By BETH REECE U.S. Department of Defense

"The size of our building was a concern to me. It could've been a 
target," Lippert said two months shy of the attack's 20th anniversary.&nbsp;

Fear flooded the building's basement as workers crowded together, 
some openly sobbing with worry that loved ones working at the Pentagon 
or on temporary duty at the World Trade Center had been caught in the 
horror. Others gazed in shock at overhead TVs, wondering how such 
tragedy and blood could spill over American soil.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Remembering-September-11-2001/">RELATED: Remember Sept. 11, 2001</a>

John Morris, the former supervisor of the Document Automation 
Printing Service at the Pentagon, was watching news anchors report on 
the devastation in New York City when he and his staff heard what 
sounded like heavy furniture moving on the floor above. Stepping outside
 the office, Morris saw employees running, one warning of a bomb 
explosion. It was the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 slamming into
 the building's southwest corridor.&nbsp;

Back at DLA Headquarters, Shirley Bergman, then a contract specialist
 for alternative fuels, agonized and wept knowing her husband was at a 
Marriott between the two 110-story World Trade Center towers 
interviewing senior economists for the U.S. Census Bureau. And Matthew 
Woodruff, now a general supply specialist at DLA Distribution San 
Joaquin, California, was just a sophomore in high school. All but one of
 his teachers halted class as students watched the horrific story unfold
 via news broadcasts.

"I still remember how vivid it was. There was a lot of stuff my 
parents wouldn't even let me watch on TV because of the nature of the 
event," he said, admitting that, like most Americans, he'd never even 
heard the word al-Qaida until that day.&nbsp;

Lippert made another announcement that employees should go home soon 
after Flight 93 crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Most 
were eager to return the next day even as the nation mourned and despite
 delays from increased security.

"We always talked about warfighters first, but this really brought it
 home," he said. "The whole country responded more patriotically than 
we'd seen in the past, and I think everyone felt the importance of what 
they were doing."&nbsp;

The Customer Interaction Center, where agents help callers place 
orders and find details like supply availability and delivery status, 
went to 24/7 operations on 9/11. Shamon Pratt, a customer service 
specialist who was then an agent, remembers the phone lines being eerily
 quiet for a couple of days before they rang off the hook, forcing 
management to hire more agents to handle the influx of calls.&nbsp;

"The end result is what we all want — well-equipped, well-protected warfighters," she said then.&nbsp;

Woodruff is another of the hundreds of DLA employees who've since 
left home to support forces in harm's way. He deployed for eight months 
in April 2011 to DLA Distribution's theater consolidating shipping point
 at Forward Operating Base Deh Dadi II, where he helped distribute the 
material to units on the ground.&nbsp;

The nation celebrated a victory during Woodruff's time in the 
warzone, and again, he saw it unfold via television. At breakfast in the
 chow hall On May 2, he watched President Barack Obama announce that 
U.S. Navy Seals had killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of 9/11.

"I could have helped deliver the helicopter part that was used to 
transport those who found him. It was the littlest things —&nbsp;screws, 
washers, o-rings —&nbsp;that had the biggest impact there," he said. "When 
you realize the part you help provide means there's one less helicopter 
down, it becomes more than just a job."

Twenty years after the tragedy that tested DLA's ability to support 
simultaneous wars, Lippert still remembers stepping into the Pentagon 
one day after the attack. He was there to meet with senior officials on 
the amount of money DLA would have for the next year, a meeting he was 
originally scheduled to attend the afternoon of 9/11.&nbsp;

"You could hear a pin drop. You could still smell the smoke, and 
there were armed guards all over the place with rifles and machine guns,
 something I never thought I'd see," he said.&nbsp;

DLA employees who've been in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past 20 
years say their pre-deployment training left no doubt their lives would 
be at risk. They deployed anyway, and all but two came home alive. 
Stephen Byus and Krissie Davis were both killed while serving in 
Afghanistan for DLA Disposition Services.&nbsp;

The vicious, unprovoked attacks that ripped apart Americans' sense of
 security 20 years ago resulted in the death of almost 3,000 people, 125
 of them service members or Defense Department civilians and 
contractors. Those attacks remain the deadliest terrorist act in 
America's history, and aftershocks of the atrocity ripple through lives 
even today.&nbsp;

Like Lippert, current DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic points to employees' courage, patriotism and resilience.&nbsp;

"Just like the workforce of today, they understood that on America's 
worst day, DLA must be at its best," she said this week in a message to 
the agency.

The sharp memories of 9/11 urge employees like Woodruff to continually
 rededicate themselves to DLA's mission. American pride is alive and 
strong among DLA's members.

"9/11 taught us that we need to be resilient and not become 
complacent," Woodruff said. "It's like a game of chess. We need to be 
steps ahead of our adversaries."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631038876655.png" alt="The World Trade Center burns in the background of New York City’s Empire State Building, Sept. 11, 2001. Both World Trade Center towers were attacked as a result of a highly coordinated al-Qaida plot. U.S. Department of Defense photo" />
 <figcaption>The World Trade Center burns in the background of New York City’s Empire State Building, Sept. 11, 2001. Both World Trade Center towers were attacked as a result of a highly coordinated al-Qaida plot. U.S. Department of Defense photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BETH REECE U.S. Department of Defense"The size of our building was a concern to me. It could've been a 
target," Lippert said two months shy of the attack's 20th anniversary.&nbsp;Fear flooded the building's basement as workers crowded together, 
some openly sobbing with worry that loved ones working at the Pentagon 
or on temporary duty at the World Trade Center had been caught in the 
horror. Others gazed in shock at overhead TVs, wondering how such 
tragedy and blood could spill over American soil.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Remembering-September-11-2001/">RELATED: Remember Sept. 11, 2001</a>John Morris, the former supervisor of the Document Automation 
Printing Service at the Pentagon, was watching news anchors report on 
the devastation in New York City when he and his staff heard what 
sounded like heavy furniture moving on the floor above. Stepping outside
 the office, Morris saw employees running, one warning of a bomb 
explosion. It was the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 slamming into
 the building's southwest corridor.&nbsp;Back at DLA Headquarters, Shirley Bergman, then a contract specialist
 for alternative fuels, agonized and wept knowing her husband was at a 
Marriott between the two 110-story World Trade Center towers 
interviewing senior economists for the U.S. Census Bureau. And Matthew 
Woodruff, now a general supply specialist at DLA Distribution San 
Joaquin, California, was just a sophomore in high school. All but one of
 his teachers halted class as students watched the horrific story unfold
 via news broadcasts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631038987065.png" alt="Matthew Woodruff, general supply specialist at Defense Logistics Agency San Joaquin, Calif., gathers supplies for a customer order April 3, 2000. He is one of hundreds of DLA employees who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to support warfighters on the ground following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Photo by Annette Silva, U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Woodruff, general supply specialist at Defense Logistics Agency San Joaquin, Calif., gathers supplies for a customer order April 3, 2000. He is one of hundreds of DLA employees who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to support warfighters on the ground following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Photo by Annette Silva, U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>"I still remember how vivid it was. There was a lot of stuff my 
parents wouldn't even let me watch on TV because of the nature of the 
event," he said, admitting that, like most Americans, he'd never even 
heard the word al-Qaida until that day.&nbsp;Lippert made another announcement that employees should go home soon 
after Flight 93 crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Most 
were eager to return the next day even as the nation mourned and despite
 delays from increased security."We always talked about warfighters first, but this really brought it
 home," he said. "The whole country responded more patriotically than 
we'd seen in the past, and I think everyone felt the importance of what 
they were doing."&nbsp;<h2>Homeland Response</h2>The Customer Interaction Center, where agents help callers place 
orders and find details like supply availability and delivery status, 
went to 24/7 operations on 9/11. Shamon Pratt, a customer service 
specialist who was then an agent, remembers the phone lines being eerily
 quiet for a couple of days before they rang off the hook, forcing 
management to hire more agents to handle the influx of calls.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631039034891.png" alt="Customer Interaction Center agents help Defense Logistics Agency customers track down details on supply availability and delivery status. The center went to 24/7 operations Sept. 11, 2001. Photo by Beth Reece, U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Customer Interaction Center agents help Defense Logistics Agency customers track down details on supply availability and delivery status. The center went to 24/7 operations Sept. 11, 2001. Photo by Beth Reece, U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>"The end result is what we all want — well-equipped, well-protected warfighters," she said then.&nbsp;Woodruff is another of the hundreds of DLA employees who've since 
left home to support forces in harm's way. He deployed for eight months 
in April 2011 to DLA Distribution's theater consolidating shipping point
 at Forward Operating Base Deh Dadi II, where he helped distribute the 
material to units on the ground.&nbsp;The nation celebrated a victory during Woodruff's time in the 
warzone, and again, he saw it unfold via television. At breakfast in the
 chow hall On May 2, he watched President Barack Obama announce that 
U.S. Navy Seals had killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of 9/11."I could have helped deliver the helicopter part that was used to 
transport those who found him. It was the littlest things —&nbsp;screws, 
washers, o-rings —&nbsp;that had the biggest impact there," he said. "When 
you realize the part you help provide means there's one less helicopter 
down, it becomes more than just a job."<h2>The Human Toll</h2>Twenty years after the tragedy that tested DLA's ability to support 
simultaneous wars, Lippert still remembers stepping into the Pentagon 
one day after the attack. He was there to meet with senior officials on 
the amount of money DLA would have for the next year, a meeting he was 
originally scheduled to attend the afternoon of 9/11.&nbsp;"You could hear a pin drop. You could still smell the smoke, and 
there were armed guards all over the place with rifles and machine guns,
 something I never thought I'd see," he said.&nbsp;DLA employees who've been in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past 20 
years say their pre-deployment training left no doubt their lives would 
be at risk. They deployed anyway, and all but two came home alive. 
Stephen Byus and Krissie Davis were both killed while serving in 
Afghanistan for DLA Disposition Services.&nbsp;<h2>The Promise: Never Forget</h2>The vicious, unprovoked attacks that ripped apart Americans' sense of
 security 20 years ago resulted in the death of almost 3,000 people, 125
 of them service members or Defense Department civilians and 
contractors. Those attacks remain the deadliest terrorist act in 
America's history, and aftershocks of the atrocity ripple through lives 
even today.&nbsp;Like Lippert, current DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic points to employees' courage, patriotism and resilience.&nbsp;"Just like the workforce of today, they understood that on America's 
worst day, DLA must be at its best," she said this week in a message to 
the agency.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631039148845.png" alt="Curtis Mitchell, operations supervisor at Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Fort Bragg, N.C.; Rob Delong, retired site manager at Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Sandra Delong listen during a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers and civilians at Camp Atterbury, Ind., July 3. Mitchell and Delong attended pre-deployment training with Krissie Davis in 2015 and Delong was with her when their vehicle was hit by an enemy rocket during an attack on Bagram Air Base in June 2015. Photo by Jake Joy, U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Curtis Mitchell, operations supervisor at Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Fort Bragg, N.C.; Rob Delong, retired site manager at Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Sandra Delong listen during a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers and civilians at Camp Atterbury, Ind., July 3. Mitchell and Delong attended pre-deployment training with Krissie Davis in 2015 and Delong was with her when their vehicle was hit by an enemy rocket during an attack on Bagram Air Base in June 2015. Photo by Jake Joy, U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631039148845.png" alt="Curtis Mitchell, operations supervisor at Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Fort Bragg, N.C.; Rob Delong, retired site manager at Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Sandra Delong listen during a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers and civilians at Camp Atterbury, Ind., July 3. Mitchell and Delong attended pre-deployment training with Krissie Davis in 2015 and Delong was with her when their vehicle was hit by an enemy rocket during an attack on Bagram Air Base in June 2015. Photo by Jake Joy, U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Curtis Mitchell, operations supervisor at Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Fort Bragg, N.C.; Rob Delong, retired site manager at Fort Drum, N.Y.; and Sandra Delong listen during a memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers and civilians at Camp Atterbury, Ind., July 3. Mitchell and Delong attended pre-deployment training with Krissie Davis in 2015 and Delong was with her when their vehicle was hit by an enemy rocket during an attack on Bagram Air Base in June 2015. Photo by Jake Joy, U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>The sharp memories of 9/11 urge employees like Woodruff to continually
 rededicate themselves to DLA's mission. American pride is alive and 
strong among DLA's members."9/11 taught us that we need to be resilient and not become 
complacent," Woodruff said. "It's like a game of chess. We need to be 
steps ahead of our adversaries."

