OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A tweet issued on the official page of the U.S. military command in charge of the nation's nuclear arsenal had many on social media confused.

 The Sunday evening tweet was a series of nonsensical letters and semicolons. 

Officials with U.S. Strategic Command provided the answer a day later. It came from a rogue toddler.

 StratComm has its headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha.

 The Omaha World-Herald reports that it issued a statement late Monday saying the person who manages the Twitter account was working from home when he stepped away from his computer with the account open.

 That's when his child sat down to play on the keyboard and managed to hit “send.”

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A tweet issued on the official page of the U.S. military command in charge of the nation's nuclear arsenal had many on social media confused. The Sunday evening tweet was a series of nonsensical letters and semicolons. Officials with U.S. Strategic Command provided the answer a day later. It came from a rogue toddler. StratComm has its headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha. The Omaha World-Herald reports that it issued a statement late Monday saying the person who manages the Twitter account was working from home when he stepped away from his computer with the account open. That's when his child sat down to play on the keyboard and managed to hit “send.”

Cryptic military tweet was no code; it was toddler gibberish

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden wants $2 trillion to reengineer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-c98de9fe006e508c59857e32fd12ca1a">America’s infrastructure</a>&nbsp;and expects the nation’s corporations to pay for it.

The president travels to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to unveil what would be a hard-hatted transformation of the U.S. economy as grand in scale as the New Deal or Great Society programs that shaped the 20th century.

White House officials say the spending over eight years would generate millions of new jobs as the country shifts away from fossil fuels and combats the perils of climate change. It is also an effort to compete against the technology and public investments made by China, the world’s second-largest economy and fast gaining on the United States’ dominant position.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the plan is “about making an investment in America — not just modernizing our roads or railways or bridges but building an infrastructure of the future.”

Biden’s choice of Pittsburgh for unveiling the plan carries important economic and political resonance. He not only won Pittsburgh and its surrounding county to help secure the presidency, but he launched his campaign there in 2019. The city famed for steel mills that powered America’s industrial rise has steadily pivoted toward technology and health care, drawing in college graduates from western Pennsylvania in a sign of how economies can change.

The Democratic president’s infrastructure projects would be financed by higher corporate taxes — a trade-off that could lead to fierce resistance from the business community and thwart any attempts to work with Republicans lawmakers. Biden hopes to pass an infrastructure plan by summer, which could mean relying solely on the slim Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate.

The White House says the largest chunk of the proposal includes $621 billion for roads, bridges, public transit, electric vehicle charging stations and other transportation infrastructure. The spending would push the country away from internal combustion engines that the auto industry views as an increasingly antiquated technology.

Another $111 billion would go to replace lead water pipes and upgrade sewers. Broadband internet would blanket the country for $100 billion. Separately, $100 billion would upgrade the power grid to deliver clean electricity. Homes would get retrofitted, schools modernized, workers trained and hospitals renovated under the plan, which also seeks to strengthen U.S. manufacturing.

The new construction could keep the economy running hot, coming on the heels of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-first-prime-time-speech-next-phase-pandemic-85d1ae52bc61abffd3ae91c324e58308">Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package</a>&nbsp;— economists already estimate it could push growth above 6% this year.

Separately, Biden will propose in the coming weeks a series of soft infrastructure investments in child care, family tax credits and other domestic programs, another expenditure of roughly $2 trillion to be paid for by tax hikes on wealthy individuals and families, according to people familiar with the proposal.

Funding the first $2 trillion for construction and “hard” infrastructure projects would be a hike on corporate taxes that would raise the necessary sum over 15 years and then reduce the deficit going forward, according to a White House outline of the plan. Biden would undo the signature policy achievement of the Trump administration by lifting the corporate tax rate to 28% from the 21% rate set in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2d9e099660064f2b8a8fc2237b4e7e4e">a 2017 overhaul</a>.

To keep companies from shifting profits overseas to avoid taxation, a 21% global minimum tax would be imposed. The tax code would also be updated so that companies could not merge with a foreign business and avoid taxes by moving their headquarters to a tax haven. And among other provisions, it would increase IRS audits of corporations.

White House officials led by National Economic Council Director Brian Deese offered a private briefing Tuesday for top lawmakers in both parties. But key GOP and business leaders are already panning the package.

“It seems like President Biden has an insatiable appetite to spend more money and raise people’s taxes,” Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the GOP whip, said in an interview.

Scalise predicted that, if approved, the new spending and taxes would “start having a negative impact on the economy, which we’re very concerned about.”

The business community favors updating U.S. infrastructure, but it dislikes higher tax rates. An official at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce who insisted on anonymity to discuss the private talks said the organization fears the proposed tax hikes could undermine the gains from new infrastructure. The Business Roundtable, a group of CEOs, would rather have infrastructure funded with user fees such as tolls.

Pittsburgh is a series of steep hills and three intersecting rivers. Its steel mills once covered the sky in enough soot that men needed to take spare white shirts to work because their button downs would turn to gray by lunch. Only last year the city, amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>, met Environmental Protection Agency standards for air quality, even though it is increasingly the home of tech and health care workers with college degrees.

Infrastructure spending usually holds the promise of juicing economic growth, but by how much remains a subject of political debate. Commutes and shipping times could be shortened, while public health would be improved and construction jobs would bolster consumer spending.

Standard &amp; Poor’s chief U.S. economist, Beth Ann Bovino, estimated last year that a $2.1 trillion boost in infrastructure spending could add as much as $5.7 trillion in income to the entire economy over a decade. Those kinds of analyses have led liberal Democrats in Congress such as Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal to conclude Tuesday, “The economic consensus is that infrastructure pays for itself over time.”

But the Biden administration is taking a more cautious approach than some Democrats might like. After $1.9 trillion in pandemic aid and $4 trillion in relief last year, the administration is trying to avoid raising the debt to levels that would trigger higher interest rates and make it harder to repay.

