WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday formally announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him more time to “finish the job” he began when he was sworn in to office and to set aside their concerns about extending the run of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-inauguration-joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-ronald-reagan-pennsylvania-48d1659d4469999be87fbd87d560a52c">America’s oldest president</a>&nbsp;for another four years.

Biden, who would be 86 at the end of a second term, is betting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-china-pandemics-52195f4d5338b0b226aad4300436fc15">his first-term legislative achievements</a>&nbsp;and more than 50 years of experience in Washington will count for more than concerns over his age. He faces a smooth path to winning his party’s nomination, with no serious Democratic rivals. But he’s still set for a hard-fought struggle to retain the presidency in a bitterly divided nation.

The announcement, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChjibtX0UzU">a three-minute video</a>, comes on the four-year anniversary of when Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-pa-state-wire-joe-biden-ap-top-news-donald-trump-d5c415b99a6945dbbecf60d57bcf68cb">declared for the White House</a>&nbsp;in 2019, promising to heal the “soul of the nation” amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-president-legacy-e3f2608fc3b70e2e2f45097a403150e1">the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;— a goal that has remained elusive.

“I said we are in a battle for the soul of America, and we still are," Biden said. “The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer.”

While the question of seeking reelection has been a given for most modern presidents, that’s not always been the case for Biden, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-poll-2024-white-house-economy-873663f6e3cbca8f2dae2f018c8be9d3">a notable swath of Democratic voters</a>&nbsp;have indicated they would prefer he not run, in part because of his age — concerns Biden has called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-donald-trump-government-and-politics-ede57ce56fdf7958addec2cf9ef5e0de">“totally legitimate”</a>&nbsp;but ones he did not address head-on in the launch video.

Yet few things have unified Democratic voters like the prospect of Trump returning to power. And Biden’s political standing within his party stabilized after Democrats notched a stronger-than-expected performance in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">last year’s midterm elections</a>, as the president set out to run again on the same themes that buoyed his party last fall, particularly on preserving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-texas-gavin-newsom-5db36213df3b4de5ad94ebbb53d01d30">access to abortion</a>.

“Freedom. Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more sacred,” Biden said in the launch video, which painted the Republican Party as extremists trying to roll back access to abortion,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-us-republican-party-united-states-government-programs-00e9f526a93936c324a40d71df2863ba">cut Social Security</a>, limit voting rights and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-book-bans-91b2d4c086eb082cbecfdda2800ef29a">ban books</a>&nbsp;they disagree with. “Around the country, MAGA extremists are lining up to take those bedrock freedoms away.”

“This is not a time to be complacent,” Biden added. “That’s why I’m running for reelection."

As the contours of the campaign begin to take shape, Biden plans to campaign on his record. He spent his first two years as president combating the coronavirus pandemic and pushing through major bills such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">the bipartisan infrastructure package</a>&nbsp;and legislation to promote high-tech manufacturing and climate measures. With Republicans now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-house-control-79475a4fc11e4375cd0dded651b9eede">in control of the House</a>, Biden has shifted his focus to implementing those massive laws and making sure voters credit him for the improvements, while sharpening the contrast with the GOP ahead of an expected showdown over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-kevin-mccarthy-debt-limit-schumer-98fb9543dd3434d9f8a5ace09cbb1eed">raising the nation's borrowing limit</a>&nbsp;that could have debilitating consequences for the country's economy.

But the president also has multiple policy goals and unmet promises from his first campaign that he’s pitching voters on giving him another chance to fulfill.

“Let’s finish this job. I know we can,” Biden said in the video, repeating a mantra he said a dozen times during his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-the-union-biden-2023-b9bebd876a42a9510f068a04a3f2a348">State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;in February, listing everything from passing a ban on assault-style weapons and lowering the cost of prescription drugs to codifying a national right to abortion after the Supreme Court's ruling last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturning Roe v. Wade</a>.

Buoyed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">the midterm results</a>, Biden plans to continue to cast all Republicans as embracing what he calls&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-business-donald-trump-economy-accd1a895105377a3e4350067c56b64d">“ultra-MAGA” politics</a>&nbsp;— a reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again" slogan — regardless of whether his predecessor ends up on the 2024 ballot. He’s spent the last several months road-testing campaign themes, including painting Republicans as fighting for tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy while trying to cut social safety net benefits relied on by everyday Americans and roll back access to abortion services.

Biden, speaking over brief video clips and photographs of key moments in his presidency, snapshots of diverse Americans and flashes of his outspoken Republican foes, including Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, exhorted supporters that “this is our moment” to “defend democracy. Stand up for our personal freedoms. Stand up for the right to vote and our civil rights.”

Biden also plans to point to his work over the past two years shoring up American alliances, leading a global coalition to support Ukraine’s defenses against Russia’s invasion and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-return-paris-climate-world-leaders-ee8eb8b6744394ad41e33f94843b6586">returning the U.S. to the Paris climate accord</a>. But public support in the U.S. for Ukraine has softened in recent months, and some voters question the tens of billions of dollars in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-biden-politics-ecd159914eb01c1145d703eb95855890">military and economic assistance</a>&nbsp;flowing to Kyiv.

The president faces lingering criticism over his administration's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-e10e038baea732dae879c11234507f81">chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;after nearly 20 years of war, which undercut the image of competence he aimed to portray to the world, and he finds himself the target of GOP attacks over his immigration and economic policies.

As a candidate in 2020, Biden pitched voters on his familiarity with the halls of power in Washington and his relationships around the world as he promised to return a sense of normalcy to the country amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-president-legacy-e3f2608fc3b70e2e2f45097a403150e1">Trump’s tumultuous presidency</a>&nbsp;and the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

But even back then, Biden was acutely aware of voters’ concerns about his age.

“Look, I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else,” Biden said in March 2020, as he campaigned in Michigan with younger Democrats, including now-Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “There’s an entire generation of leaders you saw stand behind me. They are the future of this country.”

Three years later, the president now 80, Biden allies say his time in office has demonstrated that he saw himself as more of a transformational than a transitional leader.

Still, many Democrats would prefer that Biden didn’t run again. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-poll-2024-white-house-economy-873663f6e3cbca8f2dae2f018c8be9d3">recent poll</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows just 47% of Democrats say they want him to seek a second term, up from 37% in February. And Biden’s verbal — and occasional physical — stumbles have become fodder among the GOP, which has sought to cast him as unfit for office.

Biden, on multiple occasions, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-donald-trump-government-and-politics-ede57ce56fdf7958addec2cf9ef5e0de">brushed back concerns about his age</a>, saying simply, “Watch me.”

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-health-bdce6c15df6186e06710f2d903a3513e">a routine physical</a>&nbsp;in February, his physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, declared him “healthy, vigorous” and “fit” to handle his White House responsibilities.

Aides acknowledge that while some in his party might prefer an alternative to Biden, there is anything but consensus within their diverse coalition on who that might be. And they insist that when Biden is compared with whomever the GOP nominates, Democrats and independents will rally around Biden.

For now, the 76-year-old Trump is the favorite to emerge as the Republican nominee, creating the potential of a historic sequel to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-confirmed-0409d7d753461377ff2c5bb91ac4050c">the bitterly fought 2020 campaign</a>. But Trump faces significant hurdles of his own, including the designation of being the first former president to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">face criminal charges</a>. The remaining GOP field is volatile, with DeSantis emerging as an early alternative to Trump. DeSantis' stature is also in question, however, amid questions about his readiness to campaign outside of his increasingly Republican-leaning state.

To prevail again, Biden will need to revive the alliance of young voters and Black voters — particularly women — along with blue-collar Midwesterners, moderates and disaffected Republicans who helped him win in 2020. He'll have to again carry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-virus-outbreak-wisconsin-pennsylvania-27d3205028e5e43fa0031913c40b0b7d">the so-called “blue wall”</a>&nbsp;in the Upper Midwest, while protecting his position in Georgia and Arizona, longtime GOP strongholds that he narrowly won in his last campaign.

Biden’s reelection bid comes as the nation weathers uncertain economic crosscurrents.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-banks-economy-40c98d52a8bc71e21a228ed5c1cbde86">Inflation is ticking down</a>&nbsp;after hitting the highest rate in a generation, driving up the price of goods and services, but unemployment is at a 50-year low, and the economy is showing signs of resilience despite Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

Presidents typically try to delay their reelection announcements to maintain the advantages of incumbency and skate above the political fray for as long as possible while their rivals trade jabs. But the leg up offered by being in the White House can be rickety — three of the last seven presidents have lost reelection, most recently Trump in 2020.

Biden’s announcement is roughly consistent with the timeline followed by then-President Barack Obama, who waited until April 2011 to declare for a second term. Trump launched his reelection bid on the day he was sworn in in 2017.

Biden is not expected to dramatically alter his day-to-day schedule as a candidate — at least not immediately — with aides believing his strongest political asset is showing the American people that he is governing. And if he follows the Obama playbook, he may not hold any formal campaign rallies until well into 2024. Obama didn't hold a reelection rally until May 2012.

On Tuesday, Biden named White House adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cesar-chavez-legacy-biden-white-house-b582b1e7b43ccd25d61e1fdad9607db1">Julie Chávez Rodríguez</a>&nbsp;to serve as campaign manager and Quentin Fulks, who ran Sen. Raphael Warnock's reelection campaign in Georgia last year, to serve as principal deputy campaign manager. Reps. Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Jim Clyburn and Veronica Escobar; Sens. Chris Coons and Tammy Duckworth; entertainment mogul and Democratic mega-donor Jeffrey Katzenberg; and Whitmer will serve as campaign co-chairs.

On the heels of the announcement Tuesday, Biden was set to deliver remarks to union members before hosting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-south-korea-yoon-state-visit-09aec0df6af76da4e5e0a29d04b85114">a state visit</a>&nbsp;at the White House. He plans to meet with party donors in Washington later this week.

Biden’s formal go-ahead comes after months of public incredulity that the president would seek another term despite plentiful signs that he was intent on doing so.

Ahead of the president’s announcement, first lady Jill Biden expressed disbelief at the persistent questions about her husband’s intent to run.

“How many times does he have to say it for you to believe it?”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-joe-biden-reelection-1659403d211d40212abbfef3b9847491">she told The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;in late February. “He says he’s not done."

