WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced today that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment for the month of October.

This fourth batch of advance monthly payments, totaling about $15 
billion, is reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority of payments will be issued by direct deposit.

Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received 
payments dated July 15, August 13 and September 15. Future payments are 
scheduled for November 15 and December 15. For these families, 
each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up 
to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17. The vast majority 
will be issued by direct deposit.

The IRS is currently sending letters to some Americans reminding
 them it is not too late for families who haven't filed a 2020 income 
tax return — including those who are not normally required to file 
because their incomes are too low — to sign up for advance CTC payments.
 Most low-income families can get these monthly payments. The IRS urges 
families who normally aren't required to file a tax return to visit 
IRS.gov for more information on how to file a return and receive their 
credit.

Update on September advance Child Tax Credit payments

In September, the IRS successfully delivered a third monthly round of
 approximately 36 million Child Tax Credit payments, totaling more than 
$15 billion. Given the new components of this program, the IRS continues
 to work hard to make improvements and deliver payments timely.

After the September payment was issued, the IRS resolved a technical 
issue, which the agency estimates caused fewer than 2% of CTC recipients
 not to receive their September payment on the scheduled payment date. 
Payments have since gone out to affected individuals.

The impacted group primarily included taxpayers who recently made an 
update to their bank account or address information using the IRS Child 
Tax Credit Update Portal. In particular, the issue affected payments to 
married taxpayers filing jointly where only one spouse made a bank 
account or address change, which usually results in payments being split
 into two (between the existing account or address and the new account 
or address).

In some of these cases, the split payment caused a delay in making 
payments, and further caused individuals to receive slightly more than 
the correct payment in September. To address this, the payment that each
 spouse receives in October, November and December will be reduced 
slightly to adjust for the overpayment. For each taxpayer receiving a 
payment, the typical overpayment was $31.25 per child between 6 and 17 
years old and $37.50 per child under 6 years old. This will result in 
about a $10 to $13 reduction per child in the three remaining monthly 
payments.

The IRS will send letters to affected individuals with this 
information. The IRS continues to closely monitor this program and the 
agency appreciates the patience of those whose payments were affected.

The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">online tools and toolkits</a> to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups sign up to receive these benefits.

Links to online tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the IRS' special advance CTC 2021 page. It's 
at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced today that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment for the month of October.This fourth batch of advance monthly payments, totaling about $15 
billion, is reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority of payments will be issued by direct deposit.Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received 
payments dated July 15, August 13 and September 15. Future payments are 
scheduled for November 15 and December 15. For these families, 
each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up 
to $250 per month for each child ages 6 through 17. The vast majority 
will be issued by direct deposit.Here are more details on those payments:<ul>
 <li>Families will see the direct deposit payments in their accounts 
starting October 15. Like the prior payments, the vast majority of 
families will receive them by direct deposit.</li><li>For those receiving payments by paper check, be sure to allow extra
 time, through the end of October, for delivery by mail. Those wishing 
to receive future payments by direct deposit can make this change using 
the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>, available only on IRS.gov. To access the portal or to get a new step-by-step guide for using it, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.</li><li>Payments went to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income 
tax return. Returns processed by October 4 are reflected in these 
payments. This includes people who don't typically file a return but 
during 2020 successfully registered for Economic Impact Payments using 
the IRS Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov or in 2021 successfully used the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool">Non-filer Sign-up Tool for advance CTC</a>, also available only on IRS.gov.</li><li>Payments are automatic. Aside from filing a tax return, including a
 simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, families don't have 
to do anything if they are eligible to receive monthly payments.</li><li>Families who did not get a July, August or September payment and 
are getting their first monthly payment this month will still receive 
their total advance payment for the year. This means that the total 
payment will be spread over three months, rather than six, making each 
monthly payment larger.</li>
 </ul>The IRS is currently sending letters to some Americans reminding
 them it is not too late for families who haven't filed a 2020 income 
tax return — including those who are not normally required to file 
because their incomes are too low — to sign up for advance CTC payments.
 Most low-income families can get these monthly payments. The IRS urges 
families who normally aren't required to file a tax return to visit 
IRS.gov for more information on how to file a return and receive their 
credit.<h2>Update on September advance Child Tax Credit payments</h2>In September, the IRS successfully delivered a third monthly round of
 approximately 36 million Child Tax Credit payments, totaling more than 
$15 billion. Given the new components of this program, the IRS continues
 to work hard to make improvements and deliver payments timely.After the September payment was issued, the IRS resolved a technical 
issue, which the agency estimates caused fewer than 2% of CTC recipients
 not to receive their September payment on the scheduled payment date. 
Payments have since gone out to affected individuals.The impacted group primarily included taxpayers who recently made an 
update to their bank account or address information using the IRS Child 
Tax Credit Update Portal. In particular, the issue affected payments to 
married taxpayers filing jointly where only one spouse made a bank 
account or address change, which usually results in payments being split
 into two (between the existing account or address and the new account 
or address).In some of these cases, the split payment caused a delay in making 
payments, and further caused individuals to receive slightly more than 
the correct payment in September. To address this, the payment that each
 spouse receives in October, November and December will be reduced 
slightly to adjust for the overpayment. For each taxpayer receiving a 
payment, the typical overpayment was $31.25 per child between 6 and 17 
years old and $37.50 per child under 6 years old. This will result in 
about a $10 to $13 reduction per child in the three remaining monthly 
payments.The IRS will send letters to affected individuals with this 
information. The IRS continues to closely monitor this program and the 
agency appreciates the patience of those whose payments were affected.The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">online tools and toolkits</a> to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups sign up to receive these benefits.Links to online tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the IRS' special advance CTC 2021 page. It's 
at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

October Child Tax Credit payments sent to American families

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hotel shooting continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;31-year-old Patricio Gomez.

Just before 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, police responded to a shooting call at&nbsp;Extended Stay America, 9450 E Corporate Hills, in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez of Wichita who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Investigators learned Gomez and a woman later identified as 35-year-old Shae Roberts arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and Gomez fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp; Gomez and the Roberts fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.

On Oct. 1, police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City and on Oct. 7, police arrested Robers. She has been&nbsp;charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and attempted distribution of methamphetamine, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=399685">She remains jailed on a&nbsp;</a> $500,000 bond.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you know the whereabouts of Gomez or see him, please call 911.  He should be considered armed and dangerous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117408445.png" alt="Gomez should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police." />
 <figcaption>Gomez should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hotel shooting continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;31-year-old Patricio Gomez.Just before 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, police responded to a shooting call at&nbsp;Extended Stay America, 9450 E Corporate Hills, in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez of Wichita who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117696289.png" alt="Police outside a hotel in Park City where they recovered the Esclade-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police outside a hotel in Park City where they recovered the Esclade-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned Gomez and a woman later identified as 35-year-old Shae Roberts arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and Gomez fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp; Gomez and the Roberts fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634486646051.png" alt="Roberts-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Roberts-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Oct. 1, police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City and on Oct. 7, police arrested Robers. She has been&nbsp;charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and attempted distribution of methamphetamine, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=399685">She remains jailed on a&nbsp;</a> $500,000 bond.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you know the whereabouts of Gomez or see him, please call 911. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police continue search for suspect in Kansas drug deal killing 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A group of 17 U.S. missionaries, including children, was kidnapped by a gang in Haiti on Saturday, according to a voice message sent to various religious missions by an organization with direct knowledge of the incident.

The missionaries were on their way home from building an orphanage, according to a message from Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries.

“This is a special prayer alert,” the one-minute message said. “Pray that the gang members would come to repentance.”

The message says the mission’s field director is working with the U.S. Embassy, and that the field director’s family and one other unidentified man stayed at the ministry’s base while everyone else visited the orphanage.

No other details were immediately available.

A U.S. government spokesperson said they were aware of the reports on the kidnapping.

“The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State,” the spokesperson said, declining further comment.

Haiti is once again struggling with a spike in gang-related kidnappings that had diminished after President Jovenel Moïse was fatally shot at his private residence on July 7, and following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck southwest Haiti in August and killed more than 2,200 people.

Gangs have demanded ransoms ranging from a couple hundred dollars to more than $1 million, according to authorities.

