LINCOLN, Neb.-A Lincoln man wanted for child sexual assault is in custody following a standoff with police.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 23, members of the Metro Fugitive Task Force and the Special Victims&nbsp;Unit of the Lincoln Police Department went to an apartment building located at 4800 N. 15th Street in Lincoln looking for Veonta Hopper, 39.&nbsp; Hopper was wanted on a recent Lancaster County Court warrant for two counts of Sexual Assault of a Child in the 1st degree.&nbsp; Law enforcement contacted Hopper in a lower-level apartment and he barricaded himself inside a bathroom in the apartment.&nbsp;

Law enforcement negotiated with Hopper for nearly two hours when they observed smoke and fire coming from under the bathroom door.&nbsp; At this point they breached the door and attempted to take Hopper into custody.&nbsp; Hopper resisted arrest and hampered law enforcement’s efforts to get him safely out of the apartment that was now filled with smoke.&nbsp; Law enforcement was able to take Hopper into custody, put the fire out with their extinguishers, and help evacuate the apartment building to ensure no one else was injured.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Hopper was treated at the scene by Lincoln Fire and Rescue and subsequently transported to the hospital with smoke inhalation and minor abrasions.&nbsp; When released, he will be taken to jail on the warrant and faces other charges pending the current investigation.&nbsp; A Lincoln Fire Inspector will assist in determining the origin of the fire.

In addition to Hopper, several law enforcement members were treated at the scene and transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation and other injuries.&nbsp; None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.&nbsp; The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this incident.&nbsp;

News Release Lincoln PoliceLINCOLN, Neb.-A Lincoln man wanted for child sexual assault is in custody following a standoff with police.At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Aug. 23, members of the Metro Fugitive Task Force and the Special Victims&nbsp;Unit of the Lincoln Police Department went to an apartment building located at 4800 N. 15th Street in Lincoln looking for Veonta Hopper, 39.&nbsp; Hopper was wanted on a recent Lancaster County Court warrant for two counts of Sexual Assault of a Child in the 1st degree.&nbsp; Law enforcement contacted Hopper in a lower-level apartment and he barricaded himself inside a bathroom in the apartment.&nbsp;Law enforcement negotiated with Hopper for nearly two hours when they observed smoke and fire coming from under the bathroom door.&nbsp; At this point they breached the door and attempted to take Hopper into custody.&nbsp; Hopper resisted arrest and hampered law enforcement’s efforts to get him safely out of the apartment that was now filled with smoke.&nbsp; Law enforcement was able to take Hopper into custody, put the fire out with their extinguishers, and help evacuate the apartment building to ensure no one else was injured.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Hopper was treated at the scene by Lincoln Fire and Rescue and subsequently transported to the hospital with smoke inhalation and minor abrasions.&nbsp; When released, he will be taken to jail on the warrant and faces other charges pending the current investigation.&nbsp; A Lincoln Fire Inspector will assist in determining the origin of the fire.In addition to Hopper, several law enforcement members were treated at the scene and transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation and other injuries.&nbsp; None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.&nbsp; The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this incident.&nbsp;

Lincoln man wanted for child sex assault lights apartment on fire during standoff

NEW YORK (AP)-New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is beginning her term in office with plenty of challenges. But she also is starting with an historic opportunity as the first woman to hold one of the most prominent governorships in the U.S. 

When Hochul took over Tuesday for resigned Gov. Andrew Cuomo, she became the ninth woman currently serving as governor. That ties the previous record, first set in 2004 and then matched in 2007 and 2019. 

Hochul already has said she will run for a full four-year term next year. Women also have a chance to make gains in 2022 in several states where governors are term-limited.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629810191897.png" alt="Gov. Kathy Hochul" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Kathy Hochul</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP)-New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is beginning her term in office with plenty of challenges. But she also is starting with an historic opportunity as the first woman to hold one of the most prominent governorships in the U.S. When Hochul took over Tuesday for resigned Gov. Andrew Cuomo, she became the ninth woman currently serving as governor. That ties the previous record, first set in 2004 and then matched in 2007 and 2019. Hochul already has said she will run for a full four-year term next year. Women also have a chance to make gains in 2022 in several states where governors are term-limited.

Nine women now serving as governors in US, tying a record

(AP)-Airbnb is offering free housing to 20,000 Afghan refugees globally and sought more assistance from hosts who rent property through the home-sharing company. 

In a tweet early Tuesday, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky wrote, "The displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the U.S. and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time. We feel a responsibility to step up.” 

The UN Refugee Agency says that an estimated 270,000 Afghans had been newly displaced inside the country since January – primarily due to insecurity and violence – &nbsp;bringing the total uprooted population to over 3.5 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629810086056.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>(AP)-Airbnb is offering free housing to 20,000 Afghan refugees globally and sought more assistance from hosts who rent property through the home-sharing company. In a tweet early Tuesday, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky wrote, "The displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees in the U.S. and elsewhere is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time. We feel a responsibility to step up.” The UN Refugee Agency says that an estimated 270,000 Afghans had been newly displaced inside the country since January – primarily due to insecurity and violence – &nbsp;bringing the total uprooted population to over 3.5 million.

Airbnb opens up housing for 20,000 Afghan refugees globally

NEW YORK (AP) — When Ryan David bought three rental properties back in 2017, he expected the $1,000-a-month he was pocketing after expenses would be regular sources of income well into his retirement years.

He also was counting on the rent money from the properties in Dupont, Pennsylvania, to help with the cash flow of his business buying and selling distressed properties, launched early last year.

But then the pandemic hit and federal and state authorities imposed moratoriums on evictions. The unpaid rent began to mount. Then, just when he thought the worst was over, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new moratorium, lasting until Oct. 3.&nbsp;

A federal appeals court on Friday allowed the pause on evictions imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to remain in place, setting up a likely battle before the nation’s highest court.

David, the father of a 2 1/2-year-old who is expecting another child, fears the $2,000 he's owed in back rent will quickly climb to thousands more.

The latest moratorium “was the final gut punch," said the 39-year-old, adding that he now plans to sell the apartments. “I have had this internal struggle going back and forth. I have lost sleep at night, and I have now come up with a decision to sell and walk away.”

Most evictions for unpaid rent have been halted since the early days of the pandemic and there are now more than 15 million people living in households that owe as much as $20 billion in back rent, according to the Aspen Institute.

A majority of single-family rental home owners have been impacted, according to a survey from the National Rental Home Council, and 50% say they have tenants who have missed rent during the pandemic.

Smaller landlords with fewer than four units, who often don't have the financing of larger property owners, were hit especially hard, with as many as 58% having tenants behind on rent, according to the National Association of Realtors. More than half of back rent is owed to smaller landlords.

Landlords, big and small, are most angry about the moratoriums, which they consider illegal. Many believe some tenants could have paid rent, if not for the moratorium. And the $47 billion in federal rental assistance that was supposed to make landlords whole has been slow to materialize. By July, only $3 billion of the first tranche of $25 billion had been distributed.

David points to two tenants who received paychecks throughout the pandemic but didn't pay rent or bother to file for rental assistance. Others singled out delinquent tenants who they claimed still managed to drive a luxury car, get food deliveries or go on vacation.

“Without rent, we’re out of business, ” said Gary Zaremba, who sold 40 of his properties in Ohio due to the moratorium and still has a quarter of his tenants in the remaining 100 buildings struggling to pay rent. He has helped some apply for rental assistance, he said.

“It’s like a restaurant that doesn’t have patrons,” he said. “I don’t get the rent. I can’t pay my maintenance staff. I have to lay them off. I can't fix the buildings and keep them in good repair. So, that means they are going to get even worse off. I can’t pay my taxes.”

Zaremba, who also owns a handful of properties in New York City, sold some of his single-family homes to home buyers and some multi-family commercial apartment buildings to small investors.

Many landlords are saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in lost rent — money that was meant for retirement, a college fund or for their investors, who themselves had sought a safe investment. They are maxing out credit cards or dipping into savings to pay property taxes, staff salaries, insurance, water bills and maintenance.

“I keep thinking to myself, when does my family get paid?” said Matthew Haines, who owns 253 units with his wife in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and is owed more than $300,000 in back rent. He has referred $250,000 of that to collections.

The couple put in $50,000 of their own money to avoid laying off their seven full-time and three part-time employees. Haines is also doing repairs like fixing an air conditioning unit or changing a pool light himself to save money. Their investors, retirees who typically get an annual return of 7% to 9%, got nothing last year on two multifamily apartments and 3% on a third one because of unpaid rent.

“We jumped through hoops to help our residents who were struggling. We have not evicted a single person trying to work with us, even though we have people who owe us seven, eight, nine months of rent,” he said. “We are trying to do the right thing but it’s becoming impossible.”

In upstate New York, Michael Reid sold three of his houses to stem losses — after paying some delinquent tenants thousands of dollars to leave. Already out more than $100,000 in back rent on 13 of his 31 units and more than $20,000 in unpaid water bills, Reid took out a $90,000 home equity loan on his house so he could pay property taxes and other bills. On Tuesday, he finally received $9,000 in federal rental assistance, a fraction of what he's owed.