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday formally announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him more time to “finish the job” he began when he was sworn in to office and to set aside their concerns about extending the run of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-inauguration-joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-ronald-reagan-pennsylvania-48d1659d4469999be87fbd87d560a52c">America’s oldest president</a>&nbsp;for another four years.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ChjibtX0UzU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Biden, who would be 86 at the end of a second term, is betting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-china-pandemics-52195f4d5338b0b226aad4300436fc15">his first-term legislative achievements</a>&nbsp;and more than 50 years of experience in Washington will count for more than concerns over his age. He faces a smooth path to winning his party’s nomination, with no serious Democratic rivals. But he’s still set for a hard-fought struggle to retain the presidency in a bitterly divided nation.The announcement, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChjibtX0UzU">a three-minute video</a>, comes on the four-year anniversary of when Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-pa-state-wire-joe-biden-ap-top-news-donald-trump-d5c415b99a6945dbbecf60d57bcf68cb">declared for the White House</a>&nbsp;in 2019, promising to heal the “soul of the nation” amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-president-legacy-e3f2608fc3b70e2e2f45097a403150e1">the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;— a goal that has remained elusive.“I said we are in a battle for the soul of America, and we still are," Biden said. “The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer.”While the question of seeking reelection has been a given for most modern presidents, that’s not always been the case for Biden, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-poll-2024-white-house-economy-873663f6e3cbca8f2dae2f018c8be9d3">a notable swath of Democratic voters</a>&nbsp;have indicated they would prefer he not run, in part because of his age — concerns Biden has called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-donald-trump-government-and-politics-ede57ce56fdf7958addec2cf9ef5e0de">“totally legitimate”</a>&nbsp;but ones he did not address head-on in the launch video.Yet few things have unified Democratic voters like the prospect of Trump returning to power. And Biden’s political standing within his party stabilized after Democrats notched a stronger-than-expected performance in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">last year’s midterm elections</a>, as the president set out to run again on the same themes that buoyed his party last fall, particularly on preserving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-texas-gavin-newsom-5db36213df3b4de5ad94ebbb53d01d30">access to abortion</a>.“Freedom. Personal freedom is fundamental to who we are as Americans. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more sacred,” Biden said in the launch video, which painted the Republican Party as extremists trying to roll back access to abortion,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-us-republican-party-united-states-government-programs-00e9f526a93936c324a40d71df2863ba">cut Social Security</a>, limit voting rights and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-book-bans-91b2d4c086eb082cbecfdda2800ef29a">ban books</a>&nbsp;they disagree with. “Around the country, MAGA extremists are lining up to take those bedrock freedoms away.”“This is not a time to be complacent,” Biden added. “That’s why I’m running for reelection."As the contours of the campaign begin to take shape, Biden plans to campaign on his record. He spent his first two years as president combating the coronavirus pandemic and pushing through major bills such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">the bipartisan infrastructure package</a>&nbsp;and legislation to promote high-tech manufacturing and climate measures. With Republicans now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-house-control-79475a4fc11e4375cd0dded651b9eede">in control of the House</a>, Biden has shifted his focus to implementing those massive laws and making sure voters credit him for the improvements, while sharpening the contrast with the GOP ahead of an expected showdown over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-kevin-mccarthy-debt-limit-schumer-98fb9543dd3434d9f8a5ace09cbb1eed">raising the nation's borrowing limit</a>&nbsp;that could have debilitating consequences for the country's economy.But the president also has multiple policy goals and unmet promises from his first campaign that he’s pitching voters on giving him another chance to fulfill.“Let’s finish this job. I know we can,” Biden said in the video, repeating a mantra he said a dozen times during his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-the-union-biden-2023-b9bebd876a42a9510f068a04a3f2a348">State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;in February, listing everything from passing a ban on assault-style weapons and lowering the cost of prescription drugs to codifying a national right to abortion after the Supreme Court's ruling last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturning Roe v. Wade</a>.Buoyed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">the midterm results</a>, Biden plans to continue to cast all Republicans as embracing what he calls&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-business-donald-trump-economy-accd1a895105377a3e4350067c56b64d">“ultra-MAGA” politics</a>&nbsp;— a reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again" slogan — regardless of whether his predecessor ends up on the 2024 ballot. He’s spent the last several months road-testing campaign themes, including painting Republicans as fighting for tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy while trying to cut social safety net benefits relied on by everyday Americans and roll back access to abortion services.Biden, speaking over brief video clips and photographs of key moments in his presidency, snapshots of diverse Americans and flashes of his outspoken Republican foes, including Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, exhorted supporters that “this is our moment” to “defend democracy. Stand up for our personal freedoms. Stand up for the right to vote and our civil rights.”Biden also plans to point to his work over the past two years shoring up American alliances, leading a global coalition to support Ukraine’s defenses against Russia’s invasion and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-return-paris-climate-world-leaders-ee8eb8b6744394ad41e33f94843b6586">returning the U.S. to the Paris climate accord</a>. But public support in the U.S. for Ukraine has softened in recent months, and some voters question the tens of billions of dollars in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-biden-politics-ecd159914eb01c1145d703eb95855890">military and economic assistance</a>&nbsp;flowing to Kyiv.The president faces lingering criticism over his administration's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-e10e038baea732dae879c11234507f81">chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;after nearly 20 years of war, which undercut the image of competence he aimed to portray to the world, and he finds himself the target of GOP attacks over his immigration and economic policies.As a candidate in 2020, Biden pitched voters on his familiarity with the halls of power in Washington and his relationships around the world as he promised to return a sense of normalcy to the country amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-president-legacy-e3f2608fc3b70e2e2f45097a403150e1">Trump’s tumultuous presidency</a>&nbsp;and the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.But even back then, Biden was acutely aware of voters’ concerns about his age.“Look, I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else,” Biden said in March 2020, as he campaigned in Michigan with younger Democrats, including now-Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “There’s an entire generation of leaders you saw stand behind me. They are the future of this country.”Three years later, the president now 80, Biden allies say his time in office has demonstrated that he saw himself as more of a transformational than a transitional leader.Still, many Democrats would prefer that Biden didn’t run again. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-poll-2024-white-house-economy-873663f6e3cbca8f2dae2f018c8be9d3">recent poll</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows just 47% of Democrats say they want him to seek a second term, up from 37% in February. And Biden’s verbal — and occasional physical — stumbles have become fodder among the GOP, which has sought to cast him as unfit for office.Biden, on multiple occasions, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-donald-trump-government-and-politics-ede57ce56fdf7958addec2cf9ef5e0de">brushed back concerns about his age</a>, saying simply, “Watch me.”During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-health-bdce6c15df6186e06710f2d903a3513e">a routine physical</a>&nbsp;in February, his physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, declared him “healthy, vigorous” and “fit” to handle his White House responsibilities.Aides acknowledge that while some in his party might prefer an alternative to Biden, there is anything but consensus within their diverse coalition on who that might be. And they insist that when Biden is compared with whomever the GOP nominates, Democrats and independents will rally around Biden.For now, the 76-year-old Trump is the favorite to emerge as the Republican nominee, creating the potential of a historic sequel to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-confirmed-0409d7d753461377ff2c5bb91ac4050c">the bitterly fought 2020 campaign</a>. But Trump faces significant hurdles of his own, including the designation of being the first former president to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">face criminal charges</a>. The remaining GOP field is volatile, with DeSantis emerging as an early alternative to Trump. DeSantis' stature is also in question, however, amid questions about his readiness to campaign outside of his increasingly Republican-leaning state.To prevail again, Biden will need to revive the alliance of young voters and Black voters — particularly women — along with blue-collar Midwesterners, moderates and disaffected Republicans who helped him win in 2020. He'll have to again carry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-virus-outbreak-wisconsin-pennsylvania-27d3205028e5e43fa0031913c40b0b7d">the so-called “blue wall”</a>&nbsp;in the Upper Midwest, while protecting his position in Georgia and Arizona, longtime GOP strongholds that he narrowly won in his last campaign.Biden’s reelection bid comes as the nation weathers uncertain economic crosscurrents.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-banks-economy-40c98d52a8bc71e21a228ed5c1cbde86">Inflation is ticking down</a>&nbsp;after hitting the highest rate in a generation, driving up the price of goods and services, but unemployment is at a 50-year low, and the economy is showing signs of resilience despite Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.Presidents typically try to delay their reelection announcements to maintain the advantages of incumbency and skate above the political fray for as long as possible while their rivals trade jabs. But the leg up offered by being in the White House can be rickety — three of the last seven presidents have lost reelection, most recently Trump in 2020.Biden’s announcement is roughly consistent with the timeline followed by then-President Barack Obama, who waited until April 2011 to declare for a second term. Trump launched his reelection bid on the day he was sworn in in 2017.Biden is not expected to dramatically alter his day-to-day schedule as a candidate — at least not immediately — with aides believing his strongest political asset is showing the American people that he is governing. And if he follows the Obama playbook, he may not hold any formal campaign rallies until well into 2024. Obama didn't hold a reelection rally until May 2012.On Tuesday, Biden named White House adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cesar-chavez-legacy-biden-white-house-b582b1e7b43ccd25d61e1fdad9607db1">Julie Chávez Rodríguez</a>&nbsp;to serve as campaign manager and Quentin Fulks, who ran Sen. Raphael Warnock's reelection campaign in Georgia last year, to serve as principal deputy campaign manager. Reps. Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Jim Clyburn and Veronica Escobar; Sens. Chris Coons and Tammy Duckworth; entertainment mogul and Democratic mega-donor Jeffrey Katzenberg; and Whitmer will serve as campaign co-chairs.On the heels of the announcement Tuesday, Biden was set to deliver remarks to union members before hosting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-south-korea-yoon-state-visit-09aec0df6af76da4e5e0a29d04b85114">a state visit</a>&nbsp;at the White House. He plans to meet with party donors in Washington later this week.Biden’s formal go-ahead comes after months of public incredulity that the president would seek another term despite plentiful signs that he was intent on doing so.Ahead of the president’s announcement, first lady Jill Biden expressed disbelief at the persistent questions about her husband’s intent to run.“How many times does he have to say it for you to believe it?”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-joe-biden-reelection-1659403d211d40212abbfef3b9847491">she told The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;in late February. “He says he’s not done."

