<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/25/corsi-confirmed-as-ceo-of-nebraska-dhhs-despite-lawmaker-questions/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature on Monday confirmed Steve Corsi as CEO of the State Department of Health and Human Services, accepting Gov. Jim Pillen’s controversial pick.&nbsp;

The vote came after several senators led an organized opposition that raised questions about his past employment and concerns about where he draws the line between his private beliefs and his public job. He was appointed in August, between legislative sessions.

Democratic State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha joined legislative conservatives in voting to confirm Corsi 28-8 after two hours of debate Monday in the officially nonpartisan Legislature.

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha and her brother, John, led the questions about Corsi, including many raised from a packet she shared with senators about the nominee’s past actions while in public jobs.&nbsp;

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, who chairs the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, acknowledged his colleagues’ questions about Corsi but supported his confirmation.

“I did have some concerns beforehand,” Hansen said. “Those have been alleviated by his testimony. … So far I like the direction Dr. Corsi has taken the department.”

State Sen. John Cavanaugh asked Health and Human Services Committee members to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-dhhs-ceos-appointment-advances-from-committee/">explain their votes</a>&nbsp;to send Corsi to the floor: “What got you past these obvious concerns?”

Among the concerns the Cavanaughs highlighted was a lack of trust:&nbsp;

“It is clear that Dr. Corsi has exhibited unethical, unprofessional judgment over a decade-plus of his career,” Machaela Cavanaugh said. “Is this the right course for DHHS?”

Said John Cavanaugh: “Maybe there’s an innocent explanation.”

Opposing senators also discussed Corsi’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/08/confirmation-hearing-for-ceo-of-nebraska-dhhs-revolves-around-religion-sin-social-media/">social media posts</a>, including some he liked or shared that LGBTQ advocates and others described as condescending, rude or hateful.

Corsi has defended his actions on social media as reflecting his conservative worldview and faith. He has said, for example, abortion is not health care, homosexuality is a sin, and the only race is human.

During his confirmation hearing in February, he pushed back on concerns, which were expressed again Monday, that he might put the state at risk of creating a hostile work environment for some employees.

“I believe that everybody should be treated the same, should be cared for and loved and treated with respect and compassion,” Corsi said at the hearing, under questioning.

State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, a candidate for Congress in Nebraska’s 1st District, criticized Corsi for liking or sharing such posts, saying they make him a questionable job candidate.&nbsp;

“More and more we have to look at what people’s social media says before we put them into executive positions,” she said. “It shows poor judgment, a lack of professionalism.”&nbsp;

Corsi is being paid $257,000 to manage the state’s largest agency, with a budget of over $3 billion. DHHS oversees programs including child welfare, juvenile detention, public aid, public health and health care oversight.

State Sen. Merv Riepe, a member of the DHHS Committee, echoed the most common testimony from defenders of the Corsi pick — that he was Pillen’s choice.

“I appreciate the background and research compiled by Senator Cavanaugh,” Riepe said of Machaela. “I thought the onion needed to be peeled. … The CEO is an important position in the state.”

Riepe, a former hospital administrator, said he found “Corsi to be a bright individual, who did seem to have a good temperament” and who had “knowledge of administrative accountability.”

Machaela Cavanaugh said Riepe overlooked how Corsi would be seen by someone from one of the groups Corsi has criticized.&nbsp;

“He makes his employees feel like they are wrong in existing,” she said. “That is a huge problem. That is an HR problem.”

State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha said he would have liked meeting with Corsi, as some other senators had, but said he would have only wanted to do so one-on-one, without staff present.

He said he would have liked to hear more about social media posts Corsi liked or shared about race and the history of slavery in the United States.&nbsp;

“I would love to have a frank conversation with him without staff around,” McKinney said.

Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Megan Hunt of Omaha have said they were told Corsi would only meet with them with staff present.&nbsp;

Criticism of Corsi continued on the legislative floor after the vote, with Hunt saying her colleagues had deferred too much to the judgment of the governor and the executive branch.

She filed a motion to reconsider the confirmation, but Speaker John Arch decides whether it will be scheduled.

“In 2024, we’re really talking about homosexuality as an opinion?” Hunt said. “That alone is disqualifying.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711459281486.jpeg" alt="Steve Corsi, CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, right, testifies during his confirmation hearing in front of a legislative committee, Feb. 7, 2024, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Corsi, CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, right, testifies during his confirmation hearing in front of a legislative committee, Feb. 7, 2024, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/25/corsi-confirmed-as-ceo-of-nebraska-dhhs-despite-lawmaker-questions/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature on Monday confirmed Steve Corsi as CEO of the State Department of Health and Human Services, accepting Gov. Jim Pillen’s controversial pick.&nbsp;The vote came after several senators led an organized opposition that raised questions about his past employment and concerns about where he draws the line between his private beliefs and his public job. He was appointed in August, between legislative sessions.Democratic State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha joined legislative conservatives in voting to confirm Corsi 28-8 after two hours of debate Monday in the officially nonpartisan Legislature.State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha and her brother, John, led the questions about Corsi, including many raised from a packet she shared with senators about the nominee’s past actions while in public jobs.&nbsp;State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, who chairs the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee, acknowledged his colleagues’ questions about Corsi but supported his confirmation.“I did have some concerns beforehand,” Hansen said. “Those have been alleviated by his testimony. … So far I like the direction Dr. Corsi has taken the department.”State Sen. John Cavanaugh asked Health and Human Services Committee members to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-dhhs-ceos-appointment-advances-from-committee/">explain their votes</a>&nbsp;to send Corsi to the floor: “What got you past these obvious concerns?”Among the concerns the Cavanaughs highlighted was a lack of trust:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Corsi earned paychecks from two different state agencies in Missouri and did not stop accepting the double pay until months after saying he would.</li><li>He said he didn’t know about a restraint chair ordered by an employee he managed at a Wyoming juvenile detention facility.</li><li>He worked in 2023 as a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillens-office-defends-clarifies-nebraska-dhhs-appointment-after-contentious-hearing/">private consultant for Epiphany</a>, a Utah-based consulting and training firm, a position he left off his resume and application. Epiphany recommended Corsi to Pillen.</li><li>Years before working at Epiphany, the firm secured state contracts with state governments and a charity where Corsi worked.</li>
 </ul>“It is clear that Dr. Corsi has exhibited unethical, unprofessional judgment over a decade-plus of his career,” Machaela Cavanaugh said. “Is this the right course for DHHS?”Said John Cavanaugh: “Maybe there’s an innocent explanation.”<h2>Social media posts</h2>Opposing senators also discussed Corsi’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/02/08/confirmation-hearing-for-ceo-of-nebraska-dhhs-revolves-around-religion-sin-social-media/">social media posts</a>, including some he liked or shared that LGBTQ advocates and others described as condescending, rude or hateful.Corsi has defended his actions on social media as reflecting his conservative worldview and faith. He has said, for example, abortion is not health care, homosexuality is a sin, and the only race is human.During his confirmation hearing in February, he pushed back on concerns, which were expressed again Monday, that he might put the state at risk of creating a hostile work environment for some employees.“I believe that everybody should be treated the same, should be cared for and loved and treated with respect and compassion,” Corsi said at the hearing, under questioning.State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, a candidate for Congress in Nebraska’s 1st District, criticized Corsi for liking or sharing such posts, saying they make him a questionable job candidate.&nbsp;“More and more we have to look at what people’s social media says before we put them into executive positions,” she said. “It shows poor judgment, a lack of professionalism.”&nbsp;Corsi is being paid $257,000 to manage the state’s largest agency, with a budget of over $3 billion. DHHS oversees programs including child welfare, juvenile detention, public aid, public health and health care oversight.<h2>Pillen’s choice</h2>State Sen. Merv Riepe, a member of the DHHS Committee, echoed the most common testimony from defenders of the Corsi pick — that he was Pillen’s choice.“I appreciate the background and research compiled by Senator Cavanaugh,” Riepe said of Machaela. “I thought the onion needed to be peeled. … The CEO is an important position in the state.”Riepe, a former hospital administrator, said he found “Corsi to be a bright individual, who did seem to have a good temperament” and who had “knowledge of administrative accountability.”Machaela Cavanaugh said Riepe overlooked how Corsi would be seen by someone from one of the groups Corsi has criticized.&nbsp;“He makes his employees feel like they are wrong in existing,” she said. “That is a huge problem. That is an HR problem.”State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha said he would have liked meeting with Corsi, as some other senators had, but said he would have only wanted to do so one-on-one, without staff present.He said he would have liked to hear more about social media posts Corsi liked or shared about race and the history of slavery in the United States.&nbsp;“I would love to have a frank conversation with him without staff around,” McKinney said.Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Megan Hunt of Omaha have said they were told Corsi would only meet with them with staff present.&nbsp;Criticism of Corsi continued on the legislative floor after the vote, with Hunt saying her colleagues had deferred too much to the judgment of the governor and the executive branch.She filed a motion to reconsider the confirmation, but Speaker John Arch decides whether it will be scheduled.“In 2024, we’re really talking about homosexuality as an opinion?” Hunt said. “That alone is disqualifying.”

