WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic measure to revive the Equal Rights Amendment, dealing yet another blow to supporters who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-discrimination-constitutions-jackie-speier-1023e4afabc87f7c6dcd552ba02cbe98">pushed for more than five decades</a>&nbsp;to amend the Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex.

Democrats failed to win the necessary 60 votes to move forward with the resolution, which would have removed a 1982 deadline for state ratification and reopened the process to amend the Constitution.

The 51-47 vote included support from two Republicans, Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski — well short of the 10 GOP votes needed. Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Rickets voted against the measure.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., put the resolution up for a vote this week, even as it was unlikely to pass. He said it was especially timely in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">to overturn Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;and the constitutional right to an abortion.

“Women in America have far fewer rights today than they did even a year ago,” Schumer said.

After the vote, Schumer said the Senate is “not giving up,” and would keep trying to pass the measure.

Congress sent the amendment, which guarantees men and women equal rights under the law, to the states in 1972. It gave states seven years to ratify it, later extending the deadline to 1982. But the amendment wasn’t ratified by the required three-quarters of states before the deadline.

Three years ago, however,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/constitutions-us-news-discrimination-va-state-wire-virginia-fd7f31ce50bc15184317d1abefb08da1">Virginia lawmakers voted to ratify the amendment,</a>&nbsp;becoming the 38th and final state needed.

At the same time, several states — including Nebraska, Tennessee, Idaho, Kentucky and South Dakota — have attempted to remove their prior approval.

States can support the federal version individually, though it is not ratified into the U.S. Constitution, so those ratifications remain mostly symbolic.

In a statement of policy, the White House said that President Joe Biden “strongly supports” extending the deadline and that it is long past time.

“Gender equality is not only a moral issue – the full participation of women and girls across all aspects of our society is essential to our economic prosperity, our security, and the health of our democracy,” the White House said.

Republicans have argued that Democrats are trying to rewrite history.

“The Democrats’ novel unconstitutional approach bypasses states’ rights and circumvents the process our founders put in place,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., after the vote. “This is simply another liberal wish list item meant to drive a political wedge.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682647247525.png" alt="Members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and ERA Caucus marched over to the Senate to push for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. imaage courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and ERA Caucus marched over to the Senate to push for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. imaage courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic measure to revive the Equal Rights Amendment, dealing yet another blow to supporters who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-discrimination-constitutions-jackie-speier-1023e4afabc87f7c6dcd552ba02cbe98">pushed for more than five decades</a>&nbsp;to amend the Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex.Democrats failed to win the necessary 60 votes to move forward with the resolution, which would have removed a 1982 deadline for state ratification and reopened the process to amend the Constitution.The 51-47 vote included support from two Republicans, Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski — well short of the 10 GOP votes needed. Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Rickets voted against the measure.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., put the resolution up for a vote this week, even as it was unlikely to pass. He said it was especially timely in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">to overturn Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;and the constitutional right to an abortion.“Women in America have far fewer rights today than they did even a year ago,” Schumer said.After the vote, Schumer said the Senate is “not giving up,” and would keep trying to pass the measure.Congress sent the amendment, which guarantees men and women equal rights under the law, to the states in 1972. It gave states seven years to ratify it, later extending the deadline to 1982. But the amendment wasn’t ratified by the required three-quarters of states before the deadline.Three years ago, however,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/constitutions-us-news-discrimination-va-state-wire-virginia-fd7f31ce50bc15184317d1abefb08da1">Virginia lawmakers voted to ratify the amendment,</a>&nbsp;becoming the 38th and final state needed.At the same time, several states — including Nebraska, Tennessee, Idaho, Kentucky and South Dakota — have attempted to remove their prior approval.States can support the federal version individually, though it is not ratified into the U.S. Constitution, so those ratifications remain mostly symbolic.In a statement of policy, the White House said that President Joe Biden “strongly supports” extending the deadline and that it is long past time.“Gender equality is not only a moral issue – the full participation of women and girls across all aspects of our society is essential to our economic prosperity, our security, and the health of our democracy,” the White House said.Republicans have argued that Democrats are trying to rewrite history.“The Democrats’ novel unconstitutional approach bypasses states’ rights and circumvents the process our founders put in place,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., after the vote. “This is simply another liberal wish list item meant to drive a political wedge.”

Fisher, Ricketts vote no: Equal Rights Amendment fails in Senate

WASHINGTON —GHSW, LLC of Houston, Texas is voluntarily recalling 8.55 oz packages of Turkey and Havarti Sandwiches due to undeclared sesame in bread, according to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

 People who are allergic to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The recalled product was shipped to Dillon stores in Kansas, Baker’s stores in Nebraska, Gerbes stores in Missouri, as well as Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana from 01/01/23 to 4/24/23.

The recalled Turkey and Havarti Sandwiches are packaged in 8.55 oz clear plastic clamshells, with UPC 8 2676615584 2, and marked with Sell-by Dates on the front of the packet. All sell-by dates up to and including 4/29/23 are included in this recall. No other products or lots are affected by this recall. Example photos of the recalled product with labels are below.

No reports of illnesses or injury have been received to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered by a GHSW internal review/audit that sesame in the bread was not declared as an allergen. Sesame was always an ingredient and should have been declared as an allergen starting January 1, 2023, as it was added to the list of the major food allergens.

GHSW, LLC. is urging customers with any sesame concerns or allergies to dispose of the recalled products or return to the store of purchase for a full refund. Receipts are not required for the return. GHSW, LLC is standing by to answer customer questions at 888.449.9386 Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm PST.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682678193605.png" alt="photo FDA" />
 <figcaption>photo FDA</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —GHSW, LLC of Houston, Texas is voluntarily recalling 8.55 oz packages of Turkey and Havarti Sandwiches due to undeclared sesame in bread, according to a statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. People who are allergic to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.The recalled product was shipped to Dillon stores in Kansas, Baker’s stores in Nebraska, Gerbes stores in Missouri, as well as Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana from 01/01/23 to 4/24/23.The recalled Turkey and Havarti Sandwiches are packaged in 8.55 oz clear plastic clamshells, with UPC 8 2676615584 2, and marked with Sell-by Dates on the front of the packet. All sell-by dates up to and including 4/29/23 are included in this recall. No other products or lots are affected by this recall. Example photos of the recalled product with labels are below.No reports of illnesses or injury have been received to date.The recall was initiated after it was discovered by a GHSW internal review/audit that sesame in the bread was not declared as an allergen. Sesame was always an ingredient and should have been declared as an allergen starting January 1, 2023, as it was added to the list of the major food allergens.GHSW, LLC. is urging customers with any sesame concerns or allergies to dispose of the recalled products or return to the store of purchase for a full refund. Receipts are not required for the return. GHSW, LLC is standing by to answer customer questions at 888.449.9386 Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm PST.

Sandwiches recalled in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska stores

Washington&nbsp;—U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina led a letter with 16 Republican senators to the Biden Administration's Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra Thompson. This letter expressed the senators’ outrage at Thompson's proposal to penalize Americans who have managed their money responsibly in order to subsidize high-risk borrowers with low credit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/4.23-FHFA-Mortgage-Fee-Letter-w-sigs.pdf">CLICK here to read</a> a full copy of the letter

“Just when you thought Joe Biden couldn’t be more out of touch with the hardships Americans are facing due to his failed economic agenda, skyrocketing interest rates, and record high Bidenflation, he doubled down, now penalizing responsible Americans with good credit scores,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;“This is illogical. The Biden Administration must answer for why they are punishing Americans who have diligently met their financial obligations and earned higher credit scores.”

“This proposed rule by the Biden Administration is a gross injustice that penalizes hard-working Americans who are financially responsible,”&nbsp;said Senator Tillis.&nbsp;“This is yet another example of President Biden working to kill the American dream for hardworking families. I will continue to work with my colleagues to do everything in our power to stop this absurd proposal.”

Proposals like these set a dangerous precedent. In their letter, the Senators wrote in part,

“This shortsighted and counterproductive policy demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of the necessity of accurately tailoring housing finance products to credit risk and establishes a perverse incentive that punishes hardworking Americans for their fiscal prudence,”&nbsp;the letter said. “Under your leadership, FHFA has pushed forward a number of policy proposals and changes that seek to social-engineer the U.S. housing market in ways that increase riskiness and promote discrimination…The fact that a proposal flaunting credit risk is being openly pushed by FHFA just a decade-and-a-half after the housing-led 2008 financial crisis is staggering…The housing market should not be exploited as a means to pander to targeted demographics that you have chosen, nor an instrument to secure political favoritism.”

U.S. Senators Mike Braun (IN), Ted Budd (NC), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Tom Cotton (AR), Kevin Cramer (ND), Lindsey Graham (SC), Chuck Grassley (IA), Ron Johnson (WI), James Lankford (OK), Jerry Moran (KS), Mike Rounds (SD), Marco Rubio (FL), Eric Schmitt (MO), Rick Scott (FL), John Thune (SD), and Todd Young (IN)&nbsp; joined Senators Marshall and Tillis on their letter to the FHFA.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624025620777.png" alt="Senator Jerry Moran also signed the letter to Biden-photo by David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Senator Jerry Moran also signed the letter to Biden-photo by David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington&nbsp;—U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina led a letter with 16 Republican senators to the Biden Administration's Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra Thompson. This letter expressed the senators’ outrage at Thompson's proposal to penalize Americans who have managed their money responsibly in order to subsidize high-risk borrowers with low credit.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/4.23-FHFA-Mortgage-Fee-Letter-w-sigs.pdf">CLICK here to read</a> a full copy of the letter“Just when you thought Joe Biden couldn’t be more out of touch with the hardships Americans are facing due to his failed economic agenda, skyrocketing interest rates, and record high Bidenflation, he doubled down, now penalizing responsible Americans with good credit scores,”&nbsp;Senator Marshall said.&nbsp;“This is illogical. The Biden Administration must answer for why they are punishing Americans who have diligently met their financial obligations and earned higher credit scores.”“This proposed rule by the Biden Administration is a gross injustice that penalizes hard-working Americans who are financially responsible,”&nbsp;said Senator Tillis.&nbsp;“This is yet another example of President Biden working to kill the American dream for hardworking families. I will continue to work with my colleagues to do everything in our power to stop this absurd proposal.”Proposals like these set a dangerous precedent. In their letter, the Senators wrote in part,“This shortsighted and counterproductive policy demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of the necessity of accurately tailoring housing finance products to credit risk and establishes a perverse incentive that punishes hardworking Americans for their fiscal prudence,”&nbsp;the letter said. “Under your leadership, FHFA has pushed forward a number of policy proposals and changes that seek to social-engineer the U.S. housing market in ways that increase riskiness and promote discrimination…The fact that a proposal flaunting credit risk is being openly pushed by FHFA just a decade-and-a-half after the housing-led 2008 financial crisis is staggering…The housing market should not be exploited as a means to pander to targeted demographics that you have chosen, nor an instrument to secure political favoritism.”U.S. Senators Mike Braun (IN), Ted Budd (NC), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Tom Cotton (AR), Kevin Cramer (ND), Lindsey Graham (SC), Chuck Grassley (IA), Ron Johnson (WI), James Lankford (OK), Jerry Moran (KS), Mike Rounds (SD), Marco Rubio (FL), Eric Schmitt (MO), Rick Scott (FL), John Thune (SD), and Todd Young (IN)&nbsp; joined Senators Marshall and Tillis on their letter to the FHFA.