Psaki said Tuesday that Biden believes it’s “the responsible thing to do” to pay for infrastructure through taxes instead of borrowing. But the White House in its outline of the plan also couched the tax hikes as a matter of fairness, noting that 91 Fortune 500 companies paid $0 in federal corporate taxes in 2018.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden wants $2 trillion to reengineer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-c98de9fe006e508c59857e32fd12ca1a">America’s infrastructure</a>&nbsp;and expects the nation’s corporations to pay for it.The president travels to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to unveil what would be a hard-hatted transformation of the U.S. economy as grand in scale as the New Deal or Great Society programs that shaped the 20th century.White House officials say the spending over eight years would generate millions of new jobs as the country shifts away from fossil fuels and combats the perils of climate change. It is also an effort to compete against the technology and public investments made by China, the world’s second-largest economy and fast gaining on the United States’ dominant position.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the plan is “about making an investment in America — not just modernizing our roads or railways or bridges but building an infrastructure of the future.”Biden’s choice of Pittsburgh for unveiling the plan carries important economic and political resonance. He not only won Pittsburgh and its surrounding county to help secure the presidency, but he launched his campaign there in 2019. The city famed for steel mills that powered America’s industrial rise has steadily pivoted toward technology and health care, drawing in college graduates from western Pennsylvania in a sign of how economies can change.The Democratic president’s infrastructure projects would be financed by higher corporate taxes — a trade-off that could lead to fierce resistance from the business community and thwart any attempts to work with Republicans lawmakers. Biden hopes to pass an infrastructure plan by summer, which could mean relying solely on the slim Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate.The White House says the largest chunk of the proposal includes $621 billion for roads, bridges, public transit, electric vehicle charging stations and other transportation infrastructure. The spending would push the country away from internal combustion engines that the auto industry views as an increasingly antiquated technology.Another $111 billion would go to replace lead water pipes and upgrade sewers. Broadband internet would blanket the country for $100 billion. Separately, $100 billion would upgrade the power grid to deliver clean electricity. Homes would get retrofitted, schools modernized, workers trained and hospitals renovated under the plan, which also seeks to strengthen U.S. manufacturing.The new construction could keep the economy running hot, coming on the heels of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-first-prime-time-speech-next-phase-pandemic-85d1ae52bc61abffd3ae91c324e58308">Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package</a>&nbsp;— economists already estimate it could push growth above 6% this year.Separately, Biden will propose in the coming weeks a series of soft infrastructure investments in child care, family tax credits and other domestic programs, another expenditure of roughly $2 trillion to be paid for by tax hikes on wealthy individuals and families, according to people familiar with the proposal.Funding the first $2 trillion for construction and “hard” infrastructure projects would be a hike on corporate taxes that would raise the necessary sum over 15 years and then reduce the deficit going forward, according to a White House outline of the plan. Biden would undo the signature policy achievement of the Trump administration by lifting the corporate tax rate to 28% from the 21% rate set in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2d9e099660064f2b8a8fc2237b4e7e4e">a 2017 overhaul</a>.To keep companies from shifting profits overseas to avoid taxation, a 21% global minimum tax would be imposed. The tax code would also be updated so that companies could not merge with a foreign business and avoid taxes by moving their headquarters to a tax haven. And among other provisions, it would increase IRS audits of corporations.White House officials led by National Economic Council Director Brian Deese offered a private briefing Tuesday for top lawmakers in both parties. But key GOP and business leaders are already panning the package.“It seems like President Biden has an insatiable appetite to spend more money and raise people’s taxes,” Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the GOP whip, said in an interview.Scalise predicted that, if approved, the new spending and taxes would “start having a negative impact on the economy, which we’re very concerned about.”The business community favors updating U.S. infrastructure, but it dislikes higher tax rates. An official at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce who insisted on anonymity to discuss the private talks said the organization fears the proposed tax hikes could undermine the gains from new infrastructure. The Business Roundtable, a group of CEOs, would rather have infrastructure funded with user fees such as tolls.Pittsburgh is a series of steep hills and three intersecting rivers. Its steel mills once covered the sky in enough soot that men needed to take spare white shirts to work because their button downs would turn to gray by lunch. Only last year the city, amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>, met Environmental Protection Agency standards for air quality, even though it is increasingly the home of tech and health care workers with college degrees.Infrastructure spending usually holds the promise of juicing economic growth, but by how much remains a subject of political debate. Commutes and shipping times could be shortened, while public health would be improved and construction jobs would bolster consumer spending.Standard &amp; Poor’s chief U.S. economist, Beth Ann Bovino, estimated last year that a $2.1 trillion boost in infrastructure spending could add as much as $5.7 trillion in income to the entire economy over a decade. Those kinds of analyses have led liberal Democrats in Congress such as Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal to conclude Tuesday, “The economic consensus is that infrastructure pays for itself over time.”But the Biden administration is taking a more cautious approach than some Democrats might like. After $1.9 trillion in pandemic aid and $4 trillion in relief last year, the administration is trying to avoid raising the debt to levels that would trigger higher interest rates and make it harder to repay.Psaki said Tuesday that Biden believes it’s “the responsible thing to do” to pay for infrastructure through taxes instead of borrowing. But the White House in its outline of the plan also couched the tax hikes as a matter of fairness, noting that 91 Fortune 500 companies paid $0 in federal corporate taxes in 2018.ADVERTISEMENTTrending on AP News<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-groundwork-2024-presidential-run-df46fb0af0c353a2f13d265bd041cffe">Trump’s heir? Pence reemerges, lays groundwork for 2024 run</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-jill-biden-dogs-2b1d3f05f2ed91b611998d7363b1ccae">‘Major’ pain: Biden’s dog involved in 2nd biting incident</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-scholarships-coronavirus-pandemic-kentucky-13b08c29aa086f42b877e2ab8db531b7">Republican lawmakers plunge into veto overrides in Kentucky</a><a href="https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&amp;utm_source=associatedpress-apnews&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=organic-thumbnails-rr:Right%20Rail%20Thumbnails:" target="_blank">by Taboola</a>ADVERTISEMENT<figure>
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Biden's tax hike will pay for $2T infrastructure plan

WASHINGTON — To help taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service 
announced today that it will take steps to automatically refund money 
this spring and summer to people who filed their tax return reporting 
unemployment compensation before the recent changes made by the American
 Rescue Plan.

The legislation, signed on March 11, allows taxpayers who earned less
 than $150,000 in modified adjusted gross income to exclude unemployment
 compensation up to $20,400 if married filing jointly and $10,200 for 
all other eligible taxpayers. The legislation excludes only 2020 
unemployment benefits from taxes.

Because the change occurred after some people filed their taxes, the 
IRS will take steps in the spring and summer to make the appropriate 
change to their return, which may result in a refund. The first refunds 
are expected to be made in May and will continue into the summer.

For those taxpayers who already have filed and figured their tax 
based on the full amount of unemployment compensation, the IRS will 
determine the correct taxable amount of unemployment compensation and 
tax. Any resulting overpayment of tax will be either refunded or applied
 to other outstanding taxes owed.

For those who have already filed, the IRS will do these 
recalculations in two phases, starting with those taxpayers eligible for
 the up to $10,200 exclusion. The IRS will then adjust returns for those
 married filing jointly taxpayers who are eligible for the up to $20,400
 exclusion and others with more complex returns.

There is no need for taxpayers to file an amended return unless the 
calculations make the taxpayer newly eligible for additional federal 
credits and deductions not already included on the original tax return.

For example, the IRS can adjust returns for those taxpayers who 
claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and, because the exclusion 
changed the income level, may now be eligible for an increase in the 
EITC amount which may result in a larger refund. However, taxpayers 
would have to file an amended return if they did not originally claim 
the EITC or other credits but now are eligible because the exclusion 
changed their income.

These taxpayers may want to review their state tax returns as well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 23 million U.S. 
workers nationwide filed for unemployment last year. For the first time,
 some self-employed workers qualified for unemployed benefits as well. 
The IRS is working to determine how many workers affected by the tax 
change already have filed their tax returns.

The new IRS guidance also includes details for those eligible taxpayers who have not yet filed.