🎥Biden announces 2024 reelection bid: 'Let’s finish this job'

Meetings set to provide information for canola growers

K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;

MANHATTAN – A decision by a Nebraska-based agribusiness to recommission an oilseed crush facility near Goodland has opened an opportunity for farmers in Kansas and Oklahoma, said a Kansas State University agronomist.&nbsp;

Canola breeder Mike Stamm noted that Scoular – which lists more than 100 offices in North America and Asia and sales of more than $9 billion –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scoular.com/news/scoular-invests-in-kansas-oilseed-crush-facility-for-renewable-fuels-market/">announced in mid-March</a>&nbsp;that it would retrofit the facility to crush both soybeans and canola.&nbsp;

The facility is expected to begin operations in fall 2024.&nbsp;

“We wanted to support them by getting growers together to learn more,” Stamm said. “For alternative oilseeds like canola to be successfully grown in Kansas, it is crucial to have a readily available end market within the region, which Scoular will provide.”&nbsp;

Stamm said K-State Research and the Great Plains Canola Association will host several canola informational meetings for new and experienced growers. The meetings are scheduled for May 11 in Enid, Oklahoma, and May 18 in Montezuma, Kansas and Harper, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He said the meetings will include an update from Scoular on their marketing and pricing strategies and the company’s vision for the rapidly changing renewable fuels market. Brief updates on canola research and extension activities will be given, as well as an update from the Great Plains Canola Association.&nbsp;

The meetings are free to attend, but reservations are required because a meal will be provided. Location and contacts for each meeting include:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thursday, May 11: Hoover Building, 300 E Oxford Ave, Enid, Okla.&nbsp;

RSVP to Ron Sholar,&nbsp;<a></a><a href="mailto:jrsholar@aol.com">jrsholar@aol.com</a>&nbsp; Thursday, May 18: Montezuma Community Building, 508 West Sunnyside Ave., Montezuma, Kansas.&nbsp;

RSVP to the Gray County Extension Office, 620-855-3821, or Kurt Werth,&nbsp;<a></a><a href="mailto:kwerth@ksu.edu">kwerth@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; Thursday, May 18, 2023 – Fencepost, 700 E. 14th St., Harper, Kansas&nbsp;

<a>RSVP to the Harper County Extension Office, 620-842-5445, or Jenni Carr,&nbsp;</a><a></a><a href="mailto:jlcarr@ksu.edu">jlcarr@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682342241976.png" alt="Photo courtesy Scoular" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Scoular</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Meetings set to provide information for canola growers</h2>K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;MANHATTAN – A decision by a Nebraska-based agribusiness to recommission an oilseed crush facility near Goodland has opened an opportunity for farmers in Kansas and Oklahoma, said a Kansas State University agronomist.&nbsp;Canola breeder Mike Stamm noted that Scoular – which lists more than 100 offices in North America and Asia and sales of more than $9 billion –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scoular.com/news/scoular-invests-in-kansas-oilseed-crush-facility-for-renewable-fuels-market/">announced in mid-March</a>&nbsp;that it would retrofit the facility to crush both soybeans and canola.&nbsp;The facility is expected to begin operations in fall 2024.&nbsp;“We wanted to support them by getting growers together to learn more,” Stamm said. “For alternative oilseeds like canola to be successfully grown in Kansas, it is crucial to have a readily available end market within the region, which Scoular will provide.”&nbsp;Stamm said K-State Research and the Great Plains Canola Association will host several canola informational meetings for new and experienced growers. The meetings are scheduled for May 11 in Enid, Oklahoma, and May 18 in Montezuma, Kansas and Harper, Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said the meetings will include an update from Scoular on their marketing and pricing strategies and the company’s vision for the rapidly changing renewable fuels market. Brief updates on canola research and extension activities will be given, as well as an update from the Great Plains Canola Association.&nbsp;The meetings are free to attend, but reservations are required because a meal will be provided. Location and contacts for each meeting include:&nbsp;&nbsp;Thursday, May 11: Hoover Building, 300 E Oxford Ave, Enid, Okla.&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>9:30 a.m., Coffee and networking&nbsp;</li><li>10 a.m., presentation and meeting&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>RSVP to Ron Sholar,&nbsp;<a></a><a href="mailto:jrsholar@aol.com">jrsholar@aol.com</a>&nbsp; Thursday, May 18: Montezuma Community Building, 508 West Sunnyside Ave., Montezuma, Kansas.&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>12 p.m., presentation and meal&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>RSVP to the Gray County Extension Office, 620-855-3821, or Kurt Werth,&nbsp;<a></a><a href="mailto:kwerth@ksu.edu">kwerth@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; Thursday, May 18, 2023 – Fencepost, 700 E. 14th St., Harper, Kansas&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>6 p.m., presentation and meal&nbsp;</li>
 </ul> <a>RSVP to the Harper County Extension Office, 620-842-5445, or Jenni Carr,&nbsp;</a><a></a><a href="mailto:jlcarr@ksu.edu">jlcarr@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Goodland crush facility opens opportunity for Kansas, Oklahoma farmers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has begun facilitating the departure of private U.S. citizens who want to leave&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sudan">Sudan</a>, according to White House national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jake-sullivan">Jake Sullivan</a>.

(click below to watch Sullivan's statement)

Sullivan said the U.S. has placed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets over the land evacuation route to help facilitate safe travel by land from Khartoum to the Port of Sudan, but does not have any U.S. troops on the ground.

“We have started to see a more regular pattern of convoys begin to arrive, including convoys that have Americans in them,” Sullivan said. “Once at the port then we are using diplomatic facilities in neighboring countries to help those Americans with their onward travel so that they can get safely out of the country.”

Sullivan’s comments came as foreign governments have airlifted hundreds of their diplomats and other citizens to safety as the country has spiraled into chaos amid fierce fighting between Sudan's two rival generals vying for control of the country.

In dramatic evacuation operations, convoys of foreign diplomats, civilian teachers, students, workers and families from dozens of countries wound past combatants at tense front lines in the capital of Khartoum to reach extraction points. Others drove hundreds of miles to the country’s east coast. A stream of European, Mideast, African and Asian military aircraft flew in all day Sunday and Monday to ferry them out.

U.S. special operations forces carried out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-embassy-personnel-sudan-evacuated-airlift-45bca52da8c65914d48c18d6ad9d065c">a precarious evacuation at the U.S. Embassy in Sudan on Sunday</a>, sweeping in and out of the capital with helicopters on the ground for less than an hour. No shots were fired and no major casualties were reported.

Sullivan reiterated that the administration continues to look at “every conceivable option” to help Americans get out of Sudan but is not considering peacekeeping troops.

“It is not standard practice for the United States to send in the U.S. military” into warzones to extract American citizens, Sullivan said “We didn’t do it in Libya. We didn’t do it in Syria. We didn’t do it in Yemen, and no we didn’t do it in Ukraine. Afghanistan was a unique case involving the end of the 20-year war that the United States was centrally involved in.”

An estimated 16,000 private U.S. citizens are registered with the embassy as being in Sudan. The figure is rough because not all Americans register with embassy or say when they depart.

Sullivan said the U.S. “will go to great lengths to support and facilitate" the departure of Americans but also noted that the State Department has been cautioning Americans in Sudan to leave the country for years.

He added, “Americans are free people. We cannot dictate where they travel, tell them they must go or not go to a particular place."

Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said that a U.N. convoy reached Port Sudan on Monday with some evacuees. He told reporters that the Defense Department also continues to conduct continuous overhead intelligence and surveillance of the area, including to provide security assessments of land routes.

When asked about other Americans seeking to leave Sudan, Ryder said, “Right now, to our knowledge, we’re not talking about large numbers of Americans looking to come out of Sudan, but again, in the days ahead, we’ll stay closely coordinated with the State Department, they’re in the lead and we will be prepared to support them.”

Ryder said two Navy vessels, the USS Lewis B. Puller combat ship, and the USS Truxtun, a destroyer, are in the region. He said the Truxtun is off the coast of Sudan and the Puller is en route, and both will be available to help transport citizens if needed or provide medical support.

Late Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/americans-sudan-sullivan-evacuate-khartoum-biden-8b0f91ce79f5fac2f6f6419018906934">Blinken announced that he had helped broker a new 72-hour cease-fire</a>&nbsp; in Sudan. The truce would be an extension of the nominal three-day holiday cease-fire.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has begun facilitating the departure of private U.S. citizens who want to leave&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sudan">Sudan</a>, according to White House national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jake-sullivan">Jake Sullivan</a>.(click below to watch Sullivan's statement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1399726107484677%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=263" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Sullivan said the U.S. has placed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets over the land evacuation route to help facilitate safe travel by land from Khartoum to the Port of Sudan, but does not have any U.S. troops on the ground.“We have started to see a more regular pattern of convoys begin to arrive, including convoys that have Americans in them,” Sullivan said. “Once at the port then we are using diplomatic facilities in neighboring countries to help those Americans with their onward travel so that they can get safely out of the country.”Sullivan’s comments came as foreign governments have airlifted hundreds of their diplomats and other citizens to safety as the country has spiraled into chaos amid fierce fighting between Sudan's two rival generals vying for control of the country.In dramatic evacuation operations, convoys of foreign diplomats, civilian teachers, students, workers and families from dozens of countries wound past combatants at tense front lines in the capital of Khartoum to reach extraction points. Others drove hundreds of miles to the country’s east coast. A stream of European, Mideast, African and Asian military aircraft flew in all day Sunday and Monday to ferry them out.U.S. special operations forces carried out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-embassy-personnel-sudan-evacuated-airlift-45bca52da8c65914d48c18d6ad9d065c">a precarious evacuation at the U.S. Embassy in Sudan on Sunday</a>, sweeping in and out of the capital with helicopters on the ground for less than an hour. No shots were fired and no major casualties were reported.Sullivan reiterated that the administration continues to look at “every conceivable option” to help Americans get out of Sudan but is not considering peacekeeping troops.“It is not standard practice for the United States to send in the U.S. military” into warzones to extract American citizens, Sullivan said “We didn’t do it in Libya. We didn’t do it in Syria. We didn’t do it in Yemen, and no we didn’t do it in Ukraine. Afghanistan was a unique case involving the end of the 20-year war that the United States was centrally involved in.”An estimated 16,000 private U.S. citizens are registered with the embassy as being in Sudan. The figure is rough because not all Americans register with embassy or say when they depart.Sullivan said the U.S. “will go to great lengths to support and facilitate" the departure of Americans but also noted that the State Department has been cautioning Americans in Sudan to leave the country for years.He added, “Americans are free people. We cannot dictate where they travel, tell them they must go or not go to a particular place."Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said that a U.N. convoy reached Port Sudan on Monday with some evacuees. He told reporters that the Defense Department also continues to conduct continuous overhead intelligence and surveillance of the area, including to provide security assessments of land routes.When asked about other Americans seeking to leave Sudan, Ryder said, “Right now, to our knowledge, we’re not talking about large numbers of Americans looking to come out of Sudan, but again, in the days ahead, we’ll stay closely coordinated with the State Department, they’re in the lead and we will be prepared to support them.”Ryder said two Navy vessels, the USS Lewis B. Puller combat ship, and the USS Truxtun, a destroyer, are in the region. He said the Truxtun is off the coast of Sudan and the Puller is en route, and both will be available to help transport citizens if needed or provide medical support.Late Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/americans-sudan-sullivan-evacuate-khartoum-biden-8b0f91ce79f5fac2f6f6419018906934">Blinken announced that he had helped broker a new 72-hour cease-fire</a>&nbsp; in Sudan. The truce would be an extension of the nominal three-day holiday cease-fire.

🎥Hundreds of Americans trapped amid fighting in Sudan

KANSAS CITY— A man was sentenced in federal court Monday for a $215,000 cattle fraud scheme that he attempted to cover up by murdering two Wisconsin brothers, according to United State's Attorney.

Garland Joseph Nelson, 28, Braymer, Mo, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 32 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Nelson to pay $260,925 in restitution to his victims.

On Oct. 4, 2022, Nelson pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Nelson admitted that he defrauded a Shawano County, Wisconsin company, Diemel’s Livestock, LLC, of $215,000 in a cattle contract.

