Owning a pet can bring your family much joy, but taking care of a 
dog, cat, or other animal comes with significant costs too. 
Unfortunately, this year, many pet owners have found themselves in a 
heartbreaking situation, <a href="https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/inflation-forcing-some-pet-owners-to-give-up-their-pets/" target="_blank">forced to give up their pets</a> for financial reasons.

If you are thinking about taking home an adorable furry friend, it’s wise to check your budget first. According to the <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-much-spend-on-dog-in-lifetime/" target="_blank">American Kennel Club</a>,
 dog owners can expect to spend about $15,000 over the lifetime of their
 pet. Here are the costs you should consider before getting a new dog, 
cat, bird, or other pet. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660163707647.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>BBBOwning a pet can bring your family much joy, but taking care of a 
dog, cat, or other animal comes with significant costs too. 
Unfortunately, this year, many pet owners have found themselves in a 
heartbreaking situation, <a href="https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/inflation-forcing-some-pet-owners-to-give-up-their-pets/" target="_blank">forced to give up their pets</a> for financial reasons.If you are thinking about taking home an adorable furry friend, it’s wise to check your budget first. According to the <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-much-spend-on-dog-in-lifetime/" target="_blank">American Kennel Club</a>,
 dog owners can expect to spend about $15,000 over the lifetime of their
 pet. Here are the costs you should consider before getting a new dog, 
cat, bird, or other pet. &nbsp;<h2>How to calculate the cost of a pet&nbsp;</h2><ul>
 <li>Consider the initial investment. Any new pet comes 
with substantial expenses. For example, if you purchase a puppy from a 
breeder, you can expect to spend anywhere from <a href="https://www.thesprucepets.com/the-cost-of-dog-ownership-1117321" target="_blank">$500 to $2000 or more</a>.
 Purebred cats can be costly too. If you don’t have your heart set on a 
specific breed, you can cut costs by adopting a mixed breed pet from a 
shelter, but there will still be a modest expense, usually in the $50 to
 $200 range. After the purchase cost, factor in your pet’s first vet 
visits, which may include vaccines and boosters, deworming, and spaying 
or neutering. The cost for these items and treatments can quickly go 
over $1,000. You can save money by adopting an older pet that is up to 
date on vaccines and has already been spayed or neutered. Finally, don’t
 forget about supplies. You’ll need your pet's food, food and water 
bowls, collars and leashes, toys, beds, crates, etc. The average 
consumer <a href="https://www.petbudget.com/dog-cost/" target="_blank">spends about $425</a>
 on initial expenses when it comes to supplies. Include these items in 
your budget as part of the initial cost of buying or adopting a pet. </li><li>Factor in food. Standard food for dogs or cats will
 cost you a few hundred dollars a year. However, if your pet develops a 
food allergy, expect to pay more for a prescription diet. </li><li>Budget for veterinary visits. All pets need an 
annual exam and vaccinations. Some pets will need annual checks for 
parasites and deworming too. These visits average about <a href="https://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership" target="_blank">$160 for cats and $225 for dogs</a>.
 Of course, the price for a yearly vet visit will vary depending on 
where you live, so be sure to check with your local veterinarians. Also,
 <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26860-bbb-tip-choosing-a-veterinarian-for-your-pet" target="_blank">choose a veterinarian you trust</a> before you get a pet. Keep in mind that your pet may also need routine care along the way, such as dental cleanings. </li><li>Know the cost of preventative medical care. Most 
dogs and cats need flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Budget for the 
cost of preventive medical care when planning for a pet. Purchasing 
preventative medications can save you a big bill on medical care down 
the road. </li><li>Think about grooming. If your pet needs regular 
grooming, such as nail trims, baths, and haircuts, find out how much you
 can expect to spend by calling local groomers and asking about pricing.
 Ask them how often you should plan to have your specific breed of 
animal groomed. </li><li>Plan for kennel boarding. If you are a frequent 
traveler and don’t plan on taking your pet with you, another expense you
 should factor in is boarding costs. According to a <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/peteconomics.asp" target="_blank">national pet owners survey</a>,
 dog owners spent an average of $228 on kennel boarding and cat owners 
spent an average of $78. If you don’t like the idea of boarding your pet
 in a kennel, you’ll need to find out how much it costs to hire a pet 
sitter. If you plan on traveling with your pet, factor in additional 
travel expenses like pet fees at your hotel or the cost to fly with your
 pet. </li><li>Don’t forget the extras. Plan for miscellaneous 
expenses, such as licenses, toys, treats, obedience classes, replacing 
damaged furniture, and more. Check out <a href="https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/the-12-hidden-expenses-of-pet-ownership-53010" target="_blank">this list for more unexpected expenses</a> of owning a pet. </li><li>Have an emergency fund. Even if you have a healthy 
pet, know that emergencies can arise. It’s wise to keep an extra $1,000 
to $2,000 in an emergency fund specifically for surprise vet bills, 
which can be costly if emergency treatments or surgery are needed. </li><li>Consider pet insurance. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26698-bbb-tip-what-to-know-before-you-buy-pet-insurance" target="_blank">Pet insurance</a>
 can cover unexpected vet bills and sometimes wellness visits, but plans
 and coverage vary greatly. Do your research to find out if there is a 
pet insurance plan that could work well for you and your pet.</li>
 </ul>

How much does it really cost to own a pet? Here's the breakdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court sided Tuesday with a House committee seeking access to former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, rejecting Trump’s contention that Congress was overstepping.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed with a lower court judge’s decision in favor of Congress. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden — a former Justice Department official and Trump appointee —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-donald-trump-personal-taxes-congress-2054364e3e09baf9fb2cd886294badf1">ruled in December</a>&nbsp;that the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has broad authority to request the records, and the Treasury Department should provide the tax returns to the committee.

“The Trump Parties contend that the Chairman’s Request exceeds Congress’s investigative powers. It does not,” the judges wrote. Two of the judges, David Sentelle and Karen Henderson, were appointed by President Ronald Reagan and one, Robert Wilkins, was appointed by President Barack Obama.

In their ruling, the judges also rejected Trump’s argument that the request was problematic in part because it did not include a promise to keep the records confidential.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Trump would appeal or whether there’d be a resolution of the case before a new Congress takes office in January. If Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-florida-jacksonville-newt-gingrich-78124f373e852c89101fda9572f976ba">recapture control of the House</a>&nbsp;in the fall election, they could drop the request for records next year.

The judges’ decision came as the former president continues to be embroiled in legal fights. On Monday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-fbi-search-99097089194e736315c366a0e8fbafee">FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida</a>&nbsp;as part of an investigation into whether he took classified records from the White House.

The House Ways and Means panel and its chairman, Democrat Richard Neal of Massachusetts, first requested Trump’s tax returns in 2019 as part of an investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s audit program and tax law compliance by the former president. A federal law says the Internal Revenue Service “shall furnish” the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers.

“With great patience, we followed the judicial process, and yet again, our position has been affirmed by the Courts,” Neal said in a statement. “I’m pleased that this long-anticipated opinion makes clear the law is on our side. When we receive the returns, we will begin our oversight of the IRS’s mandatory presidential audit program.” The committee said on Twitter that it expected to receive the requested documents ”immediately.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the decision “an important victory for the rule of law.”

An email to Trump’s attorneys was not immediately returned.

The Justice Department, under the Trump administration, had defended a decision by then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to withhold the tax returns from Congress. Mnuchin argued that he could withhold the documents because he concluded they were being sought by Democrats for partisan reasons. A lawsuit ensued.

After President Joe Biden took office, the committee renewed the request, seeking Trump’s tax returns and additional information from 2015-2020. The White House took the position that the request was a valid one and that the Treasury Department had no choice but to comply. Trump then attempted to halt the handover in court.