Corsi confirmed as CEO of Nebraska DHHS despite lawmaker questions

&nbsp;The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorizes the release of emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres nationwide, including CRP acres in Nebraska, to livestock producers affected by the recent wildfires in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

“Many ranchers in Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma impacted by the recent, devastating wildfires are in need of grazing acres and hay resources to sustain their herds while they work over the coming months to restore their operations,” said Tim Divis, Acting State Executive Director for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Nebraska. “If you have Conservation Reserve Program acres that you are willing to donate to these livestock producers for the purpose of grazing and haying, please contact your local FSA office. Your donations are needed and greatly appreciated.”

States and counties currently affected by wildfire include:

• Oklahoma: Beaver, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Kay, Roger Mills, Texas, Woods and Woodward

• Texas: Armstrong, Carson, Gray, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Potter, Roberts and Wheeler

Earlier this month FSA expanded authorization of emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres to support the relocation of livestock for grazing purposes. There is no fee or annual rental payment reduction assessed for emergency haying and grazing.

Emergency haying and grazing is available until the beginning of the Primary Nesting Season (PNS) in each state. Primary nesting season dates in Nebraska are May 1 through July 15. Emergency grazing can continue during the PNS with a 50% reduction in stocking rate if the county meets the Livestock Forage Disaster Program drought eligibility trigger of D2 for eight consecutive weeks or D3 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

How to Donate CRP Grazing and Haying Rights

Eligible CRP participants who want to donate CRP acres for the purpose of emergency grazing and haying must obtain a modified conservation plan, which includes emergency grazing requirements from either USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or the participant's Technical Service Provider before the CRP acres are hayed or grazed. To ensure emergency haying or grazing of CRP acres is only being utilized by livestock producers adversely impacted by the wildfire, the livestock producer must file a CCC-576 (Notice of Loss) or provide a written certification to be included in the CRP contract file.

Haying or grazing activities are not authorized if these activities will cause long-term damage to the vegetative cover on the land as determined on a contract-by-contract basis. The CRP participant is responsible for non-compliance with the CRP contract provisions.

Due to privacy laws, FSA cannot release the names of producers willing to assist livestock producers in the fire-impact areas without their written consent. CRP participants must voluntarily disclose their willingness to assist livestock producers and consent to the disclosure of their personal information before FSA can release the information to livestock producers seeking assistance.

CRP participants who are interested in donating CRP grazing and haying privileges should contact their local USDA Service Center to confirm CRP practice eligibility and obtain approval from FSA prior to grazing or haying eligible CRP acres.

Non-Emergency Grazing and Haying of CRP Acres

As a reminder, non-emergency haying and grazing authority is also an available option for wildfire-impacted livestock producers. Non-emergency grazing and haying activities can occur according to the CRP participant’s conservation plan during drought or natural disaster conditions, but the site conditions should be taken into consideration and the plan modified, as needed. Non-emergency harvesting for hay is authorized once during the approved event and no later than Aug. 31. Participants must leave 25% of the contract acres unharvested or hayed. Non-emergency grazing must not exceed 120 days. During the PNS, there must be a 50% carrying capacity reduction. For both non-emergency grazing and haying, there will be a 25% annual rental payment reduction.

In addition to CRP emergency and non-emergency grazing and haying provisions, FSA recently announced policy flexibilities for several key disaster assistance programs to aid agricultural producers who have experienced significant livestock, feed, forage and infrastructure loss from recent wildfires. See March 8, 2024, news release for more information.

On farmers.gov, the Wildfire Recovery Webpage, Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center. 

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart

food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

By Nebraska Farm Service Agency&nbsp;The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorizes the release of emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres nationwide, including CRP acres in Nebraska, to livestock producers affected by the recent wildfires in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.“Many ranchers in Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma impacted by the recent, devastating wildfires are in need of grazing acres and hay resources to sustain their herds while they work over the coming months to restore their operations,” said Tim Divis, Acting State Executive Director for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Nebraska. “If you have Conservation Reserve Program acres that you are willing to donate to these livestock producers for the purpose of grazing and haying, please contact your local FSA office. Your donations are needed and greatly appreciated.”States and counties currently affected by wildfire include:• Nebraska: Custer, Lincoln and Logan• Oklahoma: Beaver, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Kay, Roger Mills, Texas, Woods and Woodward• Texas: Armstrong, Carson, Gray, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Potter, Roberts and WheelerCRP Emergency Haying and GrazingEarlier this month FSA expanded authorization of emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres to support the relocation of livestock for grazing purposes. There is no fee or annual rental payment reduction assessed for emergency haying and grazing.Emergency haying and grazing is available until the beginning of the Primary Nesting Season (PNS) in each state. Primary nesting season dates in Nebraska are May 1 through July 15. Emergency grazing can continue during the PNS with a 50% reduction in stocking rate if the county meets the Livestock Forage Disaster Program drought eligibility trigger of D2 for eight consecutive weeks or D3 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor.How to Donate CRP Grazing and Haying RightsEligible CRP participants who want to donate CRP acres for the purpose of emergency grazing and haying must obtain a modified conservation plan, which includes emergency grazing requirements from either USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or the participant's Technical Service Provider before the CRP acres are hayed or grazed. To ensure emergency haying or grazing of CRP acres is only being utilized by livestock producers adversely impacted by the wildfire, the livestock producer must file a CCC-576 (Notice of Loss) or provide a written certification to be included in the CRP contract file.Haying or grazing activities are not authorized if these activities will cause long-term damage to the vegetative cover on the land as determined on a contract-by-contract basis. The CRP participant is responsible for non-compliance with the CRP contract provisions.Due to privacy laws, FSA cannot release the names of producers willing to assist livestock producers in the fire-impact areas without their written consent. CRP participants must voluntarily disclose their willingness to assist livestock producers and consent to the disclosure of their personal information before FSA can release the information to livestock producers seeking assistance.CRP participants who are interested in donating CRP grazing and haying privileges should contact their local USDA Service Center to confirm CRP practice eligibility and obtain approval from FSA prior to grazing or haying eligible CRP acres.Non-Emergency Grazing and Haying of CRP AcresAs a reminder, non-emergency haying and grazing authority is also an available option for wildfire-impacted livestock producers. Non-emergency grazing and haying activities can occur according to the CRP participant’s conservation plan during drought or natural disaster conditions, but the site conditions should be taken into consideration and the plan modified, as needed. Non-emergency harvesting for hay is authorized once during the approved event and no later than Aug. 31. Participants must leave 25% of the contract acres unharvested or hayed. Non-emergency grazing must not exceed 120 days. During the PNS, there must be a 50% carrying capacity reduction. For both non-emergency grazing and haying, there will be a 25% annual rental payment reduction.In addition to CRP emergency and non-emergency grazing and haying provisions, FSA recently announced policy flexibilities for several key disaster assistance programs to aid agricultural producers who have experienced significant livestock, feed, forage and infrastructure loss from recent wildfires. See March 8, 2024, news release for more information.Online Wildfire Recovery ResourcesOn farmers.gov, the Wildfire Recovery Webpage, Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smartfood and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

USDA authorizes program for Nebraska livestock producers

BALTIMORE (AP) — A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap in a few places and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were initially searching for at least seven people.