America's darkest day strengthens DoD employees' patriotism, resolve

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Thousands of people lined the procession route along Omaha streets to pay tribute to a local man and Marine who died in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan. 

The body of 23-year-old Cpl. Daegan Page was transported Friday afternoon from Eppley Airfield to Braman Mortuary in southwest Omaha. 

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

Page was born in Omaha and lived his first five years in Red Oak, Iowa, before moving back to Omaha with his family. 

He graduated from Millard South High School in 2016 and enlisted the following year. A memorial service will be held Sept. 17.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631304458539.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Thousands of people lined the procession route along Omaha streets to pay tribute to a local man and Marine who died in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan. The body of 23-year-old Cpl. Daegan Page was transported Friday afternoon from Eppley Airfield to Braman Mortuary in southwest Omaha. Page was one of 13 U.S. service members killed Aug. 26 in the bombing at the Kabul airport, which also killed at least 169 Afghans. Page was born in Omaha and lived his first five years in Red Oak, Iowa, before moving back to Omaha with his family. He graduated from Millard South High School in 2016 and enlisted the following year. A memorial service will be held Sept. 17.

Thousands line Omaha streets for procession of fallen Marine

OMAHA, Neb.-The Nebraska State Patrol continues its investigation into the disappearance of Linda Dillard and has new information that may be of assistance in locating her.

Dillard, 55, was last seen on June 16 in the rural Table Rock area and was believed to be wearing a white tank top, jean shorts, and brown sandal boots. As part of the investigation, NSP has recovered those clothes and has learned that Dillard was last seen wearing a different outfit.

Investigators now believe that when she was last seen on June 16, Dillard was wearing a black t-shirt, black DKNY boxer brief shorts, and brown Birkenstock-type sandals. Dillard is described as a white female, 5’0”, 130 lbs., with blue eyes and brown hair (possibly dyed or wearing a wig).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631301880207.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb.-The Nebraska State Patrol continues its investigation into the disappearance of Linda Dillard and has new information that may be of assistance in locating her.Dillard, 55, was last seen on June 16 in the rural Table Rock area and was believed to be wearing a white tank top, jean shorts, and brown sandal boots. As part of the investigation, NSP has recovered those clothes and has learned that Dillard was last seen wearing a different outfit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631301905577.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators now believe that when she was last seen on June 16, Dillard was wearing a black t-shirt, black DKNY boxer brief shorts, and brown Birkenstock-type sandals. Dillard is described as a white female, 5’0”, 130 lbs., with blue eyes and brown hair (possibly dyed or wearing a wig).

Search continues for Jefferson County woman missing since June

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police are investigating the death of a man who was held down at an Omaha bowling alley as an in-custody death. 

Omaha police say in a news release that officers were called Thursday afternoon to West Lanes Bowling Center for reports of an autistic man biting his caregiver and other people and being “out of control.” 

Police say an officer who arrived on the scene found a bowling alley employee restraining the man, later identified as 30-year-old Eric Liao. 

Police say the officer handcuffed Liao and then noticed Liao was unresponsive. 

The officer began CPR, and paramedics soon took Liao to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631301796378.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police are investigating the death of a man who was held down at an Omaha bowling alley as an in-custody death. Omaha police say in a news release that officers were called Thursday afternoon to West Lanes Bowling Center for reports of an autistic man biting his caregiver and other people and being “out of control.” Police say an officer who arrived on the scene found a bowling alley employee restraining the man, later identified as 30-year-old Eric Liao. Police say the officer handcuffed Liao and then noticed Liao was unresponsive. The officer began CPR, and paramedics soon took Liao to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Omaha man's death being investigated as in-custody death

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon says he's asked the state’s attorney general to be prepared to challenge President Joe Biden’s new COVID-19 vaccine mandate, In a statement on Thursday, Gordon called it an “egregious example of big government overreach.” 

Gordon and his wife are both vaccinated but he has stressed that vaccination is an “intensely personal” decision. 

While he issued a statewide mask mandate during the winter surge, Gordon has vowed not to issue any vaccine mandates. 

Wyoming lawmakers have already been working on legislation aimed at prohibiting businesses from requiring vaccinations for their next session.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon says he's asked the state’s attorney general to be prepared to challenge President Joe Biden’s new COVID-19 vaccine mandate, In a statement on Thursday, Gordon called it an “egregious example of big government overreach.” Gordon and his wife are both vaccinated but he has stressed that vaccination is an “intensely personal” decision. While he issued a statewide mask mandate during the winter surge, Gordon has vowed not to issue any vaccine mandates. Wyoming lawmakers have already been working on legislation aimed at prohibiting businesses from requiring vaccinations for their next session.

Wyoming governor says state will fight vaccine mandate

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's Republican-led Legislature could soon be considering legislation similar to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-technology-health-texas-us-supreme-court-85f0a113234774771bb6c2a7e51391cc">new Texas law that bans most abortions</a>, and abortion-rights advocates protested that prospect Thursday before a bill was even written.

