OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Family members say the adult daughter of a former Omaha mayor who had been missing since late last month has died.

The Otoe County Sheriff's office said Friday that it had found Amber Tjaden's Jaguar SUV in a rural area of the county and a deceased person was found. Authorities haven't released the identity of the dead person, but family members said Saturday that Tjaden had died. The 48-year-old had been missing since Jan. 27.

The Omaha World-Herald&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/missing-weeping-water-woman-found-dead-family-member-says/article_918629e2-6840-11eb-9aab-7be93309905c.html" target="_blank">reported&nbsp;</a>that Tjaden's brother-in-law, Mike Lewis, said in a Facebook post Saturday that "the worst has happened and Amber has passed." Tjaden is the daughter of former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle.

Tjaden's husband, Matthew Tjaden, was arrested Jan. 29 after a confrontations with Cass County sheriff's deputies who were following up on a missing person's report filed by Amber Tjaden's adult daughter. Tjaden has pleaded not guilty to fleeing to avoid arrest and child neglect after he allegedly refused to get out of vehicle and led deputies on a short chase before returning to his home. Matthew Tjaden was eventually arrested after being subdued by a deputy's stun gun, officials said.

Authorities haven't said whether they believe foul play was involved, but they said more information about the case would be released Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612717856961.png" alt="Amber Tjaden" />
 <figcaption>Amber Tjaden</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Family members say the adult daughter of a former Omaha mayor who had been missing since late last month has died.The Otoe County Sheriff's office said Friday that it had found Amber Tjaden's Jaguar SUV in a rural area of the county and a deceased person was found. Authorities haven't released the identity of the dead person, but family members said Saturday that Tjaden had died. The 48-year-old had been missing since Jan. 27.The Omaha World-Herald&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/missing-weeping-water-woman-found-dead-family-member-says/article_918629e2-6840-11eb-9aab-7be93309905c.html" target="_blank">reported&nbsp;</a>that Tjaden's brother-in-law, Mike Lewis, said in a Facebook post Saturday that "the worst has happened and Amber has passed." Tjaden is the daughter of former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle.Tjaden's husband, Matthew Tjaden, was arrested Jan. 29 after a confrontations with Cass County sheriff's deputies who were following up on a missing person's report filed by Amber Tjaden's adult daughter. Tjaden has pleaded not guilty to fleeing to avoid arrest and child neglect after he allegedly refused to get out of vehicle and led deputies on a short chase before returning to his home. Matthew Tjaden was eventually arrested after being subdued by a deputy's stun gun, officials said.Authorities haven't said whether they believe foul play was involved, but they said more information about the case would be released Monday.

Family members say missing Nebraska woman has died

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Republican lawmakers have dismissed a proposal to require Gov. Kristi Noem’s tribal relations secretary to report to a legislative committee that handles tribal issues.

 The relationship between the governor’s office and lawmakers who focus on tribal issues has often become contentious. 

They have wrestled over last year’s State of the Tribes address and the governor’s handling of the pandemic. 

Democrat Rep. Shawn Bordeaux made the proposal to require Secretary Dave Flute to attend the State-Tribal Relations Committee after he declined invitations last year.

 But Republicans said they wanted to see cooperation happen without their intervention.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Republican lawmakers have dismissed a proposal to require Gov. Kristi Noem’s tribal relations secretary to report to a legislative committee that handles tribal issues. The relationship between the governor’s office and lawmakers who focus on tribal issues has often become contentious. They have wrestled over last year’s State of the Tribes address and the governor’s handling of the pandemic. Democrat Rep. Shawn Bordeaux made the proposal to require Secretary Dave Flute to attend the State-Tribal Relations Committee after he declined invitations last year. But Republicans said they wanted to see cooperation happen without their intervention.

Lawmakers kill bill to put requirements on tribal secretary

WASHINGTON (AP)—The Supreme Court is telling California that it can’t bar indoor church services because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it can keep for now a ban on singing and chanting indoors.

The high court issued orders late Friday in two cases where churches had sued over coronavirus-related restrictions in the state. The high court said that for now, California can’t ban indoor worship as it had in almost all of the state because virus cases are high. The justices said the state can cap indoor services at 25% of a building’s capacity.

The justices also declined to stop California from enforcing a ban put in place last summer on indoor singing and chanting. California had put the restrictions in place because the virus is more easily transmitted indoors and singing releases tiny droplets that can carry the disease.

The justices were acting on emergency requests to halt the restrictions from South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista and Pasadena-based Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, which has more than 160 churches across the state.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that “federal courts owe significant deference to politically accountable officials” when it comes to public health restrictions, but he said deference “has its limits.”

Roberts wrote that California’s determination “that the maximum number of adherents who can safely worship in the most cavernous cathedral is zero—appears to reflect not expertise or discretion, but instead insufficient appreciation or consideration of the interests at stake.”

In addition to Roberts, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Amy Coney Barrett also wrote to explain their views. Gorsuch and Justice Clarence Thomas would have kept California from enforcing its singing ban. Barrett, the court’s newest justice, disagreed. Writing for herself and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, she said it wasn’t clear at this point whether the singing ban was being applied “across the board.”

She wrote that “if a chorister can sing in a Hollywood studio but not in her church, California’s regulations cannot be viewed as neutral,” triggering a stricter review by courts. The justices said the churches who sued can submit new evidence to a lower court that the singing ban is not being applied generally.

The court’s three liberal justices dissented, saying they would have upheld California’s restrictions. Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a dissent for herself, Justice Stephen Breyer and Justice Sonia Sotomayor that the court’s action “risks worsening the pandemic.”

She said that the court was “making a special exception for worship services” rather than treating them like other activities where large groups of people come together “in close proximity for extended periods of time.” In areas of California where COVID-19 is widespread, which includes most of the state, activities including indoor dining and going to the movies are banned.

“I fervently hope that the Court’s intervention will not worsen the Nation’s COVID crisis. But if this decision causes suffering, we will not pay. Our marble halls are now closed to the public, and our life tenure forever insulates us from responsibility for our errors. That would seem good reason to avoid disrupting a State’s pandemic response. But the Court forges ahead regardless, insisting that science-based policy yield to judicial edict,” she wrote.

Charles LiMandri, an attorney for South Bay United Pentecostal Church, said in a statement that he and his clients were “heartened by this order” and “thank the high court for upholding religious liberty.”

The court’s action follows a decision in a case from New York late last year in which the justices split 5-4 in barring the state from enforcing certain limits on attendance at churches and synagogues. Shortly after, the justices told a federal court to reexamine California’s restrictions in light of the ruling.

WASHINGTON (AP)—The Supreme Court is telling California that it can’t bar indoor church services because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it can keep for now a ban on singing and chanting indoors.The high court issued orders late Friday in two cases where churches had sued over coronavirus-related restrictions in the state. The high court said that for now, California can’t ban indoor worship as it had in almost all of the state because virus cases are high. The justices said the state can cap indoor services at 25% of a building’s capacity.The justices also declined to stop California from enforcing a ban put in place last summer on indoor singing and chanting. California had put the restrictions in place because the virus is more easily transmitted indoors and singing releases tiny droplets that can carry the disease.The justices were acting on emergency requests to halt the restrictions from South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista and Pasadena-based Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, which has more than 160 churches across the state.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that “federal courts owe significant deference to politically accountable officials” when it comes to public health restrictions, but he said deference “has its limits.”Roberts wrote that California’s determination “that the maximum number of adherents who can safely worship in the most cavernous cathedral is zero—appears to reflect not expertise or discretion, but instead insufficient appreciation or consideration of the interests at stake.”In addition to Roberts, Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Amy Coney Barrett also wrote to explain their views. Gorsuch and Justice Clarence Thomas would have kept California from enforcing its singing ban. Barrett, the court’s newest justice, disagreed. Writing for herself and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, she said it wasn’t clear at this point whether the singing ban was being applied “across the board.”She wrote that “if a chorister can sing in a Hollywood studio but not in her church, California’s regulations cannot be viewed as neutral,” triggering a stricter review by courts. The justices said the churches who sued can submit new evidence to a lower court that the singing ban is not being applied generally.The court’s three liberal justices dissented, saying they would have upheld California’s restrictions. Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a dissent for herself, Justice Stephen Breyer and Justice Sonia Sotomayor that the court’s action “risks worsening the pandemic.”She said that the court was “making a special exception for worship services” rather than treating them like other activities where large groups of people come together “in close proximity for extended periods of time.” In areas of California where COVID-19 is widespread, which includes most of the state, activities including indoor dining and going to the movies are banned.“I fervently hope that the Court’s intervention will not worsen the Nation’s COVID crisis. But if this decision causes suffering, we will not pay. Our marble halls are now closed to the public, and our life tenure forever insulates us from responsibility for our errors. That would seem good reason to avoid disrupting a State’s pandemic response. But the Court forges ahead regardless, insisting that science-based policy yield to judicial edict,” she wrote.Charles LiMandri, an attorney for South Bay United Pentecostal Church, said in a statement that he and his clients were “heartened by this order” and “thank the high court for upholding religious liberty.”The court’s action follows a decision in a case from New York late last year in which the justices split 5-4 in barring the state from enforcing certain limits on attendance at churches and synagogues. Shortly after, the justices told a federal court to reexamine California’s restrictions in light of the ruling.

Justices: State can't enforce virus-related restrictions on churches

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden laid out his case Friday for moving fast to pass $1.9 trillion in coronavirus relief, but even as he opened the door to proceeding without Republicans, he conceded that a key element of his plan — hiking the minimum wage to $15 per hour — was unlikely to become law.