The IRS has worked with the tax return preparation software industry 
to reflect these updates so people who choose to file electronically 
simply need to respond to the related questions when electronically 
preparing their tax returns. See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/new-exclusion-of-up-to-10200-of-unemployment-compensation">New Exclusion of up to $10,200 of Unemployment Compensation</a>
 for information and examples. For others, instructions and an updated 
worksheet about the exclusion were available in March and posted to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">IRS.gov/form1040</a>. These instructions can assist taxpayers who have not yet filed to prepare returns correctly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — To help taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service 
announced today that it will take steps to automatically refund money 
this spring and summer to people who filed their tax return reporting 
unemployment compensation before the recent changes made by the American
 Rescue Plan.The legislation, signed on March 11, allows taxpayers who earned less
 than $150,000 in modified adjusted gross income to exclude unemployment
 compensation up to $20,400 if married filing jointly and $10,200 for 
all other eligible taxpayers. The legislation excludes only 2020 
unemployment benefits from taxes.Because the change occurred after some people filed their taxes, the 
IRS will take steps in the spring and summer to make the appropriate 
change to their return, which may result in a refund. The first refunds 
are expected to be made in May and will continue into the summer.For those taxpayers who already have filed and figured their tax 
based on the full amount of unemployment compensation, the IRS will 
determine the correct taxable amount of unemployment compensation and 
tax. Any resulting overpayment of tax will be either refunded or applied
 to other outstanding taxes owed.For those who have already filed, the IRS will do these 
recalculations in two phases, starting with those taxpayers eligible for
 the up to $10,200 exclusion. The IRS will then adjust returns for those
 married filing jointly taxpayers who are eligible for the up to $20,400
 exclusion and others with more complex returns.There is no need for taxpayers to file an amended return unless the 
calculations make the taxpayer newly eligible for additional federal 
credits and deductions not already included on the original tax return.For example, the IRS can adjust returns for those taxpayers who 
claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and, because the exclusion 
changed the income level, may now be eligible for an increase in the 
EITC amount which may result in a larger refund. However, taxpayers 
would have to file an amended return if they did not originally claim 
the EITC or other credits but now are eligible because the exclusion 
changed their income.These taxpayers may want to review their state tax returns as well.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 23 million U.S. 
workers nationwide filed for unemployment last year. For the first time,
 some self-employed workers qualified for unemployed benefits as well. 
The IRS is working to determine how many workers affected by the tax 
change already have filed their tax returns.The new IRS guidance also includes details for those eligible taxpayers who have not yet filed.The IRS has worked with the tax return preparation software industry 
to reflect these updates so people who choose to file electronically 
simply need to respond to the related questions when electronically 
preparing their tax returns. See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/new-exclusion-of-up-to-10200-of-unemployment-compensation">New Exclusion of up to $10,200 of Unemployment Compensation</a>
 for information and examples. For others, instructions and an updated 
worksheet about the exclusion were available in March and posted to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040">IRS.gov/form1040</a>. These instructions can assist taxpayers who have not yet filed to prepare returns correctly.

IRS will recalculate taxes on unemployment benefits; refunds to start in May

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have made a second arrest in the shooting deaths of two people in northeast Omaha. 

Police say in a news release Wednesday that officers arrested 24-year-old Nyamal Both on suspicion of being an accessory in the early-morning Saturday shooting deaths of 27-year-old Loklok Thok and 24-year-old Duop Tang Deng. 

Police earlier this week arrested 24-year-old Mabior Mabior, of Omaha, on suspicion of criminal homicide and weapons counts in the deaths. 

Police have not released a possible motive or other details of the shooting.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have made a second arrest in the shooting deaths of two people in northeast Omaha. Police say in a news release Wednesday that officers arrested 24-year-old Nyamal Both on suspicion of being an accessory in the early-morning Saturday shooting deaths of 27-year-old Loklok Thok and 24-year-old Duop Tang Deng. Police earlier this week arrested 24-year-old Mabior Mabior, of Omaha, on suspicion of criminal homicide and weapons counts in the deaths. Police have not released a possible motive or other details of the shooting.

Omaha police make second arrest in fatal double shooting

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say a man who was arrested in Texas last summer on suspicion of carrying out the July shooting deaths of two people outside an Omaha motel has been extradited to Omaha. 

Police said in a news release Wednesday that John Parks Sr. was transported back to Omaha on Tuesday and booked into the Douglas County Jail.

 Parks was arrested in August in Dallas on Nebraska warrants charging him with first-degree murder and other counts in the July 30 deaths of 36-year-old Nicole Hatten and 35-year-old Michael Harbour.

 Both were shot outside a Best Western motel in southwestern Omaha.

 Officers called to the motel found Hatten and Harbour with gunshot wounds, and both were declared dead at the scene. 

Police have not given a motive for the shootings.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police say a man who was arrested in Texas last summer on suspicion of carrying out the July shooting deaths of two people outside an Omaha motel has been extradited to Omaha. Police said in a news release Wednesday that John Parks Sr. was transported back to Omaha on Tuesday and booked into the Douglas County Jail. Parks was arrested in August in Dallas on Nebraska warrants charging him with first-degree murder and other counts in the July 30 deaths of 36-year-old Nicole Hatten and 35-year-old Michael Harbour. Both were shot outside a Best Western motel in southwestern Omaha. Officers called to the motel found Hatten and Harbour with gunshot wounds, and both were declared dead at the scene. Police have not given a motive for the shootings.

Man arrested in Texas in double murder extradited to Omaha

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s governor is rejecting a call by President Joe Biden for states to reimpose mask orders in response to the coronavirus. 

Gov. Mark Gordon on March 16 lifted a statewide mask mandate that had been in effect since December. 

Several other Republican governors have done the same. 

Gordon spokesman Michael Pearlman says the governor has no plans to reimpose Wyoming's mandate. 

COVID-19 cases nationwide are on the rise but cases in Wyoming have fallen off sharply since December. 

They’re down to the level last September — about 50 new cases per day, down from a peak of over 600.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming’s governor is rejecting a call by President Joe Biden for states to reimpose mask orders in response to the coronavirus. Gov. Mark Gordon on March 16 lifted a statewide mask mandate that had been in effect since December. Several other Republican governors have done the same. Gordon spokesman Michael Pearlman says the governor has no plans to reimpose Wyoming's mandate. COVID-19 cases nationwide are on the rise but cases in Wyoming have fallen off sharply since December. They’re down to the level last September — about 50 new cases per day, down from a peak of over 600.

Wyoming governor: No plans to reimpose COVID-19 mask mandate

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The trial of a man accused of stabbing a Lincoln police officer ended in a mistrial after one of the attorneys was exposed to COVID-19. 

The mistrial came Tuesday after opening statements began in the trial of 45-year-old Christopher Brennauer. 

He's charged with stabbing Officer Kyle Russell in December 2018.

 District Judge Teresa Luther told jurors before they were dismissed that one of the attorneys was exposed to someone who has since tested positive for COVID-19. 

A new jury will be called in May to hear the case.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The trial of a man accused of stabbing a Lincoln police officer ended in a mistrial after one of the attorneys was exposed to COVID-19. The mistrial came Tuesday after opening statements began in the trial of 45-year-old Christopher Brennauer. He's charged with stabbing Officer Kyle Russell in December 2018. District Judge Teresa Luther told jurors before they were dismissed that one of the attorneys was exposed to someone who has since tested positive for COVID-19. A new jury will be called in May to hear the case.

Mistrial in trial of suspect in Lincoln officer's stabbing

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of three teenagers was caught on video stealing a vessel of holy water from a Catholic church in Lincoln last weekend. 

Lincoln Police Officer Erin Spilker said the thieves took the vat of holy water and the tool used to sprinkle holy water during a Mass in the gym of St. Michael Catholic Church on Saturday. 

Officials estimate the stolen items were worth $200. 

Police hope to use the video of the theft to identify the juveniles who were involved.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of three teenagers was caught on video stealing a vessel of holy water from a Catholic church in Lincoln last weekend. Lincoln Police Officer Erin Spilker said the thieves took the vat of holy water and the tool used to sprinkle holy water during a Mass in the gym of St. Michael Catholic Church on Saturday. Officials estimate the stolen items were worth $200. Police hope to use the video of the theft to identify the juveniles who were involved.

Police: teens stole vat of holy water from a Catholic church

Pfizer announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12, a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before they head back to school in the fall.