Last month, a deacon was killed in front of a church in the capital of Port-au-Prince and his wife kidnapped, one of dozens of people who have been abducted in recent months.

At least 328 kidnapping victims were reported to Haiti’s National Police in the first eight months of 2021, compared with a total of 234 for all of 2020, according to a report issued last month by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti known as BINUH.

Gangs have been accused of kidnapping schoolchildren, doctors, police officers, busloads of passengers and others as they grow more powerful. In April, one gang kidnapped five priests and two nuns, a move that prompted a protest similar to the one organized for this Monday to decry the lack of security in the impoverished country.

“Political turmoil, the surge in gang violence, deteriorating socioeconomic conditions – including food insecurity and malnutrition – all contribute to the worsening of the humanitarian situation,” BINUH said in its report. “An overstretched and under-resourced police force alone cannot address the security ills of Haiti.”

On Friday, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to extend the U.N. political mission in Haiti.

The kidnapping of the missionaries comes just days after high-level U.S. officials visited Haiti and promised more resources for Haiti’s National Police, including another $15 million to help reduce gang violence, which this year has displaced thousands of Haitians who now live in temporary shelters in increasingly unhygienic conditions.

Among those who met with Haiti’s police chief was Uzra Zeya, U.S. under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights.

“Dismantling violent gangs is vital to Haitian stability and citizen security,” she recently tweeted.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A group of 17 U.S. missionaries, including children, was kidnapped by a gang in Haiti on Saturday, according to a voice message sent to various religious missions by an organization with direct knowledge of the incident.The missionaries were on their way home from building an orphanage, according to a message from Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries.“This is a special prayer alert,” the one-minute message said. “Pray that the gang members would come to repentance.”The message says the mission’s field director is working with the U.S. Embassy, and that the field director’s family and one other unidentified man stayed at the ministry’s base while everyone else visited the orphanage.No other details were immediately available.A U.S. government spokesperson said they were aware of the reports on the kidnapping.“The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State,” the spokesperson said, declining further comment.Haiti is once again struggling with a spike in gang-related kidnappings that had diminished after President Jovenel Moïse was fatally shot at his private residence on July 7, and following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck southwest Haiti in August and killed more than 2,200 people.Gangs have demanded ransoms ranging from a couple hundred dollars to more than $1 million, according to authorities.Last month, a deacon was killed in front of a church in the capital of Port-au-Prince and his wife kidnapped, one of dozens of people who have been abducted in recent months.At least 328 kidnapping victims were reported to Haiti’s National Police in the first eight months of 2021, compared with a total of 234 for all of 2020, according to a report issued last month by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti known as BINUH.Gangs have been accused of kidnapping schoolchildren, doctors, police officers, busloads of passengers and others as they grow more powerful. In April, one gang kidnapped five priests and two nuns, a move that prompted a protest similar to the one organized for this Monday to decry the lack of security in the impoverished country.“Political turmoil, the surge in gang violence, deteriorating socioeconomic conditions – including food insecurity and malnutrition – all contribute to the worsening of the humanitarian situation,” BINUH said in its report. “An overstretched and under-resourced police force alone cannot address the security ills of Haiti.”On Friday, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to extend the U.N. political mission in Haiti.The kidnapping of the missionaries comes just days after high-level U.S. officials visited Haiti and promised more resources for Haiti’s National Police, including another $15 million to help reduce gang violence, which this year has displaced thousands of Haitians who now live in temporary shelters in increasingly unhygienic conditions.Among those who met with Haiti’s police chief was Uzra Zeya, U.S. under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights.“Dismantling violent gangs is vital to Haitian stability and citizen security,” she recently tweeted.___

Religious group: 17 U.S. missionaries kidnapped in Haiti

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Nurses around the U.S. are getting burned out by the COVID-19 crisis and quitting, yet applications to nursing schools are rising, driven by what educators say are young people who see the global emergency as an opportunity and a challenge.

Among them is University of Connecticut sophomore Brianna Monte, a 19-year-old from Mahopac, New York, who had been considering majoring in education but decided on nursing after watching nurses care for her 84-year-grandmother, who was diagnosed last year with COVID-19 and also had cancer.

“They were switching out their protective gear in between every patient, running like crazy trying to make sure all of their patients were attended to,” she said. “I had that moment of clarity that made me want to jump right in to health care and join the workers on the front line.”

Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020 from the year before to just over 250,000 students,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Press-Releases/View/ArticleId/24802/2020-survey-data-student-enrollment">according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.</a>

Figures for the current 2021-22 school year won't be available until January, but administrators say they have continued to see a spike in interest.

The University of Michigan nursing school reported getting about 1,800 applications for 150 freshman slots this fall, compared with about 1,200 in 2019.

Marie Nolan, executive vice dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, said it has seen its biggest number of applicants ever, many of them applying even before a vaccine was available, despite her worries that COVID-19 would scare off students.

Students at those and other schools have been able to gain valuable hands-on experience during the pandemic, doing COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and working at community vaccination clinics.

“We’ve said to the students, ‘This is a career opportunity that you’ll never see again,’” Nolan said.

Emma Champlin, a first-year nursing student at Fresno State, said that like many of her classmates, she saw the pandemic as a chance to learn critical-care skills and then apply them. And she is young and her immune system is fine, she said, “so the idea of getting the virus didn’t scare me.”

“It’s just time for us to step in and give it our all and figure out how we can help, because there has to be a new generation and that’s got to be us,” the 21-year-old said.

The higher enrollment could help ease a nursing shortage that existed even before COVID-19. But it has brought its own problems: The increase, combined with the departure of too many experienced nurses whose job is to help train students, has left many nursing programs without the ability to expand.

The rise is happening even as hospital leaders around the U.S. report that thousands of nurses have quit or retired during the outbreak, many of them exhausted and demoralized because of the pressure of caring for the dying, hostility from patients and families, and the frustration in knowing that many deaths were preventable by way of masks and vaccinations.

Eric Kumor saw many of his nursing colleagues from a COVID-19 unit in Lansing, Michigan, transfer or take other jobs this past spring when the pandemic’s third wave began to hit. He followed them out the door in July.

“It was like this mass exodus. Everybody chose their own health and wellness over dealing with another wave,” he said.

He said he plans on returning to health care someday, but for now is working at a barbecue joint, where the worst thing that can happen is “burning a brisket.”

“I’m not done with nursing yet,” he said.

Betty Jo Rocchio, chief nursing officer for Mercy Health, which runs hospitals and clinics in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, said her system has about 8,500 nurses but is losing about 160 each month.

The departures are also taking their toll on nursing education, which relies on clinical instructors and preceptors, the experienced, hands-on nurses who mentor students on the job.

Nursing faculty is expected to shrink by 25% by 2025 across the country as nurses retire or leave because of burnout or other reasons, said Patricia Hurn, the nursing school dean at Michigan.

Mindy Schiebler, a cardiac nurse from Vancouver, Washington, taught nursing students for three years before quitting in 2016. She said she would love to still be teaching but that it’s not workable financially. She said she knows nursing professors who work multiple jobs or dip into their retirement savings.

“How long can you subsidize your own job?” she asked. “Nurses will make double what you make in just a few years out of the gate.”

Administrators said they would like to see more financial incentives such as tax breaks for instructors and preceptors. Rocchio said it would also help to have national licensing instead of state-by-state requirements, giving health systems more flexibility in training and hiring.

Champlin, the Fresno State student now doing clinical studies in a COVID-19 ward, said the stress, even on students, is sometimes overwhelming. It’s physically and mentally tiring to don cumbersome protective equipment every time you enter someone's room and then watch as a tube is inserted down the frightened patient's throat and the person is hooked up to a ventilator.

“I don’t even know when it will stop,” she said. “Is this the new normal? I think the scariness of it has worn off at this point, and now we’re just all exhausted." She confessed: "That has had me reconsider, at times, my career choice.”

Hurn said the pandemic has led to a new focus at her school on the mental health of students, leading to the creation of programs such as “Yoga on the Lawn."

“For nursing, you have to develop the skills to be resilient, to adapt to high-strain conditions,” she said.

Monte, whose grandmother survived, said she believes the pandemic is waning and hopes to have a long career no matter the challenges.