Then-Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-prosecutor-trump-tax-records-87f675d7ae8e24fbf2e8f33c480869d6">obtained copies</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s personal and business tax records as part of a criminal investigation. Trump tried to prevent his accountants from handing over the documents, taking the issue to the Supreme Court. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-donald-trump-tax-rercords-3aee14146906351ee9dd34aa7b6f4386">justices rejected Trump’s argument</a>&nbsp;that he had broad immunity as president. The District Attorney job has since been taken over by Alvin Bragg and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-manhattan-donald-trump-cyrus-vance-jr-criminal-investigations-18bb6847aeda9536663a6abd73abbf80">prosecutors in charge of the criminal probe have resigned</a>, but Bragg has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-donald-trump-new-york-subpoenas-249ef309da3dbf739b3005d9ba2ceef4">investigation is continuing</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660098153905.png" alt="On Saturday, former President Trump delivered keynote remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>On Saturday, former President Trump delivered keynote remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court sided Tuesday with a House committee seeking access to former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, rejecting Trump’s contention that Congress was overstepping.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today’s decision ordering the release of Donald Trump’s tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee is an important victory for the rule of law. Access to the former president’s tax returns is crucial to upholding the public interest, our national security &amp; our Democracy.&mdash; Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1557074026048241664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed with a lower court judge’s decision in favor of Congress. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden — a former Justice Department official and Trump appointee —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-donald-trump-personal-taxes-congress-2054364e3e09baf9fb2cd886294badf1">ruled in December</a>&nbsp;that the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has broad authority to request the records, and the Treasury Department should provide the tax returns to the committee.The three appeals court judges agreed.“The Trump Parties contend that the Chairman’s Request exceeds Congress’s investigative powers. It does not,” the judges wrote. Two of the judges, David Sentelle and Karen Henderson, were appointed by President Ronald Reagan and one, Robert Wilkins, was appointed by President Barack Obama.In their ruling, the judges also rejected Trump’s argument that the request was problematic in part because it did not include a promise to keep the records confidential.It wasn’t immediately clear whether Trump would appeal or whether there’d be a resolution of the case before a new Congress takes office in January. If Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-florida-jacksonville-newt-gingrich-78124f373e852c89101fda9572f976ba">recapture control of the House</a>&nbsp;in the fall election, they could drop the request for records next year.The judges’ decision came as the former president continues to be embroiled in legal fights. On Monday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-fbi-search-99097089194e736315c366a0e8fbafee">FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida</a>&nbsp;as part of an investigation into whether he took classified records from the White House.The House Ways and Means panel and its chairman, Democrat Richard Neal of Massachusetts, first requested Trump’s tax returns in 2019 as part of an investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s audit program and tax law compliance by the former president. A federal law says the Internal Revenue Service “shall furnish” the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers.“With great patience, we followed the judicial process, and yet again, our position has been affirmed by the Courts,” Neal said in a statement. “I’m pleased that this long-anticipated opinion makes clear the law is on our side. When we receive the returns, we will begin our oversight of the IRS’s mandatory presidential audit program.” The committee said on Twitter that it expected to receive the requested documents ”immediately.”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the decision “an important victory for the rule of law.”An email to Trump’s attorneys was not immediately returned.The Justice Department, under the Trump administration, had defended a decision by then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to withhold the tax returns from Congress. Mnuchin argued that he could withhold the documents because he concluded they were being sought by Democrats for partisan reasons. A lawsuit ensued.After President Joe Biden took office, the committee renewed the request, seeking Trump’s tax returns and additional information from 2015-2020. The White House took the position that the request was a valid one and that the Treasury Department had no choice but to comply. Trump then attempted to halt the handover in court.Then-Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-prosecutor-trump-tax-records-87f675d7ae8e24fbf2e8f33c480869d6">obtained copies</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s personal and business tax records as part of a criminal investigation. Trump tried to prevent his accountants from handing over the documents, taking the issue to the Supreme Court. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-donald-trump-tax-rercords-3aee14146906351ee9dd34aa7b6f4386">justices rejected Trump’s argument</a>&nbsp;that he had broad immunity as president. The District Attorney job has since been taken over by Alvin Bragg and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-manhattan-donald-trump-cyrus-vance-jr-criminal-investigations-18bb6847aeda9536663a6abd73abbf80">prosecutors in charge of the criminal probe have resigned</a>, but Bragg has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-donald-trump-new-york-subpoenas-249ef309da3dbf739b3005d9ba2ceef4">investigation is continuing</a>.

U.S. Appeals Court: Congress will get to see Trump tax returns

After a positive second-quarter earnings report, Invitae was a stock market darling on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/08/10/why-invitae-stock-is-skyrocketing-today/">Read why at The Motley Fool.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660163945129.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After a positive second-quarter earnings report, Invitae was a stock market darling on Wednesday.<a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/08/10/why-invitae-stock-is-skyrocketing-today/">Read why at The Motley Fool.</a>

Here's why Invitae stock soared today 

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission today announced it is committing nearly $68 million in two new funding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.  Today’s funding commitments support applications from all three application windows, benefiting over 100,000 students across the country, including California, Florida, North Carolina, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.  

“As we inch closer to the start of another school year, the Homework Gap remains a real concern for far too many students who lack internet access after the school day ends,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “We’re working hard to fix this and support students as they prepare to return to the classroom in the coming weeks and this latest round of funding will help us do just that.”

To date, the Commission has committed over $5.7 billion to schools and libraries across the country as part of the Emergency Connectivity Program, which launched last year.  The program has provided schools and libraries three different “application windows,” for schools and libraries to apply for support.  Today’s announcement includes over $24 million from the first and second application windows providing support in the upcoming school year for one school, three libraries, and one consortium.  For the third application window, the Commission is committing nearly $44 million that will support over 200 schools, seven libraries, and one consortium.  

The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensure

students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education.  To date, the program has provided support to approximately 10,000 schools, 900 libraries, and 100 consortia, and providing nearly 12 million connected devices and over 7 million broadband connections.  Of the over $5.7 billion in funding commitments approved to date, approximately $4.1 billion is supporting applications from Window 1; $830 million from Window 2; and $774 million from Window 3.  

More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission today announced it is committing nearly $68 million in two new funding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country. Today’s funding commitments support applications from all three application windows, benefiting over 100,000 students across the country, including California, Florida, North Carolina, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. “As we inch closer to the start of another school year, the Homework Gap remains a real concern for far too many students who lack internet access after the school day ends,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “We’re working hard to fix this and support students as they prepare to return to the classroom in the coming weeks and this latest round of funding will help us do just that.”To date, the Commission has committed over $5.7 billion to schools and libraries across the country as part of the Emergency Connectivity Program, which launched last year. The program has provided schools and libraries three different “application windows,” for schools and libraries to apply for support. Today’s announcement includes over $24 million from the first and second application windows providing support in the upcoming school year for one school, three libraries, and one consortium. For the third application window, the Commission is committing nearly $44 million that will support over 200 schools, seven libraries, and one consortium. The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensurestudents across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education. To date, the program has provided support to approximately 10,000 schools, 900 libraries, and 100 consortia, and providing nearly 12 million connected devices and over 7 million broadband connections. Of the over $5.7 billion in funding commitments approved to date, approximately $4.1 billion is supporting applications from Window 1; $830 million from Window 2; and $774 million from Window 3. More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund.

FCC: New $68M available to fund emergency broadband connectivity

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials on Tuesday authorized a plan to stretch the nation’s limited supply of monkeypox vaccine by giving people just one-fifth the usual dose, citing research suggesting that the reduced amount is about as effective.

The so-called dose-sparing approach also calls for administering the Jynneos vaccine with an injection just under the skin rather than into deeper tissue — a practice that may rev up the immune system better. Recipients would still get two shots spaced four weeks apart.

The highly unusual step is a stark acknowledgment that the U.S. currently lacks the supplies needed to vaccinate everyone seeking protection from the rapidly spreading virus.

That includes 1.6 million to 1.7 million Americans considered by federal officials to be at highest risk from the disease, primarily men with HIV or men who have a higher risk of contracting it. Vaccinating that group would require about three times more full doses than the roughly 1.1 million that officials have made available.

The Kansas Department of Health (KDHE) reported Monday they are investigating a case of the virus in the Topeka area. The individual was exposed after contact with a confirmed positive case that had traveled to Shawnee County from out-of-state. On July 9, KDHE reported the first case of monkeypox in Kansas.&nbsp;The adult patient is a resident in Johnson County, Kansas, who recently traveled out of state.

On June 18, health officials reported the first case of monkeypox in Missouri. It was found in a Kansas City resident who had recently traveled out of state.

The White House’s monkeypox response coordinator, Robert Fenton, said the vaccine plan would help the U.S. “stay ahead of the virus.”

“It’s safe, it’s effective, and it will significantly scale the volume of vaccine doses available for communities across the country,” Fenton told reporters.

The Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency last week in an effort to slow the growing outbreak that has infected more than 8,900 Americans. Officials announced a separate determination Tuesday that allows the Food and Drug Administration to expedite its review of medical products or new uses for them, such as the dose-sparing technique for Jynneos.

The FDA authorized the new approach for adults 18 and older who are at high risk of monkeypox infection. Younger people can also get the vaccine if they are deemed high risk, though they should receive the traditional injection, the agency said.

The announcement represents an about-face from last month, when the FDA and other agencies repeatedly stressed that two full vaccine doses were necessary for adequate protection.

But regulators now point to a 2015 study showing that vaccination with one fifth of the traditional dose generated a robust immune-system response comparable to that of the full dose. About 94% of people receiving the smaller dose had adequate levels of virus-fighting antibodies, compared with 98% of those receiving the full dose, according to the study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The NIH is planning an additional trial of the technique in coming months, according to the agency.

Vaccine makers often formulate their shots to provide more than enough protection, so it's not unusual that a smaller dose could still prove effective.

But some experts and advocates warned there is little data to support the policy and worried it could backfire if it reduces the vaccine's effectiveness.

“We have grave concerns about the limited amount of research that has been done on this dose and administration method, and we fear it will give people a false sense of confidence that they are protected,” said David Harvey of the National Coalition of STD Directors, in a statement.

The smaller doses also require a different type of injection that penetrates only the top layer of skin, rather than the lower layer between the skin and muscle. That's a less common technique that may require training for some health practitioners. It's also associated with more side effects such as redness, itchiness and swelling.

The shallower injection is thought to help stimulate the immune system because the skin contains numerous immunity cells that target outside invaders.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it will provide educational materials on the technique along with a broader awareness campaign for U.S. health departments.

Rationing vaccine doses is common in Africa and other parts of the world with limited health resources. In recent years the World Health Organization has endorsed the approach to address outbreaks of yellow fever, polio and other diseases.

“This is not an uncommon situation” said Dr. William Moss of Johns Hopkins’ Vaccine Access Center. “It comes down to the public health decision-making: In the midst of an outbreak where you have insufficient supply, do you make this tradeoff?”

When the first COVID-19 vaccines became available in late 2020, the U.K. government prioritized giving a first dose to as many people as possible before providing second vaccinations.

Both the U.K. and Canada have adopted a single-dose vaccine strategy prioritizing people who face the highest risk from monkeypox. And health departments in several large U.S. cities adopted a similar strategy amid limited supplies, including New York, San Francisco and Washington.

U.S. officials have shipped more than 617,000 full vaccine doses to state and local health departments and plan to distribute another 380,000 in coming weeks. So far it’s been recommended for people who have already been exposed to monkeypox or are likely to get it due to recent sexual contacts in areas where the virus is spreading.

The Biden administration has come under fire for not quickly marshaling millions more doses from the nation’s strategic national stockpile. Officials have ordered 5 million shots since July, but most aren't expected to be delivered until 2023.

The U.S. government owns bulk vaccine ingredients equivalent to 16.1 million doses under contracts with Danish manufacturer Bavarian Nordic. But the material needs to be sealed in vials, a process that’s expected to take months as the small company fields orders from other nations.