Two people were pulled from the waters, one in serious condition, according to Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace. He said authorities “may be looking for upwards of seven people” but he said that number could change. It was not clear if the two rescued were included in the seven.

The vessel appears to have crashed into one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.

“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. Though he said it was too early to know how many people were affected, he called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”

The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://buoybay.noaa.gov/locations/patapsco.">according to a buoy</a>&nbsp;that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Cartwright added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for shipping on the East Coast. Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed. The FBI was also on the scene.

Synergy Marine Group — which owns and manages the ship called the “Dali” — confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. while it was in control of two pilots. It said all crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.

Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck, according to Cartwright.

From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.

A vessel called Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as its final destination, according to Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder. The ship was flying under a Singapore flag, WTOP radio station reported, citing Petty Officer Matthew West from the Coast Guard in Baltimore.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.

“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.

In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.

BALTIMORE (AP) — A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap in a few places and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were initially searching for at least seven people.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Volunteer Firefighters from <a href="https://twitter.com/jmvfc8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jmvfc8</a>, the Volunteer Swift Water Team and the <a href="https://twitter.com/HarfordCoDES?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HarfordCoDES</a> Special Operations Team are assisting the Unified Command at the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. <a href="https://t.co/ipoTR2HljY">pic.twitter.com/ipoTR2HljY</a>&mdash; Harford Co., MD Fire &amp; EMS (@HarforCoFireEMS) <a href="https://twitter.com/HarforCoFireEMS/status/1772531201904873564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Two people were pulled from the waters, one in serious condition, according to Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace. He said authorities “may be looking for upwards of seven people” but he said that number could change. It was not clear if the two rescued were included in the seven.The vessel appears to have crashed into one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. Though he said it was too early to know how many people were affected, he called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://buoybay.noaa.gov/locations/patapsco.">according to a buoy</a>&nbsp;that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Cartwright added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for shipping on the East Coast. Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed. The FBI was also on the scene.Synergy Marine Group — which owns and manages the ship called the “Dali” — confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. while it was in control of two pilots. It said all crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck, according to Cartwright.From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.A vessel called Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as its final destination, according to Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder. The ship was flying under a Singapore flag, WTOP radio station reported, citing Petty Officer Matthew West from the Coast Guard in Baltimore.Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.

🎥 Cargo ship hits huge bridge in Baltimore bringing it down

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot increased to an estimated $865 million after no one won Monday night’s drawing, continuing a winless streak that dates to New Year’s Day.

The numbers drawn were: 7, 11, 19, 53 68 and red ball 23.

Since the last winner on Jan. 1, there have been 36-straight drawings without a big winner. It’s tough to win the Powerball jackpot because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">the odds are so long</a>, at 1 in 292.2 million.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-powerball-jackpot-lottery-5e77fc75273d31b6991bbd3c8614d3f6">top prize up for grabs Monday night</a>&nbsp;was for an estimated $800 million.

The $865 million prize on the line for the next drawing Wednesday night is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with an initial payment and then 29 annual payments. Most winners choose a cash payout, which for Wednesday night’s drawing would be an estimated $416 million.

The Powerball prize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-80fcb836622ba8e18883ce778786c1cc">has mushroomed</a>&nbsp;at a time when Mega Millions, the other nearly national U.S. lottery game, has become even bigger, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-jackpot-lottery-c0c579d6d29716483756f81646a7430f">an estimated annuity payout of $1.1 billion</a>. The next Mega Millions drawing will be Tuesday night.

Both games are sold in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is sold in Puerto Rico.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot increased to an estimated $865 million after no one won Monday night’s drawing, continuing a winless streak that dates to New Year’s Day.The numbers drawn were: 7, 11, 19, 53 68 and red ball 23.Since the last winner on Jan. 1, there have been 36-straight drawings without a big winner. It’s tough to win the Powerball jackpot because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">the odds are so long</a>, at 1 in 292.2 million.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-powerball-jackpot-lottery-5e77fc75273d31b6991bbd3c8614d3f6">top prize up for grabs Monday night</a>&nbsp;was for an estimated $800 million.The $865 million prize on the line for the next drawing Wednesday night is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with an initial payment and then 29 annual payments. Most winners choose a cash payout, which for Wednesday night’s drawing would be an estimated $416 million.The Powerball prize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-80fcb836622ba8e18883ce778786c1cc">has mushroomed</a>&nbsp;at a time when Mega Millions, the other nearly national U.S. lottery game, has become even bigger, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-jackpot-lottery-c0c579d6d29716483756f81646a7430f">an estimated annuity payout of $1.1 billion</a>. The next Mega Millions drawing will be Tuesday night.Both games are sold in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is sold in Puerto Rico.

Powerball jackpot climbs to $865 million as long winless drought continues

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council on Monday issued its first demand for a cease-fire in Gaza, with the U.S. angering Israel by abstaining from the vote. Israel responded by canceling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war began.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the cease-fire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the administration was “kind of perplexed” by Netanyahu’s decision. He said the Israelis were “choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don’t need to do that.”

Kirby and the American ambassador to the U.N. said the U.S. abstained because the resolution did not condemn Hamas. U.S. officials chose to abstain rather than veto the proposal "because it does fairly reflect our view that a cease-fire and the release of hostages come together,” Kirby said.

The 15-member council voted 14-0 to approve the resolution, which also demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. The chamber broke into loud applause after the vote.

The U.S. vetoed past Security Council cease-fire resolutions in large part because of the failure to tie them directly to the release of hostages, the failure to condemn Hamas' attacks and the delicacy of ongoing negotiations. American officials have argued that the cease-fire and hostage releases are linked, while Russia, China and many other council members favored unconditional calls for a cease-fire.

The resolution approved Monday demands the release of hostages but does not make it a condition for the cease-fire for the month of Ramadan, which ends in April.

Hamas said it welcomed the U.N.'s move but said the cease-fire needs to be permanent.

“We confirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides,” the group said. For months, the militants have sought a deal that includes a complete end to the conflict.

The U.S. decision to abstain comes at a time of growing tensions between President Joe Biden's administration and Netanyahu over Israel’s prosecution of the war, the high number of civilian casualties and the limited amounts of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza. The two countries have also clashed over Netanyahu’s rejection of a Palestinian state, Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the expansion of settlements there.

In addition, the well-known antagonism between Netanyahu and Biden — which dates from Biden’s tenure as vice president — deepened after Biden questioned Israel’s strategy in combating Hamas.

Then Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Biden ally, suggested that Netanyahu was not operating in Israel’s best interests and called for Israel to hold new elections. Biden signaled his approval of Schumer’s remarks, prompting a rebuke from Netanyahu.

During its U.S. visit, the Israeli delegation was to present White House officials with its plans for a possible ground invasion of Rafah, a city on the Egyptian border in southern Gaza where over 1 million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter from the war.

The vote came after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. That resolution featured a weakened link between a cease-fire and the release of hostages, leaving it open to interpretation, and no time limit.

The United States warned that the resolution approved Monday could hurt negotiations to halt the hostilities, raising the possibility of another veto, this time by the Americans. The talks involve the U.S., Egypt and Qatar.

Because Ramadan ends April 9, the cease-fire demand would last for just two weeks, though the draft says the pause in fighting should lead to "a sustainable cease-fire.”

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the resolution “spoke out in support of the ongoing diplomatic efforts,” adding that negotiators were “getting closer” to a deal for a cease-fire with the release of all hostages, "but we’re not there yet.”

She urged the council and U.N. members across the world to “speak out and demand unequivocally that Hamas accepts the deal on the table.”

Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. abstained because “certain edits” the U.S. requested were ignored, including a condemnation of Hamas.

The resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, was backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations.

Under the United Nations Charter, Security Council resolutions are legally binding on its 193 member nations, though they are often flouted.

Algeria’s U.N. ambassador, Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council, thanked the council for “finally" demanding a cease-fire.

“We look forward to the commitment and the compliance of the Israeli occupying power with this resolution, for them to put an end to the bloodbath without any conditions, to end the suffering of the Palestinian people,” he said.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told the council that the vote “must be a turning point” that leads to saving lives in Gaza and ending the “assault of atrocities against our people.”

Shortly before Monday’s vote, the elected members changed the final draft resolution to drop the word “permanent” from its demand that a Ramadan cease-fire should lead to a “sustainable" halt in fighting apparently at the request of the United States.

Russia complained that dropping the word could allow Israel “to resume its military operation in the Gaza Strip at any moment" after Ramadan and proposed an amendment to restore it. That amendment was defeated because it failed to get the minimum nine “yes” votes — with three council members voting in favor, the United States voting against, and 11 countries abstaining.

Since the start of the war, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-security-council">Security Council</a>&nbsp;has adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none has called for a cease-fire.

More than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed during the fighting, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The agency does&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">not differentiate</a>&nbsp;between civilians and combatants in its count, but says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/women-children-gaza-war-victims-un-inequality-f0f89a724543b99c2c22439e7af09405">women and children</a>&nbsp;make up two-thirds of the dead.

Gaza also faces a dire humanitarian emergency. A report from an international authority on hunger warned last week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-18-2024-eefc526aec97821fe5f1e845801a6640">“famine is imminent” in northern Gaza</a>&nbsp;and that escalation of the war could push half of the territory’s 2.3 million people to the brink of starvation.

The United States has vetoed three resolutions demanding a cease-fire in Gaza, the most recent an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-israel-palestinians-gaza-ceasefire-resolution-vote-350c86ef261bf1a00a2515cf22764de5">Arab-backed measure</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 20. That resolution was supported by 13 council members with one abstention, reflecting the overwhelming support for a cease-fire.

Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in late October calling for humanitarian pauses in the fighting to deliver aid, the protection of civilians and a halt to arming Hamas. They said it did not reflect global calls for a cease-fire.

They again vetoed a U.S. resolution Friday, calling it ambiguous and saying it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.

That vote became another showdown involving world powers that are locked in tense disputes elsewhere, with the United States taking criticism for not being tough enough against its ally Israel, even as tensions between the two countries rise.

Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia and China on Monday of using the Gaza conflict "as a political cudgel, to try to divide this council at a time when we need to come together.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711393596272.png" alt="U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. abstained because “certain edits” the&nbsp;U.S. requested were ignored, including adding a condemnation of Hamas." />
 <figcaption>U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. abstained because “certain edits” the&nbsp;U.S. requested were ignored, including adding a condemnation of Hamas.</figcaption>
 </figure>UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council on Monday issued its first demand for a cease-fire in Gaza, with the U.S. angering Israel by abstaining from the vote. Israel responded by canceling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war began.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the cease-fire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbUN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USAmbUN</a> Linda Thomas-Greenfield: &quot;We did not agree with everything in the resolution. For that reason we were unfortunately not able to vote yes...we fully support some of the critical objectives in this non-binding resolution.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cfCUIWTzLQ">pic.twitter.com/cfCUIWTzLQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1772281310112862301?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the administration was “kind of perplexed” by Netanyahu’s decision. He said the Israelis were “choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don’t need to do that.”Kirby and the American ambassador to the U.N. said the U.S. abstained because the resolution did not condemn Hamas. U.S. officials chose to abstain rather than veto the proposal "because it does fairly reflect our view that a cease-fire and the release of hostages come together,” Kirby said.The 15-member council voted 14-0 to approve the resolution, which also demanded the release of all hostages taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack in southern Israel. The chamber broke into loud applause after the vote.The U.S. vetoed past Security Council cease-fire resolutions in large part because of the failure to tie them directly to the release of hostages, the failure to condemn Hamas' attacks and the delicacy of ongoing negotiations. American officials have argued that the cease-fire and hostage releases are linked, while Russia, China and many other council members favored unconditional calls for a cease-fire.The resolution approved Monday demands the release of hostages but does not make it a condition for the cease-fire for the month of Ramadan, which ends in April.Hamas said it welcomed the U.N.'s move but said the cease-fire needs to be permanent.“We confirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides,” the group said. For months, the militants have sought a deal that includes a complete end to the conflict.The U.S. decision to abstain comes at a time of growing tensions between President Joe Biden's administration and Netanyahu over Israel’s prosecution of the war, the high number of civilian casualties and the limited amounts of humanitarian assistance reaching Gaza. The two countries have also clashed over Netanyahu’s rejection of a Palestinian state, Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the expansion of settlements there.In addition, the well-known antagonism between Netanyahu and Biden — which dates from Biden’s tenure as vice president — deepened after Biden questioned Israel’s strategy in combating Hamas.Then Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Biden ally, suggested that Netanyahu was not operating in Israel’s best interests and called for Israel to hold new elections. Biden signaled his approval of Schumer’s remarks, prompting a rebuke from Netanyahu.During its U.S. visit, the Israeli delegation was to present White House officials with its plans for a possible ground invasion of Rafah, a city on the Egyptian border in southern Gaza where over 1 million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter from the war.The vote came after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. That resolution featured a weakened link between a cease-fire and the release of hostages, leaving it open to interpretation, and no time limit.The United States warned that the resolution approved Monday could hurt negotiations to halt the hostilities, raising the possibility of another veto, this time by the Americans. The talks involve the U.S., Egypt and Qatar.Because Ramadan ends April 9, the cease-fire demand would last for just two weeks, though the draft says the pause in fighting should lead to "a sustainable cease-fire.”The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the resolution “spoke out in support of the ongoing diplomatic efforts,” adding that negotiators were “getting closer” to a deal for a cease-fire with the release of all hostages, "but we’re not there yet.”She urged the council and U.N. members across the world to “speak out and demand unequivocally that Hamas accepts the deal on the table.”Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. abstained because “certain edits” the U.S. requested were ignored, including a condemnation of Hamas.The resolution, put forward by the 10 elected council members, was backed by Russia and China and the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations.Under the United Nations Charter, Security Council resolutions are legally binding on its 193 member nations, though they are often flouted.Algeria’s U.N. ambassador, Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council, thanked the council for “finally" demanding a cease-fire.“We look forward to the commitment and the compliance of the Israeli occupying power with this resolution, for them to put an end to the bloodbath without any conditions, to end the suffering of the Palestinian people,” he said.Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told the council that the vote “must be a turning point” that leads to saving lives in Gaza and ending the “assault of atrocities against our people.”Shortly before Monday’s vote, the elected members changed the final draft resolution to drop the word “permanent” from its demand that a Ramadan cease-fire should lead to a “sustainable" halt in fighting apparently at the request of the United States.Russia complained that dropping the word could allow Israel “to resume its military operation in the Gaza Strip at any moment" after Ramadan and proposed an amendment to restore it. That amendment was defeated because it failed to get the minimum nine “yes” votes — with three council members voting in favor, the United States voting against, and 11 countries abstaining.Since the start of the war, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-security-council">Security Council</a>&nbsp;has adopted two resolutions on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but none has called for a cease-fire.More than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed during the fighting, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The agency does&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">not differentiate</a>&nbsp;between civilians and combatants in its count, but says&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/women-children-gaza-war-victims-un-inequality-f0f89a724543b99c2c22439e7af09405">women and children</a>&nbsp;make up two-thirds of the dead.Gaza also faces a dire humanitarian emergency. A report from an international authority on hunger warned last week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-18-2024-eefc526aec97821fe5f1e845801a6640">“famine is imminent” in northern Gaza</a>&nbsp;and that escalation of the war could push half of the territory’s 2.3 million people to the brink of starvation.The United States has vetoed three resolutions demanding a cease-fire in Gaza, the most recent an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-israel-palestinians-gaza-ceasefire-resolution-vote-350c86ef261bf1a00a2515cf22764de5">Arab-backed measure</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 20. That resolution was supported by 13 council members with one abstention, reflecting the overwhelming support for a cease-fire.Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution in late October calling for humanitarian pauses in the fighting to deliver aid, the protection of civilians and a halt to arming Hamas. They said it did not reflect global calls for a cease-fire.They again vetoed a U.S. resolution Friday, calling it ambiguous and saying it was not the direct demand to end the fighting that much of the world seeks.That vote became another showdown involving world powers that are locked in tense disputes elsewhere, with the United States taking criticism for not being tough enough against its ally Israel, even as tensions between the two countries rise.Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia and China on Monday of using the Gaza conflict "as a political cudgel, to try to divide this council at a time when we need to come together.”