Most COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out worldwide are for adults, who are at higher risk from the coronavirus. Pfizer’s vaccine is authorized for ages 16 and older. But vaccinating children of all ages will be critical to stopping the pandemic — and helping schools, at least the upper grades, start to look a little more normal after months of disruption.

In a study of 2,260 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15, preliminary data showed there were no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among those given dummy shots, Pfizer reported.

It’s a small study, that hasn’t yet been published, so another important piece of evidence is how well the shots revved up the kids’ immune systems. Researchers reported high levels of virus-fighting antibodies, somewhat higher than were seen in studies of young adults.

Kids had side effects similar to young adults, the company said. The main side effects are pain, fever, chills and fatigue, particularly after the second dose. The study will continue to track participants for two years for more information about long-term protection and safety.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech in the coming weeks plan to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators to allow emergency use of the shots starting at age 12.

“We share the urgency to expand the use of our vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. He expressed “the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year” in the United States.

Pfizer isn’t the only company seeking to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Results also are expected soon from a U.S. study of Moderna’s vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds.

But in a sign that the findings were promising, the FDA already allowed both companies to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-3c2490cd1bef6221c9b33146fee0fe4c">begin U.S. studies&nbsp;</a>in children 11 and younger, working their way to as young as 6-month-old.

AstraZeneca last month began a study of its vaccine among 6- to 17-year-olds in Britain. Johnson &amp; Johnson is planning its own pediatric studies. And in China, Sinovac recently announced it has submitted preliminary data to Chinese regulators showing its vaccine is safe in children as young as 3.

While most COVID-19 vaccines being used globally were first tested in tens of thousands of adults, pediatric studies won’t need to be nearly as large. Scientists have safety information from those studies and from subsequent vaccinations in millions more adults.

One key question is the dosage: Pfizer gave the 12-and-older participants the same dose adults receive, while testing different doses in younger children.

It’s not clear how quickly the FDA would act on Pfizer’s request to allow vaccination starting at age 12. Another question is when the country would have enough supply of shots — and people to get them into adolescents’ arms — to let kids start getting in line.

Supplies are set to steadily increase over the spring and summer, at the same time states are opening vaccinations to younger, healthier adults who until now haven’t had a turn.

Children represent about 13% of COVID-19 cases documented in the U.S. And while children are far less likely than adults to get seriously ill, at least 268 have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. alone and more than 13,500 have been hospitalized, according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics. That’s more than die from the flu in an average year. Additionally, a small number have developed a serious inflammatory condition linked to the coronavirus.

Caleb Chung, who turns 13 later this week, agreed to volunteer after his father, a Duke University pediatrician, presented the option. He doesn’t know if he received the vaccine or a placebo.

“Usually I’m just at home doing online school and there’s not much I can really do to fight back against the virus,” Caleb said in a recent interview. The study “was really somewhere that I could actually help out.”

His father, Dr. Richard Chung, said he’s proud of his son and all the other children volunteering for the needle pricks, blood tests and other tasks a study entails.

“We need kids to do these trials so that kids can get protected. Adults can’t do that for them,” Chung said.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressPfizer announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12, a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before they head back to school in the fall.Most COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out worldwide are for adults, who are at higher risk from the coronavirus. Pfizer’s vaccine is authorized for ages 16 and older. But vaccinating children of all ages will be critical to stopping the pandemic — and helping schools, at least the upper grades, start to look a little more normal after months of disruption.In a study of 2,260 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15, preliminary data showed there were no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among those given dummy shots, Pfizer reported.It’s a small study, that hasn’t yet been published, so another important piece of evidence is how well the shots revved up the kids’ immune systems. Researchers reported high levels of virus-fighting antibodies, somewhat higher than were seen in studies of young adults.Kids had side effects similar to young adults, the company said. The main side effects are pain, fever, chills and fatigue, particularly after the second dose. The study will continue to track participants for two years for more information about long-term protection and safety.Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech in the coming weeks plan to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators to allow emergency use of the shots starting at age 12.“We share the urgency to expand the use of our vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. He expressed “the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year” in the United States.Pfizer isn’t the only company seeking to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Results also are expected soon from a U.S. study of Moderna’s vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds.But in a sign that the findings were promising, the FDA already allowed both companies to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-3c2490cd1bef6221c9b33146fee0fe4c">begin U.S. studies&nbsp;</a>in children 11 and younger, working their way to as young as 6-month-old.AstraZeneca last month began a study of its vaccine among 6- to 17-year-olds in Britain. Johnson &amp; Johnson is planning its own pediatric studies. And in China, Sinovac recently announced it has submitted preliminary data to Chinese regulators showing its vaccine is safe in children as young as 3.ADVERTISEMENTWhile most COVID-19 vaccines being used globally were first tested in tens of thousands of adults, pediatric studies won’t need to be nearly as large. Scientists have safety information from those studies and from subsequent vaccinations in millions more adults.One key question is the dosage: Pfizer gave the 12-and-older participants the same dose adults receive, while testing different doses in younger children.It’s not clear how quickly the FDA would act on Pfizer’s request to allow vaccination starting at age 12. Another question is when the country would have enough supply of shots — and people to get them into adolescents’ arms — to let kids start getting in line.Supplies are set to steadily increase over the spring and summer, at the same time states are opening vaccinations to younger, healthier adults who until now haven’t had a turn.Children represent about 13% of COVID-19 cases documented in the U.S. And while children are far less likely than adults to get seriously ill, at least 268 have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. alone and more than 13,500 have been hospitalized, according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics. That’s more than die from the flu in an average year. Additionally, a small number have developed a serious inflammatory condition linked to the coronavirus.Caleb Chung, who turns 13 later this week, agreed to volunteer after his father, a Duke University pediatrician, presented the option. He doesn’t know if he received the vaccine or a placebo.“Usually I’m just at home doing online school and there’s not much I can really do to fight back against the virus,” Caleb said in a recent interview. The study “was really somewhere that I could actually help out.”His father, Dr. Richard Chung, said he’s proud of his son and all the other children volunteering for the needle pricks, blood tests and other tasks a study entails.“We need kids to do these trials so that kids can get protected. Adults can’t do that for them,” Chung said.___

Pfizer: COVID-19 vaccine effective in kids ages 12 to 15

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Two Iowa State students who died when a school crew club boat capsized have been identified. 

The Hamilton County Sheriff's office and Iowa State police said Tuesday the students were 20-year-old Yaakov Ben-David, of Washington D.C., and 19-year-old Derek Nanni, of Normal, Illinois. 

They died during practice Sunday on Little Wall Lake, about 15 miles north of Ames, Iowa. 

Three other members of the crew were rescued by people who lived around the lake. Their names have not been released. 

The students were part of the Iowa State Crew Club, a recognized student organization.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Two Iowa State students who died when a school crew club boat capsized have been identified. The Hamilton County Sheriff's office and Iowa State police said Tuesday the students were 20-year-old Yaakov Ben-David, of Washington D.C., and 19-year-old Derek Nanni, of Normal, Illinois. They died during practice Sunday on Little Wall Lake, about 15 miles north of Ames, Iowa. Three other members of the crew were rescued by people who lived around the lake. Their names have not been released. The students were part of the Iowa State Crew Club, a recognized student organization.

2 Iowa State students who died when boat capsized identified

JEWELL COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Tuesday in Jewell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Volvo semi driven by Rodney Brown, 55, Salina, was westbound on U.S. 36 just east of 300 Road.

