WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced detailed plans to deliver on a campaign promise to provide $10,000 in student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">debt cancellation for millions of Americans</a>&nbsp;— and up to $10,000 more for those with the greatest financial need — along with measures to lower the burden of repayment for their remaining federal student debt.

(Click below to watch the President's comments)

The Biden Administration is following through and providing families breathing room as they prepare to start re-paying loans after the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic.

Since 1980, the total cost of both four-year public and four-year private college has&nbsp;<a href="https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing">nearly tripled</a>, even after accounting for inflation. Federal support has not kept up: Pell Grants once covered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-budget/pell-grants-a-key-tool-for-expanding-college-access-and-economic">nearly 80 percent</a>&nbsp;of the cost of a four-year public college degree for students from working families, but now only cover a third. That has left many students from low- and middle-income families with no choice but to borrow if they want to get a degree. According to a Department of Education analysis, the typical undergraduate student with loans now graduates with nearly $25,000 in debt.&nbsp;

The skyrocketing cumulative federal student loan debt—$1.6 trillion and rising for more than 45 million borrowers—is a significant burden on America’s middle class. Middle-class borrowers struggle with high monthly payments and ballooning balances that make it harder for them to build wealth, like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/704609?mobileUi=0">buying homes</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://crr.bc.edu/working-papers/how-does-student-debt-affect-early-career-retirement-saving/">putting away money for retirement</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.philadelphiafed.org/the-economy/the-impact-of-student-loan-debt-on-small-business-formation">starting small&nbsp;</a><a href="https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/abs/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2995?journalCode=mnsc">businesses</a>. For the most vulnerable borrowers, the effects of debt are even more crushing. Nearly one-third of borrowers have debt but no degree, according to an analysis by the Department of Education of a recent cohort of undergraduates. Many of these students could not complete their degree because the&nbsp;<a href="https://educationdata.org/college-dropout-rates">cost of attendance</a>&nbsp;was too high. About&nbsp;<a href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2022-07-13/federal-student-aid-posts-quarterly-portfolio-reports-fsa-data-center#:~:text=Impact%20on%20Direct%20Loan%20Defaults&amp;text=In%20fact%2C%20the%20number%20of,3.4%20million%20in%20March%202022.">16%</a>&nbsp;of borrowers are in default – including nearly a third of senior citizens with student debt – which can result in the government garnishing a borrower’s wages or lowering a borrower’s credit score. The student debt burden also falls disproportionately on Black borrowers. Twenty years after first enrolling in school, the typical Black borrower who started college in the 1995-96 school year still owed&nbsp;<a href="https://heller.brandeis.edu/iere/pdfs/racial-wealth-equity/racial-wealth-gap/stallingdreams-how-student-debt-is-disrupting-lifechances.pdf">95%</a>&nbsp;of their original student debt. Today, President Biden is announcing a three-part plan to provide more breathing room to America’s working families as they continue to recover from the strains associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan offers targeted debt relief as part of a comprehensive effort to address the burden of growing college costs and make the student loan system more manageable for working families. The President is announcing that the Department of Education will: &nbsp;&nbsp;

Provide Targeted Debt Relief, Fulfilling the President’s Campaign Commitment To address the financial harms of the pandemic for low- and middle-income borrowers and avoid defaults as loan repayment restarts next year, the Department of Education will provide up to $20,000 in loan relief to borrowers with loans held by the Department of Education whose individual income is less than $125,000 ($250,000 for married couples) and who received a Pell Grant.&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/data-center/student/title-iv">Nearly every Pell Grant recipient</a>&nbsp;came from a family that made less than $60,000 a year, and Pell Grant recipients typically experience more challenges repaying their debt than other borrowers. Borrowers who meet those income standards but did not receive a Pell Grant in college can receive up to $10,000 in loan relief.

The Pell Grant program is one of America’s most effective financial aid programs—but its value has been eroded over time. Pell Grant recipients are more than 60% of the borrower population. The Department of Education estimates that roughly 27 million borrowers will be eligible to receive up to $20,000 in relief, helping these borrowers meet their economic potential and avoid economic harm from the COVID-19 pandemic. Current students with loans are eligible for this debt relief. Borrowers who are dependent students will be eligible for relief based on parental income, rather than their own income. If all borrowers claim the relief they are entitled to, these actions will:

The Department of Education will work quickly and efficiently to set up a simple application process for borrowers to claim relief. The application will be available no later than when the pause on federal student loan repayments terminates at the end of the year. Nearly 8 million borrowers may be eligible to receive relief automatically because their relevant income data is already available to the Department. &nbsp; Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, this debt relief will not be treated as taxable income for the federal income tax purposes. To help ensure a smooth transition back to repayment, the Department of Education is extending the student loan pause a final time through December 31, 2022. No one with federally-held loans has had to pay a single dollar in loan payments since President Biden took office. Make the Student Loan System More Manageable for Current and Future Borrowers Fixing Existing Loan Repayment to Lower Monthly Payments The Administration is reforming student loan repayment plans so both current and future low- and middle-income borrowers will have smaller and more manageable monthly payments. The Department of Education has the authority to create income-driven repayment plans, which cap what borrowers pay each month based on a percentage of their discretionary income. Most of these plans cancel a borrower’s remaining debt once they make 20 years of monthly payments. But the existing versions of these plans are too complex and too limited. As a result, millions of borrowers who might benefit from them do not sign up, and the millions who do sign up are still often left with unmanageable monthly payments. To address these concerns and follow through on Congress’ original vision for income-driven repayment, the Department of Education is proposing a rule to do the following:

These reforms would simplify loan repayment and deliver significant savings to low- and middle-income borrowers. For example:

For each of these borrowers, their balances would not grow as long as they are making their monthly payments, and their remaining debt would be forgiven after they make the required number of qualifying payments. Further, the Department of Education will make it easier for borrowers who enroll in this new plan to stay enrolled. Starting in the summer of 2023, borrowers will be able to allow the Department of Education to automatically pull their income information year after year, avoiding the hassle of needing to recertify their income annually. Ensuring Public Servants Receive Credit Toward Loan Forgiveness Borrowers working in public service are entitled to earn credit toward debt relief under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. But because of complex eligibility restrictions, historic implementation failures, and poor counseling given to borrowers, many borrowers have not received the credit they deserve for their public service. The Department of Education has announced time-limited changes to PSLF that provide an easier path to forgiveness of all outstanding debt for eligible federal student loan borrowers who have served at a non-profit, in the military, or in federal, state, Tribal, or local government for at least 10 years, including non-consecutively. Those who have served less than 10 years may now more easily get credit for their service to date toward eventual forgiveness. These changes allow eligible borrowers to gain additional credit toward forgiveness, even if they had been told previously that they had the wrong loan type. The Department of Education also has proposed regulatory changes to ensure more effective implementation of the PSLF program moving forward. Specifically, the Department of Education has proposed allowing more payments to qualify for PSLF including partial, lump sum, and late payments, and allowing certain kinds of deferments and forbearances, such as those for Peace Corps and AmeriCorps service, National Guard duty, and military service, to count toward PSLF. The Department of Education also proposed to ensure the rules work better for non-tenured instructors whose colleges need to calculate their full-time employment. To ensure borrowers are aware of the temporary changes, the White House has launched four PSLF Days of Action dedicated to borrowers in specific sectors: government employees, educators, healthcare workers and first responders, and non-profit employees. You can find out other information about the temporary changes on PSLF.gov. You must apply to PSLF before the temporary changes end on October 31, 2022. Protecting Borrowers and Taxpayers from Steep Increases in College Costs While providing this relief to low- and middle-income borrowers, the President is focused on keeping college costs under control. Under this Administration, students have had more money in their pockets to pay for college. The President signed the largest increase to the maximum Pell Grant in over a decade and provided nearly $40 billion to colleges and universities through the American Rescue Plan, much of which was used for emergency student financial aid, allowing students to breathe a little easier. Additionally, the Department of Education has already taken significant steps to strengthen accountability, so that students are not left with mountains of debt with little payoff. The agency has re-established the enforcement unit in the Office of Federal Student Aid and it is holding accreditors’ feet to the fire. In fact, the Department just withdrew authorization for the accreditor that oversaw schools responsible for some of the worst for-profit scandals. The agency will also propose a rule to hold career programs accountable for leaving their graduates with mountains of debt they cannot repay, a rule the previous Administration repealed. Building off of these efforts, the Department of Education is announcing new actions to hold accountable colleges that have contributed to the student debt crisis. These include publishing an annual watch list of the programs with the worst debt levels in the country, so that students registering for the next academic year can steer clear of programs with poor outcomes. They also include requesting institutional improvement plans from the worst actors that outline how the colleges with the most concerning debt outcomes intend to bring down debt levels. &nbsp;

More information on claiming relief will be available to borrowers in the coming weeks. Borrowers can sign up to be notified when this information is available at StudentAid.gov/debtrelief.

🎥 Biden explains his student loan forgiveness plan

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man hired last spring to carry out what appeared to be an active shooting at an Omaha charity — complete with actors smeared with fake blood — has been criminally charged with terrorism counts.

John Channels, of Omaha, was arrested and charged Tuesday with five counts of making terroristic threats and one weapons count. The Omaha World-Herald first reported the arrest.

The incident happened May 19, when Channels, 27, showed up at Omaha Catholic Charities firing blanks from a semiautomatic handgun and staging “victims” who appeared to have been wounded or killed, police said. The charity hired him to test its workers' preparedness for such an attack.

The incident caused panic among the charity’s employees because they had not been informed it was a drill. Police said the charity paid Channels $2,500 to carry out the mock shooting and went along with his request not to inform employees beforehand.

