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.

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.

South Dakota receives more COVID-19 vaccine doses next week

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Police said a Nebraska man charged with fatally stabbing his 4-month-old cousin was being treated for depression at the time but hadn’t been taking his medicine. 

Nineteen-year-old Alexander Hernandez has been charged with first-degree murder, child abuse and using a weapon to commit a felony in the Jan. 9 stabbing. 

He appeared in court Tuesday and is being held without bond. 

Police said a witness heard the baby girl’s cries and entered the room to find Hernandez stabbing the child several times. 

After police arrived at the home, officers found the baby girl with 16 stab wounds. 

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Police said a Nebraska man charged with fatally stabbing his 4-month-old cousin was being treated for depression at the time but hadn’t been taking his medicine. Nineteen-year-old Alexander Hernandez has been charged with first-degree murder, child abuse and using a weapon to commit a felony in the Jan. 9 stabbing. He appeared in court Tuesday and is being held without bond. Police said a witness heard the baby girl’s cries and entered the room to find Hernandez stabbing the child several times. After police arrived at the home, officers found the baby girl with 16 stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Nebraska man charged with fatally stabbing 4-month-old girl

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say the adult daughter of former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is missing, and the woman's husband was arrested following a confrontation with sheriff's deputies. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that 48-year-old Amber Tjaden, of Weeping Water, was reported missing by her daughter and that Cass County Sheriff's deputies who went to Tjaden's home on Jan. 29 found two young boys alone.

 Deputies say they called Tjaden's husband, 38-year-old Matthew Tjaden, who told them he was out looking for his wife and refused to immediately return. 

Officials say a short chase and confrontation followed. 

Matthew Tjaden was arrested after being subdued by a deputy's stun gun.

 He's charged with fleeing to avoid arrest, child neglect and other counts and has pleaded not guilty.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say the adult daughter of former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is missing, and the woman's husband was arrested following a confrontation with sheriff's deputies. The Omaha World-Herald reports that 48-year-old Amber Tjaden, of Weeping Water, was reported missing by her daughter and that Cass County Sheriff's deputies who went to Tjaden's home on Jan. 29 found two young boys alone. Deputies say they called Tjaden's husband, 38-year-old Matthew Tjaden, who told them he was out looking for his wife and refused to immediately return. Officials say a short chase and confrontation followed. Matthew Tjaden was arrested after being subdued by a deputy's stun gun. He's charged with fleeing to avoid arrest, child neglect and other counts and has pleaded not guilty.

Police search for missing adult daughter of ex-Omaha mayor

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told House Democrats on Wednesday he’s “not married” to an absolute number on his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">$1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan</a>&nbsp;but Congress needs to “act fast” on relief for the pandemic and the economic crisis.

Biden also said he doesn’t want to budge from his proposed $1,400 in direct payments that he said were promised to Americans.

“Look, we got a lot of people hurting in our country today,” Biden said. “We need to act. We need to act fast. We need to restore the soul of the country.”

On the direct payments, he said, “I’m not going to start my administration by breaking a promise to the American people.”

The meeting with House Democrats comes as the president steps up his public engagements with lawmakers on pandemic aid and an economic recovery package, together his first legislative priority and a test of the administration’s ability to deliver. Biden’s remarks to the Democratic caucus were relayed by two people who requested anonymity to discuss the private conference call.

While Biden is trying to build bipartisan support from Republicans, he is also prepared to rely on the Democratic majority in Congress to push his top agenda item into law. Republicans object to his package as excessive, preferring a $618 billion alternative, but Biden panned that as insufficient even as he continues private talks with Republicans on potential areas of compromise.

Meeting later with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and top Senate Democrats in the Oval Office, the president expressed confidence Wednesday that the relief would still win over GOP votes be bipartisan.

“I think we’ll get some Republicans,” he said at the start of the meeting.

With a rising virus death toll and strained economy, the 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.

As lawmakers in Congress begin drafting the details of the package under a budget process, Biden is taking care to shore up his allies while also ensuring that the final product fulfills his promise for bold relief to a battered nation.

House Democrats were told on the call with the president that they could be flexible on some numbers and programs, and could “better target” the direct payments, but should not back down on the size or scope of the aid.

“We have to go big, not small,” Biden told the Democrats. “I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine.”

As the White House reaches for a bipartisan bill, Democrats marshaled their ever-slim Senate majority, voting 50-49 on Tuesday to start a lengthy process for approving Biden’s bill with or without Republican support. The House is due to start its process with preliminary votes later Wednesday.

The swift action follows Tuesday’s outreach to Congress as Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-janet-yellen-coronavirus-pandemic-ec4e791e08664fb9c0d72972e65b3e04">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen</a>&nbsp;joined the Democratic senators for a private virtual meeting, both declaring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gop-coronavirus-aid-plans-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">the Republicans’ $618 billion offer</a>&nbsp;was too small.

Both Biden and Yellen recalled the lessons of the government response to the 2009 financial crisis, which some have since said was inadequate as conditions worsened.

Schumer said of the Republican proposal: “If we did a package that small, we’d be mired in the COVID crisis for years.”

Biden is emphasizing the need not to forget working and middle-class families — those nurses and pipefitters making $150,000 for a family of four.

Earlier in the week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-618-billion-coronavirus-aid-a96acb5c835de5bffec28dbdbce5cd4e">Biden met with 10 Republican senators</a>&nbsp;who were pitching their $618 billion alternative, and told them it was not enough. He said he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democrats for pressing ahead largely on their own as the GOP senators try to provide bipartisan alternatives.

“They’ve chosen a totally partisan path,” McConnell said. “That’s unfortunate.”

The two sides are far apart. The cornerstone of the GOP plan is $160 billion for the health care response — vaccine distribution, a “massive expansion” of testing, protective gear and money for rural hospitals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jen-psaki-coronavirus-pandemic-united-states-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">similar to what Biden has proposed for aid specific to the pandemic.</a>

But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared with $20 billion in the Republican plan. Republicans also would give nothing to states, money that Democrats argue is just as important, with $350 billion in Biden’s plan to keep police, fire and other workers on the job.

The GOP’s $1,000 direct payments would go to fewer people — those earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. Biden’s bigger $1,400 payments would extend to higher income levels, up to $300,000 for some families.

The Republicans offer $40 billion for Paycheck Protection Program business aid. But gone are Democratic priorities such as a gradual lifting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-rashida-tlaib-coronavirus-pandemic-minimum-wage-ee0e8cc7c96a30d9581723b2c6bb4189?utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=AP_Politics">the federal minimum wage</a>&nbsp;to $15 an hour.

Winning the support of 10 Republicans would be significant, potentially giving Biden the votes needed in the 50-50 Senate to reach the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance legislation.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-symone-sanders-south-asia-coronavirus-pandemic-d11545d09f132366909d492822df692d">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is the tie-breaker.

But Democrats pushed ahead with Tuesday’s vote, laying groundwork for eventual approval under the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote Senate majority.

White House officials have previously cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as evidence of broad support for their plan, but the nation’s most prominent business group on Tuesday urged a compromise.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden panned a Republican alternative to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">$1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan&nbsp;</a>as insufficient as Senate Democrats pushed ahead, voting to launch a process that could approve his sweeping rescue package on their own, if Republicans refuse to support it.

Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-janet-yellen-coronavirus-pandemic-ec4e791e08664fb9c0d72972e65b3e04">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen</a>&nbsp;joined the Democratic senators including Kansas Senator Jerry Moran for a private virtual meeting Tuesday, both declaring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gop-coronavirus-aid-plans-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">the Republicans’ $618 billion offer</a>&nbsp;was too small. They urged big fast action to stem&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;crisis and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/31ffad3ea17ef1d07e2724dd8fc25d50">its economic fallout</a>.

As the White House reaches for a bipartisan bill, Democrats marshaled their ever-slim Senate majority, voting 50-49, to start a lengthy process for approving Biden’s bill with or without GOP support. The goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires.

“President Biden spoke about the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the lunch meeting. “If we did a package that small, we’d be mired in the COVID crisis for years.”

The swift action from Democrats on Capitol Hill underscores the urgency of delivering Biden’s top legislative priority even as talks are progressing privately between Republicans and the White House, as well as with centrist Democrats, on potential changes to the package to win over broader bipartisan support.

Biden framed his views during the virtual lunch meeting with Democrats by talking about the need not to forget working and middle-class families — even those like nurses and pipefitters making $150,000 for a family of four — who are straining during the crisis, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private call.

The night before,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-618-billion-coronavirus-aid-a96acb5c835de5bffec28dbdbce5cd4e">Biden met with 10 Republican senators</a>&nbsp;pitching their $618 billion alternative, and let them know it was insufficient to meet the country’s needs. The president made it clear that he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support.

While no compromise was reached during the late Monday session, White House talks with Republicans are privately underway.

The outcome will test the new president striving to unify the country but confronting&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">a rising COVID-19 death toll</a>&nbsp;and stubbornly high jobless numbers, with political risks for all sides. Vaccine distributions, direct $1,400 payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are all on the line.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democrats for pressing ahead on their own. He said he had spoken to Biden ahead of his meeting with the 10 GOP senators.

The two sides are far apart, with the Republican group of 10 senators focused primarily on the health care crisis and smaller $1,000 direct aid to Americans than the $1,400 payments Biden proposed, while the president is leading Democrats toward a more sweeping rescue plan to shore up households, local governments and a partly shuttered economy.

At the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated Biden’s view that the risk is not in crafting too large a package, but in providing too little aid. She said the president was hopeful GOP ideas will be brought forward, and said nothing precludes Republicans from participating in the process.

“We need to make sure people get the relief they need,” she said.

White House officials have previously cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as evidence of broad support for their plan, but the nation’s most prominent business group issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/us-chamber-letter-the-american-rescue-plan" target="_blank">a letter&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that urged a bipartisan compromise.

“There ought to be common ground for a bipartisan proposal that can become law,” Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer, said in an interview.

The cornerstone of the GOP plan is $160 billion for the health care response — vaccine distribution, a “massive expansion” of testing, protective gear and funds for rural hospitals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jen-psaki-coronavirus-pandemic-united-states-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">similar to what Biden has proposed</a>.

But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared to $20 billion in the Republican plan. Republicans also would give nothing to states, money that Democrats argue is just as important, with $350 billion in Biden’s plan to keep police, fire and other workers on the job.

The GOP’s $1,000 direct payments would go to fewer households, individuals earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. That’s less than Biden’s proposal of $1,400 direct payments at higher income levels, up to $300,000 for some households..

According to Schumer, Biden told Democratic senators he had let the Republicans know “he’s willing to make some modifications.”

But both Biden and Yellen recalled the lessons of the government response to the 2009 financial crisis, which some have since said was inadequate as conditions worsened. Biden said he told the Republicans their offer was “way too small,” Schumer said.

Winning the support of 10 Republicans would be significant, potentially giving Biden the votes needed in the 50-50 Senate to the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance legislation.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-symone-sanders-south-asia-coronavirus-pandemic-d11545d09f132366909d492822df692d">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is the tie-breaker.

Wary Democrats pushed ahead with Tuesday’s vote, unwilling to take too much time in courting GOP support that may not materialize or may lead to too meager a package.

The procedural steps are groundwork for eventual approval under the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote majority in the Senate, rather than the 60 votes typically needed.

