WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is setting up a $1.7 billion national network to identify and track worrisome&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-mutations-rising-f471eca388965ee95cd1e324c4e239d8">coronavirus mutations</a>&nbsp;whose spread could trigger another pandemic wave, the Biden administration announced Friday.

White House officials unveiled a strategy that features three components: a major funding boost for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments to ramp up coronavirus gene-mapping; the creation of six “centers of excellence” partnerships with universities to conduct research and develop technologies for gene-based surveillance of pathogens, and building a data system to better share and analyze information on emerging disease threats, so knowledge can be turned into action.

“Even as we accelerate our efforts to get shots into arms, more dangerous variants are growing, causing increases in cases in people without immunity,” White House coronavirus adviser Andy Slavitt told reporters. That “requires us to intensify our efforts to quickly test for and find the genetic sequence of the virus as it spreads.”

The new effort relies on money approved by Congress as part of President Joe Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-inside-covid-19-bill-relief-package-52fa93ac75d38eae4cd3dbb6402e7eba">coronavirus relief package</a>&nbsp;to break what experts say is a feast-or-famine cycle in U.S. preparedness for disease threats.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">The coronavirus</a>&nbsp;is only one example. Others pathogens have included Ebola and Zika, and respiratory viruses like SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012, which did not become major problems in the United States. Typically,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-public-health-genomics-united-kingdom-legislation-71879bce09ddc9956ed3e32f5925c0cf">the government scrambles to counter a potential threat</a>, but funding dries up when it recedes. The new genomic surveillance initiative aims to create a permanent infrastructure.

“It’s a transformative amount of money,” Mary Lee Watts, federal affairs director at the American Society for Microbiology, said in a recent interview. “It has the potential not only to get ahead of the current crisis, but it is going to help us in the future. This is a program that has been underfunded for years.”

The Biden administration’s move comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-england-health-washington-cor">a variant known as B117</a>, which first emerged in the United Kingdom, has become the predominant strain in the U.S. In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-coronavirus-pandemic-rochelle-walensky-d5810b87b122a59bf734cf69f20aa51b">hard-hit Michigan</a>, the more transmissible mutation accounts for more than half the cases, according to CDC data. That’s also the case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infectious-diseases-coronavirus-pandemic-minnesota-4afe0f365943f75a84202878469b26f8">in Minnesota</a>. Vaccines are effective against the so-called U.K. variant, but other mutations circulating around the globe have shown resistance to currently available vaccines.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday the U.S. is now averaging nearly 70,000 new coronavirus cases daily, up from about 53,000 just four weeks ago. Hospitalizations have been trending higher, too, and deaths were up for the third day in a row. Along with relaxed restrictions on gatherings and indoor dining, the emergence of variants that spread more easily is part of the reason for the worsening trend.

Of particular concern are two variants that for now only have a toe-hold in the U.S. They are P1, first detected in travelers from Brazil, and B1351, identified in South Africa. The reason scientists are watching those variants is that they have shown some level of resistance to antibodies, defensive proteins produced by the human body in response to vaccines or a previous infection.

“In order for us to even have the possibility of getting back to normal by the fall we need to massively scale up our genomic surveillance,” said Esther Krofah, who directs the Faster Cures initiative of the Milken Institute. “It’s the insurance program that you need to have in place not just now, not just for COVID, but going forward for other pathogens of concern.”

Genomic sequencing essentially involves mapping the DNA of an organism, the key to its unique features. It’s done by high-tech machines that can cost from several hundred thousand dollars to $1 million or more. Technicians trained to run the machines and the necessary computing capacity add to costs.

Another hurdle is getting local, state and federal labs all working together. “There are lots of cats that need to be herded,” said University of Wisconsin virologist Thomas Friedrich.

At the end of last year, the CDC and collaborating labs were completing only 116 coronavirus gene sequences a week, according to the CDC’s website. “We started in a hole,” said Slavitt.

The White House says the weekly count is now about 29,000, but experts say in a large, diverse country like the U.S. those numbers need to be much higher to keep pace with potential changes to the virus. Viruses are highly efficient at spreading, developing mutations that enable them to keep reproducing.

White House officials said the government is releasing to states and territories an initial $240 million out of $1 billion allocated to expand genomic sequencing. Another $400 million will go to launch the six research partnerships with academic institutions, dubbed Centers of Excellence in Genomic Epidemiology. Finally, $300 million will go to set up the data sharing system, which is being called the National Bioinformatics Infrastructure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608566572342.png" alt="Virus variant image courtesy GISAID" />
 <figcaption>Virus variant image courtesy GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is setting up a $1.7 billion national network to identify and track worrisome&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-mutations-rising-f471eca388965ee95cd1e324c4e239d8">coronavirus mutations</a>&nbsp;whose spread could trigger another pandemic wave, the Biden administration announced Friday.White House officials unveiled a strategy that features three components: a major funding boost for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments to ramp up coronavirus gene-mapping; the creation of six “centers of excellence” partnerships with universities to conduct research and develop technologies for gene-based surveillance of pathogens, and building a data system to better share and analyze information on emerging disease threats, so knowledge can be turned into action.“Even as we accelerate our efforts to get shots into arms, more dangerous variants are growing, causing increases in cases in people without immunity,” White House coronavirus adviser Andy Slavitt told reporters. That “requires us to intensify our efforts to quickly test for and find the genetic sequence of the virus as it spreads.”The new effort relies on money approved by Congress as part of President Joe Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-inside-covid-19-bill-relief-package-52fa93ac75d38eae4cd3dbb6402e7eba">coronavirus relief package</a>&nbsp;to break what experts say is a feast-or-famine cycle in U.S. preparedness for disease threats.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">The coronavirus</a>&nbsp;is only one example. Others pathogens have included Ebola and Zika, and respiratory viruses like SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012, which did not become major problems in the United States. Typically,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-public-health-genomics-united-kingdom-legislation-71879bce09ddc9956ed3e32f5925c0cf">the government scrambles to counter a potential threat</a>, but funding dries up when it recedes. The new genomic surveillance initiative aims to create a permanent infrastructure.“It’s a transformative amount of money,” Mary Lee Watts, federal affairs director at the American Society for Microbiology, said in a recent interview. “It has the potential not only to get ahead of the current crisis, but it is going to help us in the future. This is a program that has been underfunded for years.”The Biden administration’s move comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-england-health-washington-cor">a variant known as B117</a>, which first emerged in the United Kingdom, has become the predominant strain in the U.S. In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-michigan-gretchen-whitmer-coronavirus-pandemic-rochelle-walensky-d5810b87b122a59bf734cf69f20aa51b">hard-hit Michigan</a>, the more transmissible mutation accounts for more than half the cases, according to CDC data. That’s also the case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infectious-diseases-coronavirus-pandemic-minnesota-4afe0f365943f75a84202878469b26f8">in Minnesota</a>. Vaccines are effective against the so-called U.K. variant, but other mutations circulating around the globe have shown resistance to currently available vaccines.CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday the U.S. is now averaging nearly 70,000 new coronavirus cases daily, up from about 53,000 just four weeks ago. Hospitalizations have been trending higher, too, and deaths were up for the third day in a row. Along with relaxed restrictions on gatherings and indoor dining, the emergence of variants that spread more easily is part of the reason for the worsening trend.Of particular concern are two variants that for now only have a toe-hold in the U.S. They are P1, first detected in travelers from Brazil, and B1351, identified in South Africa. The reason scientists are watching those variants is that they have shown some level of resistance to antibodies, defensive proteins produced by the human body in response to vaccines or a previous infection.“In order for us to even have the possibility of getting back to normal by the fall we need to massively scale up our genomic surveillance,” said Esther Krofah, who directs the Faster Cures initiative of the Milken Institute. “It’s the insurance program that you need to have in place not just now, not just for COVID, but going forward for other pathogens of concern.”Genomic sequencing essentially involves mapping the DNA of an organism, the key to its unique features. It’s done by high-tech machines that can cost from several hundred thousand dollars to $1 million or more. Technicians trained to run the machines and the necessary computing capacity add to costs.Another hurdle is getting local, state and federal labs all working together. “There are lots of cats that need to be herded,” said University of Wisconsin virologist Thomas Friedrich.At the end of last year, the CDC and collaborating labs were completing only 116 coronavirus gene sequences a week, according to the CDC’s website. “We started in a hole,” said Slavitt.The White House says the weekly count is now about 29,000, but experts say in a large, diverse country like the U.S. those numbers need to be much higher to keep pace with potential changes to the virus. Viruses are highly efficient at spreading, developing mutations that enable them to keep reproducing.White House officials said the government is releasing to states and territories an initial $240 million out of $1 billion allocated to expand genomic sequencing. Another $400 million will go to launch the six research partnerships with academic institutions, dubbed Centers of Excellence in Genomic Epidemiology. Finally, $300 million will go to set up the data sharing system, which is being called the National Bioinformatics Infrastructure.