One employee told the World-Herald that in her panic at hearing the gunfire, she fled the building and leapt from a retaining wall intending to land and hide in a dumpster several feet below. But she missed and landed on the ground, where she curled up in pain before she ran several blocks to a restaurant.

Omaha Catholic Charities' executive director, Denise Bartels, didn't immediately reply to a message seeking comment left Wednesday by The Associated Press. The charity's chief communications director, Dave Vankat, said the charity planned to release a statement later Wednesday.

Channels was arrested and jailed Tuesday and did not have an attorney representing him on the terror charges as of Wednesday. At the time of his arrest, he was already out on bond for charges in a separate case accusing him of sexually assaulting a minor.

According to a police arrest affidavit, Channels told those at Catholic Charities who hired him that he had conducted other active shooter drills and that law enforcement officers would be present during the drill. But police say not only were officers not present for the drill, police were not even told of it ahead of time, leading officers to respond to panicked employees' calls with guns drawn.

Douglas County prosecutor Don Kleine said the mock drill could have had dire consequences — such as a panicked employee suffering a heart attack or Channels himself being shot by someone else or an officer.

“Somebody could have gotten killed,” Kleine told the World-Herald. “Just think of the potential things that could have happened with this — it’s frightful.”

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661373085882.png" alt="Channels" />
 <figcaption>Channels</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A man hired last spring to carry out what appeared to be an active shooting at an Omaha charity — complete with actors smeared with fake blood — has been criminally charged with terrorism counts.John Channels, of Omaha, was arrested and charged Tuesday with five counts of making terroristic threats and one weapons count. The Omaha World-Herald first reported the arrest.The incident happened May 19, when Channels, 27, showed up at Omaha Catholic Charities firing blanks from a semiautomatic handgun and staging “victims” who appeared to have been wounded or killed, police said. The charity hired him to test its workers' preparedness for such an attack.The incident caused panic among the charity’s employees because they had not been informed it was a drill. Police said the charity paid Channels $2,500 to carry out the mock shooting and went along with his request not to inform employees beforehand.One employee told the World-Herald that in her panic at hearing the gunfire, she fled the building and leapt from a retaining wall intending to land and hide in a dumpster several feet below. But she missed and landed on the ground, where she curled up in pain before she ran several blocks to a restaurant.Omaha Catholic Charities' executive director, Denise Bartels, didn't immediately reply to a message seeking comment left Wednesday by The Associated Press. The charity's chief communications director, Dave Vankat, said the charity planned to release a statement later Wednesday.Channels was arrested and jailed Tuesday and did not have an attorney representing him on the terror charges as of Wednesday. At the time of his arrest, he was already out on bond for charges in a separate case accusing him of sexually assaulting a minor.According to a police arrest affidavit, Channels told those at Catholic Charities who hired him that he had conducted other active shooter drills and that law enforcement officers would be present during the drill. But police say not only were officers not present for the drill, police were not even told of it ahead of time, leading officers to respond to panicked employees' calls with guns drawn.Douglas County prosecutor Don Kleine said the mock drill could have had dire consequences — such as a panicked employee suffering a heart attack or Channels himself being shot by someone else or an officer.“Somebody could have gotten killed,” Kleine told the World-Herald. “Just think of the potential things that could have happened with this — it’s frightful.”<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m9IGG7ZEkIVRNFdruYfIZhKcJdzLR3QAAnlmEEM7yc0p596nIhoybwNjGtgefR6DYtGziZOxfbxy9c9ct0VsZA1QAS9ka4ZkRWvw-fgov13UxC3Txp2HBOIa63kTMp6HtaIUlbmuJk2nJlFmID2PhOZB_TpYGO29afzHemkmKaRi3eWr7Y2AUP2V" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Man who held fake shooting drill at Nebraska charity charged

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

Your child has gone missing or run away, what should you do?

Riley County Police Department says your first step should be to call them, either using 911 or the local police department.

“In the event that they do run away, don’t hesitate to call us and call us immediately, I mean that’s a number one, especially the younger they are, you know, time is of the essence, so if you don’t know where your child is, call us immediately, and if it’s an emergency, especially if they’re younger, don’t hesitate to call us on 911.” Riley County Police Department, Communications Manager, Tyler Siefkes says.&nbsp;

“I feel like sometimes parents don’t immediately notify us because there might be a shame associated with them not being able to control their children, and that’s just part of life, that’s part of parenting, is that your kids don’t always listen to you.” Riley County Police Department, Dispatch Supervisor, Sarah Martin says.&nbsp;

When a child goes missing, parents and guardians need to be prepared for questions from Law Enforcement, those questions are being asked to help determine the best steps to take to bring the child home quickly.&nbsp;

“If you guys had an argument because they wanted to go to the mall or to a concert, that could be a good lead for us to start, is ‘ok you said no to: going swimming.’ We’re going to go check the pools, because they might just be defying you a little bit and it’s not their intention to run away, they’re just being kids. So, like, telling us as much as you can to give us those good ideas of maybe where to start the search is really helpful.” Martin says.&nbsp;

Community members often ask why an Amber Alert is not used utilized more often in the cases of missing kids, and RCPD says there are very specific requirements to be met before an Amber Alert can be issued. The first requirement is that the child has been abducted, which recent missing children's cases in Riley County have not met. <a href="https://kbi.kansas.gov/ksamber/procedures">Details on other requirements can be found here.&nbsp;</a>

RCPD also recommends keeping an updated picture of your child handy. The picture can then be sent out to officers and used for social media posts to alert the community to be on the lookout for your child.&nbsp;

“You don’t probably ever know when this will happen but it is just important to pay attention, pay attention to what your child is wearing that day, because clothes will be one of the questions that a dispatcher asks, in the event that they do run away.”&nbsp;

The Riley County Police Department also has a program which provides details to police officers who may come in contact with someone who has difficulty communicating with others, called <a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/guardians">Project: Guardians</a>.&nbsp;

“The main goal of Project: Guardians is to give officers on patrol immediate access to information about children that may frequently go away from the home, as far as, sometimes with children with autism and other cognitive disorders, and it’s not just limited to children either, it’s adults that may have Alzheimer’s or dementia. If there’s any concern about somebody in your family that may go missing or go away from the residence at any point, or that may just come upon a police officer in any sort of situation and may have difficulty communicating with that police officer, they should be enrolled in Project: Guardians. It gives us information about how to communicate with that person, and gives officers a picture of that person right away and it’s a great program, so we’re trying to spread the word about that as much as possible,” Siefkes says.&nbsp;

You can sign up for Project: Guardians <a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/project-guardians-online-form">using this link</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661360963316.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostYour child has gone missing or run away, what should you do?Riley County Police Department says your first step should be to call them, either using 911 or the local police department.“In the event that they do run away, don’t hesitate to call us and call us immediately, I mean that’s a number one, especially the younger they are, you know, time is of the essence, so if you don’t know where your child is, call us immediately, and if it’s an emergency, especially if they’re younger, don’t hesitate to call us on 911.” Riley County Police Department, Communications Manager, Tyler Siefkes says.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/w2xgkB3m-60zMcgvZ.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Rcpd When Kids Go Missing" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>“I feel like sometimes parents don’t immediately notify us because there might be a shame associated with them not being able to control their children, and that’s just part of life, that’s part of parenting, is that your kids don’t always listen to you.” Riley County Police Department, Dispatch Supervisor, Sarah Martin says.&nbsp;When a child goes missing, parents and guardians need to be prepared for questions from Law Enforcement, those questions are being asked to help determine the best steps to take to bring the child home quickly.&nbsp;“If you guys had an argument because they wanted to go to the mall or to a concert, that could be a good lead for us to start, is ‘ok you said no to: going swimming.’ We’re going to go check the pools, because they might just be defying you a little bit and it’s not their intention to run away, they’re just being kids. So, like, telling us as much as you can to give us those good ideas of maybe where to start the search is really helpful.” Martin says.&nbsp;Community members often ask why an Amber Alert is not used utilized more often in the cases of missing kids, and RCPD says there are very specific requirements to be met before an Amber Alert can be issued. The first requirement is that the child has been abducted, which recent missing children's cases in Riley County have not met. <a href="https://kbi.kansas.gov/ksamber/procedures">Details on other requirements can be found here.&nbsp;</a>RCPD also recommends keeping an updated picture of your child handy. The picture can then be sent out to officers and used for social media posts to alert the community to be on the lookout for your child.&nbsp;“You don’t probably ever know when this will happen but it is just important to pay attention, pay attention to what your child is wearing that day, because clothes will be one of the questions that a dispatcher asks, in the event that they do run away.”&nbsp;The Riley County Police Department also has a program which provides details to police officers who may come in contact with someone who has difficulty communicating with others, called <a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/guardians">Project: Guardians</a>.&nbsp;“The main goal of Project: Guardians is to give officers on patrol immediate access to information about children that may frequently go away from the home, as far as, sometimes with children with autism and other cognitive disorders, and it’s not just limited to children either, it’s adults that may have Alzheimer’s or dementia. If there’s any concern about somebody in your family that may go missing or go away from the residence at any point, or that may just come upon a police officer in any sort of situation and may have difficulty communicating with that police officer, they should be enrolled in Project: Guardians. It gives us information about how to communicate with that person, and gives officers a picture of that person right away and it’s a great program, so we’re trying to spread the word about that as much as possible,” Siefkes says.&nbsp;You can sign up for Project: Guardians <a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/project-guardians-online-form">using this link</a>.

