SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Trackers following coronavirus cases at South Dakota’s six higher education institutions shows 160 active positive cases overall and more than 600 additional people in isolation or quarantine. 

The numbers are posted to the schools’ websites as part of the South Dakota Board of Regents' effort to keep the public updated on the number of cases on the campuses. 

The tracker tool is based on self-reported cases from each of the colleges.

 The largest group of COVID-19 cases is at the University of South Dakota.

 The university has four active employee cases, 94 active student cases and 406 people in quarantine or isolation either at home or on campus.&nbsp;

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Trackers following coronavirus cases at South Dakota’s six higher education institutions shows 160 active positive cases overall and more than 600 additional people in isolation or quarantine. The numbers are posted to the schools’ websites as part of the South Dakota Board of Regents' effort to keep the public updated on the number of cases on the campuses. The tracker tool is based on self-reported cases from each of the colleges. The largest group of COVID-19 cases is at the University of South Dakota. The university has four active employee cases, 94 active student cases and 406 people in quarantine or isolation either at home or on campus.&nbsp;

160 positive COVID-19 cases on South Dakota college campuses

LONDON&nbsp; (AP)— The World Health Organization says countries should actively test people to find coronavirus cases, even if they have mild or no symptoms.

That’s despite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recently switched guidance to say asymptomatic contacts of cases don’t need to be tested.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for the coronavirus, says when officials are investigating clusters of COVID-19, “testing may need to be expanded to look for individuals who are on the more mild end of the spectrum or who may indeed be asymptomatic.”

Van Kerkhove says countries were free to adapt their testing guidance for their individual needs and its critical how fast countries get results.

“What’s really important is that testing is used as an opportunity, to define active cases so that they can be isolated and so that contact tracing can also take place,” Van Kerkhove said. “This is really fundamental to breaking chains of transmission.”

Earlier in the pandemic, WHO recommend that countries focus on “testing, testing, testing.”

Van Kerkhove also says wearing masks alone to protect against the spread of the coronavirus isn’t enough, expressing concerns that people are growing too lax on maintaining physical distancing.

“So it’s not just masks alone. It’s not just physical distancing alone,” Van Kerkhove said. “It’s not just hand cleaning alone. Do it all.”

LONDON&nbsp; (AP)— The World Health Organization says countries should actively test people to find coronavirus cases, even if they have mild or no symptoms.That’s despite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recently switched guidance to say asymptomatic contacts of cases don’t need to be tested.Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for the coronavirus, says when officials are investigating clusters of COVID-19, “testing may need to be expanded to look for individuals who are on the more mild end of the spectrum or who may indeed be asymptomatic.”Van Kerkhove says countries were free to adapt their testing guidance for their individual needs and its critical how fast countries get results.“What’s really important is that testing is used as an opportunity, to define active cases so that they can be isolated and so that contact tracing can also take place,” Van Kerkhove said. “This is really fundamental to breaking chains of transmission.”Earlier in the pandemic, WHO recommend that countries focus on “testing, testing, testing.”Van Kerkhove also says wearing masks alone to protect against the spread of the coronavirus isn’t enough, expressing concerns that people are growing too lax on maintaining physical distancing.“So it’s not just masks alone. It’s not just physical distancing alone,” Van Kerkhove said. “It’s not just hand cleaning alone. Do it all.”

WHO says test for virus, despite CDC's recent flip flop

LINCOLN, Neb. – Catchable-size rainbow trout were stocked in Gracie Creek Pond on Aug. 19 after the recent installation of a new fish screen at the outlet culvert.

Plans to resume regular seasonal stockings at the popular fishery located on the north side of Calamus Reservoir in Loup County should be welcoming to anglers. Trout will be stocked at a reduced rate of 600 fish per stocking for the foreseeable future.

The capacity of the pond has been reduced because of extensive sand deposited from March 2019 floods. Plans are being made to excavate or dredge to restore the pond and enhance the fishery potential.

Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA4MjcuMjYyMDgzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi8ifQ.DupgPykfcOfAyJtcmnWWBEUJcExt6u1o-cfBCgreApo/s/497221905/br/82902919137-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;for more information on fishing in Nebraska.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Catchable-size rainbow trout were stocked in Gracie Creek Pond on Aug. 19 after the recent installation of a new fish screen at the outlet culvert.Plans to resume regular seasonal stockings at the popular fishery located on the north side of Calamus Reservoir in Loup County should be welcoming to anglers. Trout will be stocked at a reduced rate of 600 fish per stocking for the foreseeable future.The capacity of the pond has been reduced because of extensive sand deposited from March 2019 floods. Plans are being made to excavate or dredge to restore the pond and enhance the fishery potential.Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA4MjcuMjYyMDgzODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vb3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLmdvdi8ifQ.DupgPykfcOfAyJtcmnWWBEUJcExt6u1o-cfBCgreApo/s/497221905/br/82902919137-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;for more information on fishing in Nebraska.

Rainbow trout stockings resume at Gracie Creek Pond

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A pedestrian was hit and killed Wednesday by a semitrailer along Interstate 80 in a southern part of Omaha, police there said.

The crash happened around 4:15 a.m. Thursday in the westbound lanes of the interstate near 60th Street, police said. The identity of the victim had not been released by late Thursday morning, nor had police said why the person was on the interstate.

The crash closed a stretch of I-80's westbound lanes for several hours while police investigated.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A pedestrian was hit and killed Wednesday by a semitrailer along Interstate 80 in a southern part of Omaha, police there said.The crash happened around 4:15 a.m. Thursday in the westbound lanes of the interstate near 60th Street, police said. The identity of the victim had not been released by late Thursday morning, nor had police said why the person was on the interstate.The crash closed a stretch of I-80's westbound lanes for several hours while police investigated.

Police: Pedestrian hit, killed by semi on I-80 in Omaha

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 38-year-old woman is accused of a hate crime after allegedly telling a Lincoln man of Middle Eastern descent he couldn't watch people racing in the street because he was not a white American.

 Lincoln officer Erin Spilker says the investigation began in July after the 23-year-old man suffered “significant” injuries when he was beaten by several man.

 The woman, who reportedly was heard making “hateful” comments about the man's race, was cited this week with assault and hate intimidation. 

The man who was beaten was cited for disturbing the peace because he got out of his vehicle to fight. 