The vote Tuesday opens 50 hours of debate on a budget resolution, with amendment votes expected later this week. The House is poised to launch a similar process.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612221614309.png" alt="President Biden and Vice President Harris met with Senators including Jerry Moran in the Oval Office on Monday. The meeting apparently accomplished very little.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Vice President Harris met with Senators including Jerry Moran in the Oval Office on Monday. The meeting apparently accomplished very little.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told House Democrats on Wednesday he’s “not married” to an absolute number on his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">$1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan</a>&nbsp;but Congress needs to “act fast” on relief for the pandemic and the economic crisis.Biden also said he doesn’t want to budge from his proposed $1,400 in direct payments that he said were promised to Americans.“Look, we got a lot of people hurting in our country today,” Biden said. “We need to act. We need to act fast. We need to restore the soul of the country.”On the direct payments, he said, “I’m not going to start my administration by breaking a promise to the American people.”The meeting with House Democrats comes as the president steps up his public engagements with lawmakers on pandemic aid and an economic recovery package, together his first legislative priority and a test of the administration’s ability to deliver. Biden’s remarks to the Democratic caucus were relayed by two people who requested anonymity to discuss the private conference call.While Biden is trying to build bipartisan support from Republicans, he is also prepared to rely on the Democratic majority in Congress to push his top agenda item into law. Republicans object to his package as excessive, preferring a $618 billion alternative, but Biden panned that as insufficient even as he continues private talks with Republicans on potential areas of compromise.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612378208993.png" alt="President Biden during his Wednesday visit with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during his Wednesday visit with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Meeting later with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and top Senate Democrats in the Oval Office, the president expressed confidence Wednesday that the relief would still win over GOP votes be bipartisan.“I think we’ll get some Republicans,” he said at the start of the meeting.With a rising virus death toll and strained economy, the 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.As lawmakers in Congress begin drafting the details of the package under a budget process, Biden is taking care to shore up his allies while also ensuring that the final product fulfills his promise for bold relief to a battered nation.House Democrats were told on the call with the president that they could be flexible on some numbers and programs, and could “better target” the direct payments, but should not back down on the size or scope of the aid.“We have to go big, not small,” Biden told the Democrats. “I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine.”As the White House reaches for a bipartisan bill, Democrats marshaled their ever-slim Senate majority, voting 50-49 on Tuesday to start a lengthy process for approving Biden’s bill with or without Republican support. The House is due to start its process with preliminary votes later Wednesday.The swift action follows Tuesday’s outreach to Congress as Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-janet-yellen-coronavirus-pandemic-ec4e791e08664fb9c0d72972e65b3e04">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen</a>&nbsp;joined the Democratic senators for a private virtual meeting, both declaring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gop-coronavirus-aid-plans-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">the Republicans’ $618 billion offer</a>&nbsp;was too small.Both Biden and Yellen recalled the lessons of the government response to the 2009 financial crisis, which some have since said was inadequate as conditions worsened.Schumer said of the Republican proposal: “If we did a package that small, we’d be mired in the COVID crisis for years.”Biden is emphasizing the need not to forget working and middle-class families — those nurses and pipefitters making $150,000 for a family of four.Earlier in the week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-618-billion-coronavirus-aid-a96acb5c835de5bffec28dbdbce5cd4e">Biden met with 10 Republican senators</a>&nbsp;who were pitching their $618 billion alternative, and told them it was not enough. He said he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democrats for pressing ahead largely on their own as the GOP senators try to provide bipartisan alternatives.“They’ve chosen a totally partisan path,” McConnell said. “That’s unfortunate.”The two sides are far apart. The cornerstone of the GOP plan is $160 billion for the health care response — vaccine distribution, a “massive expansion” of testing, protective gear and money for rural hospitals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jen-psaki-coronavirus-pandemic-united-states-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">similar to what Biden has proposed for aid specific to the pandemic.</a>But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared with $20 billion in the Republican plan. Republicans also would give nothing to states, money that Democrats argue is just as important, with $350 billion in Biden’s plan to keep police, fire and other workers on the job.The GOP’s $1,000 direct payments would go to fewer people — those earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. Biden’s bigger $1,400 payments would extend to higher income levels, up to $300,000 for some families.The Republicans offer $40 billion for Paycheck Protection Program business aid. But gone are Democratic priorities such as a gradual lifting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-rashida-tlaib-coronavirus-pandemic-minimum-wage-ee0e8cc7c96a30d9581723b2c6bb4189?utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=AP_Politics">the federal minimum wage</a>&nbsp;to $15 an hour.Winning the support of 10 Republicans would be significant, potentially giving Biden the votes needed in the 50-50 Senate to reach the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance legislation.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-symone-sanders-south-asia-coronavirus-pandemic-d11545d09f132366909d492822df692d">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is the tie-breaker.But Democrats pushed ahead with Tuesday’s vote, laying groundwork for eventual approval under the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote Senate majority.White House officials have previously cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as evidence of broad support for their plan, but the nation’s most prominent business group on Tuesday urged a compromise.------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden panned a Republican alternative to his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-action-plan-3d8d5841bb9098a81ad9452fb2619024">$1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan&nbsp;</a>as insufficient as Senate Democrats pushed ahead, voting to launch a process that could approve his sweeping rescue package on their own, if Republicans refuse to support it.Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-janet-yellen-coronavirus-pandemic-ec4e791e08664fb9c0d72972e65b3e04">Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen</a>&nbsp;joined the Democratic senators including Kansas Senator Jerry Moran for a private virtual meeting Tuesday, both declaring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gop-coronavirus-aid-plans-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">the Republicans’ $618 billion offer</a>&nbsp;was too small. They urged big fast action to stem&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;crisis and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/31ffad3ea17ef1d07e2724dd8fc25d50">its economic fallout</a>.As the White House reaches for a bipartisan bill, Democrats marshaled their ever-slim Senate majority, voting 50-49, to start a lengthy process for approving Biden’s bill with or without GOP support. The goal is to have COVID-19 relief approved by March, when extra unemployment assistance and other pandemic aid expires.“President Biden spoke about the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the lunch meeting. “If we did a package that small, we’d be mired in the COVID crisis for years.”The swift action from Democrats on Capitol Hill underscores the urgency of delivering Biden’s top legislative priority even as talks are progressing privately between Republicans and the White House, as well as with centrist Democrats, on potential changes to the package to win over broader bipartisan support.Biden framed his views during the virtual lunch meeting with Democrats by talking about the need not to forget working and middle-class families — even those like nurses and pipefitters making $150,000 for a family of four — who are straining during the crisis, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private call.The night before,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-618-billion-coronavirus-aid-a96acb5c835de5bffec28dbdbce5cd4e">Biden met with 10 Republican senators</a>&nbsp;pitching their $618 billion alternative, and let them know it was insufficient to meet the country’s needs. The president made it clear that he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support.While no compromise was reached during the late Monday session, White House talks with Republicans are privately underway.The outcome will test the new president striving to unify the country but confronting&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">a rising COVID-19 death toll</a>&nbsp;and stubbornly high jobless numbers, with political risks for all sides. Vaccine distributions, direct $1,400 payments to households, school reopenings and business aid are all on the line.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized the Democrats for pressing ahead on their own. He said he had spoken to Biden ahead of his meeting with the 10 GOP senators.“They’ve chosen a totally partisan path,” McConnell said. “That’s unfortunate.”The two sides are far apart, with the Republican group of 10 senators focused primarily on the health care crisis and smaller $1,000 direct aid to Americans than the $1,400 payments Biden proposed, while the president is leading Democrats toward a more sweeping rescue plan to shore up households, local governments and a partly shuttered economy.At the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated Biden’s view that the risk is not in crafting too large a package, but in providing too little aid. She said the president was hopeful GOP ideas will be brought forward, and said nothing precludes Republicans from participating in the process.“We need to make sure people get the relief they need,” she said.White House officials have previously cited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as evidence of broad support for their plan, but the nation’s most prominent business group issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uschamber.com/letters-congress/us-chamber-letter-the-american-rescue-plan" target="_blank">a letter&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that urged a bipartisan compromise.“There ought to be common ground for a bipartisan proposal that can become law,” Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer, said in an interview.The cornerstone of the GOP plan is $160 billion for the health care response — vaccine distribution, a “massive expansion” of testing, protective gear and funds for rural hospitals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jen-psaki-coronavirus-pandemic-united-states-73dd5842fda2ecdeddcc73a74cbeac47">similar to what Biden has proposed</a>.But from there, the two plans drastically diverge. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared to $20 billion in the Republican plan. Republicans also would give nothing to states, money that Democrats argue is just as important, with $350 billion in Biden’s plan to keep police, fire and other workers on the job.The GOP’s $1,000 direct payments would go to fewer households, individuals earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. That’s less than Biden’s proposal of $1,400 direct payments at higher income levels, up to $300,000 for some households..The Republicans offer $40 billion for Paycheck Protection Program business aid. But gone are Democratic priorities such as a gradual lifting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-rashida-tlaib-coronavirus-pandemic-minimum-wage-ee0e8cc7c96a30d9581723b2c6bb4189?utm_source=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=AP_Politics">the federal minimum wage</a>&nbsp;to $15 an hour.According to Schumer, Biden told Democratic senators he had let the Republicans know “he’s willing to make some modifications.”But both Biden and Yellen recalled the lessons of the government response to the 2009 financial crisis, which some have since said was inadequate as conditions worsened. Biden said he told the Republicans their offer was “way too small,” Schumer said.Winning the support of 10 Republicans would be significant, potentially giving Biden the votes needed in the 50-50 Senate to the 60-vote threshold typically required to advance legislation.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-symone-sanders-south-asia-coronavirus-pandemic-d11545d09f132366909d492822df692d">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is the tie-breaker.Wary Democrats pushed ahead with Tuesday’s vote, unwilling to take too much time in courting GOP support that may not materialize or may lead to too meager a package.The procedural steps are groundwork for eventual approval under the budget reconciliation process that would allow the bill to pass with a 51-vote majority in the Senate, rather than the 60 votes typically needed.The vote Tuesday opens 50 hours of debate on a budget resolution, with amendment votes expected later this week. The House is poised to launch a similar process.___

Biden won't budge from $1,400 virus relief payments 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s top infectious disease expert doesn’t want the Super Bowl to turn into a super spreader.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, says when it comes to Super Bowl parties during the pandemic, people should “just lay low and cool it.”