🎥: When kids go missing, police say report it immediately

By WILLIAM MELHADO <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/23/uvalde-shooting-27-billion-lawsuit/">The Texas Tribune</a>

On behalf of Uvalde mass shooting victims and their families, the 
California-based law firm Bonner &amp; Bonner is seeking $27 billion 
from a litany of governmental entities over the May 24 Robb Elementary 
School massacre that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

Charles Bonner served the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School 
District with the multibillion-dollar claim Monday, requesting 
compensation for the victims. Bonner told The Texas Tribune he intended 
to serve Uvalde city leaders on Tuesday evening at a City Council 
meeting.

As evidence of the school district’s responsibility, the claim pointed to a <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/17/law-enforcement-failure-uvalde-shooting-investigation/" target="_blank">Texas House committee’s report</a>
 that investigated the shooting as well as law enforcement’s response. 
The report, which was published a month ago, found that “systemic 
failures and egregious poor decision making” contributed to the gunman’s
 ability to get inside a classroom and law enforcement’s delayed 
response in confronting him.

In addition to serving the school district and City Council, Bonner
 intends to seek damages from the list of law enforcement agencies 
present at Robb during the shooting and Daniel Defense, the manufacturer
 of the AR-15 the shooter used that day.

The claim, which could become a precursor to a class-action 
lawsuit, puts the would-be defendants of a potential suit on notice. 
Bonner said he hopes to reach a settlement ahead of the class-action 
suit, but if those parties don’t come to the negotiating table, he plans
 to file the federal lawsuit in September.

Bonner said the claim seeks to establish a medical monitoring fund 
to pay for counseling for those affected by the incident and further 
compensation for the victims of the shooting, their families and the 
other people in the school on the day of the tragedy.

As it stands, the class named in the prospective lawsuit covers 
nine families of shooting victims, but Bonner said he expects that more 
people impacted by the shooting will sign on moving forward.

“The theme of this invitation to negotiate is accountability, 
responsibility and justice, and that’s what we want for everyone in that
 class. We will leave no victim behind,” Bonner said.

Anne Marie Espinoza, a spokesperson for the school district, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661359291611.png" alt="More than two weeks after 21 people died in the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, hundreds of flowers, toys and candles surround crosses standing in memorial for the victims. Credit: Evan L'Roy for the Texas Tribune " />
 <figcaption>More than two weeks after 21 people died in the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, hundreds of flowers, toys and candles surround crosses standing in memorial for the victims. Credit: Evan L'Roy for the Texas Tribune </figcaption>
 </figure>By WILLIAM MELHADO <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/23/uvalde-shooting-27-billion-lawsuit/">The Texas Tribune</a>On behalf of Uvalde mass shooting victims and their families, the 
California-based law firm Bonner &amp; Bonner is seeking $27 billion 
from a litany of governmental entities over the May 24 Robb Elementary 
School massacre that left 19 children and two teachers dead.Charles Bonner served the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School 
District with the multibillion-dollar claim Monday, requesting 
compensation for the victims. Bonner told The Texas Tribune he intended 
to serve Uvalde city leaders on Tuesday evening at a City Council 
meeting.As evidence of the school district’s responsibility, the claim pointed to a <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/17/law-enforcement-failure-uvalde-shooting-investigation/" target="_blank">Texas House committee’s report</a>
 that investigated the shooting as well as law enforcement’s response. 
The report, which was published a month ago, found that “systemic 
failures and egregious poor decision making” contributed to the gunman’s
 ability to get inside a classroom and law enforcement’s delayed 
response in confronting him.In addition to serving the school district and City Council, Bonner
 intends to seek damages from the list of law enforcement agencies 
present at Robb during the shooting and Daniel Defense, the manufacturer
 of the AR-15 the shooter used that day.The claim, which could become a precursor to a class-action 
lawsuit, puts the would-be defendants of a potential suit on notice. 
Bonner said he hopes to reach a settlement ahead of the class-action 
suit, but if those parties don’t come to the negotiating table, he plans
 to file the federal lawsuit in September.Bonner said the claim seeks to establish a medical monitoring fund 
to pay for counseling for those affected by the incident and further 
compensation for the victims of the shooting, their families and the 
other people in the school on the day of the tragedy.As it stands, the class named in the prospective lawsuit covers 
nine families of shooting victims, but Bonner said he expects that more 
people impacted by the shooting will sign on moving forward.“The theme of this invitation to negotiate is accountability, 
responsibility and justice, and that’s what we want for everyone in that
 class. We will leave no victim behind,” Bonner said.Anne Marie Espinoza, a spokesperson for the school district, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Uvalde schools, law enforcement could face $27B class-action suit

OSAGE COUNTY—On Tuesday afternoon,&nbsp; deputies responded to a different type of call, according to the Osage County Sheriff's office.

Deputies learned that a kitten that had fallen into a 30-foot-deep cistern. 

With assistance from Osage County Fire District #1 -  Carbondale Fire, Osage County EMS, and the homeowner, first responders fit a fish net to a long pole using duct tape. 

Sheriff Chris Wells was able to get the kitten to run into the net and retrieve it from the cistern. 

"Great teamwork—the kitten was saved and uninjured."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661351322112.png" alt="Photo courtesy Osage County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Osage County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—On Tuesday afternoon,&nbsp; deputies responded to a different type of call, according to the Osage County Sheriff's office.Deputies learned that a kitten that had fallen into a 30-foot-deep cistern. With assistance from Osage County Fire District #1 - Carbondale Fire, Osage County EMS, and the homeowner, first responders fit a fish net to a long pole using duct tape. Sheriff Chris Wells was able to get the kitten to run into the net and retrieve it from the cistern. "Great teamwork—the kitten was saved and uninjured."

Kansas deputies improvise, rescue kitten from cistern

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nonprofit-launches-process-to-award-millions-of-dollars-to-expand-affordable-housing/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Have an idea that expands affordable housing options in Omaha?

Front Porch Investments, in 
partnership with the City of Omaha, is seeking real estate developers 
and other applicants interested in a chunk of $40 million that’s been 
earmarked for affordable housing projects.

Proposals for the initial round of 
funding are due by noon Sept. 13. They’ll be “vetted through a strategic
 priorities lens,” and chosen recipients will be announced in November, 
according to a media release from the nonprofit Front Porch.

The funds come from the $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars the <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/06/21/public-spaces-city-employees-and-affordable-housing-targeted-for-omaha-arpa-spending/">city earlier directed</a>
 to the Front Porch Development and Preservation Fund. That amount is 
being matched by philanthropic contributions handled by Front Porch.

First-round proposals are to focus on
 grants, short-term loans and property development that increases 
affordable housing options in Omaha. Both nonprofit and for-profit 
developers are eligible to apply.

Winning projects will target households that earn less than 120% of area median income.

Local banking agents and <a target="_blank" href="https://frontporchinvestmentsorg.presencehost.net/arpa/">other guidance</a> is available to applicants who need help preparing financial documents for proposals.

Federal rules call for ARPA funds to 
be spent by December 2026. The city and Front Porch have a strategy to 
use the bulk of ARPA funds twice before the deadline, through one round 
of short-term loans, followed by a second round of grants to 
housing-focused nonprofits.

Because the short-term loans would be repaid in 2025, the money would be available for a second time in the form of grants.

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nonprofit-launches-process-to-award-millions-of-dollars-to-expand-affordable-housing/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Have an idea that expands affordable housing options in Omaha?Front Porch Investments, in 
partnership with the City of Omaha, is seeking real estate developers 
and other applicants interested in a chunk of $40 million that’s been 
earmarked for affordable housing projects.Proposals for the initial round of 
funding are due by noon Sept. 13. They’ll be “vetted through a strategic
 priorities lens,” and chosen recipients will be announced in November, 
according to a media release from the nonprofit Front Porch.The funds come from the $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars the <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/06/21/public-spaces-city-employees-and-affordable-housing-targeted-for-omaha-arpa-spending/">city earlier directed</a>
 to the Front Porch Development and Preservation Fund. That amount is 
being matched by philanthropic contributions handled by Front Porch.First-round proposals are to focus on
 grants, short-term loans and property development that increases 
affordable housing options in Omaha. Both nonprofit and for-profit 
developers are eligible to apply.Winning projects will target households that earn less than 120% of area median income.Local banking agents and <a target="_blank" href="https://frontporchinvestmentsorg.presencehost.net/arpa/">other guidance</a> is available to applicants who need help preparing financial documents for proposals.Federal rules call for ARPA funds to 
be spent by December 2026. The city and Front Porch have a strategy to 
use the bulk of ARPA funds twice before the deadline, through one round 
of short-term loans, followed by a second round of grants to 
housing-focused nonprofits.Because the short-term loans would be repaid in 2025, the money would be available for a second time in the form of grants.

Nonprofit launches process to award millions to expand affordable housing

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/group-condemns-distribution-of-antisemitic-literature-near-omaha-synagogue/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA
 – A national civil rights group on Tuesday condemned the recent 
distribution of antisemitic literature in a west Omaha neighborhood near
 a Jewish synagogue.

A spokesman with the Council
 on American-Islamic Relations said that it’s a favorite tactic of white
 supremacist groups to fill bags or envelopes with rice or gravel so 
that they can be thrown, containing hateful statements, onto a home’s 
driveway or porch.

“Almost on a daily basis we’re issuing one of these statements,” said Ibrahim Hooper, of the Washington, D.C.-based CAIR group, condemning such distributions.

Omaha television station Fox 42 first
 reported the distribution of antisemitic literature in the neighborhood
 near the Beth Israel Synagogue, which is at 126th and Pacific Streets.

Lt. Neal Bonacci of the Omaha Police Department said police are aware of the incident and are investigating.&nbsp;

There was no immediate information about who was responsible for the distribution of the antisemitic literature. &nbsp;

A message seeking comment from the Anti-Defamation League was not immediately returned Tuesday evening.

Hooper said CAIR and the American 
Muslim community oppose all forms of bigotry, including antisemitism, 
anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and white supremacy. 