“They do have this nursing shortage right now, which selfishly is good for me, because I won’t have trouble finding a job, wherever I decide to go,” she said. “I feel like I won’t get burned out, even if we have another national emergency. I feel I’ll still be committed to nursing."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606851264919.png" alt="Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020-photo by Carlos Moreno / KCUR&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020-photo by Carlos Moreno / KCUR&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Nurses around the U.S. are getting burned out by the COVID-19 crisis and quitting, yet applications to nursing schools are rising, driven by what educators say are young people who see the global emergency as an opportunity and a challenge.Among them is University of Connecticut sophomore Brianna Monte, a 19-year-old from Mahopac, New York, who had been considering majoring in education but decided on nursing after watching nurses care for her 84-year-grandmother, who was diagnosed last year with COVID-19 and also had cancer.“They were switching out their protective gear in between every patient, running like crazy trying to make sure all of their patients were attended to,” she said. “I had that moment of clarity that made me want to jump right in to health care and join the workers on the front line.”Nationally, enrollment in bachelor's, master’s and doctoral nursing programs increased 5.6% in 2020 from the year before to just over 250,000 students,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Press-Releases/View/ArticleId/24802/2020-survey-data-student-enrollment">according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.</a>Figures for the current 2021-22 school year won't be available until January, but administrators say they have continued to see a spike in interest.The University of Michigan nursing school reported getting about 1,800 applications for 150 freshman slots this fall, compared with about 1,200 in 2019.Marie Nolan, executive vice dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, said it has seen its biggest number of applicants ever, many of them applying even before a vaccine was available, despite her worries that COVID-19 would scare off students.Students at those and other schools have been able to gain valuable hands-on experience during the pandemic, doing COVID-19 testing and contact tracing and working at community vaccination clinics.“We’ve said to the students, ‘This is a career opportunity that you’ll never see again,’” Nolan said.Emma Champlin, a first-year nursing student at Fresno State, said that like many of her classmates, she saw the pandemic as a chance to learn critical-care skills and then apply them. And she is young and her immune system is fine, she said, “so the idea of getting the virus didn’t scare me.”“It’s just time for us to step in and give it our all and figure out how we can help, because there has to be a new generation and that’s got to be us,” the 21-year-old said.The higher enrollment could help ease a nursing shortage that existed even before COVID-19. But it has brought its own problems: The increase, combined with the departure of too many experienced nurses whose job is to help train students, has left many nursing programs without the ability to expand.The rise is happening even as hospital leaders around the U.S. report that thousands of nurses have quit or retired during the outbreak, many of them exhausted and demoralized because of the pressure of caring for the dying, hostility from patients and families, and the frustration in knowing that many deaths were preventable by way of masks and vaccinations.Eric Kumor saw many of his nursing colleagues from a COVID-19 unit in Lansing, Michigan, transfer or take other jobs this past spring when the pandemic’s third wave began to hit. He followed them out the door in July.“It was like this mass exodus. Everybody chose their own health and wellness over dealing with another wave,” he said.He said he plans on returning to health care someday, but for now is working at a barbecue joint, where the worst thing that can happen is “burning a brisket.”“I’m not done with nursing yet,” he said.Betty Jo Rocchio, chief nursing officer for Mercy Health, which runs hospitals and clinics in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma, said her system has about 8,500 nurses but is losing about 160 each month.The departures are also taking their toll on nursing education, which relies on clinical instructors and preceptors, the experienced, hands-on nurses who mentor students on the job.Nursing faculty is expected to shrink by 25% by 2025 across the country as nurses retire or leave because of burnout or other reasons, said Patricia Hurn, the nursing school dean at Michigan.Mindy Schiebler, a cardiac nurse from Vancouver, Washington, taught nursing students for three years before quitting in 2016. She said she would love to still be teaching but that it’s not workable financially. She said she knows nursing professors who work multiple jobs or dip into their retirement savings.“How long can you subsidize your own job?” she asked. “Nurses will make double what you make in just a few years out of the gate.”Administrators said they would like to see more financial incentives such as tax breaks for instructors and preceptors. Rocchio said it would also help to have national licensing instead of state-by-state requirements, giving health systems more flexibility in training and hiring.Champlin, the Fresno State student now doing clinical studies in a COVID-19 ward, said the stress, even on students, is sometimes overwhelming. It’s physically and mentally tiring to don cumbersome protective equipment every time you enter someone's room and then watch as a tube is inserted down the frightened patient's throat and the person is hooked up to a ventilator.“I don’t even know when it will stop,” she said. “Is this the new normal? I think the scariness of it has worn off at this point, and now we’re just all exhausted." She confessed: "That has had me reconsider, at times, my career choice.”Hurn said the pandemic has led to a new focus at her school on the mental health of students, leading to the creation of programs such as “Yoga on the Lawn."“For nursing, you have to develop the skills to be resilient, to adapt to high-strain conditions,” she said.Monte, whose grandmother survived, said she believes the pandemic is waning and hopes to have a long career no matter the challenges.“They do have this nursing shortage right now, which selfishly is good for me, because I won’t have trouble finding a job, wherever I decide to go,” she said. “I feel like I won’t get burned out, even if we have another national emergency. I feel I’ll still be committed to nursing."

Nursing schools see applications rise, despite COVID burnout

Mobile providers may be required to block illegal text messages

WASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today shared with her colleagues a proposed rulemaking that would require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messaging, building on the agency’s ongoing work to stop illegal and unwanted robocalls.  As the FCC continues to combat unwanted robocalls, it recognizes that it must adapt to the latest scamming trends—including the rise of robotexts. 

In 2020 alone, the Commission received approximately 14,000 consumer complaints about unwanted text messages, representing an almost 146% increase from the number of complaints the year before.  Thus far in 2021, the Commission has received over 9,800 consumer complaints about unwanted texts.  Meanwhile, data from other sources reaffirm evidence of the problem. For example, RoboKiller reports 7.4 billion spam texts were sent in March 2021.

“In a world where so many of us rely heavily on texting to stay connected with our friends and family, ensuring the integrity of this communication is vitally important,”&nbsp;said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.&nbsp; “We’ve seen a rise in scammers trying to take advantage of our trust of text messages by sending bogus robotexts that try to trick consumers to share sensitive information or click on malicious links. &nbsp;It’s time we take steps to confront this latest wave of fraud and identify how mobile carriers can block these automated messages before they have the opportunity to cause any harm.”

If adopted by a vote of the full Commission, the rulemaking would explore steps to protect consumers from illegal robotexts, including network level blocking and applying caller authentication standards to text messaging. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Mobile providers may be required to block illegal text messages</h2>FCCWASHINGTON — Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel today shared with her colleagues a proposed rulemaking that would require mobile wireless providers to block illegal text messaging, building on the agency’s ongoing work to stop illegal and unwanted robocalls. As the FCC continues to combat unwanted robocalls, it recognizes that it must adapt to the latest scamming trends—including the rise of robotexts. In 2020 alone, the Commission received approximately 14,000 consumer complaints about unwanted text messages, representing an almost 146% increase from the number of complaints the year before. Thus far in 2021, the Commission has received over 9,800 consumer complaints about unwanted texts. Meanwhile, data from other sources reaffirm evidence of the problem. For example, RoboKiller reports 7.4 billion spam texts were sent in March 2021.“In a world where so many of us rely heavily on texting to stay connected with our friends and family, ensuring the integrity of this communication is vitally important,”&nbsp;said Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel.&nbsp; “We’ve seen a rise in scammers trying to take advantage of our trust of text messages by sending bogus robotexts that try to trick consumers to share sensitive information or click on malicious links. &nbsp;It’s time we take steps to confront this latest wave of fraud and identify how mobile carriers can block these automated messages before they have the opportunity to cause any harm.”If adopted by a vote of the full Commission, the rulemaking would explore steps to protect consumers from illegal robotexts, including network level blocking and applying caller authentication standards to text messaging.

FCC chair proposes new rule to fight robotexts

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have apprehended three juveniles following a pursuit with a stolen vehicle in Omaha. Troopers also recovered two stolen handguns during the incident.