Two other men also were cited for disturbing the peace.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 38-year-old woman is accused of a hate crime after allegedly telling a Lincoln man of Middle Eastern descent he couldn't watch people racing in the street because he was not a white American. Lincoln officer Erin Spilker says the investigation began in July after the 23-year-old man suffered “significant” injuries when he was beaten by several man. The woman, who reportedly was heard making “hateful” comments about the man's race, was cited this week with assault and hate intimidation. The man who was beaten was cited for disturbing the peace because he got out of his vehicle to fight. Two other men also were cited for disturbing the peace.

Woman cited for hate crime in Lincoln in July confrontation

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Police have identified the two victims found fatally shot in a park in western South Dakota earlier this week. 

Authorities say 26-year-old Charles Red Willow, a local man, and 29-year-old Ashley Nagy, of Greeley, Colorado, were found dead from multiple gunshots in Thomson Park in Rapid City Monday night. 

Investigators believe the two knew the shooter, but a suspect hasn’t been identified. 

They say evidence at the scene leads them to believe the shooting was drug-related. 

Police have declined to say what evidence was found.&nbsp;

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Police have identified the two victims found fatally shot in a park in western South Dakota earlier this week. Authorities say 26-year-old Charles Red Willow, a local man, and 29-year-old Ashley Nagy, of Greeley, Colorado, were found dead from multiple gunshots in Thomson Park in Rapid City Monday night. Investigators believe the two knew the shooter, but a suspect hasn’t been identified. They say evidence at the scene leads them to believe the shooting was drug-related. Police have declined to say what evidence was found.&nbsp;

Victims of fatal park shooting in Rapid City identified

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln police officer is in critical condition after he was shot while attempting to arrest a 17-year-old in connection with a homicide. 

Police say they arrested two suspects shortly after the shooting on Wednesday morning, and identified the 17-year-old as Felipe Vazquez. 

Lincoln police say the officer was trying to execute an arrest warrant for Vazquez on a second-degree assault charge tied to the March stabbing death of 36-year-old Edward Varejcka. 

Authorities have tied at least three people to Varejcka’s death. 

The officer who was shot, a 23-year veteran, underwent surgery Wednesday afternoon.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln police officer is in critical condition after he was shot while attempting to arrest a 17-year-old in connection with a homicide. Police say they arrested two suspects shortly after the shooting on Wednesday morning, and identified the 17-year-old as Felipe Vazquez. Lincoln police say the officer was trying to execute an arrest warrant for Vazquez on a second-degree assault charge tied to the March stabbing death of 36-year-old Edward Varejcka. Authorities have tied at least three people to Varejcka’s death. The officer who was shot, a 23-year veteran, underwent surgery Wednesday afternoon. Police haven't released his name.

Lincoln police officer shot trying to arrest 17-year-old

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials sparked criticism and confusion after posting guidelines on coronavirus testing from the White House task force that run counter to what scientists say is necessary to control the pandemic.

The new guidance says it’s not necessary for people who have been in close contact with infected people, but don’t feel sick, to get tested. It was posted earlier this week on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC previously had advised local health departments to test people who have been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes.

Across the country, public health experts called the change bizarre. They noted that testing contacts of infected people is a core element of public health efforts to keep outbreaks in check, and that a large percentage of infected people — the CDC has said as many as 40% — exhibit no symptoms.

“The recommendation not to test asymptomatic people who likely have been exposed is not in accord with the science,” said John Auerbach, president of Trust for America’s Health, a nonprofit that works to improve U.S. preparedness against disease.

“We are seeking clarification from CDC about its recent guidance around testing,” said a spokesman for Michigan’s health department.

Federal officials said the new recommendation was issued by consensus of the White House virus task force.

However, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert and perhaps the best known task force member, said Wednesday he wasn’t part of the discussion that green-lighted the change.

Fauci told CNN he was undergoing surgery when the new guidance was discussed last week, adding he was “worried it will give people the incorrect assumption that asymptomatic spread is not of great concern. In fact it is.”

The American Medical Association, in a statement, called the change “a recipe for community spread.” The Association of American Medical Colleges called it “a step backward in fighting the pandemic.”

Some officials — including some state governors — said it was another sign of a dysfunctional federal response to the pandemic.

“This is like a public health version of Vietnam,” said Brian Castrucci, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, which works to strengthen the public health system.

CDC officials referred all media questions to the agency’s parent organization, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. That suggests that HHS ordered the change, not CDC, said Jennifer Nuzzo, a Johns Hopkins University public health researcher.

After Twitter lit up with head-scratching and alarm about the change, HHS officials sent an email Wednesday saying the guidance was revised “to reflect current evidence and the best public health interventions,” but did not detail what the new evidence was.

The decision came out of meetings of the White House coronavirus task force, HHS officials said.

In a call with reporters, Dr. Brett Giroir, the HHS assistant secretary for health, said guidance language originated at the CDC. But he also said many federal leaders outside the agency were involved in “lots of editing, lots of input.” He said federal officials achieved consensus but it was difficult to attribute the final language to any one source.

Ultimately, restricting testing could be self-defeating, because it could skew the numbers and create a perception that rates of infection are higher. Testing people who appear to be healthy would tend to lower the overall rate of positive results, while narrowing testing to people who are sick would raise the overall positive rate, Auerbach said.

Why HHS would order such a change quickly became a matter of speculation. Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious diseases specialist at Emory University, suggested in a tweet that there are two possible explanations.

One is that it may be driven by testing supply issues that in many parts of the country have caused widely reported delays in results of a week or more, he suggested.

HHS officials suggested that wasn’t the reason, arguing that testing capacity is plentiful.

But Dr. Mysheika Roberts, health commissioner for Columbus, Ohio, said the city had to curtail testing last month because of a shortage of reagents used in lab procedures.

“When we were testing asymptomatic people here in Columbus, we were picking up a large number of individuals” with the virus, she said

Another possible explanation for the change is that President Donald Trump simply wants to see case counts drop, and discouraging more people from getting tested is one way to do it, del Rio said in his tweet.

Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/VirusOutbreak">Virus Outbreak</a>

Giroir said the change was made without input from Trump or Vice President Mike Pence. “There was no weight on the scales by the president or the vice president” or HHS Secretary Alex Azar, Giroir said.

Dr. Tom Frieden, who was head of the CDC during the Obama administration, said the move follows another recent change: to no longer recommend quarantine for travelers coming from areas where infections are more common.

“Both changes are highly problematic” and need to be better explained, said Frieden, who now is president of Resolve to Save Lives, a nonprofit program that works to prevent epidemics.