US setting up $1.7B national network to track virus variants

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — An 18-year-old Lexington man has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and a felony weapons count in the January shooting death of a 15-year-old. Court records show Ramon Gonzalez-Romero entered the plea earlier this month, and his trial has been set to begin July 13. 

Prosecutors say Gonzalez-Romero shot Jovanny Gandara early the morning of Jan. 2 during an altercation in northwest Lexington. 

Friends took Gandara to a Lexington hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Police have said the gun used in the fatal shooting has been recovered.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) — An 18-year-old Lexington man has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and a felony weapons count in the January shooting death of a 15-year-old. Court records show Ramon Gonzalez-Romero entered the plea earlier this month, and his trial has been set to begin July 13. Prosecutors say Gonzalez-Romero shot Jovanny Gandara early the morning of Jan. 2 during an altercation in northwest Lexington. Friends took Gandara to a Lexington hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have said the gun used in the fatal shooting has been recovered.

Lexington man pleads not guilty in killing of 15-year-old

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration this week began to undo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e0bf2658969c482bb9addf40eb5bd667">a Trump-era ban on clinics referring women for abortions</a>, a policy that drove Planned Parenthood from the federal family planning program and created new complications for women trying to get birth control.

The proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services follows through on President Joe Biden’s campaign promise to reverse his predecessor’s family planning policy, which was branded a “gag rule” by women’s groups and decried by medical associations as violating the doctor-patient relationship.

But the Biden administration stopped short of immediately suspending the Trump regulation, which went into effect in 2019. While some abortion rights advocates had sought that additional step, administration officials believe that moving carefully and deliberately will increase the odds of the proposed changes being upheld in court.

Known as Title X, the federal family planning program has been in place for 50 years. It makes available about $286 million annually in grants that support clinics serving mainly low-income women. Those clinics, which provide birth control and basic health care services, have been whipsawed by Trump-era battles over ideology and by the impact of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;on health services providers. Before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9e62021bcde04e69aa2ffc2e70a60f8f">exiting the program in 2019</a>, Planned Parenthood and its affiliates served an estimated 40% of the patients.

Though by law federal family planning money could not be used to pay for abortions, religious conservatives long regarded the program as a form of indirect subsidy to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest provider of abortions. Former President Donald Trump counted on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-elections-7433585aae55ea0cadd9ea5f0eb00a62">religious conservatives</a>&nbsp;as a cornerstone of his political base and acceded to their demands on a range of women’s health issues.

Besides banning abortion referrals, his administration required federally funded clinics to financially and physically separate themselves from facilities that provide abortions. Abortion counseling was designated as an optional instead of a standard practice, and limits were placed on which staff members could discuss abortion with patients, among other requirements. Pregnant women were supposed to be referred for prenatal counseling even if they did not want it.

The Biden administration estimated that as a result of the Trump policy changes, the program serves about 1.5 million fewer women a year, a 37% reduction from the average caseload from 2016-18. HHS also estimated that the Trump policies may have led to up to 180,000 unintended pregnancies.

The department said its proposed rule reversal will restore the program to how it ran under President Barack Obama, when clinics were able to refer women seeking abortions to a provider.

“Ultimately, continued enforcement of the 2019 rule raises the possibility of a two-tiered health care system in which those with insurance and full access to health care receive full medical information and referrals, while low-income populations with fewer opportunities for care are relegated to inferior access,” HHS said in a statement. “This situation creates a widespread public health concern.”

Planned Parenthood’s president, Alexis McGill Johnson, said her organization could be participating in the program again some time next year, if the Biden rule is finalized as expected. HHS said clinics that left the program will gradually return, and Title X should again be serving about 4 million clients within a couple of years.

McGill Johnson said Biden must not only restore the program, but improve it. “What is most important is a kind of double-down commitment to really ensuring expanded access to care,” she said in an interview.

Release of the proposed regulations was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-medication-abortion-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-pandemic-1bd5c161f8e0f9f80e98b63002f50d37">the second blow to abortion opponents this week</a>&nbsp;from the administration. On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration said women would not be required to visit a doctor’s office to get a prescription for an abortion pill for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic and instead could safely rely on telehealth.

The head of a national group that works to elect candidates opposed to abortion said the administration is rewarding Planned Parenthood for its political support. “Coming on the heels of the Biden FDA’s refusal to enforce safety regulations on dangerous abortion drugs, plus Biden’s efforts to undermine the Supreme Court, their latest push to bail out the abortion industry proves there is no rule they won’t rewrite or simply ignore to get their way,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, said in a statement.

But the American Medical Association welcomed the shift, saying the Trump policy “inappropriately interfered with the patient-physician relationship and jeopardized safe access to reproductive care.”

The rule reversal on family planning clinics is proceeding alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-ruth-bader-ginsburg-abortion-reproductive-rights-courts-cb3720593bd6bd6bd6546c3b80a4eb15">litigation over the Trump administration policy</a>, now before the Supreme Court. In that case, the justices agreed to hear a challenge to the rules Biden is now trying to unravel. The Biden administration and medical groups that filed the challenge are asking the court to dismiss the case, but Republican state attorneys general want to proceed. The court has yet to say what it will do.

The 1970 law that created the family planning program stipulated that taxpayer money may not be used “where abortion is a method of family planning.”

Abortion rights supporters and opponents have argued for decades about whether counseling a patient about abortion or referring a patient to a different provider for an abortion violates that language.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">Abortion</a>&nbsp;remains a legal medical procedure, though improved access to birth control in recent years has led to a significant decline.