“I’ve lost an incredible amount of money on top of the rent owed,” said Reid, who also works as a mortgage loan officer, referring to his delinquent tenants in Binghamton and Endicott, New York. “Thank God, my day job pays pretty well.”

Some owners are taking advantage of a red-hot housing market to sell their units to deep-pocketed investors willing to wait out the moratorium or to families who plan to live in them. Buyers are increasingly out-of-town investors or equity funds, whom critics fear will renovate the properties and market them at much higher prices.

“A lot of landlords are disgusted. They are selling at losses. They are getting out period,” Reid said of the dozens of investors he talks with.

Even those sticking with the property business say the moratorium has forced them to change their operations.

Some are leaving apartments vacant for months at a time, either because they lack the money to renovate or fear being stuck with nonpaying tenants. Some aren’t buying any new properties as long as the moratorium is in place; others will only buy in wealthier neighborhoods.

Still others are bolstering their screening process and giving extra scrutiny to someone who was unemployed for long stretches during the pandemic or saddled their previous landlord with months of back rent.

“If somebody stiffed their previous landlord out of 12, 15 or 18 months rent, I don’t want to rent to them,” Reid said.

This could result in fewer places to live for low-income tenants facing eviction when the moratorium lifts.

“It makes it worse for everyone. It’s worse for tenants, in particular, because we are going to lose affordable housing,” said Stacey Johnson-Cosby, who with her husband owns 21 units in the Kansas City, Missouri, area.

“The investors are going to come. They are going buy the property, put money into it, renovate it and rent it at a higher amount."

Rick Martin anguished over just that before selling two of his five buildings in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. Before that the 62-year-old left most of them vacant due to the moratorium, depriving him of thousands of dollars in rent.

“The minute they enacted the moratorium, that trigged my decision to sell the properties,” Martin said. “I did not want someone moving in whom I could never get rid of if they didn’t pay rent. That would make the financial situation worse.”

Martin said he was torn about the decision to sell to investors. One has turned a building into condos. Another has already doubled the rent on a three-family building.

“Honestly it’s a very difficult decision,” he said. “I want the small property owners to flourish and grow. But because of this moratorium, we are having everything cut out from beneath us.”

NEW YORK (AP) — When Ryan David bought three rental properties back in 2017, he expected the $1,000-a-month he was pocketing after expenses would be regular sources of income well into his retirement years.He also was counting on the rent money from the properties in Dupont, Pennsylvania, to help with the cash flow of his business buying and selling distressed properties, launched early last year.But then the pandemic hit and federal and state authorities imposed moratoriums on evictions. The unpaid rent began to mount. Then, just when he thought the worst was over, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new moratorium, lasting until Oct. 3.&nbsp;A federal appeals court on Friday allowed the pause on evictions imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to remain in place, setting up a likely battle before the nation’s highest court.David, the father of a 2 1/2-year-old who is expecting another child, fears the $2,000 he's owed in back rent will quickly climb to thousands more.The latest moratorium “was the final gut punch," said the 39-year-old, adding that he now plans to sell the apartments. “I have had this internal struggle going back and forth. I have lost sleep at night, and I have now come up with a decision to sell and walk away.”Most evictions for unpaid rent have been halted since the early days of the pandemic and there are now more than 15 million people living in households that owe as much as $20 billion in back rent, according to the Aspen Institute.A majority of single-family rental home owners have been impacted, according to a survey from the National Rental Home Council, and 50% say they have tenants who have missed rent during the pandemic.Smaller landlords with fewer than four units, who often don't have the financing of larger property owners, were hit especially hard, with as many as 58% having tenants behind on rent, according to the National Association of Realtors. More than half of back rent is owed to smaller landlords.Landlords, big and small, are most angry about the moratoriums, which they consider illegal. Many believe some tenants could have paid rent, if not for the moratorium. And the $47 billion in federal rental assistance that was supposed to make landlords whole has been slow to materialize. By July, only $3 billion of the first tranche of $25 billion had been distributed.David points to two tenants who received paychecks throughout the pandemic but didn't pay rent or bother to file for rental assistance. Others singled out delinquent tenants who they claimed still managed to drive a luxury car, get food deliveries or go on vacation.“Without rent, we’re out of business, ” said Gary Zaremba, who sold 40 of his properties in Ohio due to the moratorium and still has a quarter of his tenants in the remaining 100 buildings struggling to pay rent. He has helped some apply for rental assistance, he said.“It’s like a restaurant that doesn’t have patrons,” he said. “I don’t get the rent. I can’t pay my maintenance staff. I have to lay them off. I can't fix the buildings and keep them in good repair. So, that means they are going to get even worse off. I can’t pay my taxes.”Zaremba, who also owns a handful of properties in New York City, sold some of his single-family homes to home buyers and some multi-family commercial apartment buildings to small investors.Many landlords are saddled with tens of thousands of dollars in lost rent — money that was meant for retirement, a college fund or for their investors, who themselves had sought a safe investment. They are maxing out credit cards or dipping into savings to pay property taxes, staff salaries, insurance, water bills and maintenance.“I keep thinking to myself, when does my family get paid?” said Matthew Haines, who owns 253 units with his wife in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and is owed more than $300,000 in back rent. He has referred $250,000 of that to collections.The couple put in $50,000 of their own money to avoid laying off their seven full-time and three part-time employees. Haines is also doing repairs like fixing an air conditioning unit or changing a pool light himself to save money. Their investors, retirees who typically get an annual return of 7% to 9%, got nothing last year on two multifamily apartments and 3% on a third one because of unpaid rent.“We jumped through hoops to help our residents who were struggling. We have not evicted a single person trying to work with us, even though we have people who owe us seven, eight, nine months of rent,” he said. “We are trying to do the right thing but it’s becoming impossible.”In upstate New York, Michael Reid sold three of his houses to stem losses — after paying some delinquent tenants thousands of dollars to leave. Already out more than $100,000 in back rent on 13 of his 31 units and more than $20,000 in unpaid water bills, Reid took out a $90,000 home equity loan on his house so he could pay property taxes and other bills. On Tuesday, he finally received $9,000 in federal rental assistance, a fraction of what he's owed.“I’ve lost an incredible amount of money on top of the rent owed,” said Reid, who also works as a mortgage loan officer, referring to his delinquent tenants in Binghamton and Endicott, New York. “Thank God, my day job pays pretty well.”Some owners are taking advantage of a red-hot housing market to sell their units to deep-pocketed investors willing to wait out the moratorium or to families who plan to live in them. Buyers are increasingly out-of-town investors or equity funds, whom critics fear will renovate the properties and market them at much higher prices.“A lot of landlords are disgusted. They are selling at losses. They are getting out period,” Reid said of the dozens of investors he talks with.Even those sticking with the property business say the moratorium has forced them to change their operations.Some are leaving apartments vacant for months at a time, either because they lack the money to renovate or fear being stuck with nonpaying tenants. Some aren’t buying any new properties as long as the moratorium is in place; others will only buy in wealthier neighborhoods.Still others are bolstering their screening process and giving extra scrutiny to someone who was unemployed for long stretches during the pandemic or saddled their previous landlord with months of back rent.“If somebody stiffed their previous landlord out of 12, 15 or 18 months rent, I don’t want to rent to them,” Reid said.This could result in fewer places to live for low-income tenants facing eviction when the moratorium lifts.“It makes it worse for everyone. It’s worse for tenants, in particular, because we are going to lose affordable housing,” said Stacey Johnson-Cosby, who with her husband owns 21 units in the Kansas City, Missouri, area.“The investors are going to come. They are going buy the property, put money into it, renovate it and rent it at a higher amount."Rick Martin anguished over just that before selling two of his five buildings in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. Before that the 62-year-old left most of them vacant due to the moratorium, depriving him of thousands of dollars in rent.“The minute they enacted the moratorium, that trigged my decision to sell the properties,” Martin said. “I did not want someone moving in whom I could never get rid of if they didn’t pay rent. That would make the financial situation worse.”Martin said he was torn about the decision to sell to investors. One has turned a building into condos. Another has already doubled the rent on a three-family building.“Honestly it’s a very difficult decision,” he said. “I want the small property owners to flourish and grow. But because of this moratorium, we are having everything cut out from beneath us.”

Landlords look for an exit amid eviction moratorium

WASHINGTON (AP) — Brushing past moderates, House Democratic leaders tried to muscle President Joe Biden’s multitrillion-dollar budget blueprint over a key hurdle Monday night, hoping to shelve for now an intraparty showdown that risks upending their domestic infrastructure agenda.

Tensions rose as lawmakers returned for the evening session and a band of moderate lawmakers threatened to withhold their votes for the $3.5 trillion plan. They were demanding the House first approve a $1 trillion package of road, power grid, broadband and other infrastructure projects that’s already passed the Senate.

But as the evening dragged on the chamber came to a standstill and plans were thrown into flux as leaders and lawmakers huddled privately at the Capitol trying to broker an agreement.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi implored Democrats during a private caucus not to bog down and miss this chance to deliver on the promises Biden and the party have made to Americans.

