PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) - An Omaha woman has been sentenced to 60 years to life in prison for her role in the 2018 killing of a Bellevue man.

Alisia Cooke, 30, was sentenced Thursday in Sarpy Count District Court in the killing of Brent Quigley, 39, in his home, the Omaha World-Herald&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/omaha-woman-is-sentenced-to-prison-for-role-in-2018-bellevue-slaying/article_18aba32a-8a7e-11eb-aefd-bfa349bc9519.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. Cooke pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case. She is one of five people charged in the case.

Prosecutors said Cooke was in on a plan to rob Quigley, and gained access to Quigley's home by arranging a ruse to have sex with him for payment. Once she was inside, investigators said, she excused herself briefly and unlocked the front door to allow her accomplices inside.

Cooke told investigators the plan was to pistol-whip and rob Quigley of money and drugs, but he was stabbed to death when he tried to flee.

Two men have been sentenced in the case. Raymond Davis, 31, of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced last month to life in prison for a first-degree murder conviction, and Christopher Reagan, 48, of Omaha, was sentenced after pleading no contest to second-degree murder.

Krystal R. Martin, 23, of Hawk Point, Missouri, was sentenced to five to 20 years after pleading guilty to being an accessory to a felony. Jonathan Riesgaard, 34, of Omaha. withdrew a guilty plea to being an accessory to a robbery and is awaiting trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616776091241.png" alt="Cooke" />
 <figcaption>Cooke</figcaption>
 </figure>PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) - An Omaha woman has been sentenced to 60 years to life in prison for her role in the 2018 killing of a Bellevue man.Alisia Cooke, 30, was sentenced Thursday in Sarpy Count District Court in the killing of Brent Quigley, 39, in his home, the Omaha World-Herald&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/omaha-woman-is-sentenced-to-prison-for-role-in-2018-bellevue-slaying/article_18aba32a-8a7e-11eb-aefd-bfa349bc9519.html" target="_blank">reported</a>. Cooke pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case. She is one of five people charged in the case.Prosecutors said Cooke was in on a plan to rob Quigley, and gained access to Quigley's home by arranging a ruse to have sex with him for payment. Once she was inside, investigators said, she excused herself briefly and unlocked the front door to allow her accomplices inside.Cooke told investigators the plan was to pistol-whip and rob Quigley of money and drugs, but he was stabbed to death when he tried to flee.Two men have been sentenced in the case. Raymond Davis, 31, of Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced last month to life in prison for a first-degree murder conviction, and Christopher Reagan, 48, of Omaha, was sentenced after pleading no contest to second-degree murder.Krystal R. Martin, 23, of Hawk Point, Missouri, was sentenced to five to 20 years after pleading guilty to being an accessory to a felony. Jonathan Riesgaard, 34, of Omaha. withdrew a guilty plea to being an accessory to a robbery and is awaiting trial.

Omaha woman gets 60 years to life for Bellevue killing

EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. (AP) — The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has taken down the coronavirus checkpoints on its South Dakota reservation that had become a point of contention between the tribe and Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and the Trump administration. 

Cheyenne River spokesman Remi Bald Eagle says the tribal council made the decision to take down the nine checkpoints because of declining infection rates and the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines on the reservation. 

The tribe is also hoping to work with President Joe Biden’s new Bureau of Indian Affairs staff to maintain control over its police department after the Trump administration sent a letter in December 2020 saying the agency would begin managing the department.

EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. (AP) — The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has taken down the coronavirus checkpoints on its South Dakota reservation that had become a point of contention between the tribe and Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and the Trump administration. Cheyenne River spokesman Remi Bald Eagle says the tribal council made the decision to take down the nine checkpoints because of declining infection rates and the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines on the reservation. The tribe is also hoping to work with President Joe Biden’s new Bureau of Indian Affairs staff to maintain control over its police department after the Trump administration sent a letter in December 2020 saying the agency would begin managing the department.

Tribe removes disputed coronavirus reservation checkpoints

KU doctors urged the public to recognize the proven safety of COVID-19 vaccines

By ALEX SMITH <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-03-25/officials-say-cause-of-death-unknown-for-kansas-woman-who-got-covid-19-shot">Kansas News Service</a>

Kansas officials confirmed on Thursday that a 68-year-old Atchison 
County woman experienced anaphylaxis and died after she received a 
COVID-19 vaccination but said no link between the shot and her death had
 been determined.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said on Thursday it would investigate the case.

The
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 126 million 
doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the U.S. from 
mid-December through March 22. The agency received 2,216 reports of 
deaths following the administration of doses, but its reviews have found
 no evidence that the vaccines caused those deaths.

Doctors at the
 University of Kansas, who did not treat the patient, said on Thursday 
that more information would be needed to understand what occurred. But 
they cautioned against people basing opinions of vaccines on a single 
incident or media coverage of it.

“What you don’t want to do is, 
in this time where we have such great division in this country and such a
 great fight between red states and blues states — don’t take this event
 and take it to such an extreme that you say no one should be 
vaccinated, because the fact is that everyone should be vaccinated,” 
said University of Kansas Chief Medical Officer Steven Stites.

On 
its Facebook page Wednesday evening, NBC affiliate KSNT in Topeka cited 
the obituary of 68-year-old Jeanie Evans of Effingham, Kansas, which 
flatly stated that the cause of death was “a reaction to the Covid 
vaccine.” The obituary reported that Evans had died at Stormont Vail 
Hospital in Topeka. 

The story was then picked up by other TV 
stations, including KCTV Channel 5 and KMBC Channel 9 in Kansas City. By
 late Thursday morning, it had been shared more than 1,000 times on 
Facebook. Although many of those who shared it posted comments skeptical
 of the vaccines’ safety, others were critical of the news outlets’ 
reporting or attacked other commenters. 

By noon, the New York Post and Fox5 New York had also published articles on Evans’ death.

KDHE
 confirmed to KCUR on Thursday that a 68-year-old Atchison County woman 
had died but said a cause of death had yet to be determined by a medical
 expert.

“Until the investigation is complete, it is premature to 
assign a specific cause of death,” Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment spokeswoman Kristi Zears said in an email.

The death will be investigated in accordance with standard protocol,  Zears added.

A
 spokesman for Stormont Vail confirmed that Evans, who was vaccinated 
elsewhere, had died after being transported to the hospital. 

"The
 individual was transported to our hospital after receiving the vaccine 
in the region. A cause of death has yet to be determined. Our thoughts 
and condolences are with the family," spokesman Matt Lara said in an 
email. 

KCUR was unable to reach Evans’ family on Thursday.

Stites,
 of KU, said that, while an extreme reaction to a vaccine dose is 
possible, deaths may occur following the administration of a vaccine due
 to many unrelated causes, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Stites
 encouraged the public to honor the Evans family's loss while also 
recognizing the overwhelming evidence of the vaccines' safety.

