ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say a longtime University of Michigan violin professor pleaded guilty to transporting an underage girl across states lines for sex back in 2002. 

The U.S. attorney’s office in Detroit said Tuesday that 68-year-old Stephen Shipps faces up to 15 years in prison when he’s sentenced. 

Shipps was indicted last year on charges alleging that he took a girl across state lines several times between February and July of 2002 with the intention of having sex with her. 

His arrest came two years after the university placed him on paid leave when former students accused him of sexual misconduct while he taught them in the 1970s and 1980s in Nebraska and North Carolina.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say a longtime University of Michigan violin professor pleaded guilty to transporting an underage girl across states lines for sex back in 2002. The U.S. attorney’s office in Detroit said Tuesday that 68-year-old Stephen Shipps faces up to 15 years in prison when he’s sentenced. Shipps was indicted last year on charges alleging that he took a girl across state lines several times between February and July of 2002 with the intention of having sex with her. His arrest came two years after the university placed him on paid leave when former students accused him of sexual misconduct while he taught them in the 1970s and 1980s in Nebraska and North Carolina.

Retired violin professor pleads guilty to child sex charges

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators have proposed suspending a Trump administration rule that would have allowed railroads to haul liquefied natural gas while they take a closer look at the potential safety risks. 

The rule, which was backed by both the natural gas and freight rail industries, had already been on hold because several environmental groups and 14 states filed lawsuits challenging it. 

In their lawsuit, environmental groups argued that those new railcars required by the rule were untested and might not withstand high-speed impacts, increasing the threat of an explosive train derailment along rail lines that cross directly through the heart of most cities.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators have proposed suspending a Trump administration rule that would have allowed railroads to haul liquefied natural gas while they take a closer look at the potential safety risks. The rule, which was backed by both the natural gas and freight rail industries, had already been on hold because several environmental groups and 14 states filed lawsuits challenging it. In their lawsuit, environmental groups argued that those new railcars required by the rule were untested and might not withstand high-speed impacts, increasing the threat of an explosive train derailment along rail lines that cross directly through the heart of most cities.

Regulators seek to suspend Trump rule on railway natural gas

Experts are predicting an earlier start to the 2021 holiday shopping 
season because of supply chain concerns and holiday hiring. This entices
 scammers to find ways to take advantage of the situation. According to 
the analysis of <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26013-online-purchase-scams-up-bbb-warns-holiday-shopping-is-at-risk" target="_blank">online purchase scam reports</a>
 submitted to BBB Scam Tracker, more than 400 different types of 
products were used by scammers to perpetrate fraud, including 
counterfeit products.

Scammers may capitalize on what people are looking for online, paying
 close attention to the most sought-after gifts such as electronics, 
toys, and other trendy gift items. Footwear and apparel were the most 
common counterfeit product types, with Nike the most impostered brand. 
Other top brands that scammers focus on, according to BBB research, 
include NFL clothing, Apple gadgets, Louis Vuitton handbags, Tiffany 
jewelry, LEGO toys, and 3M N95 masks.&nbsp;

Other items that scammers promote include luggage, collectibles, and 
medical/nutrition products. BBBs analysis also shows that pets and pet 
supplies are the riskiest online purchase scams, with 70% of people 
losing money, and a median dollar loss of $750. The French Bulldog was 
the top breed used to perpetuate puppy scams.

BBB offers the following tips on how to identify a potential online shopping scam:

To check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">reliability of a company</a>, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>.&nbsp;To report a scam, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.&nbsp;Find more <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">online holiday shopping tips</a> from BBB.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBExperts are predicting an earlier start to the 2021 holiday shopping 
season because of supply chain concerns and holiday hiring. This entices
 scammers to find ways to take advantage of the situation. According to 
the analysis of <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26013-online-purchase-scams-up-bbb-warns-holiday-shopping-is-at-risk" target="_blank">online purchase scam reports</a>
 submitted to BBB Scam Tracker, more than 400 different types of 
products were used by scammers to perpetrate fraud, including 
counterfeit products.Scammers may capitalize on what people are looking for online, paying
 close attention to the most sought-after gifts such as electronics, 
toys, and other trendy gift items. Footwear and apparel were the most 
common counterfeit product types, with Nike the most impostered brand. 
Other top brands that scammers focus on, according to BBB research, 
include NFL clothing, Apple gadgets, Louis Vuitton handbags, Tiffany 
jewelry, LEGO toys, and 3M N95 masks.&nbsp;Other items that scammers promote include luggage, collectibles, and 
medical/nutrition products. BBBs analysis also shows that pets and pet 
supplies are the riskiest online purchase scams, with 70% of people 
losing money, and a median dollar loss of $750. The French Bulldog was 
the top breed used to perpetuate puppy scams.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637159358617.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBB offers the following tips on how to identify a potential online shopping scam:<ul>
 <li>Watch for low-priced or mid-priced items, usually in the hundreds of
 dollar range for an item that is typically offered at a much higher 
price at a retailer.</li><li>Consumers expect quality from things like shoes, clothing, and 
jewelry. If an online search for these items comes up with a range of 
items between $100 to $300 and associated with a name brand or a popular
 luxury item versus a search using a designer name and presents a much 
higher priced result, chances are it is probably not the real product.</li><li>Read the website and look for grammatical errors. Typographical 
errors indicate the site was more than likely put together quickly.</li><li>Search for contact information. Search for a phone, email address, 
online chat function, and check to see if there is a brick-and-mortar 
address for the business.</li><li>Check BBB. If a business displays a BBB Accredited Business seal, verify its legitimacy by going to <a href="https://www.bbb.org" target="_blank">BBB.org </a>and looking up the company.</li>
 </ul>To check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">reliability of a company</a>, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>.&nbsp;To report a scam, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.&nbsp;Find more <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">online holiday shopping tips</a> from BBB.&nbsp;

Watch out for counterfeit items when shopping online this holiday season

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A second set of states has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.

he latest suit, dated Monday, was filed in&nbsp;Louisiana&nbsp;on behalf of 12 states and comes less than a week after another lawsuit challenging the rule was filed in&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;by a coalition of 10 states.

"The federal government will not impose medical tyranny on Louisiana’s people without my best fight," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a news release announcing the lawsuit.

Both lawsuits say the vaccine mandate threatens to drive away health care workers who refuse to get vaccinated at a time when such workers are badly needed. They also contend the rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services violates federal law and unconstitutionally encroaches on powers reserved to the states.

The Louisiana lawsuit quotes from Friday's order by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocking a broader Biden administration vaccine mandate that businesses with more than 100 workers require employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or wear masks and be tested weekly for COVID-19.

Borrowing language from the 5th Circuit, the Louisiana lawsuit calls the health care worker vaccine requirement a “one-size-fits-all” sledgehammer. In addition to Louisiana, the suit covers&nbsp;Montana,&nbsp;Arizona,&nbsp;Alabama,&nbsp;Georgia,&nbsp;Idaho,&nbsp;Indiana,&nbsp;Mississippi,&nbsp;Oklahoma,&nbsp;South Carolina,&nbsp;Utah&nbsp;and West&nbsp;Virginia.

The Missouri suit includes Kansas, Nebraska, Alaska,&nbsp;Arkansas,&nbsp;Iowa, New Hampshire,&nbsp;North Dakota,&nbsp;South Dakota&nbsp;and&nbsp;Wyoming.

The Biden administration has not yet filed responses in either of the suits.