At approximately 12:50 a.m. Saturday, NSP received a report that a Jeep Gladiator had been stolen in Lincoln and was traveling eastbound toward Omaha on Interstate 80. A trooper was able to locate the vehicle on I-80 in Omaha and attempted a traffic stop near the 42nd&nbsp;street interchange. The vehicle stopped briefly, but then fled as the trooper attempted to contact the driver. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

As the Jeep proceeded eastbound on I-80, with speeds reaching 110 miles per hour, a handgun was thrown out the window of the vehicle. Another trooper recovered the gun while the pursuit continued. The Jeep then voluntarily stopped near the 20th&nbsp;street overpass. Troopers were then able to take the three occupants into custody without further incident. A second handgun was located inside the vehicle. Both guns were determined to be stolen.

The driver, an 11-year-old male, was cited for theft by unlawful taking – over $5,000, possession of a stolen firearm, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstruction, and traffic violations. He was released to his mother. The two passengers, 14-year-old males, were lodged in the Douglas County Youth Center for possession of a stolen firearm.

There were no injuries related to the pursuit, which lasted a total of three minutes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634425957788.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have apprehended three juveniles following a pursuit with a stolen vehicle in Omaha. Troopers also recovered two stolen handguns during the incident.At approximately 12:50 a.m. Saturday, NSP received a report that a Jeep Gladiator had been stolen in Lincoln and was traveling eastbound toward Omaha on Interstate 80. A trooper was able to locate the vehicle on I-80 in Omaha and attempted a traffic stop near the 42nd&nbsp;street interchange. The vehicle stopped briefly, but then fled as the trooper attempted to contact the driver. The trooper initiated a pursuit.As the Jeep proceeded eastbound on I-80, with speeds reaching 110 miles per hour, a handgun was thrown out the window of the vehicle. Another trooper recovered the gun while the pursuit continued. The Jeep then voluntarily stopped near the 20th&nbsp;street overpass. Troopers were then able to take the three occupants into custody without further incident. A second handgun was located inside the vehicle. Both guns were determined to be stolen.The driver, an 11-year-old male, was cited for theft by unlawful taking – over $5,000, possession of a stolen firearm, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, obstruction, and traffic violations. He was released to his mother. The two passengers, 14-year-old males, were lodged in the Douglas County Youth Center for possession of a stolen firearm.There were no injuries related to the pursuit, which lasted a total of three minutes.#

11-year-old, 2 other juveniles arrested after Omaha pursuit

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing&nbsp; that sent a man to the hospital and asking the public for assistance locating a person of interest identified as 41-year-old Keisson Smith.

On Friday, police responded to the 1100 Block of SW Clay Street in Topeka regarding a recent stabbing call for service, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp; The victim, a 45-year-old Topeka man,m sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. another.

&nbsp;Anyone with information about Smith’s location, including past sightings, is asked to call the police at 785-368-9551 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634406705569.png" alt="Smith photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing&nbsp; that sent a man to the hospital and asking the public for assistance locating a person of interest identified as 41-year-old Keisson Smith.On Friday, police responded to the 1100 Block of SW Clay Street in Topeka regarding a recent stabbing call for service, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.&nbsp; The victim, a 45-year-old Topeka man,m sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident. another.&nbsp;Anyone with information about Smith’s location, including past sightings, is asked to call the police at 785-368-9551 or email telltpd@topeka.org.

Police ask for help to locate Kansas stabbing suspect

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Defense Department said Friday that it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States.

Kirby said the matter arose in a meeting Thursday between Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition &amp; Education International.

“Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments,” Kirby said. He did not say how much money would be offered.

On Aug. 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemerai Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound. In all, 10 members of the family, including seven children, were killed in the strike.

Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a “tragic mistake” and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack.

During the meeting Thursday, Kwon told Kahl that Ahmadi had work with NEI for many years, “providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan,” according to Kirby.

The U.S. military initially defended the strike, saying it had targeted an Islamic State group’s “facilitator” and disrupted the militants’ ability to carry out attacks during the chaotic final stage of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Discrepancies between the military’s portrayal of the strike and findings on the ground quickly emerged. The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization. There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon’s assertion that the vehicle contained explosives.

The drone strike followed a devastating suicide bombing by an Islamic State offshoot that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel at one of the gates to the Kabul airport in late August.

Last month, McKenzie said the United States was considering making reparation payments to the family of the drone strike victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629894518244.png" alt="Photo courtesy U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton who made a surprise trip to Afghanistan in late August" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton who made a surprise trip to Afghanistan in late August</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Defense Department said Friday that it is committed to offering condolence payments to relatives of the 10 people who were killed in an errant U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August.Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that the Defense Department was also working with the State Department to help surviving family members relocate to the United States.Kirby said the matter arose in a meeting Thursday between Dr. Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, and Dr. Steven Kwon, founder and president of the nonprofit group Nutrition &amp; Education International.“Dr. Kahl reiterated Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s commitment to the families, including offering ex gratia condolence payments,” Kirby said. He did not say how much money would be offered.On Aug. 29, a U.S. Hellfire missile struck a car driven by Zemerai Ahmadi, who had just pulled into the driveway of the Ahmadi family compound. In all, 10 members of the family, including seven children, were killed in the strike.Weeks later, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, called the strike a “tragic mistake” and said innocent civilians were indeed killed in the attack.During the meeting Thursday, Kwon told Kahl that Ahmadi had work with NEI for many years, “providing care and lifesaving assistance for people facing high mortality rates in Afghanistan,” according to Kirby.The U.S. military initially defended the strike, saying it had targeted an Islamic State group’s “facilitator” and disrupted the militants’ ability to carry out attacks during the chaotic final stage of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.Discrepancies between the military’s portrayal of the strike and findings on the ground quickly emerged. The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that the driver of the targeted vehicle was a longtime employee at a U.S. humanitarian organization. There were no signs of a large secondary blast, despite the Pentagon’s assertion that the vehicle contained explosives.The drone strike followed a devastating suicide bombing by an Islamic State offshoot that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel at one of the gates to the Kabul airport in late August.Last month, McKenzie said the United States was considering making reparation payments to the family of the drone strike victims.

US vows to pay relatives after 7 Afghan children killed in drone strike

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former chancellor for the Roman Catholic Church’s Archdiocese of Omaha has been charged with two felony counts accusing him of stealing a total of more than $285,000 from a former priest and from a Springfield parish. 

The Rev. Michael Gutgsell turned himself in to police on Friday and was briefly jailed before being released on his own recognizance. He is charged with attempted theft and abuse of a vulnerable adult. 

Police say Gutgsell admitted to taking $106,000 from his former parish, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Springfield, as well as taking $180,000 from the bank accounts of retired Omaha priest Theodore Richling, who was suffering from Alzheimer's at the time.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A former chancellor for the Roman Catholic Church’s Archdiocese of Omaha has been charged with two felony counts accusing him of stealing a total of more than $285,000 from a former priest and from a Springfield parish. The Rev. Michael Gutgsell turned himself in to police on Friday and was briefly jailed before being released on his own recognizance. He is charged with attempted theft and abuse of a vulnerable adult. Police say Gutgsell admitted to taking $106,000 from his former parish, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Springfield, as well as taking $180,000 from the bank accounts of retired Omaha priest Theodore Richling, who was suffering from Alzheimer's at the time.

Ex-Omaha Archdiocese chancellor charged in theft case

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that although he expects his social safety net and climate spending package to shrink, “we’re going to come back and get the rest” after it’s passed, a seeming effort to assuage progressives worried their priorities may get cut in the negotiations.

“We’re not going to get $3.5 trillion. We’ll get less than that, but we’re gonna get it. And we’re going to come back and get the rest,” he said during remarks at a child care center in Connecticut.

Democrats on Capitol Hill are working to reduce the sweeping package down to about $2 trillion in spending, which would be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. The proposal includes everything from free child care and community college to dental, vision and hearing aid benefits for seniors and a number of significant provisions meant to combat climate change, all key items for progressives, but moderates have balked at the original $3.5 trillion price tag.

With slim margins in the House and an evenly-divided Senate, Democrats have no votes to spare on the bill. The whittling process&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-3d3e926b5856b36f82818b8a2d916231">has sparked concern</a>&nbsp;from some progressives that their priorities could be left out of the bill.

But Biden has openly acknowledged the price tag will have to come down. On Friday, he visited a child development center in Hartford to speak about the need for investments in child care and other social safety net programs, arguing they’re imperative to keep America competitive in the global economy.

