<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/29/gov-pillen-outlines-nebraskas-local-federal-next-steps-following-war-zone-tornadoes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Days after a wave of tornadoes hit Nebraska, Gov. Jim Pillen on Monday thanked neighbors for stepping up for one another alongside various local, state and federal supporters.

Pillen said that as of Monday morning, power had been restored to nearly every home in the most heavily affected parts of eastern Nebraska, including the Elkhorn, Bennington and Washington County areas. This excludes about 450 homes, the governor said, which do not have power because they’re totally destroyed.

“I don’t know that anybody can find the right words to use it, but it’s a war zone,” Pillen said of what he saw in Douglas and Washington Counties. “The longer it (the tornado) went, the bigger it got and the wider it was.”

The governor said he has been on ground zero in both places —&nbsp;touring with local State Sens. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn and Ben Hansen of Blair, among other leaders. He said it was “extraordinarily sobering” to see areas that had been “totally obliterated.”

Pillen said he saw what was probably too many volunteers in Elkhorn but that it demonstrates Nebraskans’ willingness to help.

He said it will be a “long, long marathon” and “years before the scars are healed.”

“My assessment would be that it’s going to take every single weekend and every opportunity between now and the snow flying to be able to have a chance to get those communities cleaned up and be able to start rebuilding,” Pillen said.

Nebraskans who suffered damage should report such to their county emergency management agencies so the agency can keep track and document the issues, Pillen said. This will help Nebraska tap into state and federal resources as President Joe Biden and FEMA have offered federal support.

“This is not normal for Nebraskans to ask for help,” Pillen said. “If you don’t ask for help, we actually harm our neighbor because we need everybody to get to the level so that we can get the federal assistance.”

Those wishing to volunteer for recovery efforts should also contact local emergency management agencies to coordinate such help, Pillen said, also pointing to nonprofits and other local organizations that have stepped up their support.

“By the grace of God,” Pillen added, no Nebraskans were killed in the storm. However, officials confirmed Sunday the death of a western Iowa&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2024/04/28/authorities-injured-minden-iowa-man-dies-after-april-26-tornado/73493079007/">man injured in Friday’s storm</a>&nbsp;when it hit Minden, Iowa.

Capt. Greg Miller of the Nebraska State Patrol said troopers are providing “around the clock” security in affected areas to ensure Nebraskans’ lives are not devastated further by property theft.

“We want to make sure that if you don’t have business in the area to please stay away,” Miller said.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced two looting-related arrests Sunday as it has also stepped up security in affected areas.

Pillen said that he spent much of Sunday afternoon with Nebraska National Guard Adj. Gen. Craig Strong and that they have had conversations about whether to mobilize the Guard to assist with recovery of public property. As of Monday, Strong and Pillen were still assessing damages and had not reached a decision.

As far as preliminary assessments of those damages, Pillen said it’s still premature to say though it will be millions, at least. Four public hangars were destroyed at Eppley Airfield in Omaha, which Pillen said each cost about $1.5 million.&nbsp;

Pillen said the damages will likely exceed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-issues-post-storm-declaration-that-allows-use-of-state-emergency-fund/">available state resources</a>, which he noted underscores a need for accurate assessments as Nebraska partners with FEMA.

The governor said he was busy both Saturday and Sunday and missed a phone call from President Joe Biden, who left a message that the federal government was “keeping a very close eye” on Nebraska and would do everything to help the state.

“Same way with the FEMA director, that I told her we were very grateful for their outreach,” Pillen said. “We Nebraskans are learning that we need to ask for help.”

The National Weather Service Omaha in a Monday statement issued preliminary findings of the Friday, April 26, tornado outbreak that injured six people and killed one Iowa man. The outbreak included nine confirmed tornadoes in the NWS Omaha coverage area:

“Historically speaking, these are the strongest tornadoes in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa (the NWS Omaha/Valley coverage area) in nearly 10 years,” the statement reads.

The previous strongest was an Ef-3 tornado in Coleridge, Nebraska, on June 17, 2014, which was one day after four EF-4 tornadoes hit northeast Nebraska, including Pilger.

The Arbor Day tornadoes stretched from central Nebraska into central Iowa, across 162.5 miles (one was on the ground for 40.9 miles straight in Iowa). Two tornadoes were 1 mile wide each with one of the nine twisters reaching at least 165 mph. The twisters were on the ground for 4 hours and 51 minutes combined.

NWS Omaha reported that one of the more notable damage paths was just northeast of Lincoln, from Waterloo to Elkhorn to near Soldier, Iowa.

Soure:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=OAX&amp;product=PNS&amp;site=oax">National Weather Service Omaha</a>;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.weather.gov/oax/april262024">National Weather Service</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714500385272.jpeg" alt=" Gov. Jim Pillen provides an update on a tornado outbreak that swept through Nebraska and Iowa in the past week. April 29, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Jim Pillen provides an update on a tornado outbreak that swept through Nebraska and Iowa in the past week. April 29, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/29/gov-pillen-outlines-nebraskas-local-federal-next-steps-following-war-zone-tornadoes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Days after a wave of tornadoes hit Nebraska, Gov. Jim Pillen on Monday thanked neighbors for stepping up for one another alongside various local, state and federal supporters.Pillen said that as of Monday morning, power had been restored to nearly every home in the most heavily affected parts of eastern Nebraska, including the Elkhorn, Bennington and Washington County areas. This excludes about 450 homes, the governor said, which do not have power because they’re totally destroyed.“I don’t know that anybody can find the right words to use it, but it’s a war zone,” Pillen said of what he saw in Douglas and Washington Counties. “The longer it (the tornado) went, the bigger it got and the wider it was.”<h2>Months of cleanup ahead</h2>The governor said he has been on ground zero in both places —&nbsp;touring with local State Sens. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn and Ben Hansen of Blair, among other leaders. He said it was “extraordinarily sobering” to see areas that had been “totally obliterated.”Pillen said he saw what was probably too many volunteers in Elkhorn but that it demonstrates Nebraskans’ willingness to help.He said it will be a “long, long marathon” and “years before the scars are healed.”“My assessment would be that it’s going to take every single weekend and every opportunity between now and the snow flying to be able to have a chance to get those communities cleaned up and be able to start rebuilding,” Pillen said.Nebraskans who suffered damage should report such to their county emergency management agencies so the agency can keep track and document the issues, Pillen said. This will help Nebraska tap into state and federal resources as President Joe Biden and FEMA have offered federal support.“This is not normal for Nebraskans to ask for help,” Pillen said. “If you don’t ask for help, we actually harm our neighbor because we need everybody to get to the level so that we can get the federal assistance.”<h2>Security in affected areas</h2>Those wishing to volunteer for recovery efforts should also contact local emergency management agencies to coordinate such help, Pillen said, also pointing to nonprofits and other local organizations that have stepped up their support.“By the grace of God,” Pillen added, no Nebraskans were killed in the storm. However, officials confirmed Sunday the death of a western Iowa&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2024/04/28/authorities-injured-minden-iowa-man-dies-after-april-26-tornado/73493079007/">man injured in Friday’s storm</a>&nbsp;when it hit Minden, Iowa.Capt. Greg Miller of the Nebraska State Patrol said troopers are providing “around the clock” security in affected areas to ensure Nebraskans’ lives are not devastated further by property theft.“We want to make sure that if you don’t have business in the area to please stay away,” Miller said.The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced two looting-related arrests Sunday as it has also stepped up security in affected areas.<h2>Damage assessments ongoing</h2>Pillen said that he spent much of Sunday afternoon with Nebraska National Guard Adj. Gen. Craig Strong and that they have had conversations about whether to mobilize the Guard to assist with recovery of public property. As of Monday, Strong and Pillen were still assessing damages and had not reached a decision.As far as preliminary assessments of those damages, Pillen said it’s still premature to say though it will be millions, at least. Four public hangars were destroyed at Eppley Airfield in Omaha, which Pillen said each cost about $1.5 million.&nbsp;Pillen said the damages will likely exceed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-issues-post-storm-declaration-that-allows-use-of-state-emergency-fund/">available state resources</a>, which he noted underscores a need for accurate assessments as Nebraska partners with FEMA.The governor said he was busy both Saturday and Sunday and missed a phone call from President Joe Biden, who left a message that the federal government was “keeping a very close eye” on Nebraska and would do everything to help the state.“Same way with the FEMA director, that I told her we were very grateful for their outreach,” Pillen said. “We Nebraskans are learning that we need to ask for help.”<h2>Overview of Friday’s storm</h2>The National Weather Service Omaha in a Monday statement issued preliminary findings of the Friday, April 26, tornado outbreak that injured six people and killed one Iowa man. The outbreak included nine confirmed tornadoes in the NWS Omaha coverage area:<ul>
 <li>Five EF-3 tornadoes (strong, 136 to 165 mph).</li><li>Two EF-2 tornadoes (strong, 111 to 135 mph).</li><li>Two EF-1 tornadoes (weak, 86 to 110 mph).</li>
 </ul>“Historically speaking, these are the strongest tornadoes in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa (the NWS Omaha/Valley coverage area) in nearly 10 years,” the statement reads.The previous strongest was an Ef-3 tornado in Coleridge, Nebraska, on June 17, 2014, which was one day after four EF-4 tornadoes hit northeast Nebraska, including Pilger.The Arbor Day tornadoes stretched from central Nebraska into central Iowa, across 162.5 miles (one was on the ground for 40.9 miles straight in Iowa). Two tornadoes were 1 mile wide each with one of the nine twisters reaching at least 165 mph. The twisters were on the ground for 4 hours and 51 minutes combined.NWS Omaha reported that one of the more notable damage paths was just northeast of Lincoln, from Waterloo to Elkhorn to near Soldier, Iowa.Soure:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=OAX&amp;product=PNS&amp;site=oax">National Weather Service Omaha</a>;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.weather.gov/oax/april262024">National Weather Service</a>