Frieden said he, too, believes HHS forced CDC to post the changes. He called it “a sad day” because “CDC is being told what to write on their website.”

The governors of California, New York, Washington and Kentucky — all Democrats — criticized the new recommendations.

Washington Gov Jay Inslee said on Twitter that the changes likely will cause thousands of infections in his state to go unrecognized, and allow the virus to spread even more. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called the new guidance “reckless.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said their states will not follow the new guidance.

“We will not be influenced by that change,” Newsom said. “We’re influenced by the folks that are experts in the field who feel very differently.”

“Why would you reverse yourself on the quarantine order?” Cuomo told reporters on a conference call. “Because they don’t want publicity that there is a COVID problem. Because the president’s politics are, ‘COVID isn’t a problem We’re past COVID.’”

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials sparked criticism and confusion after posting guidelines on coronavirus testing from the White House task force that run counter to what scientists say is necessary to control the pandemic.The new guidance says it’s not necessary for people who have been in close contact with infected people, but don’t feel sick, to get tested. It was posted earlier this week on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The CDC previously had advised local health departments to test people who have been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes.Across the country, public health experts called the change bizarre. They noted that testing contacts of infected people is a core element of public health efforts to keep outbreaks in check, and that a large percentage of infected people — the CDC has said as many as 40% — exhibit no symptoms.“The recommendation not to test asymptomatic people who likely have been exposed is not in accord with the science,” said John Auerbach, president of Trust for America’s Health, a nonprofit that works to improve U.S. preparedness against disease.“We are seeking clarification from CDC about its recent guidance around testing,” said a spokesman for Michigan’s health department.Federal officials said the new recommendation was issued by consensus of the White House virus task force.However, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert and perhaps the best known task force member, said Wednesday he wasn’t part of the discussion that green-lighted the change.Fauci told CNN he was undergoing surgery when the new guidance was discussed last week, adding he was “worried it will give people the incorrect assumption that asymptomatic spread is not of great concern. In fact it is.”The American Medical Association, in a statement, called the change “a recipe for community spread.” The Association of American Medical Colleges called it “a step backward in fighting the pandemic.”Some officials — including some state governors — said it was another sign of a dysfunctional federal response to the pandemic.“This is like a public health version of Vietnam,” said Brian Castrucci, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, which works to strengthen the public health system.CDC officials referred all media questions to the agency’s parent organization, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. That suggests that HHS ordered the change, not CDC, said Jennifer Nuzzo, a Johns Hopkins University public health researcher.After Twitter lit up with head-scratching and alarm about the change, HHS officials sent an email Wednesday saying the guidance was revised “to reflect current evidence and the best public health interventions,” but did not detail what the new evidence was.The decision came out of meetings of the White House coronavirus task force, HHS officials said.In a call with reporters, Dr. Brett Giroir, the HHS assistant secretary for health, said guidance language originated at the CDC. But he also said many federal leaders outside the agency were involved in “lots of editing, lots of input.” He said federal officials achieved consensus but it was difficult to attribute the final language to any one source.Ultimately, restricting testing could be self-defeating, because it could skew the numbers and create a perception that rates of infection are higher. Testing people who appear to be healthy would tend to lower the overall rate of positive results, while narrowing testing to people who are sick would raise the overall positive rate, Auerbach said.Why HHS would order such a change quickly became a matter of speculation. Dr. Carlos del Rio, an infectious diseases specialist at Emory University, suggested in a tweet that there are two possible explanations.One is that it may be driven by testing supply issues that in many parts of the country have caused widely reported delays in results of a week or more, he suggested.HHS officials suggested that wasn’t the reason, arguing that testing capacity is plentiful.But Dr. Mysheika Roberts, health commissioner for Columbus, Ohio, said the city had to curtail testing last month because of a shortage of reagents used in lab procedures.“When we were testing asymptomatic people here in Columbus, we were picking up a large number of individuals” with the virus, she saidAnother possible explanation for the change is that President Donald Trump simply wants to see case counts drop, and discouraging more people from getting tested is one way to do it, del Rio said in his tweet.Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/VirusOutbreak">Virus Outbreak</a>Giroir said the change was made without input from Trump or Vice President Mike Pence. “There was no weight on the scales by the president or the vice president” or HHS Secretary Alex Azar, Giroir said.Dr. Tom Frieden, who was head of the CDC during the Obama administration, said the move follows another recent change: to no longer recommend quarantine for travelers coming from areas where infections are more common.“Both changes are highly problematic” and need to be better explained, said Frieden, who now is president of Resolve to Save Lives, a nonprofit program that works to prevent epidemics.Frieden said he, too, believes HHS forced CDC to post the changes. He called it “a sad day” because “CDC is being told what to write on their website.”The governors of California, New York, Washington and Kentucky — all Democrats — criticized the new recommendations.Washington Gov Jay Inslee said on Twitter that the changes likely will cause thousands of infections in his state to go unrecognized, and allow the virus to spread even more. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called the new guidance “reckless.”California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said their states will not follow the new guidance.“We will not be influenced by that change,” Newsom said. “We’re influenced by the folks that are experts in the field who feel very differently.”“Why would you reverse yourself on the quarantine order?” Cuomo told reporters on a conference call. “Because they don’t want publicity that there is a COVID problem. Because the president’s politics are, ‘COVID isn’t a problem We’re past COVID.’”___

Officials change COVID testing advice, bewildering experts

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — All three NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed, with players around the league choosing to boycott in their strongest statement yet against racial injustice. 

Called off: Games between Milwaukee and Orlando, Houston and Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland. The NBA said all three games would be rescheduled, yet did not say when. The dramatic series of moves began when the Bucks — the NBA’s team from Wisconsin, a state rocked in recent days by the shooting by police officers of Jacob Blake, a Black man — didn’t take the floor for their game against the Magic.

&nbsp;Former Kansas Jayhawk Frank Mason, is a member of the Bucks.&nbsp;

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — NBA players made their strongest statement yet against racial injustice when the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t take the floor for their scheduled playoff game against the Orlando Magic. 