The Louisiana-based lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, an appointee of President Donald Trump. Any appeals of a Doughty decision would go to the 5th Circuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637099598329.png" alt="Protesters on November 12 against the hospital vaccine mandate in Wichita-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Protesters on November 12 against the hospital vaccine mandate in Wichita-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A second set of states has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.he latest suit, dated Monday, was filed in&nbsp;Louisiana&nbsp;on behalf of 12 states and comes less than a week after another lawsuit challenging the rule was filed in&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;by a coalition of 10 states."The federal government will not impose medical tyranny on Louisiana’s people without my best fight," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a news release announcing the lawsuit.Both lawsuits say the vaccine mandate threatens to drive away health care workers who refuse to get vaccinated at a time when such workers are badly needed. They also contend the rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services violates federal law and unconstitutionally encroaches on powers reserved to the states.The Louisiana lawsuit quotes from Friday's order by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocking a broader Biden administration vaccine mandate that businesses with more than 100 workers require employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or wear masks and be tested weekly for COVID-19.Borrowing language from the 5th Circuit, the Louisiana lawsuit calls the health care worker vaccine requirement a “one-size-fits-all” sledgehammer. In addition to Louisiana, the suit covers&nbsp;Montana,&nbsp;Arizona,&nbsp;Alabama,&nbsp;Georgia,&nbsp;Idaho,&nbsp;Indiana,&nbsp;Mississippi,&nbsp;Oklahoma,&nbsp;South Carolina,&nbsp;Utah&nbsp;and West&nbsp;Virginia.The Missouri suit includes Kansas, Nebraska, Alaska,&nbsp;Arkansas,&nbsp;Iowa, New Hampshire,&nbsp;North Dakota,&nbsp;South Dakota&nbsp;and&nbsp;Wyoming.The Biden administration has not yet filed responses in either of the suits.The Louisiana-based lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, an appointee of President Donald Trump. Any appeals of a Doughty decision would go to the 5th Circuit.

2nd group of states challenges health worker vaccine mandate

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to federally decriminalize marijuana. It's a measure she says would give states freer rein to pass their own laws and regulations without fear of federal reprisals. 

The measure announced Monday was met immediately with criticism from conservatives in her home state, some of whom vowed opposition to any effort toward legalization. 

Mace says a half-dozen GOP House members would be cosponsors of the bill, which she says would aim to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol and prohibit its use for anyone under 21. 

It would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level but would not change local-level restrictions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620155146441.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to federally decriminalize marijuana. It's a measure she says would give states freer rein to pass their own laws and regulations without fear of federal reprisals. The measure announced Monday was met immediately with criticism from conservatives in her home state, some of whom vowed opposition to any effort toward legalization. Mace says a half-dozen GOP House members would be cosponsors of the bill, which she says would aim to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol and prohibit its use for anyone under 21. It would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level but would not change local-level restrictions.

GOP Rep. Mace's bill would federally decriminalize marijuana

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A second set of states has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. 

The suit filed in Louisiana on behalf of 12 states was dated Monday. It comes less than a week after another lawsuit challenging the rule was filed in Missouri by a coalition of 10 states. 

Both lawsuits say the rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services violates federal law and unconstitutionally encroaches on powers reserved to the states. 

In addition to Louisiana, the latest suit covers Montana, Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1633022671635.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A second set of states has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. The suit filed in Louisiana on behalf of 12 states was dated Monday. It comes less than a week after another lawsuit challenging the rule was filed in Missouri by a coalition of 10 states. Both lawsuits say the rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services violates federal law and unconstitutionally encroaches on powers reserved to the states. In addition to Louisiana, the latest suit covers Montana, Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia.

TAYLOR, Neb. (AP) — Investigators say a propane leak caused an explosion last month that leveled a vacant building in the small north-central Nebraska town of Taylor. 

No one was injured in the explosion that happened the afternoon Oct. 19 explosion. 

Loup County volunteer firefighters called to the town of fewer than 150 people found the shattered ruins of a vacant downtown building that had been converted into a home. 

The blast damaged the post office and a livestock barn on either side of the building and blew out windows for blocks around.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633366237911.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TAYLOR, Neb. (AP) — Investigators say a propane leak caused an explosion last month that leveled a vacant building in the small north-central Nebraska town of Taylor. No one was injured in the explosion that happened the afternoon Oct. 19 explosion. Loup County volunteer firefighters called to the town of fewer than 150 people found the shattered ruins of a vacant downtown building that had been converted into a home. The blast damaged the post office and a livestock barn on either side of the building and blew out windows for blocks around.

Investigators: Propane leak was cause of Taylor explosion

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced legislation Monday to federally decriminalize marijuana, a measure she said would give states freer rein to pass their own laws and regulations without fear of federal reprisals.

The measure, which Mace said she hoped would garner broad GOP support, was met immediately with criticism from conservatives in her home state, some of whom vowed opposition to any effort toward legalization.

In announcing the bill during a Washington news conference on Monday, Mace said a half-dozen GOP House members would be original co-sponsors of the bill, which she said would aim to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol and prohibit its use for anyone under 21 years of age.

The measure would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, an impediment cited in many states that have opted not to pursue legalization on their own. But it would not change local-level restrictions, meaning that states would still determine their own marijuana statutes.

“It protects each state’s unique laws and reforms,” Mace said. “It takes into account at the federal level that every state is different.”

American support for marijuana legalization has grown, underscoring a national shift as more states have embraced cannabis for medical or recreational use. According to&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/356939/support-legal-marijuana-holds-record-high.aspx" target="_blank">a Gallup survey conducted earlier this year,</a>&nbsp;more than two in three Americans supported legalizing marijuana, maintaining a record-high reached a year earlier.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 36 states and four territories allow medical cannabis use, while 18 states, two territories and the District of Columbia allow non-medical, adult use.

But in South Carolina, where lawmakers have only passed one marijuana-related bill, allowing prescriptions for products with CBD — a hemp component that alone does not cause a “high” — Mace swiftly drew criticism from some conservatives over her proposal.

Calling marijuana “the number one gateway drug to the exploding opioid crisis that is ravaging our state,” Dave Wilson, president of Palmetto Family, a conservative Christian lobbying organization, warned in a statement that efforts to decriminalize marijuana “will make this crisis exponentially worse.”

Winning back Mace’s 1st District was among South Carolina Republicans’ top priorities in 2020, with GOP Chairman Drew McKissick appearing alongside Mace the day after she defeated U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham.

But on Monday, McKissick swiftly released a statement rebuking Mace’s bill, not referencing her by name but saying the state GOP opposed “any effort to legalize, decriminalize the use of controlled substances, and that includes this bill.”

In his own campaign for South Carolina governor, Cunningham has already introduced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-marijuana-only-on-ap-8c3a1f6db3265e9eef2580461145a4bf">marijuana legalization proposal</a>&nbsp;of his own.

Mace’s proposal did garner support from some groups, like South Carolina’s arm of Americans for Prosperity, a political advocacy group funded by the Koch brothers, which lauded the effort as a “step in the right direction” for the leeway it would give states “to determine the best policies for cannabis governance in their states.”

The measure would tackle regulation of marijuana in three silos, giving the U.S. Department of Agriculture purview over growers, while the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would oversee the cannabis industry. Medical marijuana would be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, Mace said, adding that she would propose the drug be regulated similarly to alcohol.