The Biden administration’s rule must go through a notice-and-comment period and additional review before being finalized, which can take several months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578943990420.png" alt="Planned Parenthood in Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Planned Parenthood in Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration this week began to undo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e0bf2658969c482bb9addf40eb5bd667">a Trump-era ban on clinics referring women for abortions</a>, a policy that drove Planned Parenthood from the federal family planning program and created new complications for women trying to get birth control.The proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services follows through on President Joe Biden’s campaign promise to reverse his predecessor’s family planning policy, which was branded a “gag rule” by women’s groups and decried by medical associations as violating the doctor-patient relationship.But the Biden administration stopped short of immediately suspending the Trump regulation, which went into effect in 2019. While some abortion rights advocates had sought that additional step, administration officials believe that moving carefully and deliberately will increase the odds of the proposed changes being upheld in court.Known as Title X, the federal family planning program has been in place for 50 years. It makes available about $286 million annually in grants that support clinics serving mainly low-income women. Those clinics, which provide birth control and basic health care services, have been whipsawed by Trump-era battles over ideology and by the impact of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;on health services providers. Before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9e62021bcde04e69aa2ffc2e70a60f8f">exiting the program in 2019</a>, Planned Parenthood and its affiliates served an estimated 40% of the patients.Though by law federal family planning money could not be used to pay for abortions, religious conservatives long regarded the program as a form of indirect subsidy to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest provider of abortions. Former President Donald Trump counted on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-elections-7433585aae55ea0cadd9ea5f0eb00a62">religious conservatives</a>&nbsp;as a cornerstone of his political base and acceded to their demands on a range of women’s health issues.Besides banning abortion referrals, his administration required federally funded clinics to financially and physically separate themselves from facilities that provide abortions. Abortion counseling was designated as an optional instead of a standard practice, and limits were placed on which staff members could discuss abortion with patients, among other requirements. Pregnant women were supposed to be referred for prenatal counseling even if they did not want it.The Biden administration estimated that as a result of the Trump policy changes, the program serves about 1.5 million fewer women a year, a 37% reduction from the average caseload from 2016-18. HHS also estimated that the Trump policies may have led to up to 180,000 unintended pregnancies.The department said its proposed rule reversal will restore the program to how it ran under President Barack Obama, when clinics were able to refer women seeking abortions to a provider.“Ultimately, continued enforcement of the 2019 rule raises the possibility of a two-tiered health care system in which those with insurance and full access to health care receive full medical information and referrals, while low-income populations with fewer opportunities for care are relegated to inferior access,” HHS said in a statement. “This situation creates a widespread public health concern.”Planned Parenthood’s president, Alexis McGill Johnson, said her organization could be participating in the program again some time next year, if the Biden rule is finalized as expected. HHS said clinics that left the program will gradually return, and Title X should again be serving about 4 million clients within a couple of years.McGill Johnson said Biden must not only restore the program, but improve it. “What is most important is a kind of double-down commitment to really ensuring expanded access to care,” she said in an interview.Release of the proposed regulations was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-medication-abortion-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-pandemic-1bd5c161f8e0f9f80e98b63002f50d37">the second blow to abortion opponents this week</a>&nbsp;from the administration. On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration said women would not be required to visit a doctor’s office to get a prescription for an abortion pill for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic and instead could safely rely on telehealth.The head of a national group that works to elect candidates opposed to abortion said the administration is rewarding Planned Parenthood for its political support. “Coming on the heels of the Biden FDA’s refusal to enforce safety regulations on dangerous abortion drugs, plus Biden’s efforts to undermine the Supreme Court, their latest push to bail out the abortion industry proves there is no rule they won’t rewrite or simply ignore to get their way,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, said in a statement.But the American Medical Association welcomed the shift, saying the Trump policy “inappropriately interfered with the patient-physician relationship and jeopardized safe access to reproductive care.”The rule reversal on family planning clinics is proceeding alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-ruth-bader-ginsburg-abortion-reproductive-rights-courts-cb3720593bd6bd6bd6546c3b80a4eb15">litigation over the Trump administration policy</a>, now before the Supreme Court. In that case, the justices agreed to hear a challenge to the rules Biden is now trying to unravel. The Biden administration and medical groups that filed the challenge are asking the court to dismiss the case, but Republican state attorneys general want to proceed. The court has yet to say what it will do.The 1970 law that created the family planning program stipulated that taxpayer money may not be used “where abortion is a method of family planning.”Abortion rights supporters and opponents have argued for decades about whether counseling a patient about abortion or referring a patient to a different provider for an abortion violates that language.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">Abortion</a>&nbsp;remains a legal medical procedure, though improved access to birth control in recent years has led to a significant decline.The Biden administration’s rule must go through a notice-and-comment period and additional review before being finalized, which can take several months.

Pres. Biden begins to undo ban on abortion referrals

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police continue to investigate a crash last week that led to the death days later of a Lincoln Southeast High School student. 

The Lincoln Journal Star says 18-year-old Kennedy Bowles was taken off life support on Wednesday, four days after the Saturday night crash that left her hospitalized. 

Police say Bowles was riding in a car that ran a red light and crashed into a pickup truck. 

The crash sent both vehicles into a ditch and four people, including Bowles, to Lincoln hospitals. 

No charges had been filed in the crash as of early Friday.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police continue to investigate a crash last week that led to the death days later of a Lincoln Southeast High School student. The Lincoln Journal Star says 18-year-old Kennedy Bowles was taken off life support on Wednesday, four days after the Saturday night crash that left her hospitalized. Police say Bowles was riding in a car that ran a red light and crashed into a pickup truck. The crash sent both vehicles into a ditch and four people, including Bowles, to Lincoln hospitals. No charges had been filed in the crash as of early Friday.

Lincoln teen dies several days after 2-vehicle crash

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — The mayor of a Minneapolis suburb that's seen nightly protests after a white police officer fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright contends police are overreacting to demonstrators and should scale back their tactics. 

Brooklyn Center Mayor Tim Elliott said at a news conference that he doesn't agree with police using pepper spray, tear gas and paintballs during demonstrations. 

The City Council passed a resolution banning city officers from using tear gas and other tactics against demonstrators. The city's stance has left leaders of other law enforcement agencies helping to control demonstrators confused. 

Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson sent Elliott a letter Wednesday asking if he still wanted his department's help.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618594017922.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — The mayor of a Minneapolis suburb that's seen nightly protests after a white police officer fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright contends police are overreacting to demonstrators and should scale back their tactics. Brooklyn Center Mayor Tim Elliott said at a news conference that he doesn't agree with police using pepper spray, tear gas and paintballs during demonstrations. The City Council passed a resolution banning city officers from using tear gas and other tactics against demonstrators. The city's stance has left leaders of other law enforcement agencies helping to control demonstrators confused. Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson sent Elliott a letter Wednesday asking if he still wanted his department's help.

Minnesota mayor blasts police tactics to control protesters

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has made public statistical models showing Wyoming is home to the 11 most coronavirus vaccine-hesitant counties in the country.

 The Casper Star-Tribune reported Wednesday that the models show 32% of residents in Johnson, Converse, Washakie, Crook, Niobrara, Weston, Natrona, Goshen, Campbell, Platte and Carbon counties are hesitant about getting vaccinations.

 That's more than any other counties in the U.S. 

The models rely on a U.S. Census Bureau survey assessing public attitudes toward the vaccines.

 The report did not provide a margin of error for each county and said the estimates could be swayed by a number of variables.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has made public statistical models showing Wyoming is home to the 11 most coronavirus vaccine-hesitant counties in the country. The Casper Star-Tribune reported Wednesday that the models show 32% of residents in Johnson, Converse, Washakie, Crook, Niobrara, Weston, Natrona, Goshen, Campbell, Platte and Carbon counties are hesitant about getting vaccinations. That's more than any other counties in the U.S. The models rely on a U.S. Census Bureau survey assessing public attitudes toward the vaccines. The report did not provide a margin of error for each county and said the estimates could be swayed by a number of variables.

Report: Wyoming home to most vaccine-hesitant counties in US

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha man has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and a gun charge in the shooting death last year of a registered sex offender. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that 44-year-old James Fairbanks entered the plea Thursday in the May 14 shooting death of 64-year-old Mattieo Condoluci. 

Prosecutors say Fairbanks showed up at Condoluci's door with a rifle and fired seven shots into Condoluci, a convicted sex offender. 