The teams were set to begin Game 5 of their series shortly after 4 p.m. EST, with the Bucks needing a win to advance to the second round. Players had been discussing boycotting games in the bubble after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 

More discussions were expected Wednesday, but even before that the Bucks apparently decided they would act. Magic players and referees were on the floor for the game but Milwaukee never took the floor.&nbsp; Former Kansas Jayhawk Frank Mason, is a member of the Bucks.&nbsp;

Following the Bucks decision, the other two playoff games Houston vs. Oklahoma City and Los Angeles vs. Portland have been postponed, according to the NBA.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — All three NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed, with players around the league choosing to boycott in their strongest statement yet against racial injustice. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;It is a great challenge to have an appreciation and a desire to want change. To want something different and better in Kenosha, Milwaukee and Wisconsin and then to go out and play a game.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/BCmHZdFf1P">pic.twitter.com/BCmHZdFf1P</a>&mdash; Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/1298706183499513859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Called off: Games between Milwaukee and Orlando, Houston and Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland. The NBA said all three games would be rescheduled, yet did not say when. The dramatic series of moves began when the Bucks — the NBA’s team from Wisconsin, a state rocked in recent days by the shooting by police officers of Jacob Blake, a Black man — didn’t take the floor for their game against the Magic.&nbsp;Former Kansas Jayhawk Frank Mason, is a member of the Bucks.&nbsp;LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — NBA players made their strongest statement yet against racial injustice when the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t take the floor for their scheduled playoff game against the Orlando Magic. The teams were set to begin Game 5 of their series shortly after 4 p.m. EST, with the Bucks needing a win to advance to the second round. Players had been discussing boycotting games in the bubble after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. More discussions were expected Wednesday, but even before that the Bucks apparently decided they would act. Magic players and referees were on the floor for the game but Milwaukee never took the floor.&nbsp; Former Kansas Jayhawk Frank Mason, is a member of the Bucks.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The NBA and the NBPA today announced that in light of the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to not take the floor today for Game 5 against the Orlando Magic, today’s three games – MIL-ORL, HOU-OKC and LAL-POR have been postponed. Game 5 of each series will be rescheduled.&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1298729514403594240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Following the Bucks decision, the other two playoff games Houston vs. Oklahoma City and Los Angeles vs. Portland have been postponed, according to the NBA.

Boycott: NBA playoff games called off amid player protest

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota universities have reported nearly 100 cases of coronavirus cases among students and staff.

 The University of South Dakota reported the highest number of people affected by the coronavirus, with 61 active cases and 331 people in quarantine. 

Four other public universities reported cases among students and staff, with a total of 38 cases.

  The Argus Leader reports that the Board of Regents launched the dashboards to provide a real-time look at case numbers. 

The Department of Health is giving a weekly report on the number of cases in schools and universities statewide, but will not provide a breakdown by school or district.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota universities have reported nearly 100 cases of coronavirus cases among students and staff. The University of South Dakota reported the highest number of people affected by the coronavirus, with 61 active cases and 331 people in quarantine. Four other public universities reported cases among students and staff, with a total of 38 cases. The Argus Leader reports that the Board of Regents launched the dashboards to provide a real-time look at case numbers. The Department of Health is giving a weekly report on the number of cases in schools and universities statewide, but will not provide a breakdown by school or district.

South Dakota universities report over 90 COVID-19 cases

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Police in Texas arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of carrying out the July shooting deaths of two people outside an Omaha motel, police in Omaha said.

John Parks Sr. was arrested in Dallas on Nebraska warrants charging him with first-degree murder and other counts in the July 30 deaths of Nicole Hatten, 36, and Michael Harbour, 35. Both were shot down outside a Best Western motel in southwestern Omaha.

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

Police have not given a motive for the shootings.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Police in Texas arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of carrying out the July shooting deaths of two people outside an Omaha motel, police in Omaha said.John Parks Sr. was arrested in Dallas on Nebraska warrants charging him with first-degree murder and other counts in the July 30 deaths of Nicole Hatten, 36, and Michael Harbour, 35. Both were shot down outside a Best Western motel in southwestern Omaha.Officers called to the motel found Hatten and Harbour with gunshot wounds, and both were declared dead at the scene.Police have not given a motive for the shootings.

Police announce arrest in killing of 2 outside Omaha motel

The University of Nebraska will receive a $5 million gift to create a new program to address some of Nebraska’s most pressing public health issues associated with water and climate.

The Water, Climate and Health program will be based in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health and brings together experts from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska to conduct research and disseminate information on environmental issues related to water, climate and health.&nbsp;

Anne Hubbard, a retired physician, alumna of UNMC and member of the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Directors, has made a $5 million gift commitment to the University of Nebraska Foundation through her family’s foundation, the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation, to create the program.

“Until the pandemic, public health did not get much publicity, and it is significantly underfunded,” Hubbard said. “The idea of public health is to prevent disease instead of just treat it. I decided to focus on water quality after learning more about diseases in Nebraska that may be related to water. The University of Nebraska is doing important work in water quality and climate change. Human health is significantly affected by our environment. As we make the disease-environment connection, are there things we can do about it?”

Dr. Hubbard said she was particularly interested in the university’s ability to draw experts together from UNMC’s College of Public Health, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, to address these issues.

The Water, Climate and Health program will work in three main capacities:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bring diverse university experts together to solve complex issues;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Find technical and policy solutions to improve the environment for better human health; and

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide experiences for students studying these issues.

Research topics the program could address include:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Links between the state’s water quality and pediatric cancer and birth defects;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Health outcomes related to Nebraska’s flooding;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The impact of technology, such as precision application of nitrogen fertilizer on soil and water quality; and

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mapping of at-risk populations and environmental exposures in the state.

“These are all issues that affect people around the globe,” Dr. Hubbard said.

“Dr. Hubbard’s gift to the College of Public Health and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute is&nbsp;transformational in nature and will directly impact the health of people in the state, region and nationally,” said Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, Dean, UNMC College of Public Health. “Her gift&nbsp;will allow us to look at the spectrum of&nbsp;environmental issues at the nexus of water and health. All the way from what is happening in the environment that are the sources of our water&nbsp;to its health impacts on humans. We also will ensure we are sustainably looking at how water use occurs in our state and beyond.”

Dr. Hubbard’s gift not only provides program start-up funds but also will make possible a named professorship and support graduate and professional students who are conducting research in water, climate and health. The student support funds are being matched by a gift from the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation, which will allow more students to receive research stipends. The gift also is meant to fund outreach to Nebraska middle and high school students and educators, to engage them in issues of public health and the environment and inspire them to pursue a career in public health.

Mike Boehm, PhD, NU vice-president for agriculture and natural resources and IANR Harlan vice-chancellor at UNL, said the gift would help students build valuable, interdisciplinary relationships early in their careers.