The stakes for the county and economy were amplified Friday morning by the release of the government’s jobs report for January, which showed that hiring had stalled to a pace that could hinder a return to full employment for several years. Some 406,000 people left the labor force last month as deaths from the pandemic have surged.

“A lot of folks are losing hope,” Biden said in a speech at the White House. “I believe the American people are looking right now to their government for help, to do our job, to not let them down. So I’m going to act. I’m going to act fast. I’d like to be doing it with the support of Republicans ... they’re just not willing to go as far as I think we have to go.”

The jobs report landed shortly after Senate Democrats cast a decisive vote to muscle the COVID relief plan through the chamber without Republican support, a step toward final approval next month. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, her first.

Biden’s speech solidified a marked shift in tone and strategy for a president who entered the White House pledging bipartisanship and met on Monday with 10 Republican senators pushing a slimmed-down $618 billion alternative. Biden concluded in his Friday speech that aid at that level would only prolong the economic pain.

Still, the president acknowledged Friday that one of his most ambitious proposals, raising the minimum wage, would likely be left out of the final bill.

“I put it in, but I don’t think it’s going to survive,” Biden said in an interview with “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell, adding he would push to raise it in a standalone bill. “No one should work 40 hours a week and live below the poverty wage. And if you’re making less than $15 an hour, you’re living below the poverty wage.”

Senate Democrats applauded after Harris announced the chamber’s 51-50 vote on the budget measure at around 5:30 a.m. The action came after a grueling all-night session, where senators voted on amendments that could define the contours of the eventual COVID-19 aid bill.

Following Senate approval, the House passed the measure 219-209 on Friday afternoon, also without a Republican vote. The coronavirus aid package can now work its way through congressional committees with the goal of finalizing additional relief by mid-March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires. It’s an aggressive timeline that will test the ability of the new administration and Congress to deliver.

“We have been focused like a laser on getting this done,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after leading Democrats in the House met with Biden on Friday. “We hope to be able to put vaccines in people’s arms, money in people’s pockets, children safely in schools and workers in their jobs. That’s what we are doing now.”

The push for stimulus comes amid new signs of a weakening U.S. economy. Employers added just 49,000 jobs in January, after cutting 227,000 jobs in December, the Labor Department said Friday. Restaurants, retailers, manufacturers and even the health care sector shed workers last month, meaning that private employers accounted for a meager gain of 6,000 jobs last month.

“At that rate, it’s going to take 10 years until we hit full employment,” Biden said during his Oval Office meeting with House Democrats. “That’s not hyperbole. That’s a fact.”

The unemployment rate fell to 6.3% from 6.7%, but there was a decline in the number of people who were either working or looking for a job in a sign that people are dropping out of the labor force. The U.S. economy is 9.9 million jobs shy of its pre-pandemic level.

Biden, who has been meeting with lawmakers in recent days to discuss the package, welcomed the leaders of House committees who will be assembling the bill under the budget process known as “reconciliation.” Money for vaccine distributions, direct payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are at stake.

The size of the package has been a concern for several Republican lawmakers and some economists. Larry Summers, a former treasury secretary during the Clinton administration, said in a column for The Washington Post that the $1.9 trillion package was three times larger than the projected economic shortfall. A separate analysis by the Penn Wharton Budget Model found the plan would do little to boost growth relative to its size.

The Senate also passed an amendment 99-1 that would prevent the $1,400 in direct checks in Biden’s proposal from going to “upper-income taxpayers.” But the measure, led by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is ultimately symbolic and nonbinding and does not specify at what level a person qualifies as upper income.

Biden told CBS he was “prepared to negotiate” on the upper boundary for where payments would phase out. “Middle-class folks need help,” he said. “But you don’t need to get any help to someone making 300,000 bucks or $250,000.”

And while Biden seemed willing to break with Republicans in his speech, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters afterward that the budget process approved by the Senate still allows for bipartisanship.

“The process enables for time for negotiations through committee work,” Psaki said. “We certainly are hopeful that there will be opportunities for amendments from Republicans, amendments from others across the board to be a part of this process moving forward.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612616353128.png" alt="After a busy week, President Biden departed Washington, D.C. on Air Force One for the first time as president-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>After a busy week, President Biden departed Washington, D.C. on Air Force One for the first time as president-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden laid out his case Friday for moving fast to pass $1.9 trillion in coronavirus relief, but even as he opened the door to proceeding without Republicans, he conceded that a key element of his plan — hiking the minimum wage to $15 per hour — was unlikely to become law.The stakes for the county and economy were amplified Friday morning by the release of the government’s jobs report for January, which showed that hiring had stalled to a pace that could hinder a return to full employment for several years. Some 406,000 people left the labor force last month as deaths from the pandemic have surged.“A lot of folks are losing hope,” Biden said in a speech at the White House. “I believe the American people are looking right now to their government for help, to do our job, to not let them down. So I’m going to act. I’m going to act fast. I’d like to be doing it with the support of Republicans ... they’re just not willing to go as far as I think we have to go.”The jobs report landed shortly after Senate Democrats cast a decisive vote to muscle the COVID relief plan through the chamber without Republican support, a step toward final approval next month. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, her first.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612529465267.png" alt="Harris announcing her tie-breaker vote early Friday in the U.S. Senate- photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Harris announcing her tie-breaker vote early Friday in the U.S. Senate- photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Biden’s speech solidified a marked shift in tone and strategy for a president who entered the White House pledging bipartisanship and met on Monday with 10 Republican senators pushing a slimmed-down $618 billion alternative. Biden concluded in his Friday speech that aid at that level would only prolong the economic pain.Still, the president acknowledged Friday that one of his most ambitious proposals, raising the minimum wage, would likely be left out of the final bill.“I put it in, but I don’t think it’s going to survive,” Biden said in an interview with “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell, adding he would push to raise it in a standalone bill. “No one should work 40 hours a week and live below the poverty wage. And if you’re making less than $15 an hour, you’re living below the poverty wage.”Senate Democrats applauded after Harris announced the chamber’s 51-50 vote on the budget measure at around 5:30 a.m. The action came after a grueling all-night session, where senators voted on amendments that could define the contours of the eventual COVID-19 aid bill.Following Senate approval, the House passed the measure 219-209 on Friday afternoon, also without a Republican vote. The coronavirus aid package can now work its way through congressional committees with the goal of finalizing additional relief by mid-March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires. It’s an aggressive timeline that will test the ability of the new administration and Congress to deliver.“We have been focused like a laser on getting this done,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after leading Democrats in the House met with Biden on Friday. “We hope to be able to put vaccines in people’s arms, money in people’s pockets, children safely in schools and workers in their jobs. That’s what we are doing now.”The push for stimulus comes amid new signs of a weakening U.S. economy. Employers added just 49,000 jobs in January, after cutting 227,000 jobs in December, the Labor Department said Friday. Restaurants, retailers, manufacturers and even the health care sector shed workers last month, meaning that private employers accounted for a meager gain of 6,000 jobs last month.“At that rate, it’s going to take 10 years until we hit full employment,” Biden said during his Oval Office meeting with House Democrats. “That’s not hyperbole. That’s a fact.”The unemployment rate fell to 6.3% from 6.7%, but there was a decline in the number of people who were either working or looking for a job in a sign that people are dropping out of the labor force. The U.S. economy is 9.9 million jobs shy of its pre-pandemic level.Biden, who has been meeting with lawmakers in recent days to discuss the package, welcomed the leaders of House committees who will be assembling the bill under the budget process known as “reconciliation.” Money for vaccine distributions, direct payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are at stake.The size of the package has been a concern for several Republican lawmakers and some economists. Larry Summers, a former treasury secretary during the Clinton administration, said in a column for The Washington Post that the $1.9 trillion package was three times larger than the projected economic shortfall. A separate analysis by the Penn Wharton Budget Model found the plan would do little to boost growth relative to its size.The Senate also passed an amendment 99-1 that would prevent the $1,400 in direct checks in Biden’s proposal from going to “upper-income taxpayers.” But the measure, led by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is ultimately symbolic and nonbinding and does not specify at what level a person qualifies as upper income.Biden told CBS he was “prepared to negotiate” on the upper boundary for where payments would phase out. “Middle-class folks need help,” he said. “But you don’t need to get any help to someone making 300,000 bucks or $250,000.”And while Biden seemed willing to break with Republicans in his speech, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters afterward that the budget process approved by the Senate still allows for bipartisanship.“The process enables for time for negotiations through committee work,” Psaki said. “We certainly are hopeful that there will be opportunities for amendments from Republicans, amendments from others across the board to be a part of this process moving forward.”

Minimum wage hike in doubt in COVID relief deal

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Coronavirus cases have dropped at U.S. nursing homes and other long-term care facilities over the past few weeks, offering a glimmer of hope that health officials attribute to the start of vaccinations, an easing of the post-holiday surge and better prevention, among other reasons.

More than 153,000 residents of the country’s nursing homes and assisted living centers have died of COVID-19, accounting for 36% of the U.S. pandemic death toll, according to the COVID Tracking Project. Many of the roughly 2 million people who live at such facilities remain cut off from loved ones because of the risk of infection. The virus still kills thousands of them weekly.

The overall trend for long-term care residents is improving, though, with fewer new cases recorded and fewer facilities reporting outbreaks. Coupled with better figures for the country overall, it’s cause for optimism even if it’s too early to declare victory.

“We definitely think there’s hope and there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” said Marty Wright, who heads a nursing home trade group in West Virginia.

Nursing homes have been a priority since vaccinations began in mid-December, and the federal government says 1.5 million long-term care residents have already received at least an initial dose.

Researchers and industry leaders say they are seeing marked improvements after months in which some nursing homes lost dozens of residents to the disease and had to keep others in semi-isolation for protection. Some 2,000 nursing homes are now virus-free, or about 13% nationally, according to an industry group, and many are dealing with far fewer cases than before.