“The
 rest of us have to understand that that pain in that isolated instance 
is not measured," Stites said. "We can’t measure it for that family. We 
can’t find solace for that family. But we know that, throughout the 
world and throughout mankind, there is no question that vaccines save 
millions and millions and millions and millions of lives relative to the
 number of people who die.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616770405447.png" alt="Jeanie Evans of Atchison, Kansas, died on Wednesday, a day after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, according to her obituary. " />
 <figcaption>Jeanie Evans of Atchison, Kansas, died on Wednesday, a day after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, according to her obituary. </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>KU doctors urged the public to recognize the proven safety of COVID-19 vaccines</h2>By ALEX SMITH <a href="https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-03-25/officials-say-cause-of-death-unknown-for-kansas-woman-who-got-covid-19-shot">Kansas News Service</a>Kansas officials confirmed on Thursday that a 68-year-old Atchison 
County woman experienced anaphylaxis and died after she received a 
COVID-19 vaccination but said no link between the shot and her death had
 been determined.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said on Thursday it would investigate the case.The
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 126 million 
doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the U.S. from 
mid-December through March 22. The agency received 2,216 reports of 
deaths following the administration of doses, but its reviews have found
 no evidence that the vaccines caused those deaths.Doctors at the
 University of Kansas, who did not treat the patient, said on Thursday 
that more information would be needed to understand what occurred. But 
they cautioned against people basing opinions of vaccines on a single 
incident or media coverage of it.“What you don’t want to do is, 
in this time where we have such great division in this country and such a
 great fight between red states and blues states — don’t take this event
 and take it to such an extreme that you say no one should be 
vaccinated, because the fact is that everyone should be vaccinated,” 
said University of Kansas Chief Medical Officer Steven Stites.On 
its Facebook page Wednesday evening, NBC affiliate KSNT in Topeka cited 
the obituary of 68-year-old Jeanie Evans of Effingham, Kansas, which 
flatly stated that the cause of death was “a reaction to the Covid 
vaccine.” The obituary reported that Evans had died at Stormont Vail 
Hospital in Topeka. The story was then picked up by other TV 
stations, including KCTV Channel 5 and KMBC Channel 9 in Kansas City. By
 late Thursday morning, it had been shared more than 1,000 times on 
Facebook. Although many of those who shared it posted comments skeptical
 of the vaccines’ safety, others were critical of the news outlets’ 
reporting or attacked other commenters. By noon, the New York Post and Fox5 New York had also published articles on Evans’ death.KDHE
 confirmed to KCUR on Thursday that a 68-year-old Atchison County woman 
had died but said a cause of death had yet to be determined by a medical
 expert.“Until the investigation is complete, it is premature to 
assign a specific cause of death,” Kansas Department of Health and 
Environment spokeswoman Kristi Zears said in an email.The death will be investigated in accordance with standard protocol, Zears added.A
 spokesman for Stormont Vail confirmed that Evans, who was vaccinated 
elsewhere, had died after being transported to the hospital. "The
 individual was transported to our hospital after receiving the vaccine 
in the region. A cause of death has yet to be determined. Our thoughts 
and condolences are with the family," spokesman Matt Lara said in an 
email. KCUR was unable to reach Evans’ family on Thursday.Stites,
 of KU, said that, while an extreme reaction to a vaccine dose is 
possible, deaths may occur following the administration of a vaccine due
 to many unrelated causes, such as a heart attack or stroke.Stites
 encouraged the public to honor the Evans family's loss while also 
recognizing the overwhelming evidence of the vaccines' safety.“The
 rest of us have to understand that that pain in that isolated instance 
is not measured," Stites said. "We can’t measure it for that family. We 
can’t find solace for that family. But we know that, throughout the 
world and throughout mankind, there is no question that vaccines save 
millions and millions and millions and millions of lives relative to the
 number of people who die.”

Officials: Cause of death unknown for Kan. woman who got COVID shot 

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say they believe that human remains first spotted by someone out walking in a state park Thursday afternoon are the body of a Chinese woman who has been missing since October 2019.

The skeletal remains, some clothing, a driver’s license and some credit cards with Mengqi Ji Elledge’s name on them were found in a remote area of Rock Bridge State Park in Boone County. Columbia Mayor Brian Treece and Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones announced the findings Thursday evening.

Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter described the identification of the remains as preliminary. Hunter, Jones and Treece emphasized the importance of this development in beginning to provide closure to Ji’s family. Police officials said DNA and potentially other testing would be done to confirm that the remains are Ji’s.

Jones said authorities had contacted Ji’s family through their attorney.

“As a parent, I can only imagine how important it is to want to have some measure of closure in a tragedy such as this,” Jones said.

Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a77cf5d7402709f672060620c18c200d">charged in February</a>&nbsp;2020 with first-degree murder in her disappearance. He has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3464aeebdecdfb6819997198bbb315e1">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;to the murder charge and to related charges of child endangerment and domestic abuse.

The couple has a 2-year-old daughter. Elledge, a University of Missouri student, is jailed without bond. His trial is set for Nov. 1.

Prosecutors have speculated that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/754a42ae3659132b431a838ae833ee3e">Elledge strangled his wife</a>&nbsp;to avoid a costly divorce and stop her from fleeing to China with their daughter.

Elledge told authorities he realized his wife was missing on Oct. 9, 2019, but didn’t report she was gone until the next day— which is when a friend came to the house at the request of Ji’s mother. Authorities say he drove to remote areas, spending around 45 minutes at a secluded access point to the Lamine River after dark, during those 24 hours. Cadaver dogs detected the presence of human remains there, but law enforcement was unable to find a body despite multiple searches.

Hunter said parts of Rock Bridge State Park had been previously searched but not the area where the remains were found, which is about 30 feet from a road.

During a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b8203ea6a4a34200bdbed74653732810">court hearing</a>&nbsp;in November 2019, Boone County Chief Prosecutor Dan Knight described Elledge as a “jealous, controlling, manipulative psychopath.” Knight played four audio recordings of the couple arguing.

In the recordings, the husband says, “I don’t like being with you,” ″I’m eager to end it” and “I will bury the earth under you.” Ji can also be heard arguing with her husband, who raised his voice several times. At one point, he told her, “I know you want me to hit you,” and, “This, it’s not abusive.”

He was also heard saying he wanted a divorce “the sooner the better.”

Defense attorneys argued during the hearing that Ji had exchanged sexually explicit messages with another person.

Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said he had no comment Thursday evening.

A message left with Ji’s family attorney was not returned Thursday.

Ji received a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. She previously attended the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572177968305.png" alt="Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a77cf5d7402709f672060620c18c200d">charged in February</a>&nbsp;2020 with first-degree murder in her disappearance. Photo Boone Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a77cf5d7402709f672060620c18c200d">charged in February</a>&nbsp;2020 with first-degree murder in her disappearance. Photo Boone Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say they believe that human remains first spotted by someone out walking in a state park Thursday afternoon are the body of a Chinese woman who has been missing since October 2019.The skeletal remains, some clothing, a driver’s license and some credit cards with Mengqi Ji Elledge’s name on them were found in a remote area of Rock Bridge State Park in Boone County. Columbia Mayor Brian Treece and Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones announced the findings Thursday evening.Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter described the identification of the remains as preliminary. Hunter, Jones and Treece emphasized the importance of this development in beginning to provide closure to Ji’s family. Police officials said DNA and potentially other testing would be done to confirm that the remains are Ji’s.Jones said authorities had contacted Ji’s family through their attorney.“As a parent, I can only imagine how important it is to want to have some measure of closure in a tragedy such as this,” Jones said.Ji’s husband, Joseph Elledge, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a77cf5d7402709f672060620c18c200d">charged in February</a>&nbsp;2020 with first-degree murder in her disappearance. He has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3464aeebdecdfb6819997198bbb315e1">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;to the murder charge and to related charges of child endangerment and domestic abuse.The couple has a 2-year-old daughter. Elledge, a University of Missouri student, is jailed without bond. His trial is set for Nov. 1.Prosecutors have speculated that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/754a42ae3659132b431a838ae833ee3e">Elledge strangled his wife</a>&nbsp;to avoid a costly divorce and stop her from fleeing to China with their daughter.Elledge told authorities he realized his wife was missing on Oct. 9, 2019, but didn’t report she was gone until the next day— which is when a friend came to the house at the request of Ji’s mother. Authorities say he drove to remote areas, spending around 45 minutes at a secluded access point to the Lamine River after dark, during those 24 hours. Cadaver dogs detected the presence of human remains there, but law enforcement was unable to find a body despite multiple searches.Hunter said parts of Rock Bridge State Park had been previously searched but not the area where the remains were found, which is about 30 feet from a road.During a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b8203ea6a4a34200bdbed74653732810">court hearing</a>&nbsp;in November 2019, Boone County Chief Prosecutor Dan Knight described Elledge as a “jealous, controlling, manipulative psychopath.” Knight played four audio recordings of the couple arguing.In the recordings, the husband says, “I don’t like being with you,” ″I’m eager to end it” and “I will bury the earth under you.” Ji can also be heard arguing with her husband, who raised his voice several times. At one point, he told her, “I know you want me to hit you,” and, “This, it’s not abusive.”He was also heard saying he wanted a divorce “the sooner the better.”Defense attorneys argued during the hearing that Ji had exchanged sexually explicit messages with another person.Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, said he had no comment Thursday evening.A message left with Ji’s family attorney was not returned Thursday.Ji received a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. She previously attended the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.___

Remains found believed to be woman missing since 2019

(AP)-Blaring tornado sirens and howling winds roared across parts of western Georgia early Friday as severe storms pounded southern states, including in Alabama where at least five people died in twisters that wrecked homes, splintered trees and crumpled businesses.

Meteorologists said a large, dangerous tornado swept through metro Atlanta’s Coweta County around midnight Friday, sparking a tornado emergency for the city of Newnan and surrounding communities. There were several reports downed trees and power lines.