“This gift makes it possible for students interested in public health to work alongside students studying water quality and climate and a host of other interrelated issues,” Boehm said. “These students will be tomorrow’s practitioners and leaders, and will begin their careers with a broad understanding of the interconnectedness of water, climate and health, along with deep connections to their peers across these fields. That’s the true power of this gift.”

Jesse Bell, Ph.D., an expert in public environmental health and environmental science, has been named as the director for the new program and will hold the Claire M. Hubbard Professorship of Water, Climate and Health. Dr. Bell is currently an associate professor of health environment in the UNMC College of Public Health. With his appointment as the program director, Dr. Bell also will assume a leadership position within the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.

“Water quality and its effect on public health is one of DWFI’s top five areas of focus,” said&nbsp;DWFI’s Executive Director, Peter G. McCornick. “We are very pleased to welcome Jesse Bell to our leadership team, as his expertise in connecting the effects of water quality and climate change on public health is a tremendous addition to our capabilities. Dr. Hubbard’s generous gift will foster collaboration and accelerate progress in ensuring health and quality of life under changing conditions here in Nebraska and beyond and achieving our mission of a water and food secure world.”

Dr. Hubbard encouraged other donors to&nbsp;<a href="https://nufoundation.org/give/institutes/robert-b-daughtery-water-for-food-global-institute/" target="_blank">take advantage of the matching gift</a>&nbsp;offer from the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation, as she did, to provide more financial support for students interested in studying Nebraska’s water, climate and health. Matching funds are available through 2020.

Brian Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation, said, “Anne Hubbard cares deeply not only about Nebraska, its people and natural resources, but about our planet. Her gift will support scientific research that will lead to a healthier state for all of us to live, work and play.”

The University of Nebraska will receive a $5 million gift to create a new program to address some of Nebraska’s most pressing public health issues associated with water and climate.The Water, Climate and Health program will be based in the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health and brings together experts from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska to conduct research and disseminate information on environmental issues related to water, climate and health.&nbsp;Anne Hubbard, a retired physician, alumna of UNMC and member of the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Directors, has made a $5 million gift commitment to the University of Nebraska Foundation through her family’s foundation, the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation, to create the program.“Until the pandemic, public health did not get much publicity, and it is significantly underfunded,” Hubbard said. “The idea of public health is to prevent disease instead of just treat it. I decided to focus on water quality after learning more about diseases in Nebraska that may be related to water. The University of Nebraska is doing important work in water quality and climate change. Human health is significantly affected by our environment. As we make the disease-environment connection, are there things we can do about it?”Dr. Hubbard said she was particularly interested in the university’s ability to draw experts together from UNMC’s College of Public Health, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, to address these issues.The Water, Climate and Health program will work in three main capacities:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bring diverse university experts together to solve complex issues;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Find technical and policy solutions to improve the environment for better human health; and·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provide experiences for students studying these issues.Research topics the program could address include:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Links between the state’s water quality and pediatric cancer and birth defects;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Health outcomes related to Nebraska’s flooding;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The impact of technology, such as precision application of nitrogen fertilizer on soil and water quality; and·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mapping of at-risk populations and environmental exposures in the state.“These are all issues that affect people around the globe,” Dr. Hubbard said.“Dr. Hubbard’s gift to the College of Public Health and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute is&nbsp;transformational in nature and will directly impact the health of people in the state, region and nationally,” said Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, Dean, UNMC College of Public Health. “Her gift&nbsp;will allow us to look at the spectrum of&nbsp;environmental issues at the nexus of water and health. All the way from what is happening in the environment that are the sources of our water&nbsp;to its health impacts on humans. We also will ensure we are sustainably looking at how water use occurs in our state and beyond.”Dr. Hubbard’s gift not only provides program start-up funds but also will make possible a named professorship and support graduate and professional students who are conducting research in water, climate and health. The student support funds are being matched by a gift from the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation, which will allow more students to receive research stipends. The gift also is meant to fund outreach to Nebraska middle and high school students and educators, to engage them in issues of public health and the environment and inspire them to pursue a career in public health.Mike Boehm, PhD, NU vice-president for agriculture and natural resources and IANR Harlan vice-chancellor at UNL, said the gift would help students build valuable, interdisciplinary relationships early in their careers.“This gift makes it possible for students interested in public health to work alongside students studying water quality and climate and a host of other interrelated issues,” Boehm said. “These students will be tomorrow’s practitioners and leaders, and will begin their careers with a broad understanding of the interconnectedness of water, climate and health, along with deep connections to their peers across these fields. That’s the true power of this gift.”Jesse Bell, Ph.D., an expert in public environmental health and environmental science, has been named as the director for the new program and will hold the Claire M. Hubbard Professorship of Water, Climate and Health. Dr. Bell is currently an associate professor of health environment in the UNMC College of Public Health. With his appointment as the program director, Dr. Bell also will assume a leadership position within the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.“Water quality and its effect on public health is one of DWFI’s top five areas of focus,” said&nbsp;DWFI’s Executive Director, Peter G. McCornick. “We are very pleased to welcome Jesse Bell to our leadership team, as his expertise in connecting the effects of water quality and climate change on public health is a tremendous addition to our capabilities. Dr. Hubbard’s generous gift will foster collaboration and accelerate progress in ensuring health and quality of life under changing conditions here in Nebraska and beyond and achieving our mission of a water and food secure world.”Dr. Hubbard encouraged other donors to&nbsp;<a href="https://nufoundation.org/give/institutes/robert-b-daughtery-water-for-food-global-institute/" target="_blank">take advantage of the matching gift</a>&nbsp;offer from the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation, as she did, to provide more financial support for students interested in studying Nebraska’s water, climate and health. Matching funds are available through 2020.Brian Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation, said, “Anne Hubbard cares deeply not only about Nebraska, its people and natural resources, but about our planet. Her gift will support scientific research that will lead to a healthier state for all of us to live, work and play.”

Univ. of Nebraska receives $5 million gift to create program on water, climate and health

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police have revised a policy on arresting protesters following the mass arrest of more than 100 peaceful protesters last month. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Mayor Jean Stothert unveiled the policy change during a news conference Tuesday to discuss coronavirus relief funding.

 Stothert said the revised policy requires officers to use body cameras to get pictures of each individual they arrest rather than doing mass arrests.