In West Virginia, where about 30% of the state’s roughly 2,080 COVID-19 deaths occurred at long-term care centers, fewer outbreaks are happening and fewer residents are requiring hospitalization, said Wright, chief executive of the West Virginia Health Care Association. Pennsylvania-based Genesis HealthCare, which operates more than 325 nursing homes, assisted-living facilities or senior living communities in 24 states, has seen similar improvements, said spokeswoman Lori Mayer.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, an industry trade organization, said Thursday that data from about 800 nursing homes where initial vaccine doses were administered in late December offered promising results. Cases among residents fell by 48% at homes where immunizations had occurred, compared to a 21% decline at non-vaccinated facilities nearby. Meanwhile, cases among employees dropped by 33% at vaccinated homes, compared to 18% at non-vaccinated facilities.

After reaching a high of almost 73,600 new weekly cases in long-term care facilities nationwide in mid-December, the number was down 31% by late January, to about 50,000 new cases per week, an Associated Press analysis found. Still, the most recent weekly count is 18% higher than the seven-day period that ended on Thanksgiving, when numbers started climbing.

The weekly count of new deaths remains stubbornly high, with a record 7,042 recorded during the seven-day span that ended Jan. 14 and only a slight decline since. By comparison, for the seven days that ended on Thanksgiving, 3,181 deaths were recorded. More encouragingly, the COVID Tracking Project found that only 251 facilities reported new outbreaks recently, compared to 1,410 in early January.

Dr. David Gifford, chief medical officer for the national association, said the numbers show signs for hope since they indicate vaccines might decrease the spread of COVID-19, a finding not shown in trials.

“If verified with additional data, this could expedite the reopening of long-term care facilities to visitors, which is vital to residents’ health and wellbeing,” he said in a statement.

The ability to visit left Mark Badger and his 91-year-old father Billy, who is in an Anchorage, Alaska, nursing home, in tears. It was the first face-to-face visit in a year. Mark Badger’s mother had died at the home a year ago.

“This is a period when he really needs us,” Mark Badger said. “He’s been lonely.”

Experts caution that only some of the improvement can be linked to vaccines.

Studies from Israel show it takes a patient about 12 days for the first of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to provide meaningful protection, said Roni Rosenfeld, a computational epidemiologist who heads the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University. Despite all the long-term care facility residents and workers who have received at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nursing-home-staff-decline-vaccine-6e9cecb350c7d4f77faaa6327583e8c4">one dose</a>&nbsp;of vaccine, those doses haven’t had enough time to work for most people, he said this week.

“The vaccine likely contributed, but very, very little,” said Rosenfeld.

Health officials say other factors are likely playing a larger role, including an ebb in the post-holiday surge, an ever-larger number of people who are immune because they’ve had the disease, behavioral changes and more abundant protective gear. And they caution that there are still threats lurking, including more contagious strains of the virus and a reluctance by many nursing home workers to get vaccinated.

At Arbor Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Opelika, Alabama, where 19 patients died of COVID-19 early in the pandemic, none of the roughly 115 patients are infected now, said Mark Traylor, who heads the facility’s parent company, Traylor-Porter Healthcare.

“We look after each other in here. We take care of each other,” resident Susan McEachern said Wednesday as she and a friend — both wearing masks — sat in a communal room that was recently reopened because many residents had been vaccinated.

Traylor said a better understanding of how to prevent the spread of the virus and how to treat COVID-19 was the difference between “looking into an abyss” during those first weeks of the crisis and visitors now being allowed back on a limited basis.

“We’re going to be in great shape once we get everybody vaccinated,” said Traylor.

PruittHealth, which operates about 100 nursing homes in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, has 29 locations that are free of COVID-19 and fewer patients overall testing positive in recent weeks, said CEO Neil Pruitt.

Although more than 70% of PruittHealth’s eligible nursing home residents have been immunized, only 27% of its employees have agreed to be vaccinated, Pruitt said. Without a big improvement in that employee figure, he’s worried cases could spike again once people start traveling over spring break.

“Right now, I’m not confident,” he said.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Coronavirus cases have dropped at U.S. nursing homes and other long-term care facilities over the past few weeks, offering a glimmer of hope that health officials attribute to the start of vaccinations, an easing of the post-holiday surge and better prevention, among other reasons.More than 153,000 residents of the country’s nursing homes and assisted living centers have died of COVID-19, accounting for 36% of the U.S. pandemic death toll, according to the COVID Tracking Project. Many of the roughly 2 million people who live at such facilities remain cut off from loved ones because of the risk of infection. The virus still kills thousands of them weekly.The overall trend for long-term care residents is improving, though, with fewer new cases recorded and fewer facilities reporting outbreaks. Coupled with better figures for the country overall, it’s cause for optimism even if it’s too early to declare victory.“We definitely think there’s hope and there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” said Marty Wright, who heads a nursing home trade group in West Virginia.Nursing homes have been a priority since vaccinations began in mid-December, and the federal government says 1.5 million long-term care residents have already received at least an initial dose.Researchers and industry leaders say they are seeing marked improvements after months in which some nursing homes lost dozens of residents to the disease and had to keep others in semi-isolation for protection. Some 2,000 nursing homes are now virus-free, or about 13% nationally, according to an industry group, and many are dealing with far fewer cases than before.In West Virginia, where about 30% of the state’s roughly 2,080 COVID-19 deaths occurred at long-term care centers, fewer outbreaks are happening and fewer residents are requiring hospitalization, said Wright, chief executive of the West Virginia Health Care Association. Pennsylvania-based Genesis HealthCare, which operates more than 325 nursing homes, assisted-living facilities or senior living communities in 24 states, has seen similar improvements, said spokeswoman Lori Mayer.The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, an industry trade organization, said Thursday that data from about 800 nursing homes where initial vaccine doses were administered in late December offered promising results. Cases among residents fell by 48% at homes where immunizations had occurred, compared to a 21% decline at non-vaccinated facilities nearby. Meanwhile, cases among employees dropped by 33% at vaccinated homes, compared to 18% at non-vaccinated facilities.After reaching a high of almost 73,600 new weekly cases in long-term care facilities nationwide in mid-December, the number was down 31% by late January, to about 50,000 new cases per week, an Associated Press analysis found. Still, the most recent weekly count is 18% higher than the seven-day period that ended on Thanksgiving, when numbers started climbing.The weekly count of new deaths remains stubbornly high, with a record 7,042 recorded during the seven-day span that ended Jan. 14 and only a slight decline since. By comparison, for the seven days that ended on Thanksgiving, 3,181 deaths were recorded. More encouragingly, the COVID Tracking Project found that only 251 facilities reported new outbreaks recently, compared to 1,410 in early January.Dr. David Gifford, chief medical officer for the national association, said the numbers show signs for hope since they indicate vaccines might decrease the spread of COVID-19, a finding not shown in trials.“If verified with additional data, this could expedite the reopening of long-term care facilities to visitors, which is vital to residents’ health and wellbeing,” he said in a statement.The ability to visit left Mark Badger and his 91-year-old father Billy, who is in an Anchorage, Alaska, nursing home, in tears. It was the first face-to-face visit in a year. Mark Badger’s mother had died at the home a year ago.“This is a period when he really needs us,” Mark Badger said. “He’s been lonely.”Experts caution that only some of the improvement can be linked to vaccines.Studies from Israel show it takes a patient about 12 days for the first of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to provide meaningful protection, said Roni Rosenfeld, a computational epidemiologist who heads the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University. Despite all the long-term care facility residents and workers who have received at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nursing-home-staff-decline-vaccine-6e9cecb350c7d4f77faaa6327583e8c4">one dose</a>&nbsp;of vaccine, those doses haven’t had enough time to work for most people, he said this week.“The vaccine likely contributed, but very, very little,” said Rosenfeld.Health officials say other factors are likely playing a larger role, including an ebb in the post-holiday surge, an ever-larger number of people who are immune because they’ve had the disease, behavioral changes and more abundant protective gear. And they caution that there are still threats lurking, including more contagious strains of the virus and a reluctance by many nursing home workers to get vaccinated.At Arbor Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Opelika, Alabama, where 19 patients died of COVID-19 early in the pandemic, none of the roughly 115 patients are infected now, said Mark Traylor, who heads the facility’s parent company, Traylor-Porter Healthcare.“We look after each other in here. We take care of each other,” resident Susan McEachern said Wednesday as she and a friend — both wearing masks — sat in a communal room that was recently reopened because many residents had been vaccinated.Traylor said a better understanding of how to prevent the spread of the virus and how to treat COVID-19 was the difference between “looking into an abyss” during those first weeks of the crisis and visitors now being allowed back on a limited basis.“We’re going to be in great shape once we get everybody vaccinated,” said Traylor.PruittHealth, which operates about 100 nursing homes in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, has 29 locations that are free of COVID-19 and fewer patients overall testing positive in recent weeks, said CEO Neil Pruitt.Although more than 70% of PruittHealth’s eligible nursing home residents have been immunized, only 27% of its employees have agreed to be vaccinated, Pruitt said. Without a big improvement in that employee figure, he’s worried cases could spike again once people start traveling over spring break.“Right now, I’m not confident,” he said.

Coronavirus cases drop at US homes for elderly and infirm

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to avoid 
"ghost" tax return preparers whose refusal to sign returns can cause a 
frightening array of problems. It is important to file a valid, accurate
 tax return because the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for it.

Ghost preparers get their scary name because they don't sign tax 
returns they prepare. Like a ghost, they try to be invisible to the fact
 they've prepared the return and will print the return and get the 
taxpayer to sign and mail it. For e-filed returns, the ghost preparer 
will prepare but refuse to digitally sign it as the paid preparer.