About 200 abortion-rights protesters rallied on the steps of the old St. Louis courthouse against the possibility of further restrictions on the procedure.

Karla Stribling, 56, of Warrenton, said she's worried that the Texas law — the most restrictive in the nation —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-us-supreme-court-laws-23c373f3252d511f15ccc170887c30e2">would become a blueprint</a>&nbsp;for Missouri and other states.

The Texas law prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, which usually happens around six weeks, before some women know they’re pregnant.

The Justice Department on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-justice-department-lawsuit-851b4ef55da816bda704be491bfc032c">sued to overturn the Texas law</a>, and courts have blocked similar restrictions elsewhere. But Texas’ law leaves enforcement up to private citizens through civil lawsuits, which could help it survive legal challenges.

“At less than six weeks, a lot of women don’t know they’re pregnant,” Stribling said. “It’s going to be so hard to get an abortion and only the wealthy will be able to get one, like in the past. It’s all going backward.”

Republican Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, of Arnold, said she plans to file a bill based partly on the new Texas law. It's likely many others will follow suit in the heavily Republican state Legislature, especially heading into 2022 elections as GOP candidates look to capitalize on their conservative credentials.

Missouri lawmakers in 2019 passed a bill that would ban abortions as early as the eighth week of pregnancy, but it's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-courts-michael-brown-1ec915d56429b8273af7f9c9d7e0a51d">entangled in legal battles</a>. A hearing on the case in federal appeals court is scheduled for Sept. 21.

Coleman said she hopes to enact legislation that won't perpetually be tied up in legal challenges. She plans to craft a bill that, as in Texas, would allow private citizens to sue abortion providers.

“It would be the next piece of making sure that Missouri is abortion free," Coleman said. “We’re doing everything we can to realize that goal and will continue to do so.”

Any legislative action on abortion is still months away.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson has said he doesn't plan to call lawmakers back for a special session before their regular legislative session begins in January. Parson’s spokeswoman repeated that he has no plans for a special session on abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-courts-michael-brown-1ec915d56429b8273af7f9c9d7e0a51d">decision this month</a>&nbsp;to allow the Texas law to take effect.

Republican lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-us-supreme-court-laws-23c373f3252d511f15ccc170887c30e2">in at least half a dozen states&nbsp;</a>have said they planned to introduce bills using the Texas law as a model, hoping it provides a pathway to enacting the kind of abortion crackdown they have sought for years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631271480870.png" alt="Abortion-rights protesters rallied Thursday in Missouri-photo courtesy ACLU Missouri" />
 <figcaption>Abortion-rights protesters rallied Thursday in Missouri-photo courtesy ACLU Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's Republican-led Legislature could soon be considering legislation similar to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-technology-health-texas-us-supreme-court-85f0a113234774771bb6c2a7e51391cc">new Texas law that bans most abortions</a>, and abortion-rights advocates protested that prospect Thursday before a bill was even written.About 200 abortion-rights protesters rallied on the steps of the old St. Louis courthouse against the possibility of further restrictions on the procedure.Karla Stribling, 56, of Warrenton, said she's worried that the Texas law — the most restrictive in the nation —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-us-supreme-court-laws-23c373f3252d511f15ccc170887c30e2">would become a blueprint</a>&nbsp;for Missouri and other states.The Texas law prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, which usually happens around six weeks, before some women know they’re pregnant.The Justice Department on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-justice-department-lawsuit-851b4ef55da816bda704be491bfc032c">sued to overturn the Texas law</a>, and courts have blocked similar restrictions elsewhere. But Texas’ law leaves enforcement up to private citizens through civil lawsuits, which could help it survive legal challenges.“At less than six weeks, a lot of women don’t know they’re pregnant,” Stribling said. “It’s going to be so hard to get an abortion and only the wealthy will be able to get one, like in the past. It’s all going backward.”Republican Rep. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, of Arnold, said she plans to file a bill based partly on the new Texas law. It's likely many others will follow suit in the heavily Republican state Legislature, especially heading into 2022 elections as GOP candidates look to capitalize on their conservative credentials.Missouri lawmakers in 2019 passed a bill that would ban abortions as early as the eighth week of pregnancy, but it's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-courts-michael-brown-1ec915d56429b8273af7f9c9d7e0a51d">entangled in legal battles</a>. A hearing on the case in federal appeals court is scheduled for Sept. 21.Coleman said she hopes to enact legislation that won't perpetually be tied up in legal challenges. She plans to craft a bill that, as in Texas, would allow private citizens to sue abortion providers.“It would be the next piece of making sure that Missouri is abortion free," Coleman said. “We’re doing everything we can to realize that goal and will continue to do so.”Any legislative action on abortion is still months away.Republican Gov. Mike Parson has said he doesn't plan to call lawmakers back for a special session before their regular legislative session begins in January. Parson’s spokeswoman repeated that he has no plans for a special session on abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-courts-michael-brown-1ec915d56429b8273af7f9c9d7e0a51d">decision this month</a>&nbsp;to allow the Texas law to take effect.Republican lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-religion-us-supreme-court-laws-23c373f3252d511f15ccc170887c30e2">in at least half a dozen states&nbsp;</a>have said they planned to introduce bills using the Texas law as a model, hoping it provides a pathway to enacting the kind of abortion crackdown they have sought for years.____

Texas-style abortion law under consideration in Missouri

WASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers today that the cost of
 home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be 
paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health 
FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements, or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). That is 
because the cost to diagnose COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense for
 tax purposes.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the costs of personal protective 
equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the 
primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are eligible 
medical expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under health FSAs, HSAs,
 HRAs, or Archer MSAs. Additional <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/face-masks-and-other-personal-protective-equipment-to-prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19-are-tax-deductible">information</a> is available on IRS.gov.

For more <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502">information</a> regarding details and requirements on deductibility of medical expenses, taxpayers can review <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/can-i-deduct-my-medical-and-dental-expenses">Can I Deduct My Medical and Dental Expenses?</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502">Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers today that the cost of
 home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be 
paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health 
FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements, or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). That is 
because the cost to diagnose COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense for
 tax purposes.The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the costs of personal protective 
equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the 
primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are eligible 
medical expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under health FSAs, HSAs,
 HRAs, or Archer MSAs. Additional <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/face-masks-and-other-personal-protective-equipment-to-prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19-are-tax-deductible">information</a> is available on IRS.gov.For more <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502">information</a> regarding details and requirements on deductibility of medical expenses, taxpayers can review <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/can-i-deduct-my-medical-and-dental-expenses">Can I Deduct My Medical and Dental Expenses?</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502">Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses</a>.

IRS: Cost of home testing for COVID is eligible medical expense

U.S. Small Business Administration

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292Lz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.GToNyajdvBEt-iRwElWXwvJiUaMsKw8o-TS7s7JAoj4/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">U.S. Small Business Administration</a>&nbsp;(SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced major enhancements to the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L2Z1bmRpbmctcHJvZ3JhbXMvbG9hbnMvY292aWQtMTktcmVsaWVmLW9wdGlvbnMvZWlkbC9jb3ZpZC0xOS1laWRsP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.U-TgWZS_O7pEQGk7DFi_2v5k_JTTub_ejHr-bVl4QdU/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program</a>, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels. The SBA is ready to receive new applications immediately from small businesses looking to take advantage of these new policy changes.

“The SBA’s COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan program offers a lifeline to millions of small businesses who are still being impacted by the pandemic,”&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L3BlcnNvbi9pc2FiZWxsYS1jYXNpbGxhcy1ndXptYW4_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.fDkJAqRdiVWjAbGPQ2qerzOhfPYF7PG7tzCm7XH4whQ/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman</a>&nbsp;said. “We’ve retooled this critical program – increasing the borrowing limit to $2 million, offering 24 months of deferment, and expanding flexibility to allow borrowers to pay down higher-interest business debt. We have also ramped up our outreach efforts to ensure we’re connecting with our smallest businesses as well as those from low-income communities who may also be eligible for the companion COVID EIDL Targeted Advance and Supplemental Advance grants totaling up to $15,000. &nbsp;Our mission-driven SBA team has been working around the clock to make the loan review process as user-friendly as possible to ensure every entrepreneur who needs help can get the capital they need to reopen, recover and rebuild.”

Key changes being announced by the SBA include:

The enhancements to the COVID EIDL program will allow more businesses greater and more flexible support from the over $150 billion in available COVID EIDL funds. Additionally, these changes will help entrepreneurs access capital at a time when, according to a recent Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses survey, 44 percent of small business owners report having less than three months of cash reserves, and only 31 percent reporting confidence in gaining access to funding.

Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses in all U.S. states and territories can apply. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZWlkbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.nyB9AcRtsEaGjYh4Noiq_l2ToMos_Edd5IE_VpFSSZM/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/eidl</a>&nbsp;to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All applicants should file their applications as soon as possible.

