LONDON (AP) — Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals.

The results are based on interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. No hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine.

AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for a potential COVID-19 vaccine as the world anxiously waits for scientific breakthroughs that will bring an end to a pandemic that has wrought economic devastation and resulted in nearly 1.4 million confirmed deaths.

Pfizer and Moderna last week reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95% effective. But, unlike its rivals, the AstraZeneca vaccine doesn’t have to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, making it easier to distribute, especially in developing countries.

“I think these are really exciting results,” Dr. Andrew Pollard, chief investigator for the trial, said during a news conference. “Because the vaccine can be stored at fridge temperatures, it can be distributed around the world using the normal immunization distribution system. And so our goal … to make sure that we have a vaccine that was accessible everywhere, I think we’ve actually managed to do that.”

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is also cheaper. AstraZeneca, which has pledged it won’t make a profit on the vaccine during the pandemic, has reached agreements with governments and international health organizations that put its cost at about $2.50 a dose. Pfizer’s vaccine costs about $20 a dose, while Moderna’s is $15 to $25, based on agreements the companies have struck to supply their vaccines to the U.S. government.

All three vaccines must be approved by regulators before they can be widely distributed.

Oxford researchers and AstraZeneca stressed that they aren’t competing with other projects, and that multiple vaccines will be needed to reach enough of the world’s population and end the pandemic.

“We’re not thinking about vaccinations working in terms of one person at a time. We have to think about vaccinating communities, populations, reducing transmission within those populations, so that we really get on top of this pandemic,″ said Sarah Gilbert, a leader of the Oxford research team. “And that’s what it now looks like we’re going to have the ability to contribute to in a really big way.″

The results come as a second wave of COVID-19 hits many countries, once again shutting businesses, restricting social interaction and pummeling the world economy.

AstraZeneca said it will immediately apply for early approval of the vaccine where possible, and it will seek an emergency use listing from the World Health Organization, so it can make the vaccine available in low-income countries.

The AstraZeneca trial looked at two different dosing regimens. A half-dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month later was 90% effective. Another approach, giving patients two full doses one month apart, was 62% effective. The combined results showed an average efficacy rate of 70%.

The vaccine uses a weakened version of a common cold virus that is combined with genetic material for the characteristic spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19. After vaccination, the spike protein primes the immune system to attack the virus if it later infects the body.

The vaccine can be transported under “normal refrigerated conditions” of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit), AstraZeneca said. By comparison, Pfizer plans to distribute its vaccine using specially designed “thermal shippers” that use dry ice to maintain temperatures of minus-70 degrees Celsius (minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit).

Peter Openshaw, professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London, said the finding that a smaller initial dose is more effective than a larger one is good news because it may reduce costs and mean more people can be vaccinated.

“The report that an initial half-dose is better than a full dose seems counterintuitive for those of us thinking of vaccines as normal drugs: With drugs, we expect that higher doses have bigger effects, and more side-effects,” he said. “But the immune system does not work like that.”

The results reported Monday come from trials in the U.K. and Brazil that involved 23,000 people. Late-stage trials are also underway in the U.S., Japan, Russia, South Africa, Kenya and Latin America, with further trials planned for other European and Asian countries.

AstraZeneca has been ramping up manufacturing capacity, so it can supply hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccine starting in January, Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said earlier this month.

Soriot said Monday that the Oxford vaccine’s simpler supply chain and AstraZeneca’s commitment to provide it on a nonprofit basis during the pandemic mean it will be affordable and available to people around the world.

“This vaccine’s efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against COVID-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency,” Soriot said.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he felt “a great sense of relief” at the news from AstraZeneca.

Britain has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and the government says several million doses can be produced before the end of the year if it is approved by regulators.

Just months ago, “the idea that by November we would have three vaccines, all of which have got high effectiveness … I would have given my eye teeth for,” Hancock said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602590971875.png" alt="Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said Monday that late-stage trials showed its coronavirus vaccine was up to 90% effective, giving public health officials hope they may soon have access to a vaccine that is cheaper and easier to distribute than some of its rivals.The results are based on interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. No hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine.AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for a potential COVID-19 vaccine as the world anxiously waits for scientific breakthroughs that will bring an end to a pandemic that has wrought economic devastation and resulted in nearly 1.4 million confirmed deaths.Pfizer and Moderna last week reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95% effective. But, unlike its rivals, the AstraZeneca vaccine doesn’t have to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, making it easier to distribute, especially in developing countries.“I think these are really exciting results,” Dr. Andrew Pollard, chief investigator for the trial, said during a news conference. “Because the vaccine can be stored at fridge temperatures, it can be distributed around the world using the normal immunization distribution system. And so our goal … to make sure that we have a vaccine that was accessible everywhere, I think we’ve actually managed to do that.”The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is also cheaper. AstraZeneca, which has pledged it won’t make a profit on the vaccine during the pandemic, has reached agreements with governments and international health organizations that put its cost at about $2.50 a dose. Pfizer’s vaccine costs about $20 a dose, while Moderna’s is $15 to $25, based on agreements the companies have struck to supply their vaccines to the U.S. government.All three vaccines must be approved by regulators before they can be widely distributed.Oxford researchers and AstraZeneca stressed that they aren’t competing with other projects, and that multiple vaccines will be needed to reach enough of the world’s population and end the pandemic.“We’re not thinking about vaccinations working in terms of one person at a time. We have to think about vaccinating communities, populations, reducing transmission within those populations, so that we really get on top of this pandemic,″ said Sarah Gilbert, a leader of the Oxford research team. “And that’s what it now looks like we’re going to have the ability to contribute to in a really big way.″The results come as a second wave of COVID-19 hits many countries, once again shutting businesses, restricting social interaction and pummeling the world economy.AstraZeneca said it will immediately apply for early approval of the vaccine where possible, and it will seek an emergency use listing from the World Health Organization, so it can make the vaccine available in low-income countries.The AstraZeneca trial looked at two different dosing regimens. A half-dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month later was 90% effective. Another approach, giving patients two full doses one month apart, was 62% effective. The combined results showed an average efficacy rate of 70%.The vaccine uses a weakened version of a common cold virus that is combined with genetic material for the characteristic spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19. After vaccination, the spike protein primes the immune system to attack the virus if it later infects the body.The vaccine can be transported under “normal refrigerated conditions” of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit), AstraZeneca said. By comparison, Pfizer plans to distribute its vaccine using specially designed “thermal shippers” that use dry ice to maintain temperatures of minus-70 degrees Celsius (minus-94 degrees Fahrenheit).Peter Openshaw, professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London, said the finding that a smaller initial dose is more effective than a larger one is good news because it may reduce costs and mean more people can be vaccinated.“The report that an initial half-dose is better than a full dose seems counterintuitive for those of us thinking of vaccines as normal drugs: With drugs, we expect that higher doses have bigger effects, and more side-effects,” he said. “But the immune system does not work like that.”The results reported Monday come from trials in the U.K. and Brazil that involved 23,000 people. Late-stage trials are also underway in the U.S., Japan, Russia, South Africa, Kenya and Latin America, with further trials planned for other European and Asian countries.AstraZeneca has been ramping up manufacturing capacity, so it can supply hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccine starting in January, Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said earlier this month.Soriot said Monday that the Oxford vaccine’s simpler supply chain and AstraZeneca’s commitment to provide it on a nonprofit basis during the pandemic mean it will be affordable and available to people around the world.“This vaccine’s efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against COVID-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency,” Soriot said.British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he felt “a great sense of relief” at the news from AstraZeneca.Britain has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and the government says several million doses can be produced before the end of the year if it is approved by regulators.Just months ago, “the idea that by November we would have three vaccines, all of which have got high effectiveness … I would have given my eye teeth for,” Hancock said.___

Cheaper COVID-19 vaccine headed for approval

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — A growing online conspiracy theory says Wyoming doesn't really exist. Proponents of the idea discuss it on Reddit, where a “Wyoming doesn't exist” group with 24,000 members has almost twice as many people as a group dedicated to the state itself. 