Nelson is also serving two life sentences in a separate state case related to the murders of Nicholas and Justin Diemel, two brothers who were principals in Diemel’s Livestock. Nelson’s federal prison sentence must be served consecutively to his state sentence.

Nelson – an employee of J4s Farm Enterprises, Inc., a business started by his mother – agreed to care for cattle belonging to Diemel’s Livestock. Diemel’s Livestock invested and traded in cattle and other livestock. Nelson agreed to feed and pasture the cattle, then sell the cattle and send Diemel’s Livestock the proceeds (minus the costs of raising the cattle).

The Diemels sent several loads of cattle to Nelson from November 2018 through April 2019. Nelson sold some loads of cattle and paid the Diemels. However, Nelson admitted he killed many of the Diemels’s cattle and then fraudulently billed the Diemels for feed and yardage for the dead cattle.

Nelson admitted that he did not properly care for cattle due to incompetence, neglect, or maltreatment. Hundreds of calves entrusted to Nelson died due to underfeeding, neglect, and/or maltreatment. Nelson fed cattle inadequately and poorly. For example, he dropped feed bales in a pasture for calves but did not remove the plastic covering so that calves ate the plastic and died.

Throughout the spring of 2019, Nicholas Diemel pressed Nelson for payment for his cattle.&nbsp; He sent no more loads of cattle to Nelson while he awaited his payment.

To deprive the Diemels of their cattle or their money and to prevent them from recovering either their cattle or their money, in June 2019 Nelson fraudulently sent the Diemels a bad check for $215,936 while his bank account had a balance of 21 cents. The check had been intentionally torn and damaged so that it could not be submitted for payment.

Nelson told the Diemels they could come to Missouri to get their money. On July 17, 2019, Nicholas Diemel bought two round-trip airline tickets from Milwaukee to Kansas City. On July 20, 2019, Nicholas and Justin Diemel arrived in Kansas City and rented a pickup truck from Budget.

On July 21, 2019, the Diemels drove their rental truck to Nelson’s mother’s farm in Braymer. Nelson’s mother and other family members were in Branson for the weekend, so Nelson was alone on the farm. Nelson murdered both of the Diemels and attempted to dispose of their bodies, but the remains were later found by investigators.

Nelson also was in possession of a Marlin 30-30 rifle and ammunition from July 18 to July 21, 2019. &nbsp;Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Nelson has a 2015 federal felony conviction for an earlier cattle fraud scheme that resulted in losses of more than $262,000 to his victims, as well as two prior state felony convictions for passing bad checks.

According to court documents, Nelson engaged in at least two more cattle fraud schemes. In December 2018, Nelson was entrusted with feeding and caring for 131 calves he co-owned with a Kansas farmer (less than a year after he was released from prison for his 2015 conviction and in direct contravention to the conditions of his supervised release). On May 23, 2019, Nelson dropped off 35 calves at the co-owner’s farm in Kansas, apparently all that survived of the 131. Of the surviving 35 calves, many were emaciated and had ringworm; some could not even walk onto a truck to be transported. Some calves had their ears torn as though identifying ear tags had been removed.

According to court documents, those calves were involved in another cattle fraud scheme engaged by Nelson. Nelson told a Bogard, Mo., farmer that he would furnish all the food and medicine for 131 bottle calves and pay the farmer a dollar per day per calf for the use of his barn and the time he would spend feeding the calves. Nelson bought almost no food or medicine for the calves in the five months he kept them at the Bogard farm. Instead, the farmer paid $14,363 out of his own pocket for food and veterinary care for the calves. Nor did Nelson ever pay anything to the farmer for the use of his barn and time spent feeding and caring for the calves as he had promised. (Nelson’s mother later paid the farmer $2,000.) In late April 2019, Nelson picked up the living bottle calves from the Bogard farm and took them to his mother’s farm. On May 23, 2019, Nelson dumped the 35 remaining calves without warning at the Kansas farm. This was a problem because the Kansas farmer had a closed dairy herd and bringing unvaccinated and potentially diseased calves onto his property put his existing herd at risk.

On Sept. 30, 2022, Nelson pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in the first degree in Johnson County, Mo., and was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on each count to run consecutively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682368271807.png" alt="Nelson -photo&nbsp; Caldwell Co." />
 <figcaption>Nelson -photo&nbsp; Caldwell Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— A man was sentenced in federal court Monday for a $215,000 cattle fraud scheme that he attempted to cover up by murdering two Wisconsin brothers, according to United State's Attorney.Garland Joseph Nelson, 28, Braymer, Mo, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 32 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Nelson to pay $260,925 in restitution to his victims.On Oct. 4, 2022, Nelson pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Nelson admitted that he defrauded a Shawano County, Wisconsin company, Diemel’s Livestock, LLC, of $215,000 in a cattle contract.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565280147807.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Nelson is also serving two life sentences in a separate state case related to the murders of Nicholas and Justin Diemel, two brothers who were principals in Diemel’s Livestock. Nelson’s federal prison sentence must be served consecutively to his state sentence.Nelson – an employee of J4s Farm Enterprises, Inc., a business started by his mother – agreed to care for cattle belonging to Diemel’s Livestock. Diemel’s Livestock invested and traded in cattle and other livestock. Nelson agreed to feed and pasture the cattle, then sell the cattle and send Diemel’s Livestock the proceeds (minus the costs of raising the cattle).The Diemels sent several loads of cattle to Nelson from November 2018 through April 2019. Nelson sold some loads of cattle and paid the Diemels. However, Nelson admitted he killed many of the Diemels’s cattle and then fraudulently billed the Diemels for feed and yardage for the dead cattle.Nelson admitted that he did not properly care for cattle due to incompetence, neglect, or maltreatment. Hundreds of calves entrusted to Nelson died due to underfeeding, neglect, and/or maltreatment. Nelson fed cattle inadequately and poorly. For example, he dropped feed bales in a pasture for calves but did not remove the plastic covering so that calves ate the plastic and died.Throughout the spring of 2019, Nicholas Diemel pressed Nelson for payment for his cattle.&nbsp; He sent no more loads of cattle to Nelson while he awaited his payment.To deprive the Diemels of their cattle or their money and to prevent them from recovering either their cattle or their money, in June 2019 Nelson fraudulently sent the Diemels a bad check for $215,936 while his bank account had a balance of 21 cents. The check had been intentionally torn and damaged so that it could not be submitted for payment.Nelson told the Diemels they could come to Missouri to get their money. On July 17, 2019, Nicholas Diemel bought two round-trip airline tickets from Milwaukee to Kansas City. On July 20, 2019, Nicholas and Justin Diemel arrived in Kansas City and rented a pickup truck from Budget.On July 21, 2019, the Diemels drove their rental truck to Nelson’s mother’s farm in Braymer. Nelson’s mother and other family members were in Branson for the weekend, so Nelson was alone on the farm. Nelson murdered both of the Diemels and attempted to dispose of their bodies, but the remains were later found by investigators.Nelson also was in possession of a Marlin 30-30 rifle and ammunition from July 18 to July 21, 2019. &nbsp;Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Nelson has a 2015 federal felony conviction for an earlier cattle fraud scheme that resulted in losses of more than $262,000 to his victims, as well as two prior state felony convictions for passing bad checks.According to court documents, Nelson engaged in at least two more cattle fraud schemes. In December 2018, Nelson was entrusted with feeding and caring for 131 calves he co-owned with a Kansas farmer (less than a year after he was released from prison for his 2015 conviction and in direct contravention to the conditions of his supervised release). On May 23, 2019, Nelson dropped off 35 calves at the co-owner’s farm in Kansas, apparently all that survived of the 131. Of the surviving 35 calves, many were emaciated and had ringworm; some could not even walk onto a truck to be transported. Some calves had their ears torn as though identifying ear tags had been removed.According to court documents, those calves were involved in another cattle fraud scheme engaged by Nelson. Nelson told a Bogard, Mo., farmer that he would furnish all the food and medicine for 131 bottle calves and pay the farmer a dollar per day per calf for the use of his barn and the time he would spend feeding the calves. Nelson bought almost no food or medicine for the calves in the five months he kept them at the Bogard farm. Instead, the farmer paid $14,363 out of his own pocket for food and veterinary care for the calves. Nor did Nelson ever pay anything to the farmer for the use of his barn and time spent feeding and caring for the calves as he had promised. (Nelson’s mother later paid the farmer $2,000.) In late April 2019, Nelson picked up the living bottle calves from the Bogard farm and took them to his mother’s farm. On May 23, 2019, Nelson dumped the 35 remaining calves without warning at the Kansas farm. This was a problem because the Kansas farmer had a closed dairy herd and bringing unvaccinated and potentially diseased calves onto his property put his existing herd at risk.On Sept. 30, 2022, Nelson pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in the first degree in Johnson County, Mo., and was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole on each count to run consecutively.

Man sentenced for cattle fraud scheme that led to murders

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nothing will change for now. That's what the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;said Friday evening about access to a widely used abortion pill.

A court case that began in Texas has sought to roll back Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug, mifepristone. Lower courts had said that women seeking the drug should face more restrictions on getting it while the case continues, but the Supreme Court disagreed.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22a901_3d9g.pdf">court’s action</a>&nbsp;almost certainly will leave access to mifepristone unchanged at least into next year, as appeals play out, including a potential appeal to the high court.

The new abortion controversy comes less than a year after the Supreme Court's conservative majority&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;and allowed more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright.

The following is a look at the drug at issue in the new case, how the case got to the nation's highest court and what's next in the legal case.

Mifepristone was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration more than two decades ago. It has been used by more than 5 million women to safely end their pregnancies, and today more than half of women who end a pregnancy rely on the drug, the Justice Department said.

Over the years, the FDA has loosened restrictions on the drug’s use, extending from seven to 10 weeks of pregnancy when it can be used, reducing the dosage needed to safely end a pregnancy, eliminating the requirement to visit a doctor in person to get it and allowing pills to be obtained by mail. The FDA also approved a generic version of mifepristone that its manufacturer, Las Vegas-based GenBioPro, says makes up two-thirds of the domestic market.

Mifepristone is one of two pills used in medication abortions, along with misoprostol. Health care providers have said they could switch to misoprostol only if mifepristone is no longer available or is too hard to obtain. Misoprostol is somewhat less effective in ending pregnancies.

A lawsuit over mifepristone was filed in Amarillo, Texas, late last year. Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group, represents the pill's opponents, who say the FDA's approval of mifepristone was flawed.

Why Amarillo?&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>, who was nominated by then-President Donald Trump, is the sole district court judge there, ensuring that all cases filed in the west Texas city land in front of him. Since taking the bench, he has ruled against President Joe Biden's administration on several other issues, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-new-orleans-mexico-statutes-0a3b7c93a6e6bdf06b0eee4935d7dc8f">immigration</a>&nbsp;and LGBTQ protections.