For additional information on COVID EIDL and other recovery programs please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvcmVsaWVmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.KGfzHrlh9LeDmn-VI8lWY3V3dCw1gzr6G--jURhyP4U/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/relief</a>. Small business owners may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov" target="_blank">DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov</a>&nbsp;for additional assistance. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Multilingual representatives are available. Small business owners may also contact SBA’s Resource Partners by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvbG9jYWwtYXNzaXN0YW5jZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.orfhuJOYmYnTHxMxWI9yK6_Oi0scmhouv8MVv57qk60/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/local-assistance</a>.

&nbsp;Application Process and Fraud Control Enhancements

In addition to the policy enhancements, the SBA has invested in optimized processes and increased capacity to improve the customer service experience for applicants. Directed by Administrator Guzman to swiftly and drastically enhance COVID EIDL, the revamped management team implemented new processes and performance management such as prioritizing personnel for COVID EIDL and increasing the average number of loan application decisions made. The SBA accelerated daily processing of loan increases from close to 2,000 applications to more than 37,000 applications daily. Loan officer productivity also went from 1.86 applications per day to 15 applications per day.&nbsp;As a result of these increased loan review rates, the 600,000+ loan increase backlog has been cleared and new applications can be processed immediately. At the same time, and to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to support businesses that need COVID EIDL funding most, the SBA has increased fraud controls and is working in collaboration with the SBA Inspector General to closely monitor the program.

All business owners that have received previous loans through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), or Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) can still benefit from COVID EIDL. To learn more about the application process, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZWlkbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.zcBoBqG56vD3GvCFiZh9UW9AtLlTALjsCkOTnOucZag/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/eidl</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584386106306.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>U.S. Small Business AdministrationWASHINGTON –&nbsp;On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292Lz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.GToNyajdvBEt-iRwElWXwvJiUaMsKw8o-TS7s7JAoj4/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">U.S. Small Business Administration</a>&nbsp;(SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced major enhancements to the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L2Z1bmRpbmctcHJvZ3JhbXMvbG9hbnMvY292aWQtMTktcmVsaWVmLW9wdGlvbnMvZWlkbC9jb3ZpZC0xOS1laWRsP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.U-TgWZS_O7pEQGk7DFi_2v5k_JTTub_ejHr-bVl4QdU/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program</a>, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels. The SBA is ready to receive new applications immediately from small businesses looking to take advantage of these new policy changes.“The SBA’s COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan program offers a lifeline to millions of small businesses who are still being impacted by the pandemic,”&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L3BlcnNvbi9pc2FiZWxsYS1jYXNpbGxhcy1ndXptYW4_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.fDkJAqRdiVWjAbGPQ2qerzOhfPYF7PG7tzCm7XH4whQ/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman</a>&nbsp;said. “We’ve retooled this critical program – increasing the borrowing limit to $2 million, offering 24 months of deferment, and expanding flexibility to allow borrowers to pay down higher-interest business debt. We have also ramped up our outreach efforts to ensure we’re connecting with our smallest businesses as well as those from low-income communities who may also be eligible for the companion COVID EIDL Targeted Advance and Supplemental Advance grants totaling up to $15,000. &nbsp;Our mission-driven SBA team has been working around the clock to make the loan review process as user-friendly as possible to ensure every entrepreneur who needs help can get the capital they need to reopen, recover and rebuild.”Key changes being announced by the SBA include:<ul>
 <li>Increasing the COVID EIDL Cap.&nbsp;The SBA will lift the COVID EIDL cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Loan funds can be used for any normal operating expenses and working capital, including payroll, purchasing equipment, and paying debt.</li><li>Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period.&nbsp;The SBA will ensure small business owners will not have to begin COVID EIDL repayment until two years after loan origination so that they can get through the pandemic without having to worry about making ends meet.</li><li>Establishment of a 30-Day Exclusivity Window. To ensure Main Street businesses have additional time to access these funds, the SBA will implement a 30-day exclusivity window of approving and disbursing funds for loans of $500,000 or less. Approval and disbursement of loans over $500,000 will begin after the 30-day period.</li><li>Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds.&nbsp;COVID EIDL funds will now be eligible to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt.</li><li>Simplification of affiliation requirements.&nbsp;To ease the COVID EIDL application process for small businesses, the SBA has established more simplified affiliation requirements to model those of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.</li>
 </ul>The enhancements to the COVID EIDL program will allow more businesses greater and more flexible support from the over $150 billion in available COVID EIDL funds. Additionally, these changes will help entrepreneurs access capital at a time when, according to a recent Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses survey, 44 percent of small business owners report having less than three months of cash reserves, and only 31 percent reporting confidence in gaining access to funding.<h2>How to apply</h2>Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses in all U.S. states and territories can apply. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZWlkbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.nyB9AcRtsEaGjYh4Noiq_l2ToMos_Edd5IE_VpFSSZM/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/eidl</a>&nbsp;to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All applicants should file their applications as soon as possible.For additional information on COVID EIDL and other recovery programs please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvcmVsaWVmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.KGfzHrlh9LeDmn-VI8lWY3V3dCw1gzr6G--jURhyP4U/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/relief</a>. Small business owners may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov" target="_blank">DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov</a>&nbsp;for additional assistance. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Multilingual representatives are available. Small business owners may also contact SBA’s Resource Partners by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvbG9jYWwtYXNzaXN0YW5jZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.orfhuJOYmYnTHxMxWI9yK6_Oi0scmhouv8MVv57qk60/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/local-assistance</a>.<h2>&nbsp;Application Process and Fraud Control Enhancements</h2>In addition to the policy enhancements, the SBA has invested in optimized processes and increased capacity to improve the customer service experience for applicants. Directed by Administrator Guzman to swiftly and drastically enhance COVID EIDL, the revamped management team implemented new processes and performance management such as prioritizing personnel for COVID EIDL and increasing the average number of loan application decisions made. The SBA accelerated daily processing of loan increases from close to 2,000 applications to more than 37,000 applications daily. Loan officer productivity also went from 1.86 applications per day to 15 applications per day.&nbsp;As a result of these increased loan review rates, the 600,000+ loan increase backlog has been cleared and new applications can be processed immediately. At the same time, and to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to support businesses that need COVID EIDL funding most, the SBA has increased fraud controls and is working in collaboration with the SBA Inspector General to closely monitor the program.All business owners that have received previous loans through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), or Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) can still benefit from COVID EIDL. To learn more about the application process, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZWlkbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.zcBoBqG56vD3GvCFiZh9UW9AtLlTALjsCkOTnOucZag/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/eidl</a>.

SBA enhances COVID loan program for hard-hit business sectors

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514532-1/president-biden-outlines-plan-combat-delta-variant">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the President's comments&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has announced sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant. 

The government's expansive new rules, announced Thursday, mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. 

Biden is also signing an executive order requiring vaccination for all employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government. No testing opt-out is expected to be included for the executive branch requirement.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery.

The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.

Biden is also signing an executive order to require vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government — with no option to test out. That covers several million more workers.

Biden was to announce the new requirements in a Thursday afternoon address from the White House as part of a new “action plan” to address the latest rise in coronavirus cases and the stagnating pace of COVID-19 shots that has raised doubts among the public over his handling of the pandemic.

Just two months ago Biden prematurely declared the nation’s “independence” from the virus. Now, despite more than 208 million Americans having at least one dose of the vaccines, the U.S. is seeing about 300% more new COVID-19 infections a day, about two-and-a-half times more hospitalizations, and nearly twice the number of deaths compared to the same time last year.

Biden’s plans were previewed Thursday afternoon by White House press secretary Jen Psaki and other senior administration officials ahead of the speech.

After months of using promotions to drive the vaccination rate, Biden is taking a much firmer hand, as his aides blame people who have not yet received shots for the sharp rise in cases that is killing more than 1,000 people per day and imperiling a fragile economic rebound.

Psaki said Biden’s “overarching objective here is to reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans,” noting about 80 million adults remain unvaccinated.

An AP-NORC poll conducted in August found that 54% of Americans approved of Biden’s stewardship of the public health crisis, down from 66% the month before, driven by a drop in support from Republicans and political independents.

In addition to the vaccination requirements, Biden is moving to double federal fines for airline passengers who refuse to wear masks on flights or to maintain face covering requirements on federal property in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Biden was also to announce that the federal government will work to increase the supply of virus tests, and that the White House has secured concessions from retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger to sell at-home testing kits at cost beginning this week.

The administration is also to send additional federal support to assist schools in safely operating, including additional funding for testing. And Biden will call for large entertainment venues and arenas to require vaccinations or proof of a negative test for entry.