By law, anyone who is paid to prepare or assists in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/ptin-requirements-for-tax-return-preparers">Preparer Tax Identification Number</a>,
 or PTIN. Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the return.
 Not signing a return is a red flag that the paid preparer may be 
looking to make a fast buck by promising a big refund or charging fees 
based on the size of the refund.

Unscrupulous tax return preparers may also:

The IRS urges taxpayers to choose a tax return preparer wisely. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Choosing a Tax Professional</a> page on IRS.gov has information about tax preparer <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/understanding-tax-return-preparer-credentials-and-qualifications">credentials and qualifications</a>. The IRS <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications</a> can help identify many preparers by type of credential or qualification.

No matter who prepares the return, the IRS urges taxpayers to review 
it carefully and ask questions about anything not clear before signing. 
Taxpayers should verify both their routing and bank account number on 
the completed tax return for any direct deposit refund. And taxpayers 
should watch out for preparers putting their bank account information 
onto the returns.

Taxpayers can report preparer misconduct to the IRS using IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14157.pdf">Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer&nbsp;PDF</a>. If a taxpayer suspects a tax preparer filed or changed their tax return without their consent, they should file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14157a.pdf">Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit&nbsp;PDF</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to avoid 
"ghost" tax return preparers whose refusal to sign returns can cause a 
frightening array of problems. It is important to file a valid, accurate
 tax return because the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for it.Ghost preparers get their scary name because they don't sign tax 
returns they prepare. Like a ghost, they try to be invisible to the fact
 they've prepared the return and will print the return and get the 
taxpayer to sign and mail it. For e-filed returns, the ghost preparer 
will prepare but refuse to digitally sign it as the paid preparer.By law, anyone who is paid to prepare or assists in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/ptin-requirements-for-tax-return-preparers">Preparer Tax Identification Number</a>,
 or PTIN. Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the return.
 Not signing a return is a red flag that the paid preparer may be 
looking to make a fast buck by promising a big refund or charging fees 
based on the size of the refund.Unscrupulous tax return preparers may also:<ul>
 <li>Require payment in cash only and not provide a receipt.</li><li>Invent income to qualify their clients for tax credits.</li><li>Claim fake deductions to boost the size of the refund.</li><li>Direct refunds into their bank account, not the taxpayer's account.</li>
 </ul>The IRS urges taxpayers to choose a tax return preparer wisely. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">Choosing a Tax Professional</a> page on IRS.gov has information about tax preparer <a href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/understanding-tax-return-preparer-credentials-and-qualifications">credentials and qualifications</a>. The IRS <a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf">Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications</a> can help identify many preparers by type of credential or qualification.No matter who prepares the return, the IRS urges taxpayers to review 
it carefully and ask questions about anything not clear before signing. 
Taxpayers should verify both their routing and bank account number on 
the completed tax return for any direct deposit refund. And taxpayers 
should watch out for preparers putting their bank account information 
onto the returns.Taxpayers can report preparer misconduct to the IRS using IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14157.pdf">Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer&nbsp;PDF</a>. If a taxpayer suspects a tax preparer filed or changed their tax return without their consent, they should file <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14157a.pdf">Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit&nbsp;PDF</a>.

IRS: Beware of 'ghost' preparers who don’t sign tax returns

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Advocates for people who have experienced harassment, domestic abuse or sexual assault have backed a bill that would extend protection orders from one to five years and make it easier to get one. 

The measure by Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, seeks to address the challenges some people face when the orders protecting them expire.

 Advocates said victims are often forced to track when a protection order is set to expire, and they have to get their request notarized. 

Morfeld’s bill pending before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee would eliminate the notarization requirement and extend the duration of orders so survivors don’t have to renew them as frequently.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Advocates for people who have experienced harassment, domestic abuse or sexual assault have backed a bill that would extend protection orders from one to five years and make it easier to get one. The measure by Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, seeks to address the challenges some people face when the orders protecting them expire. Advocates said victims are often forced to track when a protection order is set to expire, and they have to get their request notarized. Morfeld’s bill pending before the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee would eliminate the notarization requirement and extend the duration of orders so survivors don’t have to renew them as frequently.

Advocates back Nebraska bill to extend protection orders

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police in Lincoln have arrested a man in a domestic assault case, saying the man attacked his girlfriend with a hatchet. 

On Thursday, police arrested 29-year-old Nathan Ueding on suspicion of second-degree assault, use of a deadly weapon, strangulation, making terroristic threats and false imprisonment. 

Police say the woman told officers Ueding assaulted her Thursday morning, hitting her several times with a hatchet and not allowing her to leave the home for several hours. 

Police reported that the woman had significant bruising and injuries all over her body from the attack. 

Police say they found Ueding waiting in a vehicle outside the woman's workplace Thursday night and arrested him.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Police in Lincoln have arrested a man in a domestic assault case, saying the man attacked his girlfriend with a hatchet. On Thursday, police arrested 29-year-old Nathan Ueding on suspicion of second-degree assault, use of a deadly weapon, strangulation, making terroristic threats and false imprisonment. Police say the woman told officers Ueding assaulted her Thursday morning, hitting her several times with a hatchet and not allowing her to leave the home for several hours. Police reported that the woman had significant bruising and injuries all over her body from the attack. Police say they found Ueding waiting in a vehicle outside the woman's workplace Thursday night and arrested him.

Police say Lincoln man used hatchet in attack on woman

NEW YORK (AP) — Christopher Plummer, the dashing award-winning actor who played Captain von Trapp in the film “The Sound of Music” and at 82 became the oldest Academy Award acting winner in history, has died. He was 91.

Plummer died Friday morning at his home in Connecticut with his wife, Elaine Taylor, by his side, said Lou Pitt, his longtime friend and manager

Over more than 50 years in the industry, Plummer enjoyed varied roles ranging from the film “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” to the voice of the villain in 2009′s “Up” and as a canny lawyer in Broadway’s “Inherit the Wind.”

But it was opposite Julie Andrews as von Trapp that made him a star. He played an Austrian captain who must flee the country with his folk-singing family to escape service in the Nazi navy, a role he lamented was “humorless and one-dimensional.” Plummer spent the rest of his life referring to the film as “The Sound of Mucus” or “S&amp;M.”

“We tried so hard to put humor into it,” he told The Associated Press in 2007. “It was almost impossible. It was just agony to try to make that guy not a cardboard figure.”

The role catapulted Plummer to stardom, but he never took to leading men parts, despite his silver hair, good looks and ever-so-slight English accent. He preferred character parts, considering them more meaty.

Plummer had a remarkable film renaissance late in life, which began with his acclaimed performance as Mike Wallace in Michael Mann’s 1999 film “The Insider,” continued in films such as 2001’s “A Beautiful Mind” and 2009′s “The Last Station,” in which he played a deteriorating Tolstoy and was nominated for an Oscar.

In 2012, Plummer won a supporting actor Oscar for his role in “Beginners” as Hal Fields, a museum director who becomes openly gay after his wife of 44 years dies. His loving, final relationship becomes an inspiration for his son, who struggles with his father’s death and how to find intimacy in a new relationship.

“Too many people in the world are unhappy with their lot. And then they retire and they become vegetables. I think retirement in any profession is death, so I’m determined to keep crackin’,” he told AP in 2011.

Plummer in 2017 replaced Kevin Spacey as J. Paul Getty in “All the Money in the World” just six weeks before the film was set to hit theaters. That choice that was officially validated in the best possible way for the film — a supporting Oscar nomination for Plummer, his third. In 2019, he starred in the TV suspense drama series “Departure.”

There were fallow periods in his career — a “Pink Panther” movie here, a “Dracula 2000″ there and even a “Star Trek” — as a Klingon, no less. But Plummer had other reasons than the scripts in mind.

“For a long time, I accepted parts that took me to attractive places in the world. Rather than shooting in the Bronx, I would rather go to the south of France, crazed creature than I am,” he told AP in 2007. “And so I sacrificed a lot of my career for nicer hotels and more attractive beaches.”

The Canadian-born actor performed most of the major Shakespeare roles, including Hamlet, Cyrano, Iago, Othello, Prospero, Henry V and a staggering “King Lear” at Lincoln Center in 2004. He was frequent star at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada.

“I’ve become simpler and simpler with playing Shakespeare,” he said in 2007. “I’m not as extravagant as I used to be. I don’t listen to my voice so much anymore. All the pitfalls of playing the classics — you can fall in love with yourself.”

He won two Tony Awards. The first was in 1974 for best actor in a musical for playing the title role in “Cyrano” and his second in 1997 for his portrayal of John Barrymore in “Barrymore.” He also won two Emmys.