HHS responded to criticism last week about the pace and timing of the government’s vaccine decisions.

“We were thoughtful about how and when to use bulk vaccine because once you remove it from bulk, you lose years of shelf life,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The FDA approved the Jynneos vaccine in 2019 to prevent smallpox and monkeypox based, in part, on studies in monkeys. Animals that received the two-dose vaccination were more than twice as likely to survive than those who didn't after being infected with monkeypox, according to the FDA labeling.

Additional human studies showed people who received Jynneos had an immune response similar to those who received an older smallpox vaccine. But Jynneos hasn't been tested in humans with either monkeypox or its relative smallpox, which was eradicated decades ago.

That's typical of many of the vaccines and drugs in the national stockpile that treat rare or deadly pathogens like anthrax or the plague.

The U.S. government has spent more than $1 billion developing and stockpiling the freeze-dried vaccine, which replaced an earlier liquid version that had a shorter shelf life. Bavarian Nordic has a 10-year contract with the U.S. to supply the new vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660078810711.png" alt="Monkeypox vaccine protesters- photo courtesy KTVU" />
 <figcaption>Monkeypox vaccine protesters- photo courtesy KTVU</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials on Tuesday authorized a plan to stretch the nation’s limited supply of monkeypox vaccine by giving people just one-fifth the usual dose, citing research suggesting that the reduced amount is about as effective.The so-called dose-sparing approach also calls for administering the Jynneos vaccine with an injection just under the skin rather than into deeper tissue — a practice that may rev up the immune system better. Recipients would still get two shots spaced four weeks apart.The highly unusual step is a stark acknowledgment that the U.S. currently lacks the supplies needed to vaccinate everyone seeking protection from the rapidly spreading virus.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660040436720.png" alt="Total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases: 8,934 in the U.S. as of August 8, 2022-CDC image" />
 <figcaption>Total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases: 8,934 in the U.S. as of August 8, 2022-CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660040478936.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>That includes 1.6 million to 1.7 million Americans considered by federal officials to be at highest risk from the disease, primarily men with HIV or men who have a higher risk of contracting it. Vaccinating that group would require about three times more full doses than the roughly 1.1 million that officials have made available.The Kansas Department of Health (KDHE) reported Monday they are investigating a case of the virus in the Topeka area. The individual was exposed after contact with a confirmed positive case that had traveled to Shawnee County from out-of-state. On July 9, KDHE reported the first case of monkeypox in Kansas.&nbsp;The adult patient is a resident in Johnson County, Kansas, who recently traveled out of state.On June 18, health officials reported the first case of monkeypox in Missouri. It was found in a Kansas City resident who had recently traveled out of state.The White House’s monkeypox response coordinator, Robert Fenton, said the vaccine plan would help the U.S. “stay ahead of the virus.”“It’s safe, it’s effective, and it will significantly scale the volume of vaccine doses available for communities across the country,” Fenton told reporters.The Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency last week in an effort to slow the growing outbreak that has infected more than 8,900 Americans. Officials announced a separate determination Tuesday that allows the Food and Drug Administration to expedite its review of medical products or new uses for them, such as the dose-sparing technique for Jynneos.The FDA authorized the new approach for adults 18 and older who are at high risk of monkeypox infection. Younger people can also get the vaccine if they are deemed high risk, though they should receive the traditional injection, the agency said.The announcement represents an about-face from last month, when the FDA and other agencies repeatedly stressed that two full vaccine doses were necessary for adequate protection.But regulators now point to a 2015 study showing that vaccination with one fifth of the traditional dose generated a robust immune-system response comparable to that of the full dose. About 94% of people receiving the smaller dose had adequate levels of virus-fighting antibodies, compared with 98% of those receiving the full dose, according to the study funded by the National Institutes of Health.The NIH is planning an additional trial of the technique in coming months, according to the agency.Vaccine makers often formulate their shots to provide more than enough protection, so it's not unusual that a smaller dose could still prove effective.But some experts and advocates warned there is little data to support the policy and worried it could backfire if it reduces the vaccine's effectiveness.“We have grave concerns about the limited amount of research that has been done on this dose and administration method, and we fear it will give people a false sense of confidence that they are protected,” said David Harvey of the National Coalition of STD Directors, in a statement.The smaller doses also require a different type of injection that penetrates only the top layer of skin, rather than the lower layer between the skin and muscle. That's a less common technique that may require training for some health practitioners. It's also associated with more side effects such as redness, itchiness and swelling.The shallower injection is thought to help stimulate the immune system because the skin contains numerous immunity cells that target outside invaders.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it will provide educational materials on the technique along with a broader awareness campaign for U.S. health departments.Rationing vaccine doses is common in Africa and other parts of the world with limited health resources. In recent years the World Health Organization has endorsed the approach to address outbreaks of yellow fever, polio and other diseases.“This is not an uncommon situation” said Dr. William Moss of Johns Hopkins’ Vaccine Access Center. “It comes down to the public health decision-making: In the midst of an outbreak where you have insufficient supply, do you make this tradeoff?”When the first COVID-19 vaccines became available in late 2020, the U.K. government prioritized giving a first dose to as many people as possible before providing second vaccinations.Both the U.K. and Canada have adopted a single-dose vaccine strategy prioritizing people who face the highest risk from monkeypox. And health departments in several large U.S. cities adopted a similar strategy amid limited supplies, including New York, San Francisco and Washington.U.S. officials have shipped more than 617,000 full vaccine doses to state and local health departments and plan to distribute another 380,000 in coming weeks. So far it’s been recommended for people who have already been exposed to monkeypox or are likely to get it due to recent sexual contacts in areas where the virus is spreading.The Biden administration has come under fire for not quickly marshaling millions more doses from the nation’s strategic national stockpile. Officials have ordered 5 million shots since July, but most aren't expected to be delivered until 2023.The U.S. government owns bulk vaccine ingredients equivalent to 16.1 million doses under contracts with Danish manufacturer Bavarian Nordic. But the material needs to be sealed in vials, a process that’s expected to take months as the small company fields orders from other nations.HHS responded to criticism last week about the pace and timing of the government’s vaccine decisions.“We were thoughtful about how and when to use bulk vaccine because once you remove it from bulk, you lose years of shelf life,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.The FDA approved the Jynneos vaccine in 2019 to prevent smallpox and monkeypox based, in part, on studies in monkeys. Animals that received the two-dose vaccination were more than twice as likely to survive than those who didn't after being infected with monkeypox, according to the FDA labeling.Additional human studies showed people who received Jynneos had an immune response similar to those who received an older smallpox vaccine. But Jynneos hasn't been tested in humans with either monkeypox or its relative smallpox, which was eradicated decades ago.That's typical of many of the vaccines and drugs in the national stockpile that treat rare or deadly pathogens like anthrax or the plague.The U.S. government has spent more than $1 billion developing and stockpiling the freeze-dried vaccine, which replaced an earlier liquid version that had a shorter shelf life. Bavarian Nordic has a 10-year contract with the U.S. to supply the new vaccine.

US will stretch monkeypox vaccine supply with smaller doses

By CLARK KAUFFMAN <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

Amidst a rapid proliferation of 
social-media posts offering people tips on how to easily steal a Kia or 
Hyundai automobile, two Iowans have filed a class-action lawsuit against
 the car makers.

Ann Brady of Polk County and Leah Price of Decatur County are suing 
Kia America Inc., Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Kia America 
Technical Center. They allege the companies produced a defect in their 
vehicles that makes them “easy to steal, unsafe, and worth less than 
they should be.”

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District 
of Iowa, alleges the companies “admit there is a theft and safety 
problem with these vehicles but refuses to fix them, compensate 
consumers or otherwise take actions” to address the issue.

The two Iowans are suing on behalf of themselves and a nationwide 
class of thousands of persons who purchased a Kia or Hyundai in recent 
years.

Brady claims that at some unspecified time, she purchased a 2019 
Hyundai Tuscan at Stew Hanson Hyundai in Clive, and that it was stolen 
in July 2022. Price says that in 2017, she purchased a new Kia Sorento 
from Kia Des Moines and then, the following year, purchased a 2012 
Sorento and a 2016 Sorento from the same dealership.

According to the lawsuit, one of the reasons older Kia and Hyundai 
cars can so easily be stolen is that they do not comply with a Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires vehicles to have a starting 
system that, once they ignition key is removed, prevents the activation 
of the engine and locks the steering column.

In the “defective” vehicles, the lawsuit claims, “neither steering 
nor forward self-mobility is prevented. If it were, the vehicles would 
not be stolen at alarming rates. … All a thief needs to do is strip the 
ignition column, exposing a piece that pops off, and then stick (in) a 
USB drive, a knife or some other similar tool, to start the vehicle 
without a key or code.”

The plaintiffs argue that considering the number of people who charge
 their cell phones in their car using a USB cable inside the vehicle, 
the only tool needed to steal a Kia or Hyundai “is usually readily 
available to any thief.”

Beginning in 2009, the lawsuit alleges, Kia sought to add a vehicle 
immobilizer to its Amanti line of vehicles, telling the federal 
government that this device was similar to other devices that have been 
shown to reduce theft by 58% to 80%. In 2007, Hyundai initiated similar 
efforts to add an immobilizer to its Azera line.

“Defendants are aware of the problems and even claim they have 
attempted to ‘fix’ their 2022 vehicles to eliminate the safety defects,”
 the lawsuit alleges, “but are refusing to do anything about the 
pre-2022 defective vehicles.”

The Iowa plaintiffs are seeking a refund of all expenses tied to 
their purchase of the vehicles, including the cost of anti-theft devices
 and increased insurance premiums due to the alleged defects.

The court has yet to rule on the plaintiffs’ request for class-action
 status, and the auto makers have not yet filed a response to the 
lawsuit.

The plaintiffs are represented by Sioux City attorney Jay M. Smith.