It would also levy a 3% federal excise tax on all cannabis products, proceeds from which would go to small businesses, retraining law enforcement and mental health services, among other services. The measure would also expunge nonviolent, cannabis-only related offenses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637076720518.png" alt="In announcing the bill during a Washington news conference on Monday, Rep. Mace said a half-dozen GOP House members would be original co-sponsors of the bill, which she said would aim to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol and prohibit its use for anyone under 21 years of age.-photo courtesy office of Rep. Nancy Mace" />
 <figcaption>In announcing the bill during a Washington news conference on Monday, Rep. Mace said a half-dozen GOP House members would be original co-sponsors of the bill, which she said would aim to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol and prohibit its use for anyone under 21 years of age.-photo courtesy office of Rep. Nancy Mace</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced legislation Monday to federally decriminalize marijuana, a measure she said would give states freer rein to pass their own laws and regulations without fear of federal reprisals.The measure, which Mace said she hoped would garner broad GOP support, was met immediately with criticism from conservatives in her home state, some of whom vowed opposition to any effort toward legalization.In announcing the bill during a Washington news conference on Monday, Mace said a half-dozen GOP House members would be original co-sponsors of the bill, which she said would aim to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol and prohibit its use for anyone under 21 years of age.The measure would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, an impediment cited in many states that have opted not to pursue legalization on their own. But it would not change local-level restrictions, meaning that states would still determine their own marijuana statutes.“It protects each state’s unique laws and reforms,” Mace said. “It takes into account at the federal level that every state is different.”American support for marijuana legalization has grown, underscoring a national shift as more states have embraced cannabis for medical or recreational use. According to&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/356939/support-legal-marijuana-holds-record-high.aspx" target="_blank">a Gallup survey conducted earlier this year,</a>&nbsp;more than two in three Americans supported legalizing marijuana, maintaining a record-high reached a year earlier.According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 36 states and four territories allow medical cannabis use, while 18 states, two territories and the District of Columbia allow non-medical, adult use.But in South Carolina, where lawmakers have only passed one marijuana-related bill, allowing prescriptions for products with CBD — a hemp component that alone does not cause a “high” — Mace swiftly drew criticism from some conservatives over her proposal.Calling marijuana “the number one gateway drug to the exploding opioid crisis that is ravaging our state,” Dave Wilson, president of Palmetto Family, a conservative Christian lobbying organization, warned in a statement that efforts to decriminalize marijuana “will make this crisis exponentially worse.”Winning back Mace’s 1st District was among South Carolina Republicans’ top priorities in 2020, with GOP Chairman Drew McKissick appearing alongside Mace the day after she defeated U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham.But on Monday, McKissick swiftly released a statement rebuking Mace’s bill, not referencing her by name but saying the state GOP opposed “any effort to legalize, decriminalize the use of controlled substances, and that includes this bill.”In his own campaign for South Carolina governor, Cunningham has already introduced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-marijuana-only-on-ap-8c3a1f6db3265e9eef2580461145a4bf">marijuana legalization proposal</a>&nbsp;of his own.Mace’s proposal did garner support from some groups, like South Carolina’s arm of Americans for Prosperity, a political advocacy group funded by the Koch brothers, which lauded the effort as a “step in the right direction” for the leeway it would give states “to determine the best policies for cannabis governance in their states.”The measure would tackle regulation of marijuana in three silos, giving the U.S. Department of Agriculture purview over growers, while the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would oversee the cannabis industry. Medical marijuana would be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, Mace said, adding that she would propose the drug be regulated similarly to alcohol.It would also levy a 3% federal excise tax on all cannabis products, proceeds from which would go to small businesses, retraining law enforcement and mental health services, among other services. The measure would also expunge nonviolent, cannabis-only related offenses.

GOP Rep's bill would federally decriminalize marijuana

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp;investigating a fatal accident involving a 71-year-old man in a wheel chair released new details Tuesday morning.

Just before 8p.m. on Monday, police responded to an injury accident call in the 1900 block of North Hillside involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers located the victim who was in critical condition. Life-saving measures were attempted by fire and EMS personnel, however, he succumbed to his injures on the scene.

The investigation revealed a 27-year-old man was driving north on Hillside and the victim was crossing Hillside in a wheelchair from the west to the east in a non-activated crosswalk at Stadium and Hillside,&nbsp;northwest of the Wichita State University campus.

The 27-year-old driver not see the victim and struck him. The driver stayed at the scene and contacted 911 for emergency assistance.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Police have not released the victim's name.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man in a wheelchair has died after being hit by a car as he crossed a street in Wichita. Police say the crash happened around 8 p.m. Monday in a business district just northwest of the Wichita State University campus. 

Police say the man was crossing Hillside Street when a northbound car hit him. The man was declared dead at the scene. Police have not released the man's name, but say he was in his 60s. 

The driver of the car remained at the scene of the crash and is cooperating with police. Investigators are trying to determine whether the man killed was crossing the street outside of the designated crosswalk.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637068129713.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp;investigating a fatal accident involving a 71-year-old man in a wheel chair released new details Tuesday morning.Just before 8p.m. on Monday, police responded to an injury accident call in the 1900 block of North Hillside involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers located the victim who was in critical condition. Life-saving measures were attempted by fire and EMS personnel, however, he succumbed to his injures on the scene.The investigation revealed a 27-year-old man was driving north on Hillside and the victim was crossing Hillside in a wheelchair from the west to the east in a non-activated crosswalk at Stadium and Hillside,&nbsp;northwest of the Wichita State University campus.The 27-year-old driver not see the victim and struck him. The driver stayed at the scene and contacted 911 for emergency assistance.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Police have not released the victim's name.--------------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man in a wheelchair has died after being hit by a car as he crossed a street in Wichita. Police say the crash happened around 8 p.m. Monday in a business district just northwest of the Wichita State University campus. Police say the man was crossing Hillside Street when a northbound car hit him. The man was declared dead at the scene. Police have not released the man's name, but say he was in his 60s. The driver of the car remained at the scene of the crash and is cooperating with police. Investigators are trying to determine whether the man killed was crossing the street outside of the designated crosswalk.

Update: 71-year-old in wheelchair fatally hit by car near WSU campus

WASHINGTON
 — Over 2,500 criminal investigations, the identification of more than 
$10 billion from tax fraud and financial crimes, and a nearly 90% 
conviction rate are just a few highlights from the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3583.pdf">IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report</a>&nbsp;PDF.
 The report, released Thursday, details statistics, important 
partnerships and significant criminal enforcement actions from IRS-CI, 
the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, for the past fiscal year, 
which began October 1, 2020 and ended September 30, 2021.

"IRS-CI agents are the only federal law enforcement officers with the
 authority to investigate criminal violations of the U.S. tax code. 
Their work reinforces the backbone of our voluntary compliance tax 
system – a system that funds services and benefits for our nation, 
including defense, infrastructure and education," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig.

In fiscal year 2021, IRS-CI built upon its existing network of U.S. 
field offices and international attachés to combat financial crimes 
across the globe. The agency's alliance with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/joint-chiefs-of-global-tax-enforcement">Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5)</a>
 helped strengthen public-private partnerships with financial 
institutions and the Fin-Tech industry to deter and identify criminal 
activity. Additionally, IRS-CI established its first cyber attaché in 
The Hague, Netherlands, to proactively support cyber investigative needs
 in coordination with Europol.

"IRS-CI continues to lead tax and financial investigations here in 
the U.S. and across the globe," said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. "In fiscal 
year 2021, as we faced the second year of a global pandemic, our team of
 agents continued to overcome personal and professional challenges to 
target criminals who exploited the U.S. tax and financial systems for 
personal gain."

While IRS-CI agents spent most of their investigative man-hours, 
about 72%, investigating tax-related crimes like tax evasion and tax 
fraud during fiscal year 2021, they also made significant contributions 
to money laundering, narcotics trafficking, public corruption, terrorism
 and COVID-19 fraud investigations.

In April 2021, a dual Russian-Swedish national was arrested in Los 
Angeles on criminal charges related to his alleged operation of the 
longest-running bitcoin money laundering service on the darknet dubbed 
Bitcoin Fog. The bulk of cryptocurrency laundered through Bitcoin Fog 
came from darknet marketplaces and was tied to illegal narcotics, 
computer fraud and identity theft. This case marked the second U.S. 
prosecution of a cryptocurrency mixing service; both were investigated 
by IRS-CI.

The ringleader of a transnational criminal organization, with ties to
 the Sinaloa Cartel, operating in California and along the East Coast 
was sentenced to 33 years in prison in July 2021 for narcotics 
trafficking-related charges. The sentencing followed a multiagency 
operation dubbed Operation Cookout that netted 65 kilograms of illegal 
drugs, 24 firearms, more than $700,000 in cash and guilty pleas from 45 
defendants.

Numerous IRS-CI investigations resulted in individuals being 
sentenced for fraudulently obtaining small business relief loans under 
the CARES Act. One of those cases involved a Texas businessman who was 
sentenced in September 2021 to 31 months confinement and 36 months of 
supervised release after he created a scheme to fraudulently obtain more
 than $3.3 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans for personal 
use.