Plummer was born Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer in Toronto. His maternal great-grandfather was former Canadian Prime Minister Sir John Abbott. His parents divorced shortly after his birth and he was raised by his mother and aunts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612550038988.png" alt="Plummer from the cover of his autobiography <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spite-Myself-Christopher-Plummer/dp/0345803221/ref=asc_df_0345803221/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=312174487654&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=6139120484327924993&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9024462&amp;hvtargid=pla-525566511796&amp;psc=1">"In Spite of Myself"</a>" />
 <figcaption>Plummer from the cover of his autobiography <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spite-Myself-Christopher-Plummer/dp/0345803221/ref=asc_df_0345803221/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=312174487654&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=6139120484327924993&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9024462&amp;hvtargid=pla-525566511796&amp;psc=1">"In Spite of Myself"</a></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Christopher Plummer, the dashing award-winning actor who played Captain von Trapp in the film “The Sound of Music” and at 82 became the oldest Academy Award acting winner in history, has died. He was 91.Plummer died Friday morning at his home in Connecticut with his wife, Elaine Taylor, by his side, said Lou Pitt, his longtime friend and managerOver more than 50 years in the industry, Plummer enjoyed varied roles ranging from the film “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” to the voice of the villain in 2009′s “Up” and as a canny lawyer in Broadway’s “Inherit the Wind.”But it was opposite Julie Andrews as von Trapp that made him a star. He played an Austrian captain who must flee the country with his folk-singing family to escape service in the Nazi navy, a role he lamented was “humorless and one-dimensional.” Plummer spent the rest of his life referring to the film as “The Sound of Mucus” or “S&amp;M.”“We tried so hard to put humor into it,” he told The Associated Press in 2007. “It was almost impossible. It was just agony to try to make that guy not a cardboard figure.”The role catapulted Plummer to stardom, but he never took to leading men parts, despite his silver hair, good looks and ever-so-slight English accent. He preferred character parts, considering them more meaty.Plummer had a remarkable film renaissance late in life, which began with his acclaimed performance as Mike Wallace in Michael Mann’s 1999 film “The Insider,” continued in films such as 2001’s “A Beautiful Mind” and 2009′s “The Last Station,” in which he played a deteriorating Tolstoy and was nominated for an Oscar.In 2012, Plummer won a supporting actor Oscar for his role in “Beginners” as Hal Fields, a museum director who becomes openly gay after his wife of 44 years dies. His loving, final relationship becomes an inspiration for his son, who struggles with his father’s death and how to find intimacy in a new relationship.“Too many people in the world are unhappy with their lot. And then they retire and they become vegetables. I think retirement in any profession is death, so I’m determined to keep crackin’,” he told AP in 2011.Plummer in 2017 replaced Kevin Spacey as J. Paul Getty in “All the Money in the World” just six weeks before the film was set to hit theaters. That choice that was officially validated in the best possible way for the film — a supporting Oscar nomination for Plummer, his third. In 2019, he starred in the TV suspense drama series “Departure.”There were fallow periods in his career — a “Pink Panther” movie here, a “Dracula 2000″ there and even a “Star Trek” — as a Klingon, no less. But Plummer had other reasons than the scripts in mind.“For a long time, I accepted parts that took me to attractive places in the world. Rather than shooting in the Bronx, I would rather go to the south of France, crazed creature than I am,” he told AP in 2007. “And so I sacrificed a lot of my career for nicer hotels and more attractive beaches.”The Canadian-born actor performed most of the major Shakespeare roles, including Hamlet, Cyrano, Iago, Othello, Prospero, Henry V and a staggering “King Lear” at Lincoln Center in 2004. He was frequent star at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada.“I’ve become simpler and simpler with playing Shakespeare,” he said in 2007. “I’m not as extravagant as I used to be. I don’t listen to my voice so much anymore. All the pitfalls of playing the classics — you can fall in love with yourself.”He won two Tony Awards. The first was in 1974 for best actor in a musical for playing the title role in “Cyrano” and his second in 1997 for his portrayal of John Barrymore in “Barrymore.” He also won two Emmys.Plummer was born Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer in Toronto. His maternal great-grandfather was former Canadian Prime Minister Sir John Abbott. His parents divorced shortly after his birth and he was raised by his mother and aunts.

Oscar winner, ‘Sound of Music’ star Christopher Plummer dies

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has announced its fall 2020 dean’s list for students enrolled in nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and the allied health professions. &nbsp; To qualify for the dean’s list, nursing and the allied health students must be enrolled for 12 or more hours during the semester and have a grade point average of 3.75 or above. To qualify for the pharmacy dean’s list, students must place in the top 20 percent of their class and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or above. Dental students must be in the top 10 percent of their class for the semester. The following is a list of students, their hometowns and the colleges in which they are enrolled.&nbsp;

The names of students who choose not to be listed due to privacy reasons - protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) -- are not included.&nbsp;

Cardiovascular Interventional Technology&nbsp;

Diagnostic Medical Sonography&nbsp;

Colorado Springs, CO – Rebecca Doe, Marissa Rea&nbsp;

Sacramento, CA – Keith Joseph Salimo&nbsp;

Grand Island– Sophia Mittelstaedt&nbsp;

Holdrege– Caitlin Dahl, Katelyn Keffeler&nbsp;

Lincoln – Joy Glynn, Michael Gries&nbsp;

Omaha – Yukihiro Agnabo, Jaiden Becker, Anna Bohling, Shireen Fadul, Mai Nguyen, Yanmin Xue, Amy Zavala-Voss&nbsp;

Papillion– Kelsie Ienn, Lauren Williams&nbsp;

South Sioux City – Christopher Lantz&nbsp;

Council Bluffs, IA – Mary Harrill&nbsp;

Blair – Stephen Novak, Morgan Schenck&nbsp;

Lincoln – Victoria Cunning, Austin Johnson, Madeleine Koenig&nbsp;

McCook – Rebecca Sehnert, Megan Vetrovsky&nbsp;

Omaha – Terese Lewis, Ashley Meacham, Meghan Schuff Zimmerman&nbsp;

Papillion – Brady Caverzagie, Cassandra Schendt&nbsp;

Overland Park, KS – Shailendra Selvaraj&nbsp;

Liaocheng, China – Xiaotong Zhang&nbsp;

College of Nursing Omaha Division&nbsp;

Elkhorn – Kaitlyn Habrock, Emily Johnson, Eleanor Schmidt&nbsp;

Fremont – Carey Kyes, Gessica Shukis&nbsp;

Lincoln – Brooke Kreikemeier, Amy Li, Sydnie Stilley&nbsp;

Omaha – Lily Bayer, Kathryn Belfiore, Sarah Carlson, Sebastian Carnazzo, Amber Caylor, Sara Cipolla, Isabelle Cordova, Cara Dolezal, Sarah Foss, Sarah Harrison, Jason Hinze, Marissa Jankuski, Elizabeth Kangas, Taylor King, Jonathan Kruse, Mia LaHood, Mary Lindsay, Alexus Lodes, Emma Lonergan, Kira Luxon, Rachel Mattley, Jordyn Marino, Andria Meyer, Tori Nelson, Carlos Oliva, Jacqueline Lopez-Ortiz, Theresa Otter, Monserrat Sanchez Orozoco, Megan Ruzicka, Tristan Stanley, Jordan Schaefer, Jordan Shaw, Lauryn Sommerer, Cristina Valadez-Cortez, Mackenzie Wentz, Taylor Wichman&nbsp;

Papillion – Brooke Cousino, Jordyn Dvorak, Lindsay Himan, Madasen Sortino, Ashley Jennings&nbsp;

South Sioux City – Brisa Medina Gamez, Lesley Marquez&nbsp;

Arvada, CO&nbsp;–&nbsp;Miriam Perez Diaz&nbsp;

Council Bluffs, IA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kailey Fricke, Kaitlyn Pearce, Cole Scheidle&nbsp;

Baltimore, MD&nbsp;–&nbsp;Duewa Partlow&nbsp;