🎥U.S. refusal to veto cease-fire resolution provokes anger from Israel

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp; State's Newsroom

WASHINGTON — The same U.S. Supreme Court that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion will hear oral arguments Tuesday over access to mifepristone, a pharmaceutical used in both medication abortion and miscarriage care.

The nine justices will then decide whether to leave access to the drug intact or require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to revert prescribing instructions to what were in place before 2016.

The court decision will affect the entire country, including states that have sought to shore up access to reproductive rights following the Dobbs ruling less than two years ago.

The Supreme Court opinion, likely not to come until late spring, will land in the middle of a presidential campaign in which Democrats are elevating the question of reproductive rights. The debate is also likely to affect GOP efforts to grow their majority in the U.S. House and flip the Senate red.

Medication abortion, a two-drug regimen that uses mifepristone and misoprostol, was used in 63% of abortions in the United States during 2023, according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.guttmacher.org/2024/03/medication-abortion-accounted-63-all-us-abortions-2023-increase-53-2020?utm_source=Guttmacher+Email+Alerts&amp;utm_campaign=afd25dbc2c-march_provision_study_gupdate&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_9ac83dc920-afd25dbc2c-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D">report</a>&nbsp;released earlier this month by the Guttmacher Institute.

The new data shows a continued trend away from procedural abortions and toward medication abortion, which is approved up to 10 weeks gestation, that has been steadily increasing since the FDA originally approved mifepristone in 2000.

Medication abortions accounted for about 6% of pregnancy terminations in 2001, rising to 24% in 2011, before reaching 53% in 2020, according to Guttmacher.

During the last calendar year, the report says there were 1,026,690 abortions throughout the country, with 642,700 of those being medication abortions.

The numbers may not represent the full picture, however.

“The medication abortion counts for 2023 do not include self-managed medication abortions that take place outside of the formal health care system or abortion medication mailed to people in states with total abortion bans,” the Guttmacher report states. “While there are no comprehensive data on the number of self-managed medication abortions in the United States, evidence suggests they have been increasing in the past several years.”

The case about to go in front of the Supreme Court, Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, began in November 2022 when Alliance Defending Freedom sued the FDA on behalf of four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors.

In the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-could-decide-soon-february-yank-abortion-pill-nationwide">original lawsuit</a>&nbsp;and numerous briefs since then, ADF argued that mifepristone leads to problematic situations for doctors who have to assist patients with complications from medication abortions. They’ve also made claims about safety, which have been repeatedly refuted by major medical organizations.

The lawsuit had called for the judicial system to overturn the FDA’s original 2000 approval of mifepristone, which U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Judge Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk essentially agreed with, in his April 2023&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-appeals-judges-ruling-ordering-abortion-pill-us-market">ruling</a>.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Louisiana, heard&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/three-judge-panel-us-appeals-court-hears-arguments-abortion-pill-case">oral arguments in the federal government’s appeal</a>&nbsp;of that ruling in May 2023 before issuing its decision a few months later in August.

That&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/abortion-pill-stay-market-until-us-supreme-court-ruling-after-appeals-court-order-0">three-judge panel said</a>&nbsp;mifepristone could stay on the market, but that when and how patients can access the drug should go back to what was in place before the FDA began making changes in 2016.

That would lower the maximum gestational age for using mifepristone from 10 weeks to seven weeks as well as remove the option for patients to get the prescription via telehealth and have it mailed to their homes.

Only doctors would be able to prescribe mifepristone, not health care professionals authorized to prescribe pharmaceuticals, like physician’s assistants or nurse practitioners.

Patents would have to go back to attending three, in-person doctor’s appointments in order to complete the process.

The dosage of mifepristone and the second pharmaceutical used in medication abortions, misoprostol, were different before the changes began to take effect.

The lower courts’ rulings never took effect and the appeals court’s ruling will remain on hold until the Supreme Court issues its opinion in the case, likely this summer.

Dozens of organizations, attorneys general and lawmakers have filed briefs with the Supreme Court seeking to inform the justices’ thinking in the case ahead of Tuesday’s oral arguments.

More than 15 major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association, sought to reinforce the FDA’s determination that mifepristone is safe and effective in their brief.

“Restricting access to mifepristone will not only jeopardize health, but worsen racial and economic inequities and deprive women of the choices that are at the very core of individual autonomy and wellbeing,” the medical organizations wrote.

They noted that “major adverse events occur in less than 0.32% of patients,” and that the “risk of death is almost non-existent.”

About 145 Members of Congress from 36 states urged the court to restrict access to mifepristone in a separate brief filed with the court.

“Since 2016, the FDA has only required adverse events reporting for deaths resulting from chemical abortion drugs; reporting is otherwise voluntary,” the members of Congress wrote, making the argument that reports are not required for injuries or impairment. “This action was not only arbitrary and capricious, but it also raised safety concerns for women seeking chemical abortion drugs.”

Here’s a timeline of the case and States Newsroom’s coverage of the major events:

Original lawsuit and District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruling&nbsp;

Federal judge could decide as soon as February to yank abortion pill nationwide<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/41shPel">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/41shPel</a>

Attorneys general from Democratic-led states urge judge to keep abortion pill legal<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/41eyMsy">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/41eyMsy</a>

Attorneys general from 23 GOP-led states back suit seeking to block abortion pill<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/414ns2n">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/414ns2n</a>

How the judge who could ban the abortion pill won confirmation in the U.S. Senate<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3KSc9EX">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3KSc9EX</a>

As future of abortion pill is weighed, Democrats in Congress see little they can do<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3msjt0y">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3msjt0y</a>

Biden administration appeals judge’s ruling ordering abortion pill off U.S. market<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3KwWw4g">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3KwWw4g</a>

Biden after Texas ruling vows he will fight to ensure access to abortion pill<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3GA3GUi">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3GA3GUi</a>

Democratic leaders warn abortion pill ruling could endanger other FDA-approved drugs<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/43oIkmA">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/43oIkmA</a>

5th Circuit Court of Appeals stay of district court ruling&nbsp;

U.S. Department of Justice asks appeals court to pause abortion pill ruling<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/43tqqPQ">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/43tqqPQ</a>

Democratic attorneys general urge appeals court to keep abortion pill available<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3o6NGD1">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3o6NGD1</a>

Texas judge’s abortion pill ruling supported by 69 Republicans in Congress<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/41qFWtV">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/41qFWtV</a>

U.S. Justice Department to ask Supreme Court to reject limits on access to abortion pill<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3MHUAbZ">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3MHUAbZ</a>

U.S. Supreme Court stay of district court ruling&nbsp;

DOJ warns Supreme Court of ‘significant chaos’ in health care if abortion pill rulings stand<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3o5ObwS">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3o5ObwS</a>

U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocks limits to abortion pill access<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3A5RTcE">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3A5RTcE</a>

Anti-abortion organizations urge U.S. Supreme Court to keep limits on abortion pill<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3GSu7EV">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3GSu7EV</a>

U.S. Supreme Court holds off on abortion pill ruling until midnight Friday<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3GZ5gzn">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3GZ5gzn</a>