The report includes additional case examples for each U.S. field 
office, an overview of IRS-CI's international footprint, details about 
the specialized services provided by IRS-CI and investigative 
statistics, broken down by discipline, for fiscal year 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — Over 2,500 criminal investigations, the identification of more than 
$10 billion from tax fraud and financial crimes, and a nearly 90% 
conviction rate are just a few highlights from the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3583.pdf">IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report</a>&nbsp;PDF.
 The report, released Thursday, details statistics, important 
partnerships and significant criminal enforcement actions from IRS-CI, 
the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, for the past fiscal year, 
which began October 1, 2020 and ended September 30, 2021."IRS-CI agents are the only federal law enforcement officers with the
 authority to investigate criminal violations of the U.S. tax code. 
Their work reinforces the backbone of our voluntary compliance tax 
system – a system that funds services and benefits for our nation, 
including defense, infrastructure and education," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig.In fiscal year 2021, IRS-CI built upon its existing network of U.S. 
field offices and international attachés to combat financial crimes 
across the globe. The agency's alliance with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/joint-chiefs-of-global-tax-enforcement">Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5)</a>
 helped strengthen public-private partnerships with financial 
institutions and the Fin-Tech industry to deter and identify criminal 
activity. Additionally, IRS-CI established its first cyber attaché in 
The Hague, Netherlands, to proactively support cyber investigative needs
 in coordination with Europol."IRS-CI continues to lead tax and financial investigations here in 
the U.S. and across the globe," said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. "In fiscal 
year 2021, as we faced the second year of a global pandemic, our team of
 agents continued to overcome personal and professional challenges to 
target criminals who exploited the U.S. tax and financial systems for 
personal gain."While IRS-CI agents spent most of their investigative man-hours, 
about 72%, investigating tax-related crimes like tax evasion and tax 
fraud during fiscal year 2021, they also made significant contributions 
to money laundering, narcotics trafficking, public corruption, terrorism
 and COVID-19 fraud investigations.<h2>Case examples include:</h2>In April 2021, a dual Russian-Swedish national was arrested in Los 
Angeles on criminal charges related to his alleged operation of the 
longest-running bitcoin money laundering service on the darknet dubbed 
Bitcoin Fog. The bulk of cryptocurrency laundered through Bitcoin Fog 
came from darknet marketplaces and was tied to illegal narcotics, 
computer fraud and identity theft. This case marked the second U.S. 
prosecution of a cryptocurrency mixing service; both were investigated 
by IRS-CI.The ringleader of a transnational criminal organization, with ties to
 the Sinaloa Cartel, operating in California and along the East Coast 
was sentenced to 33 years in prison in July 2021 for narcotics 
trafficking-related charges. The sentencing followed a multiagency 
operation dubbed Operation Cookout that netted 65 kilograms of illegal 
drugs, 24 firearms, more than $700,000 in cash and guilty pleas from 45 
defendants.Numerous IRS-CI investigations resulted in individuals being 
sentenced for fraudulently obtaining small business relief loans under 
the CARES Act. One of those cases involved a Texas businessman who was 
sentenced in September 2021 to 31 months confinement and 36 months of 
supervised release after he created a scheme to fraudulently obtain more
 than $3.3 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans for personal 
use.The report includes additional case examples for each U.S. field 
office, an overview of IRS-CI's international footprint, details about 
the specialized services provided by IRS-CI and investigative 
statistics, broken down by discipline, for fiscal year 2021.

IRS: 90% conviction rate on $10B in tax and COVID frauds, cybercrime

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — Contempt charges have been dismissed for three supervisors in the U.S. Marshals Service for a series of events that began with a deputy marshal refusing to disclose her vaccination status while serving in federal court in Aberdeen. 

Federal Judge Charles Kornmann filed the charges after directing anybody in his courtroom to be vaccinated for COVID-19. When a deputy marshal refused to disclose her status during a proceeding last May, she was directed to leave the courtroom in Aberdeen. 

The Argus Leaders reports that upon the direction of her supervisors, she took the defendants with her in court out of the courthouse and the proceedings were held virtually. 

Kornmann filed charges that were dismissed by a Nebraska judge appointed to the case.

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — Contempt charges have been dismissed for three supervisors in the U.S. Marshals Service for a series of events that began with a deputy marshal refusing to disclose her vaccination status while serving in federal court in Aberdeen. Federal Judge Charles Kornmann filed the charges after directing anybody in his courtroom to be vaccinated for COVID-19. When a deputy marshal refused to disclose her status during a proceeding last May, she was directed to leave the courtroom in Aberdeen. The Argus Leaders reports that upon the direction of her supervisors, she took the defendants with her in court out of the courthouse and the proceedings were held virtually. Kornmann filed charges that were dismissed by a Nebraska judge appointed to the case.

Contempt charges dropped for 3 Marshals Service supervisors

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Marine from Nebraska who was killed in Afghanistan in a suicide bombing earlier this year was honored during the Omaha Lancers' Military Appreciation Night. 

WOWT reports that the family of Marine Cpl. Daegan Page was on hand Friday night to drop the puck for the start of the Lancers game against the Sioux Falls Stampede. 

Page was an avid hockey fan who played throughout his childhood and was a member of the 2016 state champion Westside Warriors hockey team. 

Page, of Omaha, was one of 13 U.S. service members killed Aug. 26 in the bombing at the Kabul airport, which also killed at least 169 Afghans.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Marine from Nebraska who was killed in Afghanistan in a suicide bombing earlier this year was honored during the Omaha Lancers' Military Appreciation Night. WOWT reports that the family of Marine Cpl. Daegan Page was on hand Friday night to drop the puck for the start of the Lancers game against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Page was an avid hockey fan who played throughout his childhood and was a member of the 2016 state champion Westside Warriors hockey team. Page, of Omaha, was one of 13 U.S. service members killed Aug. 26 in the bombing at the Kabul airport, which also killed at least 169 Afghans.

Marine killed in Afghanistan attack honored at Lancer's game

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-63.pdf">Notice 2021-63</a>&nbsp;PDF
 to make clear how the temporary 100% business deduction for food or 
beverages from restaurants applies to taxpayers properly applying the 
rules of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-19-48.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2019-48</a>&nbsp;PDF for using per diem rates.

Previously, the IRS issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-25.pdf">Notice 2021-25</a>&nbsp;PDF
 providing guidance under the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act
 of 2020, which added a temporary exception to the 50% limit on the 
amount that businesses may deduct for food or beverages. The temporary 
exception allows a 100% deduction for food or beverages from 
restaurants, as long as the expense is paid or incurred in 2021 or 2022.

For a taxpayer properly applying the rules of Revenue Procedure 
2019-48,&nbsp;Notice 2021-63 provides a special rule that allows the taxpayer
 to treat the full meal portion of a per diem rate or allowance as being
 attributable to food or beverages from a restaurant beginning January 
1, 2021, through December 31, 2022.

Taxpayers should refer to section 6.05 of Revenue Procedure 2019-48 
to determine the meal portion of a per diem rate or allowance paid or 
incurred.

More information for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-tax-relief-for-businesses-and-tax-exempt-entities">businesses seeking coronavirus-related tax relief</a> can be found at IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-63.pdf">Notice 2021-63</a>&nbsp;PDF
 to make clear how the temporary 100% business deduction for food or 
beverages from restaurants applies to taxpayers properly applying the 
rules of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-19-48.pdf">Revenue Procedure 2019-48</a>&nbsp;PDF for using per diem rates.Previously, the IRS issued <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-21-25.pdf">Notice 2021-25</a>&nbsp;PDF
 providing guidance under the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act
 of 2020, which added a temporary exception to the 50% limit on the 
amount that businesses may deduct for food or beverages. The temporary 
exception allows a 100% deduction for food or beverages from 
restaurants, as long as the expense is paid or incurred in 2021 or 2022.For a taxpayer properly applying the rules of Revenue Procedure 
2019-48,&nbsp;Notice 2021-63 provides a special rule that allows the taxpayer
 to treat the full meal portion of a per diem rate or allowance as being
 attributable to food or beverages from a restaurant beginning January 
1, 2021, through December 31, 2022.Taxpayers should refer to section 6.05 of Revenue Procedure 2019-48 
to determine the meal portion of a per diem rate or allowance paid or 
incurred.More information for <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-tax-relief-for-businesses-and-tax-exempt-entities">businesses seeking coronavirus-related tax relief</a> can be found at IRS.gov.

IRS clarifies rules for deducting business meals from taxes

BEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday hailed a virtual meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, saying they had a candid and constructive exchange that sent a strong signal to the world.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516101-1/president-biden-holds-virtual-meeting-president-china">Click here to watch</a> a portion of the virtual meeting

The positive description of the meeting came in sharp contrast to heated exchanges between the two nations earlier this year. The talks appeared to mark what both sides hoped would be a turnaround in relations, though major differences remain.

“If China-U.S. relations cannot return to the past, they should face the future,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.