In recent weeks, several videos have been uploaded to TikTok, YouTube
 and other social-media platforms instructing people on the best methods
 for using a USB cord to steal a KIA manufactured from 2011 to 2021, or a
 Hyundai made from 2015 to 2021.

The videos have given rise to the “Kia Challenge” in which a group of
 individuals calling themselves the “Kia Boyz” challenge others to steal
 a vehicle using the USB method while recording the theft to video.

In Lincoln, Nebraska, two teenagers recently recorded themselves 
trying to steal a 2013 Hyundai from the parking lot of the Lincoln 
Children’s Zoo, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/lincoln-police-concerned-about-viral-kia-boyz-tik-tok-trend/#:~:text=The%20Lincoln%20Police%20Department%20called%20out%20the%20%E2%80%9CKIA,Hyundai%20from%20the%20Lincoln%20Children%E2%80%99s%20Zoo%20parking%20lot.">Nebraska Public Media</a>.
 Omaha police say so far this year, there have been 230 Hyundais or Kias
 stolen – compared to 131 in the first seven months of 2021, the <a target="_blank" href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/omaha-police-link-increase-of-kia-hyundai-thefts-to-social-media-trend/article_1390835a-0eb3-11ed-94f0-47493c6cff0e.html">Omaha World-Herald</a> reported. Other cities around the nation have reported a similar surge in thefts.

In a written statement, Kia America has said it “is aware of the rise
 in vehicle thefts” and says all 2022 models have an immobilizer in 
place. “All Kia vehicles for sale in the U.S. meet or exceed Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,” the company says.

Hyundai Motor America has said it is “concerned” with a reported rise
 in thefts but that its vehicles “meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards.” The company says engine immobilizers “are standard 
equipment on all new Hyundai vehicles.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660058320403.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CLARK KAUFFMAN <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>Amidst a rapid proliferation of 
social-media posts offering people tips on how to easily steal a Kia or 
Hyundai automobile, two Iowans have filed a class-action lawsuit against
 the car makers.Ann Brady of Polk County and Leah Price of Decatur County are suing 
Kia America Inc., Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Kia America 
Technical Center. They allege the companies produced a defect in their 
vehicles that makes them “easy to steal, unsafe, and worth less than 
they should be.”The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District 
of Iowa, alleges the companies “admit there is a theft and safety 
problem with these vehicles but refuses to fix them, compensate 
consumers or otherwise take actions” to address the issue.The two Iowans are suing on behalf of themselves and a nationwide 
class of thousands of persons who purchased a Kia or Hyundai in recent 
years.Brady claims that at some unspecified time, she purchased a 2019 
Hyundai Tuscan at Stew Hanson Hyundai in Clive, and that it was stolen 
in July 2022. Price says that in 2017, she purchased a new Kia Sorento 
from Kia Des Moines and then, the following year, purchased a 2012 
Sorento and a 2016 Sorento from the same dealership.<h2>USB cords used to start cars</h2>According to the lawsuit, one of the reasons older Kia and Hyundai 
cars can so easily be stolen is that they do not comply with a Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires vehicles to have a starting 
system that, once they ignition key is removed, prevents the activation 
of the engine and locks the steering column.In the “defective” vehicles, the lawsuit claims, “neither steering 
nor forward self-mobility is prevented. If it were, the vehicles would 
not be stolen at alarming rates. … All a thief needs to do is strip the 
ignition column, exposing a piece that pops off, and then stick (in) a 
USB drive, a knife or some other similar tool, to start the vehicle 
without a key or code.”The plaintiffs argue that considering the number of people who charge
 their cell phones in their car using a USB cable inside the vehicle, 
the only tool needed to steal a Kia or Hyundai “is usually readily 
available to any thief.”Beginning in 2009, the lawsuit alleges, Kia sought to add a vehicle 
immobilizer to its Amanti line of vehicles, telling the federal 
government that this device was similar to other devices that have been 
shown to reduce theft by 58% to 80%. In 2007, Hyundai initiated similar 
efforts to add an immobilizer to its Azera line.“Defendants are aware of the problems and even claim they have 
attempted to ‘fix’ their 2022 vehicles to eliminate the safety defects,”
 the lawsuit alleges, “but are refusing to do anything about the 
pre-2022 defective vehicles.”The Iowa plaintiffs are seeking a refund of all expenses tied to 
their purchase of the vehicles, including the cost of anti-theft devices
 and increased insurance premiums due to the alleged defects.The court has yet to rule on the plaintiffs’ request for class-action
 status, and the auto makers have not yet filed a response to the 
lawsuit.The plaintiffs are represented by Sioux City attorney Jay M. Smith.<h2>‘Kia Challenge’ on TikTok</h2>In recent weeks, several videos have been uploaded to TikTok, YouTube
 and other social-media platforms instructing people on the best methods
 for using a USB cord to steal a KIA manufactured from 2011 to 2021, or a
 Hyundai made from 2015 to 2021.The videos have given rise to the “Kia Challenge” in which a group of
 individuals calling themselves the “Kia Boyz” challenge others to steal
 a vehicle using the USB method while recording the theft to video.In Lincoln, Nebraska, two teenagers recently recorded themselves 
trying to steal a 2013 Hyundai from the parking lot of the Lincoln 
Children’s Zoo, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/lincoln-police-concerned-about-viral-kia-boyz-tik-tok-trend/#:~:text=The%20Lincoln%20Police%20Department%20called%20out%20the%20%E2%80%9CKIA,Hyundai%20from%20the%20Lincoln%20Children%E2%80%99s%20Zoo%20parking%20lot.">Nebraska Public Media</a>.
 Omaha police say so far this year, there have been 230 Hyundais or Kias
 stolen – compared to 131 in the first seven months of 2021, the <a target="_blank" href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/omaha-police-link-increase-of-kia-hyundai-thefts-to-social-media-trend/article_1390835a-0eb3-11ed-94f0-47493c6cff0e.html">Omaha World-Herald</a> reported. Other cities around the nation have reported a similar surge in thefts.In a written statement, Kia America has said it “is aware of the rise
 in vehicle thefts” and says all 2022 models have an immobilizer in 
place. “All Kia vehicles for sale in the U.S. meet or exceed Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,” the company says.Hyundai Motor America has said it is “concerned” with a reported rise
 in thefts but that its vehicles “meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards.” The company says engine immobilizers “are standard 
equipment on all new Hyundai vehicles.”

TikTok challenge sparks rash of car thefts, class-action lawsuit 

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri gathered enough signatures to make it on the November ballot, the secretary of state announced Tuesday.

Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft also said&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/e6645a94d542770df7d1a8f75864e1b3">a proposal to allow ranked-choice voting</a>&nbsp;failed to collect the roughly 170,000 voter signatures from six of the state’s eight congressional districts to get on the ballot.

If voters approve the constitutional amendment on marijuana, those age 21 and older could buy and grow it for personal consumption as early as this year.

Missouri voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/82a662ba82bb4c8c9c858b7565ff7f95">approved medical marijuana</a>&nbsp;use in 2018. Efforts to allow recreational marijuana use have failed to pass Missouri's Republican-led Legislature for years, prompting advocates to go to voters for approval instead.

Recreational marijuana is already legal in 19 states, and legalization proposals are on the ballot this fall in South Dakota and Maryland. Supporters are also trying to get measures on the ballot in Arkansas, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

<a href="https://www.legalmo22.com/">Backers of the Missouri ballot </a>proposal are highlighting a provision that would erase past marijuana-related convictions for nonviolent offenders and those whose conviction didn’t include selling to minors or driving while high.

Local NAACP chapters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, criminal defense lawyers and other civil rights advocacy groups endorsed automatic expungement, and it could broaden support for the initiative among Republican criminal justice advocates. Seven other states with legal recreational marijuana have also adopted automatic expungement policies.

Marijuana sales would be taxed at 6% under the Missouri measure. The tax is estimated to bring in more than $46 million during the first full year the amendment is in effect and close to $70 million the following year. Revenues would be earmarked for veterans’ homes, drug treatment programs and public defenders.

Cities and other municipalities could enact local sales taxes on recreational marijuana up to 3% or enact local bans on non-medical marijuana sales by a public vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652108881547.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri gathered enough signatures to make it on the November ballot, the secretary of state announced Tuesday.Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft also said&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/e6645a94d542770df7d1a8f75864e1b3">a proposal to allow ranked-choice voting</a>&nbsp;failed to collect the roughly 170,000 voter signatures from six of the state’s eight congressional districts to get on the ballot.If voters approve the constitutional amendment on marijuana, those age 21 and older could buy and grow it for personal consumption as early as this year.Missouri voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/82a662ba82bb4c8c9c858b7565ff7f95">approved medical marijuana</a>&nbsp;use in 2018. Efforts to allow recreational marijuana use have failed to pass Missouri's Republican-led Legislature for years, prompting advocates to go to voters for approval instead.Recreational marijuana is already legal in 19 states, and legalization proposals are on the ballot this fall in South Dakota and Maryland. Supporters are also trying to get measures on the ballot in Arkansas, North Dakota and Oklahoma.<a href="https://www.legalmo22.com/">Backers of the Missouri ballot </a>proposal are highlighting a provision that would erase past marijuana-related convictions for nonviolent offenders and those whose conviction didn’t include selling to minors or driving while high.Local NAACP chapters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, criminal defense lawyers and other civil rights advocacy groups endorsed automatic expungement, and it could broaden support for the initiative among Republican criminal justice advocates. Seven other states with legal recreational marijuana have also adopted automatic expungement policies.Marijuana sales would be taxed at 6% under the Missouri measure. The tax is estimated to bring in more than $46 million during the first full year the amendment is in effect and close to $70 million the following year. Revenues would be earmarked for veterans’ homes, drug treatment programs and public defenders.Cities and other municipalities could enact local sales taxes on recreational marijuana up to 3% or enact local bans on non-medical marijuana sales by a public vote.