&nbsp;A pedestrian identified as Gabriel Rupp, 18, Hays, was near the westbound roadway on the north shoulder of U.S. 36 loading traffic control equipment into a trailer which was in the roadway pulled by a 2015 GMC Sierra.

The semi failed to stop in time and hit Rupp. The semi came to rest in the north ditch. Rupp was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Melby Mortuary.

Brown was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

JEWELL COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Tuesday in Jewell County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Volvo semi driven by Rodney Brown, 55, Salina, was westbound on U.S. 36 just east of 300 Road.&nbsp;A pedestrian identified as Gabriel Rupp, 18, Hays, was near the westbound roadway on the north shoulder of U.S. 36 loading traffic control equipment into a trailer which was in the roadway pulled by a 2015 GMC Sierra.The semi failed to stop in time and hit Rupp. The semi came to rest in the north ditch. Rupp was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Melby Mortuary.Brown was not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after struck by semi while working on highway

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A troubled Kansas foster care management provider has reached an agreement with the state to repay $9.4 million in unspent grant funds.

The deal that the Kansas Department for Children and Families announced it had reached Tuesday with St. Francis Ministries comes on the heels of earlier controversies.

In January,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/foster-care-kansas-nebraska-omaha-child-welfare-9917837d9c3cd8ec8398dffe780beac8" target="_blank">Nebraska&nbsp;</a>agreed to pay millions more to St. Francis after it significantly underbid the company that used to provide child welfare services in the Omaha area. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/salina-kansas-topeka-1b3b0e420e470e18a7dec207441ad8f7" target="_blank">Kansas officials announced in December&nbsp;</a>that St. Francis employees had falsified documents to show visits with families that never took place.

DCF spokesman Mike Deines said the grant repayment agreement is unrelated to the falsified document claims. A state audit is pending.

The agency said in a news release that the repayment stems from a requirement that case management providers come up with a plan to reinvest unspent funds into their child welfare programming. The release said St. Francis provided a preliminary plan, but it was never finalized and sent to DCF for approval.

St. Francis Interim CEO William Clark said in a statement that the goal is "always to do what is best for children and families, while also being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617145536373.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A troubled Kansas foster care management provider has reached an agreement with the state to repay $9.4 million in unspent grant funds.The deal that the Kansas Department for Children and Families announced it had reached Tuesday with St. Francis Ministries comes on the heels of earlier controversies.In January,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/foster-care-kansas-nebraska-omaha-child-welfare-9917837d9c3cd8ec8398dffe780beac8" target="_blank">Nebraska&nbsp;</a>agreed to pay millions more to St. Francis after it significantly underbid the company that used to provide child welfare services in the Omaha area. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/salina-kansas-topeka-1b3b0e420e470e18a7dec207441ad8f7" target="_blank">Kansas officials announced in December&nbsp;</a>that St. Francis employees had falsified documents to show visits with families that never took place.DCF spokesman Mike Deines said the grant repayment agreement is unrelated to the falsified document claims. A state audit is pending.The agency said in a news release that the repayment stems from a requirement that case management providers come up with a plan to reinvest unspent funds into their child welfare programming. The release said St. Francis provided a preliminary plan, but it was never finalized and sent to DCF for approval.St. Francis Interim CEO William Clark said in a statement that the goal is "always to do what is best for children and families, while also being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us."

Troubled Kansas foster care agency agrees to repay $9.4M

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — A former eastern Nebraska county prosecutor faces up to two months in jail after a judge found him guilty of violating his probation from a previous drunken driving conviction. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that a judge determined former Dodge County Attorney Oliver Glass had been drinking earlier this year, violating his probation from a DUI conviction in March 2020. 

Prosecutors also plan to file a second-offense DUI against Glass stemming from the January incident that produced the probation violation. 

Glass resigned at the end of February following his arrest the night of Jan. 28 on suspicion of driving while drunk.

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — A former eastern Nebraska county prosecutor faces up to two months in jail after a judge found him guilty of violating his probation from a previous drunken driving conviction. The Omaha World-Herald reports that a judge determined former Dodge County Attorney Oliver Glass had been drinking earlier this year, violating his probation from a DUI conviction in March 2020. Prosecutors also plan to file a second-offense DUI against Glass stemming from the January incident that produced the probation violation. Glass resigned at the end of February following his arrest the night of Jan. 28 on suspicion of driving while drunk.

Ex-county prosecutor faces jail time for probation violation

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraskans who buy fireworks in-state could have more choices after lawmakers advanced a bill to broaden the kinds that can legally be sold. 

Senators gave the measure first-round approval with a 40-3 vote. 

The proposal by Sen. Julie Slama, of Peru, is designed to give residents more choices without having to travel to neighboring Iowa or South Dakota, where regulations are more lax. 

It would define consumer fireworks based on how they’re classified under federal regulations.

 Slama casts the bill as a matter of personal freedom, but some senators raised concerns about the impact of large, loud fireworks on neighbors and residents who suffer from wartime post-traumatic stress disorder.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraskans who buy fireworks in-state could have more choices after lawmakers advanced a bill to broaden the kinds that can legally be sold. Senators gave the measure first-round approval with a 40-3 vote. The proposal by Sen. Julie Slama, of Peru, is designed to give residents more choices without having to travel to neighboring Iowa or South Dakota, where regulations are more lax. It would define consumer fireworks based on how they’re classified under federal regulations. Slama casts the bill as a matter of personal freedom, but some senators raised concerns about the impact of large, loud fireworks on neighbors and residents who suffer from wartime post-traumatic stress disorder.

Nebraska advances bill to expand legal consumer fireworks

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Now that coronavirus vaccines are becoming more widely available in the state, many Nebraskans are scouring the internet in search of an appointment to get a shot. 

Michael Nollett of Lincoln said he hopes to land an appointment soon because pharmacies participating in a federal program in the state opened up vaccine eligibility to all adults on Monday.

 Local health officials remain focused on vaccinating people aged 50 and older across the state although some public health districts in rural areas are already offering the shots to all adults. 

Officials have said they expect to make the vaccines available to the general public statewide by late April or early May.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Now that coronavirus vaccines are becoming more widely available in the state, many Nebraskans are scouring the internet in search of an appointment to get a shot. Michael Nollett of Lincoln said he hopes to land an appointment soon because pharmacies participating in a federal program in the state opened up vaccine eligibility to all adults on Monday. Local health officials remain focused on vaccinating people aged 50 and older across the state although some public health districts in rural areas are already offering the shots to all adults. Officials have said they expect to make the vaccines available to the general public statewide by late April or early May.

Nebraskans scouring for vaccine slots as availability grows

WASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service issued frequently asked questions today 
on how students and higher education institutions should report 
pandemic-related emergency financial aid grants.

Emergency financial aid grants made by a federal agency, state, 
Indian tribe, higher education institution or scholarship-granting 
organization (including a tribal organization) to a student because of 
an event related to the COVID-19 pandemic are not included in the 
student's gross income.

Also, students should not reduce an amount of qualified tuition and 
related expenses by the amount of an emergency financial aid grant. If 
students used any portion of the grants to pay for qualified tuition and
 related expenses on or before December 31, 2020, they may be eligible 
to claim a tuition and fees deduction or the American Opportunity Credit
 or Lifetime Learning Credit on their 2020 tax return. See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/higher-education-emergency-grants-frequently-asked-questions">Higher Education Emergency Grants Frequently Asked Questions</a>.

The tuition and fees deduction is not available for tax years 
beginning after December 31, 2020. For additional information on these 
credits and the tuition and fees deduction, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-970">Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education</a>.