Gov. Pillen outlines Nebraska’s local, federal next steps following ‘war zone’ tornadoes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A shootout that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlotte-north-carolina-shooting-police-42d3e25ec6ec990634c9ac209e0f779a">killed four law enforcement officers</a>&nbsp;and wounded four others in North Carolina began as officers approached a home to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm, police said.

Some of the officers who rushed to the Charlotte neighborhood Monday afternoon to rescue the first wave of downed officers were wounded as a second shooter began firing on them after they killed the wanted man, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said.

“Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe,” Jennings said at a news conference.

After a three-hour standoff, the suburban Charlotte home was torn open. Armored vehicles smashed into it, ripping off windows and entire doorways that were left broken. Several armored vehicles were parked across yards, some with tree branches dangling off them.

The U.S. Marshals Task Force was fired on by the wanted suspect as they approached the house and the man was killed in the front yard, Jennings said. Police identified him as Terry Clark Hughes Jr, 39. He was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony flee to elude in Lincoln County, North Carolina. A second person then fired on officers from inside the home where a high-powered rifle was found, Jennings added.

After the police department's Special Weapons and Tactics Team negotiated with other people in the house, two females came out and were taken to a police station to be interviewed by detectives, police said in a news release. Previously, police had said a woman and 17-year-old male were being questioned.

The Marshal’s Service confirmed one of its agents was killed. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction identified two of the task force officers killed as Sam Poloche and Alden Elliot. Both had been with the department for 14 years. They served as probation/parole officers before joining the department’s Special Operations and Intelligence Unit, the department said. Poloche joined in 2013 and Elliot in 2016.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Joshua Eyer died a few hours later at the hospital, Jennings said. Eyer was named the officer of the month for the force for April a few weeks ago, the chief said.

“He certainly gave his life and dedicated his life to protecting our citizens,” Jennings said.

One other member of the task force, which is made up of federal agents and other officers from across the region, was injured.

Three other Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers who responded to the scene were shot while trying to rescue the wounded officers.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper was in Charlotte and was speaking to the families of the officers killed and hurt.

Neighbors said gunfire lasted for several minutes.

WSOC-TV said their helicopter captured an armored vehicle driving through yards and knocking over recycling bins before officers removed a person with blood on their shirt who was then loaded into an ambulance.

After the home was cleared, the helicopter pilot said he couldn't show the front lawn of the home because the scene was too graphic and disturbing.

“A lot of the questions that need to be answered, we don’t even know what those questions are now," Jennings said, somberly briefing reporters less than four hours after the shooting. “We have to get a full understanding of why this occurred and also uphold the integrity of the investigation.”

Many roads in the area including Interstate 77 were closed so ambulances could get to hospitals faster. TV footage showed ambulances speeding to hospitals escorted by vehicles both in front and behind with their sirens wailing.

Rissa Reign was cleaning her house when she heard the first shots ring out. There was a pause, then a second set of shots and then a third. She stepped outside.

“When we came outside, there were no cops at all, then cops started rushing, rushing, rushing, rushing in,” she said, adding armored SWAT trucks quickly followed and they "were going over the grass, everything, and they started shooting again.”

The neighborhood, of one– and two-story, brick homes and small trimmed lawns, is very safe, said Alex Rivera, who lives on a street nearby.

“I see, like, 50 police cars zooming in, and then I hear gunshots,” he said on the front porch of the house he shares with his cousin. “I was scared, because there was so much going on.“

Another neighbor, William Cunningham, was moved to tears as he sat on his porch. He said he is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm but never expected such violence in his own neighborhood.

“Bless those officers and bless their families,” he said. “Nobody should get killed over a warrant.”

Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were placed on lockdown around afternoon dismissal, but that was lifted in the late afternoon, the district said.

Police urged people to stay away from the neighborhood and asked residents to remain inside their homes until the all clear was given.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and spoke with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community.

“They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us," Biden said in a statement late Monday. "We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded.”

The last marshal shot and killed in the line of duty was in November 2018. Chase White was shot in Tucson, Arizona, by a man wanted for stalking local law enforcement officers, the agency said.

The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force is headquartered in Charlotte and comprised of 70 federal, state and local agencies. Fugitive task forces are collaborations between agencies to find and arrest suspects in crimes.

In six years, the regional task force has apprehended more than 8,900 fugitives, the U.S. Marshals Service said on its website.

In March 2007, two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers were killed while responding to a domestic dispute by someone not directly involved in the fight. Demeatrius Antonio Montgomery is serving a life sentence in the killings of officers Jeffrey Shelton and Sean Clark.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714487763008.jpeg" alt="Multiple law enforcement vehicles respond in the neighborhood where several officers on a task force trying to serve a warrant were shot in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, April 29, 2024. (Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/The Charlotte Observer via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Multiple law enforcement vehicles respond in the neighborhood where several officers on a task force trying to serve a warrant were shot in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, April 29, 2024. (Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/The Charlotte Observer via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A shootout that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlotte-north-carolina-shooting-police-42d3e25ec6ec990634c9ac209e0f779a">killed four law enforcement officers</a>&nbsp;and wounded four others in North Carolina began as officers approached a home to serve a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm, police said.Some of the officers who rushed to the Charlotte neighborhood Monday afternoon to rescue the first wave of downed officers were wounded as a second shooter began firing on them after they killed the wanted man, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said.“Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe,” Jennings said at a news conference.After a three-hour standoff, the suburban Charlotte home was torn open. Armored vehicles smashed into it, ripping off windows and entire doorways that were left broken. Several armored vehicles were parked across yards, some with tree branches dangling off them.The U.S. Marshals Task Force was fired on by the wanted suspect as they approached the house and the man was killed in the front yard, Jennings said. Police identified him as Terry Clark Hughes Jr, 39. He was wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony flee to elude in Lincoln County, North Carolina. A second person then fired on officers from inside the home where a high-powered rifle was found, Jennings added.After the police department's Special Weapons and Tactics Team negotiated with other people in the house, two females came out and were taken to a police station to be interviewed by detectives, police said in a news release. Previously, police had said a woman and 17-year-old male were being questioned.The Marshal’s Service confirmed one of its agents was killed. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction identified two of the task force officers killed as Sam Poloche and Alden Elliot. Both had been with the department for 14 years. They served as probation/parole officers before joining the department’s Special Operations and Intelligence Unit, the department said. Poloche joined in 2013 and Elliot in 2016.Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Joshua Eyer died a few hours later at the hospital, Jennings said. Eyer was named the officer of the month for the force for April a few weeks ago, the chief said.“He certainly gave his life and dedicated his life to protecting our citizens,” Jennings said.One other member of the task force, which is made up of federal agents and other officers from across the region, was injured.Three other Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers who responded to the scene were shot while trying to rescue the wounded officers.North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper was in Charlotte and was speaking to the families of the officers killed and hurt.Neighbors said gunfire lasted for several minutes.WSOC-TV said their helicopter captured an armored vehicle driving through yards and knocking over recycling bins before officers removed a person with blood on their shirt who was then loaded into an ambulance.After the home was cleared, the helicopter pilot said he couldn't show the front lawn of the home because the scene was too graphic and disturbing.“A lot of the questions that need to be answered, we don’t even know what those questions are now," Jennings said, somberly briefing reporters less than four hours after the shooting. “We have to get a full understanding of why this occurred and also uphold the integrity of the investigation.”Many roads in the area including Interstate 77 were closed so ambulances could get to hospitals faster. TV footage showed ambulances speeding to hospitals escorted by vehicles both in front and behind with their sirens wailing.Rissa Reign was cleaning her house when she heard the first shots ring out. There was a pause, then a second set of shots and then a third. She stepped outside.“When we came outside, there were no cops at all, then cops started rushing, rushing, rushing, rushing in,” she said, adding armored SWAT trucks quickly followed and they "were going over the grass, everything, and they started shooting again.”The neighborhood, of one– and two-story, brick homes and small trimmed lawns, is very safe, said Alex Rivera, who lives on a street nearby.“I see, like, 50 police cars zooming in, and then I hear gunshots,” he said on the front porch of the house he shares with his cousin. “I was scared, because there was so much going on.“Another neighbor, William Cunningham, was moved to tears as he sat on his porch. He said he is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm but never expected such violence in his own neighborhood.“Bless those officers and bless their families,” he said. “Nobody should get killed over a warrant.”Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were placed on lockdown around afternoon dismissal, but that was lifted in the late afternoon, the district said.Police urged people to stay away from the neighborhood and asked residents to remain inside their homes until the all clear was given.President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and spoke with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community.“They are heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, rushing into harm’s way to protect us," Biden said in a statement late Monday. "We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous officers who were wounded.”The last marshal shot and killed in the line of duty was in November 2018. Chase White was shot in Tucson, Arizona, by a man wanted for stalking local law enforcement officers, the agency said.The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force is headquartered in Charlotte and comprised of 70 federal, state and local agencies. Fugitive task forces are collaborations between agencies to find and arrest suspects in crimes.In six years, the regional task force has apprehended more than 8,900 fugitives, the U.S. Marshals Service said on its website.In March 2007, two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers were killed while responding to a domestic dispute by someone not directly involved in the fight. Demeatrius Antonio Montgomery is serving a life sentence in the killings of officers Jeffrey Shelton and Sean Clark.