The Gillette News Record reports the group's moderators include a Wyoming native, 21-year-old Dalen Brazelton. Brazelton says people who discuss the theory say Wyoming is a big state but they've never met anybody from Wyoming. 

Others say aliens may be involved. The theories get zanier the more they are explored.

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — A growing online conspiracy theory says Wyoming doesn't really exist. Proponents of the idea discuss it on Reddit, where a “Wyoming doesn't exist” group with 24,000 members has almost twice as many people as a group dedicated to the state itself. The Gillette News Record reports the group's moderators include a Wyoming native, 21-year-old Dalen Brazelton. Brazelton says people who discuss the theory say Wyoming is a big state but they've never met anybody from Wyoming. Others say aliens may be involved. The theories get zanier the more they are explored.

Growing online theory says Wyoming doesn't exist

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A former priest convicted of stealing $260,000 in cash donations from the Diocese of Rapid City is now accused of having sexual contact with a minor and possessing child pornography. 

The Rapid City Journal reports 42-year-old Marcin Garbacz was indicted in February but the case was only unsealed on Friday. 

Garbacz is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Monday after a jury convicted him in March of 65 financial crimes.

 The new charges stem from an FBI agent coming across child pornography on one of Garbacz’s thumb drives during the financial crimes investigation.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A former priest convicted of stealing $260,000 in cash donations from the Diocese of Rapid City is now accused of having sexual contact with a minor and possessing child pornography. The Rapid City Journal reports 42-year-old Marcin Garbacz was indicted in February but the case was only unsealed on Friday. Garbacz is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Monday after a jury convicted him in March of 65 financial crimes. The new charges stem from an FBI agent coming across child pornography on one of Garbacz’s thumb drives during the financial crimes investigation.

Former Rapid City priest faces child pornography charges

U.S. health officials agreed to allow emergency use of a second antibody drug to help the immune system fight COVID-19, an experimental medicine that President Donald Trump was given when he was sickened last month.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized use of the <a href="https://www.gilead.com/news-and-press/press-room/press-releases/2020/10/us-food-and-drug-administration-approves-gileads-antiviral-veklury-remdesivir-for-treatment-of-covid19">Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. drug to </a>try to prevent hospitalization and worsening disease from developing in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms.

The drug is given as a one-time treatment through an IV. The FDA allowed its use in adults and children 12 and over who weigh at least 88 pounds and who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of age or certain other medical conditions.

Emergency authorization allows use of the drug to start while studies are continuing to establish safety and effectiveness. Early results suggest the drug may reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency room visits in patients at high risk for disease progression, the FDA said.

Regeneron said that initial doses will be made available to roughly 300,000 patients through a federal government allocation program. Those patients will not be charged for the drug but may have to pay part of the cost of giving the IV.

Initial supplies will likely be vastly outstripped by demand as the U.S. has surged past 12 million reported cases, with the country facing what health experts say will be a dark winter due to uncontrolled spread of the virus.

Antibodies are proteins the body makes to target and help eliminate viruses, but it can take weeks for the best ones to form after an infection occurs. The drugs are concentrated versions of ones that proved best able to do this in lab and animal tests, and in theory help the body start to fight the virus right away.

The Regeneron drug is a combo of two antibodies to enhance the chances it will prove effective. Earlier this month, the FDA gave emergency authorization to a single-antibody drug from Eli Lilly that also is still being studied.

There’s no way to know whether the Regeneron drug helped Trump recover; he received a host of treatments and most COVID-19 patients recover on their own.

FDA regulators authorized the Regeneron drug using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental drugs and other medical products during public health crises.

In normal times the FDA requires “substantial evidence” to show that a drug is safe and effective, usually through one or more large, rigorously controlled patient studies. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards and require only that an experimental treatment’s potential benefits outweigh its risks.

The emergency authorization functions like a temporary approval for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. To win full approval, Regeneron will have to submit additional research to fully define the drug’s safety and benefit for patients.

The White House cast the decision as a victory for Trump’s efforts “to deliver cutting-edge treatments with highly promising results to protect the health and safety of the most vulnerable Americans,” according to a statement from spokesman Michael Bars.

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, Associated PressU.S. health officials agreed to allow emergency use of a second antibody drug to help the immune system fight COVID-19, an experimental medicine that President Donald Trump was given when he was sickened last month.The Food and Drug Administration authorized use of the <a href="https://www.gilead.com/news-and-press/press-room/press-releases/2020/10/us-food-and-drug-administration-approves-gileads-antiviral-veklury-remdesivir-for-treatment-of-covid19">Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. drug to </a>try to prevent hospitalization and worsening disease from developing in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms.The drug is given as a one-time treatment through an IV. The FDA allowed its use in adults and children 12 and over who weigh at least 88 pounds and who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of age or certain other medical conditions.Emergency authorization allows use of the drug to start while studies are continuing to establish safety and effectiveness. Early results suggest the drug may reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency room visits in patients at high risk for disease progression, the FDA said.Regeneron said that initial doses will be made available to roughly 300,000 patients through a federal government allocation program. Those patients will not be charged for the drug but may have to pay part of the cost of giving the IV.Initial supplies will likely be vastly outstripped by demand as the U.S. has surged past 12 million reported cases, with the country facing what health experts say will be a dark winter due to uncontrolled spread of the virus.Antibodies are proteins the body makes to target and help eliminate viruses, but it can take weeks for the best ones to form after an infection occurs. The drugs are concentrated versions of ones that proved best able to do this in lab and animal tests, and in theory help the body start to fight the virus right away.The Regeneron drug is a combo of two antibodies to enhance the chances it will prove effective. Earlier this month, the FDA gave emergency authorization to a single-antibody drug from Eli Lilly that also is still being studied.There’s no way to know whether the Regeneron drug helped Trump recover; he received a host of treatments and most COVID-19 patients recover on their own.FDA regulators authorized the Regeneron drug using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental drugs and other medical products during public health crises.In normal times the FDA requires “substantial evidence” to show that a drug is safe and effective, usually through one or more large, rigorously controlled patient studies. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards and require only that an experimental treatment’s potential benefits outweigh its risks.The emergency authorization functions like a temporary approval for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. To win full approval, Regeneron will have to submit additional research to fully define the drug’s safety and benefit for patients.The White House cast the decision as a victory for Trump’s efforts “to deliver cutting-edge treatments with highly promising results to protect the health and safety of the most vulnerable Americans,” according to a statement from spokesman Michael Bars.___

2nd emergency use of a COVID-19 antibody drug approved

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in the fatal shooting of two people and wounding of two others at a Nebraska fast food restaurant. 

Roberto Carlos Silva Jr., of Omaha, was booked into jail early Sunday on suspicion of first-degree homicide and arson charges in the attack Saturday night at a Sonic Drive-in in the Omaha suburb of Bellevue.

 Police say they first received a call about a possible bomb in a moving truck parked outside of the restaurant, and officers who arrived found a burning U-Haul and four people who had been shot.

Silva was arrested Wednesday for allegedly buying $57 worth of food at the restaurant using someone else's Sonic app account.

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in the fatal shooting of two people and wounding of two others at a Nebraska fast food restaurant. Roberto Carlos Silva Jr., of Omaha, was booked into jail early Sunday on suspicion of first-degree homicide and arson charges in the attack Saturday night at a Sonic Drive-in in the Omaha suburb of Bellevue. Police say they first received a call about a possible bomb in a moving truck parked outside of the restaurant, and officers who arrived found a burning U-Haul and four people who had been shot. Two were declared dead at the scene. Silva was arrested Wednesday for allegedly buying $57 worth of food at the restaurant using someone else's Sonic app account.

Man arrested in deadly attack at Nebraska Sonic restaurant

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have arrested two people during a protest over the deadly police shooting of a Black man during a Nebraska traffic stop. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the protesters called Friday on police to release video footage of the shooting death of Kenneth Jones. 

Police said in a news release that the 35-year-old reached for a gun that he had in his waistband before he was shot Thursday night. 