Authorities say Fairbanks didn't know Condoluci, but was hunting sex offenders when he shot the older man. 

Fairbanks' attorney had suggested before the plea agreement that Fairbanks shot Condoluci in self defense when Condoluci lunged at him in the doorway.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha man has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and a gun charge in the shooting death last year of a registered sex offender. The Omaha World-Herald reports that 44-year-old James Fairbanks entered the plea Thursday in the May 14 shooting death of 64-year-old Mattieo Condoluci. Prosecutors say Fairbanks showed up at Condoluci's door with a rifle and fired seven shots into Condoluci, a convicted sex offender. Authorities say Fairbanks didn't know Condoluci, but was hunting sex offenders when he shot the older man. Fairbanks' attorney had suggested before the plea agreement that Fairbanks shot Condoluci in self defense when Condoluci lunged at him in the doorway.

Omaha man pleads to count in fatal shooting of sex offender

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — An 18-year-old man pleaded no contest to misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide in the death of a concrete truck driver last year. 

Garrett Bragg, of Murdock, was charged in a crash on Oct. 7, 2020, on Nebraska 370. 

The Sarpy County Attorney's office said Bragg turned left when a concrete truck driven by 58-year-old Gregory Brennan, of Omaha, was coming through the intersection. 

Bragg had a flashing yellow light while Brennan had a green light.

 Brennan swerved to avoid a direct collision and clipped the back of Bragg's car. 

The concrete truck overturned, killing Brennan. 

Prosecutors said without Brennan's “heroic” actions, Bragg could have been killed.

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — An 18-year-old man pleaded no contest to misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide in the death of a concrete truck driver last year. Garrett Bragg, of Murdock, was charged in a crash on Oct. 7, 2020, on Nebraska 370. The Sarpy County Attorney's office said Bragg turned left when a concrete truck driven by 58-year-old Gregory Brennan, of Omaha, was coming through the intersection. Bragg had a flashing yellow light while Brennan had a green light. Brennan swerved to avoid a direct collision and clipped the back of Bragg's car. The concrete truck overturned, killing Brennan. Prosecutors said without Brennan's “heroic” actions, Bragg could have been killed.

Man pleads no contest in crash that killed truck driver

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of congressional Democrats introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/judiciary_act_of_2021.pdf" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;Thursday to add four seats to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/institution.aspx" target="_blank">Supreme Court</a>, a long-shot bid designed to counter the court’s rightward tilt during the Trump administration and criticized by Republicans as a potential power grab that would reduce the public’s trust in the judiciary.

President Joe Biden last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-ruth-bader-ginsburg-amy-coney-barrett-judiciary-8734750b75318ed429bf206e2a8af6d1">created a commission</a>&nbsp;to spend the next six months examining the politically incendiary issues of expanding the court and instituting term limits for justices.

The fight over the composition of the nine-member court has become increasingly contentious over the past two decades, with fierce battles over nominees and acrimonious debates about the politicization of the judicial branch.

But the bill’s introduction had an inauspicious start. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she might not bring it up for a vote if it advanced out of committee and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was noncommittal as well.

Democratic lawmakers and groups supporting the court expansion bill gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court to make their case.

“Some people say we’re packing the court. We’re not packing it. We’re unpacking it,” said the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep, Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y. He said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and the GOP had “packed the court over the last couple of years. This is a reaction to that. It’s a necessary step in the evolution of the court.”

Inside the Capitol, Durbin, made clear that he wanted to wait for the White House’s 36-member commission to report its findings before deciding on a course of action.

“I’m not ready to sign on yet,” Durbin said. “I think this commission of Biden’s is the right move. Let’s think this through carefully. This is historic.”

Pelosi was even more dismissive. The prospect of an expanded Supreme Court is a campaign issue that Republicans will focus on as they target swing districts in their bid to retake the majority. Even before the bill’s introduction, state GOP parties were drawing attention to the effort in an attempt to link vulnerable Democratic members to it.

“I have no plans to bring it to the floor,” Pelosi told reporters.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would wait for the commission’s work to “play out,” before taking a position on the matter.

Republicans quickly jumped in to the debate. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said in a SiriusXM radio interview that no matter what issue comes up this Congress, “this has got to be the most important because, remember, it’s taking over an entire branch of government.”

McConnell quoted the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who warned before her death that adding justices to the Supreme Court would make it appear partisan and that “nine seems to be a good number.”

“But the farthest-left activists aren’t interested in the common good. They want power,” McConnell said.

Supporters of expanding the court say Republicans gained an unfair advantage by blocking President Barack Obama’s 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland, a federal appeals judge at the time who is now Biden’s attorney general, under the rationale that it was a presidential election year and the voters should decide. McConnell refused to hold hearings on filling the vacancy after Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, even though the November election was months away.

Last year, McConnell and the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, to fill Ginsburg’s seat just days before the presidential election, securing a likely conservative majority for years to come.

In their news conference on the Supreme Court steps, the authors and co-sponsors of the legislation framed the proposed expansion as a necessary progression to keep up with a growing nation and a growing case workload. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said the court expanded on seven occasions prior to the Civil War, “leaving us today with the historical oddity of 13 circuit courts of appeal and only nine justices.”

Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., went right to the anger and frustration that so many Democrats have with the judicial conformation process under Trump and McConnell’s stewardship.

“The Republicans stole two seats on the Supreme Court and now it is up to us to repair that damage,” Markey said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618533579747.png" alt="Democratic lawmakers and groups supporting the court expansion bill gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court Thursday to make their case. image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Democratic lawmakers and groups supporting the court expansion bill gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court Thursday to make their case. image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of congressional Democrats introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/judiciary_act_of_2021.pdf" target="_blank">legislation</a>&nbsp;Thursday to add four seats to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/institution.aspx" target="_blank">Supreme Court</a>, a long-shot bid designed to counter the court’s rightward tilt during the Trump administration and criticized by Republicans as a potential power grab that would reduce the public’s trust in the judiciary.President Joe Biden last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-ruth-bader-ginsburg-amy-coney-barrett-judiciary-8734750b75318ed429bf206e2a8af6d1">created a commission</a>&nbsp;to spend the next six months examining the politically incendiary issues of expanding the court and instituting term limits for justices.The fight over the composition of the nine-member court has become increasingly contentious over the past two decades, with fierce battles over nominees and acrimonious debates about the politicization of the judicial branch.But the bill’s introduction had an inauspicious start. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she might not bring it up for a vote if it advanced out of committee and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was noncommittal as well.Democratic lawmakers and groups supporting the court expansion bill gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court to make their case.“Some people say we’re packing the court. We’re not packing it. We’re unpacking it,” said the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep, Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y. He said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and the GOP had “packed the court over the last couple of years. This is a reaction to that. It’s a necessary step in the evolution of the court.”Inside the Capitol, Durbin, made clear that he wanted to wait for the White House’s 36-member commission to report its findings before deciding on a course of action.“I’m not ready to sign on yet,” Durbin said. “I think this commission of Biden’s is the right move. Let’s think this through carefully. This is historic.”Pelosi was even more dismissive. The prospect of an expanded Supreme Court is a campaign issue that Republicans will focus on as they target swing districts in their bid to retake the majority. Even before the bill’s introduction, state GOP parties were drawing attention to the effort in an attempt to link vulnerable Democratic members to it.“I have no plans to bring it to the floor,” Pelosi told reporters.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would wait for the commission’s work to “play out,” before taking a position on the matter.Republicans quickly jumped in to the debate. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said in a SiriusXM radio interview that no matter what issue comes up this Congress, “this has got to be the most important because, remember, it’s taking over an entire branch of government.”McConnell quoted the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who warned before her death that adding justices to the Supreme Court would make it appear partisan and that “nine seems to be a good number.”“But the farthest-left activists aren’t interested in the common good. They want power,” McConnell said.Supporters of expanding the court say Republicans gained an unfair advantage by blocking President Barack Obama’s 2016 nomination of Merrick Garland, a federal appeals judge at the time who is now Biden’s attorney general, under the rationale that it was a presidential election year and the voters should decide. McConnell refused to hold hearings on filling the vacancy after Justice Antonin Scalia’s death, even though the November election was months away.Last year, McConnell and the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, to fill Ginsburg’s seat just days before the presidential election, securing a likely conservative majority for years to come.In their news conference on the Supreme Court steps, the authors and co-sponsors of the legislation framed the proposed expansion as a necessary progression to keep up with a growing nation and a growing case workload. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said the court expanded on seven occasions prior to the Civil War, “leaving us today with the historical oddity of 13 circuit courts of appeal and only nine justices.”Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., went right to the anger and frustration that so many Democrats have with the judicial conformation process under Trump and McConnell’s stewardship.“The Republicans stole two seats on the Supreme Court and now it is up to us to repair that damage,” Markey said.___