Shootout that killed 4 law officers began as task force tried to serve a warrant, police say

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-drug-enforcement-administration">The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration</a>&nbsp;will move to reclassify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marijuana">marijuana</a>&nbsp;as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country.

The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-health-schumer-becerra-dea-c00db5dabbeb9efd94cf17baff241e85">the medical uses of cannabis</a>&nbsp;and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use.

The agency’s move, confirmed to the AP on Tuesday by five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive regulatory review, clears the last significant regulatory hurdle before the agency’s biggest policy change in more than 50 years can take effect.

Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. It moves pot to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-federal-regulation-reclassifying-health-b0b5fc3d34a83d2c95db1665f8149d42">following a recommendation</a>&nbsp;from the federal Health and Human Services Department. After the public-comment period the agency would publish the final rule.

It comes after President Joe Biden called for a review of federal marijuana law in October 2022 and moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">pardon thousands of Americans</a>&nbsp;convicted federally of simple possession of the drug. He has also called on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.

“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” Biden said in December. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

The election year announcement could help Biden, a Democrat, boost flagging support, particularly among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-campaign-oldest-president-young-voters-152d11d3090518a2e5eee63b9a596673">younger voters</a>.

Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution.

Some critics argue the DEA shouldn’t change course on marijuana, saying rescheduling isn’t necessary and could lead to harmful side effects.

Jack Riley, a former deputy administrator of the DEA, said he had concerns about the proposed change because he thinks marijuana remains a possible “gateway drug," one that may lead to the use of other drugs.

“But in terms of us getting clear to use our resources to combat other major drugs, that’s a positive,” Riley said, noting that fentanyl alone accounts for more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. a year.

On the other end of the spectrum, others argue marijuana should be treated the way alcohol is.

Last week, 21 Democrats led by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York sent a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and Attorney General Merrick Garland arguing marijuana should be dropped from the controlled-substances list and instead regulated like alcohol.

“It is time for the DEA to act,” the lawmakers wrote. “Right now, the Administration has the opportunity to resolve more than 50 years of failed, racially discriminatory marijuana policy.”

Federal drug policy has lagged behind many states in recent years, with 38 having already legalized medical marijuana and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-marijuana-legalization-election-2023-6d15efb27fdcd41e7364f2b7cd3177f4">24 legalizing its recreational use</a>.

That’s helped fuel fast growth in the marijuana industry, with an estimated worth of nearly $30 billion. Easing federal regulations could reduce the tax burden that can be 70% or more for businesses, according to industry groups. It could also make it easier to research marijuana, since it’s very difficult to conduct authorized clinical studies on Schedule I substances.

The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation’s criminal justice system would likely be more muted, since federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years.

But loosening restrictions could carry a host of unintended consequences in the drug war and beyond.

Critics point out that as a Schedule III drug, marijuana would remain regulated by the DEA. That means the roughly 15,000 cannabis dispensaries in the U.S. would have to register with the DEA like regular pharmacies and fulfill strict reporting requirements, something that they are loath to do and that the DEA is ill equipped to handle

Then there’s the United States' international treaty obligations, chief among them the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which requires the criminalization of cannabis. In 2016, during the Obama administration, the DEA cited the U.S.’ international obligations and the findings of a federal court of appeals in Washington in denying a similar request to reschedule marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698531124512.png" alt="Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. file photo by Rebecca Rivas" />
 <figcaption>Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. file photo by Rebecca Rivas</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-drug-enforcement-administration">The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration</a>&nbsp;will move to reclassify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marijuana">marijuana</a>&nbsp;as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country.The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-health-schumer-becerra-dea-c00db5dabbeb9efd94cf17baff241e85">the medical uses of cannabis</a>&nbsp;and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use.The agency’s move, confirmed to the AP on Tuesday by five people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive regulatory review, clears the last significant regulatory hurdle before the agency’s biggest policy change in more than 50 years can take effect.Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. It moves pot to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-federal-regulation-reclassifying-health-b0b5fc3d34a83d2c95db1665f8149d42">following a recommendation</a>&nbsp;from the federal Health and Human Services Department. After the public-comment period the agency would publish the final rule.It comes after President Joe Biden called for a review of federal marijuana law in October 2022 and moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8">pardon thousands of Americans</a>&nbsp;convicted federally of simple possession of the drug. He has also called on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” Biden said in December. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”The election year announcement could help Biden, a Democrat, boost flagging support, particularly among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-campaign-oldest-president-young-voters-152d11d3090518a2e5eee63b9a596673">younger voters</a>.Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution.Some critics argue the DEA shouldn’t change course on marijuana, saying rescheduling isn’t necessary and could lead to harmful side effects.Jack Riley, a former deputy administrator of the DEA, said he had concerns about the proposed change because he thinks marijuana remains a possible “gateway drug," one that may lead to the use of other drugs.“But in terms of us getting clear to use our resources to combat other major drugs, that’s a positive,” Riley said, noting that fentanyl alone accounts for more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. a year.On the other end of the spectrum, others argue marijuana should be treated the way alcohol is.Last week, 21 Democrats led by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York sent a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and Attorney General Merrick Garland arguing marijuana should be dropped from the controlled-substances list and instead regulated like alcohol.“It is time for the DEA to act,” the lawmakers wrote. “Right now, the Administration has the opportunity to resolve more than 50 years of failed, racially discriminatory marijuana policy.”Federal drug policy has lagged behind many states in recent years, with 38 having already legalized medical marijuana and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-marijuana-legalization-election-2023-6d15efb27fdcd41e7364f2b7cd3177f4">24 legalizing its recreational use</a>.That’s helped fuel fast growth in the marijuana industry, with an estimated worth of nearly $30 billion. Easing federal regulations could reduce the tax burden that can be 70% or more for businesses, according to industry groups. It could also make it easier to research marijuana, since it’s very difficult to conduct authorized clinical studies on Schedule I substances.The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation’s criminal justice system would likely be more muted, since federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years.But loosening restrictions could carry a host of unintended consequences in the drug war and beyond.Critics point out that as a Schedule III drug, marijuana would remain regulated by the DEA. That means the roughly 15,000 cannabis dispensaries in the U.S. would have to register with the DEA like regular pharmacies and fulfill strict reporting requirements, something that they are loath to do and that the DEA is ill equipped to handleThen there’s the United States' international treaty obligations, chief among them the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which requires the criminalization of cannabis. In 2016, during the Obama administration, the DEA cited the U.S.’ international obligations and the findings of a federal court of appeals in Washington in denying a similar request to reschedule marijuana.___

Biden administration plans to reclassify marijuana, easing restrictions nationwide

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/leaders-celebrate-nebraskas-ongoing-interstate-80-expansion-as-economic-boon/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and other state leaders Monday celebrated the ongoing Interstate 80 expansion between Lincoln and Pleasant Dale as an economic boon.

Vicki Kramer, director of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, said the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/tjdm1the/4-i80-mpd-grant.pdf">three-year I-80 project</a>, which began earlier this month, includes expanding from two lanes in each direction to three. The project has been in the works for decades and is designed to increase mobility. It is the largest planned transportation project for the 2024 construction season.

