OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice sued Oklahoma on Tuesday over a state law that seeks to impose criminal penalties on those living in the state illegally.

The lawsuit in federal court in Oklahoma City challenges an Oklahoma law that makes it a state crime — punishable by up to two years in prison — to live in the state without legal immigration status. Similar laws passed in Texas and Iowa already are facing challenges from the Justice Department. Oklahoma is among several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-illegal-immigration-02b08ee45bc4cf23ba9bf0fb0a28c67f">GOP states jockeying</a>&nbsp;to push deeper into immigration enforcement as both Republicans and Democrats seize on the issue. Other bills targeting migrants have been passed this year in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.

The Justice Department says the Oklahoma law violates the U.S. Constitution and is asking the court to declare it invalid and bar the state from enforcing it.

“Oklahoma cannot disregard the U.S. Constitution and settled Supreme Court precedent,” U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement. “We have brought this action to ensure that Oklahoma adheres to the Constitution and the framework adopted by Congress for regulation of immigration.” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said the bill was necessary because the Biden administration is failing to secure the nation’s borders.

“Not only that, but they stand in the way of states trying to protect their citizens,” Stitt said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317716965.png" alt="Migrants crossing the border -Photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>Migrants crossing the border -Photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice sued Oklahoma on Tuesday over a state law that seeks to impose criminal penalties on those living in the state illegally.The lawsuit in federal court in Oklahoma City challenges an Oklahoma law that makes it a state crime — punishable by up to two years in prison — to live in the state without legal immigration status. Similar laws passed in Texas and Iowa already are facing challenges from the Justice Department. Oklahoma is among several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-illegal-immigration-02b08ee45bc4cf23ba9bf0fb0a28c67f">GOP states jockeying</a>&nbsp;to push deeper into immigration enforcement as both Republicans and Democrats seize on the issue. Other bills targeting migrants have been passed this year in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.The Justice Department says the Oklahoma law violates the U.S. Constitution and is asking the court to declare it invalid and bar the state from enforcing it.“Oklahoma cannot disregard the U.S. Constitution and settled Supreme Court precedent,” U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, said in a statement. “We have brought this action to ensure that Oklahoma adheres to the Constitution and the framework adopted by Congress for regulation of immigration.” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said the bill was necessary because the Biden administration is failing to secure the nation’s borders.“Not only that, but they stand in the way of states trying to protect their citizens,” Stitt said in a statement.

DOJ sues over new law on state penalties for those living in the US illegally

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/21/epic-tax-backers-say-petition-effort-cleared-38-county-hurdle/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Supporters of an effort to replace Nebraska’s income, property and corporate taxes with a broader sales or consumption tax say they have cleared a key hurdle in seeking to place the issue on the fall ballot.

State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said Tuesday that advocates of the EPIC consumption tax have gathered signatures from 5% of registered voters in 38 of the state’s counties.&nbsp;

Erdman and other EPIC tax backers still need to gather a total of 123,000 signatures from registered voters by July 3, equal to 10% of registered voters. He wouldn’t say how many signatures they had already gathered.

“Every signature counts,” Erdman said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to fix this broken tax system, and I haven’t come up with another idea that makes any sense. There’s not another one that gives you the freedom of liberty.”

Erdman and Steve Jessen, president of the EPIC Option Consumption Tax initiative, said they have seen greater public interest in changing Nebraska’s tax system after the Legislature failed this session to pass major property tax relief.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has pledged to call state lawmakers back for a special session later this year to move toward his goal of substantive and structural changes that balance out what he calls the state’s over-reliance on property taxes.

Pillen set a goal of reducing the property tax burden by 40%. His plan ran into trouble with senators who could not agree on how hard the caps on local spending on local government and schools should be and how to pay for property tax offsets.&nbsp;

Pillen had originally proposed capping local government spending growth and earmarking up to a 2-cent increase in the state sales tax to pay for property tax relief. Lawmakers struggled to find support last session for that proposal or for a 1-cent sales tax increase.&nbsp;

Pillen, joined by business leaders and representatives of local governments and school boards, opposes the EPIC tax. He and others criticize the potential loss of local control that could result, the risk of harming retail sales and the uncertainty of how high the tax rate would be.

“The EPIC tax is not a workable solution,” he said Tuesday&nbsp;in a statement. “It is not the solution that will save our ever-escalating property tax issue. We need to commit to broadening and balancing the base across property, income and sales tax.”

Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, an Omaha financial adviser and spokesman for the anti-EPIC tax group No New Taxes Nebraska, said voters aren’t ready to increase sales taxes on every item. He said it would “create new taxes” on health care, dental care, prescriptions, veterinary care and legal bills.

“Voters know you can’t raise taxes to lower taxes, and they resoundingly oppose eliminating local control to give all funding power for local priorities to just a few people in Lincoln,” he said.

Erdman argued that something has to be done. He compared Nebraska’s current tax system to communism, saying people who defend communism often argue it just hasn’t been refined enough or implemented correctly. He said wholesale changes are needed in the state’s tax system.

He said he would introduce an EPIC tax proposal during any special session the governor might call because he wants to have public discussions before people vote this fall about whether the tax should be collected and distributed.

He and others who have discussed ways the tax might be implemented have said spending needs could be met with a 7.5% consumption tax. Some of the proposal’s critics disagree and say it could require as much as three times that rate to make it workable.

Jessen said he had spoken about the proposal at more than 50 meetings across the state. Organizers said they had heard from wheat farmers, ranchers and senior citizens in lifelong homes who say they risk being forced to move because of high property taxes.

EPIC, which would also eliminate the inheritance tax, has some organizational backing from the Nebraska Republican Party. The state GOP has sent supportive tweets, and the EPIC group helped sponsor the party’s annual convention.

The Nebraska Democratic Party, in a statement from party chair Jane Kleeb, said the EPIC tax would “leave all Nebraskans paying more sales tax.” She said it is not a solution to high property taxes but a sign of continued division among Republicans.

Erdman said about 250 volunteer petition circulators had focused the past several weeks on getting signatures in counties with the lowest population. He said the group would soon be moving into more populous counties, as well.&nbsp;

“The EPIC option is the only solution,” Erdman said. “It’s the only one that puts the taxpayer in first place. Our current system puts the tax collector … in first place.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716402967368.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard leads a news conference at the Nebraska State Capitol on his EPIC Option tax proposals at the Nebraska State Capitol. May 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard leads a news conference at the Nebraska State Capitol on his EPIC Option tax proposals at the Nebraska State Capitol. May 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/21/epic-tax-backers-say-petition-effort-cleared-38-county-hurdle/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Supporters of an effort to replace Nebraska’s income, property and corporate taxes with a broader sales or consumption tax say they have cleared a key hurdle in seeking to place the issue on the fall ballot.State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard said Tuesday that advocates of the EPIC consumption tax have gathered signatures from 5% of registered voters in 38 of the state’s counties.&nbsp;Erdman and other EPIC tax backers still need to gather a total of 123,000 signatures from registered voters by July 3, equal to 10% of registered voters. He wouldn’t say how many signatures they had already gathered.“Every signature counts,” Erdman said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to fix this broken tax system, and I haven’t come up with another idea that makes any sense. There’s not another one that gives you the freedom of liberty.”Erdman and Steve Jessen, president of the EPIC Option Consumption Tax initiative, said they have seen greater public interest in changing Nebraska’s tax system after the Legislature failed this session to pass major property tax relief.<h2>Pillen, others oppose EPIC tax</h2>Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has pledged to call state lawmakers back for a special session later this year to move toward his goal of substantive and structural changes that balance out what he calls the state’s over-reliance on property taxes.Pillen set a goal of reducing the property tax burden by 40%. His plan ran into trouble with senators who could not agree on how hard the caps on local spending on local government and schools should be and how to pay for property tax offsets.&nbsp;Pillen had originally proposed capping local government spending growth and earmarking up to a 2-cent increase in the state sales tax to pay for property tax relief. Lawmakers struggled to find support last session for that proposal or for a 1-cent sales tax increase.&nbsp;Pillen, joined by business leaders and representatives of local governments and school boards, opposes the EPIC tax. He and others criticize the potential loss of local control that could result, the risk of harming retail sales and the uncertainty of how high the tax rate would be.“The EPIC tax is not a workable solution,” he said Tuesday&nbsp;in a statement. “It is not the solution that will save our ever-escalating property tax issue. We need to commit to broadening and balancing the base across property, income and sales tax.”Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, an Omaha financial adviser and spokesman for the anti-EPIC tax group No New Taxes Nebraska, said voters aren’t ready to increase sales taxes on every item. He said it would “create new taxes” on health care, dental care, prescriptions, veterinary care and legal bills.“Voters know you can’t raise taxes to lower taxes, and they resoundingly oppose eliminating local control to give all funding power for local priorities to just a few people in Lincoln,” he said.<h2>Supporters say drastic changes needed</h2>Erdman argued that something has to be done. He compared Nebraska’s current tax system to communism, saying people who defend communism often argue it just hasn’t been refined enough or implemented correctly. He said wholesale changes are needed in the state’s tax system.He said he would introduce an EPIC tax proposal during any special session the governor might call because he wants to have public discussions before people vote this fall about whether the tax should be collected and distributed.He and others who have discussed ways the tax might be implemented have said spending needs could be met with a 7.5% consumption tax. Some of the proposal’s critics disagree and say it could require as much as three times that rate to make it workable.Jessen said he had spoken about the proposal at more than 50 meetings across the state. Organizers said they had heard from wheat farmers, ranchers and senior citizens in lifelong homes who say they risk being forced to move because of high property taxes.EPIC, which would also eliminate the inheritance tax, has some organizational backing from the Nebraska Republican Party. The state GOP has sent supportive tweets, and the EPIC group helped sponsor the party’s annual convention.The Nebraska Democratic Party, in a statement from party chair Jane Kleeb, said the EPIC tax would “leave all Nebraskans paying more sales tax.” She said it is not a solution to high property taxes but a sign of continued division among Republicans.Erdman said about 250 volunteer petition circulators had focused the past several weeks on getting signatures in counties with the lowest population. He said the group would soon be moving into more populous counties, as well.&nbsp;“The EPIC option is the only solution,” Erdman said. “It’s the only one that puts the taxpayer in first place. Our current system puts the tax collector … in first place.”