He said during TV interviews Wednesday that now isn’t the time to invite people over for watch parties because of the possibility that they’re infected with the coronavirus and could sicken others.

Big events like Sunday’s game in Tampa, Florida, between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are always a cause for concern over the potential for virus spread, Fauci said.

“You don’t want parties with people that you haven’t had much contact with,” he told NBC’s “Today” show. “You just don’t know if they’re infected, so, as difficult as that is, at least this time around, just lay low and cool it.”&nbsp; Fauci refused to pick the Chiefs or Buccaneers to win. "I don't want to go there."

According to the CDC web site, gathering virtually or with the people you live with is the safest way to celebrate the Super Bowl this year. If you do have a small gathering with people who don’t live with you, outdoors is safer than indoors. This year, choose a safer way to enjoy the game.

Attend an outdoor viewing party where viewers can sit 6 feet apart.

The NFL has capped game attendance at 22,000 people because of the pandemic and citywide coronavirus mandates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612377815413.png" alt="Fauci photo National Institute of Health" />
 <figcaption>Fauci photo National Institute of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s top infectious disease expert doesn’t want the Super Bowl to turn into a super spreader.Dr. Anthony Fauci, says when it comes to Super Bowl parties during the pandemic, people should “just lay low and cool it.”He said during TV interviews Wednesday that now isn’t the time to invite people over for watch parties because of the possibility that they’re infected with the coronavirus and could sicken others.Big events like Sunday’s game in Tampa, Florida, between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are always a cause for concern over the potential for virus spread, Fauci said.“You don’t want parties with people that you haven’t had much contact with,” he told NBC’s “Today” show. “You just don’t know if they’re infected, so, as difficult as that is, at least this time around, just lay low and cool it.”&nbsp; Fauci refused to pick the Chiefs or Buccaneers to win. "I don't want to go there."According to the CDC web site, gathering virtually or with the people you live with is the safest way to celebrate the Super Bowl this year. If you do have a small gathering with people who don’t live with you, outdoors is safer than indoors. This year, choose a safer way to enjoy the game.Host a virtual Super Bowl watch party.<ul>
 <li>Wear clothing or decorate your home with your favorite team’s logo or colors.</li><li>Make appetizers or snacks with the people you live with to enjoy while watching the game and share the recipes with your friends and family.</li><li>Start a text group with other fans to chat about the game while watching.</li>
 </ul>Attend an outdoor viewing party where viewers can sit 6 feet apart.<ul>
 <li>Use a projector screen to broadcast the game.</li><li>Sit at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with.</li>
 </ul>The NFL has capped game attendance at 22,000 people because of the pandemic and citywide coronavirus mandates.

Fauci warns against Super Bowl parties to avoid virus spread

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Administrators for a middle school in Omaha are apologizing over the display of an Adolf Hitler quote in a school hallway earlier this week. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Westside Middle School Principal Kim Eymann and district Superintendent Mike Lucas sent an email to parents, students and staff Monday for the display of the quote, which read, “The man who has no sense of history is like a man with no ears or eyes.” 

The quote was posted on an eighth grade hallway marker board as part of a running “quote of the day” exercise. 

District spokeswoman Brandi Paul says school officials will meet with the Anti-Defamation League and provide staff with additional training.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Administrators for a middle school in Omaha are apologizing over the display of an Adolf Hitler quote in a school hallway earlier this week. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Westside Middle School Principal Kim Eymann and district Superintendent Mike Lucas sent an email to parents, students and staff Monday for the display of the quote, which read, “The man who has no sense of history is like a man with no ears or eyes.” The quote was posted on an eighth grade hallway marker board as part of a running “quote of the day” exercise. District spokeswoman Brandi Paul says school officials will meet with the Anti-Defamation League and provide staff with additional training.

Omaha school administrators apologize for display of Hitler quote

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Lincoln police officer resigned days before he was charged with third-degree assault for allegedly pushing a man last fall while he was off-duty. 

Police say 32-year-old Officer Benjamin Rieker resigned Jan. 26, before he was criminally charged on Tuesday. 

Television station KOLN reports that investigators found Rieker had been working security at a Lincoln hospital Oct. 31 when he had brief contact with a 51-year-old man accused of creating a disturbance in the emergency room. 

Investigators say Rieker found the man after he had been discharged from the hospital and shoved the older man unprovoked, causing the man to fall and hit his head. 

Police say the man refused medical treatment for the fall.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Lincoln police officer resigned days before he was charged with third-degree assault for allegedly pushing a man last fall while he was off-duty. Police say 32-year-old Officer Benjamin Rieker resigned Jan. 26, before he was criminally charged on Tuesday. Television station KOLN reports that investigators found Rieker had been working security at a Lincoln hospital Oct. 31 when he had brief contact with a 51-year-old man accused of creating a disturbance in the emergency room. Investigators say Rieker found the man after he had been discharged from the hospital and shoved the older man unprovoked, causing the man to fall and hit his head. Police say the man refused medical treatment for the fall.

Lincoln officer resigns ahead of being charged with assault

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha woman has been charged in a second killing in the city, this time of a man whose body was found in a church hall storage shed. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that 37-year-old Autumn Acacia-Cortes was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the death of 53-year-old Francisco Santiago. 

Santiago's body was found Jan. 27 on the property of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s social hall.

 Acacia-Cortes was arrested in the case on Friday after she had already been arrested in the killing more than a week earlier of 58-year-old Jose Martinez. 

Martinez's body was found Jan. 20 at Highland Tower. 

Acacia-Cortes is being held without bail.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha woman has been charged in a second killing in the city, this time of a man whose body was found in a church hall storage shed. The Omaha World-Herald reports that 37-year-old Autumn Acacia-Cortes was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the death of 53-year-old Francisco Santiago. Santiago's body was found Jan. 27 on the property of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s social hall. Acacia-Cortes was arrested in the case on Friday after she had already been arrested in the killing more than a week earlier of 58-year-old Jose Martinez. Martinez's body was found Jan. 20 at Highland Tower. Acacia-Cortes is being held without bail.

Omaha woman charged in killing of body found at church hall

GARDNER, Kan. (AP) — The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office has identified skeletal remains found last month in northeastern Kansas near Gardner Lake.

Officials announced Tuesday that the remains are those of 48-year-old Matthew Lee Manion, Kansas City television station WDAF&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/sheriffs-office-identifies-skeletal-remains-found-near-gardner-lake/" target="_blank">reported</a>. The cause of death remains under investigation, officials said.

Manion’s remains were found Jan. 11 near the lake located just north of Gardner and recovered by crime scene investigators and detectives the next day. No other information on Manion or the investigation was immediately released.

Gardner is located just a few miles southwest of Olathe, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612362022354.png" alt="Police tape marks the scene of the investigation on January 11 near Gardner Lake -image courtesy Fox4Kansas City&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Police tape marks the scene of the investigation on January 11 near Gardner Lake -image courtesy Fox4Kansas City&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>GARDNER, Kan. (AP) — The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office has identified skeletal remains found last month in northeastern Kansas near Gardner Lake.Officials announced Tuesday that the remains are those of 48-year-old Matthew Lee Manion, Kansas City television station WDAF&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/sheriffs-office-identifies-skeletal-remains-found-near-gardner-lake/" target="_blank">reported</a>. The cause of death remains under investigation, officials said.Manion’s remains were found Jan. 11 near the lake located just north of Gardner and recovered by crime scene investigators and detectives the next day. No other information on Manion or the investigation was immediately released.Gardner is located just a few miles southwest of Olathe, Kansas.