Marshall: Biden's new mortgage rule will penalize those with good credit scores

CINCINNATI (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jerry-springer">Jerry Springer,</a>&nbsp;the onetime mayor and news anchor whose namesake TV show featured a three-ring circus of dysfunctional families willing to bare all on weekday afternoons including brawls, obscenities and blurred images of nudity, died Thursday at 79.

At its peak,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dbd44e8ecae84d4493ec5b8efb8d8517">“The Jerry Springer Show”</a>&nbsp;was a ratings powerhouse and a U.S. cultural pariah, synonymous with lurid drama. Known for chair-throwing and bleep-filled arguments, the daytime talk show was a favorite American guilty pleasure over its 27-year run, at one point topping Oprah Winfrey’s show.

Springer called it “escapist entertainment,” while others saw the show as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/22de61011232158c1b6a2ade8219f04b">contributing to a dumbing-down decline in American social values.</a>

“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” said Jene Galvin, a family spokesperson and friend of Springer's since 1970, in a statement. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”

Springer died peacefully at home in suburban Chicago after a brief illness, the statement said

On his Twitter profile, Springer jokingly declared himself as “Talk show host, ringmaster of civilization’s end.” He also often had told people, tongue in cheek, that his wish for them was “may you never be on my show.”

After more than 4,000 episodes, the show ended in 2018, never straying from its core salaciousness: Some of its last episodes had such titles as “Stripper Sex Turned Me Straight,” “Stop Pimpin’ My Twin Sister,” and “Hooking Up With My Therapist.”

In a “Too Hot For TV” video released as his daily show neared 7 million viewers in the late 1990s, Springer offered a defense against disgust.

“Look, television does not and must not create values, it’s merely a picture of all that’s out there — the good, the bad, the ugly,” Springer said, adding: “Believe this: The politicians and companies that seek to control what each of us may watch are a far greater danger to America and our treasured freedom than any of our guests ever were or could be.”

He also contended that the people on his show volunteered to be subjected to whatever ridicule or humiliation awaited them.

Gerald Norman Springer was born Feb. 13, 1944, in a London underground railway station being used as a bomb shelter. His parents, Richard and Margot, were German Jews who fled to England during the Holocaust, in which other relatives were killed in Nazi gas chambers. They arrived in the United States when their son was 5 and settled in the Queens borough of New York City, where Springer got his first Yankees baseball gear on his way to becoming a lifelong fan.

He studied political science at Tulane University and got a law degree from Northwestern University. He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2f16e606593c4bd89a6e6794f68150ab">active in politics</a>&nbsp;much of his adult life, mulling a run for governor of Ohio as recently as 2017.

He entered the arena as an aide in Robert F. Kennedy’s ill-fated 1968 presidential campaign. Springer, working for a Cincinnati law firm, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1970 before being elected to city council in 1971.

In 1974 — in what The Cincinnati Enquirer reported as “an abrupt move that shook Cincinnati’s political community” — Springer resigned. He cited “very personal family considerations,” but what he didn’t mention was a vice probe involving prostitution. In a subsequent admission that could have been the basis for one of his future shows, Springer said he had paid prostitutes with personal checks.

Then 30, he had married Micki Velton the previous year. The couple had a daughter, Katie, and divorced in 1994.

Springer quickly bounced back politically, winning a council seat in 1975 and serving as mayor in 1977. He later became a local television politics reporter with popular evening commentaries. He and co-anchor Norma Rashid eventually helped build NBC affiliate WLWT-TV’s broadcast into the Cincinnati market’s top-rated news show.

Springer began his talk show in 1991 with more of a traditional format, but after he left WLWT in 1993, it got a sleazy makeover.

TV Guide ranked it No. 1 on a list of “Worst Shows in the History of Television,” but it was ratings gold. It made Springer a celebrity who would go on to host a liberal radio talk show and “America’s Got Talent,” star in a movie called “Ringmaster,” and compete on “Dancing With the Stars.”

“With all the joking I do with the show, I’m fully aware and thank God every day that my life has taken this incredible turn because of this silly show,” Springer told Cincinnati Enquirer media reporter John Kiesewetter in 2011.

Well in advance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s political rise</a>&nbsp;from reality TV stardom, Springer mulled a Senate run in 2003 that he surmised could draw on “nontraditional voters,” people “who believe most politics are bull.”

“I connect with a whole bunch of people who probably connect more to me right now than to a traditional politician,” Springer told the AP at the time. He opposed the war on Iraq and favored expanding public healthcare, but ultimately did not run.

Springer also spoke often of the country he came to age 5 as “a beacon of light for the rest of world.”

“I have no other motivation but to say I love this country,” Springer said to a Democratic gathering in 2003.

Springer hosted a nationally syndicated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ct-state-wire-jerry-springer-entertainment-talk-shows-north-america-0f6e8642840647e8a56d0ae500541d94">“Judge Jerry”</a>&nbsp;show in 2019 and continued to speak out on whatever was on his mind in a podcast, but his power to shock had dimmed in the new era of reality television and combative cable TV talk shows.

“He was lapped not only by other programs but by real life,” David Bianculli, a television historian and professor at Monmouth University, said in 2018.

Despite the limits Springer’s show put on his political aspirations, he embraced its legacy. In a 2003 fund-raising infomercial ahead of a possible U.S. Senate run the following year, Springer referenced a quote by then National Review commentator Jonah Goldberg, who warned of new people brought to the polls by Springer, including “slack-jawed yokels, hicks, weirdos, pervs and whatnots.”

In the informercial, Springer referred to the quote and talked about wanting to reach out to “regular folks ... who weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682606774055.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CINCINNATI (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jerry-springer">Jerry Springer,</a>&nbsp;the onetime mayor and news anchor whose namesake TV show featured a three-ring circus of dysfunctional families willing to bare all on weekday afternoons including brawls, obscenities and blurred images of nudity, died Thursday at 79.At its peak,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dbd44e8ecae84d4493ec5b8efb8d8517">“The Jerry Springer Show”</a>&nbsp;was a ratings powerhouse and a U.S. cultural pariah, synonymous with lurid drama. Known for chair-throwing and bleep-filled arguments, the daytime talk show was a favorite American guilty pleasure over its 27-year run, at one point topping Oprah Winfrey’s show.Springer called it “escapist entertainment,” while others saw the show as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/22de61011232158c1b6a2ade8219f04b">contributing to a dumbing-down decline in American social values.</a>“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” said Jene Galvin, a family spokesperson and friend of Springer's since 1970, in a statement. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”Springer died peacefully at home in suburban Chicago after a brief illness, the statement saidOn his Twitter profile, Springer jokingly declared himself as “Talk show host, ringmaster of civilization’s end.” He also often had told people, tongue in cheek, that his wish for them was “may you never be on my show.”After more than 4,000 episodes, the show ended in 2018, never straying from its core salaciousness: Some of its last episodes had such titles as “Stripper Sex Turned Me Straight,” “Stop Pimpin’ My Twin Sister,” and “Hooking Up With My Therapist.”In a “Too Hot For TV” video released as his daily show neared 7 million viewers in the late 1990s, Springer offered a defense against disgust.“Look, television does not and must not create values, it’s merely a picture of all that’s out there — the good, the bad, the ugly,” Springer said, adding: “Believe this: The politicians and companies that seek to control what each of us may watch are a far greater danger to America and our treasured freedom than any of our guests ever were or could be.”He also contended that the people on his show volunteered to be subjected to whatever ridicule or humiliation awaited them.Gerald Norman Springer was born Feb. 13, 1944, in a London underground railway station being used as a bomb shelter. His parents, Richard and Margot, were German Jews who fled to England during the Holocaust, in which other relatives were killed in Nazi gas chambers. They arrived in the United States when their son was 5 and settled in the Queens borough of New York City, where Springer got his first Yankees baseball gear on his way to becoming a lifelong fan.He studied political science at Tulane University and got a law degree from Northwestern University. He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2f16e606593c4bd89a6e6794f68150ab">active in politics</a>&nbsp;much of his adult life, mulling a run for governor of Ohio as recently as 2017.He entered the arena as an aide in Robert F. Kennedy’s ill-fated 1968 presidential campaign. Springer, working for a Cincinnati law firm, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1970 before being elected to city council in 1971.In 1974 — in what The Cincinnati Enquirer reported as “an abrupt move that shook Cincinnati’s political community” — Springer resigned. He cited “very personal family considerations,” but what he didn’t mention was a vice probe involving prostitution. In a subsequent admission that could have been the basis for one of his future shows, Springer said he had paid prostitutes with personal checks.Then 30, he had married Micki Velton the previous year. The couple had a daughter, Katie, and divorced in 1994.Springer quickly bounced back politically, winning a council seat in 1975 and serving as mayor in 1977. He later became a local television politics reporter with popular evening commentaries. He and co-anchor Norma Rashid eventually helped build NBC affiliate WLWT-TV’s broadcast into the Cincinnati market’s top-rated news show.Springer began his talk show in 1991 with more of a traditional format, but after he left WLWT in 1993, it got a sleazy makeover.TV Guide ranked it No. 1 on a list of “Worst Shows in the History of Television,” but it was ratings gold. It made Springer a celebrity who would go on to host a liberal radio talk show and “America’s Got Talent,” star in a movie called “Ringmaster,” and compete on “Dancing With the Stars.”“With all the joking I do with the show, I’m fully aware and thank God every day that my life has taken this incredible turn because of this silly show,” Springer told Cincinnati Enquirer media reporter John Kiesewetter in 2011.Well in advance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s political rise</a>&nbsp;from reality TV stardom, Springer mulled a Senate run in 2003 that he surmised could draw on “nontraditional voters,” people “who believe most politics are bull.”“I connect with a whole bunch of people who probably connect more to me right now than to a traditional politician,” Springer told the AP at the time. He opposed the war on Iraq and favored expanding public healthcare, but ultimately did not run.Springer also spoke often of the country he came to age 5 as “a beacon of light for the rest of world.”“I have no other motivation but to say I love this country,” Springer said to a Democratic gathering in 2003.Springer hosted a nationally syndicated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ct-state-wire-jerry-springer-entertainment-talk-shows-north-america-0f6e8642840647e8a56d0ae500541d94">“Judge Jerry”</a>&nbsp;show in 2019 and continued to speak out on whatever was on his mind in a podcast, but his power to shock had dimmed in the new era of reality television and combative cable TV talk shows.“He was lapped not only by other programs but by real life,” David Bianculli, a television historian and professor at Monmouth University, said in 2018.Despite the limits Springer’s show put on his political aspirations, he embraced its legacy. In a 2003 fund-raising infomercial ahead of a possible U.S. Senate run the following year, Springer referenced a quote by then National Review commentator Jonah Goldberg, who warned of new people brought to the polls by Springer, including “slack-jawed yokels, hicks, weirdos, pervs and whatnots.”In the informercial, Springer referred to the quote and talked about wanting to reach out to “regular folks ... who weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth.”