EPIC tax backers say petition effort cleared 38-county hurdle

Lincoln, NE – Today, Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a landmark lawsuit against TikTok in Nebraska State Court, alleging&nbsp;violations of&nbsp;Nebraska’s consumer protection laws.&nbsp;

The lawsuit claims TikTok engaged in deceptive and unfair trade practices by intentionally designing and operating a platform that is addictive and harmful to teens and children while holding itself out as “family-friendly” and “safe” for young users. The lawsuit also demonstrates how, contrary to TikTok’s repeated public representations, TikTok’s features fail to protect kids and regularly expose underage users to age-inappropriate and otherwise harmful content.&nbsp;

“TikTok tells parents its platform is safe for kids, but our investigation reveals that nothing could be further from the truth. Within minutes of signing up, the TikTok algorithm has shown kids inappropriate content, ranging from videos that encourage suicidal ideation and fuel depression, drive body image issues, and encourage eating disorders to those that encourage drug use and sexual content wildly inappropriate for young kids. Parents deserve to be fully and truthfully informed&nbsp;so they can&nbsp;help their kids make positive, healthy choices,” said Attorney General Hilgers. “Our office will not stand by while social media platforms mislead parents while dosing digital poison to our children.”

The Attorney General’s lawsuit aims to hold TikTok accountable for its deception, which has fueled a youth mental health crisis in Nebraska. In its advertising, app store ratings, dealings with PTAs, and other public statements, TikTok has held itself out as a leader and advocate for youth and online safety. However, TikTok’s&nbsp;own&nbsp;internal documents and the experience of thousands of users across Nebraska tell a strikingly different story. TikTok knows that its platform is addictive, that compulsive use is rampant, and that its purported safety features, such as age verification and parental controls, are grossly ineffective.

“TikTok is fueling a youth mental health crisis in Nebraska, exploiting children and teens,” explains Attorney General Mike Hilgers. “Not only does social media use interfere with sleep, school, and family activities, but it also leads to social isolation, fosters unrealistic social comparison, and exposes young users to age-inappropriate content. TikTok has shown no regard for the wreckage its exploitative algorithm is leaving behind. We will hold them accountable for the costs and damage they&nbsp;are inflicting&nbsp;on Nebraska families and children.”

The lawsuit follows a State investigation into TikTok’s business practices, which the lawsuit claims TikTok intentionally delayed, evaded, and failed&nbsp;to adequately comply with. This lawsuit is the latest move in Attorney General Hilgers’ ongoing campaign to protect Nebraska’s youth, especially&nbsp;when it comes to&nbsp;their mental health and well-being. Earlier this year, Attorney General Hilgers joined a national coalition of state attorneys&nbsp;general&nbsp;in suing Meta for broadly similar conduct.

Our office is accepting submissions related to underage users on TikTok. If your child has been affected or you have other relevant information,&nbsp;please contact the Consumer Affairs Response Team&nbsp;at 402-471-2682.

Attorney General Mike HilgersLincoln, NE – Today, Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a landmark lawsuit against TikTok in Nebraska State Court, alleging&nbsp;violations of&nbsp;Nebraska’s consumer protection laws.&nbsp;The lawsuit claims TikTok engaged in deceptive and unfair trade practices by intentionally designing and operating a platform that is addictive and harmful to teens and children while holding itself out as “family-friendly” and “safe” for young users. The lawsuit also demonstrates how, contrary to TikTok’s repeated public representations, TikTok’s features fail to protect kids and regularly expose underage users to age-inappropriate and otherwise harmful content.&nbsp;“TikTok tells parents its platform is safe for kids, but our investigation reveals that nothing could be further from the truth. Within minutes of signing up, the TikTok algorithm has shown kids inappropriate content, ranging from videos that encourage suicidal ideation and fuel depression, drive body image issues, and encourage eating disorders to those that encourage drug use and sexual content wildly inappropriate for young kids. Parents deserve to be fully and truthfully informed&nbsp;so they can&nbsp;help their kids make positive, healthy choices,” said Attorney General Hilgers. “Our office will not stand by while social media platforms mislead parents while dosing digital poison to our children.”The Attorney General’s lawsuit aims to hold TikTok accountable for its deception, which has fueled a youth mental health crisis in Nebraska. In its advertising, app store ratings, dealings with PTAs, and other public statements, TikTok has held itself out as a leader and advocate for youth and online safety. However, TikTok’s&nbsp;own&nbsp;internal documents and the experience of thousands of users across Nebraska tell a strikingly different story. TikTok knows that its platform is addictive, that compulsive use is rampant, and that its purported safety features, such as age verification and parental controls, are grossly ineffective.“TikTok is fueling a youth mental health crisis in Nebraska, exploiting children and teens,” explains Attorney General Mike Hilgers. “Not only does social media use interfere with sleep, school, and family activities, but it also leads to social isolation, fosters unrealistic social comparison, and exposes young users to age-inappropriate content. TikTok has shown no regard for the wreckage its exploitative algorithm is leaving behind. We will hold them accountable for the costs and damage they&nbsp;are inflicting&nbsp;on Nebraska families and children.”The lawsuit follows a State investigation into TikTok’s business practices, which the lawsuit claims TikTok intentionally delayed, evaded, and failed&nbsp;to adequately comply with. This lawsuit is the latest move in Attorney General Hilgers’ ongoing campaign to protect Nebraska’s youth, especially&nbsp;when it comes to&nbsp;their mental health and well-being. Earlier this year, Attorney General Hilgers joined a national coalition of state attorneys&nbsp;general&nbsp;in suing Meta for broadly similar conduct.Our office is accepting submissions related to underage users on TikTok. If your child has been affected or you have other relevant information,&nbsp;please contact the Consumer Affairs Response Team&nbsp;at 402-471-2682.

Attorney General Hilgers Files Landmark Lawsuit against TikTok in Nebraska State Court

WASHINGTON (AP) —In an isolated part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters known as the 12th-floor “bubble,” chief Anne Milgram made an unusual request of top deputies summoned in March for what she called the “Marijuana Meeting”: Nobody could take notes.

Over the next half hour, she broke the news that the Biden administration would soon be issuing a long-awaited order&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-rescheduling-drug-policy-biden-15b43441670757b0c2bfa36731e47d07">reclassifying pot as a less-dangerous drug</a>, a major hurdle toward federal legalization that DEA has long resisted. And Milgram went on to reveal another twist, according to two people familiar with the private meeting who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, that the process normally steered by the DEA had been taken over by the U.S. Justice Department and the action would not be signed by her but by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Milgram didn't give aides a reason for the unprecedented omission and neither she nor the DEA has explained since. But it unfolded this past week exactly as laid out in that meeting two months ago, with the most significant drug policy change in 50 years launched without the support of the nation’s premier narcotics agency.

“DEA has not yet made a determination as to its views of the appropriate schedule for marijuana,” reads a sentence tucked 13 pages into Garland’s 92-page order last Thursday outlining the Biden administration proposal to shift pot from its current Schedule I alongside heroin and LSD to the less tightly regulated Schedule III with such drugs as ketamine and some anabolic steroids.

Internal records accompanying the order indicate the DEA sent a memo to the Justice Department in late January seeking additional scientific input to determine whether marijuana has an accepted medical use, a key requirement for reclassification. But those concerns were overruled by Justice Department attorneys, who deemed the DEA’s criteria “impermissibly narrow.”

Several current and former DEA officials told the AP they believe politics may be at play, contending the Justice Department is moving forward with the marijuana reclassification because President Joe Biden wants to use the issue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-young-voters-marijuana-reclassification-dea-193e97fc2dd7b32b7d7ad50b4ea80aa0">woo voters in his re-election</a>&nbsp;campaign and wasn’t willing to give the DEA time for more studies that likely would have dragged beyond Election Day.

Those officials also noted that while the Controlled Substances Act grants the attorney general responsibility for regulating the sale of dangerous drugs, federal law still delegates the authority to classify drugs to the DEA administrator.

“It’s crystal clear to me that the Justice Department hijacked the rescheduling process, placing politics above public safety,” said Derek Maltz, a retired agent who once headed the DEA’s Special Operations Division. “If there’s scientific evidence to support this decision, then so be it. But you’ve got to let the scientists evaluate it.”

Former DEA Administrator Tim Shea said the striking absence of Milgram’s sign-off suggests she was backing “the DEA professionals.”

“If she had supported it she would have signed it and sent it in,” said Shea, who served in the Trump administration. “DEA was opposed to this and the politics entered and overruled them. It’s demoralizing. Everybody from the agents in the streets to the leadership in DEA knows the dangers this brings.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment but Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously said Biden was committed to fulfilling a 2020 campaign promise. “He said no person, no American who possesses marijuana should go to jail. It is affecting communities across the country, including communities of color.”

Justice Department attorneys defended Garland’s decision to proceed without Milgram’s backing, saying in a separate memo that the action was prompted by “sharply different views” between DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services. The HHS last year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/2016-17954-HHS.pdf">recommended</a>&nbsp;reclassifying marijuana, deeming it less risky to public health than cocaine, heroin and oxycodone, and effective in treating anorexia, pain and other ailments.

HHS concluded in part that “although abuse of marijuana produces clear evidence of a risk to public health, that risk is relatively lower than” that posed by other drugs.

The DEA balked at those findings and Garland’s order cites at least 10 times when the drug agency requested additional information before blessing HHS’ medical findings. It did not respond to AP questions seeking further comment.

The Justice Department didn't comment on internal differences but in a statement said that the proposal was “consistent with the scientific and medical determinations of HHS."

The dissonance within the federal government underscores the continuing debate over the risks posed by cannabis, even as 38 states have legalized medical marijuana and 24 have legalized its recreational use. All the while, more voters — 70% of adults, according to a Gallup poll last fall — support legalization, the highest level yet recorded by the polling firm.

“The argument that marijuana is as dangerous as fentanyl, cocaine and meth is laughable,” said Matthew C. Zorn, a Houston-based attorney who writes a newsletter on cannabis regulation. “The DEA isn’t where most Americans are. They’re standing on the wrong side of history.”

But even HHS’ National Institute on Drug Abuse has come out with statements in apparent conflict with HHS’ recommendation to reclassify pot, saying the potency of marijuana has been steadily increasing over the years, resulting in higher numbers of emergency room visits to treat a wide range of physical and mental effects, from breathing problems and mental impairment to hallucinations and paranoia.

“Whether smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana has therapeutic benefits that outweigh its health risks is still an open question that science has not resolved,” Nora Volkow, a neuroscientist who leads NIDA, is currently quoted as saying on the institute’s website. A NIDA spokesperson said rescheduling would facilitate research more into the drug.

The NIDA last performed a medical evaluation of marijuana in 2015 — a year before the Obama administration's DEA rejected a similar request to reschedule the drug.

This time, after Biden ordered a review of the drug’s status in 2022, HHS adopted new criteria to reach its rescheduling conclusion, taking into account the states that have already legalized medical marijuana.