On April 7, Kacsmaryk issued a ruling that would completely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">revoke the FDA's approval of mifepristone</a>, but he put the decision on hold for a week to allow an appeal.

Complicating matters, however, on the same day Kacsmaryk issued his order, a court in Washington state issued a separate ruling in a lawsuit brought by liberal states seeking to preserve access to mifepristone. The Washington judge, Spokane-based Thomas O. Rice, whom then-President Barack Obama nominated, ordered the FDA not to do anything that might affect the availability of mifepristone in the suing states. The Biden administration had said it would be impossible to follow both judges' directives at the same time.

HOW DID THE CASE GET TO THE SUPREME COURT?

The Biden administration responded to Kacsmaryk's ruling by asking the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-pills-4b65ecc66d1b908019bdf3843a428d5a">Court of Appeals</a>&nbsp;to prevent it from taking effect for now.

The appeals court didn't do that, but it narrowed Kacsmaryk's ruling so that the initial approval of mifepristone in 2000 wouldn't be revoked. And it agreed with him that changes the FDA made to relax the rules for prescribing and dispensing the drug should be put on hold. It said those rules, including expanding when the drug could be taken and allowing for the drug's delivery through the mail, should be on hold while the case continued.

The appeals court acted by a 2-1 vote. The judges in the majority, Kurt Engelhardt and Andrew Oldham, are both Trump picks.

The Biden administration and the maker of mifepristone, New York-based Danco Laboratories,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-pill-appeal-fe13d36218f1fb43590aff29b5ba4e9c">appealed to the Supreme Court</a>, saying that allowing the appeals court's restrictions to take effect would cause chaos. At first, facing a tight deadline, the Supreme Court gave itself some breathing room and issued an order suggesting it would act by Wednesday evening. But no decision came Wednesday and the court instead just gave itself an extension until just before midnight Friday. It wasn't clear why.

The court did make its second self-imposed deadline, issuing its brief decision around 6:30 p.m. in Washington. Two conservative justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, said they disagreed with the court's action but no other justice commented.

The case is on a fast track. Now that the high court has set out the rules that will govern access for now, the case can continue on its path through the courts.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has already announced it will hear arguments in the case in less than a month, on May 17. Both sides as well as interest groups will submit written briefs ahead of those arguments. And a three-judge panel of the court will hear the case, though the court has not yet said who those three judges will be. The group won't issue a decision from the bench but instead hear arguments and ask questions. That will give the public a sense of what they're thinking. Their decision will be made privately after oral arguments, and at some point they'll issue a written decision announcing it.

Both sides then have an opportunity to appeal, taking the case to all the judges of the appeals court or directly to the Supreme Court. The justices take a break for the summer, however, and don't start hearing cases again until October.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="The new abortion controversy comes less than a year after the Supreme Court's conservative majority&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;and allowed more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright." />
 <figcaption>The new abortion controversy comes less than a year after the Supreme Court's conservative majority&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;and allowed more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Nothing will change for now. That's what the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;said Friday evening about access to a widely used abortion pill.A court case that began in Texas has sought to roll back Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug, mifepristone. Lower courts had said that women seeking the drug should face more restrictions on getting it while the case continues, but the Supreme Court disagreed.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22a901_3d9g.pdf">court’s action</a>&nbsp;almost certainly will leave access to mifepristone unchanged at least into next year, as appeals play out, including a potential appeal to the high court.The new abortion controversy comes less than a year after the Supreme Court's conservative majority&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;and allowed more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright.The following is a look at the drug at issue in the new case, how the case got to the nation's highest court and what's next in the legal case.___WHAT IS MIFEPRISTONE?Mifepristone was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration more than two decades ago. It has been used by more than 5 million women to safely end their pregnancies, and today more than half of women who end a pregnancy rely on the drug, the Justice Department said.Over the years, the FDA has loosened restrictions on the drug’s use, extending from seven to 10 weeks of pregnancy when it can be used, reducing the dosage needed to safely end a pregnancy, eliminating the requirement to visit a doctor in person to get it and allowing pills to be obtained by mail. The FDA also approved a generic version of mifepristone that its manufacturer, Las Vegas-based GenBioPro, says makes up two-thirds of the domestic market.Mifepristone is one of two pills used in medication abortions, along with misoprostol. Health care providers have said they could switch to misoprostol only if mifepristone is no longer available or is too hard to obtain. Misoprostol is somewhat less effective in ending pregnancies.___HOW DID THE CASE GET STARTED?A lawsuit over mifepristone was filed in Amarillo, Texas, late last year. Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group, represents the pill's opponents, who say the FDA's approval of mifepristone was flawed.Why Amarillo?&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>, who was nominated by then-President Donald Trump, is the sole district court judge there, ensuring that all cases filed in the west Texas city land in front of him. Since taking the bench, he has ruled against President Joe Biden's administration on several other issues, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-new-orleans-mexico-statutes-0a3b7c93a6e6bdf06b0eee4935d7dc8f">immigration</a>&nbsp;and LGBTQ protections.On April 7, Kacsmaryk issued a ruling that would completely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">revoke the FDA's approval of mifepristone</a>, but he put the decision on hold for a week to allow an appeal.Complicating matters, however, on the same day Kacsmaryk issued his order, a court in Washington state issued a separate ruling in a lawsuit brought by liberal states seeking to preserve access to mifepristone. The Washington judge, Spokane-based Thomas O. Rice, whom then-President Barack Obama nominated, ordered the FDA not to do anything that might affect the availability of mifepristone in the suing states. The Biden administration had said it would be impossible to follow both judges' directives at the same time.___HOW DID THE CASE GET TO THE SUPREME COURT?The Biden administration responded to Kacsmaryk's ruling by asking the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-pills-4b65ecc66d1b908019bdf3843a428d5a">Court of Appeals</a>&nbsp;to prevent it from taking effect for now.The appeals court didn't do that, but it narrowed Kacsmaryk's ruling so that the initial approval of mifepristone in 2000 wouldn't be revoked. And it agreed with him that changes the FDA made to relax the rules for prescribing and dispensing the drug should be put on hold. It said those rules, including expanding when the drug could be taken and allowing for the drug's delivery through the mail, should be on hold while the case continued.The appeals court acted by a 2-1 vote. The judges in the majority, Kurt Engelhardt and Andrew Oldham, are both Trump picks.The Biden administration and the maker of mifepristone, New York-based Danco Laboratories,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-pill-appeal-fe13d36218f1fb43590aff29b5ba4e9c">appealed to the Supreme Court</a>, saying that allowing the appeals court's restrictions to take effect would cause chaos. At first, facing a tight deadline, the Supreme Court gave itself some breathing room and issued an order suggesting it would act by Wednesday evening. But no decision came Wednesday and the court instead just gave itself an extension until just before midnight Friday. It wasn't clear why.The court did make its second self-imposed deadline, issuing its brief decision around 6:30 p.m. in Washington. Two conservative justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, said they disagreed with the court's action but no other justice commented.___WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?The case is on a fast track. Now that the high court has set out the rules that will govern access for now, the case can continue on its path through the courts.The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has already announced it will hear arguments in the case in less than a month, on May 17. Both sides as well as interest groups will submit written briefs ahead of those arguments. And a three-judge panel of the court will hear the case, though the court has not yet said who those three judges will be. The group won't issue a decision from the bench but instead hear arguments and ask questions. That will give the public a sense of what they're thinking. Their decision will be made privately after oral arguments, and at some point they'll issue a written decision announcing it.Both sides then have an opportunity to appeal, taking the case to all the judges of the appeals court or directly to the Supreme Court. The justices take a break for the summer, however, and don't start hearing cases again until October.___

Abortion pill battle on fast track after Supreme Court's order

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY, Kansas—Police credited a Flock vehicle tag/traffic cameras for helping them arrest a Wyoming man with a stolen U-Haul in Kansas.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. Saturday, one of the new Flock cameras got a hit on a stolen U-Haul out of Wyoming and sent the alert to all Salina police personnel who were logged into the reader system, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The department's Flock system interfaces with the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), so that if one of the department's cameras gets a hit on a vehicle wanted for a crime that has been input into NCIC, that information is sent out to all Salina Police Department personnel who are logged into the Flock system.

An officer near the intersection of N. Broadway Boulevard and University Place in Salina located the vehicle and stopped the driver, who was identified as Michael Keck, 53, of Cheyenne, Wyoming. During the stop, it was determined that Keck had an active felony warrant for burglary out of Laramie County, Wyoming.

Forrester said that while Keck was in custody, he had a medical episode and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center. While Keck was in the emergency room, the officer with him stepped out of the room. Forrester said Keck then allegedly removed medical apparatus connections and fled out a back door of the emergency room.

Keck eventually was located in a restroom inside the hospital.

Forrester said that a search warrant executed on the U-Haul found a Smith &amp; Wesson .22 caliber pistol with the serial number removed. Additionally, some marijuana and some psilocybin mushrooms also were located in the U-Haul.

Keck was jailed on requested charges of Aggravated attempted escape from custody, Defacing a firearm, Possession of marijuana, Possession of a hallucinogen and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682254131095.jpeg" alt="Michael Keck&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Michael Keck&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY, Kansas—Police credited a Flock vehicle tag/traffic cameras for helping them arrest a Wyoming man with a stolen U-Haul in Kansas.At approximately 9:30 a.m. Saturday, one of the new Flock cameras got a hit on a stolen U-Haul out of Wyoming and sent the alert to all Salina police personnel who were logged into the reader system, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The department's Flock system interfaces with the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), so that if one of the department's cameras gets a hit on a vehicle wanted for a crime that has been input into NCIC, that information is sent out to all Salina Police Department personnel who are logged into the Flock system.An officer near the intersection of N. Broadway Boulevard and University Place in Salina located the vehicle and stopped the driver, who was identified as Michael Keck, 53, of Cheyenne, Wyoming. During the stop, it was determined that Keck had an active felony warrant for burglary out of Laramie County, Wyoming.Forrester said that while Keck was in custody, he had a medical episode and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center. While Keck was in the emergency room, the officer with him stepped out of the room. Forrester said Keck then allegedly removed medical apparatus connections and fled out a back door of the emergency room.Keck eventually was located in a restroom inside the hospital.Forrester said that a search warrant executed on the U-Haul found a Smith &amp; Wesson .22 caliber pistol with the serial number removed. Additionally, some marijuana and some psilocybin mushrooms also were located in the U-Haul.Keck was jailed on requested charges of Aggravated attempted escape from custody, Defacing a firearm, Possession of marijuana, Possession of a hallucinogen and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wanted Wyoming burglary suspect captured in hospital bathroom

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daunte-wright-kim-potter-police-shooting-93c1d847f2188571ce70285d0ac55406">Kim Potter</a>, the former Minnesota police officer who said she mistook her gun for a Taser when she shot and killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-daunte-wright">Daunte Wright</a>&nbsp;in 2021, was released from prison early Monday.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections said Potter was released at about 4 a.m. “out of an abundance of caution" for Potter's safety. The department confirmed Friday she would be released Monday from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, but declined to say what time due to security concerns.