Jerry Springer, politician-turned-TV ringmaster, dies at 79

United States Attorney Steven Russell
announced that Anthony Jose Franco, 21, of Omaha was sentenced Wednesday by
United States District Judge 
Brian C. Buescher for conspiracy 
to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of 
fentanyl.&nbsp; Franco received a sentence of 120 months’ imprisonment with a
 five-year term of supervised release to follow.&nbsp;
 There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp; 

In
 August 2022, Franco became the subject of a DEA investigation for his 
role in distributing fentanyl in Omaha.&nbsp; On August 5, 2022, an 
undercover agent purchased
 21.3 grams of fentanyl directly from Franco.&nbsp; A second undercover buy 
on August 24, 2022, resulted in 29.3 grams of fentanyl being purchased.&nbsp;
 On September 9, 2022, Franco was arrested while delivering 58.7 grams 
of fentanyl to the undercover agent.&nbsp; That
 same day, a search warrant was executed at the residence in which 
Franco was staying.&nbsp; More than 326 fentanyl pills with venue to Franco 
and an AK-47 assault rifle were seized.&nbsp;


This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.


U.S. Attorneys OfficeUnited States Attorney Steven Russell
announced that Anthony Jose Franco, 21, of Omaha was sentenced Wednesday by
United States District Judge 
Brian C. Buescher for conspiracy 
to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of 
fentanyl.&nbsp; Franco received a sentence of 120 months’ imprisonment with a
 five-year term of supervised release to follow.&nbsp;
 There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp; In
 August 2022, Franco became the subject of a DEA investigation for his 
role in distributing fentanyl in Omaha.&nbsp; On August 5, 2022, an 
undercover agent purchased
 21.3 grams of fentanyl directly from Franco.&nbsp; A second undercover buy 
on August 24, 2022, resulted in 29.3 grams of fentanyl being purchased.&nbsp;
 On September 9, 2022, Franco was arrested while delivering 58.7 grams 
of fentanyl to the undercover agent.&nbsp; That
 same day, a search warrant was executed at the residence in which 
Franco was staying.&nbsp; More than 326 fentanyl pills with venue to Franco 
and an AK-47 assault rifle were seized.&nbsp;
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Neb. man sentenced for fentanyl, firearm conspiracy

‘We can get them out, working jobs,’ says key Nebraska lawmaker

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/25/judiciary-committee-tees-up-proposal-for-mandatory-supervised-release/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Too many of Nebraska’s 
most violent inmates are “jamming out” of prison without participating 
in rehabilitation programs and without supervision once they’re on the 
outside,&nbsp; according to State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha.

On Tuesday, Wayne, the chairman of the Legislature’s Judiciary 
Committee, explained his proposal to require such inmates to serve a 
period of “mandatory” supervision after they’re released, in hopes of 
reducing the need for new prisons and reducing repeat crimes.

Under the proposal, inmates would serve the final 15% of their prison
 sentence outside prison walls, under strict supervision in halfway-type
 houses. while employed and engaged in rehabilitation efforts.

If they misbehave, they would be sent back to prison.

&nbsp;“We can get them out, working jobs and giving them the services they need, without reducing their sentence,” Wayne said.

“It has to be the right people,” he added. “We can’t harm public safety. We have to make sure they’re monitored.”

Such a program would become the featured item in a package of 
criminal justice reform proposals assembled by the Judiciary Committee, 
which deals with criminal sentencing.

Last week, on a 4-3 vote, the committee advanced the package, 
Legislative Bill 50. On Tuesday, committee members met in an executive 
session to discuss aspects of the bill and what aspects had the most 
support.

One senator on the committee, Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, hadn’t yet 
been appointed to join the Judiciary Committee when LB 50 was voted out.

Bosn, who was appointed to fill the vacancy left when Sen. Suzanne 
Geist resigned, is a former Lancaster County deputy prosecutor. Many of 
the queries about “what can you support?” were directed her way during 
the Tuesday executive session because of her experience in court.

Bosn responded with several questions about how “mandatory” supervised release would work and about other aspects of LB 50.

Wayne said the idea of mandatory supervised release came from Douglas
 County Sheriff Aaron Hanson and is something that has been used in 
Florida and Texas.

Right now, the senator said, about one-third of Nebraska’s most 
violent inmates and sex offenders leave prison at the end of their 
sentence — known as “jamming out” — without opting to participate in 
rehabilitation programs or parole supervision.

Wayne said that mandatory supervised release of all inmates — it’s 
now required of low-level offenders — might improve the state’s 
recidivism rate. Right now, just under 30% of all prison inmates 
reoffend within three years of their release.

Moving inmates out of prison and into jobs and monitoring by parole 
officers could also stave off the state’s need to build additional new 
prisons, Wayne said.

Right now, state lawmakers appear ready to approve a new, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/06/appropriations-committee-votes-to-recommend-final-funding-for-366-million-new-prison/">$366-million prison </a> this year. But inmate <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/02/will-nebraska-need-not-one-but-two-new-prisons-at-a-cost-of-nearly-500-million/">population projections indicate a second, new prison</a> will be needed unless something is done to reduce the sentencing of criminals to behind bars.

Wayne said he wants to get something passed this year so the state 
can begin building up its capability to supervise more inmates. He 
estimated that 500 to 1,000 additional inmates could be put on 
supervised release, if the right job and halfway house programs are put 
in place.

LB 50, Wayne said, could be debated next month, after state lawmakers complete their discussion of the state budget.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664393286634.png" alt="The state Reception and Treatment Center on the western edge of Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The state Reception and Treatment Center on the western edge of Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘We can get them out, working jobs,’ says key Nebraska lawmaker</h2>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/25/judiciary-committee-tees-up-proposal-for-mandatory-supervised-release/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Too many of Nebraska’s 
most violent inmates are “jamming out” of prison without participating 
in rehabilitation programs and without supervision once they’re on the 
outside,&nbsp; according to State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha.On Tuesday, Wayne, the chairman of the Legislature’s Judiciary 
Committee, explained his proposal to require such inmates to serve a 
period of “mandatory” supervision after they’re released, in hopes of 
reducing the need for new prisons and reducing repeat crimes.<h2>Final 15% of sentence out of prison</h2>Under the proposal, inmates would serve the final 15% of their prison
 sentence outside prison walls, under strict supervision in halfway-type
 houses. while employed and engaged in rehabilitation efforts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674250368592.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Justin Wayne (Rebecca S. Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Justin Wayne (Rebecca S. Gratz for the Nebraska Examiner).</figcaption>
 </figure>If they misbehave, they would be sent back to prison.&nbsp;“We can get them out, working jobs and giving them the services they need, without reducing their sentence,” Wayne said.<h2>‘Has to be the right people’</h2>“It has to be the right people,” he added. “We can’t harm public safety. We have to make sure they’re monitored.”Such a program would become the featured item in a package of 
criminal justice reform proposals assembled by the Judiciary Committee, 
which deals with criminal sentencing.Last week, on a 4-3 vote, the committee advanced the package, 
Legislative Bill 50. On Tuesday, committee members met in an executive 
session to discuss aspects of the bill and what aspects had the most 
support.One senator on the committee, Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, hadn’t yet 
been appointed to join the Judiciary Committee when LB 50 was voted out.Bosn, who was appointed to fill the vacancy left when Sen. Suzanne 
Geist resigned, is a former Lancaster County deputy prosecutor. Many of 
the queries about “what can you support?” were directed her way during 
the Tuesday executive session because of her experience in court.Bosn responded with several questions about how “mandatory” supervised release would work and about other aspects of LB 50.Wayne said the idea of mandatory supervised release came from Douglas
 County Sheriff Aaron Hanson and is something that has been used in 
Florida and Texas.Right now, the senator said, about one-third of Nebraska’s most 
violent inmates and sex offenders leave prison at the end of their 
sentence — known as “jamming out” — without opting to participate in 
rehabilitation programs or parole supervision.Wayne said that mandatory supervised release of all inmates — it’s 
now required of low-level offenders — might improve the state’s 
recidivism rate. Right now, just under 30% of all prison inmates 
reoffend within three years of their release.Moving inmates out of prison and into jobs and monitoring by parole 
officers could also stave off the state’s need to build additional new 
prisons, Wayne said.Right now, state lawmakers appear ready to approve a new, <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/06/appropriations-committee-votes-to-recommend-final-funding-for-366-million-new-prison/">$366-million prison </a> this year. But inmate <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/01/02/will-nebraska-need-not-one-but-two-new-prisons-at-a-cost-of-nearly-500-million/">population projections indicate a second, new prison</a> will be needed unless something is done to reduce the sentencing of criminals to behind bars.Wayne said he wants to get something passed this year so the state 
can begin building up its capability to supervise more inmates. He 
estimated that 500 to 1,000 additional inmates could be put on 
supervised release, if the right job and halfway house programs are put 
in place.LB 50, Wayne said, could be debated next month, after state lawmakers complete their discussion of the state budget.