Officials ID skeletal remains found near Kansas lake

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A civil liberties group has sued the city of Lincoln and Lancaster County on behalf of a woman whose nose was nearly severed when police shot her in the face with a rubber bullet during protests over racial injustice last year. 

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska said Tuesday in a news release that it is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for 19-year-old Elise Poole. 

The lawsuit says Poole was on a sidewalk during a May 31 protest when she was shot in the face at close range by an officer. 

The impact partially detached Poole's nose, and she underwent emergency reconstructive surgery and likely faces more surgery.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A civil liberties group has sued the city of Lincoln and Lancaster County on behalf of a woman whose nose was nearly severed when police shot her in the face with a rubber bullet during protests over racial injustice last year. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska said Tuesday in a news release that it is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for 19-year-old Elise Poole. The lawsuit says Poole was on a sidewalk during a May 31 protest when she was shot in the face at close range by an officer. The impact partially detached Poole's nose, and she underwent emergency reconstructive surgery and likely faces more surgery.

Lincoln police who shot woman in face during protests sued

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed a second spate of orders to undo his predecessor’s immigration policies, demonstrating the powers of the White House and its limitations without support from Congress.

His orders on family separation, border security and legal immigration bring to nine the number of executive actions on immigration during his first two weeks in office.

With proposed legislation to give legal status and a path to citizenship to all of the estimated 11 million people in the country who don't have it, Biden has quickly taken aim at many of former President Donald Trump’s sweeping changes to deter immigration, both legal and illegal, and established a vision that is likely to far outlast his tenure if he's able to muster enough support in a deeply divided Congress.

Biden rescinded some Trump actions and laid a foundation for more far-reaching repeals depending on the outcome of policy reviews over the next few months.

"I’m not making new law. I’m eliminating bad policy,” he said during a signing ceremony Tuesday.

Alejandro Mayorkas, who was sworn in as Homeland Security secretary after his nomination was confirmed Tuesday by the Senate, will lead a task force on family separation, focused largely on reuniting parents and children who remain apart. It is unclear exactly how many, but about 5,500 children have been identified in court documents as having been separated during Trump’s presidency, including about 600 whose parents have yet to be found by a court-appointed committee.

“We’re going to work to undo the moral and national shame of the previous administration," Biden said.

The review will address the possibility of legal status in the United States for separated families and providing mental health services.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which sued to reunite families, has asked the administration for legal status in the United States for all of the thousands of families that have been separated, as well as financial compensation for those families and attorneys at government expense.

A review of border security will include a policy that makes asylum-seekers wait in Mexican border cities for hearings in U.S. immigration court. It is a step toward fulfilling a campaign pledge to end the “Remain in Mexico” policy, known officially as Migrant Protection Protocols, which enrolled nearly 70,000 asylum-seekers since it began in January 2019. Biden asked for “a phased strategy for the safe and orderly entry into the United States” of those already enrolled who are waiting in Mexico for a judge to decide their cases.

Biden ended a policy that held asylum-seekers in Customs and Border Protection custody with virtually no access to attorneys while their claims were quickly decided. He ordered reviews of a nationwide expansion of fast-track deportation authority and of agreements with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras for the U.S. to reject asylum applicants and instead send them to those Central American countries with an opportunity to seek protection there.

His order on legal immigration seeks ways to reduce backlogs and barriers to citizenship and considers scrapping Trump's “public charge rule,” which makes it more difficult for people who receive government benefits to obtain green cards.

Biden didn't address a freeze on many temporary work visas and green cards while the economy recovers from a pandemic, as some expected.

“That's a pretty big gap for them not to take action on those visa bans because the impact is so dramatic and significant,” said Greg Chen, director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

While immediate changes were limited, the impact of executive orders that Trump issued his first week in office didn’t start to become apparent until a month later when Homeland Security issued detailed enforcement priorities. Those orders laid a foundation for many other of his administration’s hundreds of immigration moves that followed.

Many changes will have to come from agencies like Homeland Security, not the White House, such as rescinding the public-charge rule, Chen said.

The announcements come as Biden aides warn that Trump’s border policies that put asylum increasingly out of reach may take months to unwind — a position that has caused grumbling among some pro-immigration advocates.

Roberta Jacobson, a top Biden aide on border issues, asked Spanish-language media on Friday to discourage audiences from coming to the U.S. border. “It is not the moment,” she said in Spanish, adding that the journey was “very dangerous, and we are in the middle of creating a new system.”

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki reinforced that message from the White House podium on Tuesday, saying it "remains a dangerous trip” and, “This is not the time to come to the United States.”

The orders demonstrate that, just as Trump remade immigration policies from the White House, Biden can undo them with the stroke of a pen — some more easily than others. More lasting changes would have to pass Congress, a daunting job that Trump and his predecessors Barack Obama and George W. Bush failed to achieve.

In an echo of failed legislative pushes in 2007 and 2013, familiar lines of division have formed with overheated rhetoric. Stephen Miller, a top architect of Trump’s policies, said Sunday on Fox News Channel that Biden's actions amount to the “end of all immigration enforcement in the United States of America.”

Pro-immigration groups largely applauded Biden’s latest moves, though they were more muted than the almost-giddy reception to the president's first-day actions.

“The positive steps the administration is taking must be the beginning, not an end unto themselves,” Ali Noorani, president of the National Immigration Forum, said Tuesday. “Congress should build on these first steps to find permanent solutions to improve our immigration system.”