The requirement for large companies to mandate vaccinations or weekly testing for employees will be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties of $14,000 per violation, an administration official said. The White House did not immediately say when it would take effect, but said workers would have sufficient time to get vaccinated.

The rule would also require that large companies provide paid time off for vaccination.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services will extend a vaccination requirement issued earlier this summer — for nursing home staff — to other healthcare settings including hospitals, home-health agencies and dialysis centers.

Separately, the Department of Health and Human Services will require vaccinations in Head Start Programs, as well as schools run by the Department of Defense and Bureau of Indian Education, affecting about 300,000 employees.

Biden’s order for executive branch workers and contractors includes exceptions for workers seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination, according to Psaki. Federal workers and contractors will have 75 days to get fully vaccinated. Workers who don’t comply will be referred to their agencies’ human resources departments for counseling and discipline, to include potential termination.

“We would like to be a model” to other organizations and business around country, Psaki said of the federal workforce. The AP-NORC poll found 55% of Americans in favor of requiring government workers to be fully vaccinated, compared with 21% opposed.

Biden has encouraged COVID-19 vaccine requirements in settings like schools, workplaces and university campuses, and the White House hopes the strengthened federal mandate will inspire more businesses to follow suit. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Board of Education was expected to vote on requiring all students 12 and older to be fully vaccinated in the the nation’s second-largest school district.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, and the National Institutes of Health have previously announced vaccine requirements for much of their staffs, and the Pentagon moved last month to require all servicemembers to get vaccinated. Combined, the White House estimates those requirements cover 2.5 million Americans. Thursday’s order is expected to impact nearly 2 million more federal workers and potentially millions of contractors.

More than 177 million are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 Americans dying from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most of the spread — and the vast majority of severe illness and death — is occurring among those not yet fully vaccinated against the virus. So-called breakthrough infections in vaccinated people occur, but tend to be far less dangerous.

“We cannot accept this to be the new normal,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner who comments regularly on the pandemic.. If the pandemic continues unabated, it will mean 500,000 deaths a year. “Surely no one wants that.”

Wen has been urging the White House to take a stronger line on vaccine requirements, including the use of so-called vaccine “passports” for travel and workplace mandates that leave little wiggle room.

“I want to see the full power of the federal government here, and not more half measures,” she said. “I want to see a hard reset from the Biden administration, not more nibbling around the edges.”

Federal officials are moving ahead with plans to begin administering booster shots of the mRNA vaccines to bolster protection against the more transmissible delta variant of the virus. Last month Biden announced plans to make them available beginning on Sept. 20, but only the Pfizer vaccine will likely have received regulatory approval for a third dose by that time. Federal regulators are seeking additional data from Moderna that will likely delay its booster approval until October.

Officials are aiming to administer the booster shots about eight months after the second dose of the two-dose vaccines.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631222423974.png" alt="The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans." />
 <figcaption>The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514532-1/president-biden-outlines-plan-combat-delta-variant">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the President's comments&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has announced sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant. The government's expansive new rules, announced Thursday, mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. Biden is also signing an executive order requiring vaccination for all employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government. No testing opt-out is expected to be included for the executive branch requirement.WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery.The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.Biden is also signing an executive order to require vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government — with no option to test out. That covers several million more workers.Biden was to announce the new requirements in a Thursday afternoon address from the White House as part of a new “action plan” to address the latest rise in coronavirus cases and the stagnating pace of COVID-19 shots that has raised doubts among the public over his handling of the pandemic.Just two months ago Biden prematurely declared the nation’s “independence” from the virus. Now, despite more than 208 million Americans having at least one dose of the vaccines, the U.S. is seeing about 300% more new COVID-19 infections a day, about two-and-a-half times more hospitalizations, and nearly twice the number of deaths compared to the same time last year.Biden’s plans were previewed Thursday afternoon by White House press secretary Jen Psaki and other senior administration officials ahead of the speech.After months of using promotions to drive the vaccination rate, Biden is taking a much firmer hand, as his aides blame people who have not yet received shots for the sharp rise in cases that is killing more than 1,000 people per day and imperiling a fragile economic rebound.Psaki said Biden’s “overarching objective here is to reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans,” noting about 80 million adults remain unvaccinated.An AP-NORC poll conducted in August found that 54% of Americans approved of Biden’s stewardship of the public health crisis, down from 66% the month before, driven by a drop in support from Republicans and political independents.In addition to the vaccination requirements, Biden is moving to double federal fines for airline passengers who refuse to wear masks on flights or to maintain face covering requirements on federal property in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.Biden was also to announce that the federal government will work to increase the supply of virus tests, and that the White House has secured concessions from retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger to sell at-home testing kits at cost beginning this week.The administration is also to send additional federal support to assist schools in safely operating, including additional funding for testing. And Biden will call for large entertainment venues and arenas to require vaccinations or proof of a negative test for entry.The requirement for large companies to mandate vaccinations or weekly testing for employees will be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties of $14,000 per violation, an administration official said. The White House did not immediately say when it would take effect, but said workers would have sufficient time to get vaccinated.The rule would also require that large companies provide paid time off for vaccination.Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services will extend a vaccination requirement issued earlier this summer — for nursing home staff — to other healthcare settings including hospitals, home-health agencies and dialysis centers.Separately, the Department of Health and Human Services will require vaccinations in Head Start Programs, as well as schools run by the Department of Defense and Bureau of Indian Education, affecting about 300,000 employees.Biden’s order for executive branch workers and contractors includes exceptions for workers seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination, according to Psaki. Federal workers and contractors will have 75 days to get fully vaccinated. Workers who don’t comply will be referred to their agencies’ human resources departments for counseling and discipline, to include potential termination.“We would like to be a model” to other organizations and business around country, Psaki said of the federal workforce. The AP-NORC poll found 55% of Americans in favor of requiring government workers to be fully vaccinated, compared with 21% opposed.Biden has encouraged COVID-19 vaccine requirements in settings like schools, workplaces and university campuses, and the White House hopes the strengthened federal mandate will inspire more businesses to follow suit. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Board of Education was expected to vote on requiring all students 12 and older to be fully vaccinated in the the nation’s second-largest school district.The Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, and the National Institutes of Health have previously announced vaccine requirements for much of their staffs, and the Pentagon moved last month to require all servicemembers to get vaccinated. Combined, the White House estimates those requirements cover 2.5 million Americans. Thursday’s order is expected to impact nearly 2 million more federal workers and potentially millions of contractors.More than 177 million are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 Americans dying from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Most of the spread — and the vast majority of severe illness and death — is occurring among those not yet fully vaccinated against the virus. So-called breakthrough infections in vaccinated people occur, but tend to be far less dangerous.“We cannot accept this to be the new normal,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner who comments regularly on the pandemic.. If the pandemic continues unabated, it will mean 500,000 deaths a year. “Surely no one wants that.”Wen has been urging the White House to take a stronger line on vaccine requirements, including the use of so-called vaccine “passports” for travel and workplace mandates that leave little wiggle room.“I want to see the full power of the federal government here, and not more half measures,” she said. “I want to see a hard reset from the Biden administration, not more nibbling around the edges.”Federal officials are moving ahead with plans to begin administering booster shots of the mRNA vaccines to bolster protection against the more transmissible delta variant of the virus. Last month Biden announced plans to make them available beginning on Sept. 20, but only the Pfizer vaccine will likely have received regulatory approval for a third dose by that time. Federal regulators are seeking additional data from Moderna that will likely delay its booster approval until October.Officials are aiming to administer the booster shots about eight months after the second dose of the two-dose vaccines.

🎥 Pres. Biden issues new vaccine rules for 100M Americans

PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha-area gymnastics coach has been arrested and charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a child. 

Police say Alexander Thomas, 30, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Sarpy County Jail in Papillion. 

Investigators say Thomas was a coach at Metro Stars Gymnastics in Papillion when he assaulted a student younger than 14 at that location sometime in January. 

A judge on Thursday set Thomas' bail at $250,000. Metro Stars officials say they learned of the charges Wednesday and immediately fired Thomas. 

He had coached at the Papillion location for four years. 

Metro Stars sent an email to customers Wednesday asking families to report any concerns to the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631207516915.png" alt="Thomas" />
 <figcaption>Thomas</figcaption>
 </figure>PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha-area gymnastics coach has been arrested and charged with two counts of sexually assaulting a child. Police say Alexander Thomas, 30, was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Sarpy County Jail in Papillion. Investigators say Thomas was a coach at Metro Stars Gymnastics in Papillion when he assaulted a student younger than 14 at that location sometime in January. A judge on Thursday set Thomas' bail at $250,000. Metro Stars officials say they learned of the charges Wednesday and immediately fired Thomas. He had coached at the Papillion location for four years. Metro Stars sent an email to customers Wednesday asking families to report any concerns to the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office.