Police arrested one woman on suspicion of destruction of property and disorderly conduct and a man on suspicion of third degree assault on an officer and carrying a concealed weapon.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have arrested two people during a protest over the deadly police shooting of a Black man during a Nebraska traffic stop. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the protesters called Friday on police to release video footage of the shooting death of Kenneth Jones. Police said in a news release that the 35-year-old reached for a gun that he had in his waistband before he was shot Thursday night. Police arrested one woman on suspicion of destruction of property and disorderly conduct and a man on suspicion of third degree assault on an officer and carrying a concealed weapon.

2 arrested amid protest over deadly Nebraska police shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — An annual defense policy measure that has passed Congress every year since the Kennedy administration is in danger of cratering next month over a move by Democrats to rename military bases, such as Fort Benning, that are named after Confederate officers.

President Donald Trump opposes renaming bases like Fort Hood and has threatened to veto the popular measure over the provision, which was added to both the House and Senate versions of the so-called defense authorization bill this summer.

Republicans are vowing they will not send the broader bill to Trump if it includes language requiring bases named after Confederate officers to be renamed. Trump used the debate this summer to appeal to Southern voters nostalgic about the Confederacy, and those appeals remain relevant now due to two Senate runoff elections in Georgia that will determine control of the chamber during the first two years of President-elect Joe Biden’s tenure.

“I am concerned that there is at least the potential that political concerns, especially with the Georgia runoffs, are going to play a bigger role,” said top House Armed Services Committee Republican Mac Thornberry of Texas. “I have no doubt that we can reach an agreement. The question is whether the politics above us will allow us to.”

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe, R-Okla., is strongly backing Trump, aides involved in the talks say. But Democrats, who won GOP support in both the House and Senate to force the renaming of the bases, vow they will not back down. Typically, when both House and Senate versions of legislation contain comparable provisions, the default position is to leave the language in the final product. The differences between the House and Senate provisions are relatively modest.

“It’s Senate language that we want to agree to,” said House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash. “So there shouldn’t be controversy here.” He called Trump “a little bit erratic at the moment.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., says the names must be changed.

“It is imperative that the conference report include provisions that secure this essential priority,” said Pelosi. “Our bases should reflect our highest ideals as Americans.”

The bill has to pass next month to avoid breaking a 59-year streak of enacting the annual measure, which sets policy across the Pentagon and puts lawmakers on record behind a 3% automatic pay raise starting Jan. 1, among its other provisions.

“Look, the defense bill is really important,” Smith said, expressing hope that Republicans would relent.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has even floated the idea of a tradeoff in which Trump would sign the legislation containing the Democratic language in exchange for repealing so-called Section 230, a legal shield for social media outlets like Facebook that protects websites from liability for content posted on their sites. The New York Times first reported Meadows’ attempt at deal making, which was confirmed by a Democratic aide who requested anonymity because the negotiations are occurring behind closed doors.

Both the House and Senate defense measures passed by veto-proof margins but GOP leaders want to avoid the chances of a veto coming to pass. Either way, the issue seems to be a loser for Georgia’s Republican senators, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. Breaking with Trump to override the veto could mean a loss in support among core GOP voters, while standing in favor of keeping the base names could drain support from independents.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An annual defense policy measure that has passed Congress every year since the Kennedy administration is in danger of cratering next month over a move by Democrats to rename military bases, such as Fort Benning, that are named after Confederate officers.President Donald Trump opposes renaming bases like Fort Hood and has threatened to veto the popular measure over the provision, which was added to both the House and Senate versions of the so-called defense authorization bill this summer.Republicans are vowing they will not send the broader bill to Trump if it includes language requiring bases named after Confederate officers to be renamed. Trump used the debate this summer to appeal to Southern voters nostalgic about the Confederacy, and those appeals remain relevant now due to two Senate runoff elections in Georgia that will determine control of the chamber during the first two years of President-elect Joe Biden’s tenure.“I am concerned that there is at least the potential that political concerns, especially with the Georgia runoffs, are going to play a bigger role,” said top House Armed Services Committee Republican Mac Thornberry of Texas. “I have no doubt that we can reach an agreement. The question is whether the politics above us will allow us to.”Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe, R-Okla., is strongly backing Trump, aides involved in the talks say. But Democrats, who won GOP support in both the House and Senate to force the renaming of the bases, vow they will not back down. Typically, when both House and Senate versions of legislation contain comparable provisions, the default position is to leave the language in the final product. The differences between the House and Senate provisions are relatively modest.“It’s Senate language that we want to agree to,” said House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash. “So there shouldn’t be controversy here.” He called Trump “a little bit erratic at the moment.”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., says the names must be changed.“It is imperative that the conference report include provisions that secure this essential priority,” said Pelosi. “Our bases should reflect our highest ideals as Americans.”The bill has to pass next month to avoid breaking a 59-year streak of enacting the annual measure, which sets policy across the Pentagon and puts lawmakers on record behind a 3% automatic pay raise starting Jan. 1, among its other provisions.“Look, the defense bill is really important,” Smith said, expressing hope that Republicans would relent.White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has even floated the idea of a tradeoff in which Trump would sign the legislation containing the Democratic language in exchange for repealing so-called Section 230, a legal shield for social media outlets like Facebook that protects websites from liability for content posted on their sites. The New York Times first reported Meadows’ attempt at deal making, which was confirmed by a Democratic aide who requested anonymity because the negotiations are occurring behind closed doors.Both the House and Senate defense measures passed by veto-proof margins but GOP leaders want to avoid the chances of a veto coming to pass. Either way, the issue seems to be a loser for Georgia’s Republican senators, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. Breaking with Trump to override the veto could mean a loss in support among core GOP voters, while standing in favor of keeping the base names could drain support from independents.

Defense bill in danger over Confederate-named military bases

LINCOLN, Neb. — Caddy’s Parkside Grill at the Peter Kiewit Lodge is closing its doors after two years of providing food service to guests at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.

“This situation is unfortunate and is precipitated in part by diminished demand for sit-in dining options in conjunction with the present and growing COVID pandemic trends,” said Jim Swenson, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Parks Division administrator.

The Game and Parks administration is evaluating options for future food services at the popular lodge that has sweeping scenic views of the Platte River watershed from the restaurant space.

Guests who may have planned to dine at the grill in the immediate future are encouraged to contact the park at (402) 944-2523 for alternative dining choices in the area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606049752961.png" alt="Photo: <a href="https://visitcasscounty.com/">visitcasscounty.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo: <a href="https://visitcasscounty.com/">visitcasscounty.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. — Caddy’s Parkside Grill at the Peter Kiewit Lodge is closing its doors after two years of providing food service to guests at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.“This situation is unfortunate and is precipitated in part by diminished demand for sit-in dining options in conjunction with the present and growing COVID pandemic trends,” said Jim Swenson, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Parks Division administrator.The Game and Parks administration is evaluating options for future food services at the popular lodge that has sweeping scenic views of the Platte River watershed from the restaurant space.Guests who may have planned to dine at the grill in the immediate future are encouraged to contact the park at (402) 944-2523 for alternative dining choices in the area.

Mahoney State Park restaurant closes due to COVID

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) - Authorities arrested a 23-year-old man in an attack at a Nebraska fast food restaurant in which two people were shot and killed, two were wounded and officers responding to a report of a possible bomb inside a moving truck in the parking lot arrived to find the vehicle on fire.

Roberto Carlos Silva, of Omaha, was booked into Sarpy County jail early Sunday on suspicion of first-degree murder and first-degree arson in Saturday night's attack at a Sonic Drive-in restaurant in Bellevue, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/two-people-killed-two-others-wounded-in-bellevue-shooting-one-person-in-custody/article_c03dcafd-f722-5727-bbb8-cb48f74b17ae.html" target="_blank">Omaha World-Herald</a>&nbsp;reported. Silva was being held without bond Sunday before making his initial court appearance.

In a news release early Sunday, Lt. Andy Jashinske said Bellevue police received a call at 9:23 p.m. Saturday about a possible bomb in a U-Haul truck parked outside of the restaurant in the Omaha suburb. A minute later, the call was updated to a possible shooting, he said.