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has announced its fall 2020 dean’s list for students enrolled in nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and the allied health professions. &nbsp; To qualify for the dean’s list, nursing and the allied health students must be enrolled for 12 or more hours during the semester and have a grade point average of 3.75 or above. To qualify for the pharmacy dean’s list, students must place in the top 20 percent of their class and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or above. Dental students must be in the top 10 percent of their class for the semester. The following is a list of students, their hometowns and the colleges in which they are enrolled.&nbsp;The names of students who choose not to be listed due to privacy reasons - protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) -- are not included.&nbsp;Cardiovascular Interventional Technology&nbsp;Elkhorn – Justin Stephens&nbsp;Omaha – Melissa Riege&nbsp;Diagnostic Medical Sonography&nbsp;Colorado Springs, CO – Rebecca Doe, Marissa Rea&nbsp;Magnetic Resonance Imaging&nbsp;Omaha – Victoria Kinney&nbsp;Medical Laboratory Science&nbsp;Omaha – Jennifer Nelsen&nbsp;Davis, CA – Yu-An Lay&nbsp;Sacramento, CA – Keith Joseph Salimo&nbsp;Radiation Therapy&nbsp;Lincoln – Patrick Moeller&nbsp;Radiography&nbsp;Broken Bow – Ellie Wells&nbsp;Columbus – Kylie Schnell&nbsp;Ewing – Sarah Hawk&nbsp;Falls City – Ryan Keithley&nbsp;Farwell – Hannah Koperski&nbsp;Grand Island– Sophia Mittelstaedt&nbsp;Holdrege– Caitlin Dahl, Katelyn Keffeler&nbsp;Kearney– Anna Wall&nbsp;Lincoln – Joy Glynn, Michael Gries&nbsp;McCook – Hannah Kohl&nbsp;Omaha – Yukihiro Agnabo, Jaiden Becker, Anna Bohling, Shireen Fadul, Mai Nguyen, Yanmin Xue, Amy Zavala-Voss&nbsp;Papillion– Kelsie Ienn, Lauren Williams&nbsp;Schuyler – Natalie Stewart&nbsp;South Sioux City – Christopher Lantz&nbsp;Tecumseh – Caty Weber&nbsp;Underwood, IA – Lauren Shapcott&nbsp;Utica– Caroline Hahn&nbsp;Wood River – Madison Thesenvitz&nbsp;Cheyenne Wells, CO – Kendra Noe&nbsp;Council Bluffs, IA – Mary Harrill&nbsp;Detroit, MI – Wayne Howell&nbsp;College of Pharmacy&nbsp;Bellevue – Raeanne Whitcomb&nbsp;Blair – Stephen Novak, Morgan Schenck&nbsp;Bridgeport – Quentin Baxter&nbsp;Howells – Morgan Pritchard&nbsp;Kenesaw – Bridget Gallagher&nbsp;Lincoln – Victoria Cunning, Austin Johnson, Madeleine Koenig&nbsp;McCook – Rebecca Sehnert, Megan Vetrovsky&nbsp;Milford – Alexandra Kenney&nbsp;Nebraska City – Noah Kasbohm&nbsp;Omaha – Terese Lewis, Ashley Meacham, Meghan Schuff Zimmerman&nbsp;Ord – Jordan Kuck, Cora Svoboda&nbsp;Papillion – Brady Caverzagie, Cassandra Schendt&nbsp;Ravenna – Hanna Miigerl&nbsp;Scotia – Noah Jensen&nbsp;Springfield – Molly Kernan&nbsp;Sutton – Nicholas Hohensee&nbsp;West Point – Sarah Arduser&nbsp;Wisner – Jenni Lueshen&nbsp;York – Allison Riley&nbsp;Walnut, IA – Minden Huntrods&nbsp;Overland Park, KS – Shailendra Selvaraj&nbsp;Eagan, MN – Joshua Vergin&nbsp;Canton, SD – Adam Roskam&nbsp;Yankton, SD – Taylor Ruter&nbsp;Foshan, China – Yufei Shi&nbsp;Handan, China – Yadi Liu&nbsp;Liaocheng, China – Xiaotong Zhang&nbsp;Longyan, China – Shushan Wu&nbsp;Macau, China – Cheng Ieng Wong&nbsp;Nanjing, China – Xiaoqing Wang&nbsp;Weifang, China – Anlin Wang&nbsp;College of Nursing Omaha Division&nbsp;Bellevue – Krysti Castro&nbsp;Columbus&nbsp;–&nbsp;Haile Buggi&nbsp;Elkhorn – Kaitlyn Habrock, Emily Johnson, Eleanor Schmidt&nbsp;Fremont – Carey Kyes, Gessica Shukis&nbsp;Grand Island – Nicholas Lorenz&nbsp;Gretna – Amy Schmit&nbsp;Henderson – Isabelle Vanderneck&nbsp;Johnson Lake – McKenna Rieker&nbsp;LaVista – Josie Andersen&nbsp;Lincoln – Brooke Kreikemeier, Amy Li, Sydnie Stilley&nbsp;Norfolk – Jessica Metcalf&nbsp;North Bend – Dannika Dendinger&nbsp;Omaha – Lily Bayer, Kathryn Belfiore, Sarah Carlson, Sebastian Carnazzo, Amber Caylor, Sara Cipolla, Isabelle Cordova, Cara Dolezal, Sarah Foss, Sarah Harrison, Jason Hinze, Marissa Jankuski, Elizabeth Kangas, Taylor King, Jonathan Kruse, Mia LaHood, Mary Lindsay, Alexus Lodes, Emma Lonergan, Kira Luxon, Rachel Mattley, Jordyn Marino, Andria Meyer, Tori Nelson, Carlos Oliva, Jacqueline Lopez-Ortiz, Theresa Otter, Monserrat Sanchez Orozoco, Megan Ruzicka, Tristan Stanley, Jordan Schaefer, Jordan Shaw, Lauryn Sommerer, Cristina Valadez-Cortez, Mackenzie Wentz, Taylor Wichman&nbsp;Papillion – Brooke Cousino, Jordyn Dvorak, Lindsay Himan, Madasen Sortino, Ashley Jennings&nbsp;Plattsmouth – Paige Blankman&nbsp;Primrose – Riley Boyd&nbsp;Schuyler – Jessica Carrillo&nbsp;Sidney – Jasmine Jallen&nbsp;South Sioux City – Brisa Medina Gamez, Lesley Marquez&nbsp;Wausa – Mary Johnson&nbsp;Waverly – Leah Egeberg&nbsp;West Point – McKenzie Wragge&nbsp;Yutan – Summer Smejkal&nbsp;Arvada, CO&nbsp;–&nbsp;Miriam Perez Diaz&nbsp;Denver CO&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kyle Crain&nbsp;Fort Collins, CO – Jamie Rickert&nbsp;Council Bluffs, IA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kailey Fricke, Kaitlyn Pearce, Cole Scheidle&nbsp;Millersburg, IA – Taylor Hunter&nbsp;Baltimore, MD&nbsp;–&nbsp;Duewa Partlow&nbsp;Pink Hill, NC – Marisol Lugo&nbsp;Hillsboro, OR&nbsp;–&nbsp;Sara Metzsch&nbsp;Charleston, SC&nbsp;–&nbsp;Audrey Ishee&nbsp;Dallas, TX&nbsp;–&nbsp;Laila Singleton&nbsp;College of Nursing Kearney Division&nbsp;Bridgeport – Natalie Ramirez&nbsp;Cairo – Sydnie Budde&nbsp;Dalton – Kathryn Ernest&nbsp;David City – Hope VanMatre&nbsp;Gothenburg – Natalie Kennicutt&nbsp;Grand Island – Julie Hunter, Reagan Ostdiek&nbsp;Hastings – Brittani Wiseman&nbsp;Holdrege – McKenzie Ironshell&nbsp;Imperial – Sarah Allen&nbsp;Juniata – Claire Rasmussen&nbsp;Kearney – Marquette Bontz, Delaney Eckhoff, Shelby Engels, Chloe Lundgren, Anna Nelson, Jenna Werner&nbsp;Lincoln – Kerstin Leaf&nbsp;Omaha – Valerie Booher&nbsp;Ord – Tessa Copp&nbsp;Overton – Shae Grayek&nbsp;Plattsmouth – Allie Blecke&nbsp;Sargent – Corrine Slagle&nbsp;Schuyler – Preston Hall&nbsp;Stuart – Maycey Forker&nbsp;Thedford – Tristan Haake&nbsp;Wymore – Emily Zvolanek&nbsp;Grover Beach, CA – Riley Hubbell&nbsp;College of Nursing West Nebraska Division&nbsp;(Scottsbluff)&nbsp;Alliance – Brittany Dietrich, James Vermillion&nbsp;Gering – Samantha O'Leary&nbsp;Lexington – Hope Dowling&nbsp;&nbsp;Minatare – Colin Wollaston&nbsp;Mitchell – Danielle Couse&nbsp;Morrill – Jessica Wenzel&nbsp;Omaha – Patrick Nitchals&nbsp;Scottsbluff – Devin Beaver, Marisa Servido, Allison Leever&nbsp;&nbsp;Spencer – Samantha Hipke&nbsp;Pueblo West, CO – Samantha DeNardo&nbsp;College of Nursing Northern Division (Norfolk)&nbsp;Ainsworth&nbsp;–&nbsp;Payton Allen&nbsp;Columbus&nbsp;–&nbsp;Sarita Bailly&nbsp;Genoa&nbsp;–&nbsp;Calista Shanle&nbsp;Grand Island&nbsp;–&nbsp;Amelia Iversen&nbsp;Lincoln&nbsp;–&nbsp;Nora Husein, Kaci Leppky, Miranda Stott&nbsp;Norfolk&nbsp;–&nbsp;Megan Belveal, Kassidy Steffen&nbsp;Oakland&nbsp;–&nbsp;Hannah Brudigam&nbsp;Omaha&nbsp;–&nbsp;Seth Greenfield, Tori Nelson, Jessie Ripley&nbsp;Plattsmouth&nbsp;–&nbsp;Bethany Quinn&nbsp;Riverdale&nbsp;–&nbsp;Rowdy Melton&nbsp;&nbsp;Tekamah&nbsp;–&nbsp;Olivia Deemer&nbsp;Verdigre&nbsp;–&nbsp;Haylee Klawitter&nbsp;Wakefield&nbsp;–&nbsp;Megan Borg&nbsp;West Point&nbsp;–&nbsp;Jesse Prieto&nbsp;Wilcox&nbsp;–&nbsp;Emily Bergstrom&nbsp;College of Nursing Lincoln Division&nbsp;Adams&nbsp;–&nbsp;Lauren Parde&nbsp;Atkinson&nbsp;–&nbsp;Shaely Thiele&nbsp;Aurora&nbsp;–&nbsp;Lillian Lambechts&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Battle Creek&nbsp;–&nbsp;Chloe Gillespie&nbsp;Beatrice&nbsp;–&nbsp;Joscelyn Zimmerman&nbsp;Blair&nbsp;–&nbsp;Bethany Hagedorn, Lindsay Lock&nbsp;Broken Bow&nbsp;–&nbsp;KyAna McCandless Stewart&nbsp;Chadron&nbsp;–&nbsp;Danielle Johnson&nbsp;Champion&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kadyn Milner&nbsp;Columbus&nbsp;–&nbsp;Lindsay Khedir Al-tiae, Hannah Mielak&nbsp;Cortland&nbsp;–&nbsp;Jessica Papke&nbsp;Creighton&nbsp;–&nbsp;Randy Wilmes&nbsp;Crete&nbsp;–&nbsp;Cynthia Lopez&nbsp;Dakota City&nbsp;–&nbsp;Anna Hubbard&nbsp;David City&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kelsey Baer, Conner Kranda&nbsp;Doniphan&nbsp;–&nbsp;Alison King&nbsp;Elkhorn&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kathleen Shewchuk&nbsp;Elm Creek&nbsp;–&nbsp;Brooke Clabaugh&nbsp;Gothenburg&nbsp;–&nbsp;Ebony Anderson&nbsp;Grand Island&nbsp;–&nbsp;McKayla Harder, Ashtyn Keezer&nbsp;Gretna&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kennedy Ayer, Shelby Jones, Samantha Yates&nbsp;Hallam&nbsp;–&nbsp;Sarah Howat&nbsp;Henderson&nbsp;–&nbsp;Ellie Steingard&nbsp;Hickman&nbsp;–&nbsp;Stephanie Macke&nbsp;Hyannis&nbsp;–&nbsp;Margaret Safarik&nbsp;Kearney&nbsp;–&nbsp;Julia Bauer&nbsp;Lawrence&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kenzee Kucera&nbsp;Lexington&nbsp;–&nbsp;MaKenzie Johnson&nbsp;Lincoln&nbsp;–&nbsp;Mary Andrew, Amber Attarzadeh, Megan Blowers, Elizabeth Burks, Michelle Carpenter, Samantha Crook, Melissa DeJong, Claire Gehring, Justin Graham, Julia Haack, Savannah Hanus, Rachel Hardy, Olivia Herrera, Nora Husein, Emma Misegadis, Linh Nguyen, Irina Poplavskiy, Bayleigh Roberts, Emma Scholtes, Oksana Stadnik, Mihria Sultani, Jocelyn Tierney, Leah Wilson, Kaitlin Zvolanek&nbsp;Louisville&nbsp;–&nbsp;Caitlin Farber&nbsp;Nebraska City&nbsp;–&nbsp;Jasmine Dia&nbsp;Nehawka&nbsp;–&nbsp;Amanda Jamison&nbsp;Newman Grove&nbsp;–&nbsp;Rebecca Stone&nbsp;Norfolk&nbsp;–&nbsp;Olivia Spence&nbsp;Omaha&nbsp;–&nbsp;Nicole Erlbacher, Mia Garrett, Ali Haith, Elizabeth Kawamoto, Kara Lemkau, Johnna Lowe, Josie Mountjoy, Farrell Nelson, Kate Ohlrich, Amanda Ortmeier, Jessie Ripley, Emma&nbsp;&nbsp;Rohrich, Marissa Salazar, Abigail&nbsp;&nbsp;Tabaka, Samantha Wood, Sierra Zach&nbsp;O'Neill&nbsp;–&nbsp;Caleigh Miles&nbsp;Ord&nbsp;–&nbsp;Bailey Wetzel&nbsp;Papillion&nbsp;–&nbsp;Grayson Rogers, Ayme Sumpter&nbsp;Ravenna&nbsp;–&nbsp;Paige Lucas&nbsp;Riverdale&nbsp;–&nbsp;Rowdy Melton&nbsp;Riverton&nbsp;–&nbsp;Andrea Jackson&nbsp;Roca&nbsp;–&nbsp;Hannah Gubser&nbsp;&nbsp;South Sioux City&nbsp;–&nbsp;Sindy Sarceno-Escobar&nbsp;Sterling&nbsp;–&nbsp;Rebecca Williams&nbsp;Tecumseh&nbsp;–&nbsp;Sopha Kongmanyvong&nbsp;Waco&nbsp;–&nbsp;Allison Hottovy&nbsp;Waverly&nbsp;–&nbsp;Emma Scheel&nbsp;York&nbsp;–&nbsp;Katherine Erwin, Marissa Harcrow&nbsp;&nbsp;Prescott, AZ&nbsp;–&nbsp;Miranda Stott&nbsp;Los Angeles, CA&nbsp;–&nbsp;John Schultz, VI&nbsp;Simi Valley, CA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Autumn Pifer&nbsp;Golden, CO&nbsp;–&nbsp;Emma MacCallum&nbsp;Homestead, FL&nbsp;–&nbsp;Airasol Bustamante&nbsp;West Des Moines, IA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Annie Schacht&nbsp;Joliet, IL&nbsp;–&nbsp;MaKenna Earl&nbsp;Geneva, IL&nbsp;–&nbsp;Emma Lane&nbsp;Wheaton, IL&nbsp;–&nbsp;Megan Bougadis&nbsp;Carmel, IN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Camille Coulter&nbsp;Leawood, KS&nbsp;–&nbsp;Celia Cox&nbsp;Overland Park, KS&nbsp;–&nbsp;Adelaide Gunderson&nbsp;Andover, MN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Miranda Lynch&nbsp;Bloomington, MN Margaret Peller&nbsp;Maple Grove, MN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Grace Sullivan&nbsp;Mound, MN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Makenzie Anderson&nbsp;New Prague, MN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Serena Thomas&nbsp;Woodbury, MN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Callie Kahrer&nbsp;Worthington, MN&nbsp;–&nbsp;Madison Woll&nbsp;Fargo, ND&nbsp;–&nbsp;Caira Berg&nbsp;Sioux Falls, SD&nbsp;–&nbsp;Hilary Vondra&nbsp;McKinney, TX&nbsp;–&nbsp;Mallory Kundee&nbsp;Burke, VA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Jared Cottrell&nbsp;Appleton, WI&nbsp;–&nbsp;Nicole Dunne&nbsp;Hudson, WI&nbsp;–&nbsp;Emma Newman&nbsp;College of Dentistry&nbsp;Alma – Mariah Allen, Nicole Steinhauser&nbsp;Bellevue – Sunit Patel&nbsp;Fremont – McKenzie Brown&nbsp;Hastings – Samuel Reimer&nbsp;Lincoln – Mandy Amberg, Logan Johnson, Carly Johnson, Samantha Nelson, Alexis Wolfe&nbsp;Malcolm– Amanda Engelbart&nbsp;McCook– Isaac Langan&nbsp;O'Neill – Emily Kleier&nbsp;Ogallala – Brittan Hoppens&nbsp;Omaha – Bryce Byman, Holly Hild, Benjamin Reckmeyer, Charlotte Sjulin&nbsp;Papillion – Benjamin Wachholtz&nbsp;Pleasant Dale – Nathan Canarsky&nbsp;St. Charles, IL – Andrew Egger&nbsp;Topeka, KS – Makena Sundine&nbsp;Mantorville, MN– Wade Starkey&nbsp;St. Louis, MO – Jason Wahidi&nbsp;Brookings, SD – Devyn Prodoehl&nbsp;Rapid City, SD – Ali Poeppel&nbsp;Sioux Falls, SD – Kirstan Hyser, Allie Koth, Landon Koth&nbsp;Arlington, WA– Jason Jurca&nbsp;Cheyenne, WY– Colton Allen&nbsp;Dental Hygiene&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Burwell – Kassi Plock&nbsp;Columbus – Samantha Beal&nbsp;Ponca – Shelby Rickett&nbsp;Bend, OR – Haritareddy Gujjula&nbsp;