The video conference between the two leaders and their senior aides lasted more than three hours and was their first formal meeting since Biden took office in January.

Facing domestic pressures at home, both Biden and Xi seemed determined to lower the temperature in what for both sides is their most significant — and frequently turbulent — relationship on the global stage.

“As I’ve said before, it seems to me our responsibility as leaders of China and the United States is to ensure that the competition between our countries does not veer into conflict, whether intended or unintended,” Biden told Xi at the start of their virtual meeting Monday. “Just simple, straightforward competition.”

The White House set low expectations for the meeting, and no major announcements or even a joint statement were delivered. Still, White House officials said the two leaders had a substantive exchange.

Xi greeted the U.S. president as his “old friend” and echoed Biden’s cordial tone in his own opening remarks, saying, “China and the United States need to increase communication and cooperation.”

However, Xi held a tough line on Taiwan, which Chinese officials had signaled would be a top issue for them at the talks. Tensions have heightened as the Chinese military has dispatched an increasing number of fighter jets near the self-ruled island, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

Xi blamed the tensions on Taiwan seeking to attain independence through reliance on the U.S. and some on the American side using Taiwan as a way to interefere in China, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

“This is extremely dangerous, it’s playing with fire, and they that play with fire will burn themselves,” Xi was quoted as saying by the agency.

Chinese military forces held exercises last week near Taiwan in response to a visit by a U.S. congressional delegation to the island.

The White House said Biden reiterated the U.S. will abide by the longstanding U.S. “One China” policy, which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei. But Biden also made clear the U.S. “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the White House said.

The relationship has had no shortage of tension since Biden strode into the White House in January and quickly criticized Beijing for human rights abuses against Uyghurs in northwest China, suppression of democratic protests in Hong Kong, military aggression against the self-ruled island of Taiwan and more. Xi’s deputies, meanwhile, have lashed out against the Biden White House for interfering in what they see as internal Chinese matters.

The White House in a statement said that Biden again raised concerns about China’s human rights practices, and made clear that he sought to “protect American workers and industries from the PRC’s unfair trade and economic practices.” The two also spoke about key regional challenges, including North Korea, Afghanistan and Iran.

As U.S.-China tensions have mounted, both leaders also have found themselves under the weight of increased challenges in their own backyards.

Biden, who has watched his poll numbers diminish amid concerns about the lingering coronavirus pandemic, inflation and supply chain problems, was looking to find a measure of equilibrium on the most consequential foreign policy matter he faces.

Xi, meanwhile, is facing a COVID-19 resurgence, rampant energy shortages, and a looming housing crisis that Biden officials worry could cause tremors in the global market.

“Right now, both China and the United States are at critical stages of development, and humanity lives in a global village, and we face multiple challenges together,” Xi said.

The U.S. president was joined in the Roosevelt Room for the video call by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and a handful of aides. Xi, for his part, was accompanied in the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People by communist party director Ding Xuexiang and a number of advisers.

The high-level diplomacy had a touch of pandemic Zoom meeting informality as the two leaders waved to each other once they saw one another on the screen, with Xi telling Biden, “It’s the first time for us to meet virtually, although it’s not as good as a face-to-face meeting.”

Biden would have preferred to meet Xi in person, but the Chinese leader has not left his country since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The White House floated the idea of a virtual meeting as the next best thing to allow for the two leaders to have a candid conversation about a wide range of strains in the relationship.

With Beijing set to host the Winter Olympics in February and Xi expected to be approved by Communist Party leaders to serve as party leader next year and then a third term as president in 2023 — unprecedented in recent Chinese history — the Chinese leader may be looking to stabilize the relationship in the near term.

Both leaders gave nods to their history with the other. Biden noted that the two have spent an “awful ... lot of time” speaking to each other over the years, and have never walked away “wondering what the other man is thinking.”

But the public warmth — Xi referred to Biden as his “old friend” when the then-vice president visited China in 2013, while Biden spoke of their “friendship” — has cooled now that both men are heads of state. Biden bristled in June when asked by a reporter if he would press his old friend to cooperate with a World Health Organization investigation into the coronavirus origins.

Xi, however, seemed interested in publicly reviving the warmth of the earlier days of their relationship, saying, “I am very happy to see my old friend.”

Despite the tensions, there have been moments of progress in the U.S.-China relationship over the past months.

Last week, the two countries pledged at U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, to increase their cooperation and speed up action to rein in climate-damaging emissions.

The White House has said it views cooperation on climate change as something in China’s interest, something the two nations should cooperate on despite differences on other aspects of the relationship.

“None of this is a favor to either of our countries — what we do for one another — but it’s just responsible world leadership,” Biden told Xi. “You’re a major world leader, and so is the United States.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637027480993.png" alt="The White House set low expectations for the meeting, and no major announcements or even a joint statement were delivered-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The White House set low expectations for the meeting, and no major announcements or even a joint statement were delivered-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday hailed a virtual meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, saying they had a candid and constructive exchange that sent a strong signal to the world.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516101-1/president-biden-holds-virtual-meeting-president-china">Click here to watch</a> a portion of the virtual meetingThe positive description of the meeting came in sharp contrast to heated exchanges between the two nations earlier this year. The talks appeared to mark what both sides hoped would be a turnaround in relations, though major differences remain.“If China-U.S. relations cannot return to the past, they should face the future,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.The video conference between the two leaders and their senior aides lasted more than three hours and was their first formal meeting since Biden took office in January.Facing domestic pressures at home, both Biden and Xi seemed determined to lower the temperature in what for both sides is their most significant — and frequently turbulent — relationship on the global stage.“As I’ve said before, it seems to me our responsibility as leaders of China and the United States is to ensure that the competition between our countries does not veer into conflict, whether intended or unintended,” Biden told Xi at the start of their virtual meeting Monday. “Just simple, straightforward competition.”The White House set low expectations for the meeting, and no major announcements or even a joint statement were delivered. Still, White House officials said the two leaders had a substantive exchange.Xi greeted the U.S. president as his “old friend” and echoed Biden’s cordial tone in his own opening remarks, saying, “China and the United States need to increase communication and cooperation.”However, Xi held a tough line on Taiwan, which Chinese officials had signaled would be a top issue for them at the talks. Tensions have heightened as the Chinese military has dispatched an increasing number of fighter jets near the self-ruled island, which Beijing considers part of its territory.Xi blamed the tensions on Taiwan seeking to attain independence through reliance on the U.S. and some on the American side using Taiwan as a way to interefere in China, the official Xinhua News Agency said.“This is extremely dangerous, it’s playing with fire, and they that play with fire will burn themselves,” Xi was quoted as saying by the agency.Chinese military forces held exercises last week near Taiwan in response to a visit by a U.S. congressional delegation to the island.The White House said Biden reiterated the U.S. will abide by the longstanding U.S. “One China” policy, which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei. But Biden also made clear the U.S. “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the White House said.The relationship has had no shortage of tension since Biden strode into the White House in January and quickly criticized Beijing for human rights abuses against Uyghurs in northwest China, suppression of democratic protests in Hong Kong, military aggression against the self-ruled island of Taiwan and more. Xi’s deputies, meanwhile, have lashed out against the Biden White House for interfering in what they see as internal Chinese matters.The White House in a statement said that Biden again raised concerns about China’s human rights practices, and made clear that he sought to “protect American workers and industries from the PRC’s unfair trade and economic practices.” The two also spoke about key regional challenges, including North Korea, Afghanistan and Iran.As U.S.-China tensions have mounted, both leaders also have found themselves under the weight of increased challenges in their own backyards.Biden, who has watched his poll numbers diminish amid concerns about the lingering coronavirus pandemic, inflation and supply chain problems, was looking to find a measure of equilibrium on the most consequential foreign policy matter he faces.Xi, meanwhile, is facing a COVID-19 resurgence, rampant energy shortages, and a looming housing crisis that Biden officials worry could cause tremors in the global market.“Right now, both China and the United States are at critical stages of development, and humanity lives in a global village, and we face multiple challenges together,” Xi said.The U.S. president was joined in the Roosevelt Room for the video call by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and a handful of aides. Xi, for his part, was accompanied in the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People by communist party director Ding Xuexiang and a number of advisers.The high-level diplomacy had a touch of pandemic Zoom meeting informality as the two leaders waved to each other once they saw one another on the screen, with Xi telling Biden, “It’s the first time for us to meet virtually, although it’s not as good as a face-to-face meeting.”Biden would have preferred to meet Xi in person, but the Chinese leader has not left his country since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The White House floated the idea of a virtual meeting as the next best thing to allow for the two leaders to have a candid conversation about a wide range of strains in the relationship.With Beijing set to host the Winter Olympics in February and Xi expected to be approved by Communist Party leaders to serve as party leader next year and then a third term as president in 2023 — unprecedented in recent Chinese history — the Chinese leader may be looking to stabilize the relationship in the near term.Both leaders gave nods to their history with the other. Biden noted that the two have spent an “awful ... lot of time” speaking to each other over the years, and have never walked away “wondering what the other man is thinking.”But the public warmth — Xi referred to Biden as his “old friend” when the then-vice president visited China in 2013, while Biden spoke of their “friendship” — has cooled now that both men are heads of state. Biden bristled in June when asked by a reporter if he would press his old friend to cooperate with a World Health Organization investigation into the coronavirus origins.Xi, however, seemed interested in publicly reviving the warmth of the earlier days of their relationship, saying, “I am very happy to see my old friend.”Despite the tensions, there have been moments of progress in the U.S.-China relationship over the past months.Last week, the two countries pledged at U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, to increase their cooperation and speed up action to rein in climate-damaging emissions.The White House has said it views cooperation on climate change as something in China’s interest, something the two nations should cooperate on despite differences on other aspects of the relationship.“None of this is a favor to either of our countries — what we do for one another — but it’s just responsible world leadership,” Biden told Xi. “You’re a major world leader, and so is the United States.”___