Newnan police asked residents to “get off the roads” in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewnanPoliceDepartment/posts/4622950714398406" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;post, explaining that emergency officials were surveying the area.

Newnan Utilities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewnanUtilitiesGA/posts/4106011572762782" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;the storm knocked out its phone and internet services. Hours later, general manager Dennis McEntire said the phone lines returned. He urged residents to follow the utility on social media for any updates.

“It’s still dark so it’s hard to assess all of the damage but we believe we have 30 broken poles,” McEntire said. “We serve about 10,000 customers and about half are without electricity right now.”

McEntire said the damage from the storm was severe and it will “take several days, with the help from outside crews, to put the system together again.”

Newnan Mayor Keith Brady said no fatalities were immediately reported.

The strong storm followed a series of tornadoes that ripped through Alabama on Thursday, including one that authorities said traveled roughly 100 miles across the state.

In east Alabama, Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade said five people died in a twister that cut a diagonal path across the county, striking mostly rural areas — something that likely kept the death toll from being higher.

“Our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers go to the families, and we are going to do our best to let them know we love them,” Wade said at an evening briefing.

Multiple twisters sprang from a “supercell” of storms that later moved into Georgia, said John De Block, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

Several school districts were closed or delayed Friday due to the damage.

Vast areas of Shelby County near Birmingham — the state’s biggest city — were badly damaged.

In the city of Pelham, James Dunaway said he initially ignored the tornado warning when it came over his phone. But then he heard the twister approaching, left the upstairs bedroom where he had been watching television and entered a hallway — just before the storm blew off the roof and sides of his house. His bedroom was left fully exposed.

“I’m very lucky to be alive,” Dunaway, 75, told Al.com.

Firefighters outside a flattened home in the Eagle Point subdivision, also in Shelby County, said the family that lived there made it out alive. Nearby homes were roofless or missing their second stories.

Farther west in the city of Centreville, south of Tuscaloosa, Cindy Smitherman and her family and neighbors huddled in their underground storm pit as a twister passed over their home.

A tree fell on the shelter door, trapping the eight inside for about 20 minutes until someone came with a chain saw to help free them, said Smitherman, 62. The twister downed trees, overturned cars and destroyed a workshop on the property.

“I’m just glad we’re alive,” she said. “Praise the Lord.”

Centreville Mayor Mike Oakley told ABC 33/40 news that a local airport was hit. “We have airplanes torn apart like toys. We’ve got homes along here that are totally destroyed, trees down, power lines down. It’s pretty devastating.”

As many as eight tornadoes might have hit Alabama on Thursday, De Block said. He said investigation teams will review eight suspected tornado tracks, and the final twister number will depend on if any of those tracks can be connected.

First lady Jill Biden postponed a trip to Birmingham and Jasper, Alabama, that she had planned for Friday because of the severe weather, her office said in a news release.

“Thinking of everyone in Alabama and all of those impacted by the severe weather across the South tonight. My prayers are with the grieving families. Please stay safe,” Biden tweeted late Thursday.

Earlier, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued an emergency declaration for 46 counties, and officials opened shelters in and around Birmingham.

Other parts of the southern U.S. were also affected, with dangerous thunderstorms and flooding concerns for parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas.

In addition to deaths in Alabama, Mississippi had a storm-related death on Wednesday. Ester Jarrell, 62, died in that state’s Wilkinson County when a large tree toppled over onto her mobile home after heavy rain soaked the ground, an official told AP.

By KEVIN McGILL-Associated Press(AP)-Blaring tornado sirens and howling winds roared across parts of western Georgia early Friday as severe storms pounded southern states, including in Alabama where at least five people died in twisters that wrecked homes, splintered trees and crumpled businesses.Meteorologists said a large, dangerous tornado swept through metro Atlanta’s Coweta County around midnight Friday, sparking a tornado emergency for the city of Newnan and surrounding communities. There were several reports downed trees and power lines.Newnan police asked residents to “get off the roads” in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewnanPoliceDepartment/posts/4622950714398406" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;post, explaining that emergency officials were surveying the area.Newnan Utilities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NewnanUtilitiesGA/posts/4106011572762782" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;the storm knocked out its phone and internet services. Hours later, general manager Dennis McEntire said the phone lines returned. He urged residents to follow the utility on social media for any updates.“It’s still dark so it’s hard to assess all of the damage but we believe we have 30 broken poles,” McEntire said. “We serve about 10,000 customers and about half are without electricity right now.”McEntire said the damage from the storm was severe and it will “take several days, with the help from outside crews, to put the system together again.”Newnan Mayor Keith Brady said no fatalities were immediately reported.The strong storm followed a series of tornadoes that ripped through Alabama on Thursday, including one that authorities said traveled roughly 100 miles across the state.In east Alabama, Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade said five people died in a twister that cut a diagonal path across the county, striking mostly rural areas — something that likely kept the death toll from being higher.“Our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers go to the families, and we are going to do our best to let them know we love them,” Wade said at an evening briefing.Multiple twisters sprang from a “supercell” of storms that later moved into Georgia, said John De Block, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham.Several school districts were closed or delayed Friday due to the damage.Vast areas of Shelby County near Birmingham — the state’s biggest city — were badly damaged.In the city of Pelham, James Dunaway said he initially ignored the tornado warning when it came over his phone. But then he heard the twister approaching, left the upstairs bedroom where he had been watching television and entered a hallway — just before the storm blew off the roof and sides of his house. His bedroom was left fully exposed.“I’m very lucky to be alive,” Dunaway, 75, told Al.com.Firefighters outside a flattened home in the Eagle Point subdivision, also in Shelby County, said the family that lived there made it out alive. Nearby homes were roofless or missing their second stories.Farther west in the city of Centreville, south of Tuscaloosa, Cindy Smitherman and her family and neighbors huddled in their underground storm pit as a twister passed over their home.A tree fell on the shelter door, trapping the eight inside for about 20 minutes until someone came with a chain saw to help free them, said Smitherman, 62. The twister downed trees, overturned cars and destroyed a workshop on the property.“I’m just glad we’re alive,” she said. “Praise the Lord.”Centreville Mayor Mike Oakley told ABC 33/40 news that a local airport was hit. “We have airplanes torn apart like toys. We’ve got homes along here that are totally destroyed, trees down, power lines down. It’s pretty devastating.”As many as eight tornadoes might have hit Alabama on Thursday, De Block said. He said investigation teams will review eight suspected tornado tracks, and the final twister number will depend on if any of those tracks can be connected.First lady Jill Biden postponed a trip to Birmingham and Jasper, Alabama, that she had planned for Friday because of the severe weather, her office said in a news release.“Thinking of everyone in Alabama and all of those impacted by the severe weather across the South tonight. My prayers are with the grieving families. Please stay safe,” Biden tweeted late Thursday.Earlier, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued an emergency declaration for 46 counties, and officials opened shelters in and around Birmingham.Other parts of the southern U.S. were also affected, with dangerous thunderstorms and flooding concerns for parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas.In addition to deaths in Alabama, Mississippi had a storm-related death on Wednesday. Ester Jarrell, 62, died in that state’s Wilkinson County when a large tree toppled over onto her mobile home after heavy rain soaked the ground, an official told AP.

Tornado outbreak strikes Alabama, Georgia; at least 5 dead

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will take steps to more quickly move hundreds of migrant children and teens out of cramped detention facilities along the Southwest border, President Joe Biden said Thursday. He was pushing back against suggestions that his administration’s policies are responsible for the rising number of people seeking to enter the country.

Pressed repeatedly on the border issue at his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-1st-news-conference-2804de86cb2bd901c14c109efe024e5d">first news conference since taking office</a>, Biden said his administration was taking steps to address the situation with measures such as setting aside space at a Texas Army base for about 5,000 unaccompanied minors. But mostly he fired back at criticism.

He noted that his administration, as was done under President Donald Trump, is continuing to quickly expel most adults and families under a public health order imposed at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. The crucial difference is that the government is allowing teens and children, at least temporarily, to stay in the country, straining government resources during the pandemic.

“The only people we’re not going to let be left sitting there on the other side of the Rio Grande by themselves with no help are children,” he said.

The situation along the U.S.-Mexico border has become an early challenge for the administration, drawing more questions than any other subject at the maiden news conference, and diverting attention as the administration addresses the pandemic and the economy.