Potter, a white former officer for the Brooklyn Center Police Department in suburban Minneapolis, fatally shot Wright, who was Black, during a traffic stop in April 2021. The shooting happened during the trial of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-sentencing-23c52021812168c579b3886f8139c73d">Derek Chauvin</a>, the officer who killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">George Floyd</a>, and Wright’s death set off several days of protests.

She was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and given a two-year sentence. Under Minnesota law, those sent to prison typically serve two-thirds of their sentence behind bars and the remaining time on supervised release. In Potter’s case, she served 16 months of her two-year sentence behind bars, said Department of Corrections spokesman Andy Skoogman.

Skoogman said Potter will be on supervised release until Dec. 21, and she will live in Wisconsin during that time.

Potter, now 50, appeared much thinner in a new photo released last week by the Department of Corrections. Her attorney, Earl Gray, said Friday he had “no idea” why her appearance had changed.

Potter's two-year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-death-of-george-floyd-minnesota-george-floyd-minneapolis-a43a48970e37392efd85adfeae79ddf0">sentence</a>&nbsp;from Judge Regina Chu drew strong criticism from Wright's family and their attorney, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump. The state attorney general’s office had sought a sentence recommended by state guidelines of just over seven years in prison.

Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, said after the sentencing that Potter “murdered my son,” adding: “Today the justice system murdered him all over again.”

Defense attorneys argued at the sentencing hearing that Potter deserved leniency because Wright was trying to drive away and Potter had the right to defend herself. Chu said at the time that the case was not the same as other high-profile killings, including Floyd’s death, which resulted in a 22 1/2-year sentence for Chauvin.

“This is a cop who made a tragic mistake,” she said of Potter.

Wright, a 20-year-old father, was killed on April 11, 2021, after Brooklyn Center officers pulled him over for having expired license tags and an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. Officers discovered he had a warrant for a misdemeanor weapons possession charge and he was shot during a struggle as officers tried to arrest him.

Potter said she thought she was holding her Taser at the time, not her gun. She is heard on video yelling “Taser” several times just before she fires her pistol as Wright tried to drive away.

Potter, a 26-year police veteran, apologized to Wright’s family at the sentencing hearing and spoke directly to his mother: “Katie, I understand a mother’s love. I’m sorry I broke your heart ... my heart is broken and devastated for all of you.”

Civil rights advocates say laws against hanging objects from rearview mirrors have been used as a pretext for stopping Black motorists.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640352112509.png" alt="Potter's booking photo shows her smiling following her conviction in December 2021-photo Hennepin County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Potter's booking photo shows her smiling following her conviction in December 2021-photo Hennepin County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAKOPEE, Minn. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daunte-wright-kim-potter-police-shooting-93c1d847f2188571ce70285d0ac55406">Kim Potter</a>, the former Minnesota police officer who said she mistook her gun for a Taser when she shot and killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-daunte-wright">Daunte Wright</a>&nbsp;in 2021, was released from prison early Monday.The Minnesota Department of Corrections said Potter was released at about 4 a.m. “out of an abundance of caution" for Potter's safety. The department confirmed Friday she would be released Monday from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, but declined to say what time due to security concerns.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682343245082.png" alt="Potter as shown in the most recent photo released from the Minnesota Dpt. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Potter as shown in the most recent photo released from the Minnesota Dpt. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>Potter, a white former officer for the Brooklyn Center Police Department in suburban Minneapolis, fatally shot Wright, who was Black, during a traffic stop in April 2021. The shooting happened during the trial of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-sentencing-23c52021812168c579b3886f8139c73d">Derek Chauvin</a>, the officer who killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">George Floyd</a>, and Wright’s death set off several days of protests.She was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and given a two-year sentence. Under Minnesota law, those sent to prison typically serve two-thirds of their sentence behind bars and the remaining time on supervised release. In Potter’s case, she served 16 months of her two-year sentence behind bars, said Department of Corrections spokesman Andy Skoogman.Skoogman said Potter will be on supervised release until Dec. 21, and she will live in Wisconsin during that time.Potter, now 50, appeared much thinner in a new photo released last week by the Department of Corrections. Her attorney, Earl Gray, said Friday he had “no idea” why her appearance had changed.Potter's two-year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-daunte-wright-death-of-george-floyd-minnesota-george-floyd-minneapolis-a43a48970e37392efd85adfeae79ddf0">sentence</a>&nbsp;from Judge Regina Chu drew strong criticism from Wright's family and their attorney, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump. The state attorney general’s office had sought a sentence recommended by state guidelines of just over seven years in prison.Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, said after the sentencing that Potter “murdered my son,” adding: “Today the justice system murdered him all over again.”Defense attorneys argued at the sentencing hearing that Potter deserved leniency because Wright was trying to drive away and Potter had the right to defend herself. Chu said at the time that the case was not the same as other high-profile killings, including Floyd’s death, which resulted in a 22 1/2-year sentence for Chauvin.“This is a cop who made a tragic mistake,” she said of Potter.Wright, a 20-year-old father, was killed on April 11, 2021, after Brooklyn Center officers pulled him over for having expired license tags and an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. Officers discovered he had a warrant for a misdemeanor weapons possession charge and he was shot during a struggle as officers tried to arrest him.Potter said she thought she was holding her Taser at the time, not her gun. She is heard on video yelling “Taser” several times just before she fires her pistol as Wright tried to drive away.Potter, a 26-year police veteran, apologized to Wright’s family at the sentencing hearing and spoke directly to his mother: “Katie, I understand a mother’s love. I’m sorry I broke your heart ... my heart is broken and devastated for all of you.”Civil rights advocates say laws against hanging objects from rearview mirrors have been used as a pretext for stopping Black motorists.

Officer who pulled gun instead of Taser released from prison

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Tracy Inman, 43, of Omaha was sentenced last week in federal&nbsp;court in Omaha.&nbsp; United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Inman to 150 months in prison for one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual).&nbsp; After serving her sentence, Inman will be placed on supervised release for 5 years.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.

On or about September 12, 2020, in Omaha, officers with the Omaha Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a minivan driven by Inman due to the vehicle having no plates and no visible in-transits.&nbsp; While officers were conducting a data check and drafting a citation, canine officers arrived and deployed a state-certified drug-detection canine around Inman’s vehicle. The canine indicated to the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle.&nbsp; During a search of the vehicle, officers found small baggies containing methamphetamine residue, a tin containing 3.1 grams of methamphetamine mixture, and paraphernalia. Officers searched Inman and found 49.684 grams of methamphetamine. In a backpack on the back seat of the vehicle, officers found an additional 72.172 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale. At the time of the traffic stop, Inman knew the methamphetamine was in the vehicle and she intended to distribute some or all of the methamphetamine to another person.

Subsequent Nebraska Public Service Laboratory lab tests confirmed the suspected methamphetamine found in Inman’s vehicle was methamphetamine and had a weight of 121.856 grams.&nbsp; The lab tests determined the recovered methamphetamine had a purity of 95%, for a minimum amount of actual methamphetamine of 109.67 grams

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

U.S. Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Tracy Inman, 43, of Omaha was sentenced last week in federal&nbsp;court in Omaha.&nbsp; United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Inman to 150 months in prison for one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual).&nbsp; After serving her sentence, Inman will be placed on supervised release for 5 years.&nbsp; There is no parole in the federal system.On or about September 12, 2020, in Omaha, officers with the Omaha Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a minivan driven by Inman due to the vehicle having no plates and no visible in-transits.&nbsp; While officers were conducting a data check and drafting a citation, canine officers arrived and deployed a state-certified drug-detection canine around Inman’s vehicle. The canine indicated to the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle.&nbsp; During a search of the vehicle, officers found small baggies containing methamphetamine residue, a tin containing 3.1 grams of methamphetamine mixture, and paraphernalia. Officers searched Inman and found 49.684 grams of methamphetamine. In a backpack on the back seat of the vehicle, officers found an additional 72.172 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale. At the time of the traffic stop, Inman knew the methamphetamine was in the vehicle and she intended to distribute some or all of the methamphetamine to another person.Subsequent Nebraska Public Service Laboratory lab tests confirmed the suspected methamphetamine found in Inman’s vehicle was methamphetamine and had a weight of 121.856 grams.&nbsp; The lab tests determined the recovered methamphetamine had a purity of 95%, for a minimum amount of actual methamphetamine of 109.67 gramsThis case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.

Federal meth charges results in 12+ years in prison for Neb. woman

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/four-buildings-constructed-as-part-of-the-new-deal-added-to-national-register-of-historic-places/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Four structures built as part of the Depression-era New 
Deal are among those added recently to the National Register of Historic
 Places.

History Nebraska, which reviews applications, said six properties 
were recently approved for the Register by the National Park Service.

Included were four project built via the Works Progress 
Administration, which employed thousands of people on construction 
projects during the Depression and through the early years of World War 
II.

Other structures added to the Register were:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682268733116.png" alt="The York Auditorium, built in 1940, was among several structures added to the National Register of Historic Places recently. (Courtesy of History Nebraska)" />
 <figcaption>The York Auditorium, built in 1940, was among several structures added to the National Register of Historic Places recently. (Courtesy of History Nebraska)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/four-buildings-constructed-as-part-of-the-new-deal-added-to-national-register-of-historic-places/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Four structures built as part of the Depression-era New 
Deal are among those added recently to the National Register of Historic
 Places.History Nebraska, which reviews applications, said six properties 
were recently approved for the Register by the National Park Service.<h2>WPA projects</h2>Included were four project built via the Works Progress 
Administration, which employed thousands of people on construction 
projects during the Depression and through the early years of World War 
II.Those were:<ul>
 <li>The art deco York Auditorium in York, built in 1940. The concrete 
structure remains an auditorium and sports venue today and also houses a
 local museum.</li><li>The Agricultural Society Building in Weeping Water, which hosted the
 Cass County Fair until 1967. The two-story Streamline Moderne style 
building sits in Weeping Water’s business district.</li><li>The Inavale Community Center in Inavale, in rural 
Webster County. Builders used salvaged concrete blocks from a building 
in neighboring Red Cloud in 1942. The building was a roller rink until 
1979 but is now vacant.</li><li>The Bohning Memorial Auditorium in Ravenna, a brick structure built in 1934. It remains in use for community events.</li>
 </ul>Other structures added to the Register were:<ul>
 <li>The Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church in Beatrice, built in 1930.
 The structure represents Late English Gothic Revival church 
architecture with its tall, turret-topped tower, buttresses, arched art 
glass windows and arcaded arches.</li><li>The Iowa-Nebraska Light and Power Company Plant in Lincoln, an Art 
Deco structure built in 1930. Now known as the K Street Power Plant, it 
is scheduled for rehabilitation.</li>
 </ul>

Four Neb. New Deal buildings added to National Register

LONDON (AP) — Len Goodman, a long-serving judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing" who helped revive interest in ballroom dancing on both sides of the Atlantic, has died, his agent said Monday. He was 78.