Kelli Garcia, federal policy counsel of the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, said the orders were encouraging but “will not immediately benefit immigrant communities in dire need of concrete action.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612358967005.png" alt="Alejandro Mayorkas was officially sworn in Tuesday as the seventh Secretary of Homeland Security -Photo by Benjamin Applebaum courtesy Dept. of Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Alejandro Mayorkas was officially sworn in Tuesday as the seventh Secretary of Homeland Security -Photo by Benjamin Applebaum courtesy Dept. of Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed a second spate of orders to undo his predecessor’s immigration policies, demonstrating the powers of the White House and its limitations without support from Congress.His orders on family separation, border security and legal immigration bring to nine the number of executive actions on immigration during his first two weeks in office.With proposed legislation to give legal status and a path to citizenship to all of the estimated 11 million people in the country who don't have it, Biden has quickly taken aim at many of former President Donald Trump’s sweeping changes to deter immigration, both legal and illegal, and established a vision that is likely to far outlast his tenure if he's able to muster enough support in a deeply divided Congress.Biden rescinded some Trump actions and laid a foundation for more far-reaching repeals depending on the outcome of policy reviews over the next few months."I’m not making new law. I’m eliminating bad policy,” he said during a signing ceremony Tuesday.Alejandro Mayorkas, who was sworn in as Homeland Security secretary after his nomination was confirmed Tuesday by the Senate, will lead a task force on family separation, focused largely on reuniting parents and children who remain apart. It is unclear exactly how many, but about 5,500 children have been identified in court documents as having been separated during Trump’s presidency, including about 600 whose parents have yet to be found by a court-appointed committee.“We’re going to work to undo the moral and national shame of the previous administration," Biden said.The review will address the possibility of legal status in the United States for separated families and providing mental health services.The American Civil Liberties Union, which sued to reunite families, has asked the administration for legal status in the United States for all of the thousands of families that have been separated, as well as financial compensation for those families and attorneys at government expense.A review of border security will include a policy that makes asylum-seekers wait in Mexican border cities for hearings in U.S. immigration court. It is a step toward fulfilling a campaign pledge to end the “Remain in Mexico” policy, known officially as Migrant Protection Protocols, which enrolled nearly 70,000 asylum-seekers since it began in January 2019. Biden asked for “a phased strategy for the safe and orderly entry into the United States” of those already enrolled who are waiting in Mexico for a judge to decide their cases.Biden ended a policy that held asylum-seekers in Customs and Border Protection custody with virtually no access to attorneys while their claims were quickly decided. He ordered reviews of a nationwide expansion of fast-track deportation authority and of agreements with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras for the U.S. to reject asylum applicants and instead send them to those Central American countries with an opportunity to seek protection there.His order on legal immigration seeks ways to reduce backlogs and barriers to citizenship and considers scrapping Trump's “public charge rule,” which makes it more difficult for people who receive government benefits to obtain green cards.Biden didn't address a freeze on many temporary work visas and green cards while the economy recovers from a pandemic, as some expected.“That's a pretty big gap for them not to take action on those visa bans because the impact is so dramatic and significant,” said Greg Chen, director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association.While immediate changes were limited, the impact of executive orders that Trump issued his first week in office didn’t start to become apparent until a month later when Homeland Security issued detailed enforcement priorities. Those orders laid a foundation for many other of his administration’s hundreds of immigration moves that followed.Many changes will have to come from agencies like Homeland Security, not the White House, such as rescinding the public-charge rule, Chen said.The announcements come as Biden aides warn that Trump’s border policies that put asylum increasingly out of reach may take months to unwind — a position that has caused grumbling among some pro-immigration advocates.Roberta Jacobson, a top Biden aide on border issues, asked Spanish-language media on Friday to discourage audiences from coming to the U.S. border. “It is not the moment,” she said in Spanish, adding that the journey was “very dangerous, and we are in the middle of creating a new system.”White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki reinforced that message from the White House podium on Tuesday, saying it "remains a dangerous trip” and, “This is not the time to come to the United States.”The orders demonstrate that, just as Trump remade immigration policies from the White House, Biden can undo them with the stroke of a pen — some more easily than others. More lasting changes would have to pass Congress, a daunting job that Trump and his predecessors Barack Obama and George W. Bush failed to achieve.In an echo of failed legislative pushes in 2007 and 2013, familiar lines of division have formed with overheated rhetoric. Stephen Miller, a top architect of Trump’s policies, said Sunday on Fox News Channel that Biden's actions amount to the “end of all immigration enforcement in the United States of America.”Pro-immigration groups largely applauded Biden’s latest moves, though they were more muted than the almost-giddy reception to the president's first-day actions.“The positive steps the administration is taking must be the beginning, not an end unto themselves,” Ali Noorani, president of the National Immigration Forum, said Tuesday. “Congress should build on these first steps to find permanent solutions to improve our immigration system.”Kelli Garcia, federal policy counsel of the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, said the orders were encouraging but “will not immediately benefit immigrant communities in dire need of concrete action.”___

New immigration order impacts border security, family separation 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration announced Tuesday that it is moving to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, freeing up more doses for states and beginning to distribute them to retail pharmacies next week. The push comes amid new urgency to speed vaccinations to prevent the spread of potentially more serious strains of the virus that has killed more than 445,000 Americans.

Starting next week, 1 million doses will be distributed to some 6,500 pharmacies across the country, the White House said. 

Dillons stores in Salina, Hutchinson, Wichita, Andover and Derby will also receive doses of the Moderna vaccine.

The administration is also boosting by 500,000 the weekly allocation of vaccines sent directly to states and territories for the coming weeks, up to 10.5 million. It is allowing state and local governments to receive additional federal dollars to cover previously incurred expenses relating to the pandemic.

Coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients announced the moves on a call with the nation’s governors Tuesday morning and then detailed them to the public in an afternoon news conference.

Drugstores have become a mainstay for flu shots and shingles vaccines, and the industry is capable of vaccinating tens of millions of people monthly. “This will provide more sites for people to get vaccinated in their communities,” Zients said.

“This is a critical step to provide the public with convenient trusted places to get vaccinated in their communities,” he added.

The number of participating pharmacies and the allocation of vaccines are expected to accelerate as drug makers increase production. The White House said the ultimate goal was to distribute the vaccines through more than 40,000 pharmacies nationwide. State and local guidelines will determine who is eligible to get a shot at their neighborhood pharmacy. Availability will be limited at first.

“Getting it into pharmacies is a viable approach,” said Dan Mendelson, founder of the health care industry consulting firm Avalere Health. “The pharmacies know how to move people in and out.”

Part of the reason the vaccination campaign got off to a slow start, he added, is that states lacked their own infrastructure for mass vaccinations.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-alex-azar-coronavirus-pandemic-bfe002c987d7ed15e61a5b4d433704bb">partnership with drugstores</a>&nbsp;was originally announced by the Trump administration in November. At that time, no coronavirus vaccines had been approved. Participating are major chains like CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid, big box stores such as Walmart and Costco, and supermarket pharmacies. CVS said it will receive 250,000 doses initially, to be distributed to pharmacies in 11 states.

The pharmacy doses will be distributed to states by population, but a priority will be to get the vaccine to minority communities that have suffered a disproportionately high toll of disease and deaths from the virus, Zients said.

He said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was “making sure that we are picking pharmacies in that first phase that are located in areas that are harder to reach to ensure that we have equitable distribution of the pharmacy doses.” Walgreens said it was selected in part to “optimize vaccine access in medically underserved areas.”

The 1 million doses being shipped to pharmacies will be on top of the increased allotments to states over the coming three weeks. The Biden administration has sought to increase certainty to state governments on their upcoming allocations to streamline deliveries and prevent stockpiling of second doses for the two-dose regimens.

The Tuesday announcement comes a day after Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious-disease expert, called on Americans to get vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible to prevent further mutations of the virus. The U.S. is tracking the spread of potentially more virulent and treatment-resistant variants.

“Viruses cannot mutate if they don’t replicate,” Fauci said. “And if you stop their replication by vaccinating widely and not giving the virus an open playing field to continue to respond to the pressures that you put on it, you will not get mutations.”

Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/Coronaviruspandemic">Coronavirus pandemic</a>

The U.S. government has already starting working with vaccine manufacturers on potential booster shots to enhance protection against the variants.

Biden’s move to allow for an additional $3 billion to $5 billion in retroactive funding to state and local governments for reimbursement of pandemic-related spending was expected to free up more money for vaccine distribution.

“States will be fully repaid for things like masks, gloves and the mobilization of the National Guard, and they can use the additional resources for vaccination efforts and emergency supplies moving forward,” Zients said.