“If anybody’s coming in from Grand Island, they know how difficult it gets the closer you get to Lincoln — the congestion, the truck traffic —&nbsp;it gets dangerous,” Kramer said. “Safety is of the utmost importance to us, and it will be the main component of this project.”

In addition to lane expansion, the project will include other Interstate and rest area improvements at the US-6 and 192nd Street interchange and the West Dodge Road interchange in Omaha as well as a new roundabout at Highway 77 near Wahoo.

Kramer said work on the first 17 or so miles of the project is already underway.

Pillen said Nebraskans all agree on former President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/online-documents/interstate-highway-system">vision of interstate commerce</a>, which “was extraordinary and transformed our country of economic vitality.”

In 1974, after 17 years of construction, Nebraska became the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/bwgkpuzh/interstate-history-bk.pdf">first state to complete its portion of I-80</a>&nbsp;from east to west, Pillen noted: a 455-mile stretch of road at a cost of $435 million.

State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, whose district includes NW 56th Street where the project kicks off in west Lincoln, said one of the top issues he hears from constituents is infrastructure. He said the expansion will grow Nebraska, propel its future and enhance market capabilities.

“This project is going to be a game changer for my community,” Ballard told the Nebraska Examiner. “This will not only benefit safety and convenience but also be beneficial for quality of life.”

Chris Hawkins, CEO and president of Hawkins Construction, said that after years of programming and design, the state can celebrate as his crews get to work.

“For Hawkins, we’re just starting,” Hawkins said. “I’ll save the celebration until this project is successfully completed, which it will be.”

Traffic is not expected to be significantly impacted, though Kramer noted it is a heavily congested area, so night work and other approaches will be used to prioritize safety.

Pillen encouraged Nebraskans to “really slow down, tap the brakes” and use common sense as construction season progresses.

“Take a breath. Slow down when you see construction. And abide by all the signs,” Pillen said. “We’ll get there, just slow it down and be extra, extra safe.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714488553667.jpeg" alt="Gov. Jim Pillen, at right, leads a news conference celebrating Nebraska’s Interstate 80 expansion project and other Interstate and rest area improvements Monday, April 29, 2024, in Lincoln. He is joined, from left, by Director Vicki Kramer of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln and Chris Hawkins of Hawkins Construction. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Jim Pillen, at right, leads a news conference celebrating Nebraska’s Interstate 80 expansion project and other Interstate and rest area improvements Monday, April 29, 2024, in Lincoln. He is joined, from left, by Director Vicki Kramer of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln and Chris Hawkins of Hawkins Construction. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/leaders-celebrate-nebraskas-ongoing-interstate-80-expansion-as-economic-boon/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and other state leaders Monday celebrated the ongoing Interstate 80 expansion between Lincoln and Pleasant Dale as an economic boon.Vicki Kramer, director of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, said the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/tjdm1the/4-i80-mpd-grant.pdf">three-year I-80 project</a>, which began earlier this month, includes expanding from two lanes in each direction to three. The project has been in the works for decades and is designed to increase mobility. It is the largest planned transportation project for the 2024 construction season.“If anybody’s coming in from Grand Island, they know how difficult it gets the closer you get to Lincoln — the congestion, the truck traffic —&nbsp;it gets dangerous,” Kramer said. “Safety is of the utmost importance to us, and it will be the main component of this project.”In addition to lane expansion, the project will include other Interstate and rest area improvements at the US-6 and 192nd Street interchange and the West Dodge Road interchange in Omaha as well as a new roundabout at Highway 77 near Wahoo.Kramer said work on the first 17 or so miles of the project is already underway.Pillen said Nebraskans all agree on former President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/online-documents/interstate-highway-system">vision of interstate commerce</a>, which “was extraordinary and transformed our country of economic vitality.”In 1974, after 17 years of construction, Nebraska became the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/bwgkpuzh/interstate-history-bk.pdf">first state to complete its portion of I-80</a>&nbsp;from east to west, Pillen noted: a 455-mile stretch of road at a cost of $435 million.State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, whose district includes NW 56th Street where the project kicks off in west Lincoln, said one of the top issues he hears from constituents is infrastructure. He said the expansion will grow Nebraska, propel its future and enhance market capabilities.“This project is going to be a game changer for my community,” Ballard told the Nebraska Examiner. “This will not only benefit safety and convenience but also be beneficial for quality of life.”Chris Hawkins, CEO and president of Hawkins Construction, said that after years of programming and design, the state can celebrate as his crews get to work.“For Hawkins, we’re just starting,” Hawkins said. “I’ll save the celebration until this project is successfully completed, which it will be.”Traffic is not expected to be significantly impacted, though Kramer noted it is a heavily congested area, so night work and other approaches will be used to prioritize safety.Pillen encouraged Nebraskans to “really slow down, tap the brakes” and use common sense as construction season progresses.“Take a breath. Slow down when you see construction. And abide by all the signs,” Pillen said. “We’ll get there, just slow it down and be extra, extra safe.”

Leaders celebrate Nebraska’s ongoing Interstate 80 expansion as economic boon

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined $9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.

Prosecutors had alleged 10 violations, but New York Judge Juan M. Merchan found there were nine. The ruling was a stinging rebuke for the presumptive Republican nominee, who had insisted he was exercising his free speech rights. Trump stared down at the table in front of him as the judge read the ruling, frowning slightly.

Merchan wrote that he is “keenly aware of, and protective of,” Trump’s First Amendment rights, “particularly given his candidacy for the office of President of the United States.”

“It is critically important that defendant’s legitimate free speech rights not be curtailed, that he be able to fully campaign for the office which he seeks and that he be able to respond and defend himself against political attacks,” Merchan wrote.

Still, he warned, that the court would not tolerate "willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.”

The ruling came at the start of the second week of testimony in the historic case. Manhattan prosecutors say Trump and his associates took part in an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential campaign by burying negative stories. He has pleaded not guilty.

Trump was ordered to pay the fine by the close of business Friday, Merchan ruled, and he must remove seven offending posts from his Truth Social account and two from his campaign website by 2:15 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Merchan said. The judge is also weighing other alleged gag order violations by Trump and will hear arguments Thursday.

Of the 10 posts, the one Merchan ruled was not a violation came on April 10, a post referring to witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels as “sleaze bags." Merchan said Trump’s contention that he was responding to previous posts by Cohen “is sufficient to give” him pause on whether the post was a violation.

Among those he found to be violations, Merchan ruled that a Trump post quoting Fox News host Jesse Watters’ claim that liberal activists were lying to infiltrate the jury “constitutes a clear violation” of the gag order. Merchan noted that the words contained within the quotation marks in Trump’s April 17 post misstated what Watters actually said.

“Thus, in this court’s view, this post constitutes the words of defendant himself,” Merchan wrote.

Merchan cautioned that the gag order “not be used as a sword instead of a shield by potential witnesses” and that if people who are protected by the order, like Cohen, continue to attack Trump “it becomes apparent” they don’t need the gag order’s protection. Cohen has said he will refrain from commenting about Trump until after he testifies at the trial.

Meanwhile, testimony resumed Tuesday with Gary Farro, a banker who helped Cohen, Trump's former attorney, open accounts, including one that Cohen used to buy the silence of porn performer Stormy Daniels. She alleged a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, which he denies.

Jurors so far have heard from two other witnesses. Trump’s former longtime executive assistant, Rhona Graff, recounted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">she recalled once seeing Daniels at Trump's office suite</a>&nbsp;in Trump Tower and figured she was a potential contestant for one of Trump’s “Apprentice”-brand shows.

Former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-national-enquirer-d44d4a7ce66cc08edb5981b3afb882ba">National Enquirer publisher David Pecker</a>&nbsp;laid out how he agreed to serve as the Trump campaign's “eyes and ears” by helping to squelch unflattering rumors and claims about Trump and women.

Through detailed testimony on email exchanges, business transactions and bank accounts, prosecutors are forming the foundation of their argument that Trump is guilty of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts of falsifying business records</a>&nbsp;in connection with the hush money payments. The prosecution is leading up to crucial testimony from Cohen himself, who went to federal prison after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-michael-cohen-74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64">pleading guilty to campaign finance violations</a>&nbsp;and other crimes. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.

It's unclear when Cohen will take the stand; the trial is expected to go on another month or more. And with every moment Trump is in court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">as the first of his four criminal trials plays out</a>, he's growing increasingly frustrated while the November election moves ever closer.

For his part, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee has been campaigning in his off-hours, but is required to be in court when it is in session, four days a week. Outside the courtroom Tuesday, Trump criticized prosecutors again.

“This is a case that should have never been brought,” he said.

Prosecutors used Pecker, Trump's longtime friend, to detail a “catch-and-kill” arrangement in which he collected seamy stories about the candidate so the National Enquirer or Trump's associates could buy and bury the claims.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-national-enquirer-1dd3c3111febf219bdf1d8627504a3c5">Pecker described how he paid $180,000</a>&nbsp;to scoop up and sit on stories from a doorman and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. He didn't involve himself in the Daniels payout, he said. He testified for parts of four days.

Trump says all the stories were false. His attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">used cross-examination to suggest Trump</a>&nbsp;was really engaged in an effort to protect his name and his family — not to influence the outcome of the presidential election.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">Farro first took the stand Friday</a>. While a senior managing director at First Republic Bank, he was assigned to work with Trump's lawyer for about three years, in part because of his “ability to handle individuals who may be a little challenging," Farro said, adding that he didn't find Cohen difficult.

Farro detailed to jurors the process of helping Cohen create accounts for two limited-liability companies — corporate-speak for a business account that protects the person behind the account from liability, debt and other issues. Farro testified that Cohen indicated the companies, Resolution Consultants LLC and Essential Consultants LLC, would be involved in real estate consulting.

Prosecutors showed jurors emails in which Cohen describes the opening of the Resolution Consultants account as an “important matter.”

Cohen acknowledged when he pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 that it had been formed to send money to American Media Inc., the Enquirer publisher. It was meant as a payback for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-criminal-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-5fdc819697a76536ed83cbf28d4a523c">their purchase of McDougal's story.</a>&nbsp;But the deal never went through.

Farro said that since the account was never funded, it was never technically opened. Instead, Cohen pivoted to starting up the Essential Consultants account, which he later used to pay Daniels $130,000.

When asked whether Cohen seemed anxious to get the bank accounts set up, Farro testified: “Every time Michael Cohen spoke to me, he gave a sense of urgency.”

Farro told the 12-person panel that the bank’s policy prohibited doing business with entities tied to “adult entertainment,” including pornography and strip clubs. Trump’s lawyers have not yet had a chance to cross-examine Farro.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713921168558.png" alt="File-Trump was ordered to pay the fine by the close of business Friday-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File-Trump was ordered to pay the fine by the close of business Friday-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined $9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.Prosecutors had alleged 10 violations, but New York Judge Juan M. Merchan found there were nine. The ruling was a stinging rebuke for the presumptive Republican nominee, who had insisted he was exercising his free speech rights. Trump stared down at the table in front of him as the judge read the ruling, frowning slightly.Merchan wrote that he is “keenly aware of, and protective of,” Trump’s First Amendment rights, “particularly given his candidacy for the office of President of the United States.”“It is critically important that defendant’s legitimate free speech rights not be curtailed, that he be able to fully campaign for the office which he seeks and that he be able to respond and defend himself against political attacks,” Merchan wrote.Still, he warned, that the court would not tolerate "willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.”The ruling came at the start of the second week of testimony in the historic case. Manhattan prosecutors say Trump and his associates took part in an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential campaign by burying negative stories. He has pleaded not guilty.Trump was ordered to pay the fine by the close of business Friday, Merchan ruled, and he must remove seven offending posts from his Truth Social account and two from his campaign website by 2:15 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Merchan said. The judge is also weighing other alleged gag order violations by Trump and will hear arguments Thursday.Of the 10 posts, the one Merchan ruled was not a violation came on April 10, a post referring to witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels as “sleaze bags." Merchan said Trump’s contention that he was responding to previous posts by Cohen “is sufficient to give” him pause on whether the post was a violation.Among those he found to be violations, Merchan ruled that a Trump post quoting Fox News host Jesse Watters’ claim that liberal activists were lying to infiltrate the jury “constitutes a clear violation” of the gag order. Merchan noted that the words contained within the quotation marks in Trump’s April 17 post misstated what Watters actually said.“Thus, in this court’s view, this post constitutes the words of defendant himself,” Merchan wrote.Merchan cautioned that the gag order “not be used as a sword instead of a shield by potential witnesses” and that if people who are protected by the order, like Cohen, continue to attack Trump “it becomes apparent” they don’t need the gag order’s protection. Cohen has said he will refrain from commenting about Trump until after he testifies at the trial.Meanwhile, testimony resumed Tuesday with Gary Farro, a banker who helped Cohen, Trump's former attorney, open accounts, including one that Cohen used to buy the silence of porn performer Stormy Daniels. She alleged a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, which he denies.Jurors so far have heard from two other witnesses. Trump’s former longtime executive assistant, Rhona Graff, recounted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">she recalled once seeing Daniels at Trump's office suite</a>&nbsp;in Trump Tower and figured she was a potential contestant for one of Trump’s “Apprentice”-brand shows.Former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-national-enquirer-d44d4a7ce66cc08edb5981b3afb882ba">National Enquirer publisher David Pecker</a>&nbsp;laid out how he agreed to serve as the Trump campaign's “eyes and ears” by helping to squelch unflattering rumors and claims about Trump and women.Through detailed testimony on email exchanges, business transactions and bank accounts, prosecutors are forming the foundation of their argument that Trump is guilty of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts of falsifying business records</a>&nbsp;in connection with the hush money payments. The prosecution is leading up to crucial testimony from Cohen himself, who went to federal prison after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-michael-cohen-74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64">pleading guilty to campaign finance violations</a>&nbsp;and other crimes. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.It's unclear when Cohen will take the stand; the trial is expected to go on another month or more. And with every moment Trump is in court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">as the first of his four criminal trials plays out</a>, he's growing increasingly frustrated while the November election moves ever closer.For his part, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee has been campaigning in his off-hours, but is required to be in court when it is in session, four days a week. Outside the courtroom Tuesday, Trump criticized prosecutors again.“This is a case that should have never been brought,” he said.Prosecutors used Pecker, Trump's longtime friend, to detail a “catch-and-kill” arrangement in which he collected seamy stories about the candidate so the National Enquirer or Trump's associates could buy and bury the claims.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-national-enquirer-1dd3c3111febf219bdf1d8627504a3c5">Pecker described how he paid $180,000</a>&nbsp;to scoop up and sit on stories from a doorman and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. He didn't involve himself in the Daniels payout, he said. He testified for parts of four days.Trump says all the stories were false. His attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">used cross-examination to suggest Trump</a>&nbsp;was really engaged in an effort to protect his name and his family — not to influence the outcome of the presidential election.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-david-pecker-868e6b9d30a039d5009ec6a9d7e96ff7">Farro first took the stand Friday</a>. While a senior managing director at First Republic Bank, he was assigned to work with Trump's lawyer for about three years, in part because of his “ability to handle individuals who may be a little challenging," Farro said, adding that he didn't find Cohen difficult.Farro detailed to jurors the process of helping Cohen create accounts for two limited-liability companies — corporate-speak for a business account that protects the person behind the account from liability, debt and other issues. Farro testified that Cohen indicated the companies, Resolution Consultants LLC and Essential Consultants LLC, would be involved in real estate consulting.Prosecutors showed jurors emails in which Cohen describes the opening of the Resolution Consultants account as an “important matter.”Cohen acknowledged when he pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 that it had been formed to send money to American Media Inc., the Enquirer publisher. It was meant as a payback for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-criminal-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-5fdc819697a76536ed83cbf28d4a523c">their purchase of McDougal's story.</a>&nbsp;But the deal never went through.Farro said that since the account was never funded, it was never technically opened. Instead, Cohen pivoted to starting up the Essential Consultants account, which he later used to pay Daniels $130,000.When asked whether Cohen seemed anxious to get the bank accounts set up, Farro testified: “Every time Michael Cohen spoke to me, he gave a sense of urgency.”Farro told the 12-person panel that the bank’s policy prohibited doing business with entities tied to “adult entertainment,” including pornography and strip clubs. Trump’s lawyers have not yet had a chance to cross-examine Farro.

Judge fines Trump thousands over violating gag order

(ELKHORN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Governor Jim Pillen and Colonel John Bolduc flew with the Nebraska State Patrol Aviation Support Unit on Monday to survey damage caused by tornadoes Friday in eastern Nebraska.

During today’s helicopter flight, Governor Pillen was able to view some of the same areas of damage he saw from the ground on Saturday. Several hundred homes suffered significant damage or were destroyed during the storms, which dropped multiple tornadoes in several Nebraska counties.&nbsp;<a>Only minor injuries have been reported in Nebraska as a result of these storms.</a>

Photos from Monday's flight are posted on Nebraska State Patrol social media pages:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/nestatepatrol" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.instagram.com/nestatepatrol" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.x.com/nestatepatrol" target="_blank">X</a>.

NSP pilots were also able to provide Douglas County officials with an aerial view of damage in western Douglas County during separate flights Monday afternoon.