Officers who arrived found the moving truck burning and four people who had been shot. Two were sent to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment and the other two were declared dead at the scene, Jashinske said. The victims' names were withheld so that their families could be told first.

Video&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/DDillardTV/status/1330359187285676032" target="_blank">tweeted by Omaha TV station KETV&nbsp;</a>showed crews battling the truck fire late Saturday. The Omaha Police Department's bomb squad was at the scene early Sunday to check on a "device," as a precaution to make sure the area was safe, Jashinske said.

The attack came days after Silva was arrested outside of the restaurant after allegedly using someone else's Sonic app account to buy a total of $57 worth of hamburgers and corn dogs in four separate purchases at that location, the World-Herald reported. Silva was released from jail on Thursday after posting 10% of his $1,500 bail.

Officials at Sonic's headquarters in Oklahoma didn't immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press on Sunday.

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) - Two people died and two others were wounded in a shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Nebraska where police had been called to investigate a "possible bomb" inside a moving truck in the parking lot.

A suspect was taken into custody shortly after officers arrived at the Sonic Drive-In restaurant in Bellevue late Saturday night, Lt. Andy Jashinske said in a news release. Police did not identify the suspect.

Officers found four people with gunshot wounds after arriving at the restaurant, Jashinske said. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to hospitals for treatment. None of the four were immediately identified.

Video obtained by news outlets showed a vehicle on fire in the parking lot of the Sonic Drive-In. Jashinske told reporters the fire may have been ignited by "some fireworks or some type of device," but investigators were still looking in to the cause.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606067521453.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Roberto Carlos SilvaBELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) - Authorities arrested a 23-year-old man in an attack at a Nebraska fast food restaurant in which two people were shot and killed, two were wounded and officers responding to a report of a possible bomb inside a moving truck in the parking lot arrived to find the vehicle on fire.Roberto Carlos Silva, of Omaha, was booked into Sarpy County jail early Sunday on suspicion of first-degree murder and first-degree arson in Saturday night's attack at a Sonic Drive-in restaurant in Bellevue, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/two-people-killed-two-others-wounded-in-bellevue-shooting-one-person-in-custody/article_c03dcafd-f722-5727-bbb8-cb48f74b17ae.html" target="_blank">Omaha World-Herald</a>&nbsp;reported. Silva was being held without bond Sunday before making his initial court appearance.In a news release early Sunday, Lt. Andy Jashinske said Bellevue police received a call at 9:23 p.m. Saturday about a possible bomb in a U-Haul truck parked outside of the restaurant in the Omaha suburb. A minute later, the call was updated to a possible shooting, he said.Officers who arrived found the moving truck burning and four people who had been shot. Two were sent to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment and the other two were declared dead at the scene, Jashinske said. The victims' names were withheld so that their families could be told first.Video&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/DDillardTV/status/1330359187285676032" target="_blank">tweeted by Omaha TV station KETV&nbsp;</a>showed crews battling the truck fire late Saturday. The Omaha Police Department's bomb squad was at the scene early Sunday to check on a "device," as a precaution to make sure the area was safe, Jashinske said.The attack came days after Silva was arrested outside of the restaurant after allegedly using someone else's Sonic app account to buy a total of $57 worth of hamburgers and corn dogs in four separate purchases at that location, the World-Herald reported. Silva was released from jail on Thursday after posting 10% of his $1,500 bail.Officials at Sonic's headquarters in Oklahoma didn't immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press on Sunday.BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) - Two people died and two others were wounded in a shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Nebraska where police had been called to investigate a "possible bomb" inside a moving truck in the parking lot.A suspect was taken into custody shortly after officers arrived at the Sonic Drive-In restaurant in Bellevue late Saturday night, Lt. Andy Jashinske said in a news release. Police did not identify the suspect.Officers found four people with gunshot wounds after arriving at the restaurant, Jashinske said. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to hospitals for treatment. None of the four were immediately identified.Video obtained by news outlets showed a vehicle on fire in the parking lot of the Sonic Drive-In. Jashinske told reporters the fire may have been ignited by "some fireworks or some type of device," but investigators were still looking in to the cause.

Police: 2 dead, 2 wounded at Bellevue fast-food restaurant

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — In July, fourth-grade teacher Susanne Michael was ecstatic as she celebrated the adoption of a former student from a troubled home and two of the girl’s brothers. For the festivities, Michael dressed them and her other children in matching T-shirts that read “Gotcha FOREVER.”

By October, the 47-year-old Jonesboro, Arkansas, woman was dead — one of an estimated nearly 300 school employees killed by the coronavirus in the U.S. since the outbreak took hold. All together, the U.S. had more than 250,000 confirmed virus deaths as of Wednesday.

“She just basically would eat, sleep and drink teaching. She loved it,” said her husband, Keith Michael, who is now left to raise the three new additions, ages 3, 8 and 13, along with the couple’s two other children, 16 and 22.

Across the U.S., the deaths of educators have torn at the fabric of the school experience, taking the lives of teachers, principals, superintendents, coaches, a middle school secretary, a security guard. The losses have forced school boards to make hard decisions of whether to keep classrooms open and have left students and staff members grief-stricken.

Harrisburg Elementary, where Michael taught, remained open after her death, but 14 counselors descended on the school the next morning to help distraught students and teachers.

“I can honestly tell you now, none of us would have made the day if it were not for them,” Harrisburg School Superintendent Chris Ferrell recalled, choking up.

At home, Susanne Michael’s death has been particularly hard for her toddler. “He will just point to the sky and say, ‘Mama is up there,’” her husband said.

His wife had diabetes, was a uterine cancer survivor and had just one kidney. Therein lies the main challenge of operating schools: While children generally have mild cases or no symptoms at all, about 1 in 4 of their teachers, or nearly 1.5 million of them, have a condition that raises their risk of getting seriously ill from the coronavirus, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Early research suggested that children are unlikely to contract or spread the coronavirus — an idea that influenced school reopenings in some communities. But Laura Garabedian, a professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, said much of that research was conducted during lockdowns when children were home and testing wasn’t being done on those with mild or symptomless cases.

“I think the key question is whether being at school puts teachers at increased risk of getting COVID. I don’t think we know that,” she said. But she added: “There are kids who definitely transmit it, and we know that.”

With community spread rampant across much of the country and contact tracers overwhelmed, it is is often hard to tell where teachers are becoming infected.

When cases can be traced back to their source, it is often an informal gathering, a restaurant or a sporting event, not a classroom, said Emily Oster, a Brown University economics professor whose analysis of in-school infection data from all 50 states found that bringing students together in schools does not appear to be driving the spread.

“I don’t think anyone would claim that no one has gotten COVID at a school. That would be unrealistic,” she said. “But in most of the cases we are seeing among people who are affiliated with schools, the actual case was not acquired at a school.”

Her database identified 17 cases per 100,000 students and 26 per 100,000 staff members as of Friday. She said the staff rate is slightly higher than the general rate in the community.

“There are people who would say if even one teacher acquires COVID at a school and dies, then it would not have been worth it to open schools,” Oster said. “I think that argument is complicated because people are going to suffer tremendously from schools being closed, but that is a tricky calculus.”

Keith Michael, who is the transportation supervisor for the city of Jonesboro, talked with his wife about the risk of returning to her school before classes started and suspects she might have been infected there.

Through the summer, his wife largely stayed at home, going out mainly to buy groceries. She worked diligently to space out desks in her classroom, according to her husband, though he added, “When you have a full classroom it is impossible to totally socially distance everyone.”

Soon, she was coughing, feverish and vomiting violently. She spent nearly two weeks on a ventilator before a blood clot broke loose and killed her.

Her death was another blow to the newly adopted children, the oldest of whom, Holly, met Susanne Michael during a year in which the youngster often missed class to care for her baby brother. When welfare officials stepped in, the Michaels volunteered to become the girl’s foster parents.

A social worker “showed up with Holly and the two brothers, and they said they were going to take them to two separate places,” Keith Michael recalled. His wife, he said, “looked at me and I knew what she was fixin’ to ask.” The couple ended up taking all three children.