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/group-condemns-distribution-of-antisemitic-literature-near-omaha-synagogue/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA
 – A national civil rights group on Tuesday condemned the recent 
distribution of antisemitic literature in a west Omaha neighborhood near
 a Jewish synagogue.A spokesman with the Council
 on American-Islamic Relations said that it’s a favorite tactic of white
 supremacist groups to fill bags or envelopes with rice or gravel so 
that they can be thrown, containing hateful statements, onto a home’s 
driveway or porch.“Almost on a daily basis we’re issuing one of these statements,” said Ibrahim Hooper, of the Washington, D.C.-based CAIR group, condemning such distributions.Omaha television station Fox 42 first
 reported the distribution of antisemitic literature in the neighborhood
 near the Beth Israel Synagogue, which is at 126th and Pacific Streets.Lt. Neal Bonacci of the Omaha Police Department said police are aware of the incident and are investigating.&nbsp;There was no immediate information about who was responsible for the distribution of the antisemitic literature. &nbsp;A message seeking comment from the Anti-Defamation League was not immediately returned Tuesday evening.Hooper said CAIR and the American 
Muslim community oppose all forms of bigotry, including antisemitism, 
anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and white supremacy.

Group condemns distribution of antisemitic literature near Neb. synagogue

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett is auctioning off a high-tech signed portrait of himself to raise money for one of his favorite charities, and the bidding has already topped $30,000.

The portrait of Buffett created by Motiva Art features a grid of letters over the picture that light up to spell out several of the legendary investor’s famous quotes. The eBay auction of this artwork probably won't rival the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-new-york-city-omaha-5805bbcd0bacb5c7930d6d71dfaa2247">$19 million</a>&nbsp;someone paid earlier this year for a private lunch with Buffett, but it's still likely to attract big bidders among the Berkshire Hathaway CEO's devoted followers.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/225089627952?hash=item3468632730:g:12oAAOSw7zJi~Rgl&amp;amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoH%2FYKdg8kqhWc%2BKPEalGgJCsaYfzVHRICMwgMYlBSGxMXjdhQ3a4TUE0iH1XIjxeM4d1sbC7mpmF8uLPc8RSn8QMRWGuMcFphdOOtFX6ls1jOG54RJ3YlCtP4aEsXno5cabyuEw2bybn3NjC5RnatsHZEmi4L1PoSrRaYrQ7l09qlBxE5OcG4MoKt3KQCf5kT5uwaxx4cAvNS22yfl6OJps%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7ztqbvZYA">auction</a>&nbsp;that began earlier this week is set to wrap up on Buffett's 92nd birthday on Aug. 30.

The proceeds from the art auction will go to Girls Inc. of Omaha, which provides educational, cultural and recreational programs for young women in Buffett's hometown. The nonprofit has benefitted from a number of other things the investor has auctioned off over the years.

Buffett once sold off an old wallet of his that contained a stock tip, raising $210,000 for the organization. And in 2015, someone paid more than $122,000 for Buffett's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5c2075fede0c442d96801ddf48e7f907">2006 Cadillac</a>&nbsp;with his signature on the dashboard.

The biggest Buffett payout for Girls Inc. came in 2018 when Buffett won a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bbb686c330c643629f906ecc20437d5b">10-year bet</a>&nbsp;that an S&amp;P 500 stock index fund would outperform a collection of hedge funds. That netted more than $2 million that Girls Inc. used to support a new residential program for young women leaving foster care.

The June lunch auction that raised $19 million for the California-based Glide Foundation that helps the homeless in San Francisco attracted such an astronomical winning bid because Buffett said this year's auction would be the final one. Before the pandemic, he had auctioned off private lunches every year for 20 years and regularly raised millions for Glide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1562016004593.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett is auctioning off a high-tech signed portrait of himself to raise money for one of his favorite charities, and the bidding has already topped $30,000.The portrait of Buffett created by Motiva Art features a grid of letters over the picture that light up to spell out several of the legendary investor’s famous quotes. The eBay auction of this artwork probably won't rival the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-new-york-city-omaha-5805bbcd0bacb5c7930d6d71dfaa2247">$19 million</a>&nbsp;someone paid earlier this year for a private lunch with Buffett, but it's still likely to attract big bidders among the Berkshire Hathaway CEO's devoted followers.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/225089627952?hash=item3468632730:g:12oAAOSw7zJi~Rgl&amp;amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoH%2FYKdg8kqhWc%2BKPEalGgJCsaYfzVHRICMwgMYlBSGxMXjdhQ3a4TUE0iH1XIjxeM4d1sbC7mpmF8uLPc8RSn8QMRWGuMcFphdOOtFX6ls1jOG54RJ3YlCtP4aEsXno5cabyuEw2bybn3NjC5RnatsHZEmi4L1PoSrRaYrQ7l09qlBxE5OcG4MoKt3KQCf5kT5uwaxx4cAvNS22yfl6OJps%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7ztqbvZYA">auction</a>&nbsp;that began earlier this week is set to wrap up on Buffett's 92nd birthday on Aug. 30.The proceeds from the art auction will go to Girls Inc. of Omaha, which provides educational, cultural and recreational programs for young women in Buffett's hometown. The nonprofit has benefitted from a number of other things the investor has auctioned off over the years.Buffett once sold off an old wallet of his that contained a stock tip, raising $210,000 for the organization. And in 2015, someone paid more than $122,000 for Buffett's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5c2075fede0c442d96801ddf48e7f907">2006 Cadillac</a>&nbsp;with his signature on the dashboard.The biggest Buffett payout for Girls Inc. came in 2018 when Buffett won a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bbb686c330c643629f906ecc20437d5b">10-year bet</a>&nbsp;that an S&amp;P 500 stock index fund would outperform a collection of hedge funds. That netted more than $2 million that Girls Inc. used to support a new residential program for young women leaving foster care.The June lunch auction that raised $19 million for the California-based Glide Foundation that helps the homeless in San Francisco attracted such an astronomical winning bid because Buffett said this year's auction would be the final one. Before the pandemic, he had auctioned off private lunches every year for 20 years and regularly raised millions for Glide.

Bids for signed Warren Buffett portrait already top $30,000

WASHINGTON — To help struggling taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service today issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-36.pdf">Notice 2022-36</a>PDF, which provides penalty relief to most people and businesses who file certain 2019 or 2020 returns late.

The IRS is also taking an additional step to help those who paid 
these penalties already. Nearly 1.6 million taxpayers will automatically
 receive more than $1.2 billion in refunds or credits. Many of these 
payments will be completed by the end of September.

Besides providing relief to both individuals and businesses impacted 
by the pandemic, this step is designed to allow the IRS to focus its 
resources on processing backlogged tax returns and taxpayer 
correspondence to help return to normal operations for the 2023 filing 
season.

"Throughout the pandemic, the IRS has worked hard to support the 
nation and provide relief to people in many different ways," said IRS 
Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The penalty relief issued today is yet 
another way the agency is supporting people during this unprecedented 
time. This penalty relief will be automatic for people or businesses who
 qualify; there's no need to call."

The relief applies to the failure to file penalty. The penalty is 
typically assessed at a rate of 5% per month and up to 25% of the unpaid
 tax when a federal income tax return is filed late. This relief applies
 to forms in both the Form 1040 and 1120 series, as well as others 
listed in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-36.pdf">Notice 2022-36</a>PDF, posted today on IRS.gov.

To qualify for this relief, any eligible income tax return must be filed on or before September 30, 2022.

In addition, the IRS is providing penalty relief to banks, employers 
and other businesses required to file various information returns, such 
as those in the 1099 series. To qualify for relief, the notice states 
that eligible 2019 returns must have been filed by August 1, 2020, and 
eligible 2020 returns must have been filed by August 1, 2021.

Because both of these deadlines fell on a weekend, a 2019 return will
 still be considered timely for purposes of relief provided under the 
notice if it was filed by August 3, 2020, and a 2020 return will be 
considered timely for purposes of relief provided under the notice if it
 was filed by August 2, 2021. The notice provides details on the 
information returns that are eligible for relief.

The notice also provides details on relief for filers of various 
international information returns, such as those reporting transactions 
with foreign trusts, receipt of foreign gifts, and ownership interests 
in foreign corporations. To qualify for this relief, any eligible tax 
return must be filed on or before September 30, 2022.

Relief is automatic; most of $1.2 billion in refunds delivered to eligible taxpayers by next month

Penalty relief is automatic. This means that eligible taxpayers need 
not apply for it. If already assessed, penalties will be abated. If 
already paid, the taxpayer will receive a credit or refund.

As a result, nearly 1.6 million taxpayers who already paid the 
penalty are receiving refunds totaling more than $1.2 billion. Most 
eligible taxpayers will receive their refunds by the end of September.

Penalty relief is not available in some situations, such as where a 
fraudulent return was filed, where the penalties are part of an accepted
 offer in compromise or a closing agreement, or where the penalties were
 finally determined by a court. For details, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-36.pdf">Notice 2022-36</a>PDF, available on IRS.gov.

This relief is limited to the penalties that the notice specifically 
states are eligible for relief. Other penalties, such as the failure to 
pay penalty, are not eligible. But for these ineligible penalties, 
taxpayers may use existing penalty relief procedures, such as applying 
for relief under the reasonable cause criteria or the First Time Abate 
program. Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/penalty-relief">IRS.gov/penaltyrelief</a> for details.