Troopers continue to provide additional patrols in the Elkhorn area in partnership with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Omaha Police Department. Anyone seeking to volunteer in recovery efforts should reach out to&nbsp;<a href="https://rapidresponseamerica.org/" target="_blank">Omaha Rapid Response</a>&nbsp;to find out the most effective way to help.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714486954188.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State Patrol(ELKHORN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Governor Jim Pillen and Colonel John Bolduc flew with the Nebraska State Patrol Aviation Support Unit on Monday to survey damage caused by tornadoes Friday in eastern Nebraska.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714487065036.jpeg" alt="Governor Pillen and Colonel Bolduc (Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)" />
 <figcaption>Governor Pillen and Colonel Bolduc (Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)</figcaption>
 </figure>During today’s helicopter flight, Governor Pillen was able to view some of the same areas of damage he saw from the ground on Saturday. Several hundred homes suffered significant damage or were destroyed during the storms, which dropped multiple tornadoes in several Nebraska counties.&nbsp;<a>Only minor injuries have been reported in Nebraska as a result of these storms.</a><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6u1vR5gTTcQ?si=nmxSzaHanKaND47S" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Photos from Monday's flight are posted on Nebraska State Patrol social media pages:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/nestatepatrol" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.instagram.com/nestatepatrol" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.x.com/nestatepatrol" target="_blank">X</a>.NSP pilots were also able to provide Douglas County officials with an aerial view of damage in western Douglas County during separate flights Monday afternoon.Troopers continue to provide additional patrols in the Elkhorn area in partnership with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Omaha Police Department. Anyone seeking to volunteer in recovery efforts should reach out to&nbsp;<a href="https://rapidresponseamerica.org/" target="_blank">Omaha Rapid Response</a>&nbsp;to find out the most effective way to help.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714487186723.jpeg" alt="Washington County (Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)" />
 <figcaption>Washington County (Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)</figcaption>
 </figure>

Governor, NSP Colonel Survey Tornado Damage via NSP Helicopter

The UNMC College of Medicine is seeking a regional associate dean of medicine as it prepares for the first cohort of medical students to be accepted at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

The inaugural regional associate dean of medicine, who will be based on the Kearney campus, will play a pivotal role in establishing a regional medical school campus in Kearney, said Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine.

“As the college works to improve the health of Nebraskans throughout the state by beginning to train medical students at UNK, a great leader will be critical,” Dr. Britigan said. “This individual will&nbsp;foster ongoing relationships with stakeholders throughout the region, including those at the governmental, philanthropic, community and health system levels.”

The first medical class will begin matriculating at Kearney in August 2026, and Dr. Britigan said UNMC leaders hope to have the new regional dean in place quickly.

“This leader will&nbsp;provide primary oversight for development, implementation, sustainment and improvement of the college’s academic and medical education activities on the Kearney campus, including local faculty, staff and training at regional medical facilities and offices,” Dr. Britigan said. “It is a challenging role that provides an opportunity to make a foundational impact and change the face of health care in central and rural Nebraska.&nbsp;We are excited to find the perfect leader for this important position.

The regional associate dean will report to the dean of the UNMC College of Medicine and will work closely with other senior college leaders. Educational or leadership experience is preferred.&nbsp;

<a href="https://unmc.peopleadmin.com/postings/84739" target="_blank">See further information or apply,</a>&nbsp;or contact Geoffrey Talmon, MD, associate dean for medical education,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gtalmon@unmc.edu" target="_blank">via email</a>. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but the initial review of applications will occur on or after May 31. Applications received after May 31 may not receive full consideration. &nbsp;

UNMCThe UNMC College of Medicine is seeking a regional associate dean of medicine as it prepares for the first cohort of medical students to be accepted at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.The inaugural regional associate dean of medicine, who will be based on the Kearney campus, will play a pivotal role in establishing a regional medical school campus in Kearney, said Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine.“As the college works to improve the health of Nebraskans throughout the state by beginning to train medical students at UNK, a great leader will be critical,” Dr. Britigan said. “This individual will&nbsp;foster ongoing relationships with stakeholders throughout the region, including those at the governmental, philanthropic, community and health system levels.”The first medical class will begin matriculating at Kearney in August 2026, and Dr. Britigan said UNMC leaders hope to have the new regional dean in place quickly.“This leader will&nbsp;provide primary oversight for development, implementation, sustainment and improvement of the college’s academic and medical education activities on the Kearney campus, including local faculty, staff and training at regional medical facilities and offices,” Dr. Britigan said. “It is a challenging role that provides an opportunity to make a foundational impact and change the face of health care in central and rural Nebraska.&nbsp;We are excited to find the perfect leader for this important position.The regional associate dean will report to the dean of the UNMC College of Medicine and will work closely with other senior college leaders. Educational or leadership experience is preferred.&nbsp;<a href="https://unmc.peopleadmin.com/postings/84739" target="_blank">See further information or apply,</a>&nbsp;or contact Geoffrey Talmon, MD, associate dean for medical education,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gtalmon@unmc.edu" target="_blank">via email</a>. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but the initial review of applications will occur on or after May 31. Applications received after May 31 may not receive full consideration. &nbsp;

UNMC seeking leader for Kearney medical school expansion

JERUSALEM (AP) — A U.S. Navy ship and several Army vessels involved in an American-led effort to bring more aid into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-aid-port-eb8a701b3a7dc8f946422c04323ff913">the besieged Gaza Strip are offshore</a>&nbsp;of the enclave and building out a floating platform for the operation that the Pentagon has said will cost at least $320 million.

Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters the cost is a rough estimate for the project and includes the transportation of the equipment and pier sections from the United States to the coast of Gaza, as well as the construction and aid delivery operations.

Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press on Tuesday show the USNS Roy P. Benavidez about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the port on shore, where the base of operations for the project is being built by the Israeli military. The USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr., an Army logistics vessel, and several other Army boats are with the Benavidez and working on the construction of what the military calls the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, system.

Satellite images from Sunday and Monday by Planet Labs PBC showed pieces of the floating pier in the Mediterranean Sea, alongside the Benavidez. Measurements of the vessel match known features of the Benavidez, a Bob Hope-class vehicle cargo ship operated by the Military Sealift Command.

A U.S. military official confirmed late last week that the Benavidez had begun construction and that it was far enough off shore to ensure that the troops building the platform would be safe. Singh said on Monday that next will come the construction of the causeway, which will then be anchored to the beach.

The U.S. military’s Central Command early Tuesday published images of the floating pier’s construction online, after the AP’s publication of the satellite photos.

“The pier will support USAID and humanitarian partners to receive and deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” the statement on the social platform X said.

U.S. and Israeli officials have said they hope to have the floating pier in place, the causeway attached to the shore and operations underway by early May. The Pentagon said on Monday the operation will cost at least $320 million. The cost was first reported by Reuters.

Under the plan by the U.S. military, aid will be loaded onto commercial ships in Cyprus to sail to the floating platform now under construction off Gaza. The pallets will be loaded onto trucks, which will be loaded onto smaller ships that will travel to a metal, floating two-lane causeway. The 550-meter (1,800-foot) causeway will be attached to the shore by the Israeli Defense Forces.

The U.S. military official said an American Army engineering unit has teamed with an Israeli military engineering unit in recent weeks to practice the installation of the causeway, training on an Israeli beach just up the coast.

The new port sits southwest of Gaza City and a bit north of a road bisecting Gaza that the Israeli military built during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">current war against Hamas</a>. The area was the territory’s most populous before the Israeli ground offensive rolled through and pushed more than 1 million people south toward the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt.

Now Israeli military positions are on either side of the port, which initially had been built — as part of an effort led by World Central Kitchen — out of the rubble of buildings leveled by Israel. That effort halted after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-central-kitchen-jose-andres-gaza-israel-a21b62edbfa1150d0eb78ed5597a03c8">an Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers</a>&nbsp;on April 1 as they traveled in clearly marked vehicles on a delivery mission authorized by Israel. The organization says it is resuming its work in Gaza.

Aid has been slow to get into Gaza, with long backups of trucks awaiting Israeli inspections. The U.S. and other nations also have used air drops to send food into Gaza. The U.S. military official said deliveries on the sea route initially will total about 90 trucks a day and could quickly increase to about 150 trucks daily.

Aid organizations have said several hundred such trucks are needed to enter Gaza every day.

In the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage, Israel cut off or heavily restricted food, water, medicine, electricity and other aid from entering the Gaza Strip. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-israel-hamas-war-gaza-saudi-arabia-c0425791dc59e745021d3dd726dc8f09">pressure from the U.S. and others</a>, Israel says the situation is improving, though United Nations agencies have said much more aid needs to enter.

Gaza, slightly more than twice the size of the city of Washington and home to 2.3 million people, has found itself on the brink of famine. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the fighting began, local health authorities say.

On Sunday, Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the amount of aid going into Gaza would continue to scale up.

“This temporary pier will provide a ship-to-shore distribution system that will further increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he said in a statement.

However, high-ranking Hamas political official&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-khalil-alhayya-qatar-ceasefire-1967-borders-4912532b11a9cec29464eab234045438">Khalil al-Hayya told the AP</a>&nbsp;last week that the group would consider Israeli forces — or forces from any other country — stationed by the pier to guard it as “an occupying force and aggression,” and that the militant group would resist it.

On Wednesday, a mortar attack targeted the port site, though no one was hurt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714471004272.png" alt="Photos U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photos U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — A U.S. Navy ship and several Army vessels involved in an American-led effort to bring more aid into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-aid-port-eb8a701b3a7dc8f946422c04323ff913">the besieged Gaza Strip are offshore</a>&nbsp;of the enclave and building out a floating platform for the operation that the Pentagon has said will cost at least $320 million.Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters the cost is a rough estimate for the project and includes the transportation of the equipment and pier sections from the United States to the coast of Gaza, as well as the construction and aid delivery operations.Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press on Tuesday show the USNS Roy P. Benavidez about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the port on shore, where the base of operations for the project is being built by the Israeli military. The USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr., an Army logistics vessel, and several other Army boats are with the Benavidez and working on the construction of what the military calls the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, system.Satellite images from Sunday and Monday by Planet Labs PBC showed pieces of the floating pier in the Mediterranean Sea, alongside the Benavidez. Measurements of the vessel match known features of the Benavidez, a Bob Hope-class vehicle cargo ship operated by the Military Sealift Command.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714471132275.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A U.S. military official confirmed late last week that the Benavidez had begun construction and that it was far enough off shore to ensure that the troops building the platform would be safe. Singh said on Monday that next will come the construction of the causeway, which will then be anchored to the beach.The U.S. military’s Central Command early Tuesday published images of the floating pier’s construction online, after the AP’s publication of the satellite photos.“The pier will support USAID and humanitarian partners to receive and deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” the statement on the social platform X said.U.S. and Israeli officials have said they hope to have the floating pier in place, the causeway attached to the shore and operations underway by early May. The Pentagon said on Monday the operation will cost at least $320 million. The cost was first reported by Reuters.Under the plan by the U.S. military, aid will be loaded onto commercial ships in Cyprus to sail to the floating platform now under construction off Gaza. The pallets will be loaded onto trucks, which will be loaded onto smaller ships that will travel to a metal, floating two-lane causeway. The 550-meter (1,800-foot) causeway will be attached to the shore by the Israeli Defense Forces.The U.S. military official said an American Army engineering unit has teamed with an Israeli military engineering unit in recent weeks to practice the installation of the causeway, training on an Israeli beach just up the coast.The new port sits southwest of Gaza City and a bit north of a road bisecting Gaza that the Israeli military built during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">current war against Hamas</a>. The area was the territory’s most populous before the Israeli ground offensive rolled through and pushed more than 1 million people south toward the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt.Now Israeli military positions are on either side of the port, which initially had been built — as part of an effort led by World Central Kitchen — out of the rubble of buildings leveled by Israel. That effort halted after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-central-kitchen-jose-andres-gaza-israel-a21b62edbfa1150d0eb78ed5597a03c8">an Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers</a>&nbsp;on April 1 as they traveled in clearly marked vehicles on a delivery mission authorized by Israel. The organization says it is resuming its work in Gaza.Aid has been slow to get into Gaza, with long backups of trucks awaiting Israeli inspections. The U.S. and other nations also have used air drops to send food into Gaza. The U.S. military official said deliveries on the sea route initially will total about 90 trucks a day and could quickly increase to about 150 trucks daily.Aid organizations have said several hundred such trucks are needed to enter Gaza every day.In the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage, Israel cut off or heavily restricted food, water, medicine, electricity and other aid from entering the Gaza Strip. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-israel-hamas-war-gaza-saudi-arabia-c0425791dc59e745021d3dd726dc8f09">pressure from the U.S. and others</a>, Israel says the situation is improving, though United Nations agencies have said much more aid needs to enter.Gaza, slightly more than twice the size of the city of Washington and home to 2.3 million people, has found itself on the brink of famine. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the fighting began, local health authorities say.On Sunday, Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the amount of aid going into Gaza would continue to scale up.“This temporary pier will provide a ship-to-shore distribution system that will further increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he said in a statement.However, high-ranking Hamas political official&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-khalil-alhayya-qatar-ceasefire-1967-borders-4912532b11a9cec29464eab234045438">Khalil al-Hayya told the AP</a>&nbsp;last week that the group would consider Israeli forces — or forces from any other country — stationed by the pier to guard it as “an occupying force and aggression,” and that the militant group would resist it.On Wednesday, a mortar attack targeted the port site, though no one was hurt.

US military working to build $320M pier for Gaza aid

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A real estate company owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to pay $250 million to settle lawsuits nationwide claiming that longstanding practices by real estate brokerages forced U.S. homeowners to pay artificially inflated broker commissions when they sold their homes.

HomeServices of America said Friday that the proposed settlement would shield its 51 brands, nearly 70,000 real estate agents and over 300 franchisees from similar litigation.

The real estate company had been a major holdout after several other big brokerage operators, including Keller Williams Realty, Re/Max, Compass and Anywhere Real Estate, agreed to settle. Last month, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-association-of-realtors-agent-commissions-lawsuits-d62a66cb80639be3c4c3b429053a22c5">National Association of Realtors agreed to pay $418 million</a>.

“While we have always been confident in the legality and ethics of our business practices, the decision to settle was driven by a desire to eliminate the uncertainty brought by the protracted appellate and litigation process,” the company said in a statement.

HomeServices said its proposed settlement payout represents a current after-tax accounting charge of about $140 million, though it will have four years to pay the full amount. The real estate company also noted that its parent company is not part of the settlement.

Buffett said in February in his annual letter to shareholders that Berkshire had $167.6 billion cash on hand at the end of last year. That makes Berkshire, which is based in Omaha, Nebraska, an attractive target for litigation, but the company largely lets its subsidiaries run themselves and doesn’t directly intervene in litigation involving its many companies, which include Geico insurance, BNSF railroad and See’s Candy.

Including HomeServices' proposed payout, the real estate industry has now agreed to pay more than $943 million to make the lawsuits go away.

“This is another significant settlement for American home sellers who have been saddled with paying billions in unnecessary commission costs," Benjamin Brown, managing partner at one of the law firms that represented plaintiffs in a case filed in Illinois, said in a statement.

The lawsuits' central claim is that the country’s biggest real estate brokerages and the NAR violated antitrust laws by engaging in business practices that required home sellers to pay the fees for the broker representing the buyer.

Attorneys representing home sellers in multiple states argued that homeowners who listed a property for sale on real estate industry databases were required to include a compensation offer for an agent representing a buyer. And that not including such “cooperative compensation” offers might lead a buyer’s agent to steer their client away from any seller’s listing that didn’t include such an offer.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nar-real-estate-commission-real-estate-agent-6dadde0d51cc63b9fd568a58f95610d8">In October, a federal jury in Missouri</a>&nbsp;ordered that HomeServices, the National Association of Realtors and several other large real estate brokerages pay nearly $1.8 billion in damages. The defendants were facing potentially having to pay more than $5 billion, if treble damages were awarded.

The verdict in that case, which was filed in 2019 on behalf of 500,000 home sellers in Missouri and elsewhere, led to multiple similar lawsuits being filed against the real estate brokerage industry.

The major brokerages that have reached proposed settlements in these cases have also agreed to change their business practices to ensure homebuyers and sellers can more easily understand how brokers and agents are compensated for their services, and that brokers and agents who represent homebuyers must disclose right away any offer of compensation by the broker representing a seller.

HomeServices said it also agreed to make “substantially similar new or amended business practice changes that have been included in the other corporate defendant settlement agreements,” said Chris Kelly, a HomeServices spokesperson.

NAR also agreed to make several policy changes, including prohibiting brokers who list a home for sale on any of the databases affiliated with the NAR from including offers of compensation for a buyer’s representative.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/real-estate-agent-commissions-home-sales-nar-0379e6256bba2eac86184ed73878f7b6">The new rules,</a>&nbsp;which are set to go into effect in July, represent a major change to the way real estate agents have operated going back to the 1990s.