Keith Michael, third from left, sits on a sofa with his children, from left, Hunter, Jessica, Sara, Houston and Holly, at their home on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Jonesboro, Ark. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, which has kept count of educators killed by the virus, said the stories “break your heart.”

They include 71-year-old South Carolina first-grade teacher Margie Kidd and 53-year-old Iowa special education assistant Jennifer Crawford. Their families said they suspect the two were infected at school.

A district in Phoenix lost special education worker Nawaialoha Keli’imahiai Kalai to COVID-19 earlier this month and began its board meeting with a moment of silence before deciding to keep classrooms open. There, too, grief counselors provided support to children and staff members.

“I am devastated by the fact that remote education is not an effective substitute. And I want probably as much as anybody else to reopen school buildings for children,” Weingarten said.

“But here is the caveat: You have to have the safeguards that the CDC recommends, and you can’t have a spike going on at the same time. And you have to have the testing, and all of that is expensive.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596106754858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTHMISSION, Kan. (AP) — In July, fourth-grade teacher Susanne Michael was ecstatic as she celebrated the adoption of a former student from a troubled home and two of the girl’s brothers. For the festivities, Michael dressed them and her other children in matching T-shirts that read “Gotcha FOREVER.”By October, the 47-year-old Jonesboro, Arkansas, woman was dead — one of an estimated nearly 300 school employees killed by the coronavirus in the U.S. since the outbreak took hold. All together, the U.S. had more than 250,000 confirmed virus deaths as of Wednesday.“She just basically would eat, sleep and drink teaching. She loved it,” said her husband, Keith Michael, who is now left to raise the three new additions, ages 3, 8 and 13, along with the couple’s two other children, 16 and 22.Across the U.S., the deaths of educators have torn at the fabric of the school experience, taking the lives of teachers, principals, superintendents, coaches, a middle school secretary, a security guard. The losses have forced school boards to make hard decisions of whether to keep classrooms open and have left students and staff members grief-stricken.Harrisburg Elementary, where Michael taught, remained open after her death, but 14 counselors descended on the school the next morning to help distraught students and teachers.“I can honestly tell you now, none of us would have made the day if it were not for them,” Harrisburg School Superintendent Chris Ferrell recalled, choking up.At home, Susanne Michael’s death has been particularly hard for her toddler. “He will just point to the sky and say, ‘Mama is up there,’” her husband said.His wife had diabetes, was a uterine cancer survivor and had just one kidney. Therein lies the main challenge of operating schools: While children generally have mild cases or no symptoms at all, about 1 in 4 of their teachers, or nearly 1.5 million of them, have a condition that raises their risk of getting seriously ill from the coronavirus, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.MORE COVID-19 NEWS:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-allows-1st-rapid-virus-test-at-home-0430fe7460b4385bd952978f19b3d88d">–&nbsp;FDA allows 1st rapid virus test that gives results at home</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/toilet-paper-limits-virus-surge-3e22bd5b4d448c3906c1dabd81f19abe">–&nbsp;Toilet paper limits, empty shelves are back as virus surges</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-thomas-bach-tokyo-coronavirus-pandemic-japan-4b6ce5c7e15d90af64b98b422f113635">–&nbsp;The Latest: S Korea begins stronger limits in some areas</a></li><li><a href="https://apnews.com/article/pfizer-covid-19-shot-95-percent-9d71455cfce0ff047dee4df873ec1023">–&nbsp;Pfizer: COVID-19 shot 95% effective, seeking clearance soon</a></li>
 </ul>Early research suggested that children are unlikely to contract or spread the coronavirus — an idea that influenced school reopenings in some communities. But Laura Garabedian, a professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School, said much of that research was conducted during lockdowns when children were home and testing wasn’t being done on those with mild or symptomless cases.“I think the key question is whether being at school puts teachers at increased risk of getting COVID. I don’t think we know that,” she said. But she added: “There are kids who definitely transmit it, and we know that.”With community spread rampant across much of the country and contact tracers overwhelmed, it is is often hard to tell where teachers are becoming infected.When cases can be traced back to their source, it is often an informal gathering, a restaurant or a sporting event, not a classroom, said Emily Oster, a Brown University economics professor whose analysis of in-school infection data from all 50 states found that bringing students together in schools does not appear to be driving the spread.“I don’t think anyone would claim that no one has gotten COVID at a school. That would be unrealistic,” she said. “But in most of the cases we are seeing among people who are affiliated with schools, the actual case was not acquired at a school.”Her database identified 17 cases per 100,000 students and 26 per 100,000 staff members as of Friday. She said the staff rate is slightly higher than the general rate in the community.“There are people who would say if even one teacher acquires COVID at a school and dies, then it would not have been worth it to open schools,” Oster said. “I think that argument is complicated because people are going to suffer tremendously from schools being closed, but that is a tricky calculus.”Keith Michael, who is the transportation supervisor for the city of Jonesboro, talked with his wife about the risk of returning to her school before classes started and suspects she might have been infected there.Through the summer, his wife largely stayed at home, going out mainly to buy groceries. She worked diligently to space out desks in her classroom, according to her husband, though he added, “When you have a full classroom it is impossible to totally socially distance everyone.”Soon, she was coughing, feverish and vomiting violently. She spent nearly two weeks on a ventilator before a blood clot broke loose and killed her.Her death was another blow to the newly adopted children, the oldest of whom, Holly, met Susanne Michael during a year in which the youngster often missed class to care for her baby brother. When welfare officials stepped in, the Michaels volunteered to become the girl’s foster parents.A social worker “showed up with Holly and the two brothers, and they said they were going to take them to two separate places,” Keith Michael recalled. His wife, he said, “looked at me and I knew what she was fixin’ to ask.” The couple ended up taking all three children.Keith Michael, third from left, sits on a sofa with his children, from left, Hunter, Jessica, Sara, Houston and Holly, at their home on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Jonesboro, Ark. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, which has kept count of educators killed by the virus, said the stories “break your heart.”They include 71-year-old South Carolina first-grade teacher Margie Kidd and 53-year-old Iowa special education assistant Jennifer Crawford. Their families said they suspect the two were infected at school.A district in Phoenix lost special education worker Nawaialoha Keli’imahiai Kalai to COVID-19 earlier this month and began its board meeting with a moment of silence before deciding to keep classrooms open. There, too, grief counselors provided support to children and staff members.“I am devastated by the fact that remote education is not an effective substitute. And I want probably as much as anybody else to reopen school buildings for children,” Weingarten said.“But here is the caveat: You have to have the safeguards that the CDC recommends, and you can’t have a spike going on at the same time. And you have to have the testing, and all of that is expensive.”

Empty desks: Coronavirus robs US classrooms of teachers

LINCOLN – A 46-year-old Trenton man was hospitalized with injuries following a boating accident Nov. 19 on Swanson Reservoir in Hitchcock County.

Sometime in the afternoon, the victim, the sole occupant other than a dog, apparently was ejected from his boat. The running boat began circling. Another boater rescued the man from the water and took him to the boat ramp to be treated by emergency personnel.

The victim, who sustained injuries from the propeller, was flown by helicopter to CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers secured the boat and dog. Game and Parks is investigating the incident.

LINCOLN – A 46-year-old Trenton man was hospitalized with injuries following a boating accident Nov. 19 on Swanson Reservoir in Hitchcock County.Sometime in the afternoon, the victim, the sole occupant other than a dog, apparently was ejected from his boat. The running boat began circling. Another boater rescued the man from the water and took him to the boat ramp to be treated by emergency personnel.The victim, who sustained injuries from the propeller, was flown by helicopter to CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney.Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers secured the boat and dog. Game and Parks is investigating the incident.

Trenton man injured in Swanson Reservoir boating accident

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin denied that he is attempting to limit the choices President-elect Joe Biden will have to promote an economic recovery by ending several emergency loan programs being run by the Federal Reserve.

Mnuchin said his decision was based on the fact that the programs were not being heavily utilized. He said Friday that Congress could make better use of the money by re-allocating it in another direction to support grants to small businesses and extended unemployment assistance.