Democrats introduce bill to expand the Supreme Court

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Police in Indianapolis say eight people were shot and killed at a FedEx facility. 

A police spokesperson says several other people were injured in the Thursday night shooting. 

At least four were hospitalized, including one person with critical injuries. Another two people were treated and released at the scene. 

Police were still at the scene conducting interviews in the early hours of Friday. It was the latest in a recent string of mass shootings across the U.S. 

Family members have gathered at a hotel to await word on loved ones. 

The facility is near the Indianapolis International Airport.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592496252691.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Police in Indianapolis say eight people were shot and killed at a FedEx facility. The shooter then killed himself. A police spokesperson says several other people were injured in the Thursday night shooting. At least four were hospitalized, including one person with critical injuries. Another two people were treated and released at the scene. The shooter has not been identified. Police were still at the scene conducting interviews in the early hours of Friday. It was the latest in a recent string of mass shootings across the U.S. Family members have gathered at a hotel to await word on loved ones. The facility is near the Indianapolis International Airport.

Police: 8 dead in shooting at FedEx facility in Indianapolis

WASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service today continued an ongoing effort to 
help those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic by reminding 
people who don't have a permanent address or a bank account that they 
may still qualify for Economic Impact Payments and other tax benefits.

While Economic Impact Payments continue to be made automatically to 
most people, the IRS can't issue a payment to eligible Americans when 
information about them isn't available in the tax agency's systems.

To help people experiencing homelessness, the rural poor and other 
historically under-served groups, the IRS urges community groups, 
employers and others to share information about Economic Impact Payments
 and help more eligible people file a tax return so they can receive 
everything they're entitled to. IRS.gov has a variety of information and
 tools to help people receive the Economic Impact Payments.

"The IRS has been continuing to work directly with groups inside and 
outside the tax community to get information directly to people 
experiencing homelessness and other groups to help them receive Economic
 Impact Payments," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The IRS is 
working hard on this effort, enabling millions of people who don't 
normally file a tax return to receive these payments. But we need to do 
more, and we appreciate all the help we've been receiving from national 
and local groups to assist in this effort to reach the people who 
desperately need this help."

Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus payments, are 
different from most other tax benefits; people can get the payments even
 if they have little or no income and even if they don't usually file a 
tax return. This is true as long as they have a Social Security number 
and are not being supported by someone else who can claim them as a 
dependent.

The IRS needs information from people who don't usually file a tax 
return – even if they did not have any income last year or their income 
was not large enough to require them to file. The only way for the 
agency to have that information is for people to file a basic 2020 tax 
return with the IRS. Once that return is processed, the IRS can quickly 
send stimulus payments to an address selected by the eligible 
individual. People do not need a permanent address or a bank account. 
They don't need to have a job. For eligible individuals, the IRS will 
still issue the payment even if they haven't filed a tax return in 
years.

People in this group can still qualify for the first two Economic 
Impact Payments when they file their 2020 return by claiming the 
Recovery Rebate Credit. There's a special section on IRS.gov that can 
help: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.
 For the current third round of payments, people who are experiencing 
homelessness usually qualify to receive $1,400 for themselves. If they 
are married or have dependents, they can get an additional $1,400 for 
each of their family members.

Filing a 2020 federal income tax return that provides very basic 
information about the person is something that can be done 
electronically using a smartphone or a computer. When the IRS receives 
the return, it will automatically calculate and issue the Economic 
Impact Payments to eligible individuals.

People can claim an Economic Impact Payment or other credits even if 
they don't have a permanent address. For example, someone experiencing 
homelessness may list the address of a friend, relative or trusted 
service provider, such as a shelter, drop-in day center or transitional 
housing program, on the return filed with the IRS. If they are unable to
 choose direct deposit, a check or debit card for the tax refund and the
 third Economic Impact Payment can then be mailed to this address.

Individuals experiencing homelessness can receive the EITC

A worker experiencing homelessness can get an Earned Income Tax 
Credit (EITC). To get the credit, federal law requires that a worker 
live in the U.S. for more than half of the year and meet other 
requirements. This means living in a home in any of the 50 states or the
 District of Columbia. Therefore, individuals experiencing homelessness,
 including those who reside at one or more homeless shelters, can meet 
that requirement.

Many financial institutions will help a person lacking an account to 
open a low-cost or no-cost bank account. Individuals who open accounts 
will then have an account and routing number available when they file 
and claim a direct deposit of the Economic Impact Payment.

Visit the <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/about/initiatives/getbanked/index.html">Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) website</a> for details, in both English and Spanish, on opening an account online. Among other things, people can also use the FDIC's <a href="https://banks.data.fdic.gov/bankfind-suite/bankfind">BankFind</a> tool to locate a nearby FDIC-insured bank. In addition, <a href="https://covidbanking.joinbankon.org/">BankOn</a>, <a href="https://www.aba.com/advocacy/community-programs/consumer-resources/manage-your-money/choosing-safe-affordable-account">American Bankers Association</a>, <a href="https://www.icba.org/about/find-a-community-bank/open-a-bank-account-remotely">Independent Community Bankers of America</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">National Credit Union Administration</a> have all compiled lists of banks and credit union that can open an account online.

For veterans, see the <a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)</a>&nbsp;for access to financial services at participating banks.

For those with a prepaid debit card, they may be able to have their 
refund applied to the card. Many reloadable prepaid cards or mobile 
payment apps have account and routing numbers that can be provided to 
the IRS. Individuals would need to check with the financial institution 
to ensure the card can be used and to obtain the routing number and 
account number, which may be different from the card number.

The fastest and easiest way to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit 
and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or to get the third Economic Impact 
Payment is to file a return electronically using IRS Free File. People 
can use a smartphone or computer to visit IRS.gov and click the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">File Your Taxes for Free</a>&nbsp;link.

Through the Free File system, anyone who qualifies for the EITC also 
qualifies to use brand-name software to prepare and electronically file 
their return for free. The IRS urges anyone experiencing homelessness 
who has a smartphone or access to a computer to take advantage of this 
service.

Alternatively, anyone who qualifies for the EITC or does not have a 
filing requirement but is filing to get an Economic Impact Payment also 
qualifies for free tax help from a trained community volunteer tax 
preparer. Through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and TCE (Tax 
Counselling for the Elderly), volunteers prepare basic tax returns at 
thousands of tax help sites nationwide.

