of get togethers and celebrations. An All-American summer."The Biden administration views June as “a critical month in our path to normal," Courtney Rowe, the director of strategic communications and engagement for the White House COVID-19 response team, told the AP.Biden's plan will continue to use public and private-sector partnerships, mirroring the “whole of government” effort he deployed to make vaccines more widely available after he took office. The president said he was “pulling out all the stops” to drive up the vaccination rate.Among those efforts is a promotional giveaway announced Wednesday by Anheuser-Busch, saying it will “buy Americans 21+ a round of beer” once Biden’s 70% goal is met.“Get a shot and have a beer," Biden said, advertising the promotion even though he himself refrains from drinking alcohol.Additionally, the White House is partnering with early childhood centers such as KinderCare, Learning Care Group, Bright Horizons and more than 500 YMCAs to provide free childcare coverage for Americans looking for shots or needing assistance while recovering from side effects.The administration is also launching a new partnership to bring vaccine education and even doses to more than a thousand Black-owned barbershops and beauty salons, building on a successful pilot program in Maryland.They're the latest vaccine sweeteners, building on other incentives like cash giveaways, sports tickets and paid leave, to keep up the pace of vaccinations.“The fact remains that despite all the progress, those who are unvaccinated still remain at risk of getting seriously ill or dying or spreading the disease to others," said Rowe.Aiming to make injections even more convenient, Biden is announcing that many pharmacies are extending their hours this month — and thousands will remain open overnight on Fridays. The White House is also stepping up its efforts to help employers run on-site vaccination clinics.Biden will also announce that he is assigning Vice President Kamala Harris to lead a “We Can Do This” vaccination tour to encourage shots. It will include first lady Jill Biden, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Cabinet officials. Harris' travel will be focused on the South, where vaccination rates are among the lowest in the country, while other officials will travel to areas of the Midwest with below average rates.To date 62.9% of the adult U.S. population have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 133.9 million are fully vaccinated. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed to an average below 555,000 per day, down from more than 800,000 when incentives like lotteries were announced, and down from a peak of nearly 2 million per day in early April when demand for shots was much higher.The lengths to which the U.S. is resorting to convince Americans to take a shot stands in contrast to much of the world, where vaccines are far less plentiful. Facing a mounting U.S. surplus, the Biden administration is planning to begin sharing 80 million doses with the world this month.“All over the world people are desperate to get a shot that every American can get at their neighborhood drugstore," Biden said.“Incentives can work, and I think the White House’s focus on making vaccination the easy and convenient choice is important,” said Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, public health professor at George Washington University and former Baltimore health commissioner.“It’s the height of American exceptionalism that we are having to beg people to get a life-saving vaccine, when healthcare workers and vulnerable people around the world are dying because they can’t get access to it,” she added.Thanks to the vaccinations, the rate of cases and deaths in the U.S. are at their lowest since the beginning of the pandemic last March, averaging under 16,000 new cases and under 400 deaths per day.As part of the effort to drive Americans to get shots, the White House is borrowing some tools from political campaigns, including phone banks, door-knocking and texting. The administration says more than 1,000 such events will be held this weekend alone. Additionally, it is organizing competitions between cities and colleges to drive up vaccination rates.Other new incentives include a $2 million commitment from DoorDash to provide gift cards to community health centers to be used to drive people to get vaccinated. CVS launched a sweepstakes with prizes including free cruises and Super Bowl tickets. Major League Baseball will host on-site vaccine clinics and ticket giveaways at games. And Kroger will give $1 million to a vaccinated person each week this month and dozens of people free groceries for the year.The fine print on the Anheuser-Busch promotion reveals the benefits to the sponsoring company, which will collect consumer data and photos through its website to register for the $5 giveaway. The company says it will hand out credits to however many people qualify.

🎥 President Biden: Get a COVID-19 shot and have a beer

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln woman has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for being drunk when she crashed her car, killing her best friend who was a passenger. 

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that 24-year-old Deja Webster was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide in the April 7, 2019, crash that killed 20-year-old Jasmyn Chalk. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln woman has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for being drunk when she crashed her car, killing her best friend who was a passenger. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that 24-year-old Deja Webster was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide in the April 7, 2019, crash that killed 20-year-old Jasmyn Chalk. Police say Webster was drunk with marijuana in her system when she was driving that night at more than double the 40 mph speed limit when she lost control and hit a tree. Her passenger, Chalk, was thrown from the car and later died at a hospital.