The rescheduling move,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-biden-dea-criminal-justice-pot-f833a8dae6ceb31a8658a5d65832a3b8">first reported</a>&nbsp;by the AP last month, faces a potentially lengthy process. The DEA, which is not bound by HHS' medical determinations at this point, will take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-rescheduling-drug-policy-biden-15b43441670757b0c2bfa36731e47d07">public comment</a>&nbsp;on the rescheduling plan before a review by an administrative judge and the publishing of a final rule. Federal prosecutions involving marijuana are already exceedingly rare but a Schedule III classification would still make pot a controlled substance subject to rules and regulations

For her part, Milgram has said little about her stance on marijuana and was not asked about it during her confirmation. When she took the helm of the agency in 2021, she privately told colleagues she considered the legalization debate a distraction from the far more serious fentanyl crisis, according to one of the people who spoke to the AP.

Milgram is known for a progressive, data-driven approach to law enforcement dating to her days as the Democratic attorney general of New Jersey. When the state’s governor, a close ally, signed a bill in 2010 making the state the 14th to make marijuana legal for medical purposes, she said only that the legislation was “workable.”

This past week, she was similarly opaque in a three-sentence announcement to DEA employees obtained by the AP.

“As required,” she wrote, “the DEA will post this notice and all attachments on our website.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691592576687.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —In an isolated part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters known as the 12th-floor “bubble,” chief Anne Milgram made an unusual request of top deputies summoned in March for what she called the “Marijuana Meeting”: Nobody could take notes.Over the next half hour, she broke the news that the Biden administration would soon be issuing a long-awaited order&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-rescheduling-drug-policy-biden-15b43441670757b0c2bfa36731e47d07">reclassifying pot as a less-dangerous drug</a>, a major hurdle toward federal legalization that DEA has long resisted. And Milgram went on to reveal another twist, according to two people familiar with the private meeting who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, that the process normally steered by the DEA had been taken over by the U.S. Justice Department and the action would not be signed by her but by Attorney General Merrick Garland.Milgram didn't give aides a reason for the unprecedented omission and neither she nor the DEA has explained since. But it unfolded this past week exactly as laid out in that meeting two months ago, with the most significant drug policy change in 50 years launched without the support of the nation’s premier narcotics agency.“DEA has not yet made a determination as to its views of the appropriate schedule for marijuana,” reads a sentence tucked 13 pages into Garland’s 92-page order last Thursday outlining the Biden administration proposal to shift pot from its current Schedule I alongside heroin and LSD to the less tightly regulated Schedule III with such drugs as ketamine and some anabolic steroids.Internal records accompanying the order indicate the DEA sent a memo to the Justice Department in late January seeking additional scientific input to determine whether marijuana has an accepted medical use, a key requirement for reclassification. But those concerns were overruled by Justice Department attorneys, who deemed the DEA’s criteria “impermissibly narrow.”Several current and former DEA officials told the AP they believe politics may be at play, contending the Justice Department is moving forward with the marijuana reclassification because President Joe Biden wants to use the issue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-young-voters-marijuana-reclassification-dea-193e97fc2dd7b32b7d7ad50b4ea80aa0">woo voters in his re-election</a>&nbsp;campaign and wasn’t willing to give the DEA time for more studies that likely would have dragged beyond Election Day.Those officials also noted that while the Controlled Substances Act grants the attorney general responsibility for regulating the sale of dangerous drugs, federal law still delegates the authority to classify drugs to the DEA administrator.“It’s crystal clear to me that the Justice Department hijacked the rescheduling process, placing politics above public safety,” said Derek Maltz, a retired agent who once headed the DEA’s Special Operations Division. “If there’s scientific evidence to support this decision, then so be it. But you’ve got to let the scientists evaluate it.”Former DEA Administrator Tim Shea said the striking absence of Milgram’s sign-off suggests she was backing “the DEA professionals.”“If she had supported it she would have signed it and sent it in,” said Shea, who served in the Trump administration. “DEA was opposed to this and the politics entered and overruled them. It’s demoralizing. Everybody from the agents in the streets to the leadership in DEA knows the dangers this brings.”The White House did not respond to a request for comment but Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously said Biden was committed to fulfilling a 2020 campaign promise. “He said no person, no American who possesses marijuana should go to jail. It is affecting communities across the country, including communities of color.”Justice Department attorneys defended Garland’s decision to proceed without Milgram’s backing, saying in a separate memo that the action was prompted by “sharply different views” between DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services. The HHS last year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/2016-17954-HHS.pdf">recommended</a>&nbsp;reclassifying marijuana, deeming it less risky to public health than cocaine, heroin and oxycodone, and effective in treating anorexia, pain and other ailments.HHS concluded in part that “although abuse of marijuana produces clear evidence of a risk to public health, that risk is relatively lower than” that posed by other drugs.The DEA balked at those findings and Garland’s order cites at least 10 times when the drug agency requested additional information before blessing HHS’ medical findings. It did not respond to AP questions seeking further comment.The Justice Department didn't comment on internal differences but in a statement said that the proposal was “consistent with the scientific and medical determinations of HHS."The dissonance within the federal government underscores the continuing debate over the risks posed by cannabis, even as 38 states have legalized medical marijuana and 24 have legalized its recreational use. All the while, more voters — 70% of adults, according to a Gallup poll last fall — support legalization, the highest level yet recorded by the polling firm.“The argument that marijuana is as dangerous as fentanyl, cocaine and meth is laughable,” said Matthew C. Zorn, a Houston-based attorney who writes a newsletter on cannabis regulation. “The DEA isn’t where most Americans are. They’re standing on the wrong side of history.”But even HHS’ National Institute on Drug Abuse has come out with statements in apparent conflict with HHS’ recommendation to reclassify pot, saying the potency of marijuana has been steadily increasing over the years, resulting in higher numbers of emergency room visits to treat a wide range of physical and mental effects, from breathing problems and mental impairment to hallucinations and paranoia.“Whether smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana has therapeutic benefits that outweigh its health risks is still an open question that science has not resolved,” Nora Volkow, a neuroscientist who leads NIDA, is currently quoted as saying on the institute’s website. A NIDA spokesperson said rescheduling would facilitate research more into the drug.The NIDA last performed a medical evaluation of marijuana in 2015 — a year before the Obama administration's DEA rejected a similar request to reschedule the drug.This time, after Biden ordered a review of the drug’s status in 2022, HHS adopted new criteria to reach its rescheduling conclusion, taking into account the states that have already legalized medical marijuana.The rescheduling move,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-biden-dea-criminal-justice-pot-f833a8dae6ceb31a8658a5d65832a3b8">first reported</a>&nbsp;by the AP last month, faces a potentially lengthy process. The DEA, which is not bound by HHS' medical determinations at this point, will take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-rescheduling-drug-policy-biden-15b43441670757b0c2bfa36731e47d07">public comment</a>&nbsp;on the rescheduling plan before a review by an administrative judge and the publishing of a final rule. Federal prosecutions involving marijuana are already exceedingly rare but a Schedule III classification would still make pot a controlled substance subject to rules and regulationsFor her part, Milgram has said little about her stance on marijuana and was not asked about it during her confirmation. When she took the helm of the agency in 2021, she privately told colleagues she considered the legalization debate a distraction from the far more serious fentanyl crisis, according to one of the people who spoke to the AP.Milgram is known for a progressive, data-driven approach to law enforcement dating to her days as the Democratic attorney general of New Jersey. When the state’s governor, a close ally, signed a bill in 2010 making the state the 14th to make marijuana legal for medical purposes, she said only that the legislation was “workable.”This past week, she was similarly opaque in a three-sentence announcement to DEA employees obtained by the AP.“As required,” she wrote, “the DEA will post this notice and all attachments on our website.”_____

Top U.S. drug agency a holdout in Biden's push to loosen  marijuana restrictions

OMAHA, NE&nbsp;(May 22, 2024) —&nbsp;As AAA prepares to rescue more than 378,000 drivers nationwide with car trouble during the Memorial Day weekend, it will also work to keep impaired drivers off the road.&nbsp;The Auto Club Group is activating its&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAddyRkUINOOu85WlgpeOlm4TJh2Tz10WNXWxWNmSGBXk0rw1e_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANFQuv8B0LXggXkHq6-2Fi0Jcva-2B63jg3042FUxn-2BVaPMFPyZ4gDUpsc9CSwQjnus8WKben16DnH2a8F7stUBavrSh6zXDOKBO6QaSPAzZ8astJpw5ZlKPCD5zOSEuKx-2FAUuGmJaPBx8ZZA1cLNEypogdwWoGAsiSqT5jndAJzIHxOov2mVt0G-2BUU1-2F0L8vuobAd0mIdvDviVRnb3S4K7PrHgY7KBtTdHQBTdley-2FBfAOK8-3D" target="_blank">Tow to Go</a>&nbsp;program in Nebraska, Iowa and other select states (see below), offering a confidential safe ride for would-be impaired drivers and their vehicles.

The Auto Club Group has provided the&nbsp;Tow to Go&nbsp;program for more than 25 years, removing nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from U.S. roadways. When someone calls Tow to Go, a tow truck is dispatched to transport the vehicle and its owner to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. This service is free, regardless of whether the caller is a AAA member.

“By providing this program, AAA gives drivers no excuse for driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or impairing medications,” said Brian Ortner, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, we remind people to treat Tow to Go as a last resort. Instead, make advanced plans for a safe ride home, because you do not want to be remembered on Memorial Day as the person who made the fatal mistake of driving impaired.”