Because students don't include emergency financial aid grants in 
their gross income, higher education institutions are not required to 
file or furnish Forms 1099-MISC reporting the grants made available by 
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) or 
the COVID-related Tax Relief Act (COVID Relief Act) and do not need to 
report the grants in Box 5 of Form 1098-T.

But any amounts that qualify for the tuition and fees deduction or 
the American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit are 
considered "qualified tuition and related expenses" and trigger the 
reporting requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 6050S. Higher 
education institutions must include qualified tuition and related 
expenses paid by emergency financial aid grants awarded to students in 
Box 1 of Form 1098-T.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service issued frequently asked questions today 
on how students and higher education institutions should report 
pandemic-related emergency financial aid grants.<h2>Students</h2>Emergency financial aid grants made by a federal agency, state, 
Indian tribe, higher education institution or scholarship-granting 
organization (including a tribal organization) to a student because of 
an event related to the COVID-19 pandemic are not included in the 
student's gross income.Also, students should not reduce an amount of qualified tuition and 
related expenses by the amount of an emergency financial aid grant. If 
students used any portion of the grants to pay for qualified tuition and
 related expenses on or before December 31, 2020, they may be eligible 
to claim a tuition and fees deduction or the American Opportunity Credit
 or Lifetime Learning Credit on their 2020 tax return. See <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/higher-education-emergency-grants-frequently-asked-questions">Higher Education Emergency Grants Frequently Asked Questions</a>.The tuition and fees deduction is not available for tax years 
beginning after December 31, 2020. For additional information on these 
credits and the tuition and fees deduction, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-970">Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education</a>.<h2>Higher Education Institutions</h2>Because students don't include emergency financial aid grants in 
their gross income, higher education institutions are not required to 
file or furnish Forms 1099-MISC reporting the grants made available by 
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) or 
the COVID-related Tax Relief Act (COVID Relief Act) and do not need to 
report the grants in Box 5 of Form 1098-T.But any amounts that qualify for the tuition and fees deduction or 
the American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit are 
considered "qualified tuition and related expenses" and trigger the 
reporting requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 6050S. Higher 
education institutions must include qualified tuition and related 
expenses paid by emergency financial aid grants awarded to students in 
Box 1 of Form 1098-T.

IRS: Emergency aid granted to students due to COVID not taxable

SOUTH SIOUX CITY&nbsp; — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a South Sioux City man following an investigation in a reported sexual assault of a child.

On Friday, March 26, Nathan Rogers, 25, of South Sioux City, was arrested for 1st&nbsp;degree sexual assault of a child. He was arrested without incident at his residence in South Sioux City. The arrest follows an investigation that began on March 3.

Rogers was lodged in Dakota County Corrections.

SOUTH SIOUX CITY&nbsp; — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a South Sioux City man following an investigation in a reported sexual assault of a child.On Friday, March 26, Nathan Rogers, 25, of South Sioux City, was arrested for 1st&nbsp;degree sexual assault of a child. He was arrested without incident at his residence in South Sioux City. The arrest follows an investigation that began on March 3.Rogers was lodged in Dakota County Corrections.

South Sioux City man arrested for sexual assault of a child

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and a top health official warned that too many Americans are declaring virus victory too quickly, appealing for mask requirements and other restrictions to be maintained or restored to stave off a “fourth surge” of COVID-19. The head of the CDC said she had a feeling of “impending doom” if people keep easing off.

(Click the video below to listen to the CDC director's statement during Monday's virus press conference from the White House)

The double dose of warnings on Monday came even as Biden laid out hopeful new steps to expand coronavirus vaccinations, with all adults to become eligible over the next five weeks. Biden announced plans to expand the number of retail pharmacies that are administering vaccines, and investments to help Americans get to vaccination sites. But the optimism was tempered by stark warnings about the potential for another wave of cases.

“This is deadly serious,” Biden said, urging governors to reinstate mask mandates and other restrictions that some states have been easing.

Hours earlier, during a virtual White House health briefing, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, grew emotional as she reflected on her experience treating COVID-19 patients who are alone at the end of their lives.

“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope,” she said. “But right now, I’m scared.

“I’m going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom.”

Cases of the virus are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-report-animals-source-covid-19-coronavirus-8a839c179c330c56fa46a763b7286a7f">up about 10% over the past week from the previous week</a>, to about 60,000 cases per day, with both hospitalizations and deaths ticking up as well, Walensky said. She warned that without immediate action the U.S. could follow European countries into another spike in cases and suffer needless deaths.

“I have to share the truth, and I have to hope and trust you will listen,” she said.

Later Monday, Biden addressed the nation from the White House, declaring, “If we let our guard down now, we can see the virus getting worse, not better. People are letting up on precautions, which is a very bad thing.”

Biden delivered a direct appeal to governors, state and local leaders to reinstate mask-wearing requirements if they have lifted them, and said he encouraged leaders to pause plans to further ease virus-related restrictions.

“Please, this is not politics, reinstate the mandate if you let it down,” he said.

Biden announced that by April 19 at least 90% of the adult U.S. population would be eligible for vaccination — and would have access to a vaccination site within 5 miles of home. Quick vaccination would still depend on supply.

Biden had previously directed that all states make all adults eligible for vaccination by May 1, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rochelle-walensky-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-ea8be8945ee27ca7f3d15959b0a7b613">many have moved to lift eligibility requirements sooner</a>&nbsp;in anticipation of supply increases.

Meanwhile, the White House is moving to double the number of pharmacies participating in the federal retail pharmacy program — it has emerged as among the most efficient avenues for administering vaccines — and increase the number of doses for them to deliver. Retail pharmacies are located relatively close to most Americans and have experience delivering vaccines like flu shots.

Biden announced that the U.S. is expecting delivery of 33 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine this week — including 11 million of the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson shot.

More than 1 in 5 adults and nearly 50% of senior American are fully vaccinated, according to data from the CDC. On Thursday, the U.S. set new single-day record for shots in arms: more than 3.2 million.

“Now is not the time to let down,” Biden said. “Now’s not the time to celebrate. It is time to do what we do best as a country: our duty, our jobs, take care of one another.”

“Fight to the finish,” he added. “Don’t let up now.”

Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, appealed to elected officials, community leaders and everyday Americans to maintain social distancing measures and mask wearing.

“We are doing things prematurely,” Fauci said, referring to moves to ease up on restrictions. Walensky appealed to Americans, “Just please hold on a little while longer.”

She added: “We are not powerless, we can change this trajectory of the pandemic.”

Walensky pointed to an uptick in travel and loosening virus restrictions for the increase in cases. “People want to be done with this. I, too, want to be done with this,” she said.

“We’ve seen surges after every single holiday,” she reiterated: “Please limit travel to essential travel for the time being.”

The White House, meanwhile is ruling out the creation of a national “vaccine passport” for Americans to verify their immunization status, saying it is leaving it to the private sector to develop a system for people show they’ve been vaccinated. Some other countries are establishing national databases to allow vaccinated people to resume normal activities.

“We do know that there is a segment of the population that is concerned that the government will play too heavy-handed of a role in monitoring their vaccinations,” said White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt. He said officials are worried that “it would discourage people” from getting vaccinated if the federal government was involved.

The administration, instead, is developing guidelines for such passports, touching on privacy, accuracy and equity, but the White House has not said when those guidelines will be ready.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made an impassioned plea to Americans Monday not to let their guard down in the fight against COVID-19, warning of a potential fourth wave of the virus and saying she has a recurring feeling “of impending doom.”