"Penalty relief is a complex issue for the IRS to administer," Rettig
 said. "We've been working on this initiative for months following 
concerns we've heard from taxpayers, the tax community and others, 
including Congress. This is another major step to help taxpayers, and we
 encourage those affected by this to review the guidelines."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — To help struggling taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service today issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-36.pdf">Notice 2022-36</a>PDF, which provides penalty relief to most people and businesses who file certain 2019 or 2020 returns late.The IRS is also taking an additional step to help those who paid 
these penalties already. Nearly 1.6 million taxpayers will automatically
 receive more than $1.2 billion in refunds or credits. Many of these 
payments will be completed by the end of September.Besides providing relief to both individuals and businesses impacted 
by the pandemic, this step is designed to allow the IRS to focus its 
resources on processing backlogged tax returns and taxpayer 
correspondence to help return to normal operations for the 2023 filing 
season."Throughout the pandemic, the IRS has worked hard to support the 
nation and provide relief to people in many different ways," said IRS 
Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "The penalty relief issued today is yet 
another way the agency is supporting people during this unprecedented 
time. This penalty relief will be automatic for people or businesses who
 qualify; there's no need to call."The relief applies to the failure to file penalty. The penalty is 
typically assessed at a rate of 5% per month and up to 25% of the unpaid
 tax when a federal income tax return is filed late. This relief applies
 to forms in both the Form 1040 and 1120 series, as well as others 
listed in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-36.pdf">Notice 2022-36</a>PDF, posted today on IRS.gov.To qualify for this relief, any eligible income tax return must be filed on or before September 30, 2022.In addition, the IRS is providing penalty relief to banks, employers 
and other businesses required to file various information returns, such 
as those in the 1099 series. To qualify for relief, the notice states 
that eligible 2019 returns must have been filed by August 1, 2020, and 
eligible 2020 returns must have been filed by August 1, 2021.Because both of these deadlines fell on a weekend, a 2019 return will
 still be considered timely for purposes of relief provided under the 
notice if it was filed by August 3, 2020, and a 2020 return will be 
considered timely for purposes of relief provided under the notice if it
 was filed by August 2, 2021. The notice provides details on the 
information returns that are eligible for relief.The notice also provides details on relief for filers of various 
international information returns, such as those reporting transactions 
with foreign trusts, receipt of foreign gifts, and ownership interests 
in foreign corporations. To qualify for this relief, any eligible tax 
return must be filed on or before September 30, 2022.<h2>Relief is automatic; most of $1.2 billion in refunds delivered to eligible taxpayers by next month</h2>Penalty relief is automatic. This means that eligible taxpayers need 
not apply for it. If already assessed, penalties will be abated. If 
already paid, the taxpayer will receive a credit or refund.As a result, nearly 1.6 million taxpayers who already paid the 
penalty are receiving refunds totaling more than $1.2 billion. Most 
eligible taxpayers will receive their refunds by the end of September.Penalty relief is not available in some situations, such as where a 
fraudulent return was filed, where the penalties are part of an accepted
 offer in compromise or a closing agreement, or where the penalties were
 finally determined by a court. For details, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-36.pdf">Notice 2022-36</a>PDF, available on IRS.gov.This relief is limited to the penalties that the notice specifically 
states are eligible for relief. Other penalties, such as the failure to 
pay penalty, are not eligible. But for these ineligible penalties, 
taxpayers may use existing penalty relief procedures, such as applying 
for relief under the reasonable cause criteria or the First Time Abate 
program. Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/penalty-relief">IRS.gov/penaltyrelief</a> for details."Penalty relief is a complex issue for the IRS to administer," Rettig
 said. "We've been working on this initiative for months following 
concerns we've heard from taxpayers, the tax community and others, 
including Congress. This is another major step to help taxpayers, and we
 encourage those affected by this to review the guidelines."

COVID relief: IRS will refund certain penalties from 2019, 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to announce his long-delayed move to forgive up to $10,000 in federal student loans for many Americans and extend a pause on payments to January, according to three people familiar with the plan.

Biden has faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-education-95094e1f367262f93eb49fa653bed4c9">pressure from liberals</a>&nbsp;to provide broader relief to hard-hit borrowers, and from moderates and Republicans questioning the fairness of any widespread forgiveness. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-education-student-loans-tony-cardenas-2838c08edb677cb468b512a7ec54952a">delay in Biden’s decision</a>&nbsp;has only heightened the anticipation for what his own aides acknowledge represents a political no-win situation. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Biden's intended announcement ahead of time.

The precise details of Biden’s plan, which will include an income cap limiting the forgiveness to only those earning less than $125,000 a year, were being kept to an unusually small circle within the Biden administration and were still not finalized on the eve of the announcement.

Down-to-the-wire decision-making has been a hallmark of the Biden White House, but the particular delay on student loans reflects the vexing challenge confronting him in fulfilling a key campaign promise.

The plan would likely eliminate student debt entirely for millions of Americans and wipe away at least half for millions more.

The nation’s federal student debt now tops $1.6 trillion after ballooning for years. More than 43 million Americans have federal student debt, with almost a third owing less than $10,000 and more than half owing less than $20,000, according to the latest federal data.

The continuation of the pandemic-era payment freeze comes just days before millions of Americans were set to find out when their next student loan bills will be due. This is the closest the administration has come to hitting the end of the payment freeze extension, with the current pause set to end Aug. 31.

Wednesday’s announcement was set for the White House after Biden returns from vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The administration had briefly considered higher education schools in the president’s home state for a larger reveal, but scaled back their plans.

Biden was initially skeptical of student loan debt cancellation as he faced off against more progressive Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who had proposed cancellations of $50,000 or more, during the 2020 primaries.

As he tried to shore up support among younger voters and prepare for a general election battle against then-President Donald Trump, Biden unveiled his initial proposal for debt cancellation of $10,000 per borrower, with no mention of an income cap.

Biden narrowed his campaign promise in recent months by embracing the income limit as soaring inflation took a political toll and as he aimed to head off political attacks that the cancellation would benefit those with higher take-home pay. But Democrats, from members of congressional leadership to those facing tough re-election bids this November, have pushed the administration to go as broad as possible on debt relief, seeing it in part as a galvanizing issue, particularly for Black and young voters this fall.

The frenzied last-minute lobbying continued Tuesday even as Biden remained on his summer vacation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., one of the loudest advocates in recent years for canceling student loan debt, spoke privately on the phone with Biden, imploring the president to forgive as much debt as the administration can, according to a Democrat with knowledge of the call.

In his pitch, Schumer argued to Biden that doing so was the right thing to do morally and economically, said the Democrat, who asked for anonymity to describe a private conversation.

Inside the administration, officials have discussed since at least early summer forgiving more than $10,000 of student debt for certain categories of borrowers, such as Pell Grant recipients, according to three people with knowledge of the deliberations. That remained one of the final variables being considered by Biden heading into Wednesday’s announcement.

Democrats are betting that Biden, who has seen his public approval rating tumble over the last year, can help motivate younger voters to the polls in November with the announcement.

Although Biden’s plan is narrower than what he initially proposed during the campaign, “he’ll get a lot of credit for following through on something that he was committed to,” said Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster who worked with Biden during the 2020 election.

She described student debt as a “gateway issue” for younger voters, meaning it affects their views and decisions on housing affordability and career choices. A survey of 18- to 29-year-olds conducted by the Harvard Institute of Politics in March found that 59% of those polled favored debt cancellation of some sort — whether for all borrowers or those most in need — although student loans did not rank high among issues that most concerned people in that age group.

Some advocates were already bracing for disappointment.

“If the rumors are true, we’ve got a problem,” Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP, which has aggressively lobbied Biden to take bolder action, said Tuesday. He emphasized that Black students face higher debut burdens than white students.

“President Biden’s decision on student debt cannot become the latest example of a policy that has left Black people — especially Black women — behind,” he said. “This is not how you treat Black voters who turned out in record numbers and provided 90% of their vote to once again save democracy in 2020.”

John Della Volpe, who worked as a consultant on Biden’s campaign and is the director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, said the particulars of Biden’s announcement were less important than the decision itself.

“It’s about trust in politics, in government, in our system. It’s also about trust in the individual, which in this case is President Biden.”

Combined with fears about expanding abortion restrictions and Trump’s reemergence on the political scene, Della Volpe said student debt forgiveness “adds an additional tailwind to an already improving position with young people.”

Republicans, meanwhile, see only political upside if Biden pursues a large-scale cancellation of student debt ahead of the November midterms, anticipating backlash for Democrats — particularly in states where there are large numbers of working-class voters without college degrees. Critics of broad student debt forgiveness also believe it will open the White House to lawsuits, on the grounds that Congress has never given the president the explicit authority to cancel debt on his own.

The Republican National Committee on Tuesday blasted Biden’s expected announcement as a “handout to the rich,” claiming it would unfairly burden lower-income taxpayers and those who have already paid off their student loans with covering the costs of higher education for the wealthy.

“My neighbor, a detective, worked 3 jobs (including selling carpet) &amp; his wife worked to make sure their daughter got quality college degree w/no student debt,” Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, tweeted Tuesday. “Big sacrifice. Now their taxes must pay off someone else’s student debt?”

Biden’s elongated deliberations have sent federal loan servicers, who have been instructed to hold back billing statements while he weighed a decision, grumbling.

Industry groups had complained that the delayed decision left them with just days to notify borrowers, retrain customer service workers and update websites and digital payment systems, said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance.

It increases the risk that some borrowers will inadvertently be told they need to make payments, he said.