FL,&nbsp;GA,&nbsp;IA, MI, ND,&nbsp;NE, TN, WI, CO (Denver), NC (Charlotte), and&nbsp;IN (Fort Wayne/South Bend)

OMAHA, NE&nbsp;(May 22, 2024) —&nbsp;As AAA prepares to rescue more than 378,000 drivers nationwide with car trouble during the Memorial Day weekend, it will also work to keep impaired drivers off the road.&nbsp;The Auto Club Group is activating its&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAddyRkUINOOu85WlgpeOlm4TJh2Tz10WNXWxWNmSGBXk0rw1e_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEu9ForkbU2BMNTBWH3XP7OdT44Bbe46bKr8Wrm-2FRs-2FzyNpAOGWBtNKBasrXMt86ANFQuv8B0LXggXkHq6-2Fi0Jcva-2B63jg3042FUxn-2BVaPMFPyZ4gDUpsc9CSwQjnus8WKben16DnH2a8F7stUBavrSh6zXDOKBO6QaSPAzZ8astJpw5ZlKPCD5zOSEuKx-2FAUuGmJaPBx8ZZA1cLNEypogdwWoGAsiSqT5jndAJzIHxOov2mVt0G-2BUU1-2F0L8vuobAd0mIdvDviVRnb3S4K7PrHgY7KBtTdHQBTdley-2FBfAOK8-3D" target="_blank">Tow to Go</a>&nbsp;program in Nebraska, Iowa and other select states (see below), offering a confidential safe ride for would-be impaired drivers and their vehicles.The Auto Club Group has provided the&nbsp;Tow to Go&nbsp;program for more than 25 years, removing nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from U.S. roadways. When someone calls Tow to Go, a tow truck is dispatched to transport the vehicle and its owner to a safe location within a 10-mile radius. This service is free, regardless of whether the caller is a AAA member.<ul>
 <li>Tow to Go is active from&nbsp;6 p.m. Friday, May 24th&nbsp;to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 28th.</li><li>Free confidential rides are provided for AAA members and non-members.</li>
 </ul>“By providing this program, AAA gives drivers no excuse for driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or impairing medications,” said Brian Ortner, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, we remind people to treat Tow to Go as a last resort. Instead, make advanced plans for a safe ride home, because you do not want to be remembered on Memorial Day as the person who made the fatal mistake of driving impaired.”TOW TO GOService AreasFL,&nbsp;GA,&nbsp;IA, MI, ND,&nbsp;NE, TN, WI, CO (Denver), NC (Charlotte), and&nbsp;IN (Fort Wayne/South Bend)Phone Number(855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246TOW TO GO GUIDELINES<ul>
 <li>Provided&nbsp;from 6 p.m.&nbsp;Friday, May 24 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 28th.</li><li>Free and available to AAA members and non-members.</li><li>Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location&nbsp;within a 10-mile radius.</li><li>Appointments&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating.</li><li>In some situations,&nbsp;AAA&nbsp;may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home.</li><li>Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions.</li>
 </ul>&nbsp;About AAA - The Auto Club Group

AAA Activates 'Tow to Go' in Nebraska and Iowa for Memorial Day Weekend

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is canceling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loans</a>&nbsp;for another 160,000 borrowers through a combination of existing programs.

The Education Department announced the latest round of cancellation on Wednesday, saying it will erase $7.7 billion in federal student loans. With the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-student-loan-education-forgiveness-069d64e7e6fc4edd967adf6bc5f7e699">latest action</a>, the administration said it has canceled $167 billion in student debt for nearly 5 million Americans through several programs.

“From day one of my administration, I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity,” President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;said in a statement. “I will never stop working to cancel student debt — no matter how many times Republican-elected officials try to stop us.”

The latest relief will go to borrowers in three categories who hit certain milestones that make them eligible for cancellation. It will go to 54,000 borrowers who are enrolled in Biden's new income-driven repayment plan, along with 39,000 enrolled in earlier income-driven plans, and about 67,000 who are eligible through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Biden's new payment plan, known as the SAVE Plan, offers a faster path to forgiveness than earlier versions. More people are now becoming eligible for loan cancellation as they hit 10 years of payments, a new finish line that's a decade sooner than what borrowers faced in the past.

The cancellation is moving forward even as Biden's SAVE Plan faces legal challenges from Republican-led states. A group of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-lawsuit-republicans-biden-b60d13539b2f2aef2869d56e63f33a3b">11 states led by Kansas</a>&nbsp;sued to block the plan in March, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-debt-cancellation-college-forgiveness-f94b9706bd395b32e44d4d1b3f6ff051">seven more led by Missouri</a>&nbsp;in April. In two federal lawsuits, the states say Biden needed to go through Congress for his overhaul of federal repayment plans.

A separate action by the Biden administration aimed to correct previous mistakes that delayed cancellation for some borrowers enrolled in other repayment plans and through Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives loans for people who make 10 years of payments while working in public service jobs.

The Biden administration has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-forgiveness-college-fb020cb7f66d99db6c393c2be696bcf0">announcing new batches</a>&nbsp;of forgiveness each month as more people qualify under those three categories.

According to the Education Department, 1 in 10 federal student loan borrowers has now been approved for some form of loan relief.

“One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

The Biden administration has continued canceling loans through existing avenues while it also pushes for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-college-forgiveness-c3ec59d4c1d89e77bc1afc6c8ded1615">new, one-time cancellation</a>&nbsp;that would provide relief to more than 30 million borrowers in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-college-forgiveness-c3ec59d4c1d89e77bc1afc6c8ded1615">five categories</a>.

Biden's new plan aims to help borrowers with large sums of unpaid interest, those with older loans, those who attended low-value college programs, and those who face other hardships preventing them from repaying student loans. It would also cancel loans for people who are eligible through other programs but haven't applied.

The proposal is going through a lengthy rulemaking process, but the administration said it will accelerate certain provisions, with plans to start waiving unpaid interest for millions of borrowers starting this fall.

Conservative opponents have threatened to challenge that plan too, calling it an unfair bonus for wealthy college graduates at the expense of taxpayers who didn't attend college or already repaid their loans.

The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-653c2e9c085863bdbf81f125f87669fa">rejected Biden's earlier attempt</a>&nbsp;at one-time cancellation, saying it overstepped the president's authority. The new plan is being made with a different legal justification.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is canceling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loans</a>&nbsp;for another 160,000 borrowers through a combination of existing programs.The Education Department announced the latest round of cancellation on Wednesday, saying it will erase $7.7 billion in federal student loans. With the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-student-loan-education-forgiveness-069d64e7e6fc4edd967adf6bc5f7e699">latest action</a>, the administration said it has canceled $167 billion in student debt for nearly 5 million Americans through several programs.“From day one of my administration, I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity,” President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;said in a statement. “I will never stop working to cancel student debt — no matter how many times Republican-elected officials try to stop us.”The latest relief will go to borrowers in three categories who hit certain milestones that make them eligible for cancellation. It will go to 54,000 borrowers who are enrolled in Biden's new income-driven repayment plan, along with 39,000 enrolled in earlier income-driven plans, and about 67,000 who are eligible through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.Biden's new payment plan, known as the SAVE Plan, offers a faster path to forgiveness than earlier versions. More people are now becoming eligible for loan cancellation as they hit 10 years of payments, a new finish line that's a decade sooner than what borrowers faced in the past.The cancellation is moving forward even as Biden's SAVE Plan faces legal challenges from Republican-led states. A group of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-lawsuit-republicans-biden-b60d13539b2f2aef2869d56e63f33a3b">11 states led by Kansas</a>&nbsp;sued to block the plan in March, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-debt-cancellation-college-forgiveness-f94b9706bd395b32e44d4d1b3f6ff051">seven more led by Missouri</a>&nbsp;in April. In two federal lawsuits, the states say Biden needed to go through Congress for his overhaul of federal repayment plans.A separate action by the Biden administration aimed to correct previous mistakes that delayed cancellation for some borrowers enrolled in other repayment plans and through Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives loans for people who make 10 years of payments while working in public service jobs.The Biden administration has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-forgiveness-college-fb020cb7f66d99db6c393c2be696bcf0">announcing new batches</a>&nbsp;of forgiveness each month as more people qualify under those three categories.According to the Education Department, 1 in 10 federal student loan borrowers has now been approved for some form of loan relief.“One out of every 10 federal student loan borrowers approved for debt relief means one out of every 10 borrowers now has financial breathing room and a burden lifted,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement.The Biden administration has continued canceling loans through existing avenues while it also pushes for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-college-forgiveness-c3ec59d4c1d89e77bc1afc6c8ded1615">new, one-time cancellation</a>&nbsp;that would provide relief to more than 30 million borrowers in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-college-forgiveness-c3ec59d4c1d89e77bc1afc6c8ded1615">five categories</a>.Biden's new plan aims to help borrowers with large sums of unpaid interest, those with older loans, those who attended low-value college programs, and those who face other hardships preventing them from repaying student loans. It would also cancel loans for people who are eligible through other programs but haven't applied.The proposal is going through a lengthy rulemaking process, but the administration said it will accelerate certain provisions, with plans to start waiving unpaid interest for millions of borrowers starting this fall.Conservative opponents have threatened to challenge that plan too, calling it an unfair bonus for wealthy college graduates at the expense of taxpayers who didn't attend college or already repaid their loans.The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-653c2e9c085863bdbf81f125f87669fa">rejected Biden's earlier attempt</a>&nbsp;at one-time cancellation, saying it overstepped the president's authority. The new plan is being made with a different legal justification.

Biden canceling student loans for another 160,000 borrowers

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — New federal certification rules finalized Monday for train dispatchers and signal repairmen will set minimum standards to counteract the investor pressure on railroads to continually cut costs while making sure those employees have the skills they need to operate all the high-tech systems on today’s trains.

The new Federal Railroad Administration rules are the latest steps in the agency’s broad efforts to improve rail safety since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">disastrous East Palestine derailment</a>&nbsp;in Ohio last year although these rules were in the works years before that train crash.

FRA Administrator Amit Bose said in an interview with The Associated Press that both these crafts of workers are responsible for some of the advanced technology railroads rely on like the assortment of trackside detectors that help spot mechanical problems before they can cause derailments, so it made sense to set certification standards for them.

“Here’s the bottom line for me, we want to make sure that qualified workers are doing the jobs that they are specialists in to do,” Bose said. And even though technology can help railroads improve safety, he said the FRA wants to make sure that it supplements but doesn't replace existing efforts like visual inspections.

Bose said dispatchers play a key role in operating the automatic braking system known as Positive Train Control that Congress required the railroads to install. Plus, modern dispatching centers are filled with banks of massive monitors at each desk that dispatchers use to keep track of the trains moving across their territories.

Bose said the railroads are concerned about safety, but too often they only do the minimum required as they try to control costs to boost profits.

“The industry has, learned a lot, since East Palestine and has implemented and redoubled, its efforts on safety,” Bose said. “We have to remain vigilant on safety 24 hours, seven days a week. I’m encouraged by some of the efforts, from the railroad companies, but again, there’s always more, to do.”

But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-ohio-derailment-hazardous-materials-74d7aec638500c52d1eb9fda0acf9f26">changes</a>&nbsp;railroads announced after that Ohio derailment focused attention nationwide on railroad safety haven't made a major difference in safety statistics. And larger reforms have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/east-palestine-train-derailment-safety-regulations-railroad-4db52c68daf68da05425b5b70363fb0a">stalled in Congress</a>&nbsp;because Republicans want to wait until after the National Transportation Safety Board issues its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-southern-railroad-derailment-east-palestine-cause-bfff4663965d4c94b71482726bd0045a">final report</a>&nbsp;on the derailment next month before considering changes.