The number of migrants attempting to cross the border is at the highest level since a spring 2019 surge under Trump, according to the most recently released statistics. The numbers appear to be rising and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently warned they are on pace to hit a 20-year peak.

Biden sought to portray it as a seasonal spike and not, as critics have said, a result of moves such as his decisions to halt construction of border wall projects started under Trump or support for broad immigration legislation.

“It happens every year,” he said. “Does anybody suggest that there was a 31% increase under Trump because he was a nice guy and he was doing good things at the border? That’s not the reason they’re coming.”

Trump responded to a sharp increase in border crossings in 2019 by requiring migrants to wait in Mexico while the U.S. evaluated their asylum petitions or to make claims instead in Guatemala, El Salvador or Honduras. Those Trump-era programs were criticized for sending people fleeing violence back into dangerous situations.

Former acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf, now a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said Thursday that Biden invited the current crisis by ending those programs and other measures. “He took away all of the consequences, at the same time he began to message that it was perfectly acceptable to come,” he said.

Biden, for his part, condemned the Trump-era requirement that migrants await their asylum claims in Mexico as “sitting on the edge of the Rio Grande in a muddy circumstance with not enough to eat.” He also criticized an earlier policy of separating children from their families at the border and argued that it’s conditions in people’s home countries that push them to the U.S. border.

“It’s because of earthquakes, floods. It’s because of lack of food. It’s because of gang violence,” he said. “It’s because of a whole range of things that when I was vice president had the same obligation to deal with unaccompanied children.”

Biden said that his administration is working to help the countries where migrants are coming from with long-term solutions to their issues, citing $700 million in aid going to Central America.

The number of migrants encountered by authorities along the Southwest border has been rising since April, shortly after the Trump administration imposed a public health order authorizing Customs and Border Protection to quickly expel most people. Many of those are repeat crossers, trying again after they have been sent back.

But in recent weeks, the number of unaccompanied minors has dramatically increased, straining the ability of CBP to hold them in their detention facilities until they can be turned over to the Department of Health and Human Services. The department houses them until they can be placed with relatives or sponsors while the government decides whether they have a legal claim for residency, either under asylum or for some other reason.

The government said there were nearly 5,000 children in Border Patrol custody as of Tuesday and an additional 11,551 at Department of Health and Human Services shelters.

Biden said the administration was opening up bed space at Fort Bliss, Texas, and was taking steps to more quickly to establish the identity of relatives in the U.S. so the minors can be moved out of government custody.

More than 100,000 migrants were stopped crossing the border in February, the most recent statistics publicly available. Most were single adults and were quickly turned back. Most families are being turned away as well, though Mexico has been refusing to accept some in shelters during the pandemic. Biden says it is working with the Mexican government to take more of them and to shore up its own border.

Wolf, however, is skeptical that any efforts by the Mexican government will make much of a difference. “The dynamics aren’t going to change unless the policies change,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616693395951.png" alt="The number of migrants attempting to cross the border is at the highest level since a spring 2019 surge under Trump, according to the most recently released statistics.&nbsp; President Biden addressed the issue during his Thursday news conference -photo White House" />
 <figcaption>The number of migrants attempting to cross the border is at the highest level since a spring 2019 surge under Trump, according to the most recently released statistics.&nbsp; President Biden addressed the issue during his Thursday news conference -photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will take steps to more quickly move hundreds of migrant children and teens out of cramped detention facilities along the Southwest border, President Joe Biden said Thursday. He was pushing back against suggestions that his administration’s policies are responsible for the rising number of people seeking to enter the country.Pressed repeatedly on the border issue at his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-1st-news-conference-2804de86cb2bd901c14c109efe024e5d">first news conference since taking office</a>, Biden said his administration was taking steps to address the situation with measures such as setting aside space at a Texas Army base for about 5,000 unaccompanied minors. But mostly he fired back at criticism.He noted that his administration, as was done under President Donald Trump, is continuing to quickly expel most adults and families under a public health order imposed at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. The crucial difference is that the government is allowing teens and children, at least temporarily, to stay in the country, straining government resources during the pandemic.“The only people we’re not going to let be left sitting there on the other side of the Rio Grande by themselves with no help are children,” he said.The situation along the U.S.-Mexico border has become an early challenge for the administration, drawing more questions than any other subject at the maiden news conference, and diverting attention as the administration addresses the pandemic and the economy.The number of migrants attempting to cross the border is at the highest level since a spring 2019 surge under Trump, according to the most recently released statistics. The numbers appear to be rising and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently warned they are on pace to hit a 20-year peak.Biden sought to portray it as a seasonal spike and not, as critics have said, a result of moves such as his decisions to halt construction of border wall projects started under Trump or support for broad immigration legislation.“It happens every year,” he said. “Does anybody suggest that there was a 31% increase under Trump because he was a nice guy and he was doing good things at the border? That’s not the reason they’re coming.”Trump responded to a sharp increase in border crossings in 2019 by requiring migrants to wait in Mexico while the U.S. evaluated their asylum petitions or to make claims instead in Guatemala, El Salvador or Honduras. Those Trump-era programs were criticized for sending people fleeing violence back into dangerous situations.Former acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf, now a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said Thursday that Biden invited the current crisis by ending those programs and other measures. “He took away all of the consequences, at the same time he began to message that it was perfectly acceptable to come,” he said.Biden, for his part, condemned the Trump-era requirement that migrants await their asylum claims in Mexico as “sitting on the edge of the Rio Grande in a muddy circumstance with not enough to eat.” He also criticized an earlier policy of separating children from their families at the border and argued that it’s conditions in people’s home countries that push them to the U.S. border.“It’s because of earthquakes, floods. It’s because of lack of food. It’s because of gang violence,” he said. “It’s because of a whole range of things that when I was vice president had the same obligation to deal with unaccompanied children.”Biden said that his administration is working to help the countries where migrants are coming from with long-term solutions to their issues, citing $700 million in aid going to Central America.The number of migrants encountered by authorities along the Southwest border has been rising since April, shortly after the Trump administration imposed a public health order authorizing Customs and Border Protection to quickly expel most people. Many of those are repeat crossers, trying again after they have been sent back.But in recent weeks, the number of unaccompanied minors has dramatically increased, straining the ability of CBP to hold them in their detention facilities until they can be turned over to the Department of Health and Human Services. The department houses them until they can be placed with relatives or sponsors while the government decides whether they have a legal claim for residency, either under asylum or for some other reason.The government said there were nearly 5,000 children in Border Patrol custody as of Tuesday and an additional 11,551 at Department of Health and Human Services shelters.Biden said the administration was opening up bed space at Fort Bliss, Texas, and was taking steps to more quickly to establish the identity of relatives in the U.S. so the minors can be moved out of government custody.More than 100,000 migrants were stopped crossing the border in February, the most recent statistics publicly available. Most were single adults and were quickly turned back. Most families are being turned away as well, though Mexico has been refusing to accept some in shelters during the pandemic. Biden says it is working with the Mexican government to take more of them and to shore up its own border.Wolf, however, is skeptical that any efforts by the Mexican government will make much of a difference. “The dynamics aren’t going to change unless the policies change,” he said.

Biden vows action on migrants as he defends border policy

YORK, Neb. (AP) - Two Nebraska men died after their vehicles collided just outside of York on Wednesday night.

The York County Sheriff's Department said the crash happened on U.S. Highway 34 around 11 p.m. Wednesday.

A westbound 2007 Dodge Caravan driven by 68-year-old Danny Foster of Gresham crossed the centerline of the highway and crashed into a 1990 GMC Sierra driven by 73-year-old Melvin Preslicka of York. Investigator Alex Hildebrand said both men died at the scene of the crash.

Hildebrand said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash and neither driver was using a seat belt at the time of the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559744286393.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>YORK, Neb. (AP) - Two Nebraska men died after their vehicles collided just outside of York on Wednesday night.The York County Sheriff's Department said the crash happened on U.S. Highway 34 around 11 p.m. Wednesday.A westbound 2007 Dodge Caravan driven by 68-year-old Danny Foster of Gresham crossed the centerline of the highway and crashed into a 1990 GMC Sierra driven by 73-year-old Melvin Preslicka of York. Investigator Alex Hildebrand said both men died at the scene of the crash.Hildebrand said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash and neither driver was using a seat belt at the time of the crash.