Missouri voters set to weigh in on recreational marijuana

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — The four people killed in a weekend golf cart collision in Texas were a grandfather, two of his grandchildren and a niece who were visiting Galveston for a quick vacation before school began, police said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-galveston-739e753fe96268cb90c15705673e6cb9">crash happened Saturday</a>&nbsp;after a driver accused of being intoxicated ran a stop sign and crashed into a pickup truck, which then hit the golf cart that was carrying six people. Police on Monday identified the four killed as Felipe Bentancur, 49; his niece, Destiny Uvalle, 25; and two grandchildren, Kaisyn Bentancur, 4; and Brailyn Cantu, 14.

All four were from Rosenberg, a Texas city about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southwest of Houston, police said.

Two others on the golf cart were critically injured, authorities said.

The driver of the SUV, Miguel Espinoza, 45, has been charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter. He remained jailed Tuesday on $400,000 bond, and it wasn't clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Golf carts are a popular way to get around the island resort area, which is on the Gulf of Mexico. Police have said they believe the golf cart was operating legally at the time of the collision.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660052849304.png" alt="Espinoza" />
 <figcaption>Espinoza</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSGALVESTON, Texas (AP) — The four people killed in a weekend golf cart collision in Texas were a grandfather, two of his grandchildren and a niece who were visiting Galveston for a quick vacation before school began, police said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-galveston-739e753fe96268cb90c15705673e6cb9">crash happened Saturday</a>&nbsp;after a driver accused of being intoxicated ran a stop sign and crashed into a pickup truck, which then hit the golf cart that was carrying six people. Police on Monday identified the four killed as Felipe Bentancur, 49; his niece, Destiny Uvalle, 25; and two grandchildren, Kaisyn Bentancur, 4; and Brailyn Cantu, 14.All four were from Rosenberg, a Texas city about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southwest of Houston, police said.Two others on the golf cart were critically injured, authorities said.The driver of the SUV, Miguel Espinoza, 45, has been charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter. He remained jailed Tuesday on $400,000 bond, and it wasn't clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.Golf carts are a popular way to get around the island resort area, which is on the Gulf of Mexico. Police have said they believe the golf cart was operating legally at the time of the collision.

Grandfather, grandkids among 4 dead in Texas golf cart crash

LAUREL, Neb.-A judge set bail at $5 million on Monday for a man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-nebraska-omaha-979e1c0bb3d56ebb277da0398718904d">suspected of killing four people</a>&nbsp;and trying to burn down their homes in the small northeast Nebraska town of Laurel last week.

Court records show Cedar County Judge Douglas Luebe set bond at 10% of $5 million for 42-year-old Jason Jones, meaning he would have to put up $500,000 to be released from jail while he awaits trial.

“The defendant is considered an extreme danger to public safety,” the judge wrote in his bond order.

Neither Nebraska State Patrol Col. John Bolduc nor a spokeswoman for CHI Health St. Elizabeth in Lincoln, where Jones is being treated for serious burns, would give Jones’ current medical condition on Monday.

Jones is charged with 10 felonies, including four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of arson and four weapons counts. Investigators have said Jones shot and killed his neighbor across the street, 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, early Thursday morning before setting her house on fire, then went three blocks south, broke into another home and fatally shot three people there: 86-year-old Gene Twiford; his wife, 85-year-old Janet Twiford; and their 55-year-old daughter, Dana Twiford.

Jones also set fire to the Twiford home, police said.

During the investigation into the killings, the Nebraska State Patrol said they found a backpack and receipts belonging to Jones showing the purchase of a gas can and other items. A pistol registered to Jones was also found at the Twifords' home, the patrol said.

Authorities have not commented on a possible motive for the killings, but charging documents allege Jones killed the Twifords while trying to carry out a burglary.

Laurel is a small city of about 1,000 that lies about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Omaha.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659691579673.png" alt="&nbsp; Investigators on the scene photo courtesy KCAU TV " />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; Investigators on the scene photo courtesy KCAU TV </figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSLAUREL, Neb.-A judge set bail at $5 million on Monday for a man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-nebraska-omaha-979e1c0bb3d56ebb277da0398718904d">suspected of killing four people</a>&nbsp;and trying to burn down their homes in the small northeast Nebraska town of Laurel last week.Court records show Cedar County Judge Douglas Luebe set bond at 10% of $5 million for 42-year-old Jason Jones, meaning he would have to put up $500,000 to be released from jail while he awaits trial.“The defendant is considered an extreme danger to public safety,” the judge wrote in his bond order.Neither Nebraska State Patrol Col. John Bolduc nor a spokeswoman for CHI Health St. Elizabeth in Lincoln, where Jones is being treated for serious burns, would give Jones’ current medical condition on Monday.Jones is charged with 10 felonies, including four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of arson and four weapons counts. Investigators have said Jones shot and killed his neighbor across the street, 53-year-old Michele Ebeling, early Thursday morning before setting her house on fire, then went three blocks south, broke into another home and fatally shot three people there: 86-year-old Gene Twiford; his wife, 85-year-old Janet Twiford; and their 55-year-old daughter, Dana Twiford.Jones also set fire to the Twiford home, police said.During the investigation into the killings, the Nebraska State Patrol said they found a backpack and receipts belonging to Jones showing the purchase of a gas can and other items. A pistol registered to Jones was also found at the Twifords' home, the patrol said.Authorities have not commented on a possible motive for the killings, but charging documents allege Jones killed the Twifords while trying to carry out a burglary.Laurel is a small city of about 1,000 that lies about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Omaha.

Bail set at $5M for Nebraska quadruple killing suspect

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced another $1 billion in new military aid for Ukraine on Monday, pledging what will be the biggest yet delivery of rockets, ammunition and other arms straight from Department of Defense stocks for Ukrainian forces.

The U.S. pledge of a massive new shipment of arms comes as analysts warned that Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-africa-turkey-006b45ba50be9a99d22ffc1af9daf405">was moving troops and equipment in the direction of the southern port cities</a>&nbsp;to stave off a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The aid includes additional rockets for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-nato-sergey-lavrov-dd7bc9324e465a15209940c146a859b3">High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS,</a>&nbsp;as well as thousands of artillery rounds, mortar systems, Javelins and other ammunition and equipment. Military commanders and other U.S. officials say the HIMARS and artillery systems have been crucial in Ukraine’s ongoing fight to try to prevent Russia from taking more ground.

The latest announcement brings the total U.S. security assistance committed to Ukraine by the Biden administration to more than $9 billion since Russian troops invaded in late February.

“At every stage of this conflict, we have been focused on getting the Ukrainians what they need, depending on the evolving conditions on the battlefield,” Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, said in announcing the new weapons shipment.

Until now, the largest single security assistance package announcement was for $1 billion on June 15. But that aid included $350 million in presidential drawdown authority, and another $650 million under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides funding for training, equipment and other security needs that can be bought from other countries or companies.

Monday's package allows the U.S. to deliver weapons systems and other equipment more quickly since it takes them off the Defense Department shelves.

For the last four months of the war, Russia has concentrated on capturing the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, where pro-Moscow separatists have controlled some territory as self-proclaimed republics for eight years. Russian forces have made gradual headway in the region while launching missile and rocket attacks to curtail the movements of Ukrainian fighters elsewhere.

Kahl estimated that Russian forces have sustained up to 80,000 deaths and injuries in the fighting, though he did not break down the figure with an estimate of forces killed.

He said the Russian troops have managed to gain “incremental” ground in eastern Ukraine, although not in recent weeks. “But that has come at extraordinary cost to the Russian military because of how well the Ukrainian military has performed and all the assistance that the Ukrainian military has gotten. And I think now, conditions in the east have essentially stabilized and the focus is really shifting to the south.”

The new funding is being paid for through $40 billion in economic and security aid for Ukraine approved by Congress in May.

This is the 18th time the Pentagon has provided equipment from Defense Department stocks to Ukraine since August 2021.

The package does not include any new HIMARS, but provides rockets for it, although officials did not disclose how many. The U.S. has already provided 16 HIMARS to Ukraine.

“These are not systems that we assess you need in the hundreds to have the type of effects” needed, Kahl said, in response to questions about why the U.S. wasn't sending more of the powerful rocket systems. “These are precision-guided systems for very particular types of targets and the Ukrainians are using them as such.”

The U.S. and allies still are evaluating whether to supply aircraft to Ukraine, Kahl said. It's “not inconceivable that western aircraft down the road could be part of the mix,” he said.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelinskyy early in the war launched near-daily calls for warplanes, calling them essential to protecting Ukraine's skies. The U.S. and some other NATO countries feared that could draw them into more direct involvement with Ukraine's war against Russia, and have not provided Western aircraft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659993569637.png" alt="“At every stage of this conflict, we have been focused on getting the Ukrainians what they need," Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, said in announcing the new weapons shipment.-photo Defense Department" />
 <figcaption>“At every stage of this conflict, we have been focused on getting the Ukrainians what they need," Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, said in announcing the new weapons shipment.-photo Defense Department</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced another $1 billion in new military aid for Ukraine on Monday, pledging what will be the biggest yet delivery of rockets, ammunition and other arms straight from Department of Defense stocks for Ukrainian forces.The U.S. pledge of a massive new shipment of arms comes as analysts warned that Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-africa-turkey-006b45ba50be9a99d22ffc1af9daf405">was moving troops and equipment in the direction of the southern port cities</a>&nbsp;to stave off a Ukrainian counteroffensive.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659993458904.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The aid includes additional rockets for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-nato-sergey-lavrov-dd7bc9324e465a15209940c146a859b3">High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS,</a>&nbsp;as well as thousands of artillery rounds, mortar systems, Javelins and other ammunition and equipment. Military commanders and other U.S. officials say the HIMARS and artillery systems have been crucial in Ukraine’s ongoing fight to try to prevent Russia from taking more ground.The latest announcement brings the total U.S. security assistance committed to Ukraine by the Biden administration to more than $9 billion since Russian troops invaded in late February.“At every stage of this conflict, we have been focused on getting the Ukrainians what they need, depending on the evolving conditions on the battlefield,” Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, said in announcing the new weapons shipment.Until now, the largest single security assistance package announcement was for $1 billion on June 15. But that aid included $350 million in presidential drawdown authority, and another $650 million under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides funding for training, equipment and other security needs that can be bought from other countries or companies.Monday's package allows the U.S. to deliver weapons systems and other equipment more quickly since it takes them off the Defense Department shelves.For the last four months of the war, Russia has concentrated on capturing the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, where pro-Moscow separatists have controlled some territory as self-proclaimed republics for eight years. Russian forces have made gradual headway in the region while launching missile and rocket attacks to curtail the movements of Ukrainian fighters elsewhere.Kahl estimated that Russian forces have sustained up to 80,000 deaths and injuries in the fighting, though he did not break down the figure with an estimate of forces killed.He said the Russian troops have managed to gain “incremental” ground in eastern Ukraine, although not in recent weeks. “But that has come at extraordinary cost to the Russian military because of how well the Ukrainian military has performed and all the assistance that the Ukrainian military has gotten. And I think now, conditions in the east have essentially stabilized and the focus is really shifting to the south.”The new funding is being paid for through $40 billion in economic and security aid for Ukraine approved by Congress in May.This is the 18th time the Pentagon has provided equipment from Defense Department stocks to Ukraine since August 2021.The package does not include any new HIMARS, but provides rockets for it, although officials did not disclose how many. The U.S. has already provided 16 HIMARS to Ukraine.“These are not systems that we assess you need in the hundreds to have the type of effects” needed, Kahl said, in response to questions about why the U.S. wasn't sending more of the powerful rocket systems. “These are precision-guided systems for very particular types of targets and the Ukrainians are using them as such.”The U.S. and allies still are evaluating whether to supply aircraft to Ukraine, Kahl said. It's “not inconceivable that western aircraft down the road could be part of the mix,” he said.Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelinskyy early in the war launched near-daily calls for warplanes, calling them essential to protecting Ukraine's skies. The U.S. and some other NATO countries feared that could draw them into more direct involvement with Ukraine's war against Russia, and have not provided Western aircraft.

US will spend another $1 billion on aid for Ukraine

By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/08/10/facebook-data-used-to-prosecute-nebraska-mother-daughter-after-alleged-abortion/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Evidence against a Norfolk, 
Nebraska, mother and her teen in a case alleging an illegal abortion is 
opening a new digital front in the national battle over abortion.

Police allege in court documents that
 Celeste Burgess, then 17 years old, told police in April that she had 
suffered a miscarriage in a bathtub at her home. She said she and her 
mom buried the stillborn, the documents show.

Investigators seeking a search 
warrant said they later learned that the mother, Jessica Burgess, had 
bought the oral medication online to end her daughter’s pregnancy. That 
information was gathered in part from private Facebook messages the 
Burgesses exchanged.&nbsp;

Criminal charges against the two brought by the Madison County Attorney’s Office are among the first nationally <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/08/08/nebraska-cops-supoenaed-a-teens-facebook-dms-so-they-could-prosecute-her-for-having-an-abortion/?sh=20eb4cbb1c62">to use Facebook data</a> subpoenaed by police against a woman seeking an abortion.&nbsp;

After the U.S. Supreme Court reversed
 Roe v. Wade in June, national abortion-rights advocates argued that law
 enforcement agencies might use technology to track and prosecute women 
seeking abortions. 

A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/08/08/facebook-abortion-teen-dms/?sh=4a740331579c">Meta spokesman told Forbes</a>
 that the search warrant they received in June, before the Roe reversal,
 did not mention abortion. Meta is the parent company of Facebook and 
Instagram.

Madison County Attorney Joe Smith <a target="_blank" href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/norfolk-mother-and-daughter-accused-of-illegal-abortion-burning-and-burying-body/article_ff99fd49-a710-5ec3-8d51-5aced3001c71.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage">told the Lincoln Journal Star</a> that this was the first time in his 32 years as a prosecutor that he had filed such charges in an abortion-related case.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police say the abortion occurred 
later than allowed under Nebraska law. The teen took the medication when
 she was more than 23 weeks pregnant, authorities allege, perhaps for as
 long as 29 weeks. Under Nebraska law, abortions are legal up to 20 
weeks.

Abortion pills are typically used within 11 weeks of conception.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said 
Tuesday that Nebraska, like a number of other states, is “prosecuting 
people for their pregnancy outcomes.” She said the Norfolk daughter and 
her mother need “help and support … not prosecution.”

“True justice would mean ensuring 
that people have all the resources and the support they need to make 
decisions about whether they want to have a family, when they have a 
family, and how to support the families they have with dignity,” Hunt 
said. “How did we fail this young woman? That is a bigger question that 
we need to ask ourselves as a culture.”

Abortion opponents said questions 
about data privacy are a distraction from a possible crime. They said 
Tuesday that Nebraska’s abortion restrictions are working as intended.

Sandy Danek, president of Nebraska 
Right to Life, applauded police and prosecutors for enforcing the 
20-week ban. Nothing, she said, will “remedy the tragedy of this event, 
where a baby has died and a mother is left with the wounds of abortion.”

“Nebraskans
 should be appalled (by) the lack of dignity given to this baby’s body. 
All Nebraskans deserve a respectful burial,” Danek said. “We hope the 
authorities will further investigate the source of the chemical cocktail
 used to kill this preborn child.”

Celeste, who is now 18, is being 
charged as an adult with removing, concealing or abandoning a human 
body, which is a felony, and with concealing the death of another person
 and false reporting, which are misdemeanors.

Her mother has been charged with 
three felonies: performing an abortion after 20 weeks; performing an 
abortion as a non-doctor; and removing, concealing or abandoning a human
 body. She also faces two misdemeanors: concealing a death and false 
reporting.

Police allege in court documents that
 both mother and daughter knew a drug being ordered online was intended 
to cause a miscarriage. The mother said she could not remember the name 
of the drug or what website she had ordered it from online.

Here is what the documents say 
Celeste and her mother wrote to each other on Facebook Messenger in 
April. The exchange has been edited for brevity:

The Burgesses showed police where the fetus was buried, just outside 
of Norfolk. Authorities said in court documents that they recovered a 
fetus with evidence of “thermal injuries.”

Both women have pleaded not guilty. 
The mother, in a financial statement she made when applying for a public
 defender, said she lost her job because of what happened.

Local abortion rights advocates have been trying to help her hire a private lawyer.

Abortion is legal in 27 states, 
ranging from until 15 weeks in Florida to being legal throughout 
pregnancy in Colorado and three other states. A dozen states, including 
Minnesota, allow abortions until fetal viability. Nebraska allows 
abortions up to 20 weeks. Abortion is illegal or soon to be illegal in 
16 states, including Oklahoma and South Dakota.&nbsp;

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., author 
of Nebraska’s 20-week ban, said the law recognizes late-term abortion as
 “especially cruel and inhumane.”

Flood said he has “always supported 
commonsense restrictions on abortion.” He also has said he would support
 an outright ban on abortion in Nebraska and federally.&nbsp;

His opponent in November’s general 
election, State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, worked with other 
Democrats this year to filibuster Republicans’ effort to pass a full 
ban.&nbsp;

She had no immediate comment on the Madison County case.

By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/08/10/facebook-data-used-to-prosecute-nebraska-mother-daughter-after-alleged-abortion/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Evidence against a Norfolk, 
Nebraska, mother and her teen in a case alleging an illegal abortion is 
opening a new digital front in the national battle over abortion.Police allege in court documents that
 Celeste Burgess, then 17 years old, told police in April that she had 
suffered a miscarriage in a bathtub at her home. She said she and her 
mom buried the stillborn, the documents show.Investigators seeking a search 
warrant said they later learned that the mother, Jessica Burgess, had 
bought the oral medication online to end her daughter’s pregnancy. That 
information was gathered in part from private Facebook messages the 
Burgesses exchanged.&nbsp;Criminal charges against the two brought by the Madison County Attorney’s Office are among the first nationally <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/08/08/nebraska-cops-supoenaed-a-teens-facebook-dms-so-they-could-prosecute-her-for-having-an-abortion/?sh=20eb4cbb1c62">to use Facebook data</a> subpoenaed by police against a woman seeking an abortion.&nbsp;After the U.S. Supreme Court reversed
 Roe v. Wade in June, national abortion-rights advocates argued that law
 enforcement agencies might use technology to track and prosecute women 
seeking abortions. A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2022/08/08/facebook-abortion-teen-dms/?sh=4a740331579c">Meta spokesman told Forbes</a>
 that the search warrant they received in June, before the Roe reversal,
 did not mention abortion. Meta is the parent company of Facebook and 
Instagram.Madison County Attorney Joe Smith <a target="_blank" href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/norfolk-mother-and-daughter-accused-of-illegal-abortion-burning-and-burying-body/article_ff99fd49-a710-5ec3-8d51-5aced3001c71.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage">told the Lincoln Journal Star</a> that this was the first time in his 32 years as a prosecutor that he had filed such charges in an abortion-related case.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police say the abortion occurred 
later than allowed under Nebraska law. The teen took the medication when
 she was more than 23 weeks pregnant, authorities allege, perhaps for as
 long as 29 weeks. Under Nebraska law, abortions are legal up to 20 
weeks.Abortion pills are typically used within 11 weeks of conception.State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said 
Tuesday that Nebraska, like a number of other states, is “prosecuting 
people for their pregnancy outcomes.” She said the Norfolk daughter and 
her mother need “help and support … not prosecution.”“True justice would mean ensuring 
that people have all the resources and the support they need to make 
decisions about whether they want to have a family, when they have a 
family, and how to support the families they have with dignity,” Hunt 
said. “How did we fail this young woman? That is a bigger question that 
we need to ask ourselves as a culture.”Abortion opponents said questions 
about data privacy are a distraction from a possible crime. They said 
Tuesday that Nebraska’s abortion restrictions are working as intended.Sandy Danek, president of Nebraska 
Right to Life, applauded police and prosecutors for enforcing the 
20-week ban. Nothing, she said, will “remedy the tragedy of this event, 
where a baby has died and a mother is left with the wounds of abortion.”“Nebraskans
 should be appalled (by) the lack of dignity given to this baby’s body. 
All Nebraskans deserve a respectful burial,” Danek said. “We hope the 
authorities will further investigate the source of the chemical cocktail
 used to kill this preborn child.”Celeste, who is now 18, is being 
charged as an adult with removing, concealing or abandoning a human 
body, which is a felony, and with concealing the death of another person
 and false reporting, which are misdemeanors.Her mother has been charged with 
three felonies: performing an abortion after 20 weeks; performing an 
abortion as a non-doctor; and removing, concealing or abandoning a human
 body. She also faces two misdemeanors: concealing a death and false 
reporting.Police allege in court documents that
 both mother and daughter knew a drug being ordered online was intended 
to cause a miscarriage. The mother said she could not remember the name 
of the drug or what website she had ordered it from online.Here is what the documents say 
Celeste and her mother wrote to each other on Facebook Messenger in 
April. The exchange has been edited for brevity:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660141792171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Burgesses showed police where the fetus was buried, just outside 
of Norfolk. Authorities said in court documents that they recovered a 
fetus with evidence of “thermal injuries.”Both women have pleaded not guilty. 
The mother, in a financial statement she made when applying for a public
 defender, said she lost her job because of what happened.Local abortion rights advocates have been trying to help her hire a private lawyer.Abortion is legal in 27 states, 
ranging from until 15 weeks in Florida to being legal throughout 
pregnancy in Colorado and three other states. A dozen states, including 
Minnesota, allow abortions until fetal viability. Nebraska allows 
abortions up to 20 weeks. Abortion is illegal or soon to be illegal in 
16 states, including Oklahoma and South Dakota.&nbsp;U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., author 
of Nebraska’s 20-week ban, said the law recognizes late-term abortion as
 “especially cruel and inhumane.”Flood said he has “always supported 
commonsense restrictions on abortion.” He also has said he would support
 an outright ban on abortion in Nebraska and federally.&nbsp;His opponent in November’s general 
election, State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, worked with other 
Democrats this year to filibuster Republicans’ effort to pass a full 
ban.&nbsp;She had no immediate comment on the Madison County case.

Facebook data used to prosecute Neb. mother, daughter after alleged abortion

By GEMA DE LAS HERAS Federal Trade Commission

Sorry
 to burst your bubble. That unexpected text from the Postal Service 
(USPS), Costco, or The Home Depot telling you about an unclaimed package
 or a survey you can complete to claim a freebie is NOT from them. It’s 
a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams">scam</a>.

<a>The FTC has seen a spike in reports from people getting&nbsp;</a><a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/imposter-scams">text messages</a>&nbsp;that look like they’re from well-known names like USPS, Costco, or The Home Depot and others.&nbsp;<a>Spoiler alert: they’re from&nbsp;</a><a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/imposter-scams">impersonators</a>.
 The details vary, but the scammers are after the same thing: your money
 and your personal information.&nbsp;You may get a text from scammers 
pretending to be USPS and asking you to confirm your debit card details 
so you can get an undelivered package. Or you might get texts about a 
chance to win a free gift card or a power tool. To claim your “reward,” 
you’re told to click on the link, answer some questions, and pay for 
shipping. Don’t do it.

If you click on those links and submit your card information, you’ll ending up with nothing — but you’ll find&nbsp;<a></a><a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-youre-billed-things-you-never-got-or-you-get-unordered-products">unauthorized charges</a>&nbsp;posted to your account.

No matter what the unexpected text says, the advice is the same.

●Don’t click on links or respond to unexpected texts&nbsp;—
 including ones asking you to fill out surveys to get free items. If you
 think it could be legit, contact the company using a website or phone 
number you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text message.

●Don’t pay to get a package redelivered.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/smishing-package-tracking-text-scams">real USPS won’t contact you out of the blue</a>&nbsp;about
 a delivery (unless you submitted a request first and give a tracking 
number) — and they’ll never demand payment to redeliver a package.

Already paid or gave your information to a scammer? Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed">What to Do If You Were Scammed</a>&nbsp;to learn more about asking for a refund. And see what to do next if your identity has been stolen. &nbsp;

Have you spotted an impersonation scam?&nbsp;Report it at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

Read more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/02/help-ftc-get-money-back-people-who-experience-impersonator-fraud">FTC’s rulemaking proposal</a>&nbsp;to combat impersonation scams.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660012349842.png" alt="Image courtesy FTC" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy FTC</figcaption>
 </figure>By GEMA DE LAS HERAS Federal Trade CommissionSorry
 to burst your bubble. That unexpected text from the Postal Service 
(USPS), Costco, or The Home Depot telling you about an unclaimed package
 or a survey you can complete to claim a freebie is NOT from them. It’s 
a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams">scam</a>.<a>The FTC has seen a spike in reports from people getting&nbsp;</a><a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/imposter-scams">text messages</a>&nbsp;that look like they’re from well-known names like USPS, Costco, or The Home Depot and others.&nbsp;<a>Spoiler alert: they’re from&nbsp;</a><a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/imposter-scams">impersonators</a>.
 The details vary, but the scammers are after the same thing: your money
 and your personal information.&nbsp;You may get a text from scammers 
pretending to be USPS and asking you to confirm your debit card details 
so you can get an undelivered package. Or you might get texts about a 
chance to win a free gift card or a power tool. To claim your “reward,” 
you’re told to click on the link, answer some questions, and pay for 
shipping. Don’t do it.If you click on those links and submit your card information, you’ll ending up with nothing — but you’ll find&nbsp;<a></a><a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-youre-billed-things-you-never-got-or-you-get-unordered-products">unauthorized charges</a>&nbsp;posted to your account.No matter what the unexpected text says, the advice is the same.●Don’t click on links or respond to unexpected texts&nbsp;—
 including ones asking you to fill out surveys to get free items. If you
 think it could be legit, contact the company using a website or phone 
number you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text message.●Don’t pay to get a package redelivered.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/smishing-package-tracking-text-scams">real USPS won’t contact you out of the blue</a>&nbsp;about
 a delivery (unless you submitted a request first and give a tracking 
number) — and they’ll never demand payment to redeliver a package.Already paid or gave your information to a scammer? Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed">What to Do If You Were Scammed</a>&nbsp;to learn more about asking for a refund. And see what to do next if your identity has been stolen. &nbsp;Have you spotted an impersonation scam?&nbsp;Report it at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.Read more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/02/help-ftc-get-money-back-people-who-experience-impersonator-fraud">FTC’s rulemaking proposal</a>&nbsp;to combat impersonation scams.

FTC: Don’t click on that random text; It’s a scam

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump said in a lengthy statement Monday that the FBI was conducting a search of his Mar-a-Lago estate and asserted that agents had broken open a safe. A person familiar with the matter said the action was related to a probe of whether Trump had taken classified records from his White House tenure to his Florida residence.

The action, which the FBI and Justice Department did not immediately confirm, marks a dramatic escalation in law enforcement scrutiny of Trump and comes as he has been laying the groundwork to make another bid for president. Though a search warrant does not suggest that criminal charges are near or even expected, federal officials looking to obtain one must demonstrate that they have probable cause that a crime occurred.

“After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump said in his statement.

He added: "These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents. Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before.”

Justice Department spokesperson Dena Iverson declined to comment on the search, including about whether Attorney General Merrick Garland had personally authorized the search.

A person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the search happened earlier Monday and agents were also looking to see if Trump had additional presidential records or any classified documents at the estate.

The Justice Department has been investigating the presence of classified records inside 15 boxes that were retrieved from Mar-a-Lago by the National Archives and Records Administration earlier this year. The Archives then referred the matter to the Justice Department.

Federal law bars the removal of classified documents to unauthorized locations, though it is possible that Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.

There are multiple statutes governing classified information, including a law punishable by up to five years in prison that makes it a crime to remove such records and retain them at an unauthorized location. Another statute makes it a crime to mishandle classified records either intentionally or in a grossly negligent manner.

The probe is hardly the only legal headache confronting Trump. A separate investigation related to efforts by Trump and his allies to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol has also been intensifying in Washington.

And a district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia is investigation whether Trump and his close associates sought to interfere in that state's election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump said in a lengthy statement Monday that the FBI was conducting a search of his Mar-a-Lago estate and asserted that agents had broken open a safe. A person familiar with the matter said the action was related to a probe of whether Trump had taken classified records from his White House tenure to his Florida residence.The action, which the FBI and Justice Department did not immediately confirm, marks a dramatic escalation in law enforcement scrutiny of Trump and comes as he has been laying the groundwork to make another bid for president. Though a search warrant does not suggest that criminal charges are near or even expected, federal officials looking to obtain one must demonstrate that they have probable cause that a crime occurred.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660004033657.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate,” Trump said in his statement.He added: "These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents. Nothing like this has ever happened to a President of the United States before.”Justice Department spokesperson Dena Iverson declined to comment on the search, including about whether Attorney General Merrick Garland had personally authorized the search.A person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the search happened earlier Monday and agents were also looking to see if Trump had additional presidential records or any classified documents at the estate.The Justice Department has been investigating the presence of classified records inside 15 boxes that were retrieved from Mar-a-Lago by the National Archives and Records Administration earlier this year. The Archives then referred the matter to the Justice Department.Federal law bars the removal of classified documents to unauthorized locations, though it is possible that Trump could try to argue that, as president, he was the ultimate declassification authority.There are multiple statutes governing classified information, including a law punishable by up to five years in prison that makes it a crime to remove such records and retain them at an unauthorized location. Another statute makes it a crime to mishandle classified records either intentionally or in a grossly negligent manner.The probe is hardly the only legal headache confronting Trump. A separate investigation related to efforts by Trump and his allies to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol has also been intensifying in Washington.And a district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia is investigation whether Trump and his close associates sought to interfere in that state's election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump: FBI conducting search of his Mar-a-Lago estate

NEW YORK (AP) — Olivia Newton-John, the Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as “Physical” and “You’re the One That I Want” and won countless hearts as everyone’s favorite, Sandy, in the blockbuster film version of “Grease,” has died. She was 73.