U.S. Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill as lawsuit continues<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3B50QDB">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3B50QDB</a>

Congressional Democrats urge reversal of district court ruling on mifepristone<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3M5UrOM">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3M5UrOM</a>

Three-judge panel in U.S. appeals court hears arguments in abortion pill case<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/285etkds">&nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/285etkds</a>

Abortion pill to stay on the market until U.S. Supreme Court ruling after appeals court order<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/h4whm3xw">&nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/h4whm3xw</a>

U.S. Justice Department asks Supreme Court to take up abortion pill case<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/msfa5dc2">&nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/msfa5dc2</a>

U.S. Supreme Court to decide fate of medication abortion access nationwide&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5f5yk4w5">http://tinyurl.com/5f5yk4w5</a>

U.S. Supreme Court schedules March 26 oral arguments in abortion pill access case<a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/mry6ttvm">&nbsp;http://tinyurl.com/mry6ttvm</a>

Dozens of ‘friend of the court’ briefs backing abortion pill access arrive at Supreme Court<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/299vsyrv">&nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/299vsyrv</a>

Who wants the U.S. Supreme Court to limit abortion pill access? Here’s the list.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/2z96n7nn">https://tinyurl.com/2z96n7nn</a>

Fear and confusion over abortion access persists as SCOTUS takes its first post-Dobbs case&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/yckkjf6m">https://tinyurl.com/yckkjf6m</a>

Study cited by Texas judge in abortion pill case retracted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/397m2jxn">https://tinyurl.com/397m2jxn</a>

Researchers call for more abortion studies to be retracted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/yjefc3c6">https://tinyurl.com/yjefc3c6</a>

Medication abortion rates grew 10% over the last few years, report shows&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/4kjj9c4k">https://tinyurl.com/4kjj9c4</a>

Study cited by Texas judge in abortion-pill case under investigation&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/study-cited-texas-judge-abortion-pill-case-under-investigation">https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/study-cited-texas-judge-abortion-pill-case-under-investigation</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="The nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court likely will not issue their opinion on the use of mifepristone until late spring. photo AP" />
 <figcaption>The nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court likely will not issue their opinion on the use of mifepristone until late spring. photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp; State's NewsroomWASHINGTON — The same U.S. Supreme Court that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion will hear oral arguments Tuesday over access to mifepristone, a pharmaceutical used in both medication abortion and miscarriage care.The nine justices will then decide whether to leave access to the drug intact or require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to revert prescribing instructions to what were in place before 2016.The court decision will affect the entire country, including states that have sought to shore up access to reproductive rights following the Dobbs ruling less than two years ago.The Supreme Court opinion, likely not to come until late spring, will land in the middle of a presidential campaign in which Democrats are elevating the question of reproductive rights. The debate is also likely to affect GOP efforts to grow their majority in the U.S. House and flip the Senate red.<h2>Trend toward medication abortion</h2>Medication abortion, a two-drug regimen that uses mifepristone and misoprostol, was used in 63% of abortions in the United States during 2023, according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.guttmacher.org/2024/03/medication-abortion-accounted-63-all-us-abortions-2023-increase-53-2020?utm_source=Guttmacher+Email+Alerts&amp;utm_campaign=afd25dbc2c-march_provision_study_gupdate&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_9ac83dc920-afd25dbc2c-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D">report</a>&nbsp;released earlier this month by the Guttmacher Institute.The new data shows a continued trend away from procedural abortions and toward medication abortion, which is approved up to 10 weeks gestation, that has been steadily increasing since the FDA originally approved mifepristone in 2000.Medication abortions accounted for about 6% of pregnancy terminations in 2001, rising to 24% in 2011, before reaching 53% in 2020, according to Guttmacher.During the last calendar year, the report says there were 1,026,690 abortions throughout the country, with 642,700 of those being medication abortions.The numbers may not represent the full picture, however.“The medication abortion counts for 2023 do not include self-managed medication abortions that take place outside of the formal health care system or abortion medication mailed to people in states with total abortion bans,” the Guttmacher report states. “While there are no comprehensive data on the number of self-managed medication abortions in the United States, evidence suggests they have been increasing in the past several years.”<h2>Alliance Defending Freedom suit</h2>The case about to go in front of the Supreme Court, Food and Drug Administration v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, began in November 2022 when Alliance Defending Freedom sued the FDA on behalf of four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors.In the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-could-decide-soon-february-yank-abortion-pill-nationwide">original lawsuit</a>&nbsp;and numerous briefs since then, ADF argued that mifepristone leads to problematic situations for doctors who have to assist patients with complications from medication abortions. They’ve also made claims about safety, which have been repeatedly refuted by major medical organizations.The lawsuit had called for the judicial system to overturn the FDA’s original 2000 approval of mifepristone, which U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Judge Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk essentially agreed with, in his April 2023&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-appeals-judges-ruling-ordering-abortion-pill-us-market">ruling</a>.The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, Louisiana, heard&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/three-judge-panel-us-appeals-court-hears-arguments-abortion-pill-case">oral arguments in the federal government’s appeal</a>&nbsp;of that ruling in May 2023 before issuing its decision a few months later in August.That&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/abortion-pill-stay-market-until-us-supreme-court-ruling-after-appeals-court-order-0">three-judge panel said</a>&nbsp;mifepristone could stay on the market, but that when and how patients can access the drug should go back to what was in place before the FDA began making changes in 2016.<h2>Telehealth and prescriptions</h2>That would lower the maximum gestational age for using mifepristone from 10 weeks to seven weeks as well as remove the option for patients to get the prescription via telehealth and have it mailed to their homes.Only doctors would be able to prescribe mifepristone, not health care professionals authorized to prescribe pharmaceuticals, like physician’s assistants or nurse practitioners.Patents would have to go back to attending three, in-person doctor’s appointments in order to complete the process.The dosage of mifepristone and the second pharmaceutical used in medication abortions, misoprostol, were different before the changes began to take effect.The lower courts’ rulings never took effect and the appeals court’s ruling will remain on hold until the Supreme Court issues its opinion in the case, likely this summer.<h2>Briefs filed</h2>Dozens of organizations, attorneys general and lawmakers have filed briefs with the Supreme Court seeking to inform the justices’ thinking in the case ahead of Tuesday’s oral arguments.More than 15 major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association, sought to reinforce the FDA’s determination that mifepristone is safe and effective in their brief.“Restricting access to mifepristone will not only jeopardize health, but worsen racial and economic inequities and deprive women of the choices that are at the very core of individual autonomy and wellbeing,” the medical organizations wrote.They noted that “major adverse events occur in less than 0.32% of patients,” and that the “risk of death is almost non-existent.”About 145 Members of Congress from 36 states urged the court to restrict access to mifepristone in a separate brief filed with the court.“Since 2016, the FDA has only required adverse events reporting for deaths resulting from chemical abortion drugs; reporting is otherwise voluntary,” the members of Congress wrote, making the argument that reports are not required for injuries or impairment. “This action was not only arbitrary and capricious, but it also raised safety concerns for women seeking chemical abortion drugs.”Here’s a timeline of the case and States Newsroom’s coverage of the major events:<h2>Original lawsuit and District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruling&nbsp;</h2>Federal judge could decide as soon as February to yank abortion pill nationwide<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/41shPel">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/41shPel</a>Attorneys general from Democratic-led states urge judge to keep abortion pill legal<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/41eyMsy">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/41eyMsy</a>Attorneys general from 23 GOP-led states back suit seeking to block abortion pill<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/414ns2n">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/414ns2n</a>How the judge who could ban the abortion pill won confirmation in the U.S. Senate<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3KSc9EX">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3KSc9EX</a>As future of abortion pill is weighed, Democrats in Congress see little they can do<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3msjt0y">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3msjt0y</a>Biden administration appeals judge’s ruling ordering abortion pill off U.S. market<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3KwWw4g">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3KwWw4g</a>Biden after Texas ruling vows he will fight to ensure access to abortion pill<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3GA3GUi">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3GA3GUi</a>Democratic leaders warn abortion pill ruling could endanger other FDA-approved drugs<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/43oIkmA">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/43oIkmA</a><h2>5th Circuit Court of Appeals stay of district court ruling&nbsp;</h2>U.S. Department of Justice asks appeals court to pause abortion pill ruling<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/43tqqPQ">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/43tqqPQ</a>Democratic attorneys general urge appeals court to keep abortion pill available<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3o6NGD1">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3o6NGD1</a>Texas judge’s abortion pill ruling supported by 69 Republicans in Congress<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/41qFWtV">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/41qFWtV</a>U.S. Justice Department to ask Supreme Court to reject limits on access to abortion pill<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3MHUAbZ">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3MHUAbZ</a><h2>U.S. Supreme Court stay of district court ruling&nbsp;</h2>DOJ warns Supreme Court of ‘significant chaos’ in health care if abortion pill rulings stand<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3o5ObwS">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3o5ObwS</a>U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocks limits to abortion pill access<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3A5RTcE">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3A5RTcE</a>Anti-abortion organizations urge U.S. Supreme Court to keep limits on abortion pill<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3GSu7EV">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3GSu7EV</a>U.S. Supreme Court holds off on abortion pill ruling until midnight Friday<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3GZ5gzn">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3GZ5gzn</a>U.S. Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill as lawsuit continues<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3B50QDB">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3B50QDB</a><h2>5th Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;</h2>Congressional Democrats urge reversal of district court ruling on mifepristone<a target="_blank" href="https://bit.ly/3M5UrOM">&nbsp;https://bit.ly/3M5UrOM</a>Three-judge panel in U.S. appeals court hears arguments in abortion pill case<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/285etkds">&nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/285etkds</a>Abortion pill to stay on the market until U.S. Supreme Court ruling after appeals court order<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/h4whm3xw">&nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/h4whm3xw</a><h2>U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;</h2>U.S. Justice Department asks Supreme Court to take up abortion pill case<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/msfa5dc2">&nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/msfa5dc2</a>U.S. Supreme Court to decide fate of medication abortion access nationwide&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/5f5yk4w5">http://tinyurl.com/5f5yk4w5</a>U.S. Supreme Court schedules March 26 oral arguments in abortion pill access case<a target="_blank" href="http://tinyurl.com/mry6ttvm">&nbsp;http://tinyurl.com/mry6ttvm</a>Dozens of ‘friend of the court’ briefs backing abortion pill access arrive at Supreme Court<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/299vsyrv">&nbsp;https://tinyurl.com/299vsyrv</a>Who wants the U.S. Supreme Court to limit abortion pill access? Here’s the list.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/2z96n7nn">https://tinyurl.com/2z96n7nn</a><h2>More to know about the case</h2>Fear and confusion over abortion access persists as SCOTUS takes its first post-Dobbs case&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/yckkjf6m">https://tinyurl.com/yckkjf6m</a>Study cited by Texas judge in abortion pill case retracted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/397m2jxn">https://tinyurl.com/397m2jxn</a>Researchers call for more abortion studies to be retracted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/yjefc3c6">https://tinyurl.com/yjefc3c6</a>Medication abortion rates grew 10% over the last few years, report shows&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tinyurl.com/4kjj9c4k">https://tinyurl.com/4kjj9c4</a>Study cited by Texas judge in abortion-pill case under investigation&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/study-cited-texas-judge-abortion-pill-case-under-investigation">https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/study-cited-texas-judge-abortion-pill-case-under-investigation</a>