Please note that some VITA/TCE sites are not operating at full 
capacity and others are not opening this year. To find the nearest 
location, visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Free Tax Return Preparation</a> site on IRS.gov, or call <a href="tel:800-906-9887">800-906-9887</a>. VITA/TCE site availability is updated throughout the filing season, so check back if there aren't any sites listed nearby.

The IRS also continues to work extensively with community groups 
across the country to get people to file tax returns and receive all the
 Economic Impact Payments and credits they're entitled to. These efforts
 helped lead to more than 8 million people last year to submit tax 
returns who normally don't file.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">Direct deposit</a>
 is the safest and fastest way to receive a refund and Economic Impact 
Payments. People will need to include direct deposit information on 
their 2020 tax return to get their payment directly deposited.

Anyone with a savings, checking, or brokerage account can choose to 
have their refund electronically deposited in that account. Direct 
deposit is available even for people who file a paper tax return, but 
processing of paper returns takes longer.

More details on the Earned Income Tax Credit

For people experiencing homelessness who have a job, filing a return 
often carries an added bonus—getting a refund based on various tax 
benefits, especially the EITC for low-and moderate-income workers and 
working families.

Like many other workers, some workers experiencing homelessness still
 qualify for the credit even if they earned too little income during 
2020 to owe tax. For 2020, the income limit is $15,820 for singles with 
no children ($21,710 for couples with no children). The income limit is 
higher for people with children. For example, the limit is $50,594 for 
singles with three or more children ($56,844 for couples with three or 
more children). Those who make less than this amount must also meet 
other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-qualify-for-the-credit-for-the-elderly-or-disabled">eligibility requirements</a>.

Because it's a refundable credit, those who qualify and claim the 
credit could pay less federal tax, pay no tax, or even get a tax refund.
 The EITC can put up to $6,660 into a worker's pocket. The amount varies
 depending upon the worker's income, marital status, and other factors.

The IRS recognizes that eligible workers experiencing homelessness often encounter unique challenges not faced by other people.

To find out if they're eligible, people can use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant">EITC Assistant</a> on IRS.gov. It's available in both English and Spanish.

Employers can help by making their employees aware of the third 
Economic Impact Payment, 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and Earned Income 
Tax and Child Tax Credit, and by encouraging them to file for these 
benefits based on tax year 2020 rules. In addition, the American Rescue 
Plan, enacted in March 2021, expands EITC and the Child Tax Credit 
benefits for the 2021 tax year.

Some people will be able to get advance payments of the Child Tax 
Credit later this year. There is nothing those who qualify need to do at
 this point other than file a 2020 tax return.

Employers can also help by making it easy for employees to obtain or 
access their 2020 W-2 forms. For more information, check out the <a href="https://www.eitc.irs.gov/partner-toolkit/employers/employers">outreach material</a>, available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service today continued an ongoing effort to 
help those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic by reminding 
people who don't have a permanent address or a bank account that they 
may still qualify for Economic Impact Payments and other tax benefits.While Economic Impact Payments continue to be made automatically to 
most people, the IRS can't issue a payment to eligible Americans when 
information about them isn't available in the tax agency's systems.To help people experiencing homelessness, the rural poor and other 
historically under-served groups, the IRS urges community groups, 
employers and others to share information about Economic Impact Payments
 and help more eligible people file a tax return so they can receive 
everything they're entitled to. IRS.gov has a variety of information and
 tools to help people receive the Economic Impact Payments."The IRS has been continuing to work directly with groups inside and 
outside the tax community to get information directly to people 
experiencing homelessness and other groups to help them receive Economic
 Impact Payments," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The IRS is 
working hard on this effort, enabling millions of people who don't 
normally file a tax return to receive these payments. But we need to do 
more, and we appreciate all the help we've been receiving from national 
and local groups to assist in this effort to reach the people who 
desperately need this help."Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus payments, are 
different from most other tax benefits; people can get the payments even
 if they have little or no income and even if they don't usually file a 
tax return. This is true as long as they have a Social Security number 
and are not being supported by someone else who can claim them as a 
dependent.The IRS needs information from people who don't usually file a tax 
return – even if they did not have any income last year or their income 
was not large enough to require them to file. The only way for the 
agency to have that information is for people to file a basic 2020 tax 
return with the IRS. Once that return is processed, the IRS can quickly 
send stimulus payments to an address selected by the eligible 
individual. People do not need a permanent address or a bank account. 
They don't need to have a job. For eligible individuals, the IRS will 
still issue the payment even if they haven't filed a tax return in 
years.People in this group can still qualify for the first two Economic 
Impact Payments when they file their 2020 return by claiming the 
Recovery Rebate Credit. There's a special section on IRS.gov that can 
help: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.
 For the current third round of payments, people who are experiencing 
homelessness usually qualify to receive $1,400 for themselves. If they 
are married or have dependents, they can get an additional $1,400 for 
each of their family members.Filing a 2020 federal income tax return that provides very basic 
information about the person is something that can be done 
electronically using a smartphone or a computer. When the IRS receives 
the return, it will automatically calculate and issue the Economic 
Impact Payments to eligible individuals.<h2>Permanent address not required</h2>People can claim an Economic Impact Payment or other credits even if 
they don't have a permanent address. For example, someone experiencing 
homelessness may list the address of a friend, relative or trusted 
service provider, such as a shelter, drop-in day center or transitional 
housing program, on the return filed with the IRS. If they are unable to
 choose direct deposit, a check or debit card for the tax refund and the
 third Economic Impact Payment can then be mailed to this address.<h2>Individuals experiencing homelessness can receive the EITC</h2>A worker experiencing homelessness can get an Earned Income Tax 
Credit (EITC). To get the credit, federal law requires that a worker 
live in the U.S. for more than half of the year and meet other 
requirements. This means living in a home in any of the 50 states or the
 District of Columbia. Therefore, individuals experiencing homelessness,
 including those who reside at one or more homeless shelters, can meet 
that requirement.<h2>No bank account? No problem</h2>Many financial institutions will help a person lacking an account to 
open a low-cost or no-cost bank account. Individuals who open accounts 
will then have an account and routing number available when they file 
and claim a direct deposit of the Economic Impact Payment.Visit the <a href="https://www.fdic.gov/about/initiatives/getbanked/index.html">Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) website</a> for details, in both English and Spanish, on opening an account online. Among other things, people can also use the FDIC's <a href="https://banks.data.fdic.gov/bankfind-suite/bankfind">BankFind</a> tool to locate a nearby FDIC-insured bank. In addition, <a href="https://covidbanking.joinbankon.org/">BankOn</a>, <a href="https://www.aba.com/advocacy/community-programs/consumer-resources/manage-your-money/choosing-safe-affordable-account">American Bankers Association</a>, <a href="https://www.icba.org/about/find-a-community-bank/open-a-bank-account-remotely">Independent Community Bankers of America</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-locator">National Credit Union Administration</a> have all compiled lists of banks and credit union that can open an account online.For veterans, see the <a href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/banking.asp">Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)</a>&nbsp;for access to financial services at participating banks.For those with a prepaid debit card, they may be able to have their 
refund applied to the card. Many reloadable prepaid cards or mobile 
payment apps have account and routing numbers that can be provided to 
the IRS. Individuals would need to check with the financial institution 
to ensure the card can be used and to obtain the routing number and 
account number, which may be different from the card number.<h2>File for free</h2>The fastest and easiest way to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit 
and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or to get the third Economic Impact 
Payment is to file a return electronically using IRS Free File. People 
can use a smartphone or computer to visit IRS.gov and click the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free">File Your Taxes for Free</a>&nbsp;link.Through the Free File system, anyone who qualifies for the EITC also 
qualifies to use brand-name software to prepare and electronically file 
their return for free. The IRS urges anyone experiencing homelessness 
who has a smartphone or access to a computer to take advantage of this 
service.<h2>Get free help from IRS partners</h2>Alternatively, anyone who qualifies for the EITC or does not have a 
filing requirement but is filing to get an Economic Impact Payment also 
qualifies for free tax help from a trained community volunteer tax 
preparer. Through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and TCE (Tax 
Counselling for the Elderly), volunteers prepare basic tax returns at 
thousands of tax help sites nationwide.Please note that some VITA/TCE sites are not operating at full 
capacity and others are not opening this year. To find the nearest 
location, visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">Free Tax Return Preparation</a> site on IRS.gov, or call <a href="tel:800-906-9887">800-906-9887</a>. VITA/TCE site availability is updated throughout the filing season, so check back if there aren't any sites listed nearby.The IRS also continues to work extensively with community groups 
across the country to get people to file tax returns and receive all the
 Economic Impact Payments and credits they're entitled to. These efforts
 helped lead to more than 8 million people last year to submit tax 
returns who normally don't file.<h2>Direct deposit speeds payments</h2><a href="https://www.irs.gov/refunds/get-your-refund-faster-tell-irs-to-direct-deposit-your-refund-to-one-two-or-three-accounts">Direct deposit</a>
 is the safest and fastest way to receive a refund and Economic Impact 
Payments. People will need to include direct deposit information on 
their 2020 tax return to get their payment directly deposited.Anyone with a savings, checking, or brokerage account can choose to 
have their refund electronically deposited in that account. Direct 
deposit is available even for people who file a paper tax return, but 
processing of paper returns takes longer.<h2>More details on the Earned Income Tax Credit</h2>For people experiencing homelessness who have a job, filing a return 
often carries an added bonus—getting a refund based on various tax 
benefits, especially the EITC for low-and moderate-income workers and 
working families.Like many other workers, some workers experiencing homelessness still
 qualify for the credit even if they earned too little income during 
2020 to owe tax. For 2020, the income limit is $15,820 for singles with 
no children ($21,710 for couples with no children). The income limit is 
higher for people with children. For example, the limit is $50,594 for 
singles with three or more children ($56,844 for couples with three or 
more children). Those who make less than this amount must also meet 
other <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-qualify-for-the-credit-for-the-elderly-or-disabled">eligibility requirements</a>.Because it's a refundable credit, those who qualify and claim the 
credit could pay less federal tax, pay no tax, or even get a tax refund.
 The EITC can put up to $6,660 into a worker's pocket. The amount varies
 depending upon the worker's income, marital status, and other factors.The IRS recognizes that eligible workers experiencing homelessness often encounter unique challenges not faced by other people.To find out if they're eligible, people can use the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant">EITC Assistant</a> on IRS.gov. It's available in both English and Spanish.<h2>Help spread the word</h2>Employers can help by making their employees aware of the third 
Economic Impact Payment, 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and Earned Income 
Tax and Child Tax Credit, and by encouraging them to file for these 
benefits based on tax year 2020 rules. In addition, the American Rescue 
Plan, enacted in March 2021, expands EITC and the Child Tax Credit 
benefits for the 2021 tax year.Some people will be able to get advance payments of the Child Tax 
Credit later this year. There is nothing those who qualify need to do at
 this point other than file a 2020 tax return.Employers can also help by making it easy for employees to obtain or 
access their 2020 W-2 forms. For more information, check out the <a href="https://www.eitc.irs.gov/partner-toolkit/employers/employers">outreach material</a>, available on IRS.gov.