UNMC announces dean's list for fall 2020 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The cost of deploying about 26,000 National Guard troops to secure the U.S. Capitol in the wake of the deadly Jan. 6 riot is nearly $500 million, U.S. military officials said Thursday.

The deployment brought troops in from all 50 states and four territories as law enforcement agencies tried to lock down the Capitol for the inauguration of the President Joe Biden. Thousands of Guard members poured into the nation’s capital and were stationed across the city to block traffic and protect lawmakers and landmarks.

Officials said the nearly $500 million includes the costs of transporting Guard troops from their states to Washington, their salaries and benefits, as well as housing and other essentials. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss internal figures and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Because the troops were activated by the federal government for more than 30 days, their health benefits are also covered, adding to the price of the deployment.

Officials say the money is expected to cover the costs of the Guard through mid-March, when the troops are expected to leave. Between 5,000 and 7,000 troops are scheduled to stay in Washington through March 14.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a terrorism bulletin warning about possible additional violence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611346427579.png" alt="Some members of the National Guard spent a night in a parking garage- photo courtesy Senator Tim Scott" />
 <figcaption>Some members of the National Guard spent a night in a parking garage- photo courtesy Senator Tim Scott</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The cost of deploying about 26,000 National Guard troops to secure the U.S. Capitol in the wake of the deadly Jan. 6 riot is nearly $500 million, U.S. military officials said Thursday.The deployment brought troops in from all 50 states and four territories as law enforcement agencies tried to lock down the Capitol for the inauguration of the President Joe Biden. Thousands of Guard members poured into the nation’s capital and were stationed across the city to block traffic and protect lawmakers and landmarks.Officials said the nearly $500 million includes the costs of transporting Guard troops from their states to Washington, their salaries and benefits, as well as housing and other essentials. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss internal figures and spoke on condition of anonymity.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612538929036.png" alt="The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC, provided authentic Czech goulash and bread to 500 U.S. Soldiers and Airmen of the Nebraska and Texas National Guards who were supporting the Presidential Inauguration-photo courtesy Nebraska National guard" />
 <figcaption>The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC, provided authentic Czech goulash and bread to 500 U.S. Soldiers and Airmen of the Nebraska and Texas National Guards who were supporting the Presidential Inauguration-photo courtesy Nebraska National guard</figcaption>
 </figure>Because the troops were activated by the federal government for more than 30 days, their health benefits are also covered, adding to the price of the deployment.Officials say the money is expected to cover the costs of the Guard through mid-March, when the troops are expected to leave. Between 5,000 and 7,000 troops are scheduled to stay in Washington through March 14.The Department of Homeland Security has issued a terrorism bulletin warning about possible additional violence.

Guard deployment to secure DC will cost $500 million

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A judge says a man accused of burning down a Nebraska church is not responsible by reason of insanity. 

Forty-year-old Mathew Poehler, of Shelton, was charged with second-degree arson after investigators say he set a fire that destroyed the Zion Lutheran Church in rural Buffalo County on Dec. 11, 2019.

 Poehler's attorney argued that at the time of the fire, Poehler was suffering so severely from schizoaffective disorder that he didn't know right from wrong. 

Buffalo County District Judge John Marsh on Thursday ruled in favor of the insanity plea. 