2 Nebraska men die after their vehicles collide near York

New Brunswick, New Jersey —Rutgers University shared plans on the school's web site Thursday to take steps to protect "the health of our academic community and to move toward a full return to our pre-pandemic normal as a vibrant institution in Fall 2021."

<a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/president/our-path-forward">The statement</a> from President and University Professor Jonathan Holloway said "the University will be updating its Immunization Requirements for Students to include the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;This health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students planning to attend in the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated.&nbsp;In parallel, we continue to strongly urge all Rutgers faculty and staff to get immunized against COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity."

"The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination include prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. Broad immunization is critical to help stop the current pandemic and to protect our University community." Benefits specific to the Rutgers community include:

"Most important, a safer Rutgers community supports a safer New Jersey for our families, our friends, and our neighbors across the state."

"The University has also been approved by the State to offer Rutgers clinics for on-campus administration of vaccines to faculty, staff, and students when vaccine supplies become available. However, we have not yet been given vaccine to administer. Thus, the University urges all members of its community currently eligible to receive a vaccine not to wait and to&nbsp;<a href="https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/">register with the State</a>&nbsp;in order to get vaccinated as soon as possible, wherever you can, if you have not done so already."&nbsp;

"Proof of vaccination will be required for all students planning to attend this fall.&nbsp;Any vaccine authorized for use in the U.S. (currently Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson &amp; Johnson) is acceptable.&nbsp; It is understood that some incoming students may be 17 years old, and may be only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine."

"Students planning to attend the fall 2021 semester may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons. Students enrolled in fully online degree programs (typically defined as having no access to on-campus facilities), as well as individuals participating in fully online or off-campus Continuing Education programs, will not need to provide proof of vaccination."

"From the onset of the pandemic, the safety of the broader Rutgers community has been our shared responsibility. This has never been more true. The importance of an effective vaccination program to make our community safer for all cannot be overstated."

New Brunswick, New Jersey —Rutgers University shared plans on the school's web site Thursday to take steps to protect "the health of our academic community and to move toward a full return to our pre-pandemic normal as a vibrant institution in Fall 2021."<a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/president/our-path-forward">The statement</a> from President and University Professor Jonathan Holloway said "the University will be updating its Immunization Requirements for Students to include the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;This health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students planning to attend in the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated.&nbsp;In parallel, we continue to strongly urge all Rutgers faculty and staff to get immunized against COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity.""The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination include prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. Broad immunization is critical to help stop the current pandemic and to protect our University community." Benefits specific to the Rutgers community include:<ul>
 <li>An expedited return to pre-pandemic normal</li><li>Additional face-to-face course offerings and academic experiences</li><li>Opportunities for a wider range of events and activities offered at our campuses</li><li>Expanded dining and recreation options at Rutgers</li><li>Greater interpersonal collaboration among faculty, students, and researchers</li>
 </ul>"Most important, a safer Rutgers community supports a safer New Jersey for our families, our friends, and our neighbors across the state.""The University has also been approved by the State to offer Rutgers clinics for on-campus administration of vaccines to faculty, staff, and students when vaccine supplies become available. However, we have not yet been given vaccine to administer. Thus, the University urges all members of its community currently eligible to receive a vaccine not to wait and to&nbsp;<a href="https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/">register with the State</a>&nbsp;in order to get vaccinated as soon as possible, wherever you can, if you have not done so already."&nbsp;"Proof of vaccination will be required for all students planning to attend this fall.&nbsp;Any vaccine authorized for use in the U.S. (currently Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson &amp; Johnson) is acceptable.&nbsp; It is understood that some incoming students may be 17 years old, and may be only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.""Students planning to attend the fall 2021 semester may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for medical or religious reasons. Students enrolled in fully online degree programs (typically defined as having no access to on-campus facilities), as well as individuals participating in fully online or off-campus Continuing Education programs, will not need to provide proof of vaccination.""From the onset of the pandemic, the safety of the broader Rutgers community has been our shared responsibility. This has never been more true. The importance of an effective vaccination program to make our community safer for all cannot be overstated."

University will require COVID vaccine proof for all students

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and have identified two suspects in custody as 19-year-old Tyree Jackson and 31-year-old Lakendria Lewis, according to Police Chief Drew Francis.

On Sunday police responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City, according to a Francis. He had been dead for several weeks.

Jackson and Lewis are being held in the Ford County Jail on the requested charge of Murder in the 1st degree.

Police have also made two additional arrests in connection with the case including a 17-year-old boy from Dodge City on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement and Criminal Desecration and a&nbsp; 16-year-old girl from Dodge City for an active warrant

Charges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney's Office.

At this time, it is believed that Giannino was killed by a single gunshot to the head during the early morning hours of January 28, in VFW Park at 12th Ave and Cedar St. in Dodge City.

Giannino's body was hidden outdoors in a nearby but secluded area, according to Francis. The extremely low temperatures that followed helped to preserve the condition of the remains.&nbsp;

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and have made an arrest.

On Sunday police responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City, according to a media release. He had been dead for several weeks.

&nbsp;Police have arrested a 19-year-old man and a 31-year-old both from Dodge City.&nbsp; Both subjects were booked into the Ford County Jail on the charge of Murder in the 1st degree. 

Police have also made two additional arrests in connection with the case including a 17-year-old boy from Dodge City on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement and Criminal Desecration and a&nbsp; 16-year-old girl from Dodge City for an active warrant 

 Charges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney's Office.

At this time, it is believed that 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino was killed by a single gunshot to the head during the early morning hours of January 28, in VFW Park at 12th Ave and Cedar St. in Dodge City. 

 Giannino's body was hidden outdoors in a nearby but secluded area.  The extremely low temperatures that followed helped to preserve the condition of the remains.&nbsp;

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and asking the public for help with information.

Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a residence for a report of an individual knowing about a deceased body, according to a media release from Dodge City. Police.

With the information from this individual, officers responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as&nbsp;18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City.

After processing the scene, the body of the teen was turned over to the Ford County Coroner for further examination. The condition of the body indicated he had been deceased for a few weeks.

On Tuesday an autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. This is an active and ongoing homicide investigation. DCPD asks that anyone with information about this incident please call the department at 620-225-8126, dispatch at 620-227-4646, or submit a tip through the DCPD Facebook page or tip411 service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616695133065.png" alt="Jackson photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Jackson photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and have identified two suspects in custody as 19-year-old Tyree Jackson and 31-year-old Lakendria Lewis, according to Police Chief Drew Francis.On Sunday police responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City, according to a Francis. He had been dead for several weeks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616695080822.png" alt="Lewis photo Ford County" />
 <figcaption>Lewis photo Ford County</figcaption>
 </figure>Jackson and Lewis are being held in the Ford County Jail on the requested charge of Murder in the 1st degree.Police have also made two additional arrests in connection with the case including a 17-year-old boy from Dodge City on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement and Criminal Desecration and a&nbsp; 16-year-old girl from Dodge City for an active warrantCharges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney's Office.At this time, it is believed that Giannino was killed by a single gunshot to the head during the early morning hours of January 28, in VFW Park at 12th Ave and Cedar St. in Dodge City.Giannino's body was hidden outdoors in a nearby but secluded area, according to Francis. The extremely low temperatures that followed helped to preserve the condition of the remains.&nbsp;----------FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and have made an arrest.On Sunday police responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City, according to a media release. He had been dead for several weeks.&nbsp;Police have arrested a 19-year-old man and a 31-year-old both from Dodge City.&nbsp; Both subjects were booked into the Ford County Jail on the charge of Murder in the 1st degree. Police have also made two additional arrests in connection with the case including a 17-year-old boy from Dodge City on requested charges of Interference with Law Enforcement and Criminal Desecration and a&nbsp; 16-year-old girl from Dodge City for an active warrant Charges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney's Office.At this time, it is believed that 18-year-old Zacarias Giannino was killed by a single gunshot to the head during the early morning hours of January 28, in VFW Park at 12th Ave and Cedar St. in Dodge City. Giannino's body was hidden outdoors in a nearby but secluded area. The extremely low temperatures that followed helped to preserve the condition of the remains.&nbsp;----------FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a teen in Ford County and asking the public for help with information.Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a residence for a report of an individual knowing about a deceased body, according to a media release from Dodge City. Police.With the information from this individual, officers responded to the 1200 block of West Elm Street in Dodge City where they located the body later identified as&nbsp;18-year-old Zacarias Giannino of Dodge City.After processing the scene, the body of the teen was turned over to the Ford County Coroner for further examination. The condition of the body indicated he had been deceased for a few weeks.On Tuesday an autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. This is an active and ongoing homicide investigation. DCPD asks that anyone with information about this incident please call the department at 620-225-8126, dispatch at 620-227-4646, or submit a tip through the DCPD Facebook page or tip411 service.