IRS: Homeless may qualify for COVID stimulus payments

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A jury has acquitted former Nebraska football player Katerian LeGrone of first-degree sexual assault a 19-year-old fellow student in 2019.

 The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the Lancaster County jury returned the verdict Thursday. 

LaGrone was a redshirt freshman tight end from Atlanta when he and another Nebraska player, Andre Hunt, were accused of sexually assaulting the woman at their apartment.

 Prosecutors said Hunt had been in bed with the woman when LeGrone switched places with Hunt and raped her. 

LeGrone's attorney argued that the woman did nothing to indicate she did not consent to the sexual contact.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A jury has acquitted former Nebraska football player Katerian LeGrone of first-degree sexual assault a 19-year-old fellow student in 2019. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the Lancaster County jury returned the verdict Thursday. LaGrone was a redshirt freshman tight end from Atlanta when he and another Nebraska player, Andre Hunt, were accused of sexually assaulting the woman at their apartment. Prosecutors said Hunt had been in bed with the woman when LeGrone switched places with Hunt and raped her. LeGrone's attorney argued that the woman did nothing to indicate she did not consent to the sexual contact.

Former Nebraska football player acquitted of sex assault

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska prison official resigned in protest after the corrections department denied an inmate's request for an abortion. 

Hayden Thomas was the correction department's American With Disabilities Act coordinator. He resigned on Monday. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports he called the decision to deny the woman an abortion morally and legally wrong because she had a constitutional right to the procedure. 

Thomas resigned before a federal judge ordered prison officials to transport the woman from the state women’s prison in York to an abortion clinic in Lincoln. 

A corrections department spokeswoman said the agency doesn't comment on personnel issues.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska prison official resigned in protest after the corrections department denied an inmate's request for an abortion. Hayden Thomas was the correction department's American With Disabilities Act coordinator. He resigned on Monday. The Omaha World-Herald reports he called the decision to deny the woman an abortion morally and legally wrong because she had a constitutional right to the procedure. Thomas resigned before a federal judge ordered prison officials to transport the woman from the state women’s prison in York to an abortion clinic in Lincoln. A corrections department spokeswoman said the agency doesn't comment on personnel issues.

Corrections official resigned over inmate abortion decision

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would have extended free-speech protections to Nebraska student journalists and their advisers stalled in the Legislature after advancing through an initial vote last month.

 Backers fell short of the support they needed after three senators switched their votes on the second of three rounds of debate. 

Lawmakers voted 30-17 to overcome a filibuster by opponents, but needed 33 “yes” votes. 

Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, introduced the bill following numerous incidents where Nebraska high school administrators censored student newspaper articles they deemed too controversial or unflattering.

 The bill would have applied to students at public high schools, colleges and universities and would have included exceptions for stories that are libelous or violate journalism ethics.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would have extended free-speech protections to Nebraska student journalists and their advisers stalled in the Legislature after advancing through an initial vote last month. Backers fell short of the support they needed after three senators switched their votes on the second of three rounds of debate. Lawmakers voted 30-17 to overcome a filibuster by opponents, but needed 33 “yes” votes. Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, introduced the bill following numerous incidents where Nebraska high school administrators censored student newspaper articles they deemed too controversial or unflattering. The bill would have applied to students at public high schools, colleges and universities and would have included exceptions for stories that are libelous or violate journalism ethics.

Student journalist protection bill stalls in Legislature

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State officials say Nebraska state government tax collections beat expectations in March.

 The Nebraska Department of Revenue reports net tax collections of $363 million for the month, which is 18.6% higher than the certified forecast of $306 million. 

The increase was driven by higher-than-expected sales-and-use and individual and corporate income tax receipts. 

Miscellaneous tax receipts were lower than expected. 

Tax collections are also up for the fiscal year, which ends on June 30.