Agent Jackie Gill said Goodman “passed away peacefully" on Saturday night. He had been diagnosed with bone cancer.

A former professional ballroom dancer and British champion, Goodman was head judge on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004. The dance competition, which pairs celebrities with professional dance partners, was a surprise hit and has become one of the network’s most popular shows.

Goodman's pithy observations, delivered in a Cockney accent, endeared him to viewers. “You floated across that floor like butter on a crumpet," he remarked after one foxtrot. He praised a salsa-dancing couple as “like two sizzling sausages on a barbecue.”

Goodman was head judge on the U.S. version of the show, ABC's “Dancing With the Stars,” for 15 years until his retirement in November. For several years he judged the British and American shows simultaneously each autumn, criss-crossing the Atlantic weekly.

Buckingham Palace said Camilla, the queen consort, was “saddened to hear” of Goodman's death. The wife of King Charles III is a fan of “Strictly,” and danced with Goodman at a 2019 event celebrating the British Dance Council.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said Goodman was “a great entertainer” who would be “missed by many.”

British broadcaster Esther Rantzen said Goodman had been “astonished and delighted” by his late-life fame.

“One of the reasons he succeeded so well in the States is that he was quintessentially British," she said. "He was firm but fair, funny but a gentleman and I hope the nation will adopt his favorite expostulation of ‘pickle me walnuts.'”

Goodman also presented BBC radio programs and made TV documentaries, including a 2012 program about the sinking of the Titanic. As a young man, Goodman had worked as a shipyard welder for the company that built the doomed ship.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said Goodman was “a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.”

Goodman was also a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to dance, and owned the Goodman Academy dance school in southern England.

LONDON (AP) — Len Goodman, a long-serving judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing" who helped revive interest in ballroom dancing on both sides of the Atlantic, has died, his agent said Monday. He was 78.Agent Jackie Gill said Goodman “passed away peacefully" on Saturday night. He had been diagnosed with bone cancer.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hart broken my dear friend and partner for 19 years the one and only ballroom LEGEND <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LenGoodman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LenGoodman</a> passed away I will treasure the memories of our adventures <a href="https://twitter.com/bbcstrictly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bbcstrictly</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/officialdwts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@officialdwts</a> there will never be anyone like you you will always be my perfect 10 ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/M5qnHedx5S">pic.twitter.com/M5qnHedx5S</a>&mdash; Bruno Tonioli (@BrunoTonioli) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrunoTonioli/status/1650441152783437825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A former professional ballroom dancer and British champion, Goodman was head judge on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004. The dance competition, which pairs celebrities with professional dance partners, was a surprise hit and has become one of the network’s most popular shows.Goodman's pithy observations, delivered in a Cockney accent, endeared him to viewers. “You floated across that floor like butter on a crumpet," he remarked after one foxtrot. He praised a salsa-dancing couple as “like two sizzling sausages on a barbecue.”Goodman was head judge on the U.S. version of the show, ABC's “Dancing With the Stars,” for 15 years until his retirement in November. For several years he judged the British and American shows simultaneously each autumn, criss-crossing the Atlantic weekly.Buckingham Palace said Camilla, the queen consort, was “saddened to hear” of Goodman's death. The wife of King Charles III is a fan of “Strictly,” and danced with Goodman at a 2019 event celebrating the British Dance Council.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said Goodman was “a great entertainer” who would be “missed by many.”British broadcaster Esther Rantzen said Goodman had been “astonished and delighted” by his late-life fame.“One of the reasons he succeeded so well in the States is that he was quintessentially British," she said. "He was firm but fair, funny but a gentleman and I hope the nation will adopt his favorite expostulation of ‘pickle me walnuts.'”Goodman also presented BBC radio programs and made TV documentaries, including a 2012 program about the sinking of the Titanic. As a young man, Goodman had worked as a shipyard welder for the company that built the doomed ship.BBC director-general Tim Davie said Goodman was “a wonderful, warm entertainer who was adored by millions. He appealed to all ages and felt like a member of everyone’s family. Len was at the very heart of Strictly’s success. He will be hugely missed by the public and his many friends and family.”Goodman was also a recipient of the Carl Alan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to dance, and owned the Goodman Academy dance school in southern England.

'Dancing With the Stars' judge Len Goodman dies at 78

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/21/massive-pipeline-spill-caused-by-crack-created-during-installation-third-party-review-concludes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A third-party review of a pipeline spill that released 
500,000 gallons of crude oil onto Kansas farmland and a nearby stream 
was caused by a crack in the metal pipe that eventually ruptured under 
pressure.

That was the conclusion of a third-party review that was ordered by a
 federal pipeline safety agency to investigate the December failure of 
the 36-inch Keystone pipeline, just south of the Nebraska border near 
Washington, Kansas.

It was the largest oil pipeline spill in the U.S. in nine years.

The “Root Cause Failure Analysis” for the so-called “Milepost 14 incident” reached the <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/keystone-pipeline-owner-blames-kansas-spill-on-faulty-weld-estimates-480m-remediation-cost/">same conclusion as an independent analysis</a> of the metal pipeline released in February.

“The primary cause of the rupture was a progressive fatigue crack 
that originated at a girth weld connecting a manufactured elbow fitting 
to the pipe constructed across Mill Creek (in Kansas),” the operator of 
the pipeline, TC Energy, said in a press release Friday.

The company said that during construction of this segment of the 
Keystone pipeline, which as completed in 2011, “inadvertent bending 
stresses sufficient to initiate a crack” occurred on the elbow fitting.

Over time, and under the high pressure needed to push the oil down 
the pipeline, the crack worsened, eventually resulting in the leak.

The pipeline, which carries tar sands oil from Canada to refineries 
on the U.S. Gulf Coast, was operating at a pressure of 1,153 pounds per 
square gauge at the time of the Dec. 7 rupture, according to the federal
 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Since 2009, the Keystone pipeline has experienced three failures on similar girth welds, according to PHMSA.

<a target="_blank" href="https://hazmat.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2023-03/TC%20Oil%20Pipeline%20-%2032022074CAO_Amended%20Corrective%20Action%20Order_03072023_%2822-261792%29.pdf">In March, the agency</a>
 ordered TC Energy to reduce the operating pressure to 923 ppsg on the 
segment of the Keystone pipeline from Steele City, Neb., to Cushing, 
Okla., due to a “repetitious pattern of failures related to the original
 design, manufacture, and construction.”

On Friday, TC Energy, in a press release, said it had recovered 98% 
of the released product and cleaned up 90% of the shoreline of Mill 
Creek, where the failure occurred. Previously, the company has estimated
 its cost of responding and cleaning up the leak at $480 million.

Thousands of cubic yards of oil-soaked soil and other materials removed from the spill site were trucked <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/23/oil-soaked-soil-from-kansas-pipeline-spill-was-sent-to-landfill-near-omaha/">to a landfill just outside Omaha.</a>

TC Energy said that in response to the failure analysis, it plans to:

The company said the latest review confirmed that the welding 
workmanship on the pipeline was “compliant with applicable codes and 
standards.”

A lobbyist with the Sierra Club of Kansas, however, said the latest report just reaffirms that there were flaws in original design, material and installation of the Keystone pipeline that make more oil spills inevitable.

“This shouldn’t give us any relief or assurance,” said Zack Pistora of the Sierra Club. “This only reaffirms that it’s only a matter of time before another weld fails or a design flaw causes another disaster.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682268577079.png" alt="TC Energy workers at the site of a pipeline spill near Washington, Kansas, just a few miles south of the Nebraska border (Courtesy of TC Energy) " />
 <figcaption>TC Energy workers at the site of a pipeline spill near Washington, Kansas, just a few miles south of the Nebraska border (Courtesy of TC Energy) </figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/21/massive-pipeline-spill-caused-by-crack-created-during-installation-third-party-review-concludes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A third-party review of a pipeline spill that released 
500,000 gallons of crude oil onto Kansas farmland and a nearby stream 
was caused by a crack in the metal pipe that eventually ruptured under 
pressure.That was the conclusion of a third-party review that was ordered by a
 federal pipeline safety agency to investigate the December failure of 
the 36-inch Keystone pipeline, just south of the Nebraska border near 
Washington, Kansas.It was the largest oil pipeline spill in the U.S. in nine years.The “Root Cause Failure Analysis” for the so-called “Milepost 14 incident” reached the <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/keystone-pipeline-owner-blames-kansas-spill-on-faulty-weld-estimates-480m-remediation-cost/">same conclusion as an independent analysis</a> of the metal pipeline released in February.<h2>‘Fatigue crack’</h2>“The primary cause of the rupture was a progressive fatigue crack 
that originated at a girth weld connecting a manufactured elbow fitting 
to the pipe constructed across Mill Creek (in Kansas),” the operator of 
the pipeline, TC Energy, said in a press release Friday.The company said that during construction of this segment of the 
Keystone pipeline, which as completed in 2011, “inadvertent bending 
stresses sufficient to initiate a crack” occurred on the elbow fitting.Over time, and under the high pressure needed to push the oil down 
the pipeline, the crack worsened, eventually resulting in the leak.The pipeline, which carries tar sands oil from Canada to refineries 
on the U.S. Gulf Coast, was operating at a pressure of 1,153 pounds per 
square gauge at the time of the Dec. 7 rupture, according to the federal
 Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.<h2>‘Repetitious pattern of failures’</h2>Since 2009, the Keystone pipeline has experienced three failures on similar girth welds, according to PHMSA.<a target="_blank" href="https://hazmat.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2023-03/TC%20Oil%20Pipeline%20-%2032022074CAO_Amended%20Corrective%20Action%20Order_03072023_%2822-261792%29.pdf">In March, the agency</a>
 ordered TC Energy to reduce the operating pressure to 923 ppsg on the 
segment of the Keystone pipeline from Steele City, Neb., to Cushing, 
Okla., due to a “repetitious pattern of failures related to the original
 design, manufacture, and construction.”On Friday, TC Energy, in a press release, said it had recovered 98% 
of the released product and cleaned up 90% of the shoreline of Mill 
Creek, where the failure occurred. Previously, the company has estimated
 its cost of responding and cleaning up the leak at $480 million.Thousands of cubic yards of oil-soaked soil and other materials removed from the spill site were trucked <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/23/oil-soaked-soil-from-kansas-pipeline-spill-was-sent-to-landfill-near-omaha/">to a landfill just outside Omaha.</a><h2>Excavation, more inspections planned</h2>TC Energy said that in response to the failure analysis, it plans to:<ul>
 <li>Excavate and investigate other Keystone pipeline sites with characteristics like the incident location.</li><li>Perform additional in-line inspections of the pipeline.</li><li>Review evolving pipeline design guidelines.</li>
 </ul><h2>‘Only a matter of time’</h2>The company said the latest review confirmed that the welding 
workmanship on the pipeline was “compliant with applicable codes and 
standards.”A lobbyist with the Sierra Club of Kansas, however, said the latest report just reaffirms that there were flaws in original design, material and installation of the Keystone pipeline that make more oil spills inevitable.“This shouldn’t give us any relief or assurance,” said Zack Pistora of the Sierra Club. “This only reaffirms that it’s only a matter of time before another weld fails or a design flaw causes another disaster.”