🎥 Biden and Xi meet virtually as US-China tensions grow

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some retailers started <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/23228-bbb-business-tip-get-your-business-ready-for-the-holidays" target="_blank">turning to outdoor pop-up shops</a>
 and, while in-store shopping is back, the pop-ups are not likely to go 
away yet. These temporary storefronts allow shoppers to avoid enclosed 
spaces while still getting to browse in-person. Indoor pop-up shops 
allow landlords look to fill vacant retail space in downtown areas and suburban malls.

The Better Business Bureau receives hundreds of complaints a year about temporary retail locations, reporting everything from poor quality merchandise to difficulty obtaining refunds after temporary stores have closed their doors. Pop-up shops can be fun, but keep the following BBB tips in mind if you choose to buy from one of them:&nbsp; Research store headquarters.&nbsp;If
 you are interested in trying a new or unfamiliar online merchant, ask 
the company for its physical location (address and phone number) so you 
can check its BBB Business Profile at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bbb.org/" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>. Ask how long a store will operate.&nbsp;If
 you are buying from a seasonal store, ask whether it will be open after
 the holiday and whether it will accept returns when the season is over.
 If not, consider buying elsewhere or taking more time to be sure the 
item is exactly what you want before making the purchase.&nbsp; Review purchase policies.&nbsp;Determine
 the company's refund and return policies before you buy. If pop-up 
shops cannot offer concrete commitments on how they will handle any 
potential problems you may have with their products or services, 
reconsider doing business with them.&nbsp; Shop around.
 Pop-ups often focus on unique or high-quality gifts that you may not 
find elsewhere, but some are simply mini versions of discount retailers,
 offering holiday-themed goods that may be available for less at a 
traditional retailer.&nbsp; Pay attention to quality.
 Occasionally, pop-ups sell counterfeit products, so be cautious when 
purchasing designer goods or that latest “must have” gifts. Prices that 
are dramatically lower than regular retail stores may be a red flag that
 the items are either stolen or counterfeit.&nbsp; Know the terms of any product or service guarantees.&nbsp;If
 you are purchasing anything that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, 
ask how you will be able to get the product serviced if needed.&nbsp; Guard your personal information.
 For small items, you might be better off paying in cash so you don’t 
have to share any personal information. Just be sure you understand that
 you probably won’t have any recourse if something is not right. For 
larger items, paying with a credit card can provide additional 
protections if there are problems and the retailer disappears. Make sure
 you hang on to the receipt to match it against your credit card 
statement. Consider whether the gift is for a hard-to-please recipient.
 If you are planning a gift for someone who might need or want to return
 it, consider buying from a retailer with a long-standing business, 
strong reputation, and well-established return policies, instead of a 
pop-up shop.&nbsp; Whenever possible, ask for a gift receipt that would make a
 return or exchange easier, if necessary.

Thanks to BBB of Eastern North Carolina and BBB Metro New York for their contribution to this tip.

For more holiday tips, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/holiday-tips/" target="_blank">BBB Holiday Tips page</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, some retailers started <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/23228-bbb-business-tip-get-your-business-ready-for-the-holidays" target="_blank">turning to outdoor pop-up shops</a>
 and, while in-store shopping is back, the pop-ups are not likely to go 
away yet. These temporary storefronts allow shoppers to avoid enclosed 
spaces while still getting to browse in-person. Indoor pop-up shops 
allow landlords look to fill vacant retail space in downtown areas and suburban malls. The Better Business Bureau receives hundreds of complaints a year about temporary retail locations, reporting everything from poor quality merchandise to difficulty obtaining refunds after temporary stores have closed their doors. Pop-up shops can be fun, but keep the following BBB tips in mind if you choose to buy from one of them:&nbsp; Research store headquarters.&nbsp;If
 you are interested in trying a new or unfamiliar online merchant, ask 
the company for its physical location (address and phone number) so you 
can check its BBB Business Profile at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bbb.org/" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>. Ask how long a store will operate.&nbsp;If
 you are buying from a seasonal store, ask whether it will be open after
 the holiday and whether it will accept returns when the season is over.
 If not, consider buying elsewhere or taking more time to be sure the 
item is exactly what you want before making the purchase.&nbsp; Review purchase policies.&nbsp;Determine
 the company's refund and return policies before you buy. If pop-up 
shops cannot offer concrete commitments on how they will handle any 
potential problems you may have with their products or services, 
reconsider doing business with them.&nbsp; Shop around.
 Pop-ups often focus on unique or high-quality gifts that you may not 
find elsewhere, but some are simply mini versions of discount retailers,
 offering holiday-themed goods that may be available for less at a 
traditional retailer.&nbsp; Pay attention to quality.
 Occasionally, pop-ups sell counterfeit products, so be cautious when 
purchasing designer goods or that latest “must have” gifts. Prices that 
are dramatically lower than regular retail stores may be a red flag that
 the items are either stolen or counterfeit.&nbsp; Know the terms of any product or service guarantees.&nbsp;If
 you are purchasing anything that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty, 
ask how you will be able to get the product serviced if needed.&nbsp; Guard your personal information.
 For small items, you might be better off paying in cash so you don’t 
have to share any personal information. Just be sure you understand that
 you probably won’t have any recourse if something is not right. For 
larger items, paying with a credit card can provide additional 
protections if there are problems and the retailer disappears. Make sure
 you hang on to the receipt to match it against your credit card 
statement. Consider whether the gift is for a hard-to-please recipient.
 If you are planning a gift for someone who might need or want to return
 it, consider buying from a retailer with a long-standing business, 
strong reputation, and well-established return policies, instead of a 
pop-up shop.&nbsp; Whenever possible, ask for a gift receipt that would make a
 return or exchange easier, if necessary.Thanks to BBB of Eastern North Carolina and BBB Metro New York for their contribution to this tip.For more holiday tips, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/holiday-tips/" target="_blank">BBB Holiday Tips page</a>.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Tips for dealing with, shopping at holiday pop-up shops


On
October 20, 2021, Matt Tibbels, age 58, of Lincoln, NE was charged
with receipt of child pornography and possession of child
pornography.

The
FBI Omaha field office is seeking the public's help in identifying
potential victims who attended Theresa Tibbels’ Daycare from 1989
to present. The daycare is in Lincoln, NE.

If
you have information about this ongoing investigation or believe your
child or other children may have been victimized by Matt Tibbels,
please go to <a href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fbi.gov%2FMatthewAllenTibbels&amp;data=04%7C01%7CAEADAMS%40fbi.gov%7C6175b91631fd4b32072c08d9a874d070%7C022914a9b95f4b7bbace551ce1a04071%7C0%7C0%7C637726041924283749%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=qA%2F0C1qJ40lWuxv5qIYE2pcVHIoZI4KTopT12V%2FGsG0%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.fbi.gov/MatthewAllenTibbels</a>&nbsp;or
call the FBI Omaha field office at 402-493-8688.