 The state has netted $4.133 billion so far in the fiscal year, which is 15.6% above the state’s certified forecast of $3.574 billion.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — State officials say Nebraska state government tax collections beat expectations in March. The Nebraska Department of Revenue reports net tax collections of $363 million for the month, which is 18.6% higher than the certified forecast of $306 million. The increase was driven by higher-than-expected sales-and-use and individual and corporate income tax receipts. Miscellaneous tax receipts were lower than expected. Tax collections are also up for the fiscal year, which ends on June 30. The state has netted $4.133 billion so far in the fiscal year, which is 15.6% above the state’s certified forecast of $3.574 billion.

Nebraska tax collections beat expectations in March

OMAHA — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance of the Omaha Police Department, have arrested a suspect following a pursuit in west Omaha.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, a trooper observed a Buick Regal driving with no license plates near 132nd Street and West Center Road. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle refused to stop and fled northbound on 132nd Street. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle then fled eastbound on Dodge, with speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. As the vehicle approached 90th&nbsp;Street, it turned around and began traveling westbound on Dodge. The vehicle then exited Dodge at 132nd&nbsp;Street. It attempted to perform another U-turn and struck a curbed median, disabling the vehicle.

The lone occupant of the vehicle then fled on foot into a business park northwest of 132nd&nbsp;and Dodge, but was quickly apprehended by an Omaha Police Officer. The suspect was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

The suspect, Devlin Phillips, 42, of Omaha, was arrested for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, possession of a controlled substance, driving during revocation, and no valid registration. He was transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital for medical clearance and then lodged in Douglas County Corrections.

OMAHA — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance of the Omaha Police Department, have arrested a suspect following a pursuit in west Omaha.At approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, a trooper observed a Buick Regal driving with no license plates near 132nd Street and West Center Road. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle refused to stop and fled northbound on 132nd Street. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The vehicle then fled eastbound on Dodge, with speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. As the vehicle approached 90th&nbsp;Street, it turned around and began traveling westbound on Dodge. The vehicle then exited Dodge at 132nd&nbsp;Street. It attempted to perform another U-turn and struck a curbed median, disabling the vehicle.The lone occupant of the vehicle then fled on foot into a business park northwest of 132nd&nbsp;and Dodge, but was quickly apprehended by an Omaha Police Officer. The suspect was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.The suspect, Devlin Phillips, 42, of Omaha, was arrested for willful reckless driving, flight to avoid arrest, possession of a controlled substance, driving during revocation, and no valid registration. He was transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital for medical clearance and then lodged in Douglas County Corrections.

Troopers arrest man following pursuit in Omaha

An economic relief program approved by Congress that has been popular with small business owners also can be used by farmers.

Congress has extended the deadline to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program to the end of May.

“It’s important for people to know that despite the name of it, you do not have to have employees in order to apply and farmers can apply,” according to Regional Director Rebecca Lobina with the Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center during an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline.

The Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, has been one of the most popular of the programs initiated by Congress in response to the recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Congress renewed PPP in the latest coronavirus relief and economic stimulus package it approved, extending the program to the end of May.

Lobina says while small business owners have accessed the program, farmers have been more hesitant to tap it.

Lobina recalls talking to a farmer about using the program.

“They were worried that they couldn’t because of some other concerns that they had,” Lobina says. “They were worried about, like, what if our credit is not good. It doesn’t matter. With the PPP, it doesn’t matter.”

Lobina points out PPP is based on gross receipts, not net. She says farmers should use the Schedule F filed with their 2019 income taxes, Line 9 for their gross income.

“So, it does not matter if you had employees. It does not matter how well or bad you did in 2020,” Lobina says. “All that matters is that there is a number on Line 9 that says you are operating, essentially, in 2019 and that’s it.”

Lobina says too many farmers believe they do not qualify for federal COVID-19 economic assistance. She says they qualify, even if they do not have employees.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostAn economic relief program approved by Congress that has been popular with small business owners also can be used by farmers.Congress has extended the deadline to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program to the end of May.“It’s important for people to know that despite the name of it, you do not have to have employees in order to apply and farmers can apply,” according to Regional Director Rebecca Lobina with the Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center during an appearance on the KFEQ Hotline.The Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, has been one of the most popular of the programs initiated by Congress in response to the recession triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Congress renewed PPP in the latest coronavirus relief and economic stimulus package it approved, extending the program to the end of May.Lobina says while small business owners have accessed the program, farmers have been more hesitant to tap it.Lobina recalls talking to a farmer about using the program.“They were worried that they couldn’t because of some other concerns that they had,” Lobina says. “They were worried about, like, what if our credit is not good. It doesn’t matter. With the PPP, it doesn’t matter.”Lobina points out PPP is based on gross receipts, not net. She says farmers should use the Schedule F filed with their 2019 income taxes, Line 9 for their gross income.“So, it does not matter if you had employees. It does not matter how well or bad you did in 2020,” Lobina says. “All that matters is that there is a number on Line 9 that says you are operating, essentially, in 2019 and that’s it.”Lobina says too many farmers believe they do not qualify for federal COVID-19 economic assistance. She says they qualify, even if they do not have employees.

Popular COVID relief program can help farmers as well as business owners

WASHINGTON
 — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are 
disbursing nearly 2 million payments in the fifth batch of Economic 
Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.

Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 159 million payments, with a total value of more than $376
 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.

The fifth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 9, with
 an official payment date of April 14, with some people receiving direct
 payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending deposits. 
Here is additional information on this batch of payments:

Additional information is available on the first four batches of
 Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.

A larger percentage of payments was made electronically during this 
round of payments than during previous rounds. This accelerated the 
delivery of payments to millions of American families whose payments 
would otherwise have been sent by mail. Over 95% of all Social Security 
beneficiaries have been paid electronically during this round of 
payments, compared to 70% in the first round and 72% in the second 
round.

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

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

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

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

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

Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they are 
disbursing nearly 2 million payments in the fifth batch of Economic 
Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 159 million payments, with a total value of more than $376
 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in batches
 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.The fifth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 9, with
 an official payment date of April 14, with some people receiving direct
 payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending deposits. 
Here is additional information on this batch of payments:<ul>
 <li>In total, this batch includes nearly 2 million payments with a value of more than $3.4 billion.</li><li>More than 320,000 payments, with a total value of $450 million, 
went to Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries who receive Compensation and
 Pension (C&amp;P) benefit payments but who don't normally file a tax 
return and didn't use the Non-Filers tool last year.</li><li>Nearly 850,000 payments, with a total value of nearly $1.6 billion,
 went to eligible individuals for whom the IRS previously did not have 
information to issue an Economic Impact Payment but who recently filed a
 tax return.&nbsp;</li><li>This batch also includes additional ongoing supplemental payments 
for people who earlier this year received payments based on their 2019 
tax returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their 
recently processed 2020 tax returns. This batch included more than 
700,000&nbsp;of these "plus-up" payments, with a total value of more than 
$1.2 billion.</li><li>Another 72,000 payments went to Social Security beneficiaries who 
didn't file a 2020 or 2019 tax return and didn't use the Non-Filers tool
 last year.</li><li>Overall, this fifth batch of payments contains nearly 1.2 million 
direct deposit payments (with a total value of just under $2 billion) 
and nearly 800,000 paper check payments (with a total value of over $1.4
 billion).</li>
 </ul>Additional information is available on the first four batches of
 Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which began 
processing on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.A larger percentage of payments was made electronically during this 
round of payments than during previous rounds. This accelerated the 
delivery of payments to millions of American families whose payments 
would otherwise have been sent by mail. Over 95% of all Social Security 
beneficiaries have been paid electronically during this round of 
payments, compared to 70% in the first round and 72% in the second 
round.The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.<h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing homelessness, the rural poor, and others. Individuals
 who didn't get a first or second round Economic Impact Payment or got 
less than the full amounts may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of
 Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.