Omaha-area gymnastics coach charged with child sex assault

MULESHOE, Texas (AP) — To avoid Dust Bowl conditions, more farmers are restoring native grasslands in areas where the nation's largest aquifer is drying up and rainfall is often scarce. 

Groundwater from the Ogallala aquifer has sustained farming for generations in the Plains states, even through droughts. But it's becoming increasingly difficult to grow crops that require irrigation. 

A recent study projects that more than half of currently irrigated land in portions of Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma could be lost by the end of the century. 

And the U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified a Dust Bowl zone where grasslands conservation is a priority.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618585950140.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MULESHOE, Texas (AP) — To avoid Dust Bowl conditions, more farmers are restoring native grasslands in areas where the nation's largest aquifer is drying up and rainfall is often scarce. Groundwater from the Ogallala aquifer has sustained farming for generations in the Plains states, even through droughts. But it's becoming increasingly difficult to grow crops that require irrigation. A recent study projects that more than half of currently irrigated land in portions of Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma could be lost by the end of the century. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified a Dust Bowl zone where grasslands conservation is a priority.

Farmers restore native grasslands as groundwater disappears

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have announced the procession route through Omaha for the body of a Marine who died in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan. 

The body of 23-year-old Cpl. Daegan Page will be transported starting at 1:30 p.m. Friday from Eppley Airfield in Omaha to Braman Mortuary in southwest Omaha. 

Police have encouraged the public the line the streets of the route to pay their respects to the fallen Marine. 

A memorial service will be held Sept. 17 for Page.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631200635097.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police have announced the procession route through Omaha for the body of a Marine who died in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan. The body of 23-year-old Cpl. Daegan Page will be transported starting at 1:30 p.m. Friday from Eppley Airfield in Omaha to Braman Mortuary in southwest Omaha. Police have encouraged the public the line the streets of the route to pay their respects to the fallen Marine. Page was one of 13 U.S. service members killed Aug. 26 in the bombing at the Kabul airport, which also killed at least 169 Afghans. A memorial service will be held Sept. 17 for Page.

Procession route set for Nebraska man killed in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday is toughening COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal workers and contractors with no option of being regularly tested to opt out.

The plan aims to boost vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery.

Just weeks after he mandated federal workers get a shot or face rigorous testing and masking protocols, Biden has signed an new executive order to require vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors that do business with the federal government, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The step comes ahead of the president’s speech Thursday afternoon outlining a six-pronged plan to address the latest rise in coronavirus cases and the stagnating pace of COVID-19 shots.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Biden’s order includes exceptions for workers or contractors seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Biden’s plans before they were publicly released.

Biden is also expected to outline plans to increase virus testing in schools, in an effort to keep them open safely, amid other measures to show that his administration working to tackle the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, which Biden has blamed for last month’s weaker-than-expected jobs report. He’s warned could further imperil the nation’s economy as some pandemic safety net protections are expiring.

Biden has encouraged COVID-19 vaccine requirements in settings likes schools, workplaces and university campuses, and the White House hopes the strengthened federal mandate will inspire more businesses to follow suit.

More than 208 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 177 million are fully vaccinated, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 Americans dying from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday is toughening COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal workers and contractors with no option of being regularly tested to opt out.The plan aims to boost vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery.Just weeks after he mandated federal workers get a shot or face rigorous testing and masking protocols, Biden has signed an new executive order to require vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors that do business with the federal government, according to a person familiar with the matter.The step comes ahead of the president’s speech Thursday afternoon outlining a six-pronged plan to address the latest rise in coronavirus cases and the stagnating pace of COVID-19 shots.It wasn’t immediately clear if Biden’s order includes exceptions for workers or contractors seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Biden’s plans before they were publicly released.Biden is also expected to outline plans to increase virus testing in schools, in an effort to keep them open safely, amid other measures to show that his administration working to tackle the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, which Biden has blamed for last month’s weaker-than-expected jobs report. He’s warned could further imperil the nation’s economy as some pandemic safety net protections are expiring.Biden has encouraged COVID-19 vaccine requirements in settings likes schools, workplaces and university campuses, and the White House hopes the strengthened federal mandate will inspire more businesses to follow suit.More than 208 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 177 million are fully vaccinated, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 Americans dying from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Most of the spread — and the vast majority of severe illness and death — is occurring among those not yet fully vaccinated against the virus. So-called breakthrough infections in vaccinated people occur, but tend to be far less dangerous.Federal officials are moving ahead with plans to begin administering booster shots of the mRNA vaccines to bolster protection against the more transmissible delta variant of the virus. Last month Biden announced plans to make them available beginning on Sept. 20, but only the Pfizer vaccine will likely have received regulatory approval for a third dose by that time. Federal regulators are seeking additional data from Moderna that will likely delay its booster approval until October.Officials are aiming to administer the booster shots about eight months after the second dose of the two-dose vaccines.

Biden to mandate vaccine for all federal workers; no test option

St. Charles, Mo. (AP) — Waiting for the hearse carrying one of the 13 U.S. service members killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan two weeks ago, Faye Hillis thought about all the military veterans she had mourned at her hometown's lone funeral home.

Her father who came home from World War II. Her cousin who died in Vietnam. Too many friends and neighbors to count.

“I’m having all these flashbacks,” she said Wednesday as school children, families and veterans lined the village's two main streets to honor Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak.

While the war in Afghanistan is over, its harsh reality is still coming home as Americans now are beginning to honor and bury&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-kabul-islamic-state-group-14ffbf5bcf4b67596420bd95e89785f6">the last casualties</a>&nbsp;to come back from a 20-year war that claimed more than 2,400 American lives.

Stars and Stripes of all sizes and homemade signs saying “thank you for your service” decorated the procession route through northern Ohio where Soviak, 22, grew up before joining the Navy.

In suburban St Louis, thousands lined Interstate 70 to pay respects Wednesday to Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, whose body was escorted from the airport to a funeral home in St. Charles, Missouri. Many people brought American flags, and massive flags flew from the aerial ladders of fire trucks. The procession, which included about 1,000 motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard, was so long the Missouri State Highway Patrol closed the interstate to westbound traffic over the 8 1/2-mile route.

Among those paying his respects was 60-year-old Luther Loughridge, a retired lieutenant with the U.S. Coast Guard, who stood in uniform at salute for more than 20 minutes.

“It’s the last of the Afghanistan war, and he’s the last victim,” Loughridge said. “He gave his entire life and as a veteran, we respond to that.”

These are scenes that will repeat in the coming days in places including Omaha, Nebraska; Laredo, Texas; Logansport, Indiana; and Sacramento, California; for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/42e66fb3b72492dbec3ef070b73cf018">the 13 who died</a>&nbsp;in the bomb attack Aug. 26 at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport during the frantic airlift in the conflict's final days.

On a clear morning in rural Ohio, military veterans on motorcycles escorted Soviak’s remains the final 8 miles to his hometown, first passing through the neighboring village where inventor Thomas Edison was born and then by the stadium where just five years ago, Soviak was a football captain for the Edison High Chargers.

One final turn took the procession by the Soviak family’s home and onto a road dedicated to Army Sgt. David Sexton, who was killed in the Vietnam War, which up until now had been America’s longest war.

Right across the street from the funeral home, some of Soviak’s relatives watched from their front porch as a military honor guard carried his casket inside — just a week after the United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The community will come together in a few days to honor Soviak at a public visitation Sunday at the high school. The funeral will be Monday morning at the school’s football stadium.

“We’re all struggling a bit,” said Kami Neuberger, a neighbor who thought of “Max” like another brother. “I just never thought it would happen."

Just one year younger than Soviak, her older brother, who's now a Marine, graduated from high school with him in 2017.

“He was always right alongside my brother, making fun of me, teasing, being goofy,” she said. “He tried to make everyone smile.”

A few houses down, Elyse Colwell sat on a blanket with her two toddlers. She thought about when she was in middle school and her father left for Afghanistan with his Ohio National Guard unit.