“At this late stage I think that’s the risk we’re running,” he said. “You can’t just turn on a dime with 35 million borrowers who all have different loan types and statuses.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1656088652168.png" alt="Biden has faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-education-95094e1f367262f93eb49fa653bed4c9">pressure from liberals</a>&nbsp;to provide broader relief to hard-hit borrowers, and from moderates and Republicans questioning the fairness of any widespread forgiveness. -White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>Biden has faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-education-95094e1f367262f93eb49fa653bed4c9">pressure from liberals</a>&nbsp;to provide broader relief to hard-hit borrowers, and from moderates and Republicans questioning the fairness of any widespread forgiveness. -White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to announce his long-delayed move to forgive up to $10,000 in federal student loans for many Americans and extend a pause on payments to January, according to three people familiar with the plan.Biden has faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-education-95094e1f367262f93eb49fa653bed4c9">pressure from liberals</a>&nbsp;to provide broader relief to hard-hit borrowers, and from moderates and Republicans questioning the fairness of any widespread forgiveness. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-education-student-loans-tony-cardenas-2838c08edb677cb468b512a7ec54952a">delay in Biden’s decision</a>&nbsp;has only heightened the anticipation for what his own aides acknowledge represents a political no-win situation. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Biden's intended announcement ahead of time.The precise details of Biden’s plan, which will include an income cap limiting the forgiveness to only those earning less than $125,000 a year, were being kept to an unusually small circle within the Biden administration and were still not finalized on the eve of the announcement.Down-to-the-wire decision-making has been a hallmark of the Biden White House, but the particular delay on student loans reflects the vexing challenge confronting him in fulfilling a key campaign promise.The plan would likely eliminate student debt entirely for millions of Americans and wipe away at least half for millions more.The nation’s federal student debt now tops $1.6 trillion after ballooning for years. More than 43 million Americans have federal student debt, with almost a third owing less than $10,000 and more than half owing less than $20,000, according to the latest federal data.The continuation of the pandemic-era payment freeze comes just days before millions of Americans were set to find out when their next student loan bills will be due. This is the closest the administration has come to hitting the end of the payment freeze extension, with the current pause set to end Aug. 31.Wednesday’s announcement was set for the White House after Biden returns from vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The administration had briefly considered higher education schools in the president’s home state for a larger reveal, but scaled back their plans.Biden was initially skeptical of student loan debt cancellation as he faced off against more progressive Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who had proposed cancellations of $50,000 or more, during the 2020 primaries.As he tried to shore up support among younger voters and prepare for a general election battle against then-President Donald Trump, Biden unveiled his initial proposal for debt cancellation of $10,000 per borrower, with no mention of an income cap.Biden narrowed his campaign promise in recent months by embracing the income limit as soaring inflation took a political toll and as he aimed to head off political attacks that the cancellation would benefit those with higher take-home pay. But Democrats, from members of congressional leadership to those facing tough re-election bids this November, have pushed the administration to go as broad as possible on debt relief, seeing it in part as a galvanizing issue, particularly for Black and young voters this fall.The frenzied last-minute lobbying continued Tuesday even as Biden remained on his summer vacation. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., one of the loudest advocates in recent years for canceling student loan debt, spoke privately on the phone with Biden, imploring the president to forgive as much debt as the administration can, according to a Democrat with knowledge of the call.In his pitch, Schumer argued to Biden that doing so was the right thing to do morally and economically, said the Democrat, who asked for anonymity to describe a private conversation.Inside the administration, officials have discussed since at least early summer forgiving more than $10,000 of student debt for certain categories of borrowers, such as Pell Grant recipients, according to three people with knowledge of the deliberations. That remained one of the final variables being considered by Biden heading into Wednesday’s announcement.Democrats are betting that Biden, who has seen his public approval rating tumble over the last year, can help motivate younger voters to the polls in November with the announcement.Although Biden’s plan is narrower than what he initially proposed during the campaign, “he’ll get a lot of credit for following through on something that he was committed to,” said Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster who worked with Biden during the 2020 election.She described student debt as a “gateway issue” for younger voters, meaning it affects their views and decisions on housing affordability and career choices. A survey of 18- to 29-year-olds conducted by the Harvard Institute of Politics in March found that 59% of those polled favored debt cancellation of some sort — whether for all borrowers or those most in need — although student loans did not rank high among issues that most concerned people in that age group.Some advocates were already bracing for disappointment.“If the rumors are true, we’ve got a problem,” Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP, which has aggressively lobbied Biden to take bolder action, said Tuesday. He emphasized that Black students face higher debut burdens than white students.“President Biden’s decision on student debt cannot become the latest example of a policy that has left Black people — especially Black women — behind,” he said. “This is not how you treat Black voters who turned out in record numbers and provided 90% of their vote to once again save democracy in 2020.”John Della Volpe, who worked as a consultant on Biden’s campaign and is the director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, said the particulars of Biden’s announcement were less important than the decision itself.“It’s about trust in politics, in government, in our system. It’s also about trust in the individual, which in this case is President Biden.”Combined with fears about expanding abortion restrictions and Trump’s reemergence on the political scene, Della Volpe said student debt forgiveness “adds an additional tailwind to an already improving position with young people.”Republicans, meanwhile, see only political upside if Biden pursues a large-scale cancellation of student debt ahead of the November midterms, anticipating backlash for Democrats — particularly in states where there are large numbers of working-class voters without college degrees. Critics of broad student debt forgiveness also believe it will open the White House to lawsuits, on the grounds that Congress has never given the president the explicit authority to cancel debt on his own.The Republican National Committee on Tuesday blasted Biden’s expected announcement as a “handout to the rich,” claiming it would unfairly burden lower-income taxpayers and those who have already paid off their student loans with covering the costs of higher education for the wealthy.“My neighbor, a detective, worked 3 jobs (including selling carpet) &amp; his wife worked to make sure their daughter got quality college degree w/no student debt,” Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, tweeted Tuesday. “Big sacrifice. Now their taxes must pay off someone else’s student debt?”Biden’s elongated deliberations have sent federal loan servicers, who have been instructed to hold back billing statements while he weighed a decision, grumbling.Industry groups had complained that the delayed decision left them with just days to notify borrowers, retrain customer service workers and update websites and digital payment systems, said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance.It increases the risk that some borrowers will inadvertently be told they need to make payments, he said.“At this late stage I think that’s the risk we’re running,” he said. “You can’t just turn on a dime with 35 million borrowers who all have different loan types and statuses.”

After delay, Biden readies student loan help, payment pause

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Russia's war on Ukraine drags on, U.S. security assistance is shifting to a longer-term campaign that will likely keep more American military troops in Europe into the future, including imminent plans to announce an additional roughly $3 billion in aid to train and equip Ukrainian forces to fight for years to come, U.S. officials said.

U.S. officials told The Associated Press that the package is expected to be announced Wednesday, the day the war hits the six-month mark and Ukraine celebrates its independence day. The money will fund contracts for drones, weapons and other equipment that may not see the battlefront for a year or two, they said.

The total of the aid package — which is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative — could change overnight, but not likely by much. Several officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the aid before its public release.

Unlike most previous packages, the new funding is largely aimed at helping Ukraine secure its medium- to long-term defense posture, according to officials familiar with the matter. Earlier shipments, most of them done under Presidential Drawdown Authority, have focused on Ukraine’s more immediate needs for weapons and ammunition and involved materiel that the Pentagon already has in stock that can be shipped in short order.

In addition to providing longer-term assistance that Ukraine can use for potential future defense needs, the new package is intended to reassure Ukrainian officials that the United States intends to keep up its support, regardless of the day-to-day back and forth of the conflict, the officials said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg noted the more extended focus Tuesday as he reaffirmed the alliance’s support for the conflict-torn country.

“Winter is coming, and it will be hard, and what we see now is a grinding war of attrition. This is a battle of wills, and a battle of logistics. Therefore we must sustain our support for Ukraine for the long term, so that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation,” Stoltenberg said, speaking at a virtual conference about Crimea, organized by Ukraine.

Six months after Russia invaded, the war has slowed to a grind, as both sides trade combat strikes and small advances in the east and south. Both sides have seen thousands of troops killed and injured, as Russia’s bombardment of cities has killed countless innocent civilians.

There are fears that Russia will intensify attacks on civilian infrastructure and government facilities in Ukraine in the coming days because of the independence holiday and the six-month anniversary of the invasion.

Late Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine and the State Department issued a new security alert for Ukraine that repeated a call for Americans in the country to leave due to the danger.

“Given Russia’s track record in Ukraine, we are concerned about the continued threat that Russian strikes pose to civilians and civilian infrastructure,” it said.

Other NATO allies are also marking the independence day with new aid announcements.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country is providing more than 500 million euros (nearly $500 million) in aid, including powerful anti-aircraft systems. The aid will also include rocket launchers, ammunition, anti-drone equipment, a dozen armored recovery vehicles and and three additional IRIS-T long-range air defense systems, the German news agency dpa reported.

The funding must still be approved by parliament, and some of it won’t be delivered until next year.

And Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $3.85 million for two Ukraine projects through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program. It includes about $2.9 million in funding for ongoing development of Ukraine's national police force and other emergency services, and about $950,000 to help advise Ukraine's defense ministry.

To date, the U.S. has provided about $10.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, including 19 packages of weapons taken directly from Defense Department stocks since August 2021.