Newton-John, a longtime resident of Australia whose sales topped 100 million albums, died Monday at her southern California ranch, John Easterling, her husband, wrote on Instagram and Facebook. “We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” the message said.

From 1973-83, Newton-John was among the world’s most popular entertainers. She had 14 top 10 singles just in the U.S., won four Grammys, starred with John Travolta in “Grease” and with Gene Kelly in “Xanadu.” The fast-stepping Travolta-Newton-John duet, “You’re the One That I Want,” was one of the era’s biggest songs and has sold more than 15 million copies.

“Physical,” the bouncy, R-rated smash released in 1981, was No. 1 for 10 weeks and was named Billboard’s song of the year despite being banned by some radio stations. An aerobics-friendly promotional clip, filmed in the early years of MTV, won a Grammy for best video.

Both musically and image-wise, she reinvented herself during those years. The blonde, ever-smiling Newton-John initially favored mild pop-country songs such as “Please Mr. Please” and “Have You Never Been Mellow” and soft-breathing ballads like “I Honestly Love You,” which in 1975 won Grammys for best female pop vocal and record of the year. But she picked up the tempo in “Grease,” especially after Sandy ditched her white sweaters and blouses for waist-high, black leather pants. “Physical” even made Newton-John blush as she told her would-be lover “There’s nothing left to talk about/Unless it’s horizontally” and finally called out “Let’s get animal! Animal!”

“I recorded it and then suddenly thought, ‘Goodness, maybe I’ve gone too far!’” she told Entertainment Weekly in 2017, recalling how the song had been suggested by manager Roger Davies. “I called Roger and said, ‘We’ve got to pull this song!’ He said, ‘It’s too late. It’s already gone to radio and it’s running up the charts.’ I was horrified!”

She had a few hits after “Physical,” but her career declined and Newton-John became more likely to make news because of her private life. In 1992, as she was preparing a concert tour, her father died and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her marriage to actor Matt Lattanzi, with whom she had a daughter, actor-singer Chloe Lattanzi, broke up in 1995 and a years-long relationship with cameraman Patrick McDermott ended mysteriously. McDermott went missing during a 2005 fishing trip in California and his fate remained unknown years later. Numerous reports alleged that he was living in Mexico, with a new girlfriend.

“He was lost at sea, and nobody really knows what happened,” Newton-John told Australia’s “60 Minutes” in 2016. “It’s human to wonder. But you know, those are the things in life you have to accept and let go. Because whenever you go through difficult times, there’s always those concerns.”

Newton-John’s recent albums included “Stronger Than Before”; a holiday collaboration with Travolta, “This Christmas,” and the autobiographical “Gaia: One Woman’s Journey,” inspired by her battle with cancer and by the loss of her father.

Newton-John married John Easterling, founder of the Amazon Herb Company, in 2008. She was involved in numerous charitable causes, serving as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme and as national spokeswoman for the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition. She also founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

Newton-John was the daughter of German literature professor Brin Newton-John and Irene Bron, whose father was Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Bron. The Newton-Johns moved to Australia when Olivia was 5, but she returned to England in her teens and lived with her mother after her parents broke up. She had early dreams of becoming a veterinarian but was winning singing contests in high school and before age 20 had toured army bases and clubs and recorded her first single, “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine.” In 1971, she covered Bob Dylan’s “If Not for You” and began a close partnership with a friend from Australia, John Farrar, who produced the song and later wrote “You’re the One That I Want,” “Magic” and several other hits for her.

She had loved country music, especially the records of “Tennessee” Ernie Ford, since childhood, but her early success didn’t impress critics or some fellow musicians. A Village Voice review likened her to a geisha who “makes her voice smaller than it really is just to please men.” When Newton-John beat out Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn for the Country Music Association’s top artist of 1973, Tammy Wynette helped founded the Association of Country Entertainers, a club designed to exclude Newton-John and other crossover performers.

But Newton-John had a show business admirer who with her became one of movies’ most unforgettable teams. Travolta had starred in the stage version of “Grease” and for the planned film thought Newton-John would be the “ultimate” Sandy, the nice girl who gets tough in the final act and gets her man.

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 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Olivia Newton-John, the Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as “Physical” and “You’re the One That I Want” and won countless hearts as everyone’s favorite, Sandy, in the blockbuster film version of “Grease,” has died. She was 73.Newton-John, a longtime resident of Australia whose sales topped 100 million albums, died Monday at her southern California ranch, John Easterling, her husband, wrote on Instagram and Facebook. “We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” the message said.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Folivianewtonjohn%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0G8HA6NM3od3k81eeTVFDfY1HPrmv3SpHL8h67hn5BJ81CrxvMHc2VKAvCacb5Aswl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="730" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>From 1973-83, Newton-John was among the world’s most popular entertainers. She had 14 top 10 singles just in the U.S., won four Grammys, starred with John Travolta in “Grease” and with Gene Kelly in “Xanadu.” The fast-stepping Travolta-Newton-John duet, “You’re the One That I Want,” was one of the era’s biggest songs and has sold more than 15 million copies.“Physical,” the bouncy, R-rated smash released in 1981, was No. 1 for 10 weeks and was named Billboard’s song of the year despite being banned by some radio stations. An aerobics-friendly promotional clip, filmed in the early years of MTV, won a Grammy for best video.Both musically and image-wise, she reinvented herself during those years. The blonde, ever-smiling Newton-John initially favored mild pop-country songs such as “Please Mr. Please” and “Have You Never Been Mellow” and soft-breathing ballads like “I Honestly Love You,” which in 1975 won Grammys for best female pop vocal and record of the year. But she picked up the tempo in “Grease,” especially after Sandy ditched her white sweaters and blouses for waist-high, black leather pants. “Physical” even made Newton-John blush as she told her would-be lover “There’s nothing left to talk about/Unless it’s horizontally” and finally called out “Let’s get animal! Animal!”“I recorded it and then suddenly thought, ‘Goodness, maybe I’ve gone too far!’” she told Entertainment Weekly in 2017, recalling how the song had been suggested by manager Roger Davies. “I called Roger and said, ‘We’ve got to pull this song!’ He said, ‘It’s too late. It’s already gone to radio and it’s running up the charts.’ I was horrified!”She had a few hits after “Physical,” but her career declined and Newton-John became more likely to make news because of her private life. In 1992, as she was preparing a concert tour, her father died and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her marriage to actor Matt Lattanzi, with whom she had a daughter, actor-singer Chloe Lattanzi, broke up in 1995 and a years-long relationship with cameraman Patrick McDermott ended mysteriously. McDermott went missing during a 2005 fishing trip in California and his fate remained unknown years later. Numerous reports alleged that he was living in Mexico, with a new girlfriend.“He was lost at sea, and nobody really knows what happened,” Newton-John told Australia’s “60 Minutes” in 2016. “It’s human to wonder. But you know, those are the things in life you have to accept and let go. Because whenever you go through difficult times, there’s always those concerns.”Newton-John’s recent albums included “Stronger Than Before”; a holiday collaboration with Travolta, “This Christmas,” and the autobiographical “Gaia: One Woman’s Journey,” inspired by her battle with cancer and by the loss of her father.Newton-John married John Easterling, founder of the Amazon Herb Company, in 2008. She was involved in numerous charitable causes, serving as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme and as national spokeswoman for the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition. She also founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia.Newton-John was the daughter of German literature professor Brin Newton-John and Irene Bron, whose father was Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Bron. The Newton-Johns moved to Australia when Olivia was 5, but she returned to England in her teens and lived with her mother after her parents broke up. She had early dreams of becoming a veterinarian but was winning singing contests in high school and before age 20 had toured army bases and clubs and recorded her first single, “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine.” In 1971, she covered Bob Dylan’s “If Not for You” and began a close partnership with a friend from Australia, John Farrar, who produced the song and later wrote “You’re the One That I Want,” “Magic” and several other hits for her.She had loved country music, especially the records of “Tennessee” Ernie Ford, since childhood, but her early success didn’t impress critics or some fellow musicians. A Village Voice review likened her to a geisha who “makes her voice smaller than it really is just to please men.” When Newton-John beat out Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn for the Country Music Association’s top artist of 1973, Tammy Wynette helped founded the Association of Country Entertainers, a club designed to exclude Newton-John and other crossover performers.But Newton-John had a show business admirer who with her became one of movies’ most unforgettable teams. Travolta had starred in the stage version of “Grease” and for the planned film thought Newton-John would be the “ultimate” Sandy, the nice girl who gets tough in the final act and gets her man.“I worried that at 29 I was too old to play a high school girl,” Newton-John, who insisted on taking a screen test before accepting the part, told The Telegraph in 2017. “Everything about making the film was fun, but if I had to pick a favorite moment, it was the transformation from what I call Sandy 1 to Sandy 2. I got to play a different character and wear different clothes, and when I put on that tight black outfit to sing ‘You’re the One That I Want,’ I got a very different reaction from the guys on the set.”She is survived by her husband; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; and several nieces and nephews.