“Right now, we have an opportunity to pass something so substantial for our country, so transformative we haven’t seen anything like it,” Pelosi said, according to a person who requested anonymity to disclose the private comments.

Pelosi told them it was “unfortunate” they were discussing the process when they should be debating the policy. “We cannot squander this majority and this Democratic White House by not passing what we need to do,” she said.

With Republicans fully opposed to the president’s big plans, the Democratic leaders were trying to engineer a way out of a potentially devastating standoff between the party’s moderate and progressive wings that risks Biden’s agenda.

Pelosi’s leadership sought to sidestep the issue by persuading lawmakers to vote to simply start the process and save the policy fight for the months ahead, when they will be crafting and debating details within the full $3.5 trillion budget proposal.

One by one, powerful committee chairmen urged their colleagues to move forward.

“There’s a long way to go on legislative issues that are going to play out over the next month. But for the moment the argument here is about: Shall the House proceed,” said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

It was unclear if the moderates were fully on board and as soon as one meeting broke, another private session was convened with them for further discussion. What had been a night of scheduled votes came to an unexpected standstill.

Confronting their party’s most powerful leaders, nine moderate Democrats signed onto a letter late last week raising their objections to pushing ahead with Biden’s broader infrastructure proposal without first considering the smaller public works plan that has already passed the Senate. Other moderates raised similar concerns in recent days.

“I’m bewildered by my party’s misguided strategy to make passage of the popular, already-written, bipartisan infrastructure bill contingent upon passage of the contentious, yet-to-be-written, partisan reconciliation bill,” wrote Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., a leader of the centrist Blue Dog caucus, in the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s bad policy and, yes, bad politics.”

In the narrowly divided House, every vote matters and a few dissenters could conceivably end the Democratic majority’s hopes for passing any proposal.

With most of Biden’s domestic agenda at stake, it’s unimaginable that Pelosi, D-Calif., would allow an embarrassing defeat. That’s especially true because the package is stocked with priorities like child care, paid family leave and a Medicare expansion that are hard-fought party goals, and at a time with the president already under criticism over his handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The $3.5 trillion budget resolution will set the stage this fall for setting further legislation directing money to be spent on the social safety net, environment and other programs over the next decade.

That huge measure is at the heart of Biden’s vision for helping families and combating climate change and is progressives’ top priority, all of it largely financed with tax increases on the rich and big business.

Progressives signaled early on they wanted the Biden budget priorities first before they agree to the smaller package, worried it would be an insufficient down-payment on his goals.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-bills-5e45e96c8396af38157dc292b20fc49e">But the moderates&nbsp;</a>want the opposite, insisting Congress quickly send the smaller, bipartisan infrastructure measure to Biden so he can sign it before the political winds shift. That would nail down a victory they could point to in their reelection campaigns next year.

“The House can’t afford to wait months or do anything to risk passing” the infrastructure bill, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., said late last week. He’s a leader of the nine moderate mavericks who each released statements reaffirming a desire that the infrastructure vote come first.

So far, the White House has backed Pelosi as she led her party in a tightly scripted strategy that aims to keep moderate and progressive lawmakers on board.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday underscored Biden’s support for Pelosi’s plans. Psaki deemed it a “healthy debate” within the party and said that it was “a high-class problem to have” as Democrats debate the particulars of the legislation.

Republicans said the $3.5 trillion effort that Democrats are seeking to advance fails to address “the crisis that American families are facing” and would lead to higher inflation and deficits.

“The inflation crisis, the border crisis, the energy crisis, the Afghanistan crisis — this budget only makes it worse,” said Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, top Republican on the House Budget Committee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629799430344.png" alt="A group of House Democratic lawmakers held a news conference to tout President Biden’s infrastructure proposals.&nbsp; photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>A group of House Democratic lawmakers held a news conference to tout President Biden’s infrastructure proposals.&nbsp; photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Brushing past moderates, House Democratic leaders tried to muscle President Joe Biden’s multitrillion-dollar budget blueprint over a key hurdle Monday night, hoping to shelve for now an intraparty showdown that risks upending their domestic infrastructure agenda.Tensions rose as lawmakers returned for the evening session and a band of moderate lawmakers threatened to withhold their votes for the $3.5 trillion plan. They were demanding the House first approve a $1 trillion package of road, power grid, broadband and other infrastructure projects that’s already passed the Senate.But as the evening dragged on the chamber came to a standstill and plans were thrown into flux as leaders and lawmakers huddled privately at the Capitol trying to broker an agreement.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi implored Democrats during a private caucus not to bog down and miss this chance to deliver on the promises Biden and the party have made to Americans.“Right now, we have an opportunity to pass something so substantial for our country, so transformative we haven’t seen anything like it,” Pelosi said, according to a person who requested anonymity to disclose the private comments.Pelosi told them it was “unfortunate” they were discussing the process when they should be debating the policy. “We cannot squander this majority and this Democratic White House by not passing what we need to do,” she said.With Republicans fully opposed to the president’s big plans, the Democratic leaders were trying to engineer a way out of a potentially devastating standoff between the party’s moderate and progressive wings that risks Biden’s agenda.Pelosi’s leadership sought to sidestep the issue by persuading lawmakers to vote to simply start the process and save the policy fight for the months ahead, when they will be crafting and debating details within the full $3.5 trillion budget proposal.One by one, powerful committee chairmen urged their colleagues to move forward.“There’s a long way to go on legislative issues that are going to play out over the next month. But for the moment the argument here is about: Shall the House proceed,” said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.It was unclear if the moderates were fully on board and as soon as one meeting broke, another private session was convened with them for further discussion. What had been a night of scheduled votes came to an unexpected standstill.Confronting their party’s most powerful leaders, nine moderate Democrats signed onto a letter late last week raising their objections to pushing ahead with Biden’s broader infrastructure proposal without first considering the smaller public works plan that has already passed the Senate. Other moderates raised similar concerns in recent days.“I’m bewildered by my party’s misguided strategy to make passage of the popular, already-written, bipartisan infrastructure bill contingent upon passage of the contentious, yet-to-be-written, partisan reconciliation bill,” wrote Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., a leader of the centrist Blue Dog caucus, in the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s bad policy and, yes, bad politics.”In the narrowly divided House, every vote matters and a few dissenters could conceivably end the Democratic majority’s hopes for passing any proposal.With most of Biden’s domestic agenda at stake, it’s unimaginable that Pelosi, D-Calif., would allow an embarrassing defeat. That’s especially true because the package is stocked with priorities like child care, paid family leave and a Medicare expansion that are hard-fought party goals, and at a time with the president already under criticism over his handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.The $3.5 trillion budget resolution will set the stage this fall for setting further legislation directing money to be spent on the social safety net, environment and other programs over the next decade.That huge measure is at the heart of Biden’s vision for helping families and combating climate change and is progressives’ top priority, all of it largely financed with tax increases on the rich and big business.Progressives signaled early on they wanted the Biden budget priorities first before they agree to the smaller package, worried it would be an insufficient down-payment on his goals.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-bills-5e45e96c8396af38157dc292b20fc49e">But the moderates&nbsp;</a>want the opposite, insisting Congress quickly send the smaller, bipartisan infrastructure measure to Biden so he can sign it before the political winds shift. That would nail down a victory they could point to in their reelection campaigns next year.“The House can’t afford to wait months or do anything to risk passing” the infrastructure bill, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., said late last week. He’s a leader of the nine moderate mavericks who each released statements reaffirming a desire that the infrastructure vote come first.So far, the White House has backed Pelosi as she led her party in a tightly scripted strategy that aims to keep moderate and progressive lawmakers on board.White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday underscored Biden’s support for Pelosi’s plans. Psaki deemed it a “healthy debate” within the party and said that it was “a high-class problem to have” as Democrats debate the particulars of the legislation.Republicans said the $3.5 trillion effort that Democrats are seeking to advance fails to address “the crisis that American families are facing” and would lead to higher inflation and deficits.“The inflation crisis, the border crisis, the energy crisis, the Afghanistan crisis — this budget only makes it worse,” said Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, top Republican on the House Budget Committee.___

Showdown in the House: Biden's $3.5T budget plan in jeopardy

RALSTON, Neb. (AP) — Students and staff at Ralston’s middle school and high schools in suburban Omaha are now required to wear masks following new cases of COVID-19 in the district. 

Ralston Public Schools announced the change Sunday, saying the policy applies to staff members and students from seventh- through 12th grades. Masking will be required through Sept. 16, when district officials will review the policy. 

Masks will be available at the schools for students who do not have one. Superintendent Mark Adler says the decision was made after three cases were identified in one classroom at the secondary level. 

The Ralston district was already requiring students, staff and visitors in preschool through sixth grade to wear masks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615984896927.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RALSTON, Neb. (AP) — Students and staff at Ralston’s middle school and high schools in suburban Omaha are now required to wear masks following new cases of COVID-19 in the district. Ralston Public Schools announced the change Sunday, saying the policy applies to staff members and students from seventh- through 12th grades. Masking will be required through Sept. 16, when district officials will review the policy. Masks will be available at the schools for students who do not have one. Superintendent Mark Adler says the decision was made after three cases were identified in one classroom at the secondary level. The Ralston district was already requiring students, staff and visitors in preschool through sixth grade to wear masks.

Suburban Omaha school district enacts expanded mask mandate

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a child abduction and have made an arrest.

Around 11:30 a.m. Monday, police responded to a report of a 2-month old child being abducted when the vehicle he was in was stolen near 6th and Clay, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson.

 The vehicle was found a short time later with child located inside and unharmed. A suspect was identified as Don Womack Jr., 47 of Topeka, and was located and taken into custody in the area of 3rd and Buchanan around 2:45 p.m.

Womack was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Kidnapping, Aggravated Child Endangerment and Aggravated Vehicle Burglary

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a child abduction and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.

Just after 11a.m. Monday, a 2-month-old child was abducted in a stolen vehicle near SW 6th&nbsp;Avenue and SW Clay Street in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

The child has been located and is safe. Police also located the stolen vehicle, according to Spiker.

The suspect is described as a black male and was wearing a white shirt, blue pants and white shoes at the time of the abduction.&nbsp;

Police released no additional details early Monday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629741394678.png" alt="Security camera images of the child abduction suspect from Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images of the child abduction suspect from Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a child abduction and have made an arrest.Around 11:30 a.m. Monday, police responded to a report of a 2-month old child being abducted when the vehicle he was in was stolen near 6th and Clay, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson. The vehicle was found a short time later with child located inside and unharmed. A suspect was identified as Don Womack Jr., 47 of Topeka, and was located and taken into custody in the area of 3rd and Buchanan around 2:45 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629759094709.png" alt="Womack booking photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Womack booking photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Womack was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Kidnapping, Aggravated Child Endangerment and Aggravated Vehicle Burglary-------------SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a child abduction and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.Just after 11a.m. Monday, a 2-month-old child was abducted in a stolen vehicle near SW 6th&nbsp;Avenue and SW Clay Street in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.The child has been located and is safe. Police also located the stolen vehicle, according to Spiker.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629741465995.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect is described as a black male and was wearing a white shirt, blue pants and white shoes at the time of the abduction.&nbsp;Police released no additional details early Monday afternoon.

UPDATE: Police locate Kan. child abduction suspect

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Police requested the public’s assistance on Sunday to locate a sixteen month old.&nbsp;

On Monday afternoon, police reported&nbsp; they were able to check the welfare of the boy. on August 23, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker. The investigation in the case continues. Police released no additional details.

SHAWNEE COUNTY– The Topeka Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating sixteen month old Jesus Manuel Betancourt-Acevedo to conduct a welfare check, according to Police Lt. Ron Ekis.

The child is believed to be with his mother Norma Acevedo –Pena and an unidentified Hispanic man.

The subjects are believed to be driving a dark colored Ford Expedition.&nbsp; Police released no additional details Sunday afternoon.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call dispatch at 785-368- 9200, email telltpd@topeka.org , or contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629668999502.png" alt="Security camera images courtesy Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images courtesy Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Police requested the public’s assistance on Sunday to locate a sixteen month old.&nbsp;On Monday afternoon, police reported&nbsp; they were able to check the welfare of the boy. on August 23, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker. The investigation in the case continues. Police released no additional details.-------------SHAWNEE COUNTY– The Topeka Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating sixteen month old Jesus Manuel Betancourt-Acevedo to conduct a welfare check, according to Police Lt. Ron Ekis.The child is believed to be with his mother Norma Acevedo –Pena and an unidentified Hispanic man.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629669098483.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The subjects are believed to be driving a dark colored Ford Expedition.&nbsp; Police released no additional details Sunday afternoon.Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call dispatch at 785-368- 9200, email telltpd@topeka.org , or contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128.

Update: Police locate, check welfare of Kan. toddler

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said Monday that it will require service members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine now that the Pfizer vaccine has received full approval.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making good on his vow earlier this month to require the shots once the Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine. He said guidance is being developed and a timeline will be provided in the coming days.

Austin’s decision reflects similar moves by governments and companies around the world, as nations struggle with the highly contagious delta variant that has sent U.S. cases surging to heights not seen since last winter. And hospitalizations and deaths are increasing among the military. Over the past month, the number of service member deaths jumped from 25 to 34 – more than a one third increase.

In a memo Aug. 9, Austin said he'd seek the president’s approval to make the vaccine mandatory no later than mid-September, or immediately upon FDA licensure “whichever comes first.” The Pentagon has said that the military has enough vaccines to meet the requirements.

Kirby said the steps Monday to make the vaccine mandatory are an effort to ensure the safety of service members. Concerns about the virus are especially acute in the military, where service members live and work closely together in barracks and on ships, increasing the risks of rapid spreading. Any large virus outbreak in the military could affect America’s ability to defend itself in any security crisis.

In a message to the force earlier this month, Gen. Mark Milley said medical professionals recommend the vaccine, and that getting the shot is key to maintaining a military that is prepared to defend the nation. At the bottom of his message, Milley scrawled a handwritten note: “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a key force protection and readiness issue.”

Members of the U.S. military are already required to get as many as 17 different vaccines, depending on where they are deployed. The requirements — which include shots for smallpox, hepatitis, polio and the regular flu — also provide for a number of temporary and permanent exemptions for either medical or administrative reasons.

Permanent exemptions include serious medical reactions to the vaccine, immune deficiencies such as HIV infection, and “evidence of existing immunity” by a serologic antibody test or “documentation of previous infection or natural infection presumed.”

There also are administrative exemptions, including one for religious reasons. The religious exemption is granted by the military services based on their policies and is a command decision based on consultation with medical personnel and the chaplain.

Troops may also get temporary exemptions for up to a year if they, for example, are pregnant, seriously ill, or if there is a lack of vaccine supply.

The regulations also note that any exemption may be reversed if a medical condition changes or if it is determined that “the risk of acquiring the disease is greater than the risk of vaccine exposure.”

An AP-NORC poll released Friday found that 56% of Americans are in favor of requiring members of the military to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared with 20% opposed.

As of Aug. 18, more than 1 million service members were fully vaccinated and nearly 245,000 more had received at least one shot, according to the Defense Department. Just over half of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated with one of the country’s three options, from Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson.

Kirby said the Pentagon decision is only for the Pfizer vaccine.

Moderna has also applied to the FDA for full approval of its vaccine. J&amp;J said it hopes to do so later this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629738536951.png" alt="Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said the steps Monday to make the vaccine mandatory are an effort to ensure the safety of service members. photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said the steps Monday to make the vaccine mandatory are an effort to ensure the safety of service members. photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said Monday that it will require service members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine now that the Pfizer vaccine has received full approval.Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making good on his vow earlier this month to require the shots once the Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine. He said guidance is being developed and a timeline will be provided in the coming days.Austin’s decision reflects similar moves by governments and companies around the world, as nations struggle with the highly contagious delta variant that has sent U.S. cases surging to heights not seen since last winter. And hospitalizations and deaths are increasing among the military. Over the past month, the number of service member deaths jumped from 25 to 34 – more than a one third increase.In a memo Aug. 9, Austin said he'd seek the president’s approval to make the vaccine mandatory no later than mid-September, or immediately upon FDA licensure “whichever comes first.” The Pentagon has said that the military has enough vaccines to meet the requirements.Kirby said the steps Monday to make the vaccine mandatory are an effort to ensure the safety of service members. Concerns about the virus are especially acute in the military, where service members live and work closely together in barracks and on ships, increasing the risks of rapid spreading. Any large virus outbreak in the military could affect America’s ability to defend itself in any security crisis.In a message to the force earlier this month, Gen. Mark Milley said medical professionals recommend the vaccine, and that getting the shot is key to maintaining a military that is prepared to defend the nation. At the bottom of his message, Milley scrawled a handwritten note: “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a key force protection and readiness issue.”Members of the U.S. military are already required to get as many as 17 different vaccines, depending on where they are deployed. The requirements — which include shots for smallpox, hepatitis, polio and the regular flu — also provide for a number of temporary and permanent exemptions for either medical or administrative reasons.Permanent exemptions include serious medical reactions to the vaccine, immune deficiencies such as HIV infection, and “evidence of existing immunity” by a serologic antibody test or “documentation of previous infection or natural infection presumed.”There also are administrative exemptions, including one for religious reasons. The religious exemption is granted by the military services based on their policies and is a command decision based on consultation with medical personnel and the chaplain.Troops may also get temporary exemptions for up to a year if they, for example, are pregnant, seriously ill, or if there is a lack of vaccine supply.The regulations also note that any exemption may be reversed if a medical condition changes or if it is determined that “the risk of acquiring the disease is greater than the risk of vaccine exposure.”An AP-NORC poll released Friday found that 56% of Americans are in favor of requiring members of the military to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, compared with 20% opposed.As of Aug. 18, more than 1 million service members were fully vaccinated and nearly 245,000 more had received at least one shot, according to the Defense Department. Just over half of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated with one of the country’s three options, from Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson &amp; Johnson.Kirby said the Pentagon decision is only for the Pfizer vaccine.Moderna has also applied to the FDA for full approval of its vaccine. J&amp;J said it hopes to do so later this year.

Pentagon mandates COVID vaccine for all service members

News Release Nebraska State Patrol

OMAHA, Neb.-Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested multiple people following multiple pursuits Sunday evening.

At approximately 5:50 p.m. Sunday, a trooper observed a motorcycle driving recklessly on Interstate 680 near Dodge Street. The motorcycle was speeding, splitting between other vehicles, and passing on the shoulder. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the motorcycle fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit but discontinued the pursuit shortly thereafter as the NSP Aviation Support Division began tracking the motorcycle from the air.

NSP pilots tracked the motorcycle as it continued driving recklessly through portions of west Omaha until it came to an apartment complex near 129th&nbsp;and Q streets. Pilots directed patrol units to that location, where the rider then fled on foot. Troopers and Omaha Police Officers were able to apprehend the subject after a short foot pursuit. The rider, Lenn Farley, 32, of Papillion, was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, and an outstanding warrant from Hall County. He was lodged in Douglas County Jail.

Later, at approximately 7:45 p.m. Sunday, a trooper located a vehicle that had previously fled a traffic stop with the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office. The trooper attempted a traffic stop in a parking lot near the 84th&nbsp;Street interchange of Interstate 80. The vehicle, a Chevrolet Malibu, refused to stop and fled westbound on Interstate 80. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle turned northbound onto Interstate 680, then westbound on West Center Road. Near 119th&nbsp;and Center, the trooper was able to successfully perform a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the vehicle to a stop. The driver was then taken into custody without incident. Troopers then discovered four children in the vehicle as well. No injuries were reported. The driver then provided false identifying information to the troopers.

The driver, Tiara Cook, 32, of Omaha, was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, child abuse/neglect, no operator’s license, and false reporting. Cook was lodged in Douglas County Jail. The children were placed with family.

News Release Nebraska State PatrolOMAHA, Neb.-Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested multiple people following multiple pursuits Sunday evening.At approximately 5:50 p.m. Sunday, a trooper observed a motorcycle driving recklessly on Interstate 680 near Dodge Street. The motorcycle was speeding, splitting between other vehicles, and passing on the shoulder. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the motorcycle fled. The trooper initiated a pursuit but discontinued the pursuit shortly thereafter as the NSP Aviation Support Division began tracking the motorcycle from the air.NSP pilots tracked the motorcycle as it continued driving recklessly through portions of west Omaha until it came to an apartment complex near 129th&nbsp;and Q streets. Pilots directed patrol units to that location, where the rider then fled on foot. Troopers and Omaha Police Officers were able to apprehend the subject after a short foot pursuit. The rider, Lenn Farley, 32, of Papillion, was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, and an outstanding warrant from Hall County. He was lodged in Douglas County Jail.Later, at approximately 7:45 p.m. Sunday, a trooper located a vehicle that had previously fled a traffic stop with the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office. The trooper attempted a traffic stop in a parking lot near the 84th&nbsp;Street interchange of Interstate 80. The vehicle, a Chevrolet Malibu, refused to stop and fled westbound on Interstate 80. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The vehicle turned northbound onto Interstate 680, then westbound on West Center Road. Near 119th&nbsp;and Center, the trooper was able to successfully perform a tactical vehicle intervention to bring the vehicle to a stop. The driver was then taken into custody without incident. Troopers then discovered four children in the vehicle as well. No injuries were reported. The driver then provided false identifying information to the troopers.The driver, Tiara Cook, 32, of Omaha, was arrested for felony flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, child abuse/neglect, no operator’s license, and false reporting. Cook was lodged in Douglas County Jail. The children were placed with family.

Multiple arrests made following Omaha pursuit

News Release Federal Bureau of Investigation

Nicole Poole Franklin, age 43, of Des Moines, was sentenced to 304 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose after pleading guilty to two hate crime charges for attempting to kill two minors because of their race and national origin. The federal sentence will run concurrently with the 25-year sentence imposed in the Iowa District Court for Polk County on May 28, 2021, for two counts of attempted murder. Poole Franklin was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

On the afternoon of December 9, 2019, Poole Franklin drove her Jeep Grand Cherokee on Creston Avenue in Des Moines, where the first child-victim and a minor family member were walking on the sidewalk. Upon seeing the children and believing the victim was of Middle Eastern or African descent, Poole Franklin intentionally drove her vehicle over the curb, striking one of them. She then drove away from the scene. The child victim suffered cuts, bruising, and swelling. Poole Franklin later stated she believed the child was “ISIS” and was going to take her out. Approximately 30 minutes later, Poole Franklin drove her vehicle near Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive, where the second child-victim was walking on the sidewalk. Poole Franklin drove her Jeep over the curb and struck the victim, causing serious injury, including a concussion, bruises, and cuts. Poole Franklin later told law enforcement that she believed the minor victim was Hispanic and was “takin over . . . our homes, and our jobs,” and “wasn’t supposed to be in our country.” Poole Franklin again left the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement later that day.

Acting Southern District of Iowa United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal wrote in his sentencing memorandum to the district court, “Nothing can be more devastating to the American dream of equal rights than the actions of Poole Franklin on a hate filled December 9, 2019, as she callously attempted to run over and kill a 12 year old boy, and a 14 year old girl. Two minors who had done nothing wrong other than innocently walk on a street, and happen to be of a different race and skin color from Poole Franklin. Her actions temporarily shattered, but did not permanently defeat this dream. Because these two courageous victims, and their amazing families, continue to epitomize the hopes of what our society can be. Holding Poole Franklin accountable, not only for her intentional actions, but for the malicious beliefs behind them, is what our justice system should be, and a must to provide just punishment, afford adequate deterrence, and protect the public from further crimes by this defendant.”

Following today’s sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated, “Nicole Poole Franklin committed a despicable crime. She targeted and seriously injured two children because of the color of their skin. FBI Omaha will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate hate crimes and seek justice for the victims. We encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Des Moines Police Department, the Clive Police Department, the West Des Moines Police Department, and the Polk County Attorney’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, in conjunction with the Department of Justice-Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

News Release Federal Bureau of InvestigationNicole Poole Franklin, age 43, of Des Moines, was sentenced to 304 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose after pleading guilty to two hate crime charges for attempting to kill two minors because of their race and national origin. The federal sentence will run concurrently with the 25-year sentence imposed in the Iowa District Court for Polk County on May 28, 2021, for two counts of attempted murder. Poole Franklin was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.On the afternoon of December 9, 2019, Poole Franklin drove her Jeep Grand Cherokee on Creston Avenue in Des Moines, where the first child-victim and a minor family member were walking on the sidewalk. Upon seeing the children and believing the victim was of Middle Eastern or African descent, Poole Franklin intentionally drove her vehicle over the curb, striking one of them. She then drove away from the scene. The child victim suffered cuts, bruising, and swelling. Poole Franklin later stated she believed the child was “ISIS” and was going to take her out. Approximately 30 minutes later, Poole Franklin drove her vehicle near Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive, where the second child-victim was walking on the sidewalk. Poole Franklin drove her Jeep over the curb and struck the victim, causing serious injury, including a concussion, bruises, and cuts. Poole Franklin later told law enforcement that she believed the minor victim was Hispanic and was “takin over . . . our homes, and our jobs,” and “wasn’t supposed to be in our country.” Poole Franklin again left the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement later that day.Acting Southern District of Iowa United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal wrote in his sentencing memorandum to the district court, “Nothing can be more devastating to the American dream of equal rights than the actions of Poole Franklin on a hate filled December 9, 2019, as she callously attempted to run over and kill a 12 year old boy, and a 14 year old girl. Two minors who had done nothing wrong other than innocently walk on a street, and happen to be of a different race and skin color from Poole Franklin. Her actions temporarily shattered, but did not permanently defeat this dream. Because these two courageous victims, and their amazing families, continue to epitomize the hopes of what our society can be. Holding Poole Franklin accountable, not only for her intentional actions, but for the malicious beliefs behind them, is what our justice system should be, and a must to provide just punishment, afford adequate deterrence, and protect the public from further crimes by this defendant.”Following today’s sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated, “Nicole Poole Franklin committed a despicable crime. She targeted and seriously injured two children because of the color of their skin. FBI Omaha will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate hate crimes and seek justice for the victims. We encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.”This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Des Moines Police Department, the Clive Police Department, the West Des Moines Police Department, and the Polk County Attorney’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, in conjunction with the Department of Justice-Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

Iowa woman sentenced to over 25 years for hate crimes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, a milestone that may help lift public confidence in the shots as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet.

The vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech now carries the strongest endorsement from the Food and Drug Administration, which has never before had so much evidence to judge a shot’s safety. More than 200 million Pfizer doses already have been administered in the U.S. — and hundreds of millions more worldwide — since emergency use began in December.

“The public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock. “Today’s milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S.”

The U.S. becomes the first country to fully approve the shot, according to Pfizer, and CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement he hoped the decision “will help increase confidence in our vaccine, as vaccination remains the best tool we have to help protect lives.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, a milestone that may help lift public confidence in the shots as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet.The vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech now carries the strongest endorsement from the Food and Drug Administration, which has never before had so much evidence to judge a shot’s safety. More than 200 million Pfizer doses already have been administered in the U.S. — and hundreds of millions more worldwide — since emergency use began in December.“The public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock. “Today’s milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S.”The U.S. becomes the first country to fully approve the shot, according to Pfizer, and CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement he hoped the decision “will help increase confidence in our vaccine, as vaccination remains the best tool we have to help protect lives.”

FDA gives full approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting death of a person near north Omaha. 

Police say the shooting happened Sunday evening when they were called to 83rd and Miami streets. Arriving officers found a man outside a home with gunshot wounds. 

Police later identified the victim as Jamie Nau, 29, of Omaha and say he died at the scene. 

Police have said they're looking for a person of interest in the shooting but had not announced any arrests by Monday morning.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting death of a person near north Omaha. Police say the shooting happened Sunday evening when they were called to 83rd and Miami streets. Arriving officers found a man outside a home with gunshot wounds. Police later identified the victim as Jamie Nau, 29, of Omaha and say he died at the scene. Police have said they're looking for a person of interest in the shooting but had not announced any arrests by Monday morning.

Omaha police investigating shooting death of person

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Hawaii lieutenant governor watched in horror as protesters showed up outside his condo, yelled at him through bullhorns and beamed strobe lights into the building to harass him over vaccine requirements.

A parent in Northern California barged into his daughter's elementary school and punched a teacher in the face over mask rules. At a school in Texas, a parent ripped a mask off a teacher's face during a “Meet the Teacher” event.

A Missouri hospital leader was approached in a parking garage this week by a man from Alabama who handed him papers accusing him of “crimes against humanity,” and it was not the only in-your-face encounter over vaccines and masks. School board members, county commissioners, doctors and local leaders are regularly confronted at meetings and in public with angry taunts that compare them to the Taliban, Nazis, Marxists and the leaders of Japanese internment camps.

Across the country, anti-vaccine and anti-mask demonstrations are taking scary and violent turns, and educators, medical professionals and public figures have been stunned at the level at which they have been vilified for even stating their opinion. And they have been terrified over how far protesters will go in confronting leaders outside their homes and in their workplaces.

“The heat definitely got turned up this week," said Shannon Portillo, a county commissioner in Kansas who was berated at a meeting Wednesday in which the board mandated masks indoors for unvaccinated children. "It got much more hostile than anything I had seen.”

The pandemic rage has coincided with a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, a growing movement to require vaccines and a new round of mask requirements, most notably in schools where exhausted families had hoped the worst days of the virus were over. Now, the country is averaging nearly 1,000 coronavirus deaths a day.

Anger from parents over masks has been simmering in rural Amador County in Northern California, and it reached a peak earlier this month when for the first time a teacher was attacked. A father became irate when he saw his daughter come out of school wearing a mask but teachers in a lounge were unmasked. Vaccinated staff are allowed to take off their masks if students aren't present, said Amador County Unified School District Superintendent Torie Gibson. The father was told this and left, but returned later to speak with the principal.

A concerned male teacher went to the principal's office. An argument ensued and the father struck the teacher.

“The teacher had some lacerations and bruising on his face and a knot on the back of his head,” Gibson said.

He was treated at a hospital and returned to work the following day. Still, the incident has shaken teachers and the community.

“The teachers have definitely been on edge. They are fearful because the last thing they want is to have an issue with a parent,” Gibson said. “They definitely looked over their shoulder for quite a few days, but I think things are now a little bit more calm.”

Meanwhile, the father is prohibited from entering the school and could face prosecution.

Since Hawaii announced a mandate earlier this month that state and county workers would have to show proof of vaccination or face weekly tests, 50 to 100 unmasked vaccine opponents have gathered almost nightly outside the downtown Honolulu condominium building where Lt. Gov. Josh Green lives with his wife and two children, ages 14 and 10.

Some yell into bullhorns and shine strobe lights into apartment units, Green said. Flyers with his photo and the words “Jew” and “fraud" have been plastered around the neighborhood. Green, who is Jewish, has been tearing them down and turning them over to the state attorney general’s office.

He understands the right to protest, but not why demonstrators subject bystanders to such rage.

“They should protest me at my place of work, where I’m the lieutenant governor,” Green said. “But it’s different than flashing a strobe light into a 90-year-old woman’s apartment or a strobe light into a family’s apartment, where they have two kids under age 4.”

Ironically, Green wasn't home during a recent intense weekend of protests. He was on the Big Island working on his other job as an emergency room doctor and treating mostly COVID-19 patients during a record surge in coronavirus hospitalizations in the state.

“I will personally be taking care of these individuals in the hospital as their doctor when they get sick from refusing to wear masks and refusing to be vaccinated,” he said.

In Kansas, commissioners in Douglas County in the Lawrence area were confronted with an angry, mostly unmasked crowd Wednesday before they mandated indoor public masks for 2- to- 12-year-olds who are too young to be vaccinated. During four hours of public comment, opponents invoked the Holocaust, the Taliban and Japanese internment camps.

As the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, Portillo was outraged at the comparisons.

“It is really insulting to families all over who lost loved ones in genocides,” she said.

Researchers, professors and political experts have varying opinions about how and why discourse seems to keep plunging to new lows over the pandemic, but many agree that social media is a big factor.

Barbara Rosenwein, professor emerita at Loyola University Chicago and author of “Anger: The Conflicted History of an Emotion,” said social media can make minority views look more like the majority. On the many social media platforms, people validate each other's anger as being from a just and righteous place.

“Over time the possibility of feeling righteous anger has become democratized. Everybody feels almost obligated to feel it,” Rosenwein said. “That locks you into a position that will allow for no compromise, which is terrible for our country.”

That anger also makes it seem OK to buck authority such as teachers and government at a time of heightened culture wars on topics like education. Getting punished or even arrested might feel like “a badge of courage," she said.

“I don’t think these people are running into old-age homes and telling granny she better not get vaccinated,” Rosenwein said. “I think they’re telling the school teachers because teachers represent an elite that’s teaching their kids.”

Rosenwein said there's no grand, one-size-fits-all solution to talking to a friend or family member who may be taking an anti-mask and anti-vaccine stance to extreme levels.

“You have to start where they are ... 'Let’s hear your reasons and try to go from there,'” Rosenwein said.

Dr. Cadey Harrel, who practices family medicine in Tucson, Arizona, was among four health care workers who testified in favor of mask mandates earlier this month at a local school board meeting. She recently transferred her children out of that school district over the issue but still felt compelled to speak. An anti-mask group of four or five followed them out of the building after the meeting.

“They started saying things along the lines of we were paid actors, we were paid to be there, that masks don’t work,” Harrel said. “They were getting right in our face.”

Harrel was unnerved but felt better after a few teachers thanked them for talking. And that motivated her to keep testifying at public meetings to provide a voice of science and reason amid all the outrage from mask and vaccine opponents.

“The thing is that somebody’s got to speak up," she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629638297023.png" alt="At Friday's Sedgwick County commission meeting, this man threatened to show up commissioners homes with a megaphone.&nbsp; Commissioners voted down the proposed mask&nbsp; mandate." />
 <figcaption>At Friday's Sedgwick County commission meeting, this man threatened to show up commissioners homes with a megaphone.&nbsp; Commissioners voted down the proposed mask&nbsp; mandate.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Hawaii lieutenant governor watched in horror as protesters showed up outside his condo, yelled at him through bullhorns and beamed strobe lights into the building to harass him over vaccine requirements.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S-MxtG2j1HI?start=6345" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>A parent in Northern California barged into his daughter's elementary school and punched a teacher in the face over mask rules. At a school in Texas, a parent ripped a mask off a teacher's face during a “Meet the Teacher” event.A Missouri hospital leader was approached in a parking garage this week by a man from Alabama who handed him papers accusing him of “crimes against humanity,” and it was not the only in-your-face encounter over vaccines and masks. School board members, county commissioners, doctors and local leaders are regularly confronted at meetings and in public with angry taunts that compare them to the Taliban, Nazis, Marxists and the leaders of Japanese internment camps.Across the country, anti-vaccine and anti-mask demonstrations are taking scary and violent turns, and educators, medical professionals and public figures have been stunned at the level at which they have been vilified for even stating their opinion. And they have been terrified over how far protesters will go in confronting leaders outside their homes and in their workplaces.“The heat definitely got turned up this week," said Shannon Portillo, a county commissioner in Kansas who was berated at a meeting Wednesday in which the board mandated masks indoors for unvaccinated children. "It got much more hostile than anything I had seen.”The pandemic rage has coincided with a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, a growing movement to require vaccines and a new round of mask requirements, most notably in schools where exhausted families had hoped the worst days of the virus were over. Now, the country is averaging nearly 1,000 coronavirus deaths a day.Anger from parents over masks has been simmering in rural Amador County in Northern California, and it reached a peak earlier this month when for the first time a teacher was attacked. A father became irate when he saw his daughter come out of school wearing a mask but teachers in a lounge were unmasked. Vaccinated staff are allowed to take off their masks if students aren't present, said Amador County Unified School District Superintendent Torie Gibson. The father was told this and left, but returned later to speak with the principal.A concerned male teacher went to the principal's office. An argument ensued and the father struck the teacher.“The teacher had some lacerations and bruising on his face and a knot on the back of his head,” Gibson said.He was treated at a hospital and returned to work the following day. Still, the incident has shaken teachers and the community.“The teachers have definitely been on edge. They are fearful because the last thing they want is to have an issue with a parent,” Gibson said. “They definitely looked over their shoulder for quite a few days, but I think things are now a little bit more calm.”Meanwhile, the father is prohibited from entering the school and could face prosecution.Since Hawaii announced a mandate earlier this month that state and county workers would have to show proof of vaccination or face weekly tests, 50 to 100 unmasked vaccine opponents have gathered almost nightly outside the downtown Honolulu condominium building where Lt. Gov. Josh Green lives with his wife and two children, ages 14 and 10.Some yell into bullhorns and shine strobe lights into apartment units, Green said. Flyers with his photo and the words “Jew” and “fraud" have been plastered around the neighborhood. Green, who is Jewish, has been tearing them down and turning them over to the state attorney general’s office.He understands the right to protest, but not why demonstrators subject bystanders to such rage.“They should protest me at my place of work, where I’m the lieutenant governor,” Green said. “But it’s different than flashing a strobe light into a 90-year-old woman’s apartment or a strobe light into a family’s apartment, where they have two kids under age 4.”Ironically, Green wasn't home during a recent intense weekend of protests. He was on the Big Island working on his other job as an emergency room doctor and treating mostly COVID-19 patients during a record surge in coronavirus hospitalizations in the state.“I will personally be taking care of these individuals in the hospital as their doctor when they get sick from refusing to wear masks and refusing to be vaccinated,” he said.In Kansas, commissioners in Douglas County in the Lawrence area were confronted with an angry, mostly unmasked crowd Wednesday before they mandated indoor public masks for 2- to- 12-year-olds who are too young to be vaccinated. During four hours of public comment, opponents invoked the Holocaust, the Taliban and Japanese internment camps.As the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, Portillo was outraged at the comparisons.“It is really insulting to families all over who lost loved ones in genocides,” she said.Researchers, professors and political experts have varying opinions about how and why discourse seems to keep plunging to new lows over the pandemic, but many agree that social media is a big factor.Barbara Rosenwein, professor emerita at Loyola University Chicago and author of “Anger: The Conflicted History of an Emotion,” said social media can make minority views look more like the majority. On the many social media platforms, people validate each other's anger as being from a just and righteous place.“Over time the possibility of feeling righteous anger has become democratized. Everybody feels almost obligated to feel it,” Rosenwein said. “That locks you into a position that will allow for no compromise, which is terrible for our country.”That anger also makes it seem OK to buck authority such as teachers and government at a time of heightened culture wars on topics like education. Getting punished or even arrested might feel like “a badge of courage," she said.“I don’t think these people are running into old-age homes and telling granny she better not get vaccinated,” Rosenwein said. “I think they’re telling the school teachers because teachers represent an elite that’s teaching their kids.”Rosenwein said there's no grand, one-size-fits-all solution to talking to a friend or family member who may be taking an anti-mask and anti-vaccine stance to extreme levels.“You have to start where they are ... 'Let’s hear your reasons and try to go from there,'” Rosenwein said.Dr. Cadey Harrel, who practices family medicine in Tucson, Arizona, was among four health care workers who testified in favor of mask mandates earlier this month at a local school board meeting. She recently transferred her children out of that school district over the issue but still felt compelled to speak. An anti-mask group of four or five followed them out of the building after the meeting.“They started saying things along the lines of we were paid actors, we were paid to be there, that masks don’t work,” Harrel said. “They were getting right in our face.”Harrel was unnerved but felt better after a few teachers thanked them for talking. And that motivated her to keep testifying at public meetings to provide a voice of science and reason amid all the outrage from mask and vaccine opponents.“The thing is that somebody’s got to speak up," she said.___

🎥  Mask, vaccine conflicts descend into violence, harassment

Additional funding doubles amount available for dislocated workers

WASHINGTON, DC –
 The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of an 
increased $90 million in funding grants to provide reemployment 
opportunities for displaced workers, historically marginalized 
communities or groups and those unemployed for an extended period or who
 have exhausted unemployment insurance or other pandemic unemployment 
insurance programs.

“By doubling down on these critical investments, 
the Department of Labor reinforces its commitment to invest in 
strategies to help American workers get the services and training they 
need to secure quality jobs as our economy recovers,” said Acting 
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Suzi LeVine. 
“These grants focus on local innovation and put resources in our 
communities to ensure the workers most impacted by the pandemic get 
reemployment support to ensure an equitable recovery.”

Administered by the department’s <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact">Employment and Training Administration</a>,
 today’s announcement more than doubles the initial $43 million in 
funding for Comprehensive and Accessible Reemployment through Equitable 
Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants <a href="https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20210629">announced in June</a>.

Those seeking <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334454" target="_blank">CAREER National Dislocated Worker Grants</a> may apply through Aug. 31. Applicants may choose one of two types of required grant activities:

Supported by the <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa">Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act</a>,
 National Dislocated Worker Grants offer resources that provide 
flexibility to states and communities in response to and recovery from 
events that cause widespread unemployment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615920467817.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Additional funding doubles amount available for dislocated workers</h2>U.S. Department of LaborWASHINGTON, DC –
 The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of an 
increased $90 million in funding grants to provide reemployment 
opportunities for displaced workers, historically marginalized 
communities or groups and those unemployed for an extended period or who
 have exhausted unemployment insurance or other pandemic unemployment 
insurance programs.“By doubling down on these critical investments, 
the Department of Labor reinforces its commitment to invest in 
strategies to help American workers get the services and training they 
need to secure quality jobs as our economy recovers,” said Acting 
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Suzi LeVine. 
“These grants focus on local innovation and put resources in our 
communities to ensure the workers most impacted by the pandemic get 
reemployment support to ensure an equitable recovery.”Administered by the department’s <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact">Employment and Training Administration</a>,
 today’s announcement more than doubles the initial $43 million in 
funding for Comprehensive and Accessible Reemployment through Equitable 
Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants <a href="https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20210629">announced in June</a>. Those seeking <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334454" target="_blank">CAREER National Dislocated Worker Grants</a> may apply through Aug. 31. Applicants may choose one of two types of required grant activities:<ul>
 <li>Delivering comprehensive workforce services, 
including career, training and supportive services to help participants 
gain employment.</li><li>Purchasing, building or expanding virtual 
technology platforms, software systems or services for job search, 
career guidance, training or other allowable activities. </li>
 </ul>Supported by the <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa">Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act</a>,
 National Dislocated Worker Grants offer resources that provide 
flexibility to states and communities in response to and recovery from 
events that cause widespread unemployment.

US Labor Dept.: $90M available to those displaced by pandemic

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Potential Islamic State threats against Americans in Afghanistan are forcing the U.S. military to develop new ways to get evacuees to the airport in Kabul, a senior U.S. official said Saturday, adding a new complication to the already chaotic efforts to get people out of the country after its swift fall to the Taliban.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514201-1/president-biden-updates-nation-afghanistan-hurricane-henri&amp;live">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the President's comments

The official said that small groups of Americans and possibly other civilians will be given specific instructions on what to do, including movement to transit points where they can be gathered up by the military. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

The changes come as the U.S. Embassy issued a new security warning Saturday telling citizens not to travel to the Kabul airport without individual instruction from a U.S. government representative. Officials declined to provide more specifics about the IS threat but described it as significant. They said there have beenno confirmed attacks as yet

Time is running out ahead of President Joe Biden’s Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw most remaining U.S. troops. In his remarks on the situation Friday, he did not commit to extending it, though he did issue a new pledge to evacuate not only all Americans in Afghanistan, but also the tens of thousands of Afghans who have aided the war effort since Sept. 11, 2001. That promise would dramatically expand the number of people the U.S. evacuates.

Biden faces growing criticism as videos depict pandemonium and occasional violence outside the airport, and as vulnerable Afghans who fear the Taliban’s retaliation send desperate pleas not to be left behind.

The Islamic State group — which has long declared a desire to attack America and U.S. interests abroad — has been active in Afghanistan for a number of years, carrying out waves of horrific attacks, mostly on the Shiite minority. The group has been repeatedly targeted by U.S. airstrikes in recent years, as well as Taliban attacks. But officials say fragments of the group are still active in Afghanistan, and the U.S. is concerned about it reconstituting in a larger way as the country comes under divisive Taliban rule.

Despite the U.S. Embassy warning, crowds remain outside the Kabul airport’s concrete barriers, clutching documents and sometimes stunned-looking children, blocked from flight by coils of razor wire.