The
FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes it
investigates. Victims may be eligible for certain services,
restitution, and rights under federal and/or state law.

News Release FBI Omaha
On
October 20, 2021, Matt Tibbels, age 58, of Lincoln, NE was charged
with receipt of child pornography and possession of child
pornography.The
FBI Omaha field office is seeking the public's help in identifying
potential victims who attended Theresa Tibbels’ Daycare from 1989
to present. The daycare is in Lincoln, NE.
If
you have information about this ongoing investigation or believe your
child or other children may have been victimized by Matt Tibbels,
please go to <a href="https://usg02.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fbi.gov%2FMatthewAllenTibbels&amp;data=04%7C01%7CAEADAMS%40fbi.gov%7C6175b91631fd4b32072c08d9a874d070%7C022914a9b95f4b7bbace551ce1a04071%7C0%7C0%7C637726041924283749%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=qA%2F0C1qJ40lWuxv5qIYE2pcVHIoZI4KTopT12V%2FGsG0%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.fbi.gov/MatthewAllenTibbels</a>&nbsp;or
call the FBI Omaha field office at 402-493-8688.The
FBI is legally mandated to identify victims of federal crimes it
investigates. Victims may be eligible for certain services,
restitution, and rights under federal and/or state law.

FBI Omaha seeks help identifying child pornography victims

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed his $1 trillion infrastructure deal into law Monday on the White House lawn, hailing it as an example of what bipartisanship can achieve.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516100-1/president-biden-signs-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill&amp;live">Click here </a>to watch the President's comments

The president hopes to use the law to build back his popularity and says it will deliver jobs, clean water, high-speed internet and a clean energy future. Support for Biden has taken a hit amid rising inflation and the inability to fully shake the public health and economic risks from COVID-19.

A smattering of Republican lawmakers were on hand for what might be one the last celebratory displays of bipartisanship ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

“My message to the American people is this: America is moving again and your life is going to change for the better,” Biden said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637009964663.png" alt="President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embrace ahead of Monday's bill signing-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embrace ahead of Monday's bill signing-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed his $1 trillion infrastructure deal into law Monday on the White House lawn, hailing it as an example of what bipartisanship can achieve.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?516100-1/president-biden-signs-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill&amp;live">Click here </a>to watch the President's commentsThe president hopes to use the law to build back his popularity and says it will deliver jobs, clean water, high-speed internet and a clean energy future. Support for Biden has taken a hit amid rising inflation and the inability to fully shake the public health and economic risks from COVID-19.A smattering of Republican lawmakers were on hand for what might be one the last celebratory displays of bipartisanship ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637013446903.png" alt="Photo courtesy White. House" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy White. House</figcaption>
 </figure>“My message to the American people is this: America is moving again and your life is going to change for the better,” Biden said.

🎥 Pres. Biden signs $1T infrastructure plan into law

KANSAS CITY (AP) — In Kansas City, Kansas, educators are opening an after-school mental health clinic staffed with school counselors and social workers. Schools in Paterson, New Jersey, have set up social emotional learning teams to identify students dealing with crises. Chicago is staffing up “care teams” with the mission of helping struggling students on its 500-plus campuses.

With a windfall of federal coronavirus relief money at hand, schools across the U.S. are using portions to quickly expand their capacity to address students’ struggles with mental health.

While school districts have broad latitude on how to spend the aid money, the urgency of the problem has been driven home by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/2021/9/27/22691601/student-behavior-stress-trauma-return" target="_blank">absenteeism, behavioral issues, and quieter signs of distress&nbsp;</a>as many students have returned to school buildings this fall for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

For some school systems, the money has boosted long-standing work to help students cope with trauma. Others have launched new efforts to screen, counsel and treat students. All told, the investments put public schools more than ever at the center of efforts to attend to students’ overall well-being.

“In the last recession, with the last big chunk of recovery money, this conversation wasn’t happening,” said Amanda Fitzgerald, the assistant director of the American School Counselor Association. “Now, the tone across the country is very focused on the well-being of students.”

Last month, three major pediatric groups said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-cf6997107e7991393c70dd62ddbd196e">the state of children’s mental health&nbsp;</a>should be considered a national emergency. The U.S. Education Department has pointed to the distribution of the relief money as an opportunity to rethink how schools provide mental health support. Mental well-being, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has said, needs to be the foundation for the recovery from the pandemic.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemic-aid-public-school-funding-346d3d4b86f904184e357c34c9754800">pandemic relief to schools totals $190 billion</a>, more than four times the amount the Education Department typically spends on K-12 schools annually. Mental health investments have gone into staff training, wellness screenings and curriculum dedicated to social-emotional learning.

Still, questions remain over how schools will find ways to make the benefits last beyond the one-time infusion of money, handle privacy concerns, and track the effectiveness of their efforts. The implementation worries Katie Dockweiler, a school psychologist in Nevada who sits on the state board of education.

“Not all programs are created equal,” she said. “It really comes down to how it’s implemented, school by school. And there’s great variability there.”

She said districts should develop ways of tracking the impact on students: “Otherwise, we’re just throwing our money away.”

At the top of the list for many districts has been hiring new mental health specialists. When the National Association of School Psychologists surveyed members this fall, more than half of respondents said their districts intended to add social workers, psychologists, or counselors, according to policy director Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach.

With $9.5 million from federal relief funding and outside grant money, Paterson schools added five behavioral analysts, two substance abuse coordinators, and the teams to spot students going through crises.

In Paterson, one of the lowest-income parts of New Jersey, many of the 25,000 students faced food insecurity before the pandemic and struggled after family members lost jobs, Superintendent Eileen Shafer said.

“We wanted to make sure before we try to teach anything new, that we’re able to deal with where our children are right now based on what they’ve been through,” she said.

In rural Ellicottville, New York, where school psychologist Joe Prior is seeing more anxiety and a “significant increase” in panic attacks, the district wants to use rescue funds to hire a counselor to connect students with psychological help. But the position remains unfilled, as few expressed interest.

“I have more students just looking me in the eye and saying ‘I’m completely overwhelmed and I’m not sure how to handle it,’” Ellicottville high school principal Erich Ploetz said.

It’s not the only district where ambitions for hiring have outstripped the number of available professionals. Some districts have turned to outside vendors to help fill mental health positions, while others are training existing staff.

The Kansas City, Kansas, school system is using some of the $918,000 in relief money dedicated to mental health to pay social workers and counselors already on staff to work at the new after-school clinic. The district also has added staff and mental health screenings.

Angela Dunn, who leads the 22,000-student district’s mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, said the mental health team has responded to 27 student deaths and 16 staff deaths since the pandemic started, double what is typical during that period. She said a handful of staff members died of COVID-19, but many of the others were homicides, suicides and overdoses.

The investments by schools in student mental health services have raised some privacy concerns, especially where schools are now monitoring student computers for distress signals or administering mental health screenings to all students. But the idea that it’s not the place of schools to involve themselves at all has receded.

“We just recognized that students are comfortable seeking help in a school setting,” Dunn said.

Chicago, the nation’s third-largest school district, unveiled a “healing plan” for students, using $24 million of its $2.6 billion in stimulus funds.

Over three years, the district will expand “care teams” — building staff who serve as the frontline response for struggling students — to each campus. The goal is to reach 200 schools by spring.

High school principal Angélica Altamirano used some of that funding to open a space outfitted with cozy furniture and a hand-me-down air hockey table. Already, the campus center has offered grief groups for students whose family members or friends have died and helped teachers dealing with burnout.

In Topeka, Kansas, $100,000 was budgeted for calming items and staff for sensory rooms, including one at Quincy Elementary. When students get so frustrated that they put their heads down on their desk, or wander into the hallway or cry, teachers can send them to the Roadrunner Room. There, they can climb into a tent and snuggle under a weighted blanket, put a puzzle together, play with sand or build with Legos.

Dean of students Andrea Keck has watched the room become a go-to place for one student to work out frustrations.