Neb. panel tees up proposal for ‘mandatory’ supervised release

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-south-korea-north-japan-united-states-government-06eda2aee0a8b33c30419251e06cd69f">South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol</a>&nbsp;announced Wednesday the two nations will bolster the response to North Korea’s persistent nuclear threat with an agreement that includes plans to dock U.S. nuclear-armed submarines in South Korea for the first time in over 40 years, bolster training between the two countries and improve information sharing between the allies.

The new extended nuclear deterrence effort was unveiled as Biden hosted Yoon for a state visit at a moment of heightened anxiety over an increased pace of ballistic missile tests by North Korea.

Biden delivered a blunt warning to Pyongyang at an afternoon Rose Garden news conference with Yoon, saying: “A nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners is unacceptable, and will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action."

Yoon said that the new commitment by the “righteous alliance” includes plans for bilateral presidential consultations in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack, the establishment of a nuclear consultative group and improved sharing of information on nuclear and strategic weapons operation plans.

“Sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula does not happen automatically,” Yoon said.

Biden and Yoon aides have been working on details of the plan for months and agreed that “occasional” and “very clear demonstrations of the strength” of U.S. extended deterrence capabilities needed to be an essential aspect of the agreement, according to three senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of the announcement.

The officials said the so-called Washington Declaration was designed to allay South Korean fears over the North's aggressive nuclear weapons program and to keep the country from restarting its own nuclear program, which it gave up nearly 50 years ago when it signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Yoon earlier this year said his country was weighing developing its own nuclear weapons or asking the U.S. to redeploy them on the Korean Peninsula.

The U.S. and South Korea also would coordinate more deeply on nuclear response strategy in the event of the North attacking the South — but operational control of such weapons would remain in U.S. control, and no nuclear weapons are being deployed onto South Korean shores.

“We are not going to be stationing nuclear weapons on the peninsula,” Biden underscored.

Biden said coordination between the U.S. and South Korea remains crucial in the face of increased North Korean threats and blatant violation of international sanctions. The president repeated that the U.S. remains open to talks with the North without preconditions.

“At the same time, we continue to seek serious a substantial diplomatic breakthrough for the DPRK to bolster stability on the peninsula,” Biden said of the North.

During a brief appearance before reporters at the start of their Oval Office talks, Biden stressed that both nations are committed to “doubling down on our cooperation as allies" as North Korea “ramps up its challenges.”

The state visit comes as the U.S. and South Korea mark the 70th year of the countries' alliance that began at the end of the Korean War and committed the United States to help South Korea defend itself, particularly from North Korea. Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are currently based in South Korea.

“Why did they sacrifice their lives for this faraway country and for the people that you’ve never met?” Yoon said of the U.S. troops who served during the war. “That was for one noble cause: to defend freedom.”

The agreement also calls for the U.S. and South Korean militaries to strengthen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usa-korea-japan-defense-drills-pyongyang-missiles-736bf7b4b6928a40b5ae0758d1e8447c">joint training</a>&nbsp;and better integrate South Korean military assets into the joint strategic deterrence effort. As part of the declaration, South Korea will reaffirm its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, an agreement signed by several major nuclear and non-nuclear powers that pledged their cooperation to stem the spread of nuclear technology, the officials said.

As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-voting-campaigns-seoul-f29dd8982b18c1f7318d579b9afc83f1">a candidate for the presidency</a>&nbsp;last year, Yoon said he would call for the increased deployment of U.S. bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to South Korea as he looked to offer a firmer response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-launches-us-drills-55e946567117c176b027ee7c4253483e">the North's threats</a>&nbsp;than his predecessor Moon Jae-in.

In the midst of the Cold War in the late 1970s, U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines made frequent port visits to South Korea, sometimes two to three visits per month, according to the Federation of American Scientists. It was a period when the U.S. had hundreds of nuclear warheads located in South Korea.

But in 1991, the United States withdrew all of its nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula, and the following year Seoul and Pyongyang signed a joint declaration pledging that neither would “test, manufacture, produce, receive, possess, store, deploy or use nuclear weapons.” But as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-north-korea-international-news-asia-pacific-seoul-8009312c92974485a4eef13bdc4ddd8d">the North has repeatedly violated the joint declaration</a>&nbsp;over the years, there's been increased support in South Korea for the United States to return nuclear weapons to the country.

One Biden administration official cautioned it is “crystal clear” that there are no plans by the administration for "returning tactical or any other kind of nuclear weapon to the Korean Peninsula.” Instead, administration officials said they envision that the visit of ballistic missile submarines will be followed by the U.S. military more regularly deploying assets such as bombers or aircraft carriers to South Korea.

North Korea’s increasing nuclear threats, along with concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-aquilino-china-security-north-korea-bb41e692490b13cfcc0a6e28fd8f9bef">China’s military and economic assertiveness in the region</a>, have pushed the Biden administration to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-asia-indonesia-united-states-china-a9fa80404afe5d16fa9cce953780ab6e">expand its Asian alliance</a>. To that end, Biden has thrown plenty of attention at Yoon as well as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Next week, Biden will host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ferdinand-marcos-jr-philippines-30fa00e8a8e357e201d4f64e43d03466">Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</a>&nbsp;for Oval Office talks.

In the past year, North Korea has been steadily expanding its nuclear arsenal, while China and Russia repeatedly block U.S.-led efforts to toughen sanctions on the North over its barrage of banned missile tests.

The stepped-up testing by North Korea includes the flight-testing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-icbm-solid-fuel-kim-jong-un-6382097edf024c2aa43afbd0575f9524">a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile</a>&nbsp;for the first time earlier this month. The recent test is seen as a possible breakthrough in the North’s efforts to acquire a more powerful, harder-to-detect weapon targeting the continental United States.

Besides nuclear deterrence, Biden and Yoon, and their aides, also are expected to discuss&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine</a>. The Biden administration has praised South Korea for sending some $230 million in humanitarian aid to Kyiv, but Biden would welcome Seoul taking an even bigger role in helping the Ukrainians repel Russia.

Yoon's visit comes just weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-us-leaked-documents-yoon-biden-5d88d7c6624865ca5d5b361ed8ce0d26">the leaks of scores of highly classified documents</a>&nbsp;that have complicated relations with allies, including South Korea. The papers viewed by The Associated Press indicate that South Korea’s National Security Council “grappled” with the U.S. in early March over an American request to provide artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

The documents, which cited a signals intelligence report, said then-NSC Director Kim Sung-han suggested the possibility of selling the 330,000 rounds of 155 mm munitions to Poland, since getting the ammunition to Ukraine quickly was the United States’ ultimate goal.

Asked at the joint news conference if the leak came up in their private talks, Yoon replied, "We are communicating between our two countries.”

Later Wednesday, Biden and first lady Jill Biden will honor Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-state-dinner-south-korea-7df97aaaa3dfd6ef33ac7dcdde1a926c">a state dinner</a>&nbsp;at the White House.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-south-korea-north-japan-united-states-government-06eda2aee0a8b33c30419251e06cd69f">Yoon Suk Yeol</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday will sign an agreement that includes plans to have U.S. nuclear-armed submarines dock in South Korea for the first time in more than 40 years, a conspicuous show of support to Seoul amid growing concern about nuclear threats by North Korea, according to senior Biden administration officials.

The planned dock visits are a key element of what's being dubbed the “Washington Declaration,” aimed at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-nuclear-deterrence-south-korea-north-korea-65f725fa5ab24d3aab98aafa34b23c45">deterring North Korea</a>&nbsp;from carrying out an attack on its neighbor. It is being unveiled as Biden is hosting Yoon for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-state-dinner-south-korea-chef-05270a9fa17a4982edbb7f2ca2b08372">a state visit</a>&nbsp;during a moment of heightened anxiety for both leaders over an increased pace of ballistic missile tests by North Korea over the last several months.

The three senior Biden administration officials, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement, said that Biden and Yoon aides have been working on details of the plan for months and agreed that “occasional” and “very clear demonstrations of the strength” of U.S. extended deterrence capabilities needed to be an essential aspect of the agreement.

The agreement seeks to allay South Korean fears over the North's aggressive nuclear weapons program and to ward off the country from restarting its own nuclear program, which it gave up nearly 50 years ago when it signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The U.S. and South Korea also would coordinate more deeply on nuclear response strategy in the event of the North attacking the South — but operational control of such weapons would remain in U.S. control, and no nuclear weapons are being deployed onto South Korean shores.

One Biden administration official said that Biden planned to talk to Yoon about “what it means for all like-minded allies to continue to support Ukraine” and ask the South Korean leader "what the future of their support might look like.”