Update: SW Kan. murder victim's body hidden since Jan. 28 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday to a bill that would bar ethanol plants from using chemically treated seed corn to make their product in response to a small-town facility that's facing heavy criticism and a lawsuit for repeated environmental violations.

The measure that lawmakers advanced 43-0 is aimed at the AltEn Ethanol plant in Mead, a town of 567 people about 35 miles west of Omaha. The plant is the only one in Nebraska that uses pesticide-covered seed corn that's considered unsuitable for other uses, such as animal feed.

For years, residents of Mead have complained about a stench coming from the plant and reported bloody noses, headaches and trouble breathing. No one has confirmed whether the health symptoms are tied to the plant, but state regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-ricketts-omaha-lawsuits-nebraska-wastewater-ec2d563b0b8a64ad2bd88de63bba3ef3" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit this month</a>&nbsp;alleging that plant officials repeatedly failed to comply with orders to clean up wastewater and used corn around the plant.

"This is a very important bill," said Sen. Bruce Bostelman, a farmer from Brainard whose district includes Mead.

Sen. Megan Hunt, of Omaha, said she was concerned that the plant's waste could have a long-term impact on the health of Mead residents.

"The people are going to be suffering the effects of this, potentially for decades," she said.

The plant shut down in February after the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy ordered it to stop discharging wastewater into nearby lagoons. A short time later, a pipe at the plant burst and spilled 4 million gallons of contaminated waste into nearby ditches and waterways.

The Nebraska attorney general's office sued the plant on March 1, saying state environmental officials had tried to work collaboratively with plant officials and gave them a year to comply with earlier cleanup orders. Gov. Pete Ricketts said the plant was "terribly managed" and doesn't reflect the rest of the state's ethanol industry. The University of Nebraska also plans to study the health and environmental impacts of the pollution on the area.

AltEn officials have said they're still working to fix the issues raised by state regulators.

Sen. Tom Brandt, a corn farmer from Plymouth, said the bill advanced by lawmakers should prevent future problems. Nebraska is the nation's second-largest ethanol producer, behind neighboring Iowa.

"It's unfortunate we had a bad actor in the industry," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564587252207.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By GRANT SCHULTE-Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers gave initial approval Thursday to a bill that would bar ethanol plants from using chemically treated seed corn to make their product in response to a small-town facility that's facing heavy criticism and a lawsuit for repeated environmental violations.The measure that lawmakers advanced 43-0 is aimed at the AltEn Ethanol plant in Mead, a town of 567 people about 35 miles west of Omaha. The plant is the only one in Nebraska that uses pesticide-covered seed corn that's considered unsuitable for other uses, such as animal feed.For years, residents of Mead have complained about a stench coming from the plant and reported bloody noses, headaches and trouble breathing. No one has confirmed whether the health symptoms are tied to the plant, but state regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-ricketts-omaha-lawsuits-nebraska-wastewater-ec2d563b0b8a64ad2bd88de63bba3ef3" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit this month</a>&nbsp;alleging that plant officials repeatedly failed to comply with orders to clean up wastewater and used corn around the plant."This is a very important bill," said Sen. Bruce Bostelman, a farmer from Brainard whose district includes Mead.Sen. Megan Hunt, of Omaha, said she was concerned that the plant's waste could have a long-term impact on the health of Mead residents."The people are going to be suffering the effects of this, potentially for decades," she said.The plant shut down in February after the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy ordered it to stop discharging wastewater into nearby lagoons. A short time later, a pipe at the plant burst and spilled 4 million gallons of contaminated waste into nearby ditches and waterways.The Nebraska attorney general's office sued the plant on March 1, saying state environmental officials had tried to work collaboratively with plant officials and gave them a year to comply with earlier cleanup orders. Gov. Pete Ricketts said the plant was "terribly managed" and doesn't reflect the rest of the state's ethanol industry. The University of Nebraska also plans to study the health and environmental impacts of the pollution on the area.AltEn officials have said they're still working to fix the issues raised by state regulators.Sen. Tom Brandt, a corn farmer from Plymouth, said the bill advanced by lawmakers should prevent future problems. Nebraska is the nation's second-largest ethanol producer, behind neighboring Iowa."It's unfortunate we had a bad actor in the industry," he said.

Bill aimed at troubled Nebraska ethanol plant advances

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The suspect in the Colorado supermarket shooting appeared in court for the first time Thursday, and a defense attorney immediately asked that he receive a mental health evaluation before the case against him proceeds.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, did not speak during the brief hearing except to say “yes” to a question from the judge, who advised him that he is charged with murder in the attack that killed 10 people, including a Boulder police officer. Alissa is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at another police officer, who was unhurt.

Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said authorities planned to file more charges. He did not elaborate.

Alissa did not enter a plea, which will come later in the judicial process. He has been jailed without bail.

The young man entered court in a wheelchair, presumably because of a gunshot wound to the leg that he suffered in Monday’s shooting. He appeared alert and attentive, moving his knees from side to side, his eyes darting back and forth from his lawyers to the judge. He wore a mask and purple, short-sleeved coveralls.

His attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, provided no details about his health. At Herold’s request, Alissa’s next hearing will not be scheduled for two to three months to allow the defense to evaluate his mental state and evidence collected by investigators.

“Our position is we cannot do anything until we are able to fully assess Mr. Alissa’s mental illness,” Herold said, adding that the defense cannot begin that assessment until it receives evidence from investigators.

A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting previously said that the suspect’s family told investigators they believed Alissa was suffering some type of mental illness, including delusions.

Relatives have described times when Alissa told them people were following or chasing him, which they said may have contributed to the violence, the official said. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Alissa’s legal team includes public defender Daniel King, who represented Colorado theater gunman James Holmes, as well as Robert Dear, who is accused of killing three people in a 2105 attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, two cases in which mental illness was a factor.

Jurors rejected Holmes’ insanity defense in the 2012 shooting at an Aurora movie theater that left a dozen dead. But jurors could not unanimously agree to sentence him to death after his lawyers presented evidence of his schizophrenia as a reason to spare his life. Colorado has since abolished the death penalty, and Holmes is in prison for life.

After repeatedly being found incompetent to stand trial in state court, Dear was charged in federal court, where his competency to stand trial has also slowed proceedings.

During the court proceedings, five deputies with black bands of mourning across their badges stood close by. Boulder police tweeted Thursday that they used the handcuffs of the slain officer, Eric Talley, to take the suspect from a hospital to jail earlier this week — and told him so.

“Though this was a small gesture, we hope it is the start of the healing process that so many of us need at this time,” the department said.

Screenshots of what was believed to be Alissa’s Facebook page hint of fears that he was secretly being tracked on his phone and reflect his interest in Islamic teachings, immigration and martial arts. The screenshots and dozens of postings were captured by the online extremist tracking firm SITE Intelligence Group.

In July 2019, Alissa wrote that his phone was being hacked by “racist islamophobic people.” At another point, he wrote that his old high school had likely gotten access to his phone, asking Facebook followers for advice on how to stop it.

Alissa was convicted in 2018 of assaulting a fellow high school student, according to police documents. A former classmate told the AP he was kicked off the wrestling team after yelling he would kill everyone following a loss in a practice match.

After a white supremacist killed 51 people in the 2019 New Zealand mosque massacre, Alissa called the dead “victims of the entire Islamophobia industry that vilified them.” Three months later, he posted a link to a PBS story about how immigrants help the economy, writing, “Why refugees and immigrants are good for America.”

“What Islam is really about,” he wrote in one Facebook post that referred to a list of teachings from the Koran, including to “be good to others” and “restrain anger.”

In other posts, he urged followers to give to charity, described abortion as “disgusting” and said that he opposed gay marriage.

“There was no indication on his Facebook account that suggested radical views of any kind, whether it be Islamist, anti-Trump, or anything else,” said Rita Katz, executive director of SITE, which analyzed the postings. “He did mention Islam on his Facebook, but never to any extremity.”

Thursday’s court appearance was the first time Alissa appeared in public since his arrest Monday inside the King Soopers supermarket. He was last seen handcuffed and being led out of the supermarket by police. He had removed all clothing except his shorts before being taken into custody.

According to two law enforcement officials, Alissa was born in Syria in 1999, emigrated to the U.S. as a toddler and later became a U.S. citizen. He would need to be a citizen to buy a gun. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

An AR-15-style gun recovered inside the supermarket was believed to have been used in the attack, said a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Hundreds of mourners gathered Wednesday night at a candlelight vigil to remember the 10 people gunned down at a supermarket in a Colorado college town, while the 21-year-old man suspected of carrying out the rampage prepared for his first court appearance Thursday morning.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa has been jailed for investigation of murder since he was arrested inside the King Soopers supermarket in Boulder on Monday and treated at a hospital for a leg wound. He was to hear the pending charges he faces and his rights as a defendant, and he would not be asked for a plea until later in the judicial process.

Alissa was last seen handcuffed and being led out of the supermarket by police. He had removed all clothing except his shorts before being taken into custody. A rifle, a green tactical vest and a handgun were recovered inside the grocery store, according to an arrest affidavit.

While most Colorado court proceedings have been conducted by video during the pandemic, District Judge Thomas Francis Mulvahill ordered Alissa to appear before him in court unless Alissa waives his right to appear in person in writing. The courtroom will be closed to the public.

More than 500 people bundled in winter jackets and wool hats attended a downtown candlelight vigil Wednesday night to mourn the victims and comfort one another. They observed a moment of silence; violins soothed the crowd; a woman sang “Ave Maria” as candle flames flickered in the crisp air. A star-shaped light usually turned on for the holidays glowed on a mountain overlooking the open square.

Michele Weiner-Davis, a Boulder family therapist, offered the community some words of wisdom.

“Whatever you’re feeling, whatever you’re thinking, no matter how uncomfortable, it’s completely natural,” Weiner-Davis said. “Be patient with yourself. Additionally, be just as compassionate with the people in your lives who might also be struggling.”

In addition to Officer Eric Talley, 51, the victims are Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jodi Waters, 65. Leiker, Olds and Stong worked at the supermarket.

Earlier Wednesday, hundreds of people paid their respects during a police procession for Talley as his body was taken to a funeral home in the Denver suburb of Aurora.

Police also announced that people whose cars were left in the supermarket parking lot Monday could retrieve them.

A supermarket employee told the AP she watched as the assailant opened fire and narrowly escaped his notice while joining others in a desperate scramble to get away.

Emily Giffen, 27, was smoking outside the store Monday during a break when she heard multiple loud pops that she knew were not fireworks. She said she saw a man running across an intersection suddenly fall over and another man approach him in a crouch and fire several rounds at close range.

“I don’t know how he didn’t see us,” she said of the suspect, who walked right by her before she ran into the supermarket and out the back.

“I just really am having a hard time understanding why me and my friends deserve to die,” she said, wondering why the gunman chose to target the Boulder store specifically.

According to the arrest affidavit, the suspect bought a Ruger AR-556 pistol — which resembles an AR-15 rifle with a slightly shorter stock — on March 16, six days before the attack. Authorities have not disclosed where the gun was purchased.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616675661874.png" alt="Candlelight vigil on Wednesday night -photo courtesy city of Boulder" />
 <figcaption>Candlelight vigil on Wednesday night -photo courtesy city of Boulder</figcaption>
 </figure>BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The suspect in the Colorado supermarket shooting appeared in court for the first time Thursday, and a defense attorney immediately asked that he receive a mental health evaluation before the case against him proceeds.Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, did not speak during the brief hearing except to say “yes” to a question from the judge, who advised him that he is charged with murder in the attack that killed 10 people, including a Boulder police officer. Alissa is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at another police officer, who was unhurt.Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said authorities planned to file more charges. He did not elaborate.Alissa did not enter a plea, which will come later in the judicial process. He has been jailed without bail.The young man entered court in a wheelchair, presumably because of a gunshot wound to the leg that he suffered in Monday’s shooting. He appeared alert and attentive, moving his knees from side to side, his eyes darting back and forth from his lawyers to the judge. He wore a mask and purple, short-sleeved coveralls.His attorney, public defender Kathryn Herold, provided no details about his health. At Herold’s request, Alissa’s next hearing will not be scheduled for two to three months to allow the defense to evaluate his mental state and evidence collected by investigators.“Our position is we cannot do anything until we are able to fully assess Mr. Alissa’s mental illness,” Herold said, adding that the defense cannot begin that assessment until it receives evidence from investigators.A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting previously said that the suspect’s family told investigators they believed Alissa was suffering some type of mental illness, including delusions.Relatives have described times when Alissa told them people were following or chasing him, which they said may have contributed to the violence, the official said. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Alissa’s legal team includes public defender Daniel King, who represented Colorado theater gunman James Holmes, as well as Robert Dear, who is accused of killing three people in a 2105 attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, two cases in which mental illness was a factor.Jurors rejected Holmes’ insanity defense in the 2012 shooting at an Aurora movie theater that left a dozen dead. But jurors could not unanimously agree to sentence him to death after his lawyers presented evidence of his schizophrenia as a reason to spare his life. Colorado has since abolished the death penalty, and Holmes is in prison for life.After repeatedly being found incompetent to stand trial in state court, Dear was charged in federal court, where his competency to stand trial has also slowed proceedings.During the court proceedings, five deputies with black bands of mourning across their badges stood close by. Boulder police tweeted Thursday that they used the handcuffs of the slain officer, Eric Talley, to take the suspect from a hospital to jail earlier this week — and told him so.“Though this was a small gesture, we hope it is the start of the healing process that so many of us need at this time,” the department said.Screenshots of what was believed to be Alissa’s Facebook page hint of fears that he was secretly being tracked on his phone and reflect his interest in Islamic teachings, immigration and martial arts. The screenshots and dozens of postings were captured by the online extremist tracking firm SITE Intelligence Group.In July 2019, Alissa wrote that his phone was being hacked by “racist islamophobic people.” At another point, he wrote that his old high school had likely gotten access to his phone, asking Facebook followers for advice on how to stop it.Alissa was convicted in 2018 of assaulting a fellow high school student, according to police documents. A former classmate told the AP he was kicked off the wrestling team after yelling he would kill everyone following a loss in a practice match.After a white supremacist killed 51 people in the 2019 New Zealand mosque massacre, Alissa called the dead “victims of the entire Islamophobia industry that vilified them.” Three months later, he posted a link to a PBS story about how immigrants help the economy, writing, “Why refugees and immigrants are good for America.”“What Islam is really about,” he wrote in one Facebook post that referred to a list of teachings from the Koran, including to “be good to others” and “restrain anger.”In other posts, he urged followers to give to charity, described abortion as “disgusting” and said that he opposed gay marriage.“There was no indication on his Facebook account that suggested radical views of any kind, whether it be Islamist, anti-Trump, or anything else,” said Rita Katz, executive director of SITE, which analyzed the postings. “He did mention Islam on his Facebook, but never to any extremity.”Thursday’s court appearance was the first time Alissa appeared in public since his arrest Monday inside the King Soopers supermarket. He was last seen handcuffed and being led out of the supermarket by police. He had removed all clothing except his shorts before being taken into custody.According to two law enforcement officials, Alissa was born in Syria in 1999, emigrated to the U.S. as a toddler and later became a U.S. citizen. He would need to be a citizen to buy a gun. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.An AR-15-style gun recovered inside the supermarket was believed to have been used in the attack, said a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.-------BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Hundreds of mourners gathered Wednesday night at a candlelight vigil to remember the 10 people gunned down at a supermarket in a Colorado college town, while the 21-year-old man suspected of carrying out the rampage prepared for his first court appearance Thursday morning.Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa has been jailed for investigation of murder since he was arrested inside the King Soopers supermarket in Boulder on Monday and treated at a hospital for a leg wound. He was to hear the pending charges he faces and his rights as a defendant, and he would not be asked for a plea until later in the judicial process.Alissa was last seen handcuffed and being led out of the supermarket by police. He had removed all clothing except his shorts before being taken into custody. A rifle, a green tactical vest and a handgun were recovered inside the grocery store, according to an arrest affidavit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616547245871.png" alt="Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa photo Boulder Police" />
 <figcaption>Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa photo Boulder Police</figcaption>
 </figure>While most Colorado court proceedings have been conducted by video during the pandemic, District Judge Thomas Francis Mulvahill ordered Alissa to appear before him in court unless Alissa waives his right to appear in person in writing. The courtroom will be closed to the public.More than 500 people bundled in winter jackets and wool hats attended a downtown candlelight vigil Wednesday night to mourn the victims and comfort one another. They observed a moment of silence; violins soothed the crowd; a woman sang “Ave Maria” as candle flames flickered in the crisp air. A star-shaped light usually turned on for the holidays glowed on a mountain overlooking the open square.Michele Weiner-Davis, a Boulder family therapist, offered the community some words of wisdom.“Whatever you’re feeling, whatever you’re thinking, no matter how uncomfortable, it’s completely natural,” Weiner-Davis said. “Be patient with yourself. Additionally, be just as compassionate with the people in your lives who might also be struggling.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616505527834.png" alt="Officer Eric Talley photo Boulder Police" />
 <figcaption>Officer Eric Talley photo Boulder Police</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to Officer Eric Talley, 51, the victims are Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jodi Waters, 65. Leiker, Olds and Stong worked at the supermarket.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616675706564.png" alt="Candlelight vigil on Wednesday -photo courtesy city of Boulder" />
 <figcaption>Candlelight vigil on Wednesday -photo courtesy city of Boulder</figcaption>
 </figure>Earlier Wednesday, hundreds of people paid their respects during a police procession for Talley as his body was taken to a funeral home in the Denver suburb of Aurora.Police also announced that people whose cars were left in the supermarket parking lot Monday could retrieve them.A supermarket employee told the AP she watched as the assailant opened fire and narrowly escaped his notice while joining others in a desperate scramble to get away.Emily Giffen, 27, was smoking outside the store Monday during a break when she heard multiple loud pops that she knew were not fireworks. She said she saw a man running across an intersection suddenly fall over and another man approach him in a crouch and fire several rounds at close range.“I don’t know how he didn’t see us,” she said of the suspect, who walked right by her before she ran into the supermarket and out the back.“I just really am having a hard time understanding why me and my friends deserve to die,” she said, wondering why the gunman chose to target the Boulder store specifically.According to the arrest affidavit, the suspect bought a Ruger AR-556 pistol — which resembles an AR-15 rifle with a slightly shorter stock — on March 16, six days before the attack. Authorities have not disclosed where the gun was purchased.According to two law enforcement officials, Alissa was born in Syria in 1999, emigrated to the U.S. as a toddler and later became a U.S. citizen. He would need to be a citizen to buy a gun. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.An AR-15-style gun recovered inside the supermarket was believed to have been used in the attack, said a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.—---