And she thought about how Soviak and many of the others killed in the bombing would have been right around the age of her own two children when the war in Afghanistan began shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

“These kids were toddlers when this began. It's almost like they grew up with it,” said Colwell, adding that she's worried about what will come next. “Just because we left doesn't mean it's over.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631189418721.png" alt="Thousands lined Interstate 70 to pay respects Wednesday to Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, whose body was escorted from the airport to a funeral home in St. Charles, Missouri. -Photo courtesy KTVI" />
 <figcaption>Thousands lined Interstate 70 to pay respects Wednesday to Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, whose body was escorted from the airport to a funeral home in St. Charles, Missouri. -Photo courtesy KTVI</figcaption>
 </figure>St. Charles, Mo. (AP) — Waiting for the hearse carrying one of the 13 U.S. service members killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan two weeks ago, Faye Hillis thought about all the military veterans she had mourned at her hometown's lone funeral home.Her father who came home from World War II. Her cousin who died in Vietnam. Too many friends and neighbors to count.“I’m having all these flashbacks,” she said Wednesday as school children, families and veterans lined the village's two main streets to honor Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak.While the war in Afghanistan is over, its harsh reality is still coming home as Americans now are beginning to honor and bury&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-kabul-islamic-state-group-14ffbf5bcf4b67596420bd95e89785f6">the last casualties</a>&nbsp;to come back from a 20-year war that claimed more than 2,400 American lives.Stars and Stripes of all sizes and homemade signs saying “thank you for your service” decorated the procession route through northern Ohio where Soviak, 22, grew up before joining the Navy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630194515800.png" alt="Jared Schmitz United States Marine Corps " />
 <figcaption>Jared Schmitz United States Marine Corps </figcaption>
 </figure>In suburban St Louis, thousands lined Interstate 70 to pay respects Wednesday to Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20, whose body was escorted from the airport to a funeral home in St. Charles, Missouri. Many people brought American flags, and massive flags flew from the aerial ladders of fire trucks. The procession, which included about 1,000 motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard, was so long the Missouri State Highway Patrol closed the interstate to westbound traffic over the 8 1/2-mile route.Among those paying his respects was 60-year-old Luther Loughridge, a retired lieutenant with the U.S. Coast Guard, who stood in uniform at salute for more than 20 minutes.“It’s the last of the Afghanistan war, and he’s the last victim,” Loughridge said. “He gave his entire life and as a veteran, we respond to that.”These are scenes that will repeat in the coming days in places including Omaha, Nebraska; Laredo, Texas; Logansport, Indiana; and Sacramento, California; for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/42e66fb3b72492dbec3ef070b73cf018">the 13 who died</a>&nbsp;in the bomb attack Aug. 26 at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport during the frantic airlift in the conflict's final days.On a clear morning in rural Ohio, military veterans on motorcycles escorted Soviak’s remains the final 8 miles to his hometown, first passing through the neighboring village where inventor Thomas Edison was born and then by the stadium where just five years ago, Soviak was a football captain for the Edison High Chargers.One final turn took the procession by the Soviak family’s home and onto a road dedicated to Army Sgt. David Sexton, who was killed in the Vietnam War, which up until now had been America’s longest war.Right across the street from the funeral home, some of Soviak’s relatives watched from their front porch as a military honor guard carried his casket inside — just a week after the United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan.The community will come together in a few days to honor Soviak at a public visitation Sunday at the high school. The funeral will be Monday morning at the school’s football stadium.“We’re all struggling a bit,” said Kami Neuberger, a neighbor who thought of “Max” like another brother. “I just never thought it would happen."Just one year younger than Soviak, her older brother, who's now a Marine, graduated from high school with him in 2017.“He was always right alongside my brother, making fun of me, teasing, being goofy,” she said. “He tried to make everyone smile.”A few houses down, Elyse Colwell sat on a blanket with her two toddlers. She thought about when she was in middle school and her father left for Afghanistan with his Ohio National Guard unit.And she thought about how Soviak and many of the others killed in the bombing would have been right around the age of her own two children when the war in Afghanistan began shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.“These kids were toddlers when this began. It's almost like they grew up with it,” said Colwell, adding that she's worried about what will come next. “Just because we left doesn't mean it's over.”___

Grief comes home to US towns week after Afghanistan war ends

WASHINGTON (AP) — The summer that was supposed to mark America’s independence from COVID-19 is instead drawing to a close with the U.S. more firmly under the tyranny of the virus, with deaths per day back up to where they were in March.

The delta variant is filling hospitals, sickening alarming numbers of children and driving coronavirus deaths in some places to the highest levels of the entire pandemic. School systems that reopened their classrooms are abruptly switching back to remote learning because of outbreaks. Legal disputes, threats and violence have erupted over mask and vaccine requirements.

The U.S. death toll stands at more than 650,000, with one major forecast model projecting it will top 750,000 by Dec. 1.

“It felt like we had this forward, positive momentum,” lamented Katie Button, executive chef and CEO at two restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina. “The delta variant wiped that timeline completely away.”

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. More than six months into the U.S. vaccination drive, President Joe Biden held a White House party on July Fourth to celebrate the country’s freedom from the virus, and other political leaders had high hopes for a close-to-normal summer.

The summer wave was fueled by the extra-contagious delta variant combined with stark resistance to vaccinations that formed along political and geographic lines, said Dr. Sten Vermund, of the Yale School of Public Health.

“The virus was more efficient in spreading among the unvaccinated so that you blunted the expected benefit of vaccines,” Vermund said.

The crisis escalated rapidly from June to August. About 400,000 COVID-19 infections were recorded for all of June. It took all of three days last week to reach the same number.

The U.S. recorded 26,800 deaths and more than 4.2 million infections in August. The number of monthly positive cases was the fourth-highest total since the start of the pandemic.

The 2021 delta-driven onslaught is killing younger Americans at a much higher rate than previous waves of the pandemic in the Northeast last spring, the Sun Belt in the summer of 2020 and the deadly winter surge around the holidays.

During the peaks of those waves, Americans over 75 suffered the highest proportion of death. Now, the most vulnerable age group for death is 50 to 64, according to data from U.S. officials.

Overall, the outbreak is still well below the all-time peaks reached over the winter, when deaths topped out at 3,400 a day and new cases at a quarter-million per day.

The U.S. is now averaging over 150,000 new cases per day, levels not seen since January. Deaths are close to 1,500 per day, up more than a third since late August.

Even before the delta variant became dominant, experts say there were indications that larger gatherings and relaxed social distancing measures were fueling new cases.

“We had been cooped up for over a year and everyone wanted to get out,” said Dr. David Dowdy, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “In the face of that kind of strong change in behavior, even getting almost two-thirds of our adult population vaccinated wasn’t enough.”

The COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against hospitalization and death, but many tens of millions of eligible Americans remain unvaccinated. Nearly 40% of Americans 12 and older are not fully protected.

In Rapid City, South Dakota, school officials have recorded nearly 300 cases among students and staff since classes began less than two weeks ago. Still, the majority of school board officials voted this week 5-2 against a proposed two-week mask mandate.

“Nobody wanted to be here. Everyone wanted the personal freedom to be away from masks and free of illness,” said Amy Policky, who introduced the proposal with one other member. “But we have to look at the facts: We’re having illness rage through the school and the community, so what can we do?”

Still, Yale’s Vermund sees reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the next few months. Cases in most states appear to be plateauing and are likely to decline in the fall, buying health authorities more time to vaccinate adults and teenagers before flu season.

“If we can continue making progress between now and Thanksgiving, we may be able to substantially blunt the coronavirus surge in flu season,” Vermund said.

While the economy has been rebounding strongly over the past several months, hiring slowed sharply in August in a sign that the variant is discouraging Americans from flying, shopping or eating out.

And on Monday, unemployment benefits — including an extra $300 a week from the federal government — ran out for millions of Americans.

Button, the North Carolina chef, was feeling great heading into the summer. Her team was mostly vaccinated in May and restrictions were loosening. But the crisis soon changed direction.

Button supports the mask mandate that was recently reinstated in her county but said her employees are exhausted by having to enforce it. And since she has no outdoor seating, some diners have been less comfortable coming in.