Besides their talks on Wednesday, Biden and Yoon are scheduled to host a joint news conference. In the evening, Biden and first lady Jill Biden will honor Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-state-dinner-south-korea-7df97aaaa3dfd6ef33ac7dcdde1a926c">a state dinner</a>&nbsp;at the White House.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-south-korea-north-japan-united-states-government-06eda2aee0a8b33c30419251e06cd69f">South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol</a>&nbsp;announced Wednesday the two nations will bolster the response to North Korea’s persistent nuclear threat with an agreement that includes plans to dock U.S. nuclear-armed submarines in South Korea for the first time in over 40 years, bolster training between the two countries and improve information sharing between the allies.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Welcome to the White House, President Yoon and Mrs. Kim. <a href="https://t.co/Soolh6Lx9S">pic.twitter.com/Soolh6Lx9S</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1651221357575667712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The new extended nuclear deterrence effort was unveiled as Biden hosted Yoon for a state visit at a moment of heightened anxiety over an increased pace of ballistic missile tests by North Korea.Biden delivered a blunt warning to Pyongyang at an afternoon Rose Garden news conference with Yoon, saying: “A nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners is unacceptable, and will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action."Yoon said that the new commitment by the “righteous alliance” includes plans for bilateral presidential consultations in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack, the establishment of a nuclear consultative group and improved sharing of information on nuclear and strategic weapons operation plans.“Sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula does not happen automatically,” Yoon said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tune in as I hold a joint press conference with President Yoon of the Republic of Korea in the Rose Garden. <a href="https://t.co/eYtkEd4tfg">https://t.co/eYtkEd4tfg</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1651280828872245261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden and Yoon aides have been working on details of the plan for months and agreed that “occasional” and “very clear demonstrations of the strength” of U.S. extended deterrence capabilities needed to be an essential aspect of the agreement, according to three senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of the announcement.The officials said the so-called Washington Declaration was designed to allay South Korean fears over the North's aggressive nuclear weapons program and to keep the country from restarting its own nuclear program, which it gave up nearly 50 years ago when it signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Yoon earlier this year said his country was weighing developing its own nuclear weapons or asking the U.S. to redeploy them on the Korean Peninsula.The U.S. and South Korea also would coordinate more deeply on nuclear response strategy in the event of the North attacking the South — but operational control of such weapons would remain in U.S. control, and no nuclear weapons are being deployed onto South Korean shores.“We are not going to be stationing nuclear weapons on the peninsula,” Biden underscored.Biden said coordination between the U.S. and South Korea remains crucial in the face of increased North Korean threats and blatant violation of international sanctions. The president repeated that the U.S. remains open to talks with the North without preconditions.“At the same time, we continue to seek serious a substantial diplomatic breakthrough for the DPRK to bolster stability on the peninsula,” Biden said of the North.During a brief appearance before reporters at the start of their Oval Office talks, Biden stressed that both nations are committed to “doubling down on our cooperation as allies" as North Korea “ramps up its challenges.”The state visit comes as the U.S. and South Korea mark the 70th year of the countries' alliance that began at the end of the Korean War and committed the United States to help South Korea defend itself, particularly from North Korea. Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are currently based in South Korea.“Why did they sacrifice their lives for this faraway country and for the people that you’ve never met?” Yoon said of the U.S. troops who served during the war. “That was for one noble cause: to defend freedom.”The agreement also calls for the U.S. and South Korean militaries to strengthen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usa-korea-japan-defense-drills-pyongyang-missiles-736bf7b4b6928a40b5ae0758d1e8447c">joint training</a>&nbsp;and better integrate South Korean military assets into the joint strategic deterrence effort. As part of the declaration, South Korea will reaffirm its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, an agreement signed by several major nuclear and non-nuclear powers that pledged their cooperation to stem the spread of nuclear technology, the officials said.As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-voting-campaigns-seoul-f29dd8982b18c1f7318d579b9afc83f1">a candidate for the presidency</a>&nbsp;last year, Yoon said he would call for the increased deployment of U.S. bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to South Korea as he looked to offer a firmer response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-launches-us-drills-55e946567117c176b027ee7c4253483e">the North's threats</a>&nbsp;than his predecessor Moon Jae-in.In the midst of the Cold War in the late 1970s, U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines made frequent port visits to South Korea, sometimes two to three visits per month, according to the Federation of American Scientists. It was a period when the U.S. had hundreds of nuclear warheads located in South Korea.But in 1991, the United States withdrew all of its nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula, and the following year Seoul and Pyongyang signed a joint declaration pledging that neither would “test, manufacture, produce, receive, possess, store, deploy or use nuclear weapons.” But as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-north-korea-international-news-asia-pacific-seoul-8009312c92974485a4eef13bdc4ddd8d">the North has repeatedly violated the joint declaration</a>&nbsp;over the years, there's been increased support in South Korea for the United States to return nuclear weapons to the country.One Biden administration official cautioned it is “crystal clear” that there are no plans by the administration for "returning tactical or any other kind of nuclear weapon to the Korean Peninsula.” Instead, administration officials said they envision that the visit of ballistic missile submarines will be followed by the U.S. military more regularly deploying assets such as bombers or aircraft carriers to South Korea.North Korea’s increasing nuclear threats, along with concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-aquilino-china-security-north-korea-bb41e692490b13cfcc0a6e28fd8f9bef">China’s military and economic assertiveness in the region</a>, have pushed the Biden administration to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-asia-indonesia-united-states-china-a9fa80404afe5d16fa9cce953780ab6e">expand its Asian alliance</a>. To that end, Biden has thrown plenty of attention at Yoon as well as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Next week, Biden will host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ferdinand-marcos-jr-philippines-30fa00e8a8e357e201d4f64e43d03466">Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</a>&nbsp;for Oval Office talks.In the past year, North Korea has been steadily expanding its nuclear arsenal, while China and Russia repeatedly block U.S.-led efforts to toughen sanctions on the North over its barrage of banned missile tests.The stepped-up testing by North Korea includes the flight-testing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-icbm-solid-fuel-kim-jong-un-6382097edf024c2aa43afbd0575f9524">a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile</a>&nbsp;for the first time earlier this month. The recent test is seen as a possible breakthrough in the North’s efforts to acquire a more powerful, harder-to-detect weapon targeting the continental United States.Besides nuclear deterrence, Biden and Yoon, and their aides, also are expected to discuss&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine</a>. The Biden administration has praised South Korea for sending some $230 million in humanitarian aid to Kyiv, but Biden would welcome Seoul taking an even bigger role in helping the Ukrainians repel Russia.Yoon's visit comes just weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-us-leaked-documents-yoon-biden-5d88d7c6624865ca5d5b361ed8ce0d26">the leaks of scores of highly classified documents</a>&nbsp;that have complicated relations with allies, including South Korea. The papers viewed by The Associated Press indicate that South Korea’s National Security Council “grappled” with the U.S. in early March over an American request to provide artillery ammunition to Ukraine.The documents, which cited a signals intelligence report, said then-NSC Director Kim Sung-han suggested the possibility of selling the 330,000 rounds of 155 mm munitions to Poland, since getting the ammunition to Ukraine quickly was the United States’ ultimate goal.Asked at the joint news conference if the leak came up in their private talks, Yoon replied, "We are communicating between our two countries.”Later Wednesday, Biden and first lady Jill Biden will honor Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-state-dinner-south-korea-7df97aaaa3dfd6ef33ac7dcdde1a926c">a state dinner</a>&nbsp;at the White House.--------------WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-south-korea-north-japan-united-states-government-06eda2aee0a8b33c30419251e06cd69f">Yoon Suk Yeol</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday will sign an agreement that includes plans to have U.S. nuclear-armed submarines dock in South Korea for the first time in more than 40 years, a conspicuous show of support to Seoul amid growing concern about nuclear threats by North Korea, according to senior Biden administration officials.The planned dock visits are a key element of what's being dubbed the “Washington Declaration,” aimed at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-nuclear-deterrence-south-korea-north-korea-65f725fa5ab24d3aab98aafa34b23c45">deterring North Korea</a>&nbsp;from carrying out an attack on its neighbor. It is being unveiled as Biden is hosting Yoon for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-state-dinner-south-korea-chef-05270a9fa17a4982edbb7f2ca2b08372">a state visit</a>&nbsp;during a moment of heightened anxiety for both leaders over an increased pace of ballistic missile tests by North Korea over the last several months.The three senior Biden administration officials, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement, said that Biden and Yoon aides have been working on details of the plan for months and agreed that “occasional” and “very clear demonstrations of the strength” of U.S. extended deterrence capabilities needed to be an essential aspect of the agreement.The agreement seeks to allay South Korean fears over the North's aggressive nuclear weapons program and to ward off the country from restarting its own nuclear program, which it gave up nearly 50 years ago when it signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The U.S. and South Korea also would coordinate more deeply on nuclear response strategy in the event of the North attacking the South — but operational control of such weapons would remain in U.S. control, and no nuclear weapons are being deployed onto South Korean shores.The agreement also calls for the U.S. and South Korean militaries to strengthen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/usa-korea-japan-defense-drills-pyongyang-missiles-736bf7b4b6928a40b5ae0758d1e8447c">joint training</a>&nbsp;and better integrate South Korean military assets into the joint strategic deterrence effort. As part of the declaration, South Korea will reaffirm its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, an agreement signed by several major nuclear and non-nuclear powers that pledged their cooperation to stem the spread of nuclear technology, the officials said.As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-voting-campaigns-seoul-f29dd8982b18c1f7318d579b9afc83f1">a candidate for the presidency</a>&nbsp;last year, Yoon said he would call for the increased deployment of U.S. bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to South Korea as he looked to offer a firmer response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-launches-us-drills-55e946567117c176b027ee7c4253483e">the North's threats</a>&nbsp;than his predecessor Moon Jae-in.In the midst of the Cold War in the late 1970s, U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines made frequent port visits to South Korea, sometimes two to three visits per month, according to the Federation of American Scientists. It was a period when the U.S. had hundreds of nuclear warheads located in South Korea.But in 1991, the United States withdrew all of its nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula, and the following year Seoul and Pyongyang signed a joint declaration pledging that neither would “test, manufacture, produce, receive, possess, store, deploy or use nuclear weapons.” But as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-north-korea-international-news-asia-pacific-seoul-8009312c92974485a4eef13bdc4ddd8d">the North has repeatedly violated the joint declaration</a>&nbsp;over the years, there's been increased support in South Korea for the United States to return nuclear weapons to the country.One Biden administration official cautioned it is “crystal clear” that there are no plans by the administration for "returning tactical or any other kind of nuclear weapon to the Korean Peninsula.” Instead, administration officials said they envision that the visit of ballistic missile submarines will be followed by the U.S. military more regularly deploying assets such as bombers or aircraft carriers to South Korea.North Korea’s increasing nuclear threats, along with concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-aquilino-china-security-north-korea-bb41e692490b13cfcc0a6e28fd8f9bef">China’s military and economic assertiveness in the region</a>, have pushed the Biden administration to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-asia-indonesia-united-states-china-a9fa80404afe5d16fa9cce953780ab6e">expand its Asian alliance</a>. To that end, Biden has thrown plenty of attention at Yoon as well as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Next week, Biden will host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ferdinand-marcos-jr-philippines-30fa00e8a8e357e201d4f64e43d03466">Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</a>&nbsp;for Oval Office talks.In the past year, North Korea has been steadily expanding its nuclear arsenal, while China and Russia repeatedly block U.S.-led efforts to toughen sanctions on the North over its barrage of banned missile tests.The stepped-up testing by North Korea includes the flight-testing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-icbm-solid-fuel-kim-jong-un-6382097edf024c2aa43afbd0575f9524">a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile</a>&nbsp;for the first time earlier this month. The recent test is seen as a possible breakthrough in the North’s efforts to acquire a more powerful, harder-to-detect weapon targeting the continental United States.Besides nuclear deterrence, Biden and Yoon, and their aides, also are expected to discuss&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine</a>. The Biden administration has praised South Korea for sending some $230 million in humanitarian aid to Kyiv, but Biden would welcome Seoul taking an even bigger role in helping the Ukrainians repel Russia.Yoon's visit comes just weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-us-leaked-documents-yoon-biden-5d88d7c6624865ca5d5b361ed8ce0d26">the leaks of scores of highly classified documents</a>&nbsp;that have complicated relations with allies, including South Korea. The papers viewed by The Associated Press indicate that South Korea’s National Security Council “grappled” with the U.S. in early March over an American request to provide artillery ammunition to Ukraine.The documents, which cited a signals intelligence report, said then-NSC Director Kim Sung-han suggested the possibility of selling the 330,000 rounds of 155 mm munitions to Poland, since getting the ammunition to Ukraine quickly was the United States’ ultimate goal.One Biden administration official said that Biden planned to talk to Yoon about “what it means for all like-minded allies to continue to support Ukraine” and ask the South Korean leader "what the future of their support might look like.”Besides their talks on Wednesday, Biden and Yoon are scheduled to host a joint news conference. In the evening, Biden and first lady Jill Biden will honor Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-state-dinner-south-korea-7df97aaaa3dfd6ef33ac7dcdde1a926c">a state dinner</a>&nbsp;at the White House.

Nuclear deterrence: US to move nuclear subs to South Korea

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha city councilman, two former Omaha police officers and a fourth man have been indicted in a federal investigation into the misuse of funds from a youth sports program and a Latino officers' group.

Former Capt. Richard Gonzalez, former officer Johnny Palermo and fundraiser Jack Olson were indicted on wire fraud and other charges related to the Police Athletics for Community Engagement, or PACE, youth sports program, and the Latino Peace Officers Association, federal prosecutors announced Friday. Councilman Vinny Palermo was charged with fraud conspiracy in a separate indictment.

The indictments make sweeping allegations stretching over years of stealing money donated to the Latino officers group and PACE and spending it on travel, gambling and prostitution.

“Corruption tears at the foundation of our democracy,” the FBI Omaha special agent in charge, Eugene Kowel, said in a statement. “No level of corruption should be tolerated or accepted.”

All four were arrested Friday and are set to appear in federal court in Lincoln on Monday.

Johnny Palermo was the Latino officers group president when the FBI served search warrants in December. He retired after he was put on leave because of this investigation. Olson was a fundraiser for the group. The two Palermos are not related.

Vinny Palermo’s attorney, W. Randall Paragas, said he would not comment until after the councilman appears in court.

“We’ll let the facts come out and see where all this ends,” said Glenn Shapiro, an attorney for Johnny Palermo.

Steve Lefler, an attorney for Gonzalez, said he was confident that “once all of the information comes forward this investigation will be shown to be politically motivated effort to embarrass the Gonzalez family.”

Olson's federal public defender did not respond to requests for comment from WOWT-TV.

Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said in a statement that he was "appalled, but unfortunately not shocked at the content of the federal indictments.”

Mayor Jean Stothert called on Councilman Palermo to resign.

“We are concerned about potential conflicts of interest with votes cast by Councilman Palermo during the six years he has served on the Council,” the mayor said in a statement. “As the federal investigation continues, a review of his voting record may be necessary.”

The city suspended funding to PACE in December after learning of the federal investigation.

"These are taxpayer dollars and we must do all we can to ensure they are used appropriately,” the mayor said. “While these indictments are a clear sign that PACE, as an organization, was taken advantage of, there are still questions that need to be answered before I am comfortable releasing the funds.”

Several of the offenses carry sentences of 20 years or more in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha city councilman, two former Omaha police officers and a fourth man have been indicted in a federal investigation into the misuse of funds from a youth sports program and a Latino officers' group.Former Capt. Richard Gonzalez, former officer Johnny Palermo and fundraiser Jack Olson were indicted on wire fraud and other charges related to the Police Athletics for Community Engagement, or PACE, youth sports program, and the Latino Peace Officers Association, federal prosecutors announced Friday. Councilman Vinny Palermo was charged with fraud conspiracy in a separate indictment.The indictments make sweeping allegations stretching over years of stealing money donated to the Latino officers group and PACE and spending it on travel, gambling and prostitution.“Corruption tears at the foundation of our democracy,” the FBI Omaha special agent in charge, Eugene Kowel, said in a statement. “No level of corruption should be tolerated or accepted.”All four were arrested Friday and are set to appear in federal court in Lincoln on Monday.Johnny Palermo was the Latino officers group president when the FBI served search warrants in December. He retired after he was put on leave because of this investigation. Olson was a fundraiser for the group. The two Palermos are not related.Vinny Palermo’s attorney, W. Randall Paragas, said he would not comment until after the councilman appears in court.“We’ll let the facts come out and see where all this ends,” said Glenn Shapiro, an attorney for Johnny Palermo.Steve Lefler, an attorney for Gonzalez, said he was confident that “once all of the information comes forward this investigation will be shown to be politically motivated effort to embarrass the Gonzalez family.”Olson's federal public defender did not respond to requests for comment from WOWT-TV.Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said in a statement that he was "appalled, but unfortunately not shocked at the content of the federal indictments.”Mayor Jean Stothert called on Councilman Palermo to resign.“We are concerned about potential conflicts of interest with votes cast by Councilman Palermo during the six years he has served on the Council,” the mayor said in a statement. “As the federal investigation continues, a review of his voting record may be necessary.”The city suspended funding to PACE in December after learning of the federal investigation."These are taxpayer dollars and we must do all we can to ensure they are used appropriately,” the mayor said. “While these indictments are a clear sign that PACE, as an organization, was taken advantage of, there are still questions that need to be answered before I am comfortable releasing the funds.”Several of the offenses carry sentences of 20 years or more in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Nebraska councilman, police charged in federal indictments

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/john-roberts">Chief Justice John Roberts</a>&nbsp;has declined&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-clarence-thomas-ethics-john-roberts-262a6d56854c2eb8f5d2f5f29f780a0e">a request from the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify</a>&nbsp;at a hearing next week on ethical standards at the court, instead providing the panel with a statement of ethics reaffirmed by the court's nine justices.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., invited Roberts' testimony last week, saying that there had been a “steady stream of revelations” regarding Supreme Court justices “falling short of ethical standards expected of other federal judges.”

The invitation came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clarence-thomas-harlan-crow-supreme-court-ethics-7e5d967b1174f224497e53955c55434f">news reports that detailed a close relationship between Justice Clarence Thomas and a conservative donor from Texas</a>. The donor, Dallas billionaire Harlan Crow, had purchased three properties belonging to Thomas and his family in a transaction worth more than $100,000 that Thomas never reported, according to the nonprofit investigative journalism organization ProPublica.

In a letter to Durbin on Tuesday, Roberts said he would “respectfully decline” the committee's request.

“Testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Chief Justice of the United States is exceedingly rare, as one might expect in light of separation of powers concerns and the importance of preserving judicial independence.”

Accompanying the letter to Durbin was a “Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices” signed by all nine justices describing the ethical rules they follow about travel, gifts and outside income. While the rules are not new, the statement said that the undersigned justices “today reaffirm and restate foundational ethics principles and practices to which they subscribe in carrying out their responsibilities as Members of the Supreme Court of the United States.”

The statement details standards for justices' activities outside the court and describes the recusal process, which is generally up to each individual justice. It does not require any justice to say why they are recusing from a case.

Nothing about Roberts’ letter or the statement attributed to all nine justices suggests that they feel chastened in any way by recent reports. But it is the first time the current membership has spoken on ethics issues as a group.

Durbin said in a statement that he was surprised because the response from the court “suggests current law is adequate and ignores the obvious.”

“The actions of one Justice, including trips on yachts and private jets, were not reported to the public,” Durbin said. “That same Justice failed to disclose the sale of properties he partly owned to a party with interests before the Supreme Court.”

Durbin said he would proceed with the hearing, which will “review common sense proposals” to hold Supreme Court justices more accountable to ethics guidelines.

Gabe Roth, executive director of the court transparency group Fix the Court, said the justices' statements rehashed inadequate ethical standards.

“Make no mistake: Roberts’ statement is nowhere near an appropriate response to the ethical failures of the current Court,” Roth said in a statement.

ProPublica also revealed that Crow gifted Thomas and his wife Ginni with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of annual vacations and trips over several decades — including international cruises on his mega-yacht, private jet flights and stays at Crow’s invitation-only resort in the Adirondacks. But the 2014 real estate deal is the first public evidence of a direct financial transaction between the pair.

Ethics experts have offered conflicting views about whether Thomas was required to disclose the luxury trips funded by Crow. Thomas said in a statement that he was advised by colleagues that “this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable.”