U.S. defense leaders are also eyeing plans that will expand training for Ukrainian troops outside their country, and for militaries on Europe’s eastern and southern flanks that feel most threatened by Russia’s aggression.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661277535073.png" alt="Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his social media page on August 15-" />
 <figcaption>Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his social media page on August 15-</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — As Russia's war on Ukraine drags on, U.S. security assistance is shifting to a longer-term campaign that will likely keep more American military troops in Europe into the future, including imminent plans to announce an additional roughly $3 billion in aid to train and equip Ukrainian forces to fight for years to come, U.S. officials said.U.S. officials told The Associated Press that the package is expected to be announced Wednesday, the day the war hits the six-month mark and Ukraine celebrates its independence day. The money will fund contracts for drones, weapons and other equipment that may not see the battlefront for a year or two, they said.The total of the aid package — which is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative — could change overnight, but not likely by much. Several officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the aid before its public release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661295576018.png" alt="Members of the 305th Aerial Port Squadron load munition packages bound for Ukraine at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst-photo U.S. Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Members of the 305th Aerial Port Squadron load munition packages bound for Ukraine at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst-photo U.S. Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>Unlike most previous packages, the new funding is largely aimed at helping Ukraine secure its medium- to long-term defense posture, according to officials familiar with the matter. Earlier shipments, most of them done under Presidential Drawdown Authority, have focused on Ukraine’s more immediate needs for weapons and ammunition and involved materiel that the Pentagon already has in stock that can be shipped in short order.In addition to providing longer-term assistance that Ukraine can use for potential future defense needs, the new package is intended to reassure Ukrainian officials that the United States intends to keep up its support, regardless of the day-to-day back and forth of the conflict, the officials said.NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg noted the more extended focus Tuesday as he reaffirmed the alliance’s support for the conflict-torn country.“Winter is coming, and it will be hard, and what we see now is a grinding war of attrition. This is a battle of wills, and a battle of logistics. Therefore we must sustain our support for Ukraine for the long term, so that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation,” Stoltenberg said, speaking at a virtual conference about Crimea, organized by Ukraine.Six months after Russia invaded, the war has slowed to a grind, as both sides trade combat strikes and small advances in the east and south. Both sides have seen thousands of troops killed and injured, as Russia’s bombardment of cities has killed countless innocent civilians.There are fears that Russia will intensify attacks on civilian infrastructure and government facilities in Ukraine in the coming days because of the independence holiday and the six-month anniversary of the invasion.Late Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine and the State Department issued a new security alert for Ukraine that repeated a call for Americans in the country to leave due to the danger.“Given Russia’s track record in Ukraine, we are concerned about the continued threat that Russian strikes pose to civilians and civilian infrastructure,” it said.Other NATO allies are also marking the independence day with new aid announcements.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country is providing more than 500 million euros (nearly $500 million) in aid, including powerful anti-aircraft systems. The aid will also include rocket launchers, ammunition, anti-drone equipment, a dozen armored recovery vehicles and and three additional IRIS-T long-range air defense systems, the German news agency dpa reported.The funding must still be approved by parliament, and some of it won’t be delivered until next year.And Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $3.85 million for two Ukraine projects through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program. It includes about $2.9 million in funding for ongoing development of Ukraine's national police force and other emergency services, and about $950,000 to help advise Ukraine's defense ministry.To date, the U.S. has provided about $10.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, including 19 packages of weapons taken directly from Defense Department stocks since August 2021.U.S. defense leaders are also eyeing plans that will expand training for Ukrainian troops outside their country, and for militaries on Europe’s eastern and southern flanks that feel most threatened by Russia’s aggression.______

US to spend another $3 billion to aid Ukraine in war with Russia

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A judge has dismissed the discrimination lawsuit of a former Lincoln Police Department spokeswoman, saying her allegations did not sufficiently prove a hostile work environment.

Erin Spilker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-lawsuits-discrimination-lincoln-d8e98ab82a61d886f6c794d0e9da9477">said in her lawsuit</a>&nbsp;that she faced years of discrimination and that the department not only mishandled allegations of sexual assaults by male officers, but disciplined the women who complained.

“She is under a microscope, and has been subjected to assaults, harassment, intimidation, threats and retaliation, which affect her ability to do her job,” Spilker’s attorney, Kelly Brandon said, in the complaint.

In his order issued Monday, District Judge Kevin McManaman acknowledged Spilker’s string of allegations — from male colleagues making sexualized remarks about female colleagues to suffering various acts of retaliation after she complained, the&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/judge-dismisses-former-lincoln-police-officers-lawsuit-against-city/article_de78765a-f467-5b33-8c43-20cb4ff3f969.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage">Lincoln Journal Star reported</a>. But McManaman said, citing case law, that the allegations amounted to “an amalgamation of discrete incidents ... and not one unlawful employment practice.”

The allegations “are not so similar in nature, frequency and severity as to be considered part and parcel of a hostile work environment,” McManaman wrote.

Spilker, who was a 20-year veteran of the department before she resigned earlier this year, is among several female Lincoln police officers who have sued, alleging sex-based discrimination in the department.

One, former Officer Sarah Williams, was paid $65,000 by the city to settle her lawsuit last year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661287031967.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A judge has dismissed the discrimination lawsuit of a former Lincoln Police Department spokeswoman, saying her allegations did not sufficiently prove a hostile work environment.Erin Spilker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-lawsuits-discrimination-lincoln-d8e98ab82a61d886f6c794d0e9da9477">said in her lawsuit</a>&nbsp;that she faced years of discrimination and that the department not only mishandled allegations of sexual assaults by male officers, but disciplined the women who complained.“She is under a microscope, and has been subjected to assaults, harassment, intimidation, threats and retaliation, which affect her ability to do her job,” Spilker’s attorney, Kelly Brandon said, in the complaint.In his order issued Monday, District Judge Kevin McManaman acknowledged Spilker’s string of allegations — from male colleagues making sexualized remarks about female colleagues to suffering various acts of retaliation after she complained, the&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/judge-dismisses-former-lincoln-police-officers-lawsuit-against-city/article_de78765a-f467-5b33-8c43-20cb4ff3f969.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage">Lincoln Journal Star reported</a>. But McManaman said, citing case law, that the allegations amounted to “an amalgamation of discrete incidents ... and not one unlawful employment practice.”The allegations “are not so similar in nature, frequency and severity as to be considered part and parcel of a hostile work environment,” McManaman wrote.Spilker, who was a 20-year veteran of the department before she resigned earlier this year, is among several female Lincoln police officers who have sued, alleging sex-based discrimination in the department.One, former Officer Sarah Williams, was paid $65,000 by the city to settle her lawsuit last year.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/r6vpz2vIMAA5wEejc1giQXKAgR2BY0YTjMY-YDrWXNxMrPmVYiCHtFgzMOcD9dUfX4DERavY02wQGtDsTiGCztDeYJ8F5QVzBBhB5mTtT5qWSqXp3krgVSXU0EpiVGLPQj04GYfvXSfSW5cl2TzHeA" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Judge dismisses ex-Lincoln officer's discrimination lawsuit

College students must spend money on tuition payments and school 
supplies as they prepare for the new year. However, scammers are taking 
this opportunity to try to steal some of that money through various 
schemes and scams.&nbsp;

One tactic that has been used to get students' personal information 
is a phishing email that claims to be from the school’s “Financial 
Department.” Messages via text or email may appear, instructing the 
student to click on a link provided in the email and log in with a 
student username and password. Don’t do it; doing so could give the user
 name, password, or other personal information to scammers, while 
possibly downloading malware onto the device.

Whether you are starting school away from home or have young students
 who may be vulnerable to such scams, BBB recommends watching out for 
these financial scams before heading into the new semester.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBCollege students must spend money on tuition payments and school 
supplies as they prepare for the new year. However, scammers are taking 
this opportunity to try to steal some of that money through various 
schemes and scams.&nbsp;One tactic that has been used to get students' personal information 
is a phishing email that claims to be from the school’s “Financial 
Department.” Messages via text or email may appear, instructing the 
student to click on a link provided in the email and log in with a 
student username and password. Don’t do it; doing so could give the user
 name, password, or other personal information to scammers, while 
possibly downloading malware onto the device.Whether you are starting school away from home or have young students
 who may be vulnerable to such scams, BBB recommends watching out for 
these financial scams before heading into the new semester.&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Fake credit cards - Offers to apply for the first 
credit card are tempting to many students. Not only could this create 
credit problems down the road due to unchecked spending, but some of the
 deals could be phony offers designed to get access to personal 
information. Research the offers from the credit card flyers and the 
banking institutions before applying. Review the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16909-bbb-tip-credit-card-scams">BBB tip on credit card scams</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Too good to be true apartments -
 It’s hard not to jump on a convenient apartment so close to campus, 
especially if it advertises affordable rent. It’s tempting to hand over 
credit card information online to lock in a great spot, but it’s always 
worth seeing the apartment in person prior to a money transfer. This 
also applies to Craigslist and social media ads appearing to be from 
other students looking for roommates. Read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/16908-scam-alert-rental-cons-cash-in-on-stressed-out-movers" target="_blank">rental scams</a>.</li><li>ID theft -&nbsp;
 It’s a good idea to start practicing healthy money habits, and one such
 habit is regularly checking your credit report for unusual activity and
 possible ID fraud. The official government website to do this for free 
is <a href="https://www.annualcreditreport.com/" target="_blank">annualcreditreport.com</a>. Read BBB's article on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/25955-bbb-tip-how-to-know-if-someone-stole-your-identity" target="_blank">How to know if someone stole your identity</a>.</li><li>Scholarship and grant scams - Be
 wary of phone calls from companies guaranteeing they can help reduce 
loan payments or offer a hefty grant. Searching the company’s name 
online could bring up scam alerts or negative reviews from other 
consumers. Read reviews and complaints about the company at <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB.org</a> and contact the school’s financial aid office for advice and help regarding financing your education. Scholarship scams can affect college students even after graduation; <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16922-bbb-tip-scholarship-scams" target="_blank">read our tips on scholarship scams</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Online shopping scams - Online purchase scams can be especially effective when set up through social media platforms and apps. BBB has tips for <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">smart shopping online</a> and a page dedicated to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/online-shopping" target="_blank">online shopping tips and scam alerts</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Awareness of current scams - As tech-savvy as current college students can be, a surprising number of scams reported to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/akron">BBB’s ScamTracker</a> are from students who learned their lesson too late. Use <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/scamtips">BBB’s Scam Tips</a> to learn the latest scam trends and read local reports of specific incidents.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

BBB: 6 scams for college students to avoid

Petition drive backers point to lack of paid circulators as a reason

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/08/22/medical-marijuana-petitions-fail-to-qualify-for-november-ballot/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The next petition drive to legalize medical marijuana may 
include permitting recreational use, an official with Nebraskans for 
Medical Marijuana said Monday.