U.S. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments Tuesday on abortion pill limits

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department launched the National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center (the Center) which &nbsp;will provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement officials, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, clinicians, victim service and social service providers, community organizations, and behavioral health professionals responsible for implementing laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others.

Vice President Kamala announced the creation of the center on Saturday during a trip to Parkland, Florida. She will lead the new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. (Click below to watch the announcement)

Harris also called on both Congress and states without red flag laws to adopt them. The Biden administration has called for a national red flag law.

“Red flag laws are simply designed to give communities a vehicle through which they can share ... information about the concern of potential danger or the crying out for help,” Harris said.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, “The launch of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center will provide our partners across the country with valuable resources to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. 

“The establishment of the Center is the latest example of the Justice Department’s work to use every tool provided by the landmark Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to protect communities from gun violence.”

ERPO laws, which are modeled off domestic violence protection orders, create a civil process allowing law enforcement, family members (in most states), and medical professionals or other groups (in some states) to petition a court to temporarily prohibit someone at risk of harming themselves or others from purchasing and possessing firearms for the duration of the order.

In 2023, the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) awarded $238 million to states, territories, and the District of Columbia under the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), which was created by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and is designed to help jurisdictions implement crisis intervention strategies, including ERPO programs. In addition, OJP awarded $4 million to support training and technical assistance under Byrne SCIP, including $2 million that was awarded to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions to establish the ERPO Resource Center. 

In collaboration with OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Center will support states, local governments, law enforcement, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, clinicians, victim service providers, and behavioral health and other social service providers in their efforts to implement ERPO programs to fit local needs, share resources and promising practices with the field, and help ensure that funding received through Byrne SCIP is effectively utilized.

“Supporting our law enforcement and community partners in curbing the scourge of gun violence is more critical than ever,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “In addition to other resources leveraged across the Justice Department, this Center will provide communities with new tools and technical assistance to help them implement effective crisis intervention strategies and reduce gun violence.”

“OJP’s investment in ERPO programs demonstrates the Department’s commitment to addressing the gun violence crisis in the United States,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “This crisis cannot be solved at one level of government. We must use all of our resources and collaborate at the federal, state, and local levels to find innovative, evidence-based, and holistic solutions to help keep American communities safe.”

Through the Center and its newly launched&nbsp;<a href="http://www.erpo.org/" target="_blank">website</a>, states, local governments, law enforcement, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, clinicians, victim service providers, and behavioral health and other social service providers will have direct access to critical information that will enhance their ability to reduce firearm homicides and suicides. The website will be maintained and updated to include newly developed resources for the field created through the Center, in partnership with BJA. The website also provides a platform for the Center to highlight emerging and promising practices in successful ERPO implementation and connect states and localities to innovative strategies to reduce gun violence and save lives.