 The mass arrest on July 25 was criticized not only because protesters were peaceful, but because those arrested were held for hours in an already crowded jail plagued by a COVID-19 outbreak.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha police have revised a policy on arresting protesters following the mass arrest of more than 100 peaceful protesters last month. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Mayor Jean Stothert unveiled the policy change during a news conference Tuesday to discuss coronavirus relief funding. Stothert said the revised policy requires officers to use body cameras to get pictures of each individual they arrest rather than doing mass arrests. The mass arrest on July 25 was criticized not only because protesters were peaceful, but because those arrested were held for hours in an already crowded jail plagued by a COVID-19 outbreak.

Omaha police revise policy following mass protester arrest

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln Public Schools has reported two new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 10 since the beginning of the school year. 

The Lincoln Journal Star says the new cases were confirmed at Lux and Moore middle schools, which notified parents in a message.

 School officials say they’re trying to trace where the cases originated and identify others who were exposed. 

School officials wouldn’t say whether the positive cases were students, staff or visitors. 

Anyone deemed a high-risk contact will be told to self-quarantine. 

High-risk contact occurs when people are less than 6 feet apart for more than 15 minutes without masks.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln Public Schools has reported two new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 10 since the beginning of the school year. The Lincoln Journal Star says the new cases were confirmed at Lux and Moore middle schools, which notified parents in a message. School officials say they’re trying to trace where the cases originated and identify others who were exposed. School officials wouldn’t say whether the positive cases were students, staff or visitors. Anyone deemed a high-risk contact will be told to self-quarantine. High-risk contact occurs when people are less than 6 feet apart for more than 15 minutes without masks.

Lincoln Public Schools report 2 more coronavirus cases

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Officials say two outbreaks of the coronavirus in the Wyoming county of Fremont, just southeast of Yellowstone National Park, were tied to churches. 

The exact number of confirmed cases is uncertain. 

Fremont County spokesman Michael Jones said the first cluster had anywhere between 10 and 30 confirmed coronavirus cases. 

Jones said the second church was hosting a camp. Officials are currently investigating the church and contact tracing possible infections. 

The Casper Star-Tribune reports Fremont County has had 506 confirmed coronavirus cases since March. 

The county accounts for more than a third of the state’s overall death toll of 37 with 13 deaths.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Officials say two outbreaks of the coronavirus in the Wyoming county of Fremont, just southeast of Yellowstone National Park, were tied to churches. The exact number of confirmed cases is uncertain. Fremont County spokesman Michael Jones said the first cluster had anywhere between 10 and 30 confirmed coronavirus cases. Jones said the second church was hosting a camp. Officials are currently investigating the church and contact tracing possible infections. The Casper Star-Tribune reports Fremont County has had 506 confirmed coronavirus cases since March. The county accounts for more than a third of the state’s overall death toll of 37 with 13 deaths.

Two coronavirus outbreaks in Wyoming tied to churches

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling — a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing but also insufficient testing — even as the disease continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the U.S. each day.

About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21% from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. While the U.S., India and Brazil still have the highest numbers of new cases in the world, the downward trend is encouraging.

“It’s profoundly hopeful news,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious-diseases expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who credits the American public’s growing understanding of how the virus spreads, more mask-wearing and, possibly, an increasing level of immunity.

“Hopefully all those factors are coming into play to get this virus under control in this country that’s really been battered by the pandemic,” she said.

But insufficient testing is probably concealing the full extent of the crisis, said Dr. Jonathan Quick, who leads the pandemic response for the Rockefeller Foundation, which has recommended the U.S. test 4 million people a day by fall.

“We’re grossly under-testing in some of the places that are still having high caseloads,” Quick said, singling out Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and North Dakota as hot spots with high rates of positive test results.

Even at 43,000 new cases per day, the U.S. remains far above the numbers seen during the spring, when new daily cases peaked at about 34,000, he said.

“It’s a good trend, but nowhere near what we need to be,” Quick said of the recent decline.

The virus is blamed for more than 5.7 million confirmed infections and about 178,000 deaths in the U.S. Worldwide, the death toll is put at more than 810,000, with about 23.7 million cases.

Jeffrey Shaman, a public health expert at Columbia University, said he is skeptical enough people are immune to significantly slow the spread. But he agreed that changes in Americans’ behavior could well be making a difference, recalling the impact that people’s actions had in containing Ebola in West Africa several years ago.

“Ebola stopped for reasons we didn’t anticipate at the time. It was so horrifying that people stopped touching each other,” Shaman said. Something similar may be happening with the coronavirus, he said.

“I know I don’t have nearly the number of contacts that I used to,” Shaman said. “But if we relax that, if we get complacent, will we just see another outbreak?”

The decline in newly reported cases in the U.S. comes even as deaths from the virus remain alarmingly high. Over the past two weeks, officials have reported an average of 965 deaths a day from COVID-19, down from 1,051 a day in early August.

Deaths from the coronavirus are a lagging indicator — they trail new infections because of the time it takes for people to get sick and succumb to the disease.

The percentage of tests coming back positive for the disease has also declined over the past two weeks, from 7.3% to 6.1%. But that comes as the total number of tests administered has fallen from its August peak of more than 820,000 a day, leveling off in recent weeks at about 690,000 a day.

The situation has improved dramatically in several states that struggled with high caseloads earlier this summer.

In Arizona, for example, officials reported 859 new cases Tuesday, down from a peak of 5,500 in late June. More than 2,000 people arrived at the state’s hospitals showing symptoms of the virus on a single day in early July. This week, that number has been less than 1,000.

In Florida, where more than 10,000 people have died, the state reported 2,600 new virus cases Tuesday. Earlier in the summer, it was regularly reporting more than 10,000 new cases.

Malinda Coler, 37, of San Francisco, said she has been diligent about mask wearing and other preventive measures, less to protect herself than a best friend who has a compromised immune system, with severe arthritis psoriasis.

“So I wear a damned mask and get infuriated when others don’t,” she said.

Most states now have some type of mask requirement, either through statewide orders issued by governors or from city and county rules that cover most of their population.

Even some conservative governors have gone along with masks. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves mandated masks in all public places earlier this month, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp dropped a lawsuit against Atlanta in a dispute over a requirement by the state’s largest city.

In Leeds, Alabama, Will Heath said he has seen greater adherence to mask rules around town, whether in stores or at his 5-year-old daughter’s cheerleading practice.

He and his wife, a nurse, have worn masks all along but said the attitude among others has shifted from “Even if I get it, I’ll be OK,” to “Let’s make sure we don’t give it to somebody else.”

“We have all been sort of operating under the assumption that we all have it or we’re going to get it eventually. So we want to make sure we don’t spread it,” Heath said.

Many places around the U.S. are seeing pockets of contagion, especially in college towns where students are holding parties and crowding into bars.

Over the past week, 531 students, faculty and staff at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa have tested positive for the virus, according to the school. Alabama said it tested nearly 30,000 students before classes began. The mayor of Tuscaloosa shut down bars for two weeks because of the spike, which could derail plans to continue the semester on campus.

The university is still moving ahead with fall sports in the football-crazed state, with plans to allow only about 20,000 fans at its 101,000-capacity stadium and a ban on tailgating. Coach Nick Saban weighed in on the virus Monday, urging people to wear masks.

“It’s not just about football. So, for people to make the right choices and decisions to wear their masks, do the things when they’re out publicly, respect the rules, respect the virus, that’s important,” he said.

It’s not clear what will happen to case numbers as more school districts bring students back to classrooms and colleges reopen their campuses. In recent weeks, schools including the University of North Carolina, Michigan State and Notre Dame have moved instruction online after outbreaks on their campuses.

Officials at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville said four students are facing disciplinary proceedings after three hosted off-campus parties with no mask or other distancing and another left isolation to meet with others despite testing positive for the virus.

“If the facts reported to the university are accurate, these students will face at least suspension from the university, and potentially greater penalties,” Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590784947764.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling — a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing but also insufficient testing — even as the disease continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the U.S. each day.About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21% from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. While the U.S., India and Brazil still have the highest numbers of new cases in the world, the downward trend is encouraging.“It’s profoundly hopeful news,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious-diseases expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who credits the American public’s growing understanding of how the virus spreads, more mask-wearing and, possibly, an increasing level of immunity.“Hopefully all those factors are coming into play to get this virus under control in this country that’s really been battered by the pandemic,” she said.But insufficient testing is probably concealing the full extent of the crisis, said Dr. Jonathan Quick, who leads the pandemic response for the Rockefeller Foundation, which has recommended the U.S. test 4 million people a day by fall.“We’re grossly under-testing in some of the places that are still having high caseloads,” Quick said, singling out Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and North Dakota as hot spots with high rates of positive test results.Even at 43,000 new cases per day, the U.S. remains far above the numbers seen during the spring, when new daily cases peaked at about 34,000, he said.“It’s a good trend, but nowhere near what we need to be,” Quick said of the recent decline.The virus is blamed for more than 5.7 million confirmed infections and about 178,000 deaths in the U.S. Worldwide, the death toll is put at more than 810,000, with about 23.7 million cases.Jeffrey Shaman, a public health expert at Columbia University, said he is skeptical enough people are immune to significantly slow the spread. But he agreed that changes in Americans’ behavior could well be making a difference, recalling the impact that people’s actions had in containing Ebola in West Africa several years ago.“Ebola stopped for reasons we didn’t anticipate at the time. It was so horrifying that people stopped touching each other,” Shaman said. Something similar may be happening with the coronavirus, he said.“I know I don’t have nearly the number of contacts that I used to,” Shaman said. “But if we relax that, if we get complacent, will we just see another outbreak?”The decline in newly reported cases in the U.S. comes even as deaths from the virus remain alarmingly high. Over the past two weeks, officials have reported an average of 965 deaths a day from COVID-19, down from 1,051 a day in early August.Deaths from the coronavirus are a lagging indicator — they trail new infections because of the time it takes for people to get sick and succumb to the disease.The percentage of tests coming back positive for the disease has also declined over the past two weeks, from 7.3% to 6.1%. But that comes as the total number of tests administered has fallen from its August peak of more than 820,000 a day, leveling off in recent weeks at about 690,000 a day.The situation has improved dramatically in several states that struggled with high caseloads earlier this summer.In Arizona, for example, officials reported 859 new cases Tuesday, down from a peak of 5,500 in late June. More than 2,000 people arrived at the state’s hospitals showing symptoms of the virus on a single day in early July. This week, that number has been less than 1,000.In Florida, where more than 10,000 people have died, the state reported 2,600 new virus cases Tuesday. Earlier in the summer, it was regularly reporting more than 10,000 new cases.Malinda Coler, 37, of San Francisco, said she has been diligent about mask wearing and other preventive measures, less to protect herself than a best friend who has a compromised immune system, with severe arthritis psoriasis.“So I wear a damned mask and get infuriated when others don’t,” she said.Most states now have some type of mask requirement, either through statewide orders issued by governors or from city and county rules that cover most of their population.Even some conservative governors have gone along with masks. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves mandated masks in all public places earlier this month, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp dropped a lawsuit against Atlanta in a dispute over a requirement by the state’s largest city.In Leeds, Alabama, Will Heath said he has seen greater adherence to mask rules around town, whether in stores or at his 5-year-old daughter’s cheerleading practice.He and his wife, a nurse, have worn masks all along but said the attitude among others has shifted from “Even if I get it, I’ll be OK,” to “Let’s make sure we don’t give it to somebody else.”“We have all been sort of operating under the assumption that we all have it or we’re going to get it eventually. So we want to make sure we don’t spread it,” Heath said.Many places around the U.S. are seeing pockets of contagion, especially in college towns where students are holding parties and crowding into bars.Over the past week, 531 students, faculty and staff at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa have tested positive for the virus, according to the school. Alabama said it tested nearly 30,000 students before classes began. The mayor of Tuscaloosa shut down bars for two weeks because of the spike, which could derail plans to continue the semester on campus.The university is still moving ahead with fall sports in the football-crazed state, with plans to allow only about 20,000 fans at its 101,000-capacity stadium and a ban on tailgating. Coach Nick Saban weighed in on the virus Monday, urging people to wear masks.“It’s not just about football. So, for people to make the right choices and decisions to wear their masks, do the things when they’re out publicly, respect the rules, respect the virus, that’s important,” he said.It’s not clear what will happen to case numbers as more school districts bring students back to classrooms and colleges reopen their campuses. In recent weeks, schools including the University of North Carolina, Michigan State and Notre Dame have moved instruction online after outbreaks on their campuses.Officials at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville said four students are facing disciplinary proceedings after three hosted off-campus parties with no mask or other distancing and another left isolation to meet with others despite testing positive for the virus.“If the facts reported to the university are accurate, these students will face at least suspension from the university, and potentially greater penalties,” Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote.___

New virus cases decline in the US and experts credit masks

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Rapid City police are searching for the shooter who killed two people. 