The Association of American Railroads trade group said in a statement that the new dispatcher and signalmen rules aren't likely to make a significant improvement in safety because the railroads already train their employees.

“Ensuring all employees are well-trained and qualified to safely execute their duties is essential," AAR spokeswoman Jessica Kahanek said. "This is why railroads invest heavily to ensure our people have the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain safe operations and successfully perform their work."

But the American Train Dispatchers Association union praised the new rule because it should prevent the common practices of forcing dispatchers to work assignments they aren't adequately trained for and keep managers from working in a dispatcher role if they're not properly certified. And both the union and federal regulators will get a chance to review railroads' certification plans before they take effect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716384169698.jpeg" alt="Railroads rely on trackside detectors like this one along a Union Pacific line in western Iowa, seen Dec. 15, 2023, to help spot mechanical problems on trains before they can cause derailments. The Federal Railroad Administration finalized new rules Monday, May 20, 2024, that will establish training and certification standards for the workers who install and maintain these detectors and other signals along the railroads. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)" />
 <figcaption>Railroads rely on trackside detectors like this one along a Union Pacific line in western Iowa, seen Dec. 15, 2023, to help spot mechanical problems on trains before they can cause derailments. The Federal Railroad Administration finalized new rules Monday, May 20, 2024, that will establish training and certification standards for the workers who install and maintain these detectors and other signals along the railroads. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — New federal certification rules finalized Monday for train dispatchers and signal repairmen will set minimum standards to counteract the investor pressure on railroads to continually cut costs while making sure those employees have the skills they need to operate all the high-tech systems on today’s trains.The new Federal Railroad Administration rules are the latest steps in the agency’s broad efforts to improve rail safety since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">disastrous East Palestine derailment</a>&nbsp;in Ohio last year although these rules were in the works years before that train crash.FRA Administrator Amit Bose said in an interview with The Associated Press that both these crafts of workers are responsible for some of the advanced technology railroads rely on like the assortment of trackside detectors that help spot mechanical problems before they can cause derailments, so it made sense to set certification standards for them.“Here’s the bottom line for me, we want to make sure that qualified workers are doing the jobs that they are specialists in to do,” Bose said. And even though technology can help railroads improve safety, he said the FRA wants to make sure that it supplements but doesn't replace existing efforts like visual inspections.Bose said dispatchers play a key role in operating the automatic braking system known as Positive Train Control that Congress required the railroads to install. Plus, modern dispatching centers are filled with banks of massive monitors at each desk that dispatchers use to keep track of the trains moving across their territories.Bose said the railroads are concerned about safety, but too often they only do the minimum required as they try to control costs to boost profits.“The industry has, learned a lot, since East Palestine and has implemented and redoubled, its efforts on safety,” Bose said. “We have to remain vigilant on safety 24 hours, seven days a week. I’m encouraged by some of the efforts, from the railroad companies, but again, there’s always more, to do.”But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-ohio-derailment-hazardous-materials-74d7aec638500c52d1eb9fda0acf9f26">changes</a>&nbsp;railroads announced after that Ohio derailment focused attention nationwide on railroad safety haven't made a major difference in safety statistics. And larger reforms have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/east-palestine-train-derailment-safety-regulations-railroad-4db52c68daf68da05425b5b70363fb0a">stalled in Congress</a>&nbsp;because Republicans want to wait until after the National Transportation Safety Board issues its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-southern-railroad-derailment-east-palestine-cause-bfff4663965d4c94b71482726bd0045a">final report</a>&nbsp;on the derailment next month before considering changes.The Association of American Railroads trade group said in a statement that the new dispatcher and signalmen rules aren't likely to make a significant improvement in safety because the railroads already train their employees.“Ensuring all employees are well-trained and qualified to safely execute their duties is essential," AAR spokeswoman Jessica Kahanek said. "This is why railroads invest heavily to ensure our people have the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain safe operations and successfully perform their work."But the American Train Dispatchers Association union praised the new rule because it should prevent the common practices of forcing dispatchers to work assignments they aren't adequately trained for and keep managers from working in a dispatcher role if they're not properly certified. And both the union and federal regulators will get a chance to review railroads' certification plans before they take effect.

New safety rules set training standards for train dispatchers and signal repairmen

KANSAS CITY (AP)—A potential multibillion-dollar settlement of an antitrust lawsuit cleared the second of a three-step NCAA approval process Tuesday, with no change to a payment structure that would have the 27 college conferences not named in the suit cover&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3e57f652b15ad8cd1c8e7e2bbc9765ce">the majority of a $1.6 billion portion of the damages.</a>

The Division I Board of Directors voted to move forward on a proposed $2.77 billion settlement of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-athletes-nil-eb702d33a87bca98084ea492eccdf84c">House vs. NCAA,</a>&nbsp;according to two people who had been briefed on the vote. They said the vote was not unanimous, but it was unclear exactly how the 24 member-board voted.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the NCAA was not revealing its internal discussions related to the settlement. The NCAA Board of Governors still must sign off on the deal for final approval. It is scheduled to meet later this week.

The D-I board's finance committee recommended on Monday to stick with the original finance plan for the settlement, which has drawn the ire of non-power conference leaders who believe their leagues will bear a disproportionate financial burden.

The NCAA, Big Ten, Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference are defendants in the House case, a class-action lawsuit that seeks back pay for college athletes who were denied name, image and likeness compensation dating to 2016. The NCAA lifted its ban on athletes earning money for sponsorship and endorsement deals in 2021.

The Big 12 became the first conference to approve the settlement Tuesday, with their board of university presidents and chancellors voting unanimously in favor, another person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the conferences were not making any public statements about the settlement for now. The settlement would cost the University of Nebraska and other Big 10 member schools millions annually.

Later Tuesday, the ACC presidents also voted to approve the settlement, according to a person with knowledge of their vote who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Big Ten, SEC and Pac-12 presidents were scheduled to vote on whether to approve the settlement deal later this week.

Moving forward, it will be the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and SEC making the largest investment as the settlement includes a proposed revenue-sharing system that asks their schools to commit upwards of $20 million per year to be paid directly to athletes. The overall commitment is expected to be about $300 million per school over 10 years.

The NCAA office is set to cover $2.77 billion in damages over 10 years through a reduction of operating expenses, insurance and reserve funds. Withheld distributions to its 352 Division I member schools would cover the rest. The NCAA distributes more than $700 million per year to its 1,100 member schools in three divisions, the vast majority to Division I.

The approved finance plan for the settlement calls for the NCAA to cover 41% of the $2.77 billion in damages, with the Power Five conferences accounting for 24% and the other five major college football conferences — the so-called Group of Five — covering 10%.

The conferences that compete in the second tier of Division I football, the Championship Subdivision, would cover 14% of the overall settlement and the non-football D-I conferences would be on the hook for 12%.

The conference commissioners from leagues that do not compete at the highest tier of Division I football, the Bowl Subdivision, have taken issue with the $1.6 billion in withheld distribution portion of the settlement.

The 27 conferences not named in the lawsuit are expected to cover 60% of withheld distributions, with the other 40% coming from power conferences that are currently comprised of 69 schools.

The commissioners of the 22 non-FBS conferences sent a memo to NCAA leadership, proposing the finance structure be flipped so power conference withheld distributions cover 60% of the $1.6 billion.

Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said earlier Tuesday the non-FBS conferences were holding out hope for reconsideration.

The Big Sky is one of the most successful conferences in the Championship Subdivision, with schools such as Montana, Montana State, Eastern Washington, Idaho State and Weber State.

“We believe over 95% of the damages are going to go to (Power Five) football and basketball players. For non-A5 conferences to pay for that is disproportionate. We’re asking for a more proportionate structure because our student-athletes are not going to see the money," Wistrcill said,

Plaintiffs' lawyers have given the NCAA and conferences until Thursday to respond to the settlement proposal, with parties on both sides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-nil-lawsuit-b4bbf143ac1707ffcd59828add0a2a59">sounding hopeful that it will be approved.</a>

The conferences not named in the lawsuit did not find out about details of the proposed settlement until two weeks ago through media reports, Wistrcill said. He said they are hoping the settlement can be approved with an opportunity for the NCAA financing plan to be readdressed, but the prospects of that diminished even further with the full board's approval Tuesday night.

Wistrcill said the formula for withheld distributions the NCAA is using, which is based on the percentage a conference received of overall NCAA distributions between 2016-2024, is projected to cost the Big Sky around $3 million per year over 10 years.

He said while power conferences will have a larger total distribution withheld on a per school basis, that revenue is a much smaller part of athletic department budgets that typically soar past $100 million annually. It also does not take into account the huge influx of revenue those schools are about to receive from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/espn-cfp-9d75671decaa5e47ca2d1eaef8a0b693">expanded College Football Playoff.</a>

Big Sky school athletic budgets run about $20 million annually.