While many housing market watchers say it’s too soon to tell how the policy changes will affect home sales, they could lead to home sellers paying lower commissions for their broker's services. Buyers, in turn, may have to shoulder more upfront costs when they hire an agent to represent them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714414768839.jpeg" alt="A for sale sign is posted in front of a home in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 3, 2022. HomeServices of America, a real estate company owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, has agreed to pay $250 million to settle lawsuits nationwide claiming that longstanding practices by real estate brokerages forced U.S. homeowners to pay artificially inflated broker commissions when they sold their homes. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)" />
 <figcaption>A for sale sign is posted in front of a home in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 3, 2022. HomeServices of America, a real estate company owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, has agreed to pay $250 million to settle lawsuits nationwide claiming that longstanding practices by real estate brokerages forced U.S. homeowners to pay artificially inflated broker commissions when they sold their homes. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — A real estate company owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to pay $250 million to settle lawsuits nationwide claiming that longstanding practices by real estate brokerages forced U.S. homeowners to pay artificially inflated broker commissions when they sold their homes.HomeServices of America said Friday that the proposed settlement would shield its 51 brands, nearly 70,000 real estate agents and over 300 franchisees from similar litigation.The real estate company had been a major holdout after several other big brokerage operators, including Keller Williams Realty, Re/Max, Compass and Anywhere Real Estate, agreed to settle. Last month, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-association-of-realtors-agent-commissions-lawsuits-d62a66cb80639be3c4c3b429053a22c5">National Association of Realtors agreed to pay $418 million</a>.“While we have always been confident in the legality and ethics of our business practices, the decision to settle was driven by a desire to eliminate the uncertainty brought by the protracted appellate and litigation process,” the company said in a statement.HomeServices said its proposed settlement payout represents a current after-tax accounting charge of about $140 million, though it will have four years to pay the full amount. The real estate company also noted that its parent company is not part of the settlement.Buffett said in February in his annual letter to shareholders that Berkshire had $167.6 billion cash on hand at the end of last year. That makes Berkshire, which is based in Omaha, Nebraska, an attractive target for litigation, but the company largely lets its subsidiaries run themselves and doesn’t directly intervene in litigation involving its many companies, which include Geico insurance, BNSF railroad and See’s Candy.Including HomeServices' proposed payout, the real estate industry has now agreed to pay more than $943 million to make the lawsuits go away.“This is another significant settlement for American home sellers who have been saddled with paying billions in unnecessary commission costs," Benjamin Brown, managing partner at one of the law firms that represented plaintiffs in a case filed in Illinois, said in a statement.The lawsuits' central claim is that the country’s biggest real estate brokerages and the NAR violated antitrust laws by engaging in business practices that required home sellers to pay the fees for the broker representing the buyer.Attorneys representing home sellers in multiple states argued that homeowners who listed a property for sale on real estate industry databases were required to include a compensation offer for an agent representing a buyer. And that not including such “cooperative compensation” offers might lead a buyer’s agent to steer their client away from any seller’s listing that didn’t include such an offer.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nar-real-estate-commission-real-estate-agent-6dadde0d51cc63b9fd568a58f95610d8">In October, a federal jury in Missouri</a>&nbsp;ordered that HomeServices, the National Association of Realtors and several other large real estate brokerages pay nearly $1.8 billion in damages. The defendants were facing potentially having to pay more than $5 billion, if treble damages were awarded.The verdict in that case, which was filed in 2019 on behalf of 500,000 home sellers in Missouri and elsewhere, led to multiple similar lawsuits being filed against the real estate brokerage industry.The major brokerages that have reached proposed settlements in these cases have also agreed to change their business practices to ensure homebuyers and sellers can more easily understand how brokers and agents are compensated for their services, and that brokers and agents who represent homebuyers must disclose right away any offer of compensation by the broker representing a seller.HomeServices said it also agreed to make “substantially similar new or amended business practice changes that have been included in the other corporate defendant settlement agreements,” said Chris Kelly, a HomeServices spokesperson.NAR also agreed to make several policy changes, including prohibiting brokers who list a home for sale on any of the databases affiliated with the NAR from including offers of compensation for a buyer’s representative.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/real-estate-agent-commissions-home-sales-nar-0379e6256bba2eac86184ed73878f7b6">The new rules,</a>&nbsp;which are set to go into effect in July, represent a major change to the way real estate agents have operated going back to the 1990s.While many housing market watchers say it’s too soon to tell how the policy changes will affect home sales, they could lead to home sellers paying lower commissions for their broker's services. Buyers, in turn, may have to shoulder more upfront costs when they hire an agent to represent them.

Berkshire Hathaway's real estate firm to pay $250 million to settle real estate commission lawsuits

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Three women who were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles, federal health officials said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7316a3.htm">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;said in its Morbidity and Mortality Report last week that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 through 2023 showed it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use.

Although HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a well-known risk, the report said this is the first documentation of probable infections involving cosmetic services.

Many popular cosmetic treatments are delivered with needles, such as Botox to iron out wrinkles and fillers to plump lips. A “vampire facial,” or platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure, involves drawing a client's own blood, separating its components, then using tiny needles to inject plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin. Tattoos also require needles.

The New Mexico Department of Health began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/28bcd83bc954401baba3446f56022668">investigating</a>&nbsp;the spa in the summer of 2018 after it was notified that a woman in her 40s had tested positive for HIV even though she had no known risk factors. The woman reported exposure to needles through the procedure at the clinic that spring.

The spa closed in fall 2018 after the investigation was launched, and its owner was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-albuquerque-spas-hector-balderas-7c890ba01b8d373f0de952b5258e2c96">prosecuted</a>&nbsp;for practicing medicine without a license.

The report said the investigation showed how important it is to require infection control practices at businesses that offer cosmetic procedures involving needles.

It also noted that the investigation was slowed by poor record keeping and said businesses providing such services should keep better records in case clients need to be contacted later.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714401990327.png" alt="-This electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows a human T cell, in blue, under attack by HIV, in yellow, the virus that causes AIDS.&nbsp; -Credit: Seth Pincus, Elizabeth Fischer and Austin Athman, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH" />
 <figcaption>-This electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows a human T cell, in blue, under attack by HIV, in yellow, the virus that causes AIDS.&nbsp; -Credit: Seth Pincus, Elizabeth Fischer and Austin Athman, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH</figcaption>
 </figure>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Three women who were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles, federal health officials said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7316a3.htm">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;said in its Morbidity and Mortality Report last week that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 through 2023 showed it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use.Although HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a well-known risk, the report said this is the first documentation of probable infections involving cosmetic services.Many popular cosmetic treatments are delivered with needles, such as Botox to iron out wrinkles and fillers to plump lips. A “vampire facial,” or platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure, involves drawing a client's own blood, separating its components, then using tiny needles to inject plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin. Tattoos also require needles.The New Mexico Department of Health began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/28bcd83bc954401baba3446f56022668">investigating</a>&nbsp;the spa in the summer of 2018 after it was notified that a woman in her 40s had tested positive for HIV even though she had no known risk factors. The woman reported exposure to needles through the procedure at the clinic that spring.The spa closed in fall 2018 after the investigation was launched, and its owner was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-albuquerque-spas-hector-balderas-7c890ba01b8d373f0de952b5258e2c96">prosecuted</a>&nbsp;for practicing medicine without a license.The report said the investigation showed how important it is to require infection control practices at businesses that offer cosmetic procedures involving needles.It also noted that the investigation was slowed by poor record keeping and said businesses providing such services should keep better records in case clients need to be contacted later.

CDC: 1st cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska deputy is jailed after a grand jury indicted him on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of a man in October, a prosecutor said Friday.

Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon announced the indictment of former Seward County Deputy Anthony Gann. Gann is jailed on $100,000 bond and is expected to have his first court appearance Monday, Condon said. It wasn't immediately clear if Gann had an attorney.

Seward County Sheriff Michael Vance told the&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/">Lincoln Journal Star</a>&nbsp;that Gann has resigned. Vance said an internal investigation by his office determined that Gann didn't commit any violations or break procedure.

The shooting happened on the afternoon of Oct. 23 when deputies tried to stop 43-year-old Jorge Santana-Ramirez on Interstate 80. The sheriff's office said that instead of stopping, Santana-Ramirez turned his vehicle and drove east in the westbound lanes for a time before crossing into the eastbound lanes.

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska deputy is jailed after a grand jury indicted him on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of a man in October, a prosecutor said Friday.Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon announced the indictment of former Seward County Deputy Anthony Gann. Gann is jailed on $100,000 bond and is expected to have his first court appearance Monday, Condon said. It wasn't immediately clear if Gann had an attorney.Seward County Sheriff Michael Vance told the&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/">Lincoln Journal Star</a>&nbsp;that Gann has resigned. Vance said an internal investigation by his office determined that Gann didn't commit any violations or break procedure.The shooting happened on the afternoon of Oct. 23 when deputies tried to stop 43-year-old Jorge Santana-Ramirez on Interstate 80. The sheriff's office said that instead of stopping, Santana-Ramirez turned his vehicle and drove east in the westbound lanes for a time before crossing into the eastbound lanes.