Crista Eggers, who coordinated the medical marijuana initiative that 
fell short Monday of qualifying for the November ballot, said there 
definitely will be discussions about seeking legalization of both 
medical and recreational cannabis.

While medical marijuana has always been her group’s focus, adding 
recreational marijuana for adult use would attract bigger donations, 
which are needed to succeed in getting a medical marijuana issue on the 
ballot, she said.

The lack of funds to hire paid, professional petition circulators was
 blamed, in part, for the failure of this year’s petition drive by 
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana.

“There is nothing off the table about how we get this done,” said 
Eggers, whose son suffers from up to 100 epileptic seizures a day. “I’m a
 parent, and I will do whatever it takes, and go to the ends of the 
Earth, to help my child.”

She said she’s willing to endure the criticism of anti-marijuana 
groups, who have claimed that the push for medical marijuana is a 
forerunner for seeking all-out legalization.

On Monday, one of those groups, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, pointed out that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="ahttps://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/marijuana-hallucinogen-use-among-young-adults-reached-all-time-high-2021">a new National Institutes of Health report</a>&nbsp;concluded marijuana use had reached the highest levels ever, with daily use by young adults doubling in the past decade.

This was the second time in two years that an&nbsp;initiative to legalize 
medical marijuana has failed to qualify for Nebraska’s general election 
ballot.

The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office said Monday that two 
petitions submitted by&nbsp;Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana failed to 
collect the necessary, valid signatures of 86,776 voters and fell short 
of another requirement — gathering at least 5% of registered voters in 
38 of the state’s 93 counties for its two petitions.

Eggers said she was trying to find the words to inform her 7-year-old
 son, Colton, who suffers from multiple seizures, that the initiative 
had failed again.

“He asks me every single night, ‘Did we get enough signatures so I can get the medicine I need?’ ” Eggers said.

She said the pro-medical marijuana forces will&nbsp;launch a new petition drive as soon as possible.

“We’re going to regroup, we’re going to hurt and we’re going to cry 
and we’re going to be angry, but then we’re going to take the anger we 
feel today and turn it into action,” Eggers said.

The Secretary of State’s Office said both petitions submitted fell 
short. A petition to legalize marijuana collected 77,843 signatures and 
qualified in 26 counties. A companion petition to set up regulation of 
medical marijuana turned in 77,119 valid signatures and qualified in 27 
counties.

Unlike two other initiative petition drives this year, which turned 
in more than 160,000 signatures each and used paid, professional 
petition circulators, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana utilized 
primarily volunteers.

The marijuana group’s last campaign spending report listed about 
$146,000 in expenditures, compared with spending of $1.77 million by 
Citizens for Voter ID and $1.49 million for Raise the Wage Nebraska.

A leading anti-marijuana group said Nebraskans “were not duped by the
 marijuana industry’s trojan horse attempt to commercialize drug use 
under the guise of ‘medicine,’ ” said a statement from Smart Approaches 
to Marijuana.

“Today’s high potency, bioengineered marijuana and THC products such 
as edibles, vapes, and concentrates serve one purpose: to hook a 
generation of addicts to a commercialized drug for profit,” the 
statement added.

As of February, 37 states, three territories and the District of 
Columbia have legalized the use of cannabis as medicine, according to 
the National Conference of State Legislatures. That includes the 
neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Missouri. Iowa and 
Wyoming have legalized low-dose cannabis and CBD medical products.

Marijuana for recreational use is allowed in 19 states, two territories and the District of Columbia.

The petition drive failure was a bitter defeat for the medical 
marijuana group, which had gathered more than enough signatures two 
years ago to qualify a single initiative for voters. But it was knocked 
off the ballot by the Nebraska Supreme Court, which ruled that the 
ballot language violated the state’s “single subject” rule.

Eggers said that now about a half million Nebraskans have signed petitions to allow a vote on medical marijuana.

“I hope the elected officials are paying attention,” she said. “They have the power to do something.”

Eggers said she hopes that the Legislature will hold a special session this fall to pass a medical marijuana law.

That would seem to be a long shot. State lawmakers have failed to 
advance any proposals to legalize medical cannabis, and Gov. Pete 
Ricketts — who leaves office in January due to term limits — is a 
staunch opponent of legalization.

Eggers said that despite falling short in 2022, she was very proud of
 the effort, which resulted in more than 90,000 signatures collected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661188352281.png" alt="Crista Eggers, left, the campaign coordinator for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, accepts more petitions from a volunteer, Samantha Chavez of Omaha, last month as the deadline loomed to submit petitiions. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) " />
 <figcaption>Crista Eggers, left, the campaign coordinator for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, accepts more petitions from a volunteer, Samantha Chavez of Omaha, last month as the deadline loomed to submit petitiions. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Petition drive backers point to lack of paid circulators as a reason</h2>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/08/22/medical-marijuana-petitions-fail-to-qualify-for-november-ballot/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The next petition drive to legalize medical marijuana may 
include permitting recreational use, an official with Nebraskans for 
Medical Marijuana said Monday.Crista Eggers, who coordinated the medical marijuana initiative that 
fell short Monday of qualifying for the November ballot, said there 
definitely will be discussions about seeking legalization of both 
medical and recreational cannabis.While medical marijuana has always been her group’s focus, adding 
recreational marijuana for adult use would attract bigger donations, 
which are needed to succeed in getting a medical marijuana issue on the 
ballot, she said.The lack of funds to hire paid, professional petition circulators was
 blamed, in part, for the failure of this year’s petition drive by 
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana.“There is nothing off the table about how we get this done,” said 
Eggers, whose son suffers from up to 100 epileptic seizures a day. “I’m a
 parent, and I will do whatever it takes, and go to the ends of the 
Earth, to help my child.”She said she’s willing to endure the criticism of anti-marijuana 
groups, who have claimed that the push for medical marijuana is a 
forerunner for seeking all-out legalization.<h2>Trying to find the words</h2>On Monday, one of those groups, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, pointed out that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="ahttps://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/marijuana-hallucinogen-use-among-young-adults-reached-all-time-high-2021">a new National Institutes of Health report</a>&nbsp;concluded marijuana use had reached the highest levels ever, with daily use by young adults doubling in the past decade.This was the second time in two years that an&nbsp;initiative to legalize 
medical marijuana has failed to qualify for Nebraska’s general election 
ballot.The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office said Monday that two 
petitions submitted by&nbsp;Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana failed to 
collect the necessary, valid signatures of 86,776 voters and fell short 
of another requirement — gathering at least 5% of registered voters in 
38 of the state’s 93 counties for its two petitions.Eggers said she was trying to find the words to inform her 7-year-old
 son, Colton, who suffers from multiple seizures, that the initiative 
had failed again.“He asks me every single night, ‘Did we get enough signatures so I can get the medicine I need?’ ” Eggers said.She said the pro-medical marijuana forces will&nbsp;launch a new petition drive as soon as possible.“We’re going to regroup, we’re going to hurt and we’re going to cry 
and we’re going to be angry, but then we’re going to take the anger we 
feel today and turn it into action,” Eggers said.“There’s no giving up,” she added<h2>Both petitions fell &nbsp;short</h2>The Secretary of State’s Office said both petitions submitted fell 
short. A petition to legalize marijuana collected 77,843 signatures and 
qualified in 26 counties. A companion petition to set up regulation of 
medical marijuana turned in 77,119 valid signatures and qualified in 27 
counties.Unlike two other initiative petition drives this year, which turned 
in more than 160,000 signatures each and used paid, professional 
petition circulators, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana utilized 
primarily volunteers.The marijuana group’s last campaign spending report listed about 
$146,000 in expenditures, compared with spending of $1.77 million by 
Citizens for Voter ID and $1.49 million for Raise the Wage Nebraska.A leading anti-marijuana group said Nebraskans “were not duped by the
 marijuana industry’s trojan horse attempt to commercialize drug use 
under the guise of ‘medicine,’ ” said a statement from Smart Approaches 
to Marijuana.“Today’s high potency, bioengineered marijuana and THC products such 
as edibles, vapes, and concentrates serve one purpose: to hook a 
generation of addicts to a commercialized drug for profit,” the 
statement added.As of February, 37 states, three territories and the District of 
Columbia have legalized the use of cannabis as medicine, according to 
the National Conference of State Legislatures. That includes the 
neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Missouri. Iowa and 
Wyoming have legalized low-dose cannabis and CBD medical products.Marijuana for recreational use is allowed in 19 states, two territories and the District of Columbia.<h2>Plenty of signatures in 2020</h2>The petition drive failure was a bitter defeat for the medical 
marijuana group, which had gathered more than enough signatures two 
years ago to qualify a single initiative for voters. But it was knocked 
off the ballot by the Nebraska Supreme Court, which ruled that the 
ballot language violated the state’s “single subject” rule.Eggers said that now about a half million Nebraskans have signed petitions to allow a vote on medical marijuana.“I hope the elected officials are paying attention,” she said. “They have the power to do something.”Eggers said she hopes that the Legislature will hold a special session this fall to pass a medical marijuana law.That would seem to be a long shot. State lawmakers have failed to 
advance any proposals to legalize medical cannabis, and Gov. Pete 
Ricketts — who leaves office in January due to term limits — is a 
staunch opponent of legalization.Eggers said that despite falling short in 2022, she was very proud of
 the effort, which resulted in more than 90,000 signatures collected.