“It’s hard to take a step forward and then take three steps back,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631151217421.png" alt="COVID cases by County Sept. 8, 2021 -map John Hopkins University" />
 <figcaption>COVID cases by County Sept. 8, 2021 -map John Hopkins University</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The summer that was supposed to mark America’s independence from COVID-19 is instead drawing to a close with the U.S. more firmly under the tyranny of the virus, with deaths per day back up to where they were in March.The delta variant is filling hospitals, sickening alarming numbers of children and driving coronavirus deaths in some places to the highest levels of the entire pandemic. School systems that reopened their classrooms are abruptly switching back to remote learning because of outbreaks. Legal disputes, threats and violence have erupted over mask and vaccine requirements.The U.S. death toll stands at more than 650,000, with one major forecast model projecting it will top 750,000 by Dec. 1.“It felt like we had this forward, positive momentum,” lamented Katie Button, executive chef and CEO at two restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina. “The delta variant wiped that timeline completely away.”It wasn’t supposed to be this way. More than six months into the U.S. vaccination drive, President Joe Biden held a White House party on July Fourth to celebrate the country’s freedom from the virus, and other political leaders had high hopes for a close-to-normal summer.Then the bottom fell out.The summer wave was fueled by the extra-contagious delta variant combined with stark resistance to vaccinations that formed along political and geographic lines, said Dr. Sten Vermund, of the Yale School of Public Health.“The virus was more efficient in spreading among the unvaccinated so that you blunted the expected benefit of vaccines,” Vermund said.The crisis escalated rapidly from June to August. About 400,000 COVID-19 infections were recorded for all of June. It took all of three days last week to reach the same number.The U.S. recorded 26,800 deaths and more than 4.2 million infections in August. The number of monthly positive cases was the fourth-highest total since the start of the pandemic.The 2021 delta-driven onslaught is killing younger Americans at a much higher rate than previous waves of the pandemic in the Northeast last spring, the Sun Belt in the summer of 2020 and the deadly winter surge around the holidays.During the peaks of those waves, Americans over 75 suffered the highest proportion of death. Now, the most vulnerable age group for death is 50 to 64, according to data from U.S. officials.Overall, the outbreak is still well below the all-time peaks reached over the winter, when deaths topped out at 3,400 a day and new cases at a quarter-million per day.The U.S. is now averaging over 150,000 new cases per day, levels not seen since January. Deaths are close to 1,500 per day, up more than a third since late August.Even before the delta variant became dominant, experts say there were indications that larger gatherings and relaxed social distancing measures were fueling new cases.“We had been cooped up for over a year and everyone wanted to get out,” said Dr. David Dowdy, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “In the face of that kind of strong change in behavior, even getting almost two-thirds of our adult population vaccinated wasn’t enough.”The COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against hospitalization and death, but many tens of millions of eligible Americans remain unvaccinated. Nearly 40% of Americans 12 and older are not fully protected.In Rapid City, South Dakota, school officials have recorded nearly 300 cases among students and staff since classes began less than two weeks ago. Still, the majority of school board officials voted this week 5-2 against a proposed two-week mask mandate.“Nobody wanted to be here. Everyone wanted the personal freedom to be away from masks and free of illness,” said Amy Policky, who introduced the proposal with one other member. “But we have to look at the facts: We’re having illness rage through the school and the community, so what can we do?”Still, Yale’s Vermund sees reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the next few months. Cases in most states appear to be plateauing and are likely to decline in the fall, buying health authorities more time to vaccinate adults and teenagers before flu season.“If we can continue making progress between now and Thanksgiving, we may be able to substantially blunt the coronavirus surge in flu season,” Vermund said.While the economy has been rebounding strongly over the past several months, hiring slowed sharply in August in a sign that the variant is discouraging Americans from flying, shopping or eating out.And on Monday, unemployment benefits — including an extra $300 a week from the federal government — ran out for millions of Americans.Button, the North Carolina chef, was feeling great heading into the summer. Her team was mostly vaccinated in May and restrictions were loosening. But the crisis soon changed direction.Button supports the mask mandate that was recently reinstated in her county but said her employees are exhausted by having to enforce it. And since she has no outdoor seating, some diners have been less comfortable coming in.“It’s hard to take a step forward and then take three steps back,” she said.___

COVID 19 surge: Summer of hope ends in gloom

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old Omaha man has been sentenced to four to eight years in prison after a passenger in his car died in a wreck during a police pursuit. 

Julio Fernandez Bonilla was sentenced Wednesday after pleading no contest to manslaughter. 

Seventeen-year-old Jasmin Casique-Negrete of Omaha died in the crash near Seward in June 2020. 

The Nebraska State Patrol said a Seward County deputy tried to stop a vehicle near Seward but the driver fled. 

The patrol investigator said Bonilla eventually lost control of the SUV, which went off the road. 

Bonilla and Casique-Negrete were both thrown from the SUV, which was reported stolen from Harrison County, Iowa.

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old Omaha man has been sentenced to four to eight years in prison after a passenger in his car died in a wreck during a police pursuit. Julio Fernandez Bonilla was sentenced Wednesday after pleading no contest to manslaughter. Seventeen-year-old Jasmin Casique-Negrete of Omaha died in the crash near Seward in June 2020. The Nebraska State Patrol said a Seward County deputy tried to stop a vehicle near Seward but the driver fled. The patrol investigator said Bonilla eventually lost control of the SUV, which went off the road. Bonilla and Casique-Negrete were both thrown from the SUV, which was reported stolen from Harrison County, Iowa.

Omaha man sentenced for fatal crash during police pursuit

GENEVA (AP) — Rich countries with large supplies of coronavirus vaccines should refrain from offering booster shots through the end of the year and make the doses available for poorer countries, the head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday, doubling down on an earlier appeal for a “moratorium” on boosters that has largely been ignored.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631128370318.png" alt="WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during Wednesday press conference&nbsp;acknowledged that third doses might be necessary for at-risk groups, but said: “We do not want to see widespread use of boosters for healthy people who are fully vaccinated.”" />
 <figcaption>WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during Wednesday press conference&nbsp;acknowledged that third doses might be necessary for at-risk groups, but said: “We do not want to see widespread use of boosters for healthy people who are fully vaccinated.”</figcaption>
 </figure>GENEVA (AP) — Rich countries with large supplies of coronavirus vaccines should refrain from offering booster shots through the end of the year and make the doses available for poorer countries, the head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday, doubling down on an earlier appeal for a “moratorium” on boosters that has largely been ignored.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said he was “appalled” after hearing comments Tuesday from a top association of pharmaceutical manufacturers that vaccine supplies are high enough to allow for both booster shots for people in well-supplied countries and first jabs in poorer countries that face shortages. He said that’s already been the case.“I will not stay silent when companies and countries that control the global supply of vaccines think the world’s poor should be satisfied with leftovers,” he told a news conference. “Because manufacturers have prioritized or been legally obliged to fulfill bilateral deals with rich countries willing to pay top dollar, low income countries have been deprived of the tools to protect their people.”Tedros had previously called for a moratorium on boosters through the end of September. But wealthy countries — including Britain, Denmark, France, Greece, Germany, and Spain — have begun or are considering plans to offer third shots of two-dose vaccines to their vulnerable people such as the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.Israel has been providing third doses to a wide swath of people who already received a full two-dose regimen months earlier. And last month, U.S. health officials recommended that all Americans get boosters to shore up their protection amid evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. WHO officials insist the scientific justification for boosters remains unclear.Tedros acknowledged that third doses might be necessary for at-risk groups, but said: “We do not want to see widespread use of boosters for healthy people who are fully vaccinated.”U.S. health officials are continuing to assess the science and utility of boosters, and there are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-bd0bcbcfbd76b178d430000c94bf7a7e">growing indications&nbsp;</a>that the U.S. may miss the Biden administration’s Sept. 20 target date for a wide rollout of extra shots for vaccinated people.The WHO chief said he received a message of “clear support” from health ministers at a meeting of the influential Group of 20 countries this week for a commitment to help hit a WHO target that all countries vaccinate at least 40% of their people by year’s end.“A month ago, I called for a global moratorium on booster doses, at least until the end of September to prioritize vaccinating the most at risk people around the world who are yet to receive their first dose,” Tedros said. “There has been little change in the global situation since then.”“So today, I’m calling for an extension of the moratorium until at least the end of the year to enable every country to vaccinate at least 40% of its population,” he said.The WHO says 5.5 billion coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered so far, but 80% of those have been to upper- and middle-income countries. Rich countries have also offered to donate 1 billion doses to other countries, but fewer than 15% of those doses have “materialized,” Tedros said.He noted that manufacturers have pledged to prioritize the U.N.-backed COVAX program, which aims to get vaccines to the neediest people in the world — no matter how wealthy the country.“We don’t want any more promises. We just want the vaccines,” the WHO chief said.Earlier Wednesday, COVAX managers again scaled back their target to ship doses this year, projecting about 1.4 billion doses will be available through the program by year-end — down from about 1.8 billion previously. They had originally hoped to ship 2 billion doses this year.Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which co-runs the program, said COVAX has faced setbacks including export restrictions from hard-hit India — a key producer of vaccines — as well as regulatory hurdles for some vaccine candidates and manufacturing troubles elsewhere. But it also said deliveries are ramping up strongly, and another 1.1 billion doses are expected to be available by year-end through the program, up from 330 million so far. Most of those doses have gone to or are destined for poorer countries.The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations said Tuesday that about 1.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses are now being produced every month, and cited projections that a total of 12 billion will have been produced by year-end.Dr. Bruce Aylward, a top adviser to Tedros, acknowledged that “some countries may be going ahead with decisions” to widely administer boosters, but that the WHO call for a moratorium “makes a real difference.” He said some countries — which he did not identify — have approached the WHO about whether booster policies could be delayed.But admittedly, the WHO’s first call for a moratorium through September has not fixed the gaping imbalance in access to vaccines.“(O)ur role is to make sure that we put forward the strongest possible arguments and way out of this pandemic — and the way out of that is a moratorium and to extend it,” Aylward said. “Because since the last time we called for it, the equity gap has gotten greater, the amount of vaccine available to low-income countries has gone down.”___