At the center, Biden promoted his proposal to make such care free for lower-income families, and ensure that families making up to 150% of their state’s median income pay less than 7% of their salaries on child care. It’s part of a massive expansion of the social safety net that Biden has championed and is aiming to pass with just Democratic votes in Congress.

“Too many folks in Washington still don’t realize it isn’t enough just to invest in our physical infrastructure. We also have to invest in our people,” he said.

Biden went on to outline how his plan would reduce child care costs for Connecticut residents, and noted the disparity between U.S. spending on early child care versus greater investments in other countries, to argue that the lack of investment is causing the U.S. to fall behind.

“How can we compete in the world if millions of American parents, especially moms, can’t be part of the workforce because they can’t afford the cost of child care or eldercare?”

He briefly greeted some of the children at the center’s playground before speaking, at one point kneeling down to give a child a hug.

The president’s sales pitch comes as his Democratic allies have raised alarm that the American public does not understand the benefits of the package.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-house-elections-b0719b901d945a9b63ed5cf6f036c4ef">There is renewed urgency among Democrats</a>&nbsp;to push through the package ahead of an end-of-month deadline on transportation funding, Biden’s upcoming foreign trip, and a closer-than-anticipated race for Virginia’s next governor.

Talks between the White House and members of Congress continue, as they try to reach consensus both on the total spending level for the legislation and what particular programs should be included. Objections by centrist Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-seniors-29366e47034eb12d0d4b28b314cace60">forcing Democrats to shrink the package from Biden’s proposed $3.5 trillion to closer to $2 trillion</a>.

The fate of that legislation, branded “Build Back Better” by Biden, is also holding up a more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate this summer. House progressives are balking at supporting that bill until agreement is reached on a path forward on the social safety net package.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-barack-obama-congress-terry-mcauliffe-only-on-ap-89137912636ec3dcea9fda2857085370">In an interview this week with The Associated Press</a>, Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, criticized Democrats and Biden over the stalled infrastructure package.

“They all got to get their act together and vote,” McAuliffe said. Asked specifically if he was calling out Biden, McAuliffe said, “I put everybody there.” McAuliffe is in a tight race with Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin in a state Biden carried by 10 points just last fall.

Biden is also set to deliver remarks Friday at the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights at the University of Connecticut, which is being renamed to honor a longtime friend, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, in addition to Dodd’s father, who was also a former senator.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to highlight his plan to lower the cost of child care for most American families as he makes the case for his stalled social spending bill during a visit to Connecticut on Friday.

Biden visited a child development center in Hartford to promote his proposal to make such care free for lower-income families and ensure that families making up to 150% of their state’s median income pay less than 7% of their salaries on child care. The proposal is part of a massive expansion of the social safety net that Biden has championed and is aiming to pass with just Democratic votes in Congress.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634336393644.png" alt="On Friday, President Biden visited a child development center in Hartford to speak about the need for investments in child care and other social safety net programs, arguing they’re imperative to keep America competitive in the global economy.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>On Friday, President Biden visited a child development center in Hartford to speak about the need for investments in child care and other social safety net programs, arguing they’re imperative to keep America competitive in the global economy.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that although he expects his social safety net and climate spending package to shrink, “we’re going to come back and get the rest” after it’s passed, a seeming effort to assuage progressives worried their priorities may get cut in the negotiations.“We’re not going to get $3.5 trillion. We’ll get less than that, but we’re gonna get it. And we’re going to come back and get the rest,” he said during remarks at a child care center in Connecticut.Democrats on Capitol Hill are working to reduce the sweeping package down to about $2 trillion in spending, which would be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. The proposal includes everything from free child care and community college to dental, vision and hearing aid benefits for seniors and a number of significant provisions meant to combat climate change, all key items for progressives, but moderates have balked at the original $3.5 trillion price tag.With slim margins in the House and an evenly-divided Senate, Democrats have no votes to spare on the bill. The whittling process&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-3d3e926b5856b36f82818b8a2d916231">has sparked concern</a>&nbsp;from some progressives that their priorities could be left out of the bill.But Biden has openly acknowledged the price tag will have to come down. On Friday, he visited a child development center in Hartford to speak about the need for investments in child care and other social safety net programs, arguing they’re imperative to keep America competitive in the global economy.At the center, Biden promoted his proposal to make such care free for lower-income families, and ensure that families making up to 150% of their state’s median income pay less than 7% of their salaries on child care. It’s part of a massive expansion of the social safety net that Biden has championed and is aiming to pass with just Democratic votes in Congress.“Too many folks in Washington still don’t realize it isn’t enough just to invest in our physical infrastructure. We also have to invest in our people,” he said.Biden went on to outline how his plan would reduce child care costs for Connecticut residents, and noted the disparity between U.S. spending on early child care versus greater investments in other countries, to argue that the lack of investment is causing the U.S. to fall behind.“How can we compete in the world if millions of American parents, especially moms, can’t be part of the workforce because they can’t afford the cost of child care or eldercare?”He briefly greeted some of the children at the center’s playground before speaking, at one point kneeling down to give a child a hug.The president’s sales pitch comes as his Democratic allies have raised alarm that the American public does not understand the benefits of the package.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-house-elections-b0719b901d945a9b63ed5cf6f036c4ef">There is renewed urgency among Democrats</a>&nbsp;to push through the package ahead of an end-of-month deadline on transportation funding, Biden’s upcoming foreign trip, and a closer-than-anticipated race for Virginia’s next governor.Talks between the White House and members of Congress continue, as they try to reach consensus both on the total spending level for the legislation and what particular programs should be included. Objections by centrist Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-seniors-29366e47034eb12d0d4b28b314cace60">forcing Democrats to shrink the package from Biden’s proposed $3.5 trillion to closer to $2 trillion</a>.The fate of that legislation, branded “Build Back Better” by Biden, is also holding up a more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate this summer. House progressives are balking at supporting that bill until agreement is reached on a path forward on the social safety net package.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-barack-obama-congress-terry-mcauliffe-only-on-ap-89137912636ec3dcea9fda2857085370">In an interview this week with The Associated Press</a>, Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, criticized Democrats and Biden over the stalled infrastructure package.“They all got to get their act together and vote,” McAuliffe said. Asked specifically if he was calling out Biden, McAuliffe said, “I put everybody there.” McAuliffe is in a tight race with Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin in a state Biden carried by 10 points just last fall.Biden is also set to deliver remarks Friday at the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights at the University of Connecticut, which is being renamed to honor a longtime friend, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, in addition to Dodd’s father, who was also a former senator.___HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to highlight his plan to lower the cost of child care for most American families as he makes the case for his stalled social spending bill during a visit to Connecticut on Friday.Biden visited a child development center in Hartford to promote his proposal to make such care free for lower-income families and ensure that families making up to 150% of their state’s median income pay less than 7% of their salaries on child care. The proposal is part of a massive expansion of the social safety net that Biden has championed and is aiming to pass with just Democratic votes in Congress.The president’s sales pitch comes as his Democratic allies have raised alarm that the American public does not understand the benefits of the package.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-house-elections-b0719b901d945a9b63ed5cf6f036c4ef">There is renewed urgency among Democrats</a>&nbsp;to push through the package ahead of an end-of-month deadline on transportation funding, Biden’s upcoming foreign trip, and a closer-than-anticipated race for Virginia’s next governor.Talks between the White House and members of Congress continue, as they try to reach consensus both on the total spending level for the legislation and what particular programs should be included. Objections by centrist Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-health-seniors-29366e47034eb12d0d4b28b314cace60">forcing Democrats to shrink the package from Biden’s proposed $3.5 trillion to closer to $2 trillion</a>.The fate of that legislation, branded “Build Back Better” by Biden, is also holding up a more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate this summer. House progressives are balking at supporting that bill until agreement is reached on a path forward on the social safety net package.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-barack-obama-congress-terry-mcauliffe-only-on-ap-89137912636ec3dcea9fda2857085370">In an interview this week with The Associated Press</a>, Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, criticized Democrats and Biden over the stalled infrastructure package.“They all got to get their act together and vote,” McAuliffe said. Asked specifically if he was calling out Biden, McAuliffe said, “I put everybody there.” McAuliffe is in a tight race with Republican newcomer Glenn Youngkin in a state Biden carried by 10 points just last fall.Biden is also set to deliver remarks Friday at the dedication of the Dodd Center for Human Rights at the University of Connecticut, which is being renamed to honor a longtime friend, former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, in addition to Dodd’s father, who was also a former senator.

Pres. Biden pushing child care provisions in stalled $3.5T bill

Your monthly phone bill can be confusing. Some 
less-than-scrupulous companies take advantage of this by “cramming.” 
Cramming is the illegal act of adding <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/mobile-technology/mobile-cramming" target="_blank">unauthorized service charges</a> to your account without your knowledge or approval.

Usually, crammers add small charges and describe them with generic 
terms, such as “service fee,” “voicemail,” or “other fees,” hoping a few
 dollars here and there will go unnoticed. Many times, they do. In fact,
 the Federal Communications Commission estimates that cramming has 
harmed <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/understanding-your-telephone-bill" target="_blank">tens of thousands of American households</a> and recently the Federal Trade Commission sent <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/09/ftc-sends-nearly-5-million-refunds-people-who-lost-money-cramming" target="_blank">$5 million in refunds</a> to people who lost money to cramming.

To protect yourself from cramming, BBB recommends the following tips.

To learn more ways to avoid falling victim to scams, visit <a href="http://www.BBB.org/AvoidScams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>.

If you’ve been the victim of cramming and neither your service 
provider nor the third-party company will resolve the issue, file a 
complaint with your <a href="https://www.naruc.org/">state public service commission</a> for telephone services and the <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">FTC</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Better Business BureauYour monthly phone bill can be confusing. Some 
less-than-scrupulous companies take advantage of this by “cramming.” 
Cramming is the illegal act of adding <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/mobile-technology/mobile-cramming" target="_blank">unauthorized service charges</a> to your account without your knowledge or approval.Usually, crammers add small charges and describe them with generic 
terms, such as “service fee,” “voicemail,” or “other fees,” hoping a few
 dollars here and there will go unnoticed. Many times, they do. In fact,
 the Federal Communications Commission estimates that cramming has 
harmed <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/understanding-your-telephone-bill" target="_blank">tens of thousands of American households</a> and recently the Federal Trade Commission sent <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/09/ftc-sends-nearly-5-million-refunds-people-who-lost-money-cramming" target="_blank">$5 million in refunds</a> to people who lost money to cramming.To protect yourself from cramming, BBB recommends the following tips.<h2>How to Avoid Getting Crammed</h2><ul>
 <li>Thoroughly review your phone bill each month. Make 
sure you know all the companies who added charges to the bill and double
 check that you personally authorized each charge. In addition, make 
sure you weren’t billed more than you were quoted for any service. </li><li>Reach out to your service provider if you notice any charges you are unsure about. Crammers love to add tiny <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/cramming_-_unauthorized_charges_on_your_phone_bill.pdf" target="_blank">mystery charges</a>
 for just few dollars to thousands of consumers’ bills at a time. These 
fees can recur and stay on your bill for years if you don’t follow up. 
If you notice a charge you don’t remember authorizing or the description
 is vague, call your service provider and ask them to explain the charge
 before you pay it. </li><li>Ask for a refund. If you do find bogus charges on 
your account, request a refund. Some service providers will ask you to 
reach out to the third-party first, but in most cases they will refund 
the money directly. </li><li>Request a block on third-party charges. If you 
don’t generally use add-on services in connection with your phone 
service, you can ask your provider to block all third-party charges. 
This will make it impossible for scammers to cram your bill. </li><li>Don’t be quick to give out your cell phone number. Sometimes, the only thing a scammer needs to cram your bill is your phone number. Be <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/technology/personaltech/i-shared-my-phone-number-i-learned-i-shouldnt-have.html" target="_blank">wary about entering your cell phone number</a>
 in order to enter contests, auctions, giveaways, and surveys. In 
addition, watch out for unfamiliar websites that ask you for your phone 
number in exchange for free tips, daily news, sports scores, horoscopes,
 and the like. </li><li>Pay for services with your credit card. If you do 
decide to purchase a third-party service, it’s best to pay directly with
 your credit card instead of authorizing charges through your service 
provider. It’s much easier to dispute fraudulent charges and get your 
money back from a credit card company.</li>
 </ul><h2>For More Information</h2>To learn more ways to avoid falling victim to scams, visit <a href="http://www.BBB.org/AvoidScams" target="_blank">BBB.org/AvoidScams</a>.If you’ve been the victim of cramming and neither your service 
provider nor the third-party company will resolve the issue, file a 
complaint with your <a href="https://www.naruc.org/">state public service commission</a> for telephone services and the <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/">FTC</a>.

Overcharged on your phone bill? Tips to avoid 'cramming'

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers on Friday tackled who should get boosters of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine and when — and whether using a competing brand for the second dose might provide better protection.

The push for boosters kicked off last month after the Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of the Pfizer vaccine for seniors and younger adults with health problems, jobs or living conditions that place them at higher risk from the coronavirus. On Thursday, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended a half-dose booster of the similar Moderna vaccine for the same groups.

Friday, the same panel discussed a booster of J&amp;J's vaccine but the decision is more complex. Moderna and Pfizer asked the FDA to OK boosters at least six months after immunization, but J&amp;J proposed a sliding schedule with an extra dose as early as two months later.

Adding another twist, the experts also will discuss preliminary data from a government “mix-and-match” study that suggested J&amp;J recipients may have a far stronger immune response if they get either a Moderna or Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J dose.

J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine is made with a different technology than the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines -- and it has consistently shown lower effectiveness levels.

On Friday, J&amp;J executives pitched a booster as a way to strengthen a robust vaccine that they said has retained its protective power over eight months. But FDA scientists pointedly challenged that assertion.

“There are data that suggest the effectiveness of this vaccine is actually less robust than the company’s presentation here," said Dr. Peter Marks, FDA's top vaccines official. “And that is a finding of concern particularly because that’s been seen in minority communities potentially and others.”

The panel's chair said regulators have a responsibility to shore up protection for J&amp;J recipients.

“There is some urgency here to do something,” said Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan.

The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations to decide whether to authorize boosters for both J&amp;J and Moderna, after which another government agency will rule on who should roll up their sleeves.

All three vaccines in the U.S. still offer strong protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 — and the nation's priority remains getting first doses to 66 million eligible but unvaccinated Americans who are most at risk as the extra-contagious delta variant continues to circulate.

J&amp;J presented results from a large study that found giving a second dose just two months after the first bumped protection against symptomatic COVID-19 to 94% from 70% in U.S. recipients. Giving that booster six months later instead prompted an even bigger jump in virus-fighting antibodies.

But in their own review, FDA scientists flagged a number of shortcomings with J&amp;J's booster studies, including only a tiny portion of cases involving the delta variant, by far the dominant strain in the U.S. Reviewers also warned that J&amp;J had only followed booster recipients for a little more than a month after a second dose, making it hard to draw conclusions about the durability of protection. Finally, FDA staff emphasized that they had not had time to independently confirm J&amp;J's findings, which were submitted shortly before the meeting.

FDA's reviewers found no new safety concerns after a second J&amp;J dose, but again, they cautioned about the small number of patients studied and short follow-up period.

The J&amp;J vaccine was highly anticipated for its one-and-done formulation. But its rollout earlier this year was hurt by a series of troubles including manufacturing problems and some rare but serious side effects including a blood clot disorder and a neurological reaction called Guillain-Barre syndrome. In both cases, regulators decided the shot’s benefits outweighed those risks.