He ordered a future court hearing to determine if Poehler was a danger to himself or others.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A judge says a man accused of burning down a Nebraska church is not responsible by reason of insanity. Forty-year-old Mathew Poehler, of Shelton, was charged with second-degree arson after investigators say he set a fire that destroyed the Zion Lutheran Church in rural Buffalo County on Dec. 11, 2019. Poehler's attorney argued that at the time of the fire, Poehler was suffering so severely from schizoaffective disorder that he didn't know right from wrong. Buffalo County District Judge John Marsh on Thursday ruled in favor of the insanity plea. He ordered a future court hearing to determine if Poehler was a danger to himself or others.

Man found not responsible for burning down Nebraska church

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate early Friday took a key step toward fast-track passage of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without support from Republicans. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first.

Democrats in the chamber applauded after Harris announced the 51-50 vote at around 5:30 a.m. The action came after a grueling all-night session, where senators voted on amendments that could define the contours of the eventual COVID-19 aid bill.

The budget now returns to the House, where it will have to be approved again due to the changes made by the Senate. Final passage will unlock the next phase in drafting of the virus relief bill, with the work divided among several congressional committees.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer D-N.Y., called passage of the resolution the “first big step to putting our country back on the road to recovery.”

By moving on a fast track, the goal for Democrats is to have COVID relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires. It’s an aggressive timeline that will test the ability of the new administration and Congress to deliver.

Biden, who has been meeting with lawmakers in recent days to discuss the package, will talk Friday at the White House with the House committee chairs who will be assembling the bill under the budget process known as “reconciliation.”

Biden also plans to make remarks Friday on the economy as he keeps up the pressure on Congress to “act big” on his relief package.

With a rising virus death toll and strained economy, the president’s goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid measures expire. Money for vaccine distributions, direct payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are at stake.

The marathon Senate session brought test votes on several Democratic priorities, including a $15 minimum wage. The Senate by voice vote adopted an amendment from Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, opposed to raising the wage during the pandemic. Ernst said a wage hike at this time would be “devastating” for small businesses.

None of the amendments to the budget are binding on Democrats as they draft their COVID plan, but passage of a wage increase could prove difficult. Even if a $15 wage can get past procedural challenges in the final bill, passage will require the support from every Democrat in the 50-50 Senate, which could be a tall order.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a vocal proponent of the wage increase, vowed to press ahead. “We need to end the crisis of starvation wages,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612529465267.png" alt="Vice President Kamala Harris as she announced her vote to break the tie just after 5a.m. Friday in the United State's Senate- photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Kamala Harris as she announced her vote to break the tie just after 5a.m. Friday in the United State's Senate- photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate early Friday took a key step toward fast-track passage of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without support from Republicans. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first.Democrats in the chamber applauded after Harris announced the 51-50 vote at around 5:30 a.m. The action came after a grueling all-night session, where senators voted on amendments that could define the contours of the eventual COVID-19 aid bill.The budget now returns to the House, where it will have to be approved again due to the changes made by the Senate. Final passage will unlock the next phase in drafting of the virus relief bill, with the work divided among several congressional committees.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer D-N.Y., called passage of the resolution the “first big step to putting our country back on the road to recovery.”By moving on a fast track, the goal for Democrats is to have COVID relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires. It’s an aggressive timeline that will test the ability of the new administration and Congress to deliver.Biden, who has been meeting with lawmakers in recent days to discuss the package, will talk Friday at the White House with the House committee chairs who will be assembling the bill under the budget process known as “reconciliation.”Biden also plans to make remarks Friday on the economy as he keeps up the pressure on Congress to “act big” on his relief package.With a rising virus death toll and strained economy, the president’s goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid measures expire. Money for vaccine distributions, direct payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are at stake.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612529745380.png" alt="Early Friday morning on the floor of the. U.S. Senate-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Early Friday morning on the floor of the. U.S. Senate-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The marathon Senate session brought test votes on several Democratic priorities, including a $15 minimum wage. The Senate by voice vote adopted an amendment from Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, opposed to raising the wage during the pandemic. Ernst said a wage hike at this time would be “devastating” for small businesses.None of the amendments to the budget are binding on Democrats as they draft their COVID plan, but passage of a wage increase could prove difficult. Even if a $15 wage can get past procedural challenges in the final bill, passage will require the support from every Democrat in the 50-50 Senate, which could be a tall order.Sen. Bernie Sanders, a vocal proponent of the wage increase, vowed to press ahead. “We need to end the crisis of starvation wages,” he said.

Senate takes step toward $1.9T COVID relief; VP casts tie-breaker vote

WASHINGTON — Biden administration officials are weighing sending masks to every American as they hope to nudge individuals to do their part in lowering coronavirus transmission rates.

White House chief of staff Ron Klain said in an interview with NBC News that administration officials are looking at using mask supplies that the government already has in its stockpile.

Klain said that the administration hopes to make an announcement on a potential move “in the next few days or next week.”

Biden has pleaded for Americans to wear masks during the first 100 days of his administration. It’s a step he said could help save thousands of lives as Americans await their turn to be vaccinated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612486295120.png" alt="President Biden and Vice President Harris wearing masks as the podium is cleaned prior to his foreign policy address at the State Department on Thursday-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Vice President Harris wearing masks as the podium is cleaned prior to his foreign policy address at the State Department on Thursday-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — Biden administration officials are weighing sending masks to every American as they hope to nudge individuals to do their part in lowering coronavirus transmission rates.White House chief of staff Ron Klain said in an interview with NBC News that administration officials are looking at using mask supplies that the government already has in its stockpile.Klain said that the administration hopes to make an announcement on a potential move “in the next few days or next week.”Biden has pleaded for Americans to wear masks during the first 100 days of his administration. It’s a step he said could help save thousands of lives as Americans await their turn to be vaccinated.

US officials mull sending masks to every American

KANSAS CITY (AP)—As the Super Bowl approaches, officials said Wednesday more than 169,000 counterfeit sports-related items worth $44 million were seized in the past year.

The effort, known as Operation Team Player, begins at the end of each Super Bowl and continues through the next. It's overseen by a unit of Homeland Security Investigations, part of the Homeland Security Department.

Officials appeared at a news conference Wednesday with dozens of counterfeit NFL jerseys and hats, fake Super Bowl rings and numerous other sports items.&nbsp;

Click the video below to watch a replay of the news conference.

Steve Francis, director of HSI's intellectual property rights center, said in addition to fans being scammed with inferior merchandise the money is often used to finance other illegal activity.

“Make no mistake, intellectual property theft is not a victimless crime,” Francis said. “Our efforts here in Tampa will continue.”

Much of the effort leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl in Tampa has focused on flea markets, street vendors and retail outlets selling the fake goods.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Tampa Police Department also are involved in the investigations. Officials say people should take care where and how they buy team merchandise and look for the proper logos and other markings.

“We're prepared and ready to prosecute anyone who commits this crime in the city of Tampa,” said Police Chief Brian Dugan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612469884801.png" alt="Photo courtesy Operation Team Player" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Operation Team Player</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)—As the Super Bowl approaches, officials said Wednesday more than 169,000 counterfeit sports-related items worth $44 million were seized in the past year.The effort, known as Operation Team Player, begins at the end of each Super Bowl and continues through the next. It's overseen by a unit of Homeland Security Investigations, part of the Homeland Security Department.Officials appeared at a news conference Wednesday with dozens of counterfeit NFL jerseys and hats, fake Super Bowl rings and numerous other sports items.&nbsp;Click the video below to watch a replay of the news conference.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ySh6l6Q7M4g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Steve Francis, director of HSI's intellectual property rights center, said in addition to fans being scammed with inferior merchandise the money is often used to finance other illegal activity.“Make no mistake, intellectual property theft is not a victimless crime,” Francis said. “Our efforts here in Tampa will continue.”Much of the effort leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl in Tampa has focused on flea markets, street vendors and retail outlets selling the fake goods.U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Tampa Police Department also are involved in the investigations. Officials say people should take care where and how they buy team merchandise and look for the proper logos and other markings.“We're prepared and ready to prosecute anyone who commits this crime in the city of Tampa,” said Police Chief Brian Dugan.

Officials: $44M in fake sports gear seized

BROKEN BOW, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Broken Bow accountant has agreed to turn herself in on theft charges — as soon as she's released from a hospital where she's being treated for injuries from a car crash. 

The Grand Island Independent reports that authorities had been searching for 50-year-old Connie Ulmer to serve an arrest warrant charging her with four counts of theft. 

Police suspect Ulmer of stealing more than $45,000 from the Broken Bow Booster Club, of which she had been the treasurer. 

Investigators say Ulmer, who has an accounting business in Broken Bow, used much of the money stolen was used to pay for the costs of her child attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

BROKEN BOW, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Broken Bow accountant has agreed to turn herself in on theft charges — as soon as she's released from a hospital where she's being treated for injuries from a car crash. The Grand Island Independent reports that authorities had been searching for 50-year-old Connie Ulmer to serve an arrest warrant charging her with four counts of theft. Police suspect Ulmer of stealing more than $45,000 from the Broken Bow Booster Club, of which she had been the treasurer. Investigators say Ulmer, who has an accounting business in Broken Bow, used much of the money stolen was used to pay for the costs of her child attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Broken Bow accountant accused of theft from booster club

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota’s weekly allotment of the coronavirus vaccine from the federal government is increasing again. 

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota’s weekly allotment of the coronavirus vaccine from the federal government is increasing again. The state will receive 13,550 doses by next week, according Department of Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon. That’s 2,550 additional doses that South Dakota originally received and about 700 more doses than recently allocated per week. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates nearly 9% of South Dakotans have received at least one of the two doses needed and 3.6% have received the initial shot.