As of this month, 21 states and the District of Columbia have enacted ERPO laws. Successful and effective ERPO implementation requires a comprehensive and holistic approach that incorporates a wide range of stakeholders. The Center is designed to provide resources consistent with that need.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711289026081.png" alt="-“Red flag laws are simply designed to give communities a vehicle through which they can share ... information about the concern of potential danger or the crying out for help,” Harris said. -ima" />
 <figcaption>-“Red flag laws are simply designed to give communities a vehicle through which they can share ... information about the concern of potential danger or the crying out for help,” Harris said. -ima</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — The Justice Department launched the National Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Resource Center (the Center) which &nbsp;will provide training and technical assistance to law enforcement officials, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, clinicians, victim service and social service providers, community organizations, and behavioral health professionals responsible for implementing laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others.Vice President Kamala announced the creation of the center on Saturday during a trip to Parkland, Florida. She will lead the new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. (Click below to watch the announcement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FVicePresident%2Fvideos%2F1134747957946403%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=784" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Harris also called on both Congress and states without red flag laws to adopt them. The Biden administration has called for a national red flag law.“Red flag laws are simply designed to give communities a vehicle through which they can share ... information about the concern of potential danger or the crying out for help,” Harris said.According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, “The launch of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center will provide our partners across the country with valuable resources to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The establishment of the Center is the latest example of the Justice Department’s work to use every tool provided by the landmark Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to protect communities from gun violence.”ERPO laws, which are modeled off domestic violence protection orders, create a civil process allowing law enforcement, family members (in most states), and medical professionals or other groups (in some states) to petition a court to temporarily prohibit someone at risk of harming themselves or others from purchasing and possessing firearms for the duration of the order.In 2023, the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) awarded $238 million to states, territories, and the District of Columbia under the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), which was created by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and is designed to help jurisdictions implement crisis intervention strategies, including ERPO programs. In addition, OJP awarded $4 million to support training and technical assistance under Byrne SCIP, including $2 million that was awarded to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions to establish the ERPO Resource Center. In collaboration with OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the Center will support states, local governments, law enforcement, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, clinicians, victim service providers, and behavioral health and other social service providers in their efforts to implement ERPO programs to fit local needs, share resources and promising practices with the field, and help ensure that funding received through Byrne SCIP is effectively utilized.“Supporting our law enforcement and community partners in curbing the scourge of gun violence is more critical than ever,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “In addition to other resources leveraged across the Justice Department, this Center will provide communities with new tools and technical assistance to help them implement effective crisis intervention strategies and reduce gun violence.”“OJP’s investment in ERPO programs demonstrates the Department’s commitment to addressing the gun violence crisis in the United States,” said OJP Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon. “This crisis cannot be solved at one level of government. We must use all of our resources and collaborate at the federal, state, and local levels to find innovative, evidence-based, and holistic solutions to help keep American communities safe.”Through the Center and its newly launched&nbsp;<a href="http://www.erpo.org/" target="_blank">website</a>, states, local governments, law enforcement, prosecutors, attorneys, judges, clinicians, victim service providers, and behavioral health and other social service providers will have direct access to critical information that will enhance their ability to reduce firearm homicides and suicides. The website will be maintained and updated to include newly developed resources for the field created through the Center, in partnership with BJA. The website also provides a platform for the Center to highlight emerging and promising practices in successful ERPO implementation and connect states and localities to innovative strategies to reduce gun violence and save lives.As of this month, 21 states and the District of Columbia have enacted ERPO laws. Successful and effective ERPO implementation requires a comprehensive and holistic approach that incorporates a wide range of stakeholders. The Center is designed to provide resources consistent with that need.

🎥VP reveals new center will seek to implement ‘red flag’ gun control laws

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/22/lawmakers-advance-nebraska-crime-package-against-deceptive-trade-child-exploitation/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Lawmakers took a first step this week in advancing two portions of a three-part&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/04/nebraska-ag-mike-hilgers-pitches-crime-package-focused-on-consumer-protection/">crime package</a>&nbsp;that Attorney General Mike Hilgers previewed earlier this year.

<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54986">Legislative Bill 934</a>, introduced by State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, would allow the Attorney General’s Office and defendants to demand jury trials in response to alleged consumer protection violations or deceptive trade practices. The attorney general would also be allowed to freeze bad actors’ assets and prevent them from expending stolen funds.

“Victim restitution should be a primary objective of Nebraska’s consumer protection laws,” Bosn said Thursday.

LB 934 expands the jurisdiction for such claims, too, allowing the attorney general to bring a case under the Consumer Protection Act in the same county that a case under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act has been filed. LB 934 was advanced Thursday to second-round debate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10493">35-0</a>.

Bosn, a former prosecutor, pointed to two cases in the past year in which Nebraskans fell victim to elaborate scams.&nbsp;

In one, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wowt.com/2024/01/30/northeast-nebraska-couple-warning-phony-equipment-sales-scam/">fraudulent farm equipment company</a>&nbsp;scammed an Omaha family out of $9,200. In the other, Hilgers sued a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-sues-private-husker-ticket-package-seller-on-behalf-of-wronged-donors/">private Husker ticket package seller</a>&nbsp;for allegedly scamming at least $87,000 from donors, which the state said was later spent on Disneyland tickets, purchases in Hawaii and other personal expenses.

“I’m asking you to help give Nebraskans hope when they fall victim to these circumstances,” Bosn said.

Through a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/AM/AM2706.pdf">Judiciary Committee amendment</a>&nbsp;adopted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10492">33-0</a>, the attorney general must have “reasonable cause” before taking certain actions, such as requiring statements or freezing assets, and an associated court order must be for “connected accounts.”

“Connected accounts,” or assets, means any financial or bank account as well as money, assets or property connected with the alleged violation.

Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/22/lawmakers-advance-nebraska-crime-package-against-deceptive-trade-child-exploitation/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Lawmakers took a first step this week in advancing two portions of a three-part&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/04/nebraska-ag-mike-hilgers-pitches-crime-package-focused-on-consumer-protection/">crime package</a>&nbsp;that Attorney General Mike Hilgers previewed earlier this year.<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54986">Legislative Bill 934</a>, introduced by State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, would allow the Attorney General’s Office and defendants to demand jury trials in response to alleged consumer protection violations or deceptive trade practices. The attorney general would also be allowed to freeze bad actors’ assets and prevent them from expending stolen funds.“Victim restitution should be a primary objective of Nebraska’s consumer protection laws,” Bosn said Thursday.LB 934 expands the jurisdiction for such claims, too, allowing the attorney general to bring a case under the Consumer Protection Act in the same county that a case under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act has been filed. LB 934 was advanced Thursday to second-round debate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10493">35-0</a>.<h2>‘Help give Nebraskans hope’</h2>Bosn, a former prosecutor, pointed to two cases in the past year in which Nebraskans fell victim to elaborate scams.&nbsp;In one, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wowt.com/2024/01/30/northeast-nebraska-couple-warning-phony-equipment-sales-scam/">fraudulent farm equipment company</a>&nbsp;scammed an Omaha family out of $9,200. In the other, Hilgers sued a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-sues-private-husker-ticket-package-seller-on-behalf-of-wronged-donors/">private Husker ticket package seller</a>&nbsp;for allegedly scamming at least $87,000 from donors, which the state said was later spent on Disneyland tickets, purchases in Hawaii and other personal expenses.“I’m asking you to help give Nebraskans hope when they fall victim to these circumstances,” Bosn said.Through a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/AM/AM2706.pdf">Judiciary Committee amendment</a>&nbsp;adopted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10492">33-0</a>, the attorney general must have “reasonable cause” before taking certain actions, such as requiring statements or freezing assets, and an associated court order must be for “connected accounts.”“Connected accounts,” or assets, means any financial or bank account as well as money, assets or property connected with the alleged violation.An ex parte order would be allowed to temporarily freeze or impound connected accounts for up to 14 days and must be set for a hearing with the defendant able to respond.State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, Judiciary Committee vice chair, said the amendment includes proper guardrails and gives the attorney general the tools he needs to keep Nebraskans and their assets safe from bad actors.“I think this makes a very strong bill now, and I am very pleased with where we all landed,” DeBoer said.<h2>Child exploitation and human trafficking</h2>State Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha also successfully added&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55151">LB 1096</a>&nbsp;to the package through an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/AM/AM3050.pdf">amendment</a>&nbsp;adopted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10491">33-0</a>&nbsp;to Bosn’s bill. Armendariz’s proposal is designed to combat online child exploitation and human trafficking beyond the geographic limits of Nebraska and “reach the world’s most prolific purveyors of exploitation of children and sex trafficking victims.”LB 1096 would expand the definition of a deceptive trade practice to include publicly available visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct, obscene material or material harmful to minors. In the material, participants or observers would need to be either:<ul>
 <li>Younger than 18.</li><li>A trafficking victim.</li><li>Someone who has not expressly and voluntarily consented to the depiction.</li><li>Someone who participated in any depicted act without consent.</li>
 </ul>Armendariz said her bill gives Hilgers and his office the ability to investigate the extent of exploitative material “on some of the most frequented websites on the internet.”<h2>Hemp regulation, delta-8 sales</h2>A third bill promoted by Hilgers did not get added to the Bosn-Armendariz package. That was Sumner State Sen. Teresa Ibach’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=55377">LB 999</a>.A portion of LB 999, to shift regulation of hemp growers back to the federal government, is advancing after lawmakers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/AM/AM2654.pdf">amended</a>&nbsp;it onto the Agriculture Committee’s priority bill,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49829">LB 262</a>. The Agriculture package faces one more round of debate.A different part of LB 999 would outlaw delta-8 sales in Nebraska. This has stalled in the Judiciary Committee.