Thomas did not name the other justices or those in the judiciary with whom he had consulted.

Last month, the federal judiciary bolstered disclosure requirements for all judges, including the high court justices, although overnight stays at personal vacation homes owned by friends remain exempt from disclosure.

The ethics statement sent to Durbin notes that the Judicial Conference’s Committee on Financial Disclosure had “provided clarification on the scope of the ‘personal hospitality’ exemption to the disclosure rules."

The original letter from Durbin had asked Roberts or another justice to appear before the committee on May 2. He told Roberts that the scope of his testimony would be limited to the ethics rules governing justices of the Supreme Court and potential changes to those rules.

Roberts’ refusal to testify is the latest hitch for Democrats on the Judiciary panel. With Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California absent indefinitely, the committee has a tied number of Democrats and Republicans and can’t move certain judges to the floor - or presumably subpoena Roberts, if Democrats wanted to.

In declining to testify, Roberts ignored Durbin’s invitation to have another justice appear instead. The last time justices met with the Senate Judiciary Committee was in October 2011, when Justices Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer testified.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/john-roberts">Chief Justice John Roberts</a>&nbsp;has declined&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-clarence-thomas-ethics-john-roberts-262a6d56854c2eb8f5d2f5f29f780a0e">a request from the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify</a>&nbsp;at a hearing next week on ethical standards at the court, instead providing the panel with a statement of ethics reaffirmed by the court's nine justices.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682524645888.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., invited Roberts' testimony last week, saying that there had been a “steady stream of revelations” regarding Supreme Court justices “falling short of ethical standards expected of other federal judges.”The invitation came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clarence-thomas-harlan-crow-supreme-court-ethics-7e5d967b1174f224497e53955c55434f">news reports that detailed a close relationship between Justice Clarence Thomas and a conservative donor from Texas</a>. The donor, Dallas billionaire Harlan Crow, had purchased three properties belonging to Thomas and his family in a transaction worth more than $100,000 that Thomas never reported, according to the nonprofit investigative journalism organization ProPublica.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651591949777.png" alt="Chief Justice John Roberts- photo courtesy U.S. Supreme Court" />
 <figcaption>Chief Justice John Roberts- photo courtesy U.S. Supreme Court</figcaption>
 </figure>In a letter to Durbin on Tuesday, Roberts said he would “respectfully decline” the committee's request.“Testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Chief Justice of the United States is exceedingly rare, as one might expect in light of separation of powers concerns and the importance of preserving judicial independence.”Accompanying the letter to Durbin was a “Statement on Ethics Principles and Practices” signed by all nine justices describing the ethical rules they follow about travel, gifts and outside income. While the rules are not new, the statement said that the undersigned justices “today reaffirm and restate foundational ethics principles and practices to which they subscribe in carrying out their responsibilities as Members of the Supreme Court of the United States.”The statement details standards for justices' activities outside the court and describes the recusal process, which is generally up to each individual justice. It does not require any justice to say why they are recusing from a case.Nothing about Roberts’ letter or the statement attributed to all nine justices suggests that they feel chastened in any way by recent reports. But it is the first time the current membership has spoken on ethics issues as a group.Durbin said in a statement that he was surprised because the response from the court “suggests current law is adequate and ignores the obvious.”“The actions of one Justice, including trips on yachts and private jets, were not reported to the public,” Durbin said. “That same Justice failed to disclose the sale of properties he partly owned to a party with interests before the Supreme Court.”Durbin said he would proceed with the hearing, which will “review common sense proposals” to hold Supreme Court justices more accountable to ethics guidelines.Gabe Roth, executive director of the court transparency group Fix the Court, said the justices' statements rehashed inadequate ethical standards.“Make no mistake: Roberts’ statement is nowhere near an appropriate response to the ethical failures of the current Court,” Roth said in a statement.ProPublica also revealed that Crow gifted Thomas and his wife Ginni with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of annual vacations and trips over several decades — including international cruises on his mega-yacht, private jet flights and stays at Crow’s invitation-only resort in the Adirondacks. But the 2014 real estate deal is the first public evidence of a direct financial transaction between the pair.Ethics experts have offered conflicting views about whether Thomas was required to disclose the luxury trips funded by Crow. Thomas said in a statement that he was advised by colleagues that “this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable.”Thomas did not name the other justices or those in the judiciary with whom he had consulted.Last month, the federal judiciary bolstered disclosure requirements for all judges, including the high court justices, although overnight stays at personal vacation homes owned by friends remain exempt from disclosure.The ethics statement sent to Durbin notes that the Judicial Conference’s Committee on Financial Disclosure had “provided clarification on the scope of the ‘personal hospitality’ exemption to the disclosure rules."The original letter from Durbin had asked Roberts or another justice to appear before the committee on May 2. He told Roberts that the scope of his testimony would be limited to the ethics rules governing justices of the Supreme Court and potential changes to those rules.Roberts’ refusal to testify is the latest hitch for Democrats on the Judiciary panel. With Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California absent indefinitely, the committee has a tied number of Democrats and Republicans and can’t move certain judges to the floor - or presumably subpoena Roberts, if Democrats wanted to.In declining to testify, Roberts ignored Durbin’s invitation to have another justice appear instead. The last time justices met with the Senate Judiciary Committee was in October 2011, when Justices Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer testified.

Read Chief Justice letter rejecting request to testify on court ethics

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-no-1-in-labor-force-participation-rate-no-2-in-low-unemployment-rate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

&nbsp;OMAHA — Nebraska’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 2.1%, according to the latest Labor Department data, and is tied with North Dakota for being the second lowest in the country.

The Husker state also stands out on 
another economic indicator: Nebraska’s labor force participation rate 
reported for March was the highest in the nation, at 69.5%.

While a relatively high rate of 
working-age people in the labor force is not new to the state, economist
 Eric Thompson said the two indicators reinforce the tough task of 
filling job openings.&nbsp;

“It does suggest the challenging 
environment for finding workers,” said Thompson, director of the Bureau 
of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The data points are part of the monthly update by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Thompson said Nebraska, Iowa, 
Minnesota and North and South Dakota typically are near the top of the 
pack when it comes to the share of people participating in the labor 
force. He called it an upper Midwest phenomenon that has prompted debate
 about the reasons why.

One contributing factor, Thompson 
said, is that Nebraskans work late into their lives. Maybe it’s 
cultural, he said. Or maybe there’s a bit less temptation to forego work
 when there are no beaches or mountains nearby.

“There’s a lot of back and forth on that issue,” he said.

According to the latest Labor 
Department monthly update, North Dakota followed Nebraska in labor 
participation rate, at 69.3%. Iowa reported 68.2% and Minnesota, 68%.

For unemployment rates, also 
seasonally adjusted, South Dakota had the national low, 1.9%. Nevada had
 the highest, 5.5%. The national rate was 3.5%.

In Nebraska, the 2.1% unemployment rate for March compared to February’s 2.3%.

“March saw an increase in employed workers of nearly 3,000,” said State Labor Commissioner John Albin.

Unemployment rate counts are based on
 an employment status survey conducted by the Census Bureau. Individuals
 who are claiming unemployment benefits as well as individuals who are 
not claiming benefits can be counted as unemployed, depending on how 
they respond to the survey.

Those who are not working and not 
seeking work are not considered part of the labor force and are not 
included in the unemployment rate calculation.

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-no-1-in-labor-force-participation-rate-no-2-in-low-unemployment-rate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>&nbsp;OMAHA — Nebraska’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 2.1%, according to the latest Labor Department data, and is tied with North Dakota for being the second lowest in the country.The Husker state also stands out on 
another economic indicator: Nebraska’s labor force participation rate 
reported for March was the highest in the nation, at 69.5%.While a relatively high rate of 
working-age people in the labor force is not new to the state, economist
 Eric Thompson said the two indicators reinforce the tough task of 
filling job openings.&nbsp;“It does suggest the challenging 
environment for finding workers,” said Thompson, director of the Bureau 
of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.The data points are part of the monthly update by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Thompson said Nebraska, Iowa, 
Minnesota and North and South Dakota typically are near the top of the 
pack when it comes to the share of people participating in the labor 
force. He called it an upper Midwest phenomenon that has prompted debate
 about the reasons why.One contributing factor, Thompson 
said, is that Nebraskans work late into their lives. Maybe it’s 
cultural, he said. Or maybe there’s a bit less temptation to forego work
 when there are no beaches or mountains nearby.“There’s a lot of back and forth on that issue,” he said.According to the latest Labor 
Department monthly update, North Dakota followed Nebraska in labor 
participation rate, at 69.3%. Iowa reported 68.2% and Minnesota, 68%.For unemployment rates, also 
seasonally adjusted, South Dakota had the national low, 1.9%. Nevada had
 the highest, 5.5%. The national rate was 3.5%.In Nebraska, the 2.1% unemployment rate for March compared to February’s 2.3%.“March saw an increase in employed workers of nearly 3,000,” said State Labor Commissioner John Albin.Unemployment rate counts are based on
 an employment status survey conducted by the Census Bureau. Individuals
 who are claiming unemployment benefits as well as individuals who are 
not claiming benefits can be counted as unemployed, depending on how 
they respond to the survey.Those who are not working and not 
seeking work are not considered part of the labor force and are not 
included in the unemployment rate calculation.

Nebraska No. 1 in labor force participation, No. 2 in jobless rate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Older Americans and people with weak immune systems can get an extra COVID-19 booster dose this spring.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on a more flexible booster schedule for people who remain at the highest risk from COVID-19 — giving them the choice of a second “bivalent” Pfizer or Moderna booster, the most up-to-date formula.

“Many in the population are experiencing vaccine fatigue but there is a subset who are eager to receive additional doses,” CDC’s Dr. Sara Oliver told an agency advisory panel that expressed support for the change.

The move came a day after the Food and Drug Administration took steps to make coronavirus vaccinations simpler for everyone. From now on, anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna dose — whether it’s a booster or their first-ever vaccination — will get an updated version rather than the outdated original shots.

Anyone who’s gotten their original vaccinations but hasn’t had an updated booster yet can still get one. Only 42% of Americans 65 and older — and just 20% of all adults — have gotten one of those updated boosters since September.