“She can journal it, get her hair put up, whatever she needs, and then she is successful the rest of the day,” said Keck, who oversees the room.

In Detroit, the district is spending $34 million on mental health initiatives, including screening students, expanding help from outside mental health providers, and offering extra support to parents.

On a recent Wednesday, that meant an hourlong meditation session for parents at a local coffee shop. One attendee worried her own stress was affecting her son’s ability to learn.

“As a community we have all been through something,” said Sharlonda Buckman, an assistant superintendent who participated in the session. “Part of recovery has to be some intentional work in spaces like this, so we can be there for our kids.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) — In Kansas City, Kansas, educators are opening an after-school mental health clinic staffed with school counselors and social workers. Schools in Paterson, New Jersey, have set up social emotional learning teams to identify students dealing with crises. Chicago is staffing up “care teams” with the mission of helping struggling students on its 500-plus campuses.With a windfall of federal coronavirus relief money at hand, schools across the U.S. are using portions to quickly expand their capacity to address students’ struggles with mental health.While school districts have broad latitude on how to spend the aid money, the urgency of the problem has been driven home by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/2021/9/27/22691601/student-behavior-stress-trauma-return" target="_blank">absenteeism, behavioral issues, and quieter signs of distress&nbsp;</a>as many students have returned to school buildings this fall for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit.For some school systems, the money has boosted long-standing work to help students cope with trauma. Others have launched new efforts to screen, counsel and treat students. All told, the investments put public schools more than ever at the center of efforts to attend to students’ overall well-being.“In the last recession, with the last big chunk of recovery money, this conversation wasn’t happening,” said Amanda Fitzgerald, the assistant director of the American School Counselor Association. “Now, the tone across the country is very focused on the well-being of students.”Last month, three major pediatric groups said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-cf6997107e7991393c70dd62ddbd196e">the state of children’s mental health&nbsp;</a>should be considered a national emergency. The U.S. Education Department has pointed to the distribution of the relief money as an opportunity to rethink how schools provide mental health support. Mental well-being, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has said, needs to be the foundation for the recovery from the pandemic.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemic-aid-public-school-funding-346d3d4b86f904184e357c34c9754800">pandemic relief to schools totals $190 billion</a>, more than four times the amount the Education Department typically spends on K-12 schools annually. Mental health investments have gone into staff training, wellness screenings and curriculum dedicated to social-emotional learning.Still, questions remain over how schools will find ways to make the benefits last beyond the one-time infusion of money, handle privacy concerns, and track the effectiveness of their efforts. The implementation worries Katie Dockweiler, a school psychologist in Nevada who sits on the state board of education.“Not all programs are created equal,” she said. “It really comes down to how it’s implemented, school by school. And there’s great variability there.”She said districts should develop ways of tracking the impact on students: “Otherwise, we’re just throwing our money away.”At the top of the list for many districts has been hiring new mental health specialists. When the National Association of School Psychologists surveyed members this fall, more than half of respondents said their districts intended to add social workers, psychologists, or counselors, according to policy director Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach.With $9.5 million from federal relief funding and outside grant money, Paterson schools added five behavioral analysts, two substance abuse coordinators, and the teams to spot students going through crises.In Paterson, one of the lowest-income parts of New Jersey, many of the 25,000 students faced food insecurity before the pandemic and struggled after family members lost jobs, Superintendent Eileen Shafer said.“We wanted to make sure before we try to teach anything new, that we’re able to deal with where our children are right now based on what they’ve been through,” she said.In rural Ellicottville, New York, where school psychologist Joe Prior is seeing more anxiety and a “significant increase” in panic attacks, the district wants to use rescue funds to hire a counselor to connect students with psychological help. But the position remains unfilled, as few expressed interest.“I have more students just looking me in the eye and saying ‘I’m completely overwhelmed and I’m not sure how to handle it,’” Ellicottville high school principal Erich Ploetz said.It’s not the only district where ambitions for hiring have outstripped the number of available professionals. Some districts have turned to outside vendors to help fill mental health positions, while others are training existing staff.The Kansas City, Kansas, school system is using some of the $918,000 in relief money dedicated to mental health to pay social workers and counselors already on staff to work at the new after-school clinic. The district also has added staff and mental health screenings.Angela Dunn, who leads the 22,000-student district’s mental health and suicide prevention initiatives, said the mental health team has responded to 27 student deaths and 16 staff deaths since the pandemic started, double what is typical during that period. She said a handful of staff members died of COVID-19, but many of the others were homicides, suicides and overdoses.The investments by schools in student mental health services have raised some privacy concerns, especially where schools are now monitoring student computers for distress signals or administering mental health screenings to all students. But the idea that it’s not the place of schools to involve themselves at all has receded.“We just recognized that students are comfortable seeking help in a school setting,” Dunn said.Chicago, the nation’s third-largest school district, unveiled a “healing plan” for students, using $24 million of its $2.6 billion in stimulus funds.Over three years, the district will expand “care teams” — building staff who serve as the frontline response for struggling students — to each campus. The goal is to reach 200 schools by spring.High school principal Angélica Altamirano used some of that funding to open a space outfitted with cozy furniture and a hand-me-down air hockey table. Already, the campus center has offered grief groups for students whose family members or friends have died and helped teachers dealing with burnout.In Topeka, Kansas, $100,000 was budgeted for calming items and staff for sensory rooms, including one at Quincy Elementary. When students get so frustrated that they put their heads down on their desk, or wander into the hallway or cry, teachers can send them to the Roadrunner Room. There, they can climb into a tent and snuggle under a weighted blanket, put a puzzle together, play with sand or build with Legos.Dean of students Andrea Keck has watched the room become a go-to place for one student to work out frustrations.“She can journal it, get her hair put up, whatever she needs, and then she is successful the rest of the day,” said Keck, who oversees the room.In Detroit, the district is spending $34 million on mental health initiatives, including screening students, expanding help from outside mental health providers, and offering extra support to parents.On a recent Wednesday, that meant an hourlong meditation session for parents at a local coffee shop. One attendee worried her own stress was affecting her son’s ability to learn.“As a community we have all been through something,” said Sharlonda Buckman, an assistant superintendent who participated in the session. “Part of recovery has to be some intentional work in spaces like this, so we can be there for our kids.”

With US aid money, schools put bigger focus on mental health

LEWISTON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a second-grade teacher from southeastern Nebraska was killed this weekend in a hunting accident. 

The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office says that 23-year-old Kade Reiman, who taught at Bennet Elementary in the Palmyra-Bennet School District, was accidentally shot while hunting with another person Saturday morning southwest of Lewiston. 

Sheriff Braden Lang says Reiman, of Weeping Water, was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting.

 Officials did not give other details about how the shooting occurred but said the investigation into Reiman's death is ongoing. 

Lewiston is about 18 miles east of Beatrice.

LEWISTON, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a second-grade teacher from southeastern Nebraska was killed this weekend in a hunting accident. The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office says that 23-year-old Kade Reiman, who taught at Bennet Elementary in the Palmyra-Bennet School District, was accidentally shot while hunting with another person Saturday morning southwest of Lewiston. Sheriff Braden Lang says Reiman, of Weeping Water, was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. Officials did not give other details about how the shooting occurred but said the investigation into Reiman's death is ongoing. Lewiston is about 18 miles east of Beatrice.

Nebraska 2nd-grade school teacher killed in hunting accident

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who’s considered a rising star in the Republican Party, has formally launched her reelection campaign. 

Her campaign said in a statement Friday that she has raised over $10 million since she was elected three years ago. 

She has more than $6.5 million in cash on hand. 

 She had already said she would seek a second term. 

Noem says her administration has embraced fiscal responsibility, protected freedoms, fought federal government intrusions and invested in the next generation of South Dakotans. 

Noem won the governor’s office with 51 percent of the vote in 2018.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who’s considered a rising star in the Republican Party, has formally launched her reelection campaign. Her campaign said in a statement Friday that she has raised over $10 million since she was elected three years ago. She has more than $6.5 million in cash on hand. She had already said she would seek a second term. Noem says her administration has embraced fiscal responsibility, protected freedoms, fought federal government intrusions and invested in the next generation of South Dakotans. Noem won the governor’s office with 51 percent of the vote in 2018.