“We’re not trying to hinder anything,” Mnuchin said in a CNBC interview. “We don’t need this money to buy corporate bonds. We need this money to go help small businesses that are still closed.”

However, critics saw politics at play in Mnuchin’s decision, saying the action would deprive the incoming administration of critical support the Fed might need to prop up the economy as coronavirus infections spike nationwide.

“There can be no doubt, the Trump administration and their congressional toadies are actively trying to tank the U.S economy,” Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said in a prepared statement Friday. “For months, they have refused to take the steps necessary to support workers, small businesses and restaurants. As the result, the only tool at our disposal has been these facilities.”

Mnuchin on Thursday had written Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announcing his decision not to extend some of the Fed’s emergency loan programs, which had been operating with support from the Treasury Department. The decision will end the Fed’s corporate credit, municipal lending and Main Street Lending programs as of Dec. 31.

The decision drew a rare rebuke from the Fed, which said in a brief statement Thursday that the central bank “would prefer that the full suite of emergency facilities established during the coronavirus pandemic continue to serve their important role as a backstop for our still-strained and vulnerable economy.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also criticized the move. “A surprise termination of the Federal Reserve’s emergency liquidity program, including the Main Street Lending Program, prematurely and unnecessarily ties the hands of the incoming administration and closes the door on important liquidity options for businesses at a time when they need them most,” said Neil Bradley, the chamber’s executive vice president, in a prepared statement.

Private economists argued that Mnuchin’s decision to end five of the emergency loan facilities represents an economic risk.

“While the backstop measure have been little used so far, the deteriorating health and economic backdrop could shine a bright light on the Fed’s diminished recession-fighting arsenal and prompt an adverse market reaction,” said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.

Under law, the loan facilities required the support of the Treasury Department, which serves as a backstop for the initial losses the programs might incur.

In his letter to Powell, Mnuchin said that he is requesting that the Fed return to Treasury the unused funds appropriated by Congress.

He said this would allow Congress to re-appropriate $455 billion to other coronavirus programs. Republicans and Democrats have been deadlocked for months on approval of another round of coronavirus support measures.

In public remarks Tuesday, Powell made clear that he hoped that the loan programs would remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

“When the right time comes, and I don’t think that time is yet, or very soon, we’ll put those tools away,” he said in an online discussion with a San Francisco business group.

The future of the Main Street and Municipal Lending programs has taken on greater importance with President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Many progressive economists have argued that a Democratic-led Treasury could support the Fed taking on more risk and making more loans to small and mid-sized businesses and cash-strapped cities under these programs. That would provide at least one avenue for the Biden administration to provide stimulus without going through Congress.

Neither program has lived up to its potential so far, with the Municipal Lending program making just one loan, while the Main Street program has made loans totaling around $4 billion, to about 400 companies.

Republicans including Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo of Idaho and Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania supported Mnuchin’s move.

“Congress’ intent was clear: These facilities were to be temporary, to provide liquidity and to cease operations by the end of 2020,” Toomey said in a statement. ”With liquidity restored, they should expire, as Congress intended and the law requires, by Dec. 31, 2020.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday he will not extend several emergency loan programs set up with the Federal Reserve, an action that could hamper the ability of the incoming Biden administration to gain important economic support from the central bank to deal with the ongoing pandemic.

The decision drew a terse rebuke from the Fed.

The central bank said it “would prefer that the full suite of emergency facilities established during the coronavirus pandemic continue to serve their important role as a backstop for our still-strained and vulnerable economy.”

But in a letter to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, Mnuchin said that the Fed’s corporate credit, municipal lending and Main Street Lending programs would not be renewed when they expire on Dec. 31.

Mnuchin said that he is requesting that the Fed return to Treasury the unused funds appropriated by Congress for operation of the programs.

“When the right time comes, and I don’t think that time is yet, or very soon, we’ll put those tools away,” he said in an online discussion with a San Francisco-based business group.

Neither program has lived up to its potential so far, with the Municipal Lending program making just one loan, while the Main Street program has made loans totaling around $4 billion to about 400 companies.

Mnuchin’s move comes as the resurgent virus and slowing consumer spending, as well as colder weather that will shut down outdoor dining, will cause more small and mid-sized businesses to struggle with lower revenue and potentially close.

However, Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania said in a statement that he approved of Mnuchin’s decision.

“Congress’ intent was clear: These facilities were to be temporary, to provide liquidity and to cease operations by the end of 2020,” Toomey, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said. ”With liquidity restored, they should expire, as Congress intended and the law requires, by Dec. 31, 2020.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601548046725.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin following a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in September -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin following a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in September -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin denied that he is attempting to limit the choices President-elect Joe Biden will have to promote an economic recovery by ending several emergency loan programs being run by the Federal Reserve.Mnuchin said his decision was based on the fact that the programs were not being heavily utilized. He said Friday that Congress could make better use of the money by re-allocating it in another direction to support grants to small businesses and extended unemployment assistance.“We’re not trying to hinder anything,” Mnuchin said in a CNBC interview. “We don’t need this money to buy corporate bonds. We need this money to go help small businesses that are still closed.”However, critics saw politics at play in Mnuchin’s decision, saying the action would deprive the incoming administration of critical support the Fed might need to prop up the economy as coronavirus infections spike nationwide.“There can be no doubt, the Trump administration and their congressional toadies are actively trying to tank the U.S economy,” Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said in a prepared statement Friday. “For months, they have refused to take the steps necessary to support workers, small businesses and restaurants. As the result, the only tool at our disposal has been these facilities.”Mnuchin on Thursday had written Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announcing his decision not to extend some of the Fed’s emergency loan programs, which had been operating with support from the Treasury Department. The decision will end the Fed’s corporate credit, municipal lending and Main Street Lending programs as of Dec. 31.The decision drew a rare rebuke from the Fed, which said in a brief statement Thursday that the central bank “would prefer that the full suite of emergency facilities established during the coronavirus pandemic continue to serve their important role as a backstop for our still-strained and vulnerable economy.”The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also criticized the move. “A surprise termination of the Federal Reserve’s emergency liquidity program, including the Main Street Lending Program, prematurely and unnecessarily ties the hands of the incoming administration and closes the door on important liquidity options for businesses at a time when they need them most,” said Neil Bradley, the chamber’s executive vice president, in a prepared statement.Private economists argued that Mnuchin’s decision to end five of the emergency loan facilities represents an economic risk.“While the backstop measure have been little used so far, the deteriorating health and economic backdrop could shine a bright light on the Fed’s diminished recession-fighting arsenal and prompt an adverse market reaction,” said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.Under law, the loan facilities required the support of the Treasury Department, which serves as a backstop for the initial losses the programs might incur.In his letter to Powell, Mnuchin said that he is requesting that the Fed return to Treasury the unused funds appropriated by Congress.He said this would allow Congress to re-appropriate $455 billion to other coronavirus programs. Republicans and Democrats have been deadlocked for months on approval of another round of coronavirus support measures.In public remarks Tuesday, Powell made clear that he hoped that the loan programs would remain in effect for the foreseeable future.“When the right time comes, and I don’t think that time is yet, or very soon, we’ll put those tools away,” he said in an online discussion with a San Francisco business group.The future of the Main Street and Municipal Lending programs has taken on greater importance with President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Many progressive economists have argued that a Democratic-led Treasury could support the Fed taking on more risk and making more loans to small and mid-sized businesses and cash-strapped cities under these programs. That would provide at least one avenue for the Biden administration to provide stimulus without going through Congress.Neither program has lived up to its potential so far, with the Municipal Lending program making just one loan, while the Main Street program has made loans totaling around $4 billion, to about 400 companies.Republicans including Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo of Idaho and Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania supported Mnuchin’s move.“Congress’ intent was clear: These facilities were to be temporary, to provide liquidity and to cease operations by the end of 2020,” Toomey said in a statement. ”With liquidity restored, they should expire, as Congress intended and the law requires, by Dec. 31, 2020.”-------WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday he will not extend several emergency loan programs set up with the Federal Reserve, an action that could hamper the ability of the incoming Biden administration to gain important economic support from the central bank to deal with the ongoing pandemic.The decision drew a terse rebuke from the Fed.The central bank said it “would prefer that the full suite of emergency facilities established during the coronavirus pandemic continue to serve their important role as a backstop for our still-strained and vulnerable economy.”But in a letter to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, Mnuchin said that the Fed’s corporate credit, municipal lending and Main Street Lending programs would not be renewed when they expire on Dec. 31.Under law, the loan facilities required the support of the Treasury Department, which serves as a backstop for the initial losses the programs might incur.Mnuchin said that he is requesting that the Fed return to Treasury the unused funds appropriated by Congress for operation of the programs.He said this would allow Congress to re-appropriate $455 billion to other coronavirus programs. Republicans and Democrats have been deadlocked for months on approval of another round of coronavirus support measures.In public remarks Tuesday, Powell made clear that he hoped that the loan programs would remain in effect for the foreseeable future.“When the right time comes, and I don’t think that time is yet, or very soon, we’ll put those tools away,” he said in an online discussion with a San Francisco-based business group.The future of the Main Street and Municipal Lending programs has taken on greater importance with President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Many progressive economists have argued that a Democratic-led Treasury could support the Fed taking on more risk and making more loans to small and mid-sized businesses and cash-strapped cities under these programs. That would provide at least one avenue for the Biden administration to provide stimulus without going through Congress.Neither program has lived up to its potential so far, with the Municipal Lending program making just one loan, while the Main Street program has made loans totaling around $4 billion to about 400 companies.Mnuchin’s move comes as the resurgent virus and slowing consumer spending, as well as colder weather that will shut down outdoor dining, will cause more small and mid-sized businesses to struggle with lower revenue and potentially close.However, Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania said in a statement that he approved of Mnuchin’s decision.“Congress’ intent was clear: These facilities were to be temporary, to provide liquidity and to cease operations by the end of 2020,” Toomey, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said. ”With liquidity restored, they should expire, as Congress intended and the law requires, by Dec. 31, 2020.”