That is on top of additional assistance to state and local governments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency already authorized by the Biden administration for them to stand up and support vaccination sites across the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612292181344.png" alt="vaccine photo courtesy Walgreens" />
 <figcaption>vaccine photo courtesy Walgreens</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s administration announced Tuesday that it is moving to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, freeing up more doses for states and beginning to distribute them to retail pharmacies next week. The push comes amid new urgency to speed vaccinations to prevent the spread of potentially more serious strains of the virus that has killed more than 445,000 Americans.Starting next week, 1 million doses will be distributed to some 6,500 pharmacies across the country, the White House said. Dillons stores in Salina, Hutchinson, Wichita, Andover and Derby will also receive doses of the Moderna vaccine.The administration is also boosting by 500,000 the weekly allocation of vaccines sent directly to states and territories for the coming weeks, up to 10.5 million. It is allowing state and local governments to receive additional federal dollars to cover previously incurred expenses relating to the pandemic.Coronavirus coordinator Jeff Zients announced the moves on a call with the nation’s governors Tuesday morning and then detailed them to the public in an afternoon news conference.Drugstores have become a mainstay for flu shots and shingles vaccines, and the industry is capable of vaccinating tens of millions of people monthly. “This will provide more sites for people to get vaccinated in their communities,” Zients said.“This is a critical step to provide the public with convenient trusted places to get vaccinated in their communities,” he added.The number of participating pharmacies and the allocation of vaccines are expected to accelerate as drug makers increase production. The White House said the ultimate goal was to distribute the vaccines through more than 40,000 pharmacies nationwide. State and local guidelines will determine who is eligible to get a shot at their neighborhood pharmacy. Availability will be limited at first.“Getting it into pharmacies is a viable approach,” said Dan Mendelson, founder of the health care industry consulting firm Avalere Health. “The pharmacies know how to move people in and out.”Part of the reason the vaccination campaign got off to a slow start, he added, is that states lacked their own infrastructure for mass vaccinations.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-alex-azar-coronavirus-pandemic-bfe002c987d7ed15e61a5b4d433704bb">partnership with drugstores</a>&nbsp;was originally announced by the Trump administration in November. At that time, no coronavirus vaccines had been approved. Participating are major chains like CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid, big box stores such as Walmart and Costco, and supermarket pharmacies. CVS said it will receive 250,000 doses initially, to be distributed to pharmacies in 11 states.The pharmacy doses will be distributed to states by population, but a priority will be to get the vaccine to minority communities that have suffered a disproportionately high toll of disease and deaths from the virus, Zients said.He said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was “making sure that we are picking pharmacies in that first phase that are located in areas that are harder to reach to ensure that we have equitable distribution of the pharmacy doses.” Walgreens said it was selected in part to “optimize vaccine access in medically underserved areas.”The 1 million doses being shipped to pharmacies will be on top of the increased allotments to states over the coming three weeks. The Biden administration has sought to increase certainty to state governments on their upcoming allocations to streamline deliveries and prevent stockpiling of second doses for the two-dose regimens.The Tuesday announcement comes a day after Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious-disease expert, called on Americans to get vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible to prevent further mutations of the virus. The U.S. is tracking the spread of potentially more virulent and treatment-resistant variants.“Viruses cannot mutate if they don’t replicate,” Fauci said. “And if you stop their replication by vaccinating widely and not giving the virus an open playing field to continue to respond to the pressures that you put on it, you will not get mutations.”Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/Coronaviruspandemic">Coronavirus pandemic</a>The U.S. government has already starting working with vaccine manufacturers on potential booster shots to enhance protection against the variants.Biden’s move to allow for an additional $3 billion to $5 billion in retroactive funding to state and local governments for reimbursement of pandemic-related spending was expected to free up more money for vaccine distribution.“States will be fully repaid for things like masks, gloves and the mobilization of the National Guard, and they can use the additional resources for vaccination efforts and emergency supplies moving forward,” Zients said.That is on top of additional assistance to state and local governments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency already authorized by the Biden administration for them to stand up and support vaccination sites across the country.

COVID vaccine shipments are coming to US pharmacies

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Meatpacking companies and public health officials are trying to overcome any reluctance workers may have about coronavirus vaccines before they become eligible to get them.

Major companies such as Tyson Foods and JBS are encouraging workers to get the vaccine with campaigns to educate them about the benefits and safety of the shots. Also, JBS and Pilgrim’s Corp. are offering $100 bonuses to workers who get the vaccine.

Last spring, the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6e446ae82aff17f25024f0533b7009ee">spread quickly</a>&nbsp;through meatpacking plants, where workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder as they carve up meat on production lines.

But some workers, who are largely immigrants, distrust the government and some question the safety of the shots because they were developed in less than a year, said Eric Reeder, president of United Food &amp; Commercial Workers Local 293 union.

“It’s the same thing as when we tried to get people involved in the (vaccine) trials,” Reeder&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/meatpackers-try-to-overcome-workers-vaccine-skepticism-jbs-offers-100-bonus-to-get-shots/article_563db32e-5f25-11eb-ab45-3fdba41562dd.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">told&nbsp;</a>the Omaha World-Herald. “We had a hard time with the non-English-speaking population. A lot of them felt like this was a government plot to kill them.”

JBS spokeswoman Nikki Richardson said the company is trying to address workers’ concerns through flyers in their native languages and other efforts.

“We are currently focused on achieving the highest voluntary participation rate possible and preventing barriers to getting the vaccine,” said JBS spokeswoman Nikki Richardson. “We want to do everything we can to protect our team members, their families, their co-workers and our communities.”

Reeder said he got the first dose of the vaccine Monday because he participated in a trial as it was being developed last year. He plans to share pictures of himself getting the vaccine with workers to encourage them to get it.

“A lot of it is just gonna be building some level of trust,” Reeder said.

In Nebraska, meatpacking workers and other essential workers who can’t work from home are scheduled to get the vaccine in one of the next phases of the campaign after health officials finish vaccinating people 65 and older. Gov. Pete Ricketts said local health officials will work with companies to determine the best way to vaccinate workers when the time comes.

Eddie Habte Mekasha, who works as a chaplain with the Ethiopian Community Association and in health care, said most immigrants he knows are eager to get the vaccine.

“At first, people were fearful and suspicious,” he said. “But later, because of the good promotion by the media and health and community professionals, our members and similar immigrants are waiting eagerly to get vaccinated, and a few like me and my wife (have been) vaccinated.”

More than 100,000 people have registered to get the vaccine since a new state website launched late last week, state officials said. So far, about 3.3% of the state’s population has received both required doses of one of the vaccines, and 185,536 doses have been administered across Nebraska.