People 65 or older who already had one Pfizer or Moderna updated booster can roll up their sleeves again as long as it’s been at least four months since that last shot.

The schedule is a little different for people with weak immune systems. Most can choose a second Pfizer or Moderna updated booster at least two months after their first. Under the latest FDA and CDC guidelines, they also could get additional doses if and when their physician decides they need one.

Older adults continue to have the highest rates of hospitalization from COVID-19, even as cases have declined. But a frail 85-year-old may want another booster right away while a robust 65-year-old may not see the need — or might instead time another shot for peak protection ahead of a summer vacation or other special event.

CDC officials stressed there’s even more variety among immune-compromised patients, from people with only mild impairment to those trying to replenish immunity that grueling cancer treatment knocked out.

The changes put the U.S. in line with Britain and Canada, which also are offering certain vulnerable populations a spring shot. It’s a reasonable choice, Dr. Matthew Laurens, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said before the announcement.

“We do have vaccines that are available to protect against these severe consequences, so why not use them?” he said. “They don’t do any good just sitting on a shelf.”

WILL YOUNGER, HEALTHIER PEOPLE GET A FALL DOSE?

Stay tuned. The FDA will hold a public meeting in June to consider if the vaccine recipe needs more adjusting to better match the latest coronavirus strains — just like it adjusts flu vaccines every year. And part of that discussion will be whether younger, healthier people also need a booster.

The updated Pfizer and Moderna shots being used now target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions, which have been replaced by an ever-changing list of omicron descendants. Still, while protection against mild infections is short-lived, those updated doses continue to do a good job fighting severe disease and death even against the newest variants.

TOTS ARE LEAST LIKELY TO BE VACCINATED YET

CDC’s advisers were dismayed at how few of the youngest children are vaccinated. Just 6% of 2- to 4-year-olds have gotten their initial COVID-19 shots and 4.5% of those younger than 2. Far fewer got an updated booster.

The FDA’s new rules mean tots under 5 who’ve never been vaccinated can get the most up-to-date formula – two Moderna shots or three of the Pfizer-BioNTech version. Unvaccinated 5-year-olds can get two Moderna doses or a single Pfizer shot. And tots already fully or partially vaccinated may get a bivalent shot or two depending on their vaccination history.

Novavax makes a more traditional type of COVID-19 vaccine, and its original formula remains available for people who don’t want the Pfizer or Moderna option. Novavax also is getting ready in case FDA urges a fall update, by manufacturing several additional formulas. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634902668202.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Moderna" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Moderna</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Older Americans and people with weak immune systems can get an extra COVID-19 booster dose this spring.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on a more flexible booster schedule for people who remain at the highest risk from COVID-19 — giving them the choice of a second “bivalent” Pfizer or Moderna booster, the most up-to-date formula.“Many in the population are experiencing vaccine fatigue but there is a subset who are eager to receive additional doses,” CDC’s Dr. Sara Oliver told an agency advisory panel that expressed support for the change.The move came a day after the Food and Drug Administration took steps to make coronavirus vaccinations simpler for everyone. From now on, anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna dose — whether it’s a booster or their first-ever vaccination — will get an updated version rather than the outdated original shots.Here are some things to know:WHO NEEDS A BOOSTER?Anyone who’s gotten their original vaccinations but hasn’t had an updated booster yet can still get one. Only 42% of Americans 65 and older — and just 20% of all adults — have gotten one of those updated boosters since September.WHO CAN GET A SECOND UPDATED BOOSTER?People 65 or older who already had one Pfizer or Moderna updated booster can roll up their sleeves again as long as it’s been at least four months since that last shot.The schedule is a little different for people with weak immune systems. Most can choose a second Pfizer or Moderna updated booster at least two months after their first. Under the latest FDA and CDC guidelines, they also could get additional doses if and when their physician decides they need one.WHY THE EXTRA LEEWAY?Older adults continue to have the highest rates of hospitalization from COVID-19, even as cases have declined. But a frail 85-year-old may want another booster right away while a robust 65-year-old may not see the need — or might instead time another shot for peak protection ahead of a summer vacation or other special event.CDC officials stressed there’s even more variety among immune-compromised patients, from people with only mild impairment to those trying to replenish immunity that grueling cancer treatment knocked out.The changes put the U.S. in line with Britain and Canada, which also are offering certain vulnerable populations a spring shot. It’s a reasonable choice, Dr. Matthew Laurens, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said before the announcement.“We do have vaccines that are available to protect against these severe consequences, so why not use them?” he said. “They don’t do any good just sitting on a shelf.”WILL YOUNGER, HEALTHIER PEOPLE GET A FALL DOSE?Stay tuned. The FDA will hold a public meeting in June to consider if the vaccine recipe needs more adjusting to better match the latest coronavirus strains — just like it adjusts flu vaccines every year. And part of that discussion will be whether younger, healthier people also need a booster.The updated Pfizer and Moderna shots being used now target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions, which have been replaced by an ever-changing list of omicron descendants. Still, while protection against mild infections is short-lived, those updated doses continue to do a good job fighting severe disease and death even against the newest variants.TOTS ARE LEAST LIKELY TO BE VACCINATED YETCDC’s advisers were dismayed at how few of the youngest children are vaccinated. Just 6% of 2- to 4-year-olds have gotten their initial COVID-19 shots and 4.5% of those younger than 2. Far fewer got an updated booster.The FDA’s new rules mean tots under 5 who’ve never been vaccinated can get the most up-to-date formula – two Moderna shots or three of the Pfizer-BioNTech version. Unvaccinated 5-year-olds can get two Moderna doses or a single Pfizer shot. And tots already fully or partially vaccinated may get a bivalent shot or two depending on their vaccination history.WHAT ABOUT THE NOVAVAX VACCINE?Novavax makes a more traditional type of COVID-19 vaccine, and its original formula remains available for people who don’t want the Pfizer or Moderna option. Novavax also is getting ready in case FDA urges a fall update, by manufacturing several additional formulas. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.----------------WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday cleared another booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older Americans and people with weak immune systems.The Food and Drug Administration also took steps to make coronavirus vaccinations simpler for everyone, saying that anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna dose — whether it's a booster or their first-ever vaccination — will get the newest formula, not the original shots.The FDA said those 65 or older can opt to roll up their sleeves again for another booster as long as it's been at least four months since their first dose of the so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-omicron-booster-shot-227514678d25a99b65b7ee092735fb03">bivalent vaccine</a>&nbsp;that targets omicron strains.And most people who are immune-compromised also can choose that extra spring booster at least two months after their first, with additional doses in the future at the discretion of their physician, the agency said.If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signs off, those spring boosters could begin within days. The CDC's advisers are set to meet Wednesday.“COVID-19 remains a very real risk for many people,” FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said.It's too soon to know if younger, healthy people will eventually be offered yet another shot but the extra dose for the most vulnerable is one of several steps FDA is taking to simplify COVID-19 vaccinations going forward.Here are some things to know:ONE FORMULA FOR PFIZER AND MODERNA SHOTSCOVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives but protection wanes over time and as new, more contagious variants have popped up. So last fall, Pfizer and Moderna rolled out updated “bivalent” boosters that added protection against omicron strains then circulating to the original vaccine recipe. Tuesday, the FDA said that updated formula will be used for anyone getting a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. For unvaccinated adults, that means one combo shot would replace having to get several doses of the original vaccine first.WHO NEEDS A BOOSTER?Anyone who's gotten their original vaccinations but hasn't had an updated booster yet can still get one. Only 42% of Americans 65 and older — and just 20% of all adults — have gotten one of those updated boosters since September. “Those individuals certainly could go out and get a bivalent booster now to improve their protection,” Marks said.SOME PEOPLE ARE AT HIGHER RISKFor many Americans, COVID-19 has become less of a health fear and more of an inconvenience, and masking, routine testing and other precautions have largely fallen by the wayside. But at least 250 people in the U.S. a day still die from COVID-19, and high-risk Americans who last got a dose in the fall have anxiously wondered when they could get&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-immunizations-us-food-and-drug-administration-business-covid-6fe66fb4b7c9ac6568fb055544b13e20">another.</a>Letting seniors and the immune-compromised get an extra booster dose puts the U.S. in line with Britain and Canada, which also are offering certain vulnerable populations a spring shot. It’s a reasonable choice, said Dr. Matthew Laurens of the University of Maryland School of Medicine.“We do have vaccines that are available to protect against these severe consequences, so why not use them?” he said. “They don’t do any good just sitting on a shelf."WILL YOUNGER, HEALTHIER PEOPLE GET A FALL DOSE?Stay tuned. The FDA will hold a public meeting in June to consider if the vaccine recipe needs more adjusting to better match the latest coronavirus strains — just like it adjusts flu vaccines every year. And part of that discussion will be whether younger, healthier people also need a booster.The updated Pfizer and Moderna shots being used now target the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions, which have been replaced by an ever-changing list of omicron descendants. Still, while protection against mild infections is short-lived, those updated doses continue to do a good job fighting severe disease and death even against the newest variants, Marks said.Whether the recipe gets adjusted again or not, Tuesday's move “is essentially preparing to have a simpler, more straightforward way of going about vaccinating people," he said. “It’s essentially a single dose of the appropriately strained vaccine as we move into the fall and winter months.”TWEAKS TO CHILD SHOTS, TOOMillions of U.S. children still haven't gotten their initial COVID-19 vaccinations but Tuesday's step means they, too, can get the most updated version of the shots. Tots ages 6 months through 5 years who are unvaccinated can choose two Moderna shots or three of the Pfizer-BioNTech version. Children who are 5 years old can get two Moderna doses or a single Pfizer shot.Children already fully or partially vaccinated with the original Pfizer or Moderna shots may get a bivalent vaccine, but how many doses will depend on their vaccination history, the FDA said.WHAT ABOUT THE NOVAVAX VACCINE?Novavax makes a more traditional type of COVID-19 vaccine, and its original formula remains available for people who don't want the Pfizer or Moderna option. Novavax said Tuesday it also is getting ready in case FDA urges a fall update, by manufacturing several additional formulas.