Speaking during a virtual White House briefing, Dr. Rochelle Walensky grew emotional as she reflected on her experience treating COVID-19 patients who are alone at the end of their lives.

“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope,” she said. “But right now, I’m scared.”

“I’m going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom,” she said.

“I have to share the truth, and I have to hope and trust you will listen,” she added.

Walensky’s comments came hours before President Joe Biden was to address the nation Monday afternoon with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-new-york-coronavirus-pandemic-57cde25de803c98503c5ff9937598420">an update on the vaccination effort.</a>

“The president has not held back in calling for governors, leaders, the American people to continue to abide by the public health guidelines,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “He will continue to do that through all of his engagements.”

Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. appealed to elected officials, community leaders and everyday Americans to maintain social distancing measures and mask wearing.

Walensky pointed to an uptick in travel and loosening virus restrictions for the increase in cases. “People want to be done with this. I, too, want to be done with this,” Walensky said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617040790970.png" alt="On Monday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert appealed to elected officials, community leaders and everyday Americans to maintain social distancing measures and mask wearing-image courtesy White. House" />
 <figcaption>On Monday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert appealed to elected officials, community leaders and everyday Americans to maintain social distancing measures and mask wearing-image courtesy White. House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and a top health official warned that too many Americans are declaring virus victory too quickly, appealing for mask requirements and other restrictions to be maintained or restored to stave off a “fourth surge” of COVID-19. The head of the CDC said she had a feeling of “impending doom” if people keep easing off.(Click the video below to listen to the CDC director's statement during Monday's virus press conference from the White House)<div><iframe width=512 height=330 src='https://www.c-span.org/video/standalone/?c4954773/cdc-director-rochelle-walensky-right-now-scared-rising-covid-19-cases-us' allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' frameborder=0></iframe></div>The double dose of warnings on Monday came even as Biden laid out hopeful new steps to expand coronavirus vaccinations, with all adults to become eligible over the next five weeks. Biden announced plans to expand the number of retail pharmacies that are administering vaccines, and investments to help Americans get to vaccination sites. But the optimism was tempered by stark warnings about the potential for another wave of cases.“This is deadly serious,” Biden said, urging governors to reinstate mask mandates and other restrictions that some states have been easing.Hours earlier, during a virtual White House health briefing, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, grew emotional as she reflected on her experience treating COVID-19 patients who are alone at the end of their lives.“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope,” she said. “But right now, I’m scared.“I’m going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom.”Cases of the virus are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-report-animals-source-covid-19-coronavirus-8a839c179c330c56fa46a763b7286a7f">up about 10% over the past week from the previous week</a>, to about 60,000 cases per day, with both hospitalizations and deaths ticking up as well, Walensky said. She warned that without immediate action the U.S. could follow European countries into another spike in cases and suffer needless deaths.“I have to share the truth, and I have to hope and trust you will listen,” she said.Later Monday, Biden addressed the nation from the White House, declaring, “If we let our guard down now, we can see the virus getting worse, not better. People are letting up on precautions, which is a very bad thing.”Biden delivered a direct appeal to governors, state and local leaders to reinstate mask-wearing requirements if they have lifted them, and said he encouraged leaders to pause plans to further ease virus-related restrictions.“Please, this is not politics, reinstate the mandate if you let it down,” he said.Biden announced that by April 19 at least 90% of the adult U.S. population would be eligible for vaccination — and would have access to a vaccination site within 5 miles of home. Quick vaccination would still depend on supply.Biden had previously directed that all states make all adults eligible for vaccination by May 1, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rochelle-walensky-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-ea8be8945ee27ca7f3d15959b0a7b613">many have moved to lift eligibility requirements sooner</a>&nbsp;in anticipation of supply increases.Meanwhile, the White House is moving to double the number of pharmacies participating in the federal retail pharmacy program — it has emerged as among the most efficient avenues for administering vaccines — and increase the number of doses for them to deliver. Retail pharmacies are located relatively close to most Americans and have experience delivering vaccines like flu shots.Biden announced that the U.S. is expecting delivery of 33 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine this week — including 11 million of the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson shot.More than 1 in 5 adults and nearly 50% of senior American are fully vaccinated, according to data from the CDC. On Thursday, the U.S. set new single-day record for shots in arms: more than 3.2 million.“Now is not the time to let down,” Biden said. “Now’s not the time to celebrate. It is time to do what we do best as a country: our duty, our jobs, take care of one another.”“Fight to the finish,” he added. “Don’t let up now.”Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, appealed to elected officials, community leaders and everyday Americans to maintain social distancing measures and mask wearing.“We are doing things prematurely,” Fauci said, referring to moves to ease up on restrictions. Walensky appealed to Americans, “Just please hold on a little while longer.”She added: “We are not powerless, we can change this trajectory of the pandemic.”Walensky pointed to an uptick in travel and loosening virus restrictions for the increase in cases. “People want to be done with this. I, too, want to be done with this,” she said.“We’ve seen surges after every single holiday,” she reiterated: “Please limit travel to essential travel for the time being.”The White House, meanwhile is ruling out the creation of a national “vaccine passport” for Americans to verify their immunization status, saying it is leaving it to the private sector to develop a system for people show they’ve been vaccinated. Some other countries are establishing national databases to allow vaccinated people to resume normal activities.“We do know that there is a segment of the population that is concerned that the government will play too heavy-handed of a role in monitoring their vaccinations,” said White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt. He said officials are worried that “it would discourage people” from getting vaccinated if the federal government was involved.The administration, instead, is developing guidelines for such passports, touching on privacy, accuracy and equity, but the White House has not said when those guidelines will be ready.--------WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made an impassioned plea to Americans Monday not to let their guard down in the fight against COVID-19, warning of a potential fourth wave of the virus and saying she has a recurring feeling “of impending doom.”Speaking during a virtual White House briefing, Dr. Rochelle Walensky grew emotional as she reflected on her experience treating COVID-19 patients who are alone at the end of their lives.“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope,” she said. “But right now, I’m scared.”“I’m going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom,” she said.Cases of the virus are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-report-animals-source-covid-19-coronavirus-8a839c179c330c56fa46a763b7286a7f">up about 10% over the past week from the previous week</a>, to about 60,000 cases per day, with both hospitalizations and deaths ticking up as well, Walensky said. She warned that without immediate action the U.S. could follow European countries into another spike in cases and suffer needless deaths.“I have to share the truth, and I have to hope and trust you will listen,” she added.Walensky’s comments came hours before President Joe Biden was to address the nation Monday afternoon with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-new-york-coronavirus-pandemic-57cde25de803c98503c5ff9937598420">an update on the vaccination effort.</a>“The president has not held back in calling for governors, leaders, the American people to continue to abide by the public health guidelines,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “He will continue to do that through all of his engagements.”Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. appealed to elected officials, community leaders and everyday Americans to maintain social distancing measures and mask wearing.“We are doing things prematurely,” Fauci said, referring to moves to ease up on restrictions. Walensky appealed to Americans, “Just please hold on a little while longer.”She added: “We are not powerless, we can change this trajectory of the pandemic.”Walensky pointed to an uptick in travel and loosening virus restrictions for the increase in cases. “People want to be done with this. I, too, want to be done with this,” Walensky said.“We’ve seen surges after every single holiday,” she reiterated: “Please limit travel to essential travel for the time being.”The White House, meanwhile is ruling out the creation of a national “vaccine passport” for Americans to verify their immunization status, saying it is leaving it to the private sector to develop a system for people show they’ve been vaccinated. Some other countries are establishing national databases to allow vaccinated people to resume normal activities.“We do know that there is a segment of the population that is concerned that the government will play too heavy-handed of a role in monitoring their vaccinations,” said White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt. He said officials are worried that “it would discourage people” from getting vaccinated if the federal government was involved.The administration, instead, is developing guidelines for such passports, touching on privacy, accuracy and equity, but the White House has not said when those guidelines will be ready.