Feds cut off virus relief emergency lending programs

WAKEFIELD, Neb. (AP) - A northeastern Nebraska woman accused of locking two of her children in a bedroom and feeding them only once a day has been found guilty of felony child abuse.

A Dixon County jury found Angel Henderson, 44, of Wakefield, guilty Thursday of two counts, the Sioux City Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/wakefield-woman-found-guilty-of-locking-kids-in-room-feeding-them-sparingly/article_85eb8532-098c-5482-bfce-02c1d148b29d.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. She faces up to 50 years in prison on each count when she's sentenced Feb. 19.

Henderson and her husband, Patrick, were arrested in January 2019 after police found one of the children - then 14 - hiding and dressed in pajamas in which the legs had been sewn together and the arms sewn to the sides to restrict movement.

Police said the parents kept the teen and a 9-year-old child locked in a bedroom, letting them out only to go to the bathroom and feeding them only once a day, or not at all if they failed to finish their school work. The couple's other two children, ages 13 and 6 at the time, did not appear to have been mistreated, police said. All the children were adopted and were homeschooled.

Patrick Henderson, 56, was sentenced in November 2019 to four years in prison for his role in the abuse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605914251030.png" alt="Angel Henderson" />
 <figcaption>Angel Henderson</figcaption>
 </figure>WAKEFIELD, Neb. (AP) - A northeastern Nebraska woman accused of locking two of her children in a bedroom and feeding them only once a day has been found guilty of felony child abuse.A Dixon County jury found Angel Henderson, 44, of Wakefield, guilty Thursday of two counts, the Sioux City Journal&nbsp;<a href="https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/wakefield-woman-found-guilty-of-locking-kids-in-room-feeding-them-sparingly/article_85eb8532-098c-5482-bfce-02c1d148b29d.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. She faces up to 50 years in prison on each count when she's sentenced Feb. 19.Henderson and her husband, Patrick, were arrested in January 2019 after police found one of the children - then 14 - hiding and dressed in pajamas in which the legs had been sewn together and the arms sewn to the sides to restrict movement.Police said the parents kept the teen and a 9-year-old child locked in a bedroom, letting them out only to go to the bathroom and feeding them only once a day, or not at all if they failed to finish their school work. The couple's other two children, ages 13 and 6 at the time, did not appear to have been mistreated, police said. All the children were adopted and were homeschooled.Patrick Henderson, 56, was sentenced in November 2019 to four years in prison for his role in the abuse.

Nebraska woman accused of denying food to children convicted

GRAND ISLAND&nbsp; — An investigation that followed a traffic stop on Interstate 80 has led to several arrests. The investigation began with the discovery of 14 pounds of methamphetamine and two handguns during a traffic stop near Giltner earlier this month.

At approximately 8:40 a.m., Thursday, November 5, a trooper arrested two people after locating 14 pounds of methamphetamine and two handguns during a traffic stop on I-80 near mile marker 321. NSP quickly involved the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as the investigation grew to include multiple states.

Oscar Garfio-Zapien, 28, and Rosaura Rodriguez-Perez, 33, both of Albuquerque, New Mexico, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during a drug violation, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Both persons were lodged in Hamilton County Jail.

The following week, on Saturday, November 14, a Hamilton County employee reported that a subject had come to her home, offered her money to release the prisoners from jail, and threatened her. The three suspects then reportedly left the scene.

Aurora Police Officers located the subjects and took all three into custody. Brayant Espinoza, 20, was arrested for bribery, conspiracy to commit a felony, aiding and abetting the consummation of a felony, permitting or facilitating an escape, and making terroristic threats. Two additional subjects, Olivia Hernandez, 19, and Anderson Capellan Toribio, 21, were arrested for aiding and abetting terroristic threats. All three were lodged in Hamilton County Jail.

The Hamilton County employee’s identity, job, and home address are not being released for safety reasons. The two suspects arrested in the traffic stop on November 5 were transferred to jail facilities in different counties.

The DEA’s investigation remains ongoing.

GRAND ISLAND&nbsp; — An investigation that followed a traffic stop on Interstate 80 has led to several arrests. The investigation began with the discovery of 14 pounds of methamphetamine and two handguns during a traffic stop near Giltner earlier this month.At approximately 8:40 a.m., Thursday, November 5, a trooper arrested two people after locating 14 pounds of methamphetamine and two handguns during a traffic stop on I-80 near mile marker 321. NSP quickly involved the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as the investigation grew to include multiple states.Oscar Garfio-Zapien, 28, and Rosaura Rodriguez-Perez, 33, both of Albuquerque, New Mexico, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during a drug violation, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Both persons were lodged in Hamilton County Jail.The following week, on Saturday, November 14, a Hamilton County employee reported that a subject had come to her home, offered her money to release the prisoners from jail, and threatened her. The three suspects then reportedly left the scene.Aurora Police Officers located the subjects and took all three into custody. Brayant Espinoza, 20, was arrested for bribery, conspiracy to commit a felony, aiding and abetting the consummation of a felony, permitting or facilitating an escape, and making terroristic threats. Two additional subjects, Olivia Hernandez, 19, and Anderson Capellan Toribio, 21, were arrested for aiding and abetting terroristic threats. All three were lodged in Hamilton County Jail.The Hamilton County employee’s identity, job, and home address are not being released for safety reasons. The two suspects arrested in the traffic stop on November 5 were transferred to jail facilities in different counties.The DEA’s investigation remains ongoing.

Methamphetamine seizure in traffic stop leads to several arrests

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Gas prices may be something to be thankful for, if you are on a budget this year.

"Right now, we're seeing the average gas price in Kansas of $1.88, ninth cheapest in the U.S.," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "If you are going to be taking a trip this holiday, you'll be saving some money in your wallet compared to last year or previous years."

Even if you're staying local, gas should be about average.

"Reno County is at $1.89," Steward said. "Hutchinson is at $1.90, right around the state average."

Be sure your car is in good repair, if you do decide at the last minute to hit the road.