“The money is flowing to their student-athletes while disproportionately (the settlement) is penalizing our institutions,” Wistrcill said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587379293613.jpeg" alt="The NCAA Board of Governors still must sign off on the deal for final approval. It is scheduled to meet later this week. Photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>The NCAA Board of Governors still must sign off on the deal for final approval. It is scheduled to meet later this week. Photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)—A potential multibillion-dollar settlement of an antitrust lawsuit cleared the second of a three-step NCAA approval process Tuesday, with no change to a payment structure that would have the 27 college conferences not named in the suit cover&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3e57f652b15ad8cd1c8e7e2bbc9765ce">the majority of a $1.6 billion portion of the damages.</a>The Division I Board of Directors voted to move forward on a proposed $2.77 billion settlement of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-athletes-nil-eb702d33a87bca98084ea492eccdf84c">House vs. NCAA,</a>&nbsp;according to two people who had been briefed on the vote. They said the vote was not unanimous, but it was unclear exactly how the 24 member-board voted.The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the NCAA was not revealing its internal discussions related to the settlement. The NCAA Board of Governors still must sign off on the deal for final approval. It is scheduled to meet later this week.The D-I board's finance committee recommended on Monday to stick with the original finance plan for the settlement, which has drawn the ire of non-power conference leaders who believe their leagues will bear a disproportionate financial burden.The NCAA, Big Ten, Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference are defendants in the House case, a class-action lawsuit that seeks back pay for college athletes who were denied name, image and likeness compensation dating to 2016. The NCAA lifted its ban on athletes earning money for sponsorship and endorsement deals in 2021.The Big 12 became the first conference to approve the settlement Tuesday, with their board of university presidents and chancellors voting unanimously in favor, another person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the conferences were not making any public statements about the settlement for now. The settlement would cost the University of Nebraska and other Big 10 member schools millions annually.Later Tuesday, the ACC presidents also voted to approve the settlement, according to a person with knowledge of their vote who spoke on condition of anonymity.The Big Ten, SEC and Pac-12 presidents were scheduled to vote on whether to approve the settlement deal later this week.Moving forward, it will be the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and SEC making the largest investment as the settlement includes a proposed revenue-sharing system that asks their schools to commit upwards of $20 million per year to be paid directly to athletes. The overall commitment is expected to be about $300 million per school over 10 years.The NCAA office is set to cover $2.77 billion in damages over 10 years through a reduction of operating expenses, insurance and reserve funds. Withheld distributions to its 352 Division I member schools would cover the rest. The NCAA distributes more than $700 million per year to its 1,100 member schools in three divisions, the vast majority to Division I.The approved finance plan for the settlement calls for the NCAA to cover 41% of the $2.77 billion in damages, with the Power Five conferences accounting for 24% and the other five major college football conferences — the so-called Group of Five — covering 10%.The conferences that compete in the second tier of Division I football, the Championship Subdivision, would cover 14% of the overall settlement and the non-football D-I conferences would be on the hook for 12%.The conference commissioners from leagues that do not compete at the highest tier of Division I football, the Bowl Subdivision, have taken issue with the $1.6 billion in withheld distribution portion of the settlement.The 27 conferences not named in the lawsuit are expected to cover 60% of withheld distributions, with the other 40% coming from power conferences that are currently comprised of 69 schools.The commissioners of the 22 non-FBS conferences sent a memo to NCAA leadership, proposing the finance structure be flipped so power conference withheld distributions cover 60% of the $1.6 billion.Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said earlier Tuesday the non-FBS conferences were holding out hope for reconsideration."We’re fighting uphill," he said.The Big Sky is one of the most successful conferences in the Championship Subdivision, with schools such as Montana, Montana State, Eastern Washington, Idaho State and Weber State.“We believe over 95% of the damages are going to go to (Power Five) football and basketball players. For non-A5 conferences to pay for that is disproportionate. We’re asking for a more proportionate structure because our student-athletes are not going to see the money," Wistrcill said,Plaintiffs' lawyers have given the NCAA and conferences until Thursday to respond to the settlement proposal, with parties on both sides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-nil-lawsuit-b4bbf143ac1707ffcd59828add0a2a59">sounding hopeful that it will be approved.</a>The conferences not named in the lawsuit did not find out about details of the proposed settlement until two weeks ago through media reports, Wistrcill said. He said they are hoping the settlement can be approved with an opportunity for the NCAA financing plan to be readdressed, but the prospects of that diminished even further with the full board's approval Tuesday night.Wistrcill said the formula for withheld distributions the NCAA is using, which is based on the percentage a conference received of overall NCAA distributions between 2016-2024, is projected to cost the Big Sky around $3 million per year over 10 years.He said while power conferences will have a larger total distribution withheld on a per school basis, that revenue is a much smaller part of athletic department budgets that typically soar past $100 million annually. It also does not take into account the huge influx of revenue those schools are about to receive from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/espn-cfp-9d75671decaa5e47ca2d1eaef8a0b693">expanded College Football Playoff.</a>Big Sky school athletic budgets run about $20 million annually.“The money is flowing to their student-athletes while disproportionately (the settlement) is penalizing our institutions,” Wistrcill said.

Proposed $2.8 billion settlement would cost University of Neb. millions

GREENFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Multiple people were killed when a tornado tore through Greenfield and left a wide swath of obliterated homes, crumpled cars and splintered trees, while outside the small town, massive wind turbines were buckled and twisted to the ground by the howling winds.

After devastating the town of 2,000 residents, the storms moved eastward to pummel parts of Illinois and Wisconsin, knocking out power to more than 130,000 customers in the two states.

Greenfield's hospital was among the buildings that were damaged in the town, which meant that at least a dozen people who were hurt had to be taken to facilities elsewhere, according to Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla.

“Sadly we can confirm that there have been fatalities,” Dinkla said at a news conference Tuesday night, without specifying how many. “We’re still counting at this time.”

He said he thought they had accounted for all of the town’s residents but that searches would continue if anyone was reported missing. The Adair County Health System said in a Facebook post Tuesday night that it had set up a triage center at the Greenfield high school and that people who need medical attention should go there.

The tornado destroyed much of Greenfield, which is located about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Des Moines, during a day that saw multiple tornadoes, giant hail and heavy rain in several states.

Authorities announced a mandatory curfew for the town and said they would only allow residents to enter Greenfield until Wednesday morning. They also ordered media representatives to leave the city Tuesday night.

In the aftermath of the storm, mounds of broken wood from homes, branches, car parts and other debris littered lots where homes once stood. Some trees still standing were stripped of their limbs and leaves. Residents helped each other salvage furniture and other belongings that were strewn in every direction.

Rogue Paxton said he sheltered in the basement of his home when the storm moved through. He told WOI-TV he thought the house was lost but said his family got lucky.

“But everyone else is not so much, like my brother Cody, his house just got wiped,” Paxton said. “Then you see all these people out here helping each other. ... Everything’s going to be fine because we have each other, but it’s just going to be really, really rough. It is a mess."

Multiple tornadoes were reported throughout the state, and one also apparently took down several 250-foot (76-meter) wind turbines in southwest Iowa. Some of the turbines caught fire, sending plumes of smoke into the air.

Wind farms are built to withstand tornadoes, hurricanes and other powerful winds. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turbines are designed to shut off when winds exceed certain thresholds, typically around 55 mph (89 kph). They also lock and feather their blades and turn into the wind, to minimize the strain.

Greenfield bills itself on its website as a “friendly wave as you walk” type of place with tree-lined streets — before the storm — and as the “perfect place to grow.”

Mary Long, the owner of Long’s Market in downtown Greenfield, said she rode out the storm at her business in the community’s historic town square, which largely escaped damage. Long said there appeared to be widespread damage on the east and south sides of town.

“I could hear this roaring, like the proverbial freight train, and then it was just done,” she said.

Camille Blair said the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce office where she works closed around 2 p.m. ahead of the storm.

“I can see from my house it kind of went in a straight line down the road,” she said of the tornado.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said she planned to visit Greenfield on Wednesday morning.

“It was just a few weeks ago that tornadoes hit several other Iowa communities, and it’s hard to believe that it’s happened again,” she said in a statement. “Iowans are strong and resilient, and we will get through this together.”

In southwestern Iowa, video posted to social media showed a tornado just northwest of Red Oak. Farther east and north, the National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings for areas near the towns of Griswold, Corning, Fontanelle and Guthrie Center, among others.

Iowa was braced for severe weather after the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center gave most of the state a high chance of seeing severe thunderstorms with the potential for strong tornadoes. Des Moines public schools ended classes two hours early and canceled evening activities.

The storms and tornado warnings moved into Wisconsin Tuesday evening and night, including a warning for the capital, Madison.

Earlier in the day, residents to the west in Omaha, Nebraska, awoke to sirens blaring and widespread power outages as torrential rain, high winds and large hail pummeled the area. The deluge flooded basements and submerged cars. Television station&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/video-flash-flooding-threatens-morning-commute-across-omaha-metro/60855897">KETV</a>&nbsp;showed firefighters rescuing people from vehicles.

In Illinois, dust storms led authorities to shut down stretches of two interstates due to low visibility. Winds gusts of up to 45 mph (74 kph) hit the McLean area, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Chuck Schaffer.

The storms followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-oklahoma-houston-00c6e5913a03c24191bceefd65b00fdf">days of extreme weather</a>&nbsp;that have ravaged much of the middle section of the country. Strong winds, large hail and tornadoes swept parts of Oklahoma and Kansas late Sunday, damaging homes and injuring two in Oklahoma.

Another round of storms Monday night raked Colorado and western Nebraska and saw the city of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hailstorm-severe-weather-yuma-colorado-500eaddbefc1dc2865770451266e6bbe">Yuma, Colorado</a>, blanketed in hail the size of baseballs and golf balls, turning streets into rivers of water and ice.

In Texas,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-severe-weather-power-outages-f94a73d198b0c1789684a44b48454d2b">deadly storms</a>&nbsp;hit the Houston area last week, killing at least eight people. Those storms Thursday knocked out power to hundreds of thousands for days, leaving many in the dark and without air conditioning during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-texas-storms-power-outages-86643a6d7decd28e971774e03b52e51d">hot and humid weather</a>. The total of deaths was raised Tuesday from seven to include a man who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while running a generator after his power went out. Hurricane-force winds reduced businesses and other structures to debris and shattered glass in downtown skyscrapers.

Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service, said the system is expected to turn south Wednesday, bringing more severe weather to parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and southern Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716371806181.png" alt="Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI" />
 <figcaption>Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI</figcaption>
 </figure>GREENFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Multiple people were killed when a tornado tore through Greenfield and left a wide swath of obliterated homes, crumpled cars and splintered trees, while outside the small town, massive wind turbines were buckled and twisted to the ground by the howling winds.After devastating the town of 2,000 residents, the storms moved eastward to pummel parts of Illinois and Wisconsin, knocking out power to more than 130,000 customers in the two states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716372219187.png" alt="Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI" />
 <figcaption>Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI</figcaption>
 </figure>Greenfield's hospital was among the buildings that were damaged in the town, which meant that at least a dozen people who were hurt had to be taken to facilities elsewhere, according to Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla.“Sadly we can confirm that there have been fatalities,” Dinkla said at a news conference Tuesday night, without specifying how many. “We’re still counting at this time.”He said he thought they had accounted for all of the town’s residents but that searches would continue if anyone was reported missing. The Adair County Health System said in a Facebook post Tuesday night that it had set up a triage center at the Greenfield high school and that people who need medical attention should go there.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716371767050.png" alt="Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI" />
 <figcaption>Tornado damage in Greenfield, Iowa -photo courtesy KCCI</figcaption>
 </figure>The tornado destroyed much of Greenfield, which is located about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Des Moines, during a day that saw multiple tornadoes, giant hail and heavy rain in several states.Authorities announced a mandatory curfew for the town and said they would only allow residents to enter Greenfield until Wednesday morning. They also ordered media representatives to leave the city Tuesday night.In the aftermath of the storm, mounds of broken wood from homes, branches, car parts and other debris littered lots where homes once stood. Some trees still standing were stripped of their limbs and leaves. Residents helped each other salvage furniture and other belongings that were strewn in every direction.Rogue Paxton said he sheltered in the basement of his home when the storm moved through. He told WOI-TV he thought the house was lost but said his family got lucky.“But everyone else is not so much, like my brother Cody, his house just got wiped,” Paxton said. “Then you see all these people out here helping each other. ... Everything’s going to be fine because we have each other, but it’s just going to be really, really rough. It is a mess."Multiple tornadoes were reported throughout the state, and one also apparently took down several 250-foot (76-meter) wind turbines in southwest Iowa. Some of the turbines caught fire, sending plumes of smoke into the air.Wind farms are built to withstand tornadoes, hurricanes and other powerful winds. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turbines are designed to shut off when winds exceed certain thresholds, typically around 55 mph (89 kph). They also lock and feather their blades and turn into the wind, to minimize the strain.Greenfield bills itself on its website as a “friendly wave as you walk” type of place with tree-lined streets — before the storm — and as the “perfect place to grow.”Mary Long, the owner of Long’s Market in downtown Greenfield, said she rode out the storm at her business in the community’s historic town square, which largely escaped damage. Long said there appeared to be widespread damage on the east and south sides of town.“I could hear this roaring, like the proverbial freight train, and then it was just done,” she said.Camille Blair said the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce office where she works closed around 2 p.m. ahead of the storm.“I can see from my house it kind of went in a straight line down the road,” she said of the tornado.Gov. Kim Reynolds said she planned to visit Greenfield on Wednesday morning.“It was just a few weeks ago that tornadoes hit several other Iowa communities, and it’s hard to believe that it’s happened again,” she said in a statement. “Iowans are strong and resilient, and we will get through this together.”In southwestern Iowa, video posted to social media showed a tornado just northwest of Red Oak. Farther east and north, the National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings for areas near the towns of Griswold, Corning, Fontanelle and Guthrie Center, among others.Iowa was braced for severe weather after the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center gave most of the state a high chance of seeing severe thunderstorms with the potential for strong tornadoes. Des Moines public schools ended classes two hours early and canceled evening activities.The storms and tornado warnings moved into Wisconsin Tuesday evening and night, including a warning for the capital, Madison.Earlier in the day, residents to the west in Omaha, Nebraska, awoke to sirens blaring and widespread power outages as torrential rain, high winds and large hail pummeled the area. The deluge flooded basements and submerged cars. Television station&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ketv.com/article/video-flash-flooding-threatens-morning-commute-across-omaha-metro/60855897">KETV</a>&nbsp;showed firefighters rescuing people from vehicles.In Illinois, dust storms led authorities to shut down stretches of two interstates due to low visibility. Winds gusts of up to 45 mph (74 kph) hit the McLean area, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Chuck Schaffer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716260078620.png" alt="Tornado damage in Johnson County, Kansas from Sunday- photo National Weather Service" />
 <figcaption>Tornado damage in Johnson County, Kansas from Sunday- photo National Weather Service</figcaption>
 </figure>The storms followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-oklahoma-houston-00c6e5913a03c24191bceefd65b00fdf">days of extreme weather</a>&nbsp;that have ravaged much of the middle section of the country. Strong winds, large hail and tornadoes swept parts of Oklahoma and Kansas late Sunday, damaging homes and injuring two in Oklahoma.Another round of storms Monday night raked Colorado and western Nebraska and saw the city of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hailstorm-severe-weather-yuma-colorado-500eaddbefc1dc2865770451266e6bbe">Yuma, Colorado</a>, blanketed in hail the size of baseballs and golf balls, turning streets into rivers of water and ice.In Texas,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-severe-weather-power-outages-f94a73d198b0c1789684a44b48454d2b">deadly storms</a>&nbsp;hit the Houston area last week, killing at least eight people. Those storms Thursday knocked out power to hundreds of thousands for days, leaving many in the dark and without air conditioning during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-texas-storms-power-outages-86643a6d7decd28e971774e03b52e51d">hot and humid weather</a>. The total of deaths was raised Tuesday from seven to include a man who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while running a generator after his power went out. Hurricane-force winds reduced businesses and other structures to debris and shattered glass in downtown skyscrapers.Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service, said the system is expected to turn south Wednesday, bringing more severe weather to parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and southern Missouri.

Tornado kills multiple people in Iowa as storms again tear through Midwest

MAY 21, 2024 (NORFOLK, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— A Madison Public Schools teacher has been arrested following an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol into inappropriate contact with a student.

Last week, State Patrol investigators received information regarding an allegation of an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and student at Madison High School, in Madison. Following an investigation, an arrest warrant was issued Monday, May 20, for Nixel Ortiz, 29, of Madison. The arrest warrant was for a charge of sexual abuse by a school employee.

Monday, Ortiz was located by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. She was arrested and lodged in Madison County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolMAY 21, 2024 (NORFOLK, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— A Madison Public Schools teacher has been arrested following an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol into inappropriate contact with a student.Last week, State Patrol investigators received information regarding an allegation of an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and student at Madison High School, in Madison. Following an investigation, an arrest warrant was issued Monday, May 20, for Nixel Ortiz, 29, of Madison. The arrest warrant was for a charge of sexual abuse by a school employee.Monday, Ortiz was located by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. She was arrested and lodged in Madison County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

Madison, Nebraska Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Relationship with Student

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An investigation has been opened into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-dead-drowning-friends-f2963e83691d2bd2a8626d85a69c73cb">death of Matthew Perry</a>&nbsp;and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams said in an email Tuesday that the police department was working with the Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Postal Inspection Service with a probe into why the 54-year-old star had so much ketamine in his system when he died in October. The investigation was first reported by TMZ.

Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-death-cause-054e67f7495845804f801c57a1ae2522">His autopsy, released in December, found</a>&nbsp;that the amount of ketamine in Perry’s blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery. The drug is sometimes used to treat depression.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said in the autopsy report that Perry also drowned in “the heated end of his pool,” but that it was a secondary factor in his death, deemed an accident.

According to Perry's autopsy, people close to the actor told investigators that he was undergoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketamine-pain-drugs-psychedelic-fda-2c67eeac1932962a7b0affc07d24c09a">ketamine infusion therapy, an experimental treatment</a>&nbsp;used to treat depression and anxiety. But the medical examiner said that his last treatment 1 1/2 weeks earlier wouldn't explain the levels of ketamine in Perry’s blood. The drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours.

Perry was among the biggest television stars of his generation when he played Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-china-friends-fandom-0876bc8bf20b613c336d8c684eb5524f">NBC’s mega-hit sitcom “Friends.”</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698541233773.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — An investigation has been opened into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-dead-drowning-friends-f2963e83691d2bd2a8626d85a69c73cb">death of Matthew Perry</a>&nbsp;and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams said in an email Tuesday that the police department was working with the Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Postal Inspection Service with a probe into why the 54-year-old star had so much ketamine in his system when he died in October. The investigation was first reported by TMZ.Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-death-cause-054e67f7495845804f801c57a1ae2522">His autopsy, released in December, found</a>&nbsp;that the amount of ketamine in Perry’s blood was in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery. The drug is sometimes used to treat depression.The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said in the autopsy report that Perry also drowned in “the heated end of his pool,” but that it was a secondary factor in his death, deemed an accident.According to Perry's autopsy, people close to the actor told investigators that he was undergoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketamine-pain-drugs-psychedelic-fda-2c67eeac1932962a7b0affc07d24c09a">ketamine infusion therapy, an experimental treatment</a>&nbsp;used to treat depression and anxiety. But the medical examiner said that his last treatment 1 1/2 weeks earlier wouldn't explain the levels of ketamine in Perry’s blood. The drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours.Perry was among the biggest television stars of his generation when he played Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-china-friends-fandom-0876bc8bf20b613c336d8c684eb5524f">NBC’s mega-hit sitcom “Friends.”</a>

Matthew Perry's death under investigation over ketamine found in actor's blood

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Tuesday that it is releasing 1 million barrels of gasoline from a Northeast reserve established after Superstorm Sandy in a bid to lower prices at the pump this summer.

The sale, from storage sites in New Jersey and Maine, will be allocated in increments of 100,000 barrels at a time. The approach will create a competitive bidding process that ensures gasoline can flow into local retailers ahead of the July 4 holiday and sold at competitive prices, the Energy Department said. The move is intended to help “lower costs for American families and consumers,″ the department said in a statement.

Gas prices average about $3.60 per gallon nationwide as of Tuesday, up 6 cents from a year ago, according to AAA. Tapping gasoline reserves is one of the few actions a president can take by himself to try to control inflation, an election year liability for the party in control of the White House.

“The Biden-Harris administration is laser-focused on lowering prices at the pump for American families, especially as drivers hit the road for summer driving season,″ Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in the statement. “By strategically releasing this reserve in between Memorial Day and July 4th, we are ensuring sufficient supply flows to the tri-state (area) and Northeast at a time hardworking Americans need it the most.”

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said release of gas from the Northeast reserve builds on actions by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, “to lower gas and energy costs — including historic releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the largest-ever investment in clean energy.″

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">significantly drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve</a>&nbsp;in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, dropping the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s. The election year move helped stabilize gasoline prices that had been rising in the wake of the war in Europe but drew complaints from Republicans that the Democratic president was playing politics with a reserve meant for national emergencies.

The Biden administration has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-biden-strategic-petroleum-reserve-aee28f8c2ee5c33a81f08529f676e42b">begun refilling the oil reserve</a>, which had more than 364 million barrels of crude oil as of last month. The total is lower than levels before the Russia-Ukraine war but still the world’s largest emergency crude oil supply.

The Northeast sale will require that fuel is transferred or delivered no later than June 30, the Energy Department said.

“While congressional Republicans fight to preserve tax breaks for Big Oil at the expense of hardworking families, President Biden is advancing a more secure, affordable, and clean energy future to lower utility bills while record American energy production helps meet our immediate needs,” Jean-Pierre said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683569393523.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Tuesday that it is releasing 1 million barrels of gasoline from a Northeast reserve established after Superstorm Sandy in a bid to lower prices at the pump this summer.The sale, from storage sites in New Jersey and Maine, will be allocated in increments of 100,000 barrels at a time. The approach will create a competitive bidding process that ensures gasoline can flow into local retailers ahead of the July 4 holiday and sold at competitive prices, the Energy Department said. The move is intended to help “lower costs for American families and consumers,″ the department said in a statement.Gas prices average about $3.60 per gallon nationwide as of Tuesday, up 6 cents from a year ago, according to AAA. Tapping gasoline reserves is one of the few actions a president can take by himself to try to control inflation, an election year liability for the party in control of the White House.“The Biden-Harris administration is laser-focused on lowering prices at the pump for American families, especially as drivers hit the road for summer driving season,″ Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in the statement. “By strategically releasing this reserve in between Memorial Day and July 4th, we are ensuring sufficient supply flows to the tri-state (area) and Northeast at a time hardworking Americans need it the most.”White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said release of gas from the Northeast reserve builds on actions by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, “to lower gas and energy costs — including historic releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the largest-ever investment in clean energy.″Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-business-europe-3e1808077371b88ae043c86584763afd">significantly drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve</a>&nbsp;in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, dropping the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s. The election year move helped stabilize gasoline prices that had been rising in the wake of the war in Europe but drew complaints from Republicans that the Democratic president was playing politics with a reserve meant for national emergencies.The Biden administration has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-biden-strategic-petroleum-reserve-aee28f8c2ee5c33a81f08529f676e42b">begun refilling the oil reserve</a>, which had more than 364 million barrels of crude oil as of last month. The total is lower than levels before the Russia-Ukraine war but still the world’s largest emergency crude oil supply.The Northeast sale will require that fuel is transferred or delivered no later than June 30, the Energy Department said.“While congressional Republicans fight to preserve tax breaks for Big Oil at the expense of hardworking families, President Biden is advancing a more secure, affordable, and clean energy future to lower utility bills while record American energy production helps meet our immediate needs,” Jean-Pierre said.

President Biden takes steps to lower prices at the gas pump

By Scottsbluff Police Captain Lance Kite

A 2015 Ford Explorer, driven by Michaela Moreno-31-Scottsbluff, was north on 1st&nbsp;Ave approaching E. 20th&nbsp;St. The Ford Explorer then failed to stop at the stop sign and entered the intersection. At this time the Ford Explorer struck a 2004 Chevrolet Venture, driven by Tonya Janis-40-Scottsbluff, which was east on E. 20th&nbsp;St. The Chevrolet Venture then rolled onto its driver’s side.

A third vehicle, 2001 Ford Windstar, was west on E. 20th&nbsp;St. and was struck by debris from the Ford Explorer. This vehicle was driven by Debbie Subias-57-Scottsbluff. Janis and a passenger, Harold Sitting Bear, reported minor injuries and were transported to RWMC.

The following individuals were issued citations;

M. Moreno: No Operators License, Stop Sign Violation

By Scottsbluff Police Captain Lance KiteA 2015 Ford Explorer, driven by Michaela Moreno-31-Scottsbluff, was north on 1st&nbsp;Ave approaching E. 20th&nbsp;St. The Ford Explorer then failed to stop at the stop sign and entered the intersection. At this time the Ford Explorer struck a 2004 Chevrolet Venture, driven by Tonya Janis-40-Scottsbluff, which was east on E. 20th&nbsp;St. The Chevrolet Venture then rolled onto its driver’s side.A third vehicle, 2001 Ford Windstar, was west on E. 20th&nbsp;St. and was struck by debris from the Ford Explorer. This vehicle was driven by Debbie Subias-57-Scottsbluff. Janis and a passenger, Harold Sitting Bear, reported minor injuries and were transported to RWMC.The following individuals were issued citations;M. Moreno: No Operators License, Stop Sign ViolationT. Janis: No Valid Registration

Scottsbluff police investigate multi-vehicle accident

PHOENIX (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;has long argued that the biggest hurdle of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;is the perception that independent candidates can't win. He has looked to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8">debates</a>&nbsp;as a singular opportunity to stand alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in front of a massive audience.

But to make the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-negotiations-19c44db099680cab6fe702638394cd82">first debate stage</a>, he’ll have to secure a place on the ballot in at least a dozen more states and improve his showing in national polls in one month.

With a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kennedy-rfk-trump-pennsylvania-b411e744d3b13fc6365029cb3dfd00c4">famous name</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-rfk-independent-phoenix-ce8ef411c13bb7d5fc4ddff198cbbac9">loyal base</a>, Kennedy has the potential to do better than any third-party presidential candidate since Ross Perot in the 1990s. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns, who fear he could play spoiler,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/commission-presidential-debates-future-nonpartisan-early-voters-01a7cfe1817dc110d14635536f1f86b1">bypassed the nonpartisan debate commission</a>&nbsp;and agreed to a schedule that leaves Kennedy very little time to qualify for the first debate.

Publicly, Kennedy is expressing confidence that he will make the stage.

“I look forward to holding Presidents Biden and Trump accountable for their records in Atlanta on June 27 to give Americans the debate they deserve," he posted on the X platform.

CNN has said candidates will be invited if they’ve secured a place on the ballot in states with at least 270 votes in the Electoral College, the minimum needed to win the presidency, and have hit 15% in four reliable polls published since March 13. The criteria mirror those used by the Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonpartisan group that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presidential-debates-2024-biden-trump-rnc-boycott-3d4fa26b50d725d83ef7d2d19e723d3a">organized debates</a>&nbsp;since 1988, except the commission's first debate would have been in September, giving Kennedy more time.

Kennedy doesn’t appear to have met the polling criteria yet, although he has reached 15% or higher in at least two polls meeting CNN's standards.

The ballot access hurdle is even tougher.

State officials have confirmed Kennedy's place on the ballot in Delaware, Oklahoma and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">Utah</a>, which have just 16 electoral votes between them. In California, Hawaii and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-michigan-ballot-access-02ffeba594e0198ef74961c4b5c6c7f7">Michigan</a>, minor parties have selected Kennedy as their nominee, in effect offering up existing ballot lines, though the states have not formally affirmed Kennedy's position. Adding them would bring Kennedy's total to 89 electoral votes, though it's not clear that his position in those states would meet CNN's criteria.

Kennedy's campaign says he has collected enough signatures in Idaho,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-kennedy-ballot-access-iowa-ebc526eb8370bc5ac0888fa50af3ba4f">Iowa</a>, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, states with 112 electoral votes in total. But he has either not submitted the signatures or they have not yet been affirmed by state election officials.

Those states still only add up to 201 electoral votes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715712591224.png" alt="File photo- Robert F. Kennedy during a campaign rally last week" />
 <figcaption>File photo- Robert F. Kennedy during a campaign rally last week</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;has long argued that the biggest hurdle of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;is the perception that independent candidates can't win. He has looked to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8">debates</a>&nbsp;as a singular opportunity to stand alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in front of a massive audience.But to make the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-negotiations-19c44db099680cab6fe702638394cd82">first debate stage</a>, he’ll have to secure a place on the ballot in at least a dozen more states and improve his showing in national polls in one month.With a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kennedy-rfk-trump-pennsylvania-b411e744d3b13fc6365029cb3dfd00c4">famous name</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-rfk-independent-phoenix-ce8ef411c13bb7d5fc4ddff198cbbac9">loyal base</a>, Kennedy has the potential to do better than any third-party presidential candidate since Ross Perot in the 1990s. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns, who fear he could play spoiler,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/commission-presidential-debates-future-nonpartisan-early-voters-01a7cfe1817dc110d14635536f1f86b1">bypassed the nonpartisan debate commission</a>&nbsp;and agreed to a schedule that leaves Kennedy very little time to qualify for the first debate.Publicly, Kennedy is expressing confidence that he will make the stage.“I look forward to holding Presidents Biden and Trump accountable for their records in Atlanta on June 27 to give Americans the debate they deserve," he posted on the X platform.CNN has said candidates will be invited if they’ve secured a place on the ballot in states with at least 270 votes in the Electoral College, the minimum needed to win the presidency, and have hit 15% in four reliable polls published since March 13. The criteria mirror those used by the Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonpartisan group that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presidential-debates-2024-biden-trump-rnc-boycott-3d4fa26b50d725d83ef7d2d19e723d3a">organized debates</a>&nbsp;since 1988, except the commission's first debate would have been in September, giving Kennedy more time.Kennedy doesn’t appear to have met the polling criteria yet, although he has reached 15% or higher in at least two polls meeting CNN's standards.The ballot access hurdle is even tougher.State officials have confirmed Kennedy's place on the ballot in Delaware, Oklahoma and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-president-election-utah-ballot-863513ec2bf75d1efc9b202cb8ddcc4a">Utah</a>, which have just 16 electoral votes between them. In California, Hawaii and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-michigan-ballot-access-02ffeba594e0198ef74961c4b5c6c7f7">Michigan</a>, minor parties have selected Kennedy as their nominee, in effect offering up existing ballot lines, though the states have not formally affirmed Kennedy's position. Adding them would bring Kennedy's total to 89 electoral votes, though it's not clear that his position in those states would meet CNN's criteria.Kennedy's campaign says he has collected enough signatures in Idaho,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-kennedy-ballot-access-iowa-ebc526eb8370bc5ac0888fa50af3ba4f">Iowa</a>, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, states with 112 electoral votes in total. But he has either not submitted the signatures or they have not yet been affirmed by state election officials.Those states still only add up to 201 electoral votes.Independent candidates like Kennedy face a labyrinth of laws that vary wildly from state to state but generally require hundreds or thousands of signatures and compliance with strict deadlines.The patchwork of laws is littered with pitfalls. And the Democratic National Committee has pledged to scrutinize Kennedy’s submissions for mistakes that could keep him off the ballot or at least tie up his campaign’s time and money.Kennedy, in turn, has resorted to secrecy and creative tactics in a sort of cat-and-mouse game to get on the ballot before his critics can thwart him. In California, Delaware and Michigan, Kennedy allied with little-known existing parties and received their nominations. In Hawaii, he formed his own political party to nominate him, and he’s pursued a similar strategy in Mississippi and North Carolina.Elsewhere, he’s waiting to turn in signatures until the deadline to limit the time for critics to pore over them in search of errors. Getting on the debate stage next month would almost certainly require him to change his strategy and submit the petitions he’s sitting on as soon as possible.Signatures are due in New York by May 28, which would get Kennedy 28 votes closer if they're affirmed in time. He could then try to make an all-out push in a bunch of states with relatively easy requirements — many require 5,000 or fewer signatures, but they generally don't bring many electoral votes — or focus on bigger states, such as Illinois with 19 electoral votes or Florida with 30.Further complicating matters, some states aren't yet accepting filings from potential independent candidates and won't before the first debate.Kennedy’s vice presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-bobby-kennedy-vp-running-mate-6be6d7e04ba7d9e74190b8c01a1bf075">Nicole Shanahan</a>, who is divorced from Google co-founder Sergei Brin, committed $8 million from her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nicole-shanahan-rfk-jr-running-mate-4ca2192ccfa0a0cbfea6026e792dd4c8">personal fortune</a>&nbsp;for ballot access, the campaign announced Thursday, declaring their $15 million effort “fully funded.”