 🎥 Biden, CDC director warn of virus rebound if nation lets up

WASHINGTON — As work continues on issuing millions of Economic Impact
 Payments to Americans, the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury 
Department announced today that they anticipate payments will begin to 
be issued this weekend to Social Security recipients and other federal 
beneficiaries who do not normally file a tax return, with the projection
 that the majority of these payments would be sent electronically and 
received on April 7.

After receiving data from the Social Security Administration on 
Thursday, March 25, the IRS began the multi-step process to review, 
validate, and test tens of millions of records to ensure eligibility and
 proper calculation of Economic Impact Payments. If no additional issues
 arise, the IRS currently expects to complete that work and to begin 
processing these payment files at the end of this week. Because the 
majority of these payments will be disbursed electronically – through 
direct deposits and payments to existing Direct Express cards – they 
would be received on the official payment date of April 7.

Many federal beneficiaries who filed 2019 or 2020 returns or used the
 Non-Filers tool last year were issued Economic Impact Payments, if 
eligible, during the last three weeks. The update today applies to 
Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Railroad 
Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries who did not file a 2019 or 2020 tax
 return or did not use the Non-Filers tool.

"IRS employees are working tirelessly to once again deliver Economic 
Impact Payments to the nation's taxpayers as quickly as possible," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Our teams immediately began processing 
data we received last week for federal benefit recipients. We know how 
important these payments are, and we are doing everything we can to make
 these payments as fast as possible to these important individuals."

The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>
 tool is updated for eligible individuals once their payment is 
processed. The IRS notes that the Get My Payment&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov will 
not be updated until the weekend of April 3-4 with information for 
federal beneficiaries expecting payments next week.

The IRS continues to review data received for Veterans Affairs (VA) 
benefit recipients and expects to determine a payment date and provide 
more details soon. Currently, the IRS estimates that Economic Impact 
Payments for VA beneficiaries who do not regularly file tax returns 
could be disbursed by mid-April. VA beneficiary payment information will
 be available in the Get My Payment tool at a future date.

Federal benefit payments automatic; no action for most

Most Social Security retirement and disability beneficiaries, 
railroad retirees and recipients of veterans benefits who are eligible 
for an Economic Impact Payment do not need to take any action to receive
 a payment. These payments will be automatic. Like the previous Economic
 Impact Payments, Social Security and other federal beneficiaries will 
generally receive this third payment the same way that they receive 
their regular benefits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — As work continues on issuing millions of Economic Impact
 Payments to Americans, the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury 
Department announced today that they anticipate payments will begin to 
be issued this weekend to Social Security recipients and other federal 
beneficiaries who do not normally file a tax return, with the projection
 that the majority of these payments would be sent electronically and 
received on April 7.After receiving data from the Social Security Administration on 
Thursday, March 25, the IRS began the multi-step process to review, 
validate, and test tens of millions of records to ensure eligibility and
 proper calculation of Economic Impact Payments. If no additional issues
 arise, the IRS currently expects to complete that work and to begin 
processing these payment files at the end of this week. Because the 
majority of these payments will be disbursed electronically – through 
direct deposits and payments to existing Direct Express cards – they 
would be received on the official payment date of April 7.Many federal beneficiaries who filed 2019 or 2020 returns or used the
 Non-Filers tool last year were issued Economic Impact Payments, if 
eligible, during the last three weeks. The update today applies to 
Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Railroad 
Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries who did not file a 2019 or 2020 tax
 return or did not use the Non-Filers tool."IRS employees are working tirelessly to once again deliver Economic 
Impact Payments to the nation's taxpayers as quickly as possible," said 
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Our teams immediately began processing 
data we received last week for federal benefit recipients. We know how 
important these payments are, and we are doing everything we can to make
 these payments as fast as possible to these important individuals."The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>
 tool is updated for eligible individuals once their payment is 
processed. The IRS notes that the Get My Payment&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov will 
not be updated until the weekend of April 3-4 with information for 
federal beneficiaries expecting payments next week.The IRS continues to review data received for Veterans Affairs (VA) 
benefit recipients and expects to determine a payment date and provide 
more details soon. Currently, the IRS estimates that Economic Impact 
Payments for VA beneficiaries who do not regularly file tax returns 
could be disbursed by mid-April. VA beneficiary payment information will
 be available in the Get My Payment tool at a future date.<h2>Federal benefit payments automatic; no action for most</h2>Most Social Security retirement and disability beneficiaries, 
railroad retirees and recipients of veterans benefits who are eligible 
for an Economic Impact Payment do not need to take any action to receive
 a payment. These payments will be automatic. Like the previous Economic
 Impact Payments, Social Security and other federal beneficiaries will 
generally receive this third payment the same way that they receive 
their regular benefits.Some federal benefit 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 any qualified dependent. Eligible individuals in this
 group should file a 2020 tax return to be considered for an additional 
payment for their qualified dependent as quickly as possible.<h2>Some federal benefit recipients already have received an Economic Impact Payment</h2>The IRS emphasizes that federal benefit recipients in these groups 
who file tax returns already started to receive Economic Impact Payments
 earlier this month, along with other taxpayers.Because some federal benefit recipients do not file tax returns, the 
IRS did not have in its tax systems the current information needed to 
generate the Economic Impact Payments. Last year, the IRS took the 
unprecedented step to receive and review data from other federal 
agencies and use that data to deliver payments automatically to these 
recipients. This action – which had never occurred in previous stimulus 
efforts – minimized risk and burdens for the American public during the 
pandemic. Due to regular changes in the federal benefits population, the
 IRS needed to receive updated information this month from other 
government agencies. With these critical updates, eligible federal 
benefit recipients who don't normally file an income tax return will get
 a payment automatically in the next few weeks.Making these automatic payments to federal beneficiaries involves a 
complex, multi-step process to handle recipient data from the other 
agencies. For the first round of Economic Impact Payments last year, 
recipients in these groups received payments within four to six weeks 
after the CARES Act was signed into law. For the American Rescue Plan 
signed March 11, the IRS projects that it is on track to deliver 
Economic Impact Payments to federal beneficiaries at the same or faster 
speed.More details on this third round of Economic Impact Payments and federal benefit recipients will be available soon on IRS.gov.<h2>Other work continues on Economic Impact Payments; watch mail for checks, EIP Cards</h2>In addition to work for federal benefit recipients, the IRS also 
continues to prepare and deliver additional Economic Impact Payments for
 other eligible individuals – as well as deliver tax refunds.For those receiving payments in the mail, the IRS urges these 
taxpayers to continue to watch their mail for these payments, which 
could include a paper Treasury check or a special prepaid debit card 
called an EIP Card.Taxpayers should note that the form of payment for the third Economic
 Impact Payment, including for some Social Security and other federal 
beneficiaries, may be different than earlier stimulus payments. More 
people are receiving direct deposits, while those receiving payments in 
the mail may receive either a paper check or an EIP Card – which may be 
different than how they received their previous Economic Impact 
Payments.<h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>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. For those 
eligible individuals who didn't get a first or second Economic Impact 
Payment or got less than the full amounts, they 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.