Meanwhile, the Taliban’s top political leader arrived in Kabul for talks on forming a new government. The presence of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who returned to Kandahar earlier this week from Qatar, was confirmed by a Taliban official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the news media. Baradar negotiated the religious movement’s 2020 peace deal with the U.S., and he is now expected to play a key role in negotiations between the Taliban and officials from the Afghan government that the militant group deposed.

Afghan officials familiar with talks held in the capital say the Taliban have said they will not make announcements on their government until the Aug. 31 deadline for the troop withdrawal passes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629663997116.png" alt="On Sunday, the President said, "We have a long way to go (in Afghanistan) and a lot could still go wrong." Photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>On Sunday, the President said, "We have a long way to go (in Afghanistan) and a lot could still go wrong." Photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Potential Islamic State threats against Americans in Afghanistan are forcing the U.S. military to develop new ways to get evacuees to the airport in Kabul, a senior U.S. official said Saturday, adding a new complication to the already chaotic efforts to get people out of the country after its swift fall to the Taliban.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514201-1/president-biden-updates-nation-afghanistan-hurricane-henri&amp;live">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the President's commentsThe official said that small groups of Americans and possibly other civilians will be given specific instructions on what to do, including movement to transit points where they can be gathered up by the military. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.The changes come as the U.S. Embassy issued a new security warning Saturday telling citizens not to travel to the Kabul airport without individual instruction from a U.S. government representative. Officials declined to provide more specifics about the IS threat but described it as significant. They said there have beenno confirmed attacks as yetTime is running out ahead of President Joe Biden’s Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw most remaining U.S. troops. In his remarks on the situation Friday, he did not commit to extending it, though he did issue a new pledge to evacuate not only all Americans in Afghanistan, but also the tens of thousands of Afghans who have aided the war effort since Sept. 11, 2001. That promise would dramatically expand the number of people the U.S. evacuates.Biden faces growing criticism as videos depict pandemonium and occasional violence outside the airport, and as vulnerable Afghans who fear the Taliban’s retaliation send desperate pleas not to be left behind.The Islamic State group — which has long declared a desire to attack America and U.S. interests abroad — has been active in Afghanistan for a number of years, carrying out waves of horrific attacks, mostly on the Shiite minority. The group has been repeatedly targeted by U.S. airstrikes in recent years, as well as Taliban attacks. But officials say fragments of the group are still active in Afghanistan, and the U.S. is concerned about it reconstituting in a larger way as the country comes under divisive Taliban rule.Despite the U.S. Embassy warning, crowds remain outside the Kabul airport’s concrete barriers, clutching documents and sometimes stunned-looking children, blocked from flight by coils of razor wire.Meanwhile, the Taliban’s top political leader arrived in Kabul for talks on forming a new government. The presence of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who returned to Kandahar earlier this week from Qatar, was confirmed by a Taliban official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the news media. Baradar negotiated the religious movement’s 2020 peace deal with the U.S., and he is now expected to play a key role in negotiations between the Taliban and officials from the Afghan government that the militant group deposed.Afghan officials familiar with talks held in the capital say the Taliban have said they will not make announcements on their government until the Aug. 31 deadline for the troop withdrawal passes.Abdullah Abdullah, a senior official in the ousted government, tweeted that he and ex-President Hamid Karzai met Saturday with Taliban’s acting governor for Kabul, who “assured us that he would do everything possible for the security of the people” of the city.Evacuations continued, though some outgoing flights were far from full because of the airport chaos. The German military said in a tweet that one plane left Kabul on Saturday with 205 evacuees, while a second aircraft carried only 20. The Italian Defense Ministry announced the evacuation Saturday of 211 Afghans, which it said brought to 2,100 the number of Afghan workers at Italian missions and their families who have been safely evacuated.On Friday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said around 1,000 people a day were being evacuated amid a “stabilization” at the airport. But on Saturday, a former Royal Marine-turned charity director in Afghanistan said the situation was getting worse, not better.“We can’t leave the country because we can’t get into the airport without putting our lives at risk,” Paul Farthing told BBC radio.Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor, Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations, told Pentagon reporters Saturday that the U.S. has evacuated 17,000 people through the Kabul airport since Aug. 15. About 2,500 have been Americans, he said. U.S. officials have estimated there are as many as 15,000 Americans in Afghanistan, but acknowledge they don’t have solid numbers. In the past day, about 3,800 civilians were evacuated from Afghanistan through a combination of U.S. military and charter flights, Taylor said. Three flights of Afghan evacuees have arrived at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C.The evacuations have been hampered by screening and logistical strains at way stations such as al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. U.S. officials said they have limited numbers of screeners, and they are struggling to work through glitches in the vetting systems.Taylor said that the Kabul airport remains open, and that Americans continue to be processed if they get to the gates, but he and Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the threat picture changes by the hour.“We know that we’re fighting against both time and space,” Kirby said. “That’s the race we’re in right now.”The Biden administration was considering calling on U.S. commercial airlines to provide planes and crews to assist in transporting Afghan refugees once they were evacuated from their country by military aircraft. Under the voluntary Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, civilian airlines add to military aircraft capability during a crisis related to national defense.The U.S. Transportation Command said Saturday it had issued a warning order to U.S. carriers Friday night on the possible activation of the program. If called upon, commercial airlines would transport evacuees from way stations outside Afghanistan to another country or from Virginia’s Dulles International Airport to U.S. military bases.So far, 13 countries have agreed to host at-risk Afghans at least temporarily, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Another 12 have agreed to serve as transit points for evacuees, including Americans and others.“We are tired. We are happy. We are now in a safe country,” one Afghan man said upon arrival in Italy with 79 fellow citizens, speaking in a video distributed by that country’s defense ministry.But the growing question for many other Afghans is, where will they finally call home? Already, European leaders who fear a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-business-migration-taliban-6415008d9a07b57400691cc88a59a1fe">are signaling</a>&nbsp;that fleeing Afghans who didn’t help Western forces during the war should stay in neighboring countries instead.Remaining in Afghanistan means adapting to life under the Taliban, who say they seek an “inclusive, Islamic” government, will offer full amnesty to those who worked for the U.S. and the Western-backed government and have become more moderate since they last held power from 1996 to 2001. They also have said — without elaborating — that they will honor women’s rights within the norms of Islamic law.But many Afghans fear a return to the Taliban’s harsh rule in the late 1990s, when the group barred women from attending school or working outside the home, banned television and music, chopped off the hands of suspected thieves and held public executions.“Today, some of my friends went to work at the court and the Taliban didn’t let them into their offices. They showed their guns and said, ‘You’re not eligible to work in this government if you worked in the past one,’” one women’s activist in Kabul told The Associated Press on Saturday. She spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.With a Turkish visa but no way to safely reach the airport, the activist described the gap between the Taliban’s words and actions “very alarming.----------WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is raising concerns that the Islamic State poses a threat as American troops seek to evacuate thousands of U.S. citizens and Afghan allies from Afghanistan.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514201-1/president-biden-updates-nation-afghanistan-hurricane-henri&amp;live">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the President's commentsBiden in remarks at the White House on Sunday noted that the terror group is a “sworn enemy of the Taliban” and said that the longer U.S. troops are on the ground increases the chance that the group will attempt to strike innocent civilians and American personnel near the Hamid Karzai International Airport.The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has been warning Americans to avoid traveling to the airport in part because of concerns about Islamic State fighters.The extremist group has long declared a desire to attack America and U.S. interests abroad and it has been active in Afghanistan for a number of years, carrying out waves of horrific attacks, mostly on the Shiite minority.The group has been repeatedly targeted by U.S. airstrikes in recent years, and faced Taliban attacks.___WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says the U.S.-led evacuation of Americans, at-risk Afghans and others from the Kabul airport has picked up speed this weekend. <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514201-1/president-biden-updates-nation-afghanistan-hurricane-henri&amp;live">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the President's commentsSpeaking at the White House on Sunday, Biden said 11,000 evacuees had been airlifted out of the Afghan capital in a 36-hour period. Tens of thousands of people remain to join the airlift, which has been slowed by security issues and U.S. bureaucracy hurdles. The Pentagon has ordered six U.S. commercial airlines to help move evacuees from temporary sites outside of Afghanistan.---------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629660414944.png" alt="&nbsp;The President met with his national security team to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan, counterterrorism operations, evacuation efforts, and intensive diplomatic efforts to finalize agreements with additional third-party country transit hubs-photo courtesy White House " />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;The President met with his national security team to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan, counterterrorism operations, evacuation efforts, and intensive diplomatic efforts to finalize agreements with additional third-party country transit hubs-photo courtesy White House </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden plans to provide a public update on Afghanistan Sunday afternoon. Earlier, the President met with his national security team. And Afghanistan will be the chief topic of discussion when Biden and leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations meet virtually on Tuesday. Biden administration officials say the U.S. military is considering “creative ways” to get Americans and others into the Kabul airport for evacuation from Afghanistan amid “acute” security threats. The Pentagon has ordered six U.S. commercial airlines to help move evacuees from temporary sites outside of Afghanistan.