"Check out your tires and your battery, especially," Steward said. "It's always a good idea, especially now that it gets dark so early, to make sure that all of the lights and turn signals, tail lights, brake lights, headlights are all in working order, so not only can you see, but you can be seen during those dark hours on the roads."

For Americans who make the personal decision to travel for the holiday, it is important to know the risks involved and ways to keep yourself and others safe.

By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Gas prices may be something to be thankful for, if you are on a budget this year."Right now, we're seeing the average gas price in Kansas of $1.88, ninth cheapest in the U.S.," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "If you are going to be taking a trip this holiday, you'll be saving some money in your wallet compared to last year or previous years."Even if you're staying local, gas should be about average."Reno County is at $1.89," Steward said. "Hutchinson is at $1.90, right around the state average."Be sure your car is in good repair, if you do decide at the last minute to hit the road."Check out your tires and your battery, especially," Steward said. "It's always a good idea, especially now that it gets dark so early, to make sure that all of the lights and turn signals, tail lights, brake lights, headlights are all in working order, so not only can you see, but you can be seen during those dark hours on the roads."For Americans who make the personal decision to travel for the holiday, it is important to know the risks involved and ways to keep yourself and others safe.

Be thankful for low gas prices for Thanksgiving holiday

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police in Omaha say a Black man has been shot to death by a police officer during a traffic stop in a southeastern neighborhood.

 Omaha Police Deputy Chief Ken Kanger says the shooting happened shortly after 7:30 p.m. Thursday when police stopped a vehicle carrying the man and three women. 

Kanger says officers ordered the man to get out of the car, and when he did, a struggle with police ensued. 

Kanger says an officer fired more than one shot at the man after police said they saw a weapon on him.

 The man was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police have not released the names of the man or officers involved.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police in Omaha say a Black man has been shot to death by a police officer during a traffic stop in a southeastern neighborhood. Omaha Police Deputy Chief Ken Kanger says the shooting happened shortly after 7:30 p.m. Thursday when police stopped a vehicle carrying the man and three women. Kanger says officers ordered the man to get out of the car, and when he did, a struggle with police ensued. Kanger says an officer fired more than one shot at the man after police said they saw a weapon on him. The man was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police have not released the names of the man or officers involved.

Police: Officer fatally shot man in Omaha traffic stop

Pfizer said Friday it is asking U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, starting the clock on a process that could bring limited first shots as early as next month and eventually an end to the pandemic -- but not until after a long, hard winter.

The action comes days after Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech announced that its vaccine appears 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease in a large, ongoing study.

The companies said that protection plus a good safety record means the vaccine should qualify for emergency use authorization, something the Food and Drug Administration can grant before the final testing is fully complete. In addition to Friday's FDA submission, they have already started “rolling” applications in Europe and the U.K. and intend to submit similar information soon.

With the coronavirus surging around the U.S. and the world, the pressure is on for regulators to make a speedy decision.

“Help is on the way,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert said on the eve of Pfizer's announcement, adding that it's too early to abandon masks and other protective measures. “We need to actually double down on the public health measures as we're waiting for that help to come.”

Friday’s filing sets off a chain of events as the FDA and its independent advisers debate if the shots are ready. If so, still another government group will have to decide how the initial limited supplies are rationed out to anxiously awaiting Americans.

How much vaccine is available and when is a moving target, but initial supplies will be scarce and rationed. About 25 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine may become available in December, 30 million in January and 35 million more in February and March, according to information presented to the National Academy of Medicine this week. Recipients will need two doses, three weeks apart.

Not far behind is competitor Moderna Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine. Its early data suggests the shots are as strong as Pfizer’s, and that company expects to also seek emergency authorization within weeks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604926559777.png" alt="Photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>BY LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical WriterPfizer said Friday it is asking U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, starting the clock on a process that could bring limited first shots as early as next month and eventually an end to the pandemic -- but not until after a long, hard winter.The action comes days after Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech announced that its vaccine appears 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease in a large, ongoing study.The companies said that protection plus a good safety record means the vaccine should qualify for emergency use authorization, something the Food and Drug Administration can grant before the final testing is fully complete. In addition to Friday's FDA submission, they have already started “rolling” applications in Europe and the U.K. and intend to submit similar information soon.With the coronavirus surging around the U.S. and the world, the pressure is on for regulators to make a speedy decision.“Help is on the way,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert said on the eve of Pfizer's announcement, adding that it's too early to abandon masks and other protective measures. “We need to actually double down on the public health measures as we're waiting for that help to come.”Friday’s filing sets off a chain of events as the FDA and its independent advisers debate if the shots are ready. If so, still another government group will have to decide how the initial limited supplies are rationed out to anxiously awaiting Americans.How much vaccine is available and when is a moving target, but initial supplies will be scarce and rationed. About 25 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine may become available in December, 30 million in January and 35 million more in February and March, according to information presented to the National Academy of Medicine this week. Recipients will need two doses, three weeks apart.Not far behind is competitor Moderna Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine. Its early data suggests the shots are as strong as Pfizer’s, and that company expects to also seek emergency authorization within weeks.Here’s what happens next:MAKING THE DATA PUBLICThe public’s first chance to see how strong the evidence really is will come in early December at a public meeting of the FDA’s scientific advisers.So far, what's known is based only on statements from Pfizer and BioNTech. Of 170 infections detected to date, only eight were among people who'd received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot. On the safety side, the companies cites results from 38,000 study participants who've been tracked for two months after their second dose. That's a milestone FDA set because historically, vaccine side effects don't crop up later than that.“We’ll drill down on these data,” said FDA adviser Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Think of it like science on trial. A few days before the meeting, the FDA will release its own internal analysis. That sets the stage for the advisers’ daylong debate about any signs of safety concerns and how the new vaccine technology works before rendering a verdict.They’ll recommend not just whether FDA should allow broader use of the vaccine generally but if so, for whom. For example, is there enough proof the vaccine works as well for older, sicker adults as for younger, healthier people?There’s still no guarantee. “We don’t know what that vote’s going to be,” said former FDA vaccine chief Norman Baylor.EMERGENCY USE ISN’T THE SAME AS FULL APPROVALIf there's an emergency green light, “that vaccine is still deemed investigational. It’s not approved yet,” Dr. Marion Gruber, chief of FDA’s vaccine office, told the National Academy of Medicine this week.That means anyone offered an emergency vaccination must get a “fact sheet” describing potential benefits and risks before going through with the shot, she said.There will be a lot of unknowns. For example, the 95% protection rate is based on people who developed symptoms and then were tested for the virus. Can the vaccinated get infected but have no symptoms, able to spread the virus? How long does protection last?That’s why the 44,000-person study needs to keep running -- something difficult considering ethically, participants given dummy shots at some point must be offered real vaccine, complicating the search for answers.And at least for now, pregnant women won't qualify because they weren't studied. Pfizer only recently began testing the vaccine in children as young as 12.A decision on Pfizer's vaccine won't affect other COVID-19 vaccine candidates in the pipeline, which will be judged separately.MANUFACTURINGBrewing vaccine is more complex than typical drug manufacturing, yet the millionth dose to roll out of Pfizer’s Kalamazoo, Michigan, factory must be the same purity and potency as every dose before and after.That means the FDA decision isn’t just based on study data, but on its determination that the vaccine is being made correctly.The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine -- and Moderna's shots -- are made with brand-new technology. They don’t contain the actual coronavirus. Instead, they’re made with a piece of genetic code for the “spike” protein that studs the virus.That messenger RNA, or mRNA, instructs the body to make some harmless spike protein, training immune cells to recognize it if the real virus eventually comes along.GETTING INTO PEOPLE’S ARMSAnother government group -- advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- decides who is first in line for scarce doses. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said he hopes that decision can be made at the same time as FDA’s.The Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed has worked with states to line up how many doses they’d need to cover the populations offered vaccine first.Pfizer will ship those supplies as ordered by the states -- only after FDA gives the OK.Company projections of how much it will ship each month are just predictions, Baylor warned.“It’s not like a pizza,” he said. Manufacturing is so complex that “you don’t necessarily end up with what you thought.”___