Following vigil, Colorado shooting suspect faces judge for first time

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Joe Biden's first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-2804de86cb2bd901c14c109efe024e5d">news conference</a>&nbsp;since taking office Jan. 20.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?510139-1/president-biden-holds-news-conference">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the press conference.

President Joe Biden says it's his “expectation” that he'll run for re-election in 2024. Biden is 78 and already the oldest president to hold office. He would be 82 at the start of a second term.

Biden was asked at the first news conference of his presidency whether he thought he could face a rematch against Donald Trump. Biden scoffed at the question. “Oh, I don’t even think about it,” Biden said. “I have no idea.”

President Joe Biden says addressing a nuclearized North Korea is his top foreign policy issue.

Biden says at his first news conference as president that North Korea has violated U.N. resolutions by launching ballistic missiles and that the United States and its allies will respond if the North escalates the situation.

Biden says: “I’m also prepared for some form of diplomacy, but it has to be conditioned upon the end result of denuclearization."

He says he agrees with former President Barack Obama’s warning that North Korea was the most pressing foreign policy priority to watch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616693626372.png" alt="President Joe Biden entered the East Room prior to the Thursday afternoon press conference-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden entered the East Room prior to the Thursday afternoon press conference-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Joe Biden's first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-coronavirus-pandemic-2804de86cb2bd901c14c109efe024e5d">news conference</a>&nbsp;since taking office Jan. 20.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?510139-1/president-biden-holds-news-conference">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the press conference.President Joe Biden says it's his “expectation” that he'll run for re-election in 2024. Biden is 78 and already the oldest president to hold office. He would be 82 at the start of a second term.Biden was asked at the first news conference of his presidency whether he thought he could face a rematch against Donald Trump. Biden scoffed at the question. “Oh, I don’t even think about it,” Biden said. “I have no idea.”-------President Joe Biden says addressing a nuclearized North Korea is his top foreign policy issue.Biden says at his first news conference as president that North Korea has violated U.N. resolutions by launching ballistic missiles and that the United States and its allies will respond if the North escalates the situation.Biden says: “I’m also prepared for some form of diplomacy, but it has to be conditioned upon the end result of denuclearization."He says he agrees with former President Barack Obama’s warning that North Korea was the most pressing foreign policy priority to watch.Four missiles fired this week were all short-range and don’t pose a direct threat to the U.S. mainland. According to South Korea’s assessment, the first two weapons launched Sunday were believed to be cruise missiles. But Japan says the two fired Thursday were ballistic missiles. They're more provocative weapons that North Korea is banned from testing by U.N. resolutions.___President Joe Biden says he makes “no apology” for undoing some of the hard-line Trump-era immigration policies.The Biden administration announced on Feb. 2 that it would no longer uphold the Trump administration policy of automatically deporting unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. Two weeks later, the White House announced plans to admit 25,000 asylum-seekers to the United States who'd been forced to remain in Mexico.Since then, the number of young migrants crossing into the U.S. without adults has risen. Both Customs and Border Protection, and Health and Human Services officials have struggled to house the influx of children. Immigration officials say the number of adult migrants and families trying to enter the U.S. illegally also has surged.Biden says his administration is working on solutions to manage the number of children coming to the border. Biden officials have largely blamed the problems on what they say were shoddy Trump policies.___President Joe Biden is committing to pulling U.S. troops from Afghanistan. But he's expressing doubts about meeting a May 1 deadline for withdrawal that was set by an agreement signed by Donald Trump.Biden was asked about America's longest war at his first news conference since taking office. The president said, "We will leave. The question is when we will leave.”The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has been there ever since.Last year, the Trump administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban that would remove the last of several thousand American troops by May 1.At the news conference, Biden repeated recent comments that it would be difficult to meet the deadline.___President Joe Biden says his administration is working on getting beds and other facilities up and running so children held in Border Patrol custody can be transferred.Biden says in his first news conference that most of the migrants who are coming to the U.S.-Mexico border are being sent back, except for children. He says his administration is working to ease delays so children can be released from government custody to sponsors.Biden says when parents send their children alone across the border, it's a “desperate act.” The president says he wants to help change the conditions in Central American countries when the migrants are coming from, but he says there's no easy answer.Biden is pushing back against the idea there's a crush of migrants coming to the border.___President Joe Biden says he’s committed to making progress on overhauling the U.S. immigration system, bolstering gun laws and strengthening voting rights. And he's not ruling out supporting changes to Senate procedures that would help him achieve those goals.Biden says at the first formal news conference of his term that he believes senators should have to engage in old-fashioned filibusters if they want to try to hold up legislation. That would force senators to have to stand on their feet and talk for hours, as was the case during the civil rights era and is portrayed in Hollywood movies, if they want to object to Biden's agenda.But Biden says the rule is being abused in a “gigantic way.”He adds: “If there’s complete lockdown and chaos, as a consequence of the filibuster, then we’re going to have to go beyond what I’m talking about.”-----President Joe Biden is pledging to have 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered by the end of his first 100 days in office. That’s double the goal he set in December and reached earlier this month before his 60th day in office.Biden announced the new goal Thursday at the start of his first formal news conference since his term began on Jan. 20.Biden's goal seems ambitious, but it actually amounts to a continuation of the country's existing pace of vaccinations through the end of month. The U.S. is now averaging about 2.5 million doses per day.A rate even greater than that is possible. Over the next month, two of the bottlenecks to getting Americans vaccinated are set to be lifted. The U.S. supply of vaccines is on track to increase and states are lifting eligibility requirements for people to get the shots.___