The vast majority of the 188 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while J&amp;J recipients account for only about 15 million.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers on Friday tackled who should get boosters of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine and when — and whether using a competing brand for the second dose might provide better protection.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c-H40GrvWz4?start=11443" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The push for boosters kicked off last month after the Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of the Pfizer vaccine for seniors and younger adults with health problems, jobs or living conditions that place them at higher risk from the coronavirus. On Thursday, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended a half-dose booster of the similar Moderna vaccine for the same groups.Friday, the same panel discussed a booster of J&amp;J's vaccine but the decision is more complex. Moderna and Pfizer asked the FDA to OK boosters at least six months after immunization, but J&amp;J proposed a sliding schedule with an extra dose as early as two months later.Adding another twist, the experts also will discuss preliminary data from a government “mix-and-match” study that suggested J&amp;J recipients may have a far stronger immune response if they get either a Moderna or Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J dose.J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine is made with a different technology than the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines -- and it has consistently shown lower effectiveness levels.On Friday, J&amp;J executives pitched a booster as a way to strengthen a robust vaccine that they said has retained its protective power over eight months. But FDA scientists pointedly challenged that assertion.“There are data that suggest the effectiveness of this vaccine is actually less robust than the company’s presentation here," said Dr. Peter Marks, FDA's top vaccines official. “And that is a finding of concern particularly because that’s been seen in minority communities potentially and others.”The panel's chair said regulators have a responsibility to shore up protection for J&amp;J recipients.“There is some urgency here to do something,” said Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan.The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations to decide whether to authorize boosters for both J&amp;J and Moderna, after which another government agency will rule on who should roll up their sleeves.All three vaccines in the U.S. still offer strong protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 — and the nation's priority remains getting first doses to 66 million eligible but unvaccinated Americans who are most at risk as the extra-contagious delta variant continues to circulate.J&amp;J presented results from a large study that found giving a second dose just two months after the first bumped protection against symptomatic COVID-19 to 94% from 70% in U.S. recipients. Giving that booster six months later instead prompted an even bigger jump in virus-fighting antibodies.But in their own review, FDA scientists flagged a number of shortcomings with J&amp;J's booster studies, including only a tiny portion of cases involving the delta variant, by far the dominant strain in the U.S. Reviewers also warned that J&amp;J had only followed booster recipients for a little more than a month after a second dose, making it hard to draw conclusions about the durability of protection. Finally, FDA staff emphasized that they had not had time to independently confirm J&amp;J's findings, which were submitted shortly before the meeting.FDA's reviewers found no new safety concerns after a second J&amp;J dose, but again, they cautioned about the small number of patients studied and short follow-up period.The J&amp;J vaccine was highly anticipated for its one-and-done formulation. But its rollout earlier this year was hurt by a series of troubles including manufacturing problems and some rare but serious side effects including a blood clot disorder and a neurological reaction called Guillain-Barre syndrome. In both cases, regulators decided the shot’s benefits outweighed those risks.The vast majority of the 188 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while J&amp;J recipients account for only about 15 million.___

🎥 FDA panel endorses booster shot for J&J COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON — The IRS has set forth the information that taxpayers 
will be required to include for a research credit claim for refund to be
 considered valid. Existing Treasury Regulations require that for a 
refund claim to be valid, it must set forth sufficient facts to apprise 
IRS of the basis of the claim. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-lafa/20214101f.pdf">Chief Counsel memorandum</a>&nbsp;PDF
 will be used to improve tax administration with clearer instructions 
for eligible taxpayers to claim the credit while reducing the number of 
disputes over such claims.

Effective tax administration entails ensuring taxpayers understand 
what is required to support the claim for the research and 
experimentation (R&amp;E) credit. Each year, the IRS receives thousands 
of R&amp;E claims for credits in the hundreds of millions of dollars 
from corporations, businesses, and individual taxpayers. Claims for 
research credit under IRC Section 41 are currently examined in a 
substantial number of cases and consume significant resources for both 
the IRS and taxpayers.

The Chief Counsel legal advice released today is the result of 
ongoing efforts to manage research credit issues and resources in the 
most effective and efficient manner. By requiring taxpayers to provide 
the information referenced below, the IRS will be better able to 
determine upfront if an R&amp;E credit claim for refund should be paid 
immediately or whether further review is needed.

Specifically, the opinion provides that for a Section 41 research 
credit claim for refund to be considered a valid claim, taxpayers are 
required to provide the following information at the time the refund 
claim is filed with the IRS:

The IRS will provide a grace period (until January 10, 2022) 
before requiring the inclusion of this information with timely filed 
Section 41 research credit claims for refund. Upon the expiration of the
 grace period, there will be a one-year transition period during which 
taxpayers will have 30 days to perfect a research credit claim for 
refund prior to the IRS' final determination on the claim. Further 
details will be forthcoming; however, taxpayers may begin immediately 
providing this information.

The IRS plans to continue engaging with stakeholders on research credit issues. Comments may be sent to <a href="mailto:irs.feedback.recredit.claims@irs.gov">irs.feedback.recredit.claims@irs.gov</a>.

IRSWASHINGTON — The IRS has set forth the information that taxpayers 
will be required to include for a research credit claim for refund to be
 considered valid. Existing Treasury Regulations require that for a 
refund claim to be valid, it must set forth sufficient facts to apprise 
IRS of the basis of the claim. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-lafa/20214101f.pdf">Chief Counsel memorandum</a>&nbsp;PDF
 will be used to improve tax administration with clearer instructions 
for eligible taxpayers to claim the credit while reducing the number of 
disputes over such claims.Effective tax administration entails ensuring taxpayers understand 
what is required to support the claim for the research and 
experimentation (R&amp;E) credit. Each year, the IRS receives thousands 
of R&amp;E claims for credits in the hundreds of millions of dollars 
from corporations, businesses, and individual taxpayers. Claims for 
research credit under IRC Section 41 are currently examined in a 
substantial number of cases and consume significant resources for both 
the IRS and taxpayers.The Chief Counsel legal advice released today is the result of 
ongoing efforts to manage research credit issues and resources in the 
most effective and efficient manner. By requiring taxpayers to provide 
the information referenced below, the IRS will be better able to 
determine upfront if an R&amp;E credit claim for refund should be paid 
immediately or whether further review is needed.Specifically, the opinion provides that for a Section 41 research 
credit claim for refund to be considered a valid claim, taxpayers are 
required to provide the following information at the time the refund 
claim is filed with the IRS:<ul>
 <li>Identify all the business components to which the Section 41 research credit claim relates for that year.</li><li>For each business component, identify all research activities 
performed and name the individuals who performed each research activity,
 as well as the information each individual sought to discover.</li><li>Provide the total qualified employee wage expenses, total qualified
 supply expenses, and total qualified contract research expenses for the
 claim year. This may be done using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f6765.pdf">Form 6765, Credit for Increasing Research Activities</a>&nbsp;PDF.</li>
 </ul>The IRS will provide a grace period (until January 10, 2022) 
before requiring the inclusion of this information with timely filed 
Section 41 research credit claims for refund. Upon the expiration of the
 grace period, there will be a one-year transition period during which 
taxpayers will have 30 days to perfect a research credit claim for 
refund prior to the IRS' final determination on the claim. Further 
details will be forthcoming; however, taxpayers may begin immediately 
providing this information.The IRS plans to continue engaging with stakeholders on research credit issues. Comments may be sent to <a href="mailto:irs.feedback.recredit.claims@irs.gov">irs.feedback.recredit.claims@irs.gov</a>.

IRS sets forth required information for a valid research credit claim for refund

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Police in Grand Island say a 52-year-old man has died after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a pickup truck. 

The crash happened Wednesday morning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and a Grand Island city street. 

Investigators say the truck was eastbound on the highway and turning left when the motorcycle hit the truck's front fender, throwing the motorcyclist who was declared dead at the scene. His name was not immediately released.

 Police say the speed of the motorcycle appears to have played a role in the crash.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Police in Grand Island say a 52-year-old man has died after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a pickup truck. The crash happened Wednesday morning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and a Grand Island city street. Investigators say the truck was eastbound on the highway and turning left when the motorcycle hit the truck's front fender, throwing the motorcyclist who was declared dead at the scene. His name was not immediately released. Police say the speed of the motorcycle appears to have played a role in the crash.

Grand Island police: Motorcyclist killed in US Hwy 30 crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation at the wholesale level rose 8.6% in September compared to a year ago, the largest advance since the 12-month change was first calculated in 2010.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that the monthly increase in its producer price index, which measures inflationary pressures before they reach consumers, was 0.5% for September compared to a 0.7% gain in August.

The 8.6% rise for the 12 months ending in September compared to an 8.3% increase for the 12 months ending in August, which had been the previous record 12-month gain.

On Wednesday, the government reported that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-consumer-prices-inflation-prices-e80c0c24a6ec5ca1c977eccd6294d01b">inflation at the retail level rose 0.4% in September with its consumer price index up 5.4% over the past 12 months</a>, matching the fastest pace since 2008.

The jump in inflation this year reflects higher prices for food and energy and a number of other items from furniture to autos as the pandemic has snarled supply chains and demand has outstripped supply.

The report on wholesale prices showed that core inflation at the wholesale level, excluding volatile energy and food, was up 0.2% in September from August and was 6.8% higher over the past 12 months.

Almost 80% of the overall increase in wholesale prices last month was attributed to a 1.3% rise in the price of goods, the largest increase since May. In September, 40% of the jump in goods prices reflected rising energy prices. Price increases for services rose a smaller 0.2%

Food costs at the wholesale level rose 2% in September while energy prices were up 2.8%, the biggest jump since a 5% surge in March.

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden took actions in an effort to address the supply chain problems including announcing that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">Port of Los Angeles would begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to clear bottlenecks&nbsp;</a>at one of America’s largest ports.

Economists said that the jump in wholesale and retail prices reflected impacts of the pandemic as strong demand is running up against supply chain problems.

“The demand impact will fade further over coming months,” said Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics. “But there is a risk of more persistent headwinds from broken supply chains that could keep goods prices and inflation high for longer than expected.”

Minutes released Wednesday of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting provided further indications that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-inflation-economy-3137e678ed459364dd3e1bc3a909920a">the central bank is preparing to start pulling back on its $120 billion in monthly bond purchases</a>, possibly at its next meeting in November, as the first step in unwinding the extraordinary support the central bank has been providing the economy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587348963152.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation at the wholesale level rose 8.6% in September compared to a year ago, the largest advance since the 12-month change was first calculated in 2010.The Labor Department reported Thursday that the monthly increase in its producer price index, which measures inflationary pressures before they reach consumers, was 0.5% for September compared to a 0.7% gain in August.The 8.6% rise for the 12 months ending in September compared to an 8.3% increase for the 12 months ending in August, which had been the previous record 12-month gain.On Wednesday, the government reported that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-consumer-prices-inflation-prices-e80c0c24a6ec5ca1c977eccd6294d01b">inflation at the retail level rose 0.4% in September with its consumer price index up 5.4% over the past 12 months</a>, matching the fastest pace since 2008.The jump in inflation this year reflects higher prices for food and energy and a number of other items from furniture to autos as the pandemic has snarled supply chains and demand has outstripped supply.The report on wholesale prices showed that core inflation at the wholesale level, excluding volatile energy and food, was up 0.2% in September from August and was 6.8% higher over the past 12 months.Almost 80% of the overall increase in wholesale prices last month was attributed to a 1.3% rise in the price of goods, the largest increase since May. In September, 40% of the jump in goods prices reflected rising energy prices. Price increases for services rose a smaller 0.2%Food costs at the wholesale level rose 2% in September while energy prices were up 2.8%, the biggest jump since a 5% surge in March.On Wednesday, President Joe Biden took actions in an effort to address the supply chain problems including announcing that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">Port of Los Angeles would begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to clear bottlenecks&nbsp;</a>at one of America’s largest ports.Economists said that the jump in wholesale and retail prices reflected impacts of the pandemic as strong demand is running up against supply chain problems.“The demand impact will fade further over coming months,” said Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics. “But there is a risk of more persistent headwinds from broken supply chains that could keep goods prices and inflation high for longer than expected.”Minutes released Wednesday of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting provided further indications that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-inflation-economy-3137e678ed459364dd3e1bc3a909920a">the central bank is preparing to start pulling back on its $120 billion in monthly bond purchases</a>, possibly at its next meeting in November, as the first step in unwinding the extraordinary support the central bank has been providing the economy.

Record: US wholesale prices rose 8.6% over past 12-months

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. health advisers said Thursday that some Americans who received Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine should get a half-dose booster to bolster protection against the virus.

The panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk for COVID-19.

The recommendation is non-binding but it’s a key step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign to millions more Americans. Many people who got their initial Pfizer shots at least six months ago are already getting a booster after the FDA authorized their use last month.

As for the dose, initial Moderna vaccination consists of two 100-microgram shots. But Moderna says a single 50-microgram shot should be enough for a booster.

The agency convened its experts Thursday and Friday to weigh-in on who should get boosters and when for people that received the Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson shots earlier this year.

The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations in making final decisions for boosters from both companies. Assuming a positive decision, there’s still another hurdle: Next week, a panel convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will offer more specifics on who should get one.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613693226012.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. health advisers said Thursday that some Americans who received Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine should get a half-dose booster to bolster protection against the virus.The panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk for COVID-19.The recommendation is non-binding but it’s a key step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign to millions more Americans. Many people who got their initial Pfizer shots at least six months ago are already getting a booster after the FDA authorized their use last month.As for the dose, initial Moderna vaccination consists of two 100-microgram shots. But Moderna says a single 50-microgram shot should be enough for a booster.The agency convened its experts Thursday and Friday to weigh-in on who should get boosters and when for people that received the Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson shots earlier this year.The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations in making final decisions for boosters from both companies. Assuming a positive decision, there’s still another hurdle: Next week, a panel convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will offer more specifics on who should get one.

FDA panel endorses lower-dose Moderna COVID shot for booster

WASHINGTON (AP)— President Joe Biden on Thursday spoke out against misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccination mandates, encouraging the approximately 66 million unvaccinated Americans to get a shot.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?515337-1/president-biden-update-covid-19-response-vaccinations">Click here to watch </a>the President's statement

“School board members, religious leaders and doctors across the country are fighting misinformation and educating people about the importance of vaccines,” Biden said.

Speaking at the White House, Biden says employer requirements that their workers be vaccinated are effective. He added: “Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us.”

Biden has issued a federal vaccine mandate on businesses with 100 or more employees that will be implemented in the coming weeks. He says the federal government, as well as businesses and community groups, must “continue to battle the misinformation that’s out there.”

He noted both Southwest Airlines and its pilots’ union dismissed claims that worker action over a pending vaccine mandate at the company was responsible for days of disruption at the airline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634230982483.png" alt="Speaking at the White House, Biden says employer requirements that their workers be vaccinated are effective. He added: “Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us.”" />
 <figcaption>Speaking at the White House, Biden says employer requirements that their workers be vaccinated are effective. He added: “Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us.”</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— President Joe Biden on Thursday spoke out against misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccination mandates, encouraging the approximately 66 million unvaccinated Americans to get a shot.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?515337-1/president-biden-update-covid-19-response-vaccinations">Click here to watch </a>the President's statement“School board members, religious leaders and doctors across the country are fighting misinformation and educating people about the importance of vaccines,” Biden said.Speaking at the White House, Biden says employer requirements that their workers be vaccinated are effective. He added: “Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us.”Biden has issued a federal vaccine mandate on businesses with 100 or more employees that will be implemented in the coming weeks. He says the federal government, as well as businesses and community groups, must “continue to battle the misinformation that’s out there.”He noted both Southwest Airlines and its pilots’ union dismissed claims that worker action over a pending vaccine mandate at the company was responsible for days of disruption at the airline.

🎥Biden: Vaccination mandates should not be an issue that divides us

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police said a violent carjacking that injured a woman in Council Bluffs ended in a crash before the suspect could cross the Missouri River into Nebraska. 

Police said the incident began Wednesday night when a man's vehicle was hit from behind. Police said when the man got out to inspect the damage, someone from the other vehicle jumped into his car and drove off. 

Police say the victim's wife was a passenger in the car and was seriously injured when she fell into the roadway as the carjacker sped off. 

Police say officers used a maneuver that caused the fleeing car to crash before it reached the Nebraska side of the bridge. The suspect was injured and taken to an Omaha, Nebraska, hospital.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police said a violent carjacking that injured a woman in Council Bluffs ended in a crash before the suspect could cross the Missouri River into Nebraska. Police said the incident began Wednesday night when a man's vehicle was hit from behind. Police said when the man got out to inspect the damage, someone from the other vehicle jumped into his car and drove off. Police say the victim's wife was a passenger in the car and was seriously injured when she fell into the roadway as the carjacker sped off. Police say officers used a maneuver that caused the fleeing car to crash before it reached the Nebraska side of the bridge. The suspect was injured and taken to an Omaha, Nebraska, hospital.