The state said 115 new cases of the virus were reported Monday, but that total will likely be adjusted in the next few days because Nebraska now reports positive cases by the date the tests were taken, not the day they were reported. A total of 191,437 virus cases and 1,929 deaths have been reported in the state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593167451853.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Tyson Foods" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Tyson Foods</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Meatpacking companies and public health officials are trying to overcome any reluctance workers may have about coronavirus vaccines before they become eligible to get them.Major companies such as Tyson Foods and JBS are encouraging workers to get the vaccine with campaigns to educate them about the benefits and safety of the shots. Also, JBS and Pilgrim’s Corp. are offering $100 bonuses to workers who get the vaccine.Last spring, the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6e446ae82aff17f25024f0533b7009ee">spread quickly</a>&nbsp;through meatpacking plants, where workers stand shoulder-to-shoulder as they carve up meat on production lines.But some workers, who are largely immigrants, distrust the government and some question the safety of the shots because they were developed in less than a year, said Eric Reeder, president of United Food &amp; Commercial Workers Local 293 union.“It’s the same thing as when we tried to get people involved in the (vaccine) trials,” Reeder&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/meatpackers-try-to-overcome-workers-vaccine-skepticism-jbs-offers-100-bonus-to-get-shots/article_563db32e-5f25-11eb-ab45-3fdba41562dd.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">told&nbsp;</a>the Omaha World-Herald. “We had a hard time with the non-English-speaking population. A lot of them felt like this was a government plot to kill them.”JBS spokeswoman Nikki Richardson said the company is trying to address workers’ concerns through flyers in their native languages and other efforts.“We are currently focused on achieving the highest voluntary participation rate possible and preventing barriers to getting the vaccine,” said JBS spokeswoman Nikki Richardson. “We want to do everything we can to protect our team members, their families, their co-workers and our communities.”Reeder said he got the first dose of the vaccine Monday because he participated in a trial as it was being developed last year. He plans to share pictures of himself getting the vaccine with workers to encourage them to get it.“A lot of it is just gonna be building some level of trust,” Reeder said.In Nebraska, meatpacking workers and other essential workers who can’t work from home are scheduled to get the vaccine in one of the next phases of the campaign after health officials finish vaccinating people 65 and older. Gov. Pete Ricketts said local health officials will work with companies to determine the best way to vaccinate workers when the time comes.Eddie Habte Mekasha, who works as a chaplain with the Ethiopian Community Association and in health care, said most immigrants he knows are eager to get the vaccine.“At first, people were fearful and suspicious,” he said. “But later, because of the good promotion by the media and health and community professionals, our members and similar immigrants are waiting eagerly to get vaccinated, and a few like me and my wife (have been) vaccinated.”More than 100,000 people have registered to get the vaccine since a new state website launched late last week, state officials said. So far, about 3.3% of the state’s population has received both required doses of one of the vaccines, and 185,536 doses have been administered across Nebraska.The state said 115 new cases of the virus were reported Monday, but that total will likely be adjusted in the next few days because Nebraska now reports positive cases by the date the tests were taken, not the day they were reported. A total of 191,437 virus cases and 1,929 deaths have been reported in the state.

Meatpacking firms encouraging workers to get virus vaccine

By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a>


HUTCHINSON — A Midwest economic expert has concerns about an early policy goal
 of the Biden administration, to increase the federal minimum wage to 
$15 an hour.

"An increase in the minimum wage would certainly 
contribute to inflationary pressures," said Creighton University 
economist Ernie Goss. "There would be some job losses. There would also 
be some, if not job losses, certainly be a cut in the hours worked for 
current employees. In my judgment, this is particularly negative for our
 teenage workers. We'd like to see those young men and women get a leg 
up, or at least a first step on the economic ladder."

Goss is also concerned about how much more debt this would put the country in.

"This
 would probably mean the deficit for fiscal 2021 would be somewhere in 
the range of $3 to $4 trillion," Goss said. "That's putting us in the 
position where you are, in my judgment, going to see higher inflationary
 pressures."

The question is whether or not it would be outside 
the boundaries of what the Federal Reserve considers normal or 
acceptable. That remains to be seen, depending on what the final 
coronavirus relief deal ends up with. The Fed has said it will stick 
with the current low interest rates for some time going forward.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595014550898.jpeg" alt="Ernie Goss" />
 <figcaption>Ernie Goss</figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a>
HUTCHINSON — A Midwest economic expert has concerns about an early policy goal
 of the Biden administration, to increase the federal minimum wage to 
$15 an hour."An increase in the minimum wage would certainly 
contribute to inflationary pressures," said Creighton University 
economist Ernie Goss. "There would be some job losses. There would also 
be some, if not job losses, certainly be a cut in the hours worked for 
current employees. In my judgment, this is particularly negative for our
 teenage workers. We'd like to see those young men and women get a leg 
up, or at least a first step on the economic ladder."Goss is also concerned about how much more debt this would put the country in."This
 would probably mean the deficit for fiscal 2021 would be somewhere in 
the range of $3 to $4 trillion," Goss said. "That's putting us in the 
position where you are, in my judgment, going to see higher inflationary
 pressures."The question is whether or not it would be outside 
the boundaries of what the Federal Reserve considers normal or 
acceptable. That remains to be seen, depending on what the final 
coronavirus relief deal ends up with. The Fed has said it will stick 
with the current low interest rates for some time going forward.

Economist: Inflation concern if $15 minimum wage in virus aid deal

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota lawmaker pushing a bill to require Gov. Kristi Noem to disclose taxpayer-funds used for her travel security on the campaign trail has faced a pressure campaign to kill the proposal. 

Rep. Taffy Howards says she faced text message attacks and fellow Republicans rescinding support after hearing from the governor’s office.

 Noem’s administration has refused to disclose to media outlets how much it costs to send Highway Patrol troopers with the governor as she has traveled the country campaigning for Donald Trump and fundraising for her campaign. 

Howard argues it would not compromise safety to know how much is spent on travel security.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota lawmaker pushing a bill to require Gov. Kristi Noem to disclose taxpayer-funds used for her travel security on the campaign trail has faced a pressure campaign to kill the proposal. Rep. Taffy Howards says she faced text message attacks and fellow Republicans rescinding support after hearing from the governor’s office. Noem’s administration has refused to disclose to media outlets how much it costs to send Highway Patrol troopers with the governor as she has traveled the country campaigning for Donald Trump and fundraising for her campaign. Howard argues it would not compromise safety to know how much is spent on travel security.

Bill to disclose Noem's travel security costs faces backlash

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Meatpacking companies and public health officials are trying to overcome any reluctance workers may have about coronavirus vaccines before they become eligible to get them. 

Major companies such as Tyson Foods and JBS are encouraging workers to get the vaccine with campaigns to educate them about the benefits and safety of the shots. Also, JBS and Pilgrim’s Corp. are offering $100 bonuses to workers who get the vaccine. 

But union officials and worker advocates say some workers, who are largely immigrants, distrust the government and some question the safety of the shots because they were developed in less than a year.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Meatpacking companies and public health officials are trying to overcome any reluctance workers may have about coronavirus vaccines before they become eligible to get them. Major companies such as Tyson Foods and JBS are encouraging workers to get the vaccine with campaigns to educate them about the benefits and safety of the shots. Also, JBS and Pilgrim’s Corp. are offering $100 bonuses to workers who get the vaccine. But union officials and worker advocates say some workers, who are largely immigrants, distrust the government and some question the safety of the shots because they were developed in less than a year.

STANTON , Neb. (AP) — A former northeastern Nebraska village clerk who was praised for her work in helping rebuild her community following a 2014 tornado strike has been sentenced to prison for stealing from the village. 

STANTON , Neb. (AP) — A former northeastern Nebraska village clerk who was praised for her work in helping rebuild her community following a 2014 tornado strike has been sentenced to prison for stealing from the village. The Norfolk Daily News reports that 58-year-old Kimberly Neiman was sentenced Monday to three years in prison. The former Pilger clerk was arrested last year on multiple felony counts. In a deal with prosecutors, she pleaded guilty in November to one count of attempted theft in exchange for all other counts being dropped. Neiman was fired by the village board in February 2019, following a state audit that found more than $562,000 in questionable transactions and more than $156,000 in suspicious charges on the village’s credit card.