Kansas pipeline spill caused by crack created during installation

By ZACH WENDLING <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/north-omaha-residents-installing-air-quality-monitors-near-coal-burning-station/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN
 —&nbsp;Residents in North Omaha are stepping up to install air quality 
monitors in the neighborhood, a move designed to empower citizens as 
coal burning continues in the area.

The Omaha Public Power District determined in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wowt.com/2022/08/19/coal-will-burn-three-years-longer-oppds-north-omaha-station/">August</a>
 it would need to delay the cessation of burning coal at its North Omaha
 station for at least a few years, partially due to permitting and 
approval process delays.&nbsp;

In response, residents with the help of the Nebraska Sierra Club have installed one <a target="_blank" href="https://www2.purpleair.com/">PurpleAir monitor</a> blocks away from the plant. More monitors are expected to be added soon.

PurpleAir monitors provide the 
ability to measure air quality in real time, collecting particle 
pollution for hyper-local networks.

That is advantageous because data 
from OPPD, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, the 
Douglas County Health Department and others may not be readily 
available, said John Crabtree, Nebraska Beyond Coal Campaign 
representative for the Sierra Club.

Crabtree said the citizen-based 
science and data acquisition is not meant to be better than academic or 
regulatory data that is currently required. For example, OPPD is 
required to monitor air quality already.

“It’s more engaging, and people in 
the community are more likely to see it, experience it, act on it and 
use it to influence the decisions that they make and the decisions that 
are made at the other levels that affect their lives,” Crabtree said.

The initiative is a way for neighbors
 to help one another and be a more effective way of communicating data 
not just for Omaha but the state at large, he added.&nbsp;

Air pollution can lead to increased 
asthma rates and other health issues, the Sierra Club said in a 
statement, such as more blood clots, heart attacks, lung cancer, 
diabetes or premature death.

Crabtree said the hope is to improve future health outcomes.&nbsp;

OPPD said in a statement that 
interest in ambient air monitoring is “consistent with the ongoing 
conversations we’ve had with the community.” The utility adds it is 
critical to maintain the use of coal “temporarily” in North Omaha 
Station Units 4 and 5.

“While OPPD does perform the required
 monitoring and stack testing at the plant, we know that air quality is 
impacted by many variables,” OPPD said in its statement. “OPPD 
appreciates citizens’ input on this topic. We are proud that our 
employees, retirees and family members also live in the community where 
the station has produced reliable electricity for nearly 70 years.”

Next week, the Sierra Club will help 
install a PurpleAir monitor at The Boss radio station at 2314 N 24th St.
 in Omaha. Organizers are also eying a North Omaha elementary school as a
 future location.

Crabtree said anyone interested in learning more can connect with the organization.

“Just get in touch with us and ask,” Crabtree said. “We’d be happy to follow up with everybody.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682268464813.png" alt="A PurpleAir monitor is installed at a North Omaha home blocks away from the coal plant in the area. (Courtesy of the Sierra Club)" />
 <figcaption>A PurpleAir monitor is installed at a North Omaha home blocks away from the coal plant in the area. (Courtesy of the Sierra Club)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ZACH WENDLING <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/north-omaha-residents-installing-air-quality-monitors-near-coal-burning-station/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN
 —&nbsp;Residents in North Omaha are stepping up to install air quality 
monitors in the neighborhood, a move designed to empower citizens as 
coal burning continues in the area.The Omaha Public Power District determined in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wowt.com/2022/08/19/coal-will-burn-three-years-longer-oppds-north-omaha-station/">August</a>
 it would need to delay the cessation of burning coal at its North Omaha
 station for at least a few years, partially due to permitting and 
approval process delays.&nbsp;In response, residents with the help of the Nebraska Sierra Club have installed one <a target="_blank" href="https://www2.purpleair.com/">PurpleAir monitor</a> blocks away from the plant. More monitors are expected to be added soon.PurpleAir monitors provide the 
ability to measure air quality in real time, collecting particle 
pollution for hyper-local networks.That is advantageous because data 
from OPPD, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, the 
Douglas County Health Department and others may not be readily 
available, said John Crabtree, Nebraska Beyond Coal Campaign 
representative for the Sierra Club.Crabtree said the citizen-based 
science and data acquisition is not meant to be better than academic or 
regulatory data that is currently required. For example, OPPD is 
required to monitor air quality already.“It’s more engaging, and people in 
the community are more likely to see it, experience it, act on it and 
use it to influence the decisions that they make and the decisions that 
are made at the other levels that affect their lives,” Crabtree said.The initiative is a way for neighbors
 to help one another and be a more effective way of communicating data 
not just for Omaha but the state at large, he added.&nbsp;Air pollution can lead to increased 
asthma rates and other health issues, the Sierra Club said in a 
statement, such as more blood clots, heart attacks, lung cancer, 
diabetes or premature death.Crabtree said the hope is to improve future health outcomes.&nbsp;OPPD said in a statement that 
interest in ambient air monitoring is “consistent with the ongoing 
conversations we’ve had with the community.” The utility adds it is 
critical to maintain the use of coal “temporarily” in North Omaha 
Station Units 4 and 5.“While OPPD does perform the required
 monitoring and stack testing at the plant, we know that air quality is 
impacted by many variables,” OPPD said in its statement. “OPPD 
appreciates citizens’ input on this topic. We are proud that our 
employees, retirees and family members also live in the community where 
the station has produced reliable electricity for nearly 70 years.”Next week, the Sierra Club will help 
install a PurpleAir monitor at The Boss radio station at 2314 N 24th St.
 in Omaha. Organizers are also eying a North Omaha elementary school as a
 future location.Crabtree said anyone interested in learning more can connect with the organization.“Just get in touch with us and ask,” Crabtree said. “We’d be happy to follow up with everybody.”

Air quality monitors installed near Neb. coal-burning station

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;last week&nbsp; wrestled with the case of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-post-office-christian-85291b805b5630e958ac1200ef711cf2">Christian mail carrier</a>&nbsp;who refused to work on Sundays when he was required to deliver Amazon packages.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596998822010.png" alt="The case before the court involves a mail carrier in rural Pennsylvania. The man was told that as part of his job he’d need to start delivering Amazon packages on Sundays.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>The case before the court involves a mail carrier in rural Pennsylvania. The man was told that as part of his job he’d need to start delivering Amazon packages on Sundays.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;last week&nbsp; wrestled with the case of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-post-office-christian-85291b805b5630e958ac1200ef711cf2">Christian mail carrier</a>&nbsp;who refused to work on Sundays when he was required to deliver Amazon packages.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/22-174">Click here to listen to a replay</a> of the oral argumentsWhile the court seemed in broad agreement that businesses like the Postal Service can't cite minor costs or hardships to reject such requests to accommodate religious practices, it was less clear what they might do about the particular worker's case.The case before the court involves a mail carrier in rural Pennsylvania. The man was told that as part of his job he’d need to start delivering Amazon packages on Sundays. He declined, saying his Sundays are for church and family. U.S. Postal Service officials initially tried to get substitutes for the man’s shifts, but they couldn’t always accommodate him. When he didn’t show, that meant more work for others. Ultimately, the man quit and sued for religious discrimination.During the arguments, the justices struggled with the question of when employers have to accommodate employees' religious needs. Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ketanji-brown-jackson">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a>&nbsp;said the circumstances of each case matter and that "the answer is: it depends.”The case is the latest religious confrontation the high court has been asked to referee. In recent years, the court’s 6-3 conservative majority has been particularly sensitive to the concerns of religious plaintiffs. That includes a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-coach-prayer-2981a8073ea82a1a688c367270c941aa">ruling last year</a>&nbsp;in which the court said a public high school football coach should be allowed to pray on the field after games. Another case the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-entertainment-religion-race-and-ethnicity-discrimination-9f2a76e9c72b6e0dc2a513a968328799">court is weighing</a>&nbsp;this term involves a Christian graphic artist who wants to create wedding websites, but doesn't want to serve gay couples.A federal law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, requires employers to accommodate employees’ religious practices unless doing so would be an “undue hardship” for the business. But a Supreme Court case from 1977, Trans World Airlines v. Hardison, says in part that employers can deny religious accommodations to employees when they impose “more than a de minimis cost” on the business.Three current justices have said the court should reconsider the Hardison case. And on Tuesday other justices also suggested the “more than de minimis cost language” was problematic.Even Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer who was representing the Post Office, told the justices that the Hardison case as a whole requires an employer who wants to deny an accommodation to show more. She said that most often requests for religious accommodation come up when employees seek schedule changes like the Sabbath off or midday prayer breaks or exemptions from a company's dress code or grooming policies. They also come up when an employee wants to display a religious symbol in the workplace.Justice Neil Gorsuch, who along with Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito has said Hardison should be reconsidered, suggested the justices could simply say that “some courts have taken this de minimis language" too far and that has “been a serious misunderstanding.” He suggested the justices could do “a good day's work and put a period at the end of it by saying that that is not the law.”The justices seemed less in agreement, however, about what to do on the facts of the case in front of them involving Gerald Groff, a former employee of the U.S. Postal Service in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. For years, Groff was a fill-in mail carrier who worked on days when other mail carriers were off.But when an Amazon.com contract with the Postal Service required carriers to start delivering packages on Sundays, Groff balked. Initially, to avoid the shifts, Groff transferred to a more rural post office not yet doing Sunday deliveries, but eventually that post office was required to do them, too.Whenever Groff was scheduled on a Sunday, another carrier had to work or his spot went unfilled. Officials said Groff’s absences created a tense environment and contributed to morale problems. It also meant other carriers had to deliver more Sunday mail than they otherwise would.Justice Elena Kagan suggested there was enough evidence that Groff's Sunday absences were causing a hardship and that the Postal Service did nothing wrong in denying an accommodation. Justice Brett Kavanaugh pointed out that the Postal Service had “one employee quit, one employee transfer and another file a grievance” as a result of Groff's Sunday absences. But other justices including Justice Amy Coney Barrett suggested the justices might want to send Groff's case back to lower courts for another look.Groff resigned in 2019 rather than wait to be fired. His lawyer Aaron Streett urged the Supreme Court to overrule the Hardison case and to say that employers must show “significant difficulty or expense” if they want to reject a religious accommodation.The case is Groff v. DeJoy, 22-174.