Police were called to a disturbance late Monday night and while on their way were told by the caller about hearing a number of gunshots. 

Officers arrived and found a parked vehicle with two people inside dead from multiple gunshot wounds. 

Names of the victims are being withheld until their families are notified. 

Police are investigating but believe the victims knew the shooter. Authorities believe drugs may have been involved.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Rapid City police are searching for the shooter who killed two people. Police were called to a disturbance late Monday night and while on their way were told by the caller about hearing a number of gunshots. Officers arrived and found a parked vehicle with two people inside dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Names of the victims are being withheld until their families are notified. Police are investigating but believe the victims knew the shooter. Authorities believe drugs may have been involved.

Police search for suspect in Rapid City double homicide

DENVER (FBI)– United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that Eric Coleman, age 43, and a leader of the Rolling 60s Crips, was sentenced to serve 188 months (over 15 years) in federal prison for bank robbery and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.&nbsp; Coleman appeared remotely in custody and was remanded at the hearing’s conclusion.&nbsp; The FBI joined in today’s announcement.&nbsp;

According to the stipulated facts contained in his plea agreement, as well as the government’s argument at sentencing, Coleman was a member and leader of the Rolling 60s Crips, and a mastermind of a multi-defendant bank robbery operation.&nbsp; Coleman actively recruited and manipulated juveniles to carry out the actual robberies.&nbsp; He made juvenile and younger gang members put on makeup and use a firearm to rob the banks.&nbsp;

For example, on March 14, 2018, the ENT Federal Credit Union in Colorado Springs, Colorado was robbed.&nbsp; After the robbery, law enforcement learned that Coleman had picked up the robber -- a co-defendant -- from the credit union, driving them away from the scene.&nbsp; The four individuals involved in these robberies, including Coleman, met up at a fast food restaurant where the robber gave the firearm to Coleman and the money was divided.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

On April 30, 2018, law enforcement stopped four individuals who were planning to commit another bank robbery.&nbsp; Officers found an individual wearing makeup. The manner in which the makeup was being worn matched several recent bank robberies and business robberies.&nbsp; During interviews following the stop, law enforcement learned that Coleman would hand the bank robber a firearm for the robbery.&nbsp; A subsequent search of Coleman’s residence resulted in officers finding three firearms, including one in a bag with Mr. Coleman's prescription medication, directly tying him to the weapon.&nbsp;

All seven of the defendants have pleaded guilty, and three of the seven defendants have been sentenced.&nbsp;

In addition to the bank robbery, Coleman was a felon in possession of three firearms, including:&nbsp; a .38 caliber revolver; a .40 caliber pistol; and a 9mm rifle. Prior to the firearms being discovered, Coleman had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, making it illegal for him to have possessed the firearms.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Bank robbery, especially with a weapon, is a violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.&nbsp; “In this case, Mr. Coleman used his position as a gang leader to recruit minors to do his dirty work.&nbsp; He will now serve a lengthy prison sentence appropriate for someone who orchestrated and led others to commit these crimes.”&nbsp;

DENVER (FBI)– United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn today announced that Eric Coleman, age 43, and a leader of the Rolling 60s Crips, was sentenced to serve 188 months (over 15 years) in federal prison for bank robbery and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.&nbsp; Coleman appeared remotely in custody and was remanded at the hearing’s conclusion.&nbsp; The FBI joined in today’s announcement.&nbsp;According to the stipulated facts contained in his plea agreement, as well as the government’s argument at sentencing, Coleman was a member and leader of the Rolling 60s Crips, and a mastermind of a multi-defendant bank robbery operation.&nbsp; Coleman actively recruited and manipulated juveniles to carry out the actual robberies.&nbsp; He made juvenile and younger gang members put on makeup and use a firearm to rob the banks.&nbsp;For example, on March 14, 2018, the ENT Federal Credit Union in Colorado Springs, Colorado was robbed.&nbsp; After the robbery, law enforcement learned that Coleman had picked up the robber -- a co-defendant -- from the credit union, driving them away from the scene.&nbsp; The four individuals involved in these robberies, including Coleman, met up at a fast food restaurant where the robber gave the firearm to Coleman and the money was divided.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On April 30, 2018, law enforcement stopped four individuals who were planning to commit another bank robbery.&nbsp; Officers found an individual wearing makeup. The manner in which the makeup was being worn matched several recent bank robberies and business robberies.&nbsp; During interviews following the stop, law enforcement learned that Coleman would hand the bank robber a firearm for the robbery.&nbsp; A subsequent search of Coleman’s residence resulted in officers finding three firearms, including one in a bag with Mr. Coleman's prescription medication, directly tying him to the weapon.&nbsp;All seven of the defendants have pleaded guilty, and three of the seven defendants have been sentenced.&nbsp;In addition to the bank robbery, Coleman was a felon in possession of three firearms, including:&nbsp; a .38 caliber revolver; a .40 caliber pistol; and a 9mm rifle. Prior to the firearms being discovered, Coleman had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, making it illegal for him to have possessed the firearms.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Bank robbery, especially with a weapon, is a violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.&nbsp; “In this case, Mr. Coleman used his position as a gang leader to recruit minors to do his dirty work.&nbsp; He will now serve a lengthy prison sentence appropriate for someone who orchestrated and led others to commit these crimes.”&nbsp;“The success of this investigation is largely attributed to the close working relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement and our Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The collaborative effort to address violent crimes, such as bank robberies, within our local communities is just one example of how highly the FBI values its partnerships and the critical role these relationships play in making our community safer.”The sentence was pronounced by U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martinez on August 19, 2020.&nbsp; The guilty plea was entered on March 5, 2020.&nbsp; This case was investigated by the Colorado Springs FBI. &nbsp;Local law enforcement, including the Colorado Springs Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, assisted with the investigation.&nbsp; The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt Bohn.A copy of this press release is located on the website of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-co">U.S. Attorney’s Office</a>&nbsp;for the District of Colorado.&nbsp; Related court documents can be found on&nbsp;<a href="https://ecf.cod.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/iquery.pl">PACER&nbsp;</a>by searching for Case Number 18-cr-360.The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.&nbsp; Learn more about the history of our agency at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/Celebrating150Years">www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years</a>.