CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church's longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.

After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday

They've already begun making historic changes: On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-disaffiliation-lgbtq-regionalization-samesex-marriage-d429bb838c31f1899dbc48fbddb03197">delegates overwhelmingly endorsed</a>&nbsp;a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations.

That measure — subject to local ratification votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.

But whether that measure maintains church unity remains to be seen. The General Conference comes as the American portion of the United Methodist Church, long the nation's third-largest denomination, has shrunk considerably.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-congregations-leaving-lgbtq-bans-dbd315f329e4cfec4ba78916668ab50b">One-quarter of its U.S. churches left</a>&nbsp;between 2019 and 2023 amid conservative dismay over the church's failure to enforce its LGBTQ bans amid widespread defiance.

A proposal to overturn those bans is headed to the delegates this week, and progressives are optimistic that they have the votes to realize their long-held dream.

Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, the first openly lesbian bishop ordained in the church, said the tenor of the current conference is positive.

“The delegates are listening to each other, learning from each other, really providing a foundation for the work this week,” she said. “There have been hard conversations, but again this tone that we’re in this together. And we have a witness to make to the world that’s unified even in the midst of cultural differences.”

The denomination has debated homosexuality for more than half a century. Its Book of Discipline bans “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from the clergy and forbids clergy from presiding at same-sex marriages. It also forbids church funding of any advocacy for the “acceptance of homosexuality.”

But legislative committees last week overwhelmingly approved several proposals liberalizing the church’s stance on sexuality. They included one committee that voted 43-9 to overturn the ban on LGBTQ clergy.

The delegates will also vote on a new set of Social Principles — a wholesale revision of an existing set of non-binding statements — which also received overwhelming committee approval last week. The new version omits the previous version's declaration that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching." And it defines marriage as a sacred covenant between “two people of faith,” without specifying gender.

Such changes could portend a further fragmentation of the international church. Delegates last week approved the departure of a small but notable part of the body — about 30 churches in Russia and other former Soviet countries, where conservative views on LGBTQ issues are strong.

Some are proposing that African and other churches be given the same chance that U.S. churches recently had to disaffiliate under favorable terms, including U.S. churches that missed the earlier deadline to do so, but a committee vote recommended against such measures.

Opponents say they already have mechanisms to depart, as some have recently done, but proponents say existing rules are burdensome.

Jerry Kulah of the advocacy group Africa Initiative said that while it will be up to individual conferences in Africa to decide whether to stay or leave the denomination, he believes it's time to leave.

“We cannot remain in this marriage,” he said. “We can’t be one church preaching different gospels.”

A large majority of African bishops, while affirming their opposition to LGBTQ ordination or marriage, have said in a joint statement they are committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church.

The denomination had until recently been the third largest in the United States, present in almost every county. But its 5.4 million U.S. membership in 2022 is expected to drop once the 2023 departures are factored in.

The denomination also counts 4.6 million members in other countries, mainly in Africa, though earlier estimates have been higher.

Conservative advocacy groups say U.S. churches that didn't meet the 2023 deadline should have the option of disaffiliating, too — along with the more than 7,000 that have already done so.

The denomination also will be debating policy stances regarding fossil fuels and other issues as well as voting on major budget cuts to denominational programs, reflective of losing thousands of congregations.

The Rev. Tracy Cox, lead pastor of First United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, said she’s cautiously hopeful for changes to the rules on ordination and marriage. The congregation, which has long been LGBTQ-affirming, held a commissioning service on April 14 for those attending the General Conference.

“If you are called by God to be an ordained elder or deacon, no church, no institution should step in that way,” Cox said. “And as far as marriage goes, when somebody falls in love with someone, we need to be able to help them to raise a family or to be a family in the community where they’re going to serve.”

Added Tracy Merrick, a member of the congregation and a delegate: “It will say to the world about us that we really stand behind our statement that we are a church of open hearts, open minds, and open doors.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714416591781.png" alt="View inside the General Conference from the livestream&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>View inside the General Conference from the livestream&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By PETER SMITHCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their first legislative gathering in five years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church's longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.After a day off on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church resumed their work Monday and will be meeting all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on FridayThey've already begun making historic changes: On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-disaffiliation-lgbtq-regionalization-samesex-marriage-d429bb838c31f1899dbc48fbddb03197">delegates overwhelmingly endorsed</a>&nbsp;a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the first time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to fit local situations.That measure — subject to local ratification votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714417373989.png" alt="View of the.delegates from the United Methodist General Conference live stream" />
 <figcaption>View of the.delegates from the United Methodist General Conference live stream</figcaption>
 </figure>But whether that measure maintains church unity remains to be seen. The General Conference comes as the American portion of the United Methodist Church, long the nation's third-largest denomination, has shrunk considerably.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-congregations-leaving-lgbtq-bans-dbd315f329e4cfec4ba78916668ab50b">One-quarter of its U.S. churches left</a>&nbsp;between 2019 and 2023 amid conservative dismay over the church's failure to enforce its LGBTQ bans amid widespread defiance.A proposal to overturn those bans is headed to the delegates this week, and progressives are optimistic that they have the votes to realize their long-held dream.Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, the first openly lesbian bishop ordained in the church, said the tenor of the current conference is positive.“The delegates are listening to each other, learning from each other, really providing a foundation for the work this week,” she said. “There have been hard conversations, but again this tone that we’re in this together. And we have a witness to make to the world that’s unified even in the midst of cultural differences.”The denomination has debated homosexuality for more than half a century. Its Book of Discipline bans “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from the clergy and forbids clergy from presiding at same-sex marriages. It also forbids church funding of any advocacy for the “acceptance of homosexuality.”But legislative committees last week overwhelmingly approved several proposals liberalizing the church’s stance on sexuality. They included one committee that voted 43-9 to overturn the ban on LGBTQ clergy.The delegates will also vote on a new set of Social Principles — a wholesale revision of an existing set of non-binding statements — which also received overwhelming committee approval last week. The new version omits the previous version's declaration that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching." And it defines marriage as a sacred covenant between “two people of faith,” without specifying gender.Such changes could portend a further fragmentation of the international church. Delegates last week approved the departure of a small but notable part of the body — about 30 churches in Russia and other former Soviet countries, where conservative views on LGBTQ issues are strong.Some are proposing that African and other churches be given the same chance that U.S. churches recently had to disaffiliate under favorable terms, including U.S. churches that missed the earlier deadline to do so, but a committee vote recommended against such measures.Opponents say they already have mechanisms to depart, as some have recently done, but proponents say existing rules are burdensome.Jerry Kulah of the advocacy group Africa Initiative said that while it will be up to individual conferences in Africa to decide whether to stay or leave the denomination, he believes it's time to leave.“We cannot remain in this marriage,” he said. “We can’t be one church preaching different gospels.”A large majority of African bishops, while affirming their opposition to LGBTQ ordination or marriage, have said in a joint statement they are committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church.The denomination had until recently been the third largest in the United States, present in almost every county. But its 5.4 million U.S. membership in 2022 is expected to drop once the 2023 departures are factored in.The denomination also counts 4.6 million members in other countries, mainly in Africa, though earlier estimates have been higher.Conservative advocacy groups say U.S. churches that didn't meet the 2023 deadline should have the option of disaffiliating, too — along with the more than 7,000 that have already done so.The denomination also will be debating policy stances regarding fossil fuels and other issues as well as voting on major budget cuts to denominational programs, reflective of losing thousands of congregations.The Rev. Tracy Cox, lead pastor of First United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh, said she’s cautiously hopeful for changes to the rules on ordination and marriage. The congregation, which has long been LGBTQ-affirming, held a commissioning service on April 14 for those attending the General Conference.“If you are called by God to be an ordained elder or deacon, no church, no institution should step in that way,” Cox said. “And as far as marriage goes, when somebody falls in love with someone, we need to be able to help them to raise a family or to be a family in the community where they’re going to serve.”Added Tracy Merrick, a member of the congregation and a delegate: “It will say to the world about us that we really stand behind our statement that we are a church of open hearts, open minds, and open doors.”___

General Conference: United Methodists prepare for votes on lifting LGBTQ bans 

Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, a first-generation college student, heart surgeon and longtime college administrator who for the last decade has led the University of Nebraska Medical Center through a period of record growth, was confirmed today as NU’s ninth president by the Board of Regents.

Gold, who also serves as the NU System’s executive vice president and provost, will assume the president’s role on July 1, succeeding interim President Chris Kabourek. As president, he will carry forward ambitious goals laid out by the board and administration for elevating the University of Nebraska’s national stature and competitiveness at a time of unprecedented change and challenge in higher education.

“I’m grateful to the Board of Regents for the trust they have placed in me to serve this institution that I believe is truly poised to build the future,” Gold said. “As a Nebraskan by choice, it has been an honor and privilege to work alongside our leadership teams, our faculty, staff and students, and leaders in elected office, business and the community for the past 10 years. Most of all, I am inspired by what I see as the common thread that brings families from rural and urban communities across our state together: a deep desire for the very best educational experience for their children and grandchildren that will prepare them for lifelong learning and success.

“The University of Nebraska has delivered on that promise for Nebraskans for more than 150 years, and together we will continue to deliver the quality education, world-class research, engagement, economic development and health care that our citizens expect and deserve.”

Gold’s appointment concludes a national search launched last fall that engaged the university community and key stakeholders across the state, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members and leaders in agriculture, business and philanthropy. He was named the board’s priority candidate for president on March 20, after which he underwent a vetting period required by state law that included a dozen public events across Nebraska.

Members of the board thanked the many Nebraskans who participated in the search process, whether by sharing input on what qualities the regents should seek in the next president, attending public listening sessions or offering input on Gold’s candidacy.

“Jeff Gold has an impressive background and a skill set that we as a board felt was the right fit for the University of Nebraska,” said Board of Regents Chairman Rob Schafer of Beatrice. “This is an important moment for our university and all of higher education, requiring bold vision and courageous leadership. I am excited about our future and what we will accomplish with Dr. Gold at the helm.”

Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln, who chaired the presidential search committee, said: “As chair of the board when we first brought Jeff Gold to Nebraska, this has come full circle for me. I’ve come to know Jeff as a good friend and colleague, someone who listens to students and has truly made Nebraska his adopted home. I believe Jeff will bring the same success to the entire University of Nebraska that he has achieved at UNMC over the past decade and I’m confident he will devote his full energy to our ambitious goals for academic excellence, competitiveness and AAU readmission.”

Gold, 71, has served as UNMC chancellor and chair of the board of UNMC’s clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, since 2014. He assumed executive vice president and provost duties in 2021, becoming the university system’s chief academic officer and primary liaison to the board for academic affairs matters.

From 2017 to 2021, Gold concurrently held the role of University of Nebraska at Omaha chancellor, leading the state’s metropolitan university.

At UNMC, Gold has overseen a period of significant growth in enrollment, research, academic offerings, philanthropy and facilities. Enrollment has reached a record high for 23 straight years, and research grants and contracts now exceed $250 million. Continued success in technology transfer at both UNMC and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have helped Nebraska rank among the world’s top earners of patents for seven years running.

UNMC has expanded the breadth of its programs, notably through a successful partnership with the University of Nebraska at Kearney that has added health education programs to NU’s rural campus. Together with support from public and private partners, the UNMC-UNK collaboration has significantly bolstered the health care pipeline in the central and western parts of the state. Gold was announced today as the inaugural recipient of the Heartland Hero Award from the Rural Media Group.

UNMC has received national and international attention for its leadership in treating infectious disease, particularly during the Ebola outbreak of 2014-15 when UNMC was among a small number of select sites chosen by the U.S. Department of State to care for patients.

During Gold’s tenure, UNMC opened the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, to date the largest public-private partnership in university history and a key driver of UNMC’s global leadership in cancer research and care. UNMC has also opened iEXCEL, a high-tech clinical simulation and experimental learning center, the Dr. Edwin G. &amp; Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center, a new home for the Munroe-Meyer Institute, and a new home for the Lincoln division of the College of Nursing, among other physical upgrades that have significantly expanded the campus’ footprint.

UNMC has benefited from more than $800 million in private philanthropy since Gold’s arrival, with more expected through the ongoing Only in Nebraska campaign.

Gold holds tenured faculty appointments in UNMC’s College of Medicine and College of Public Health, where his research interests in health care policy, population health and epidemiology are concentrated.

Raised in Brooklyn, Gold is the product of the New York City K-12 public school system. He became the first in his family to go to college and earned his bachelor’s degree in theoretical and applied mechanics from Cornell University. He earned his M.D. from the Weill Cornell College of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at The New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Gold completed his cardiothoracic surgical fellowship training at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, with additional training in pediatric cardiac surgery at the Boston Children’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School.

Gold has been certified by the American Board of Surgery and by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, specializing in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery. He is licensed in Nebraska, Ohio, New York and New Jersey.

Gold has been married for almost 50 years to Dr. Robin Hayworth, a medical school classmate. The couple has two adult children and two grandchildren.

Reporting to the board, the president is the chief executive officer of the four-campus University of Nebraska System. The president is responsible for carrying out the strategic priorities of the board and is the primary advocate to the Nebraska Legislature and other constituencies. Direct reports to the president include the campus chancellors and systemwide chief business, academic, legal and information technology officers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714400093170.jpeg" alt="Jeffrey Gold (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Gold (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>Tyler EllysonUNK CommunicationsDr. Jeffrey P. Gold, a first-generation college student, heart surgeon and longtime college administrator who for the last decade has led the University of Nebraska Medical Center through a period of record growth, was confirmed today as NU’s ninth president by the Board of Regents.Gold, who also serves as the NU System’s executive vice president and provost, will assume the president’s role on July 1, succeeding interim President Chris Kabourek. As president, he will carry forward ambitious goals laid out by the board and administration for elevating the University of Nebraska’s national stature and competitiveness at a time of unprecedented change and challenge in higher education.“I’m grateful to the Board of Regents for the trust they have placed in me to serve this institution that I believe is truly poised to build the future,” Gold said. “As a Nebraskan by choice, it has been an honor and privilege to work alongside our leadership teams, our faculty, staff and students, and leaders in elected office, business and the community for the past 10 years. Most of all, I am inspired by what I see as the common thread that brings families from rural and urban communities across our state together: a deep desire for the very best educational experience for their children and grandchildren that will prepare them for lifelong learning and success.“The University of Nebraska has delivered on that promise for Nebraskans for more than 150 years, and together we will continue to deliver the quality education, world-class research, engagement, economic development and health care that our citizens expect and deserve.”Gold’s appointment concludes a national search launched last fall that engaged the university community and key stakeholders across the state, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members and leaders in agriculture, business and philanthropy. He was named the board’s priority candidate for president on March 20, after which he underwent a vetting period required by state law that included a dozen public events across Nebraska.Members of the board thanked the many Nebraskans who participated in the search process, whether by sharing input on what qualities the regents should seek in the next president, attending public listening sessions or offering input on Gold’s candidacy.“Jeff Gold has an impressive background and a skill set that we as a board felt was the right fit for the University of Nebraska,” said Board of Regents Chairman Rob Schafer of Beatrice. “This is an important moment for our university and all of higher education, requiring bold vision and courageous leadership. I am excited about our future and what we will accomplish with Dr. Gold at the helm.”Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln, who chaired the presidential search committee, said: “As chair of the board when we first brought Jeff Gold to Nebraska, this has come full circle for me. I’ve come to know Jeff as a good friend and colleague, someone who listens to students and has truly made Nebraska his adopted home. I believe Jeff will bring the same success to the entire University of Nebraska that he has achieved at UNMC over the past decade and I’m confident he will devote his full energy to our ambitious goals for academic excellence, competitiveness and AAU readmission.”Gold, 71, has served as UNMC chancellor and chair of the board of UNMC’s clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, since 2014. He assumed executive vice president and provost duties in 2021, becoming the university system’s chief academic officer and primary liaison to the board for academic affairs matters.From 2017 to 2021, Gold concurrently held the role of University of Nebraska at Omaha chancellor, leading the state’s metropolitan university.At UNMC, Gold has overseen a period of significant growth in enrollment, research, academic offerings, philanthropy and facilities. Enrollment has reached a record high for 23 straight years, and research grants and contracts now exceed $250 million. Continued success in technology transfer at both UNMC and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have helped Nebraska rank among the world’s top earners of patents for seven years running.UNMC has expanded the breadth of its programs, notably through a successful partnership with the University of Nebraska at Kearney that has added health education programs to NU’s rural campus. Together with support from public and private partners, the UNMC-UNK collaboration has significantly bolstered the health care pipeline in the central and western parts of the state. Gold was announced today as the inaugural recipient of the Heartland Hero Award from the Rural Media Group.UNMC has received national and international attention for its leadership in treating infectious disease, particularly during the Ebola outbreak of 2014-15 when UNMC was among a small number of select sites chosen by the U.S. Department of State to care for patients.During Gold’s tenure, UNMC opened the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, to date the largest public-private partnership in university history and a key driver of UNMC’s global leadership in cancer research and care. UNMC has also opened iEXCEL, a high-tech clinical simulation and experimental learning center, the Dr. Edwin G. &amp; Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center, a new home for the Munroe-Meyer Institute, and a new home for the Lincoln division of the College of Nursing, among other physical upgrades that have significantly expanded the campus’ footprint.UNMC has benefited from more than $800 million in private philanthropy since Gold’s arrival, with more expected through the ongoing Only in Nebraska campaign.Gold holds tenured faculty appointments in UNMC’s College of Medicine and College of Public Health, where his research interests in health care policy, population health and epidemiology are concentrated.Raised in Brooklyn, Gold is the product of the New York City K-12 public school system. He became the first in his family to go to college and earned his bachelor’s degree in theoretical and applied mechanics from Cornell University. He earned his M.D. from the Weill Cornell College of Medicine and completed his general surgery residency at The New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Gold completed his cardiothoracic surgical fellowship training at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, with additional training in pediatric cardiac surgery at the Boston Children’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School.Gold has been certified by the American Board of Surgery and by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, specializing in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery. He is licensed in Nebraska, Ohio, New York and New Jersey.Gold has been married for almost 50 years to Dr. Robin Hayworth, a medical school classmate. The couple has two adult children and two grandchildren.Reporting to the board, the president is the chief executive officer of the four-campus University of Nebraska System. The president is responsible for carrying out the strategic priorities of the board and is the primary advocate to the Nebraska Legislature and other constituencies. Direct reports to the president include the campus chancellors and systemwide chief business, academic, legal and information technology officers.

Board of Regents confirms Dr. Jeffrey Gold as ninth University of Nebraska president

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/27/pillen-confirms-no-loss-of-life-from-friday-storms-but-hundreds-lost-homes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Gov. Jim Pillen joined leaders from the Omaha, Bennington, Elkhorn and Waterloo areas in thanking Nebraskans for listening to weather forecasts that warned them to take shelter during Friday’s storms.

“It is an extraordinary miracle that we’ve had this kind of a cell come through, and no categories (of serious injuries), and no loss of life,” he said.

Pillen offered an update Saturday on the state and local storm response with Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson, Waterloo Fire Chief Travis Harlow, Bennington Fire Chief Dan Mallory and more.&nbsp;

He said he missed a call Saturday from President Joe Biden, who left a message offering whatever assistance Nebraska needs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as officials prepare to declare a disaster.

“We’ll be having the declaration soon, so we’ll make sure that we’re helping everybody,” Pillen said.

Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman, Mallory and Harlow said rescue crews had moved in quickly after the storm and finished checking for potential injuries and fatalities by late Friday evening.

State and local emergency management officials were still surveying and documenting losses to Friday’s tornadoes they said did the most significant damage in Douglas, Lancaster, Saunders and Washington Counties.

Erv Portis of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said the state did not yet know the full scope of homes and businesses lost, but said that Douglas County had already tallied more than 150.

Pillen, Hanson and State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan toured neighborhoods in the Elkhorn area and in Bennington at midday Saturday, hours after the federal delegation visited homeowners near Waterloo and in west Omaha.

He said he spoke with Nebraskans who lost their homes and belongings, including a family that had just moved to Douglas County from Kentucky and another that had been in their new home two months.

Jill Martin of the Nebraska chapter of the American Red Cross said her group had worked with other local nonprofits to set up a community shelter in the Elkhorn area and Blair.

Pillen urged Nebraskans who suffered damage to their homes and businesses to notify their local county emergency management agency. He said doing so could help Nebraskans qualify for additional federal aid.

State and local governments and public power districts have already likely suffered enough damage to qualify for FEMA disaster aid called “public assistance,” which is basically aid for government agencies.

Individual home damage amounts could also unlock federal assistance for “individual assistance,” which is a federal aid program to help homeowners pay for some of the costs not covered by insurance.

Business owners who lost property could also become eligible to pursue government-subsidized, low-interest small business loans from the Small Business Administration to help recover from losses.

The state could end up qualifying for all three, officials said, given how much of eastern Nebraska got hit by tornadoes on Friday — the National Weather Service is still trying to confirm how many.

Omaha’s Eppley Airfield offered a clearer picture of the millions of dollars in damage it sustained from a tornado that destroyed a pair of hangars on the private aviation side of the airport.

Private aircraft in both hangars suffered significant damage, but the main equipment used to get private planes and people in and out of Eppley’s General Aviation were up and running again hours later.

Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Dave Roth said he expects the airport to be ready to welcome Berkshire Hathaway Days next week, a major celebration of Warren Buffett’s company that draws tens of thousands from around the world.

He said the tornado had done little to no damage to the commercial side of the airport or to the new construction taking place on the commercial side.

Chris Franks of the National Weather Service said the strength of the tornado that hit Lancaster and Douglas Counties looked like an EF-3, with winds of 135 mph to 165 mph. He said the Omaha airport tornado looked closer to an EF-2, with winds of 110 mph to 135 mph.

He warned Nebraskans to pay attention again to predicted storms predicted for later Saturday.

Stothert praised the work of local first responders and others who helped Omaha police and fire. Both agencies confirmed they had officers and firefighters who lost homes to the storms.

Stothert said she would be signing an emergency declaration Saturday to get the ball rolling on unlocking state and federal emergency assistance to help pay for mounting costs of responding to the storms.&nbsp;

“It will be a very expensive event that the city will put in a lot of money to make sure that we recover the way that we need to be recovering,” she said.

Major storms often cost cities and other political subdivisions, including public power utilities, hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for rescue crews, cleanup and power restoration.

Omaha Public Power District said it was still working to restore power Saturday to more than 4,000 customers across its service area. The utility lost major transmission lines and neighborhood lines.

Metropolitan Utilities District told Douglas County Emergency Management’s Paul Johnson that local drinking water remained safe after the storm, but it was still repairing some damaged gas lines.

Pillen said he was not yet deploying the National Guard to help with disaster response, but that he would be sending local law enforcement agencies some backup from the Nebraska State Patrol.

Hanson and Schmaderer urged people who don’t own property in the affected areas to stay away and avoid the temptation to go see the damage first-hand. Hanson warned potential looters that they would be arrested.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714401446384.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen speaks to reporters about state and local efforts to recover after tornadoes hit parts of several eastern Nebraska counties. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen speaks to reporters about state and local efforts to recover after tornadoes hit parts of several eastern Nebraska counties. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/27/pillen-confirms-no-loss-of-life-from-friday-storms-but-hundreds-lost-homes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Gov. Jim Pillen joined leaders from the Omaha, Bennington, Elkhorn and Waterloo areas in thanking Nebraskans for listening to weather forecasts that warned them to take shelter during Friday’s storms.“It is an extraordinary miracle that we’ve had this kind of a cell come through, and no categories (of serious injuries), and no loss of life,” he said.Pillen offered an update Saturday on the state and local storm response with Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson, Waterloo Fire Chief Travis Harlow, Bennington Fire Chief Dan Mallory and more.&nbsp;He said he missed a call Saturday from President Joe Biden, who left a message offering whatever assistance Nebraska needs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as officials prepare to declare a disaster.“We’ll be having the declaration soon, so we’ll make sure that we’re helping everybody,” Pillen said.Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman, Mallory and Harlow said rescue crews had moved in quickly after the storm and finished checking for potential injuries and fatalities by late Friday evening.<h2>Still surveying the damage</h2>State and local emergency management officials were still surveying and documenting losses to Friday’s tornadoes they said did the most significant damage in Douglas, Lancaster, Saunders and Washington Counties.Erv Portis of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency said the state did not yet know the full scope of homes and businesses lost, but said that Douglas County had already tallied more than 150.Pillen, Hanson and State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan toured neighborhoods in the Elkhorn area and in Bennington at midday Saturday, hours after the federal delegation visited homeowners near Waterloo and in west Omaha.He said he spoke with Nebraskans who lost their homes and belongings, including a family that had just moved to Douglas County from Kentucky and another that had been in their new home two months.Jill Martin of the Nebraska chapter of the American Red Cross said her group had worked with other local nonprofits to set up a community shelter in the Elkhorn area and Blair.<h2>Pillen: Report major home damage</h2>Pillen urged Nebraskans who suffered damage to their homes and businesses to notify their local county emergency management agency. He said doing so could help Nebraskans qualify for additional federal aid.State and local governments and public power districts have already likely suffered enough damage to qualify for FEMA disaster aid called “public assistance,” which is basically aid for government agencies.Individual home damage amounts could also unlock federal assistance for “individual assistance,” which is a federal aid program to help homeowners pay for some of the costs not covered by insurance.Business owners who lost property could also become eligible to pursue government-subsidized, low-interest small business loans from the Small Business Administration to help recover from losses.The state could end up qualifying for all three, officials said, given how much of eastern Nebraska got hit by tornadoes on Friday — the National Weather Service is still trying to confirm how many.<h2>Airport update</h2>Omaha’s Eppley Airfield offered a clearer picture of the millions of dollars in damage it sustained from a tornado that destroyed a pair of hangars on the private aviation side of the airport.Private aircraft in both hangars suffered significant damage, but the main equipment used to get private planes and people in and out of Eppley’s General Aviation were up and running again hours later.Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Dave Roth said he expects the airport to be ready to welcome Berkshire Hathaway Days next week, a major celebration of Warren Buffett’s company that draws tens of thousands from around the world.He said the tornado had done little to no damage to the commercial side of the airport or to the new construction taking place on the commercial side.<h2>Powerful storms</h2>Chris Franks of the National Weather Service said the strength of the tornado that hit Lancaster and Douglas Counties looked like an EF-3, with winds of 135 mph to 165 mph. He said the Omaha airport tornado looked closer to an EF-2, with winds of 110 mph to 135 mph.He warned Nebraskans to pay attention again to predicted storms predicted for later Saturday.Stothert praised the work of local first responders and others who helped Omaha police and fire. Both agencies confirmed they had officers and firefighters who lost homes to the storms.Stothert said she would be signing an emergency declaration Saturday to get the ball rolling on unlocking state and federal emergency assistance to help pay for mounting costs of responding to the storms.&nbsp;“It will be a very expensive event that the city will put in a lot of money to make sure that we recover the way that we need to be recovering,” she said.Major storms often cost cities and other political subdivisions, including public power utilities, hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for rescue crews, cleanup and power restoration.<h2>Utility work ongoing</h2>Omaha Public Power District said it was still working to restore power Saturday to more than 4,000 customers across its service area. The utility lost major transmission lines and neighborhood lines.Metropolitan Utilities District told Douglas County Emergency Management’s Paul Johnson that local drinking water remained safe after the storm, but it was still repairing some damaged gas lines.Pillen said he was not yet deploying the National Guard to help with disaster response, but that he would be sending local law enforcement agencies some backup from the Nebraska State Patrol.Hanson and Schmaderer urged people who don’t own property in the affected areas to stay away and avoid the temptation to go see the damage first-hand. Hanson warned potential looters that they would be arrested.“Don’t do it,” he said.

Pillen confirms no loss of life in NE from Friday storms, but hundreds lost homes

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-issues-post-storm-declaration-that-allows-use-of-state-emergency-fund/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Gov. Jim Pillen on Sunday issued a post-tornado emergency declaration, which allows the use of an emergency fund established under the Nebraska Emergency Management Act, to respond to storm damage in three counties.

Gov. Pillen issues post-storm proclamation, which allows the use of a state emergency fund. (Courtesy of Governor’s Office)

In a statement, Pillen noted that state law requires him to sign a State of Emergency Proclamation before the Governor’s Emergency Fund can be tapped.

The proclamation comes in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/27/pillen-confirms-no-loss-of-life-from-friday-storms-but-hundreds-lost-homes/">aftermath of severe weather</a>&nbsp;that hit Nebraska on Thursday through Saturday. &nbsp;Douglas, Washington and Lancaster Counties&nbsp;are covered in the declaration.

Pillen said there was “significant damage” in those counties to private and public property and infrastructure from thunderstorms, high winds, rain and multiple tornadoes.&nbsp;

“The actions necessary to assist in meeting the emergency conditions and subsequent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/26/historic-nebraska-tornadoes-storms-leave-damage-in-their-wake/">impacts of these events</a>&nbsp;present a burden on the storm impacted areas and required state resources,” the proclamation said.

The governor directed the Nebraska adjutant general, who also serves as State Disaster Coordinator, to activate appropriate state emergency plans and to take steps necessary until threat to life and property created by the situation has been alleviated.

He called upon the state and appropriate federal agencies to cooperate in the effort.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714401542247.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen tours damage from Friday’s storms in eastern Nebraska. (Courtesy of the Governor’s Office)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen tours damage from Friday’s storms in eastern Nebraska. (Courtesy of the Governor’s Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-issues-post-storm-declaration-that-allows-use-of-state-emergency-fund/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Gov. Jim Pillen on Sunday issued a post-tornado emergency declaration, which allows the use of an emergency fund established under the Nebraska Emergency Management Act, to respond to storm damage in three counties.Gov. Pillen issues post-storm proclamation, which allows the use of a state emergency fund. (Courtesy of Governor’s Office)In a statement, Pillen noted that state law requires him to sign a State of Emergency Proclamation before the Governor’s Emergency Fund can be tapped.The proclamation comes in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/27/pillen-confirms-no-loss-of-life-from-friday-storms-but-hundreds-lost-homes/">aftermath of severe weather</a>&nbsp;that hit Nebraska on Thursday through Saturday. &nbsp;Douglas, Washington and Lancaster Counties&nbsp;are covered in the declaration.Pillen said there was “significant damage” in those counties to private and public property and infrastructure from thunderstorms, high winds, rain and multiple tornadoes.&nbsp;“The actions necessary to assist in meeting the emergency conditions and subsequent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/26/historic-nebraska-tornadoes-storms-leave-damage-in-their-wake/">impacts of these events</a>&nbsp;present a burden on the storm impacted areas and required state resources,” the proclamation said.The governor directed the Nebraska adjutant general, who also serves as State Disaster Coordinator, to activate appropriate state emergency plans and to take steps necessary until threat to life and property created by the situation has been alleviated.He called upon the state and appropriate federal agencies to cooperate in the effort.

Gov. Pillen issues post-storm declaration that allows use of state emergency fund

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Colleges around the country implored pro-Palestinian student protesters to clear out tent encampments with rising levels of urgency Monday as classes wrap up for the semester and campuses prepare for graduation ceremonies.

Students and others have been sparing over the Israel-Hamas war and its mounting death toll. Many students are demanding their universities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-protests-israel-divestment-palestinians-3f37f96f7be8e1124f266842d9caa627">cut financial ties</a>&nbsp;with Israel.

Protests were still active at a number of campuses. Near George Washington University, protesters at an encampment breached and dismantled the barriers Monday morning used to secure University Yard, the university said in a statement. The yard had been closed since last week.

At Columbia University, the site of the first protests, dialogue since last week between academic leaders and student organizers to dismantle encampments has not progressed, the university president said Monday. Protesters at Yale University set up a new encampment with dozens of tents Sunday afternoon, nearly a week after police arrested nearly 50 demonstrators and cleared a similar camp.

At least one school, the University of Southern California, canceled its main graduation ceremony this spring. Others are asking the protests to resolve peacefully so they can hold their ceremonies.

Protesters on both sides of the rancorous debate shouted and shoved each other during dueling demonstrations Sunday at the University of California, Los Angeles. The university stepped up security after “some physical altercations broke out among demonstrators,” Mary Osako, vice chancellor for UCLA Strategic Communications, said in a statement. There were no reports of arrests or injuries.

About 275 people were arrested Saturday at various campuses including Indiana University at Bloomington, Arizona State University and Washington University in St. Louis. The number of arrests nationwide has surpassed 900 since New York police removed a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at Columbia University and arrested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-protests-israel-palestinian-hirsi-cd80372939c7c08a40346e8b7d546da1">more than 100 demonstrators</a>&nbsp;on April 18.

The plight of students who have been arrested has become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-protest-gaza-war-arrest-amnesty-ae235703d6a9b99114078fca13a530a0">a central part of protests</a>, with the students and a growing number of faculty demanding amnesty for protesters. At issue is whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students through their adult lives.

The nationwide campus protests began as a response by some students to Israel’s offensive in Gaza after Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took roughly 250 hostages. Vowing to stamp out Hamas, Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the local health ministry.

Israel and its supporters have branded the university protests as antisemitic, while critics of Israel say it uses such allegations to silence opponents. Although some protesters have been caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, organizers of the protests, some of whom are Jewish, say it is a peaceful movement aimed at defending Palestinian rights and protesting the war.

Student demonstrations have sprung up across the U.S. in various locations including New York, California, Missouri, Indiana, Massachusetts, Vermont and Virginia.

Washington University in St. Louis locked some campus buildings and arrested protesters Saturday. Photos showed uniformed police attempting to remove masked protesters as others, also wearing masks, linked arms to thwart the efforts.

The university said in a statement that more than 100 people, including 23 students and four university employees, were arrested on suspicion of trespassing. Megan Green, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, said in a social media post that she was present and the protest remained calm “until the police came in like an ambush.”

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein said in a social media post that she and two of her campaign managers were among those arrested.

The university’s statement defended the action and said protesters “did not have good intentions on our campus and that this demonstration had the potential to get out of control and become dangerous.”

Early protests at Columbia University in New York City, where demonstrators set up tents in the center of the campus, sparked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inside-columbia-protest-movement-0b35ff55f18d0bf4b2c8c0a27b1dbe04">pro-Palestinian demonstrations</a>&nbsp;across the country. The demonstrations have caused the school to hold remote classes.

Columbia set a series of deadlines for protesters to leave the encampment, which they have missed, but the school said in an email to students that bringing back police “at this time” would be counterproductive. The students and administrators have engaged in negotiations to end the disruptions, but the sides have not come to an agreement, university President Minouche Shafik said in a statement Monday.

On Sunday, students walked among dozens of colorful tents in front of Low Library, where rows of chairs already have been set up in preparation for commencement in May.

At UCLA, police set up barricades before hundreds of demonstrators on both sides joined a growing crowd Sunday near tents where pro-Palestinian students have been staying around-the-clock.

Pro-Israel demonstrators who arrived for a “Stand in Support of Jewish Students” rally said their goal was to “stand up against hatred and antisemitism.” The counterprotest was organized by the Israeli-American Council, whose leader Elan Carr urged marchers to remain peaceful,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-28/gaza-ucla-usc-protests">the Los Angeles Times reported</a>.

Across town, the University of Southern California said it was open Sunday after administrators shut down the campus a day earlier because of what the school called vandalism and disruptions.

USC drew criticism after refusing to allow this year's class valedictorian, who has publicly supported the Palestinian cause, to make a commencement speech. Administrators then scrapped the keynote speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu. Last week the school announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-southern-california-commencement-speech-canceled-125cb8db93f2247ca3e45f782b7fcb2a">cancellation of its main graduation event</a>, a day after more than 90 protesters were arrested by police in riot gear.

In the northern part of the state, officials Saturday ordered an “enforced hard closure” of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. Two halls remained occupied by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Police in riot gear cleared an encampment at Northeastern University in Boston on Saturday. About 100 protesters were arrested and will be charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct, the Massachusetts State Police said.

Boston's Emerson College said in a statement Sunday that it will not bring disciplinary charges against over 100 protesters who were arrested last week and will encourage prosecutors not to issue charges for encampment-related violations.

At Boston's Tufts University, the school said in a statement that staffers would reach out to protesters Monday to plan for the end of an encampment in coming days.

There were an unknown number of arrests over the weekend at a protest at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, a university spokesperson said Monday.

Protesters began occupying the lawn of the graduate life center Friday, the university said in a statement. The gathering violated university policy, the school said, but there was a “safe and peaceful environment” over much of the weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714403040726.png" alt="Image of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein's arrest at Washington University in St. Louis from the video" />
 <figcaption>Image of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein's arrest at Washington University in St. Louis from the video</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Colleges around the country implored pro-Palestinian student protesters to clear out tent encampments with rising levels of urgency Monday as classes wrap up for the semester and campuses prepare for graduation ceremonies.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: Jill Stein and her Campaign Manager and Deputy Campaign Manager, Jason Call and Kelly Merrill-Cayer, have been arrested at Washington University in St. Louis while supporting a protest against WashU’s ties to the war on Gaza. Video from <a href="https://twitter.com/KallieECox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KallieECox</a> <a href="https://t.co/rkUYC9b5Qx">pic.twitter.com/rkUYC9b5Qx</a>&mdash; Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJillStein/status/1784411081340809348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Students and others have been sparing over the Israel-Hamas war and its mounting death toll. Many students are demanding their universities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-protests-israel-divestment-palestinians-3f37f96f7be8e1124f266842d9caa627">cut financial ties</a>&nbsp;with Israel.Protests were still active at a number of campuses. Near George Washington University, protesters at an encampment breached and dismantled the barriers Monday morning used to secure University Yard, the university said in a statement. The yard had been closed since last week.At Columbia University, the site of the first protests, dialogue since last week between academic leaders and student organizers to dismantle encampments has not progressed, the university president said Monday. Protesters at Yale University set up a new encampment with dozens of tents Sunday afternoon, nearly a week after police arrested nearly 50 demonstrators and cleared a similar camp.At least one school, the University of Southern California, canceled its main graduation ceremony this spring. Others are asking the protests to resolve peacefully so they can hold their ceremonies.Protesters on both sides of the rancorous debate shouted and shoved each other during dueling demonstrations Sunday at the University of California, Los Angeles. The university stepped up security after “some physical altercations broke out among demonstrators,” Mary Osako, vice chancellor for UCLA Strategic Communications, said in a statement. There were no reports of arrests or injuries.About 275 people were arrested Saturday at various campuses including Indiana University at Bloomington, Arizona State University and Washington University in St. Louis. The number of arrests nationwide has surpassed 900 since New York police removed a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at Columbia University and arrested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-protests-israel-palestinian-hirsi-cd80372939c7c08a40346e8b7d546da1">more than 100 demonstrators</a>&nbsp;on April 18.The plight of students who have been arrested has become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-protest-gaza-war-arrest-amnesty-ae235703d6a9b99114078fca13a530a0">a central part of protests</a>, with the students and a growing number of faculty demanding amnesty for protesters. At issue is whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students through their adult lives.HOW IT STARTEDThe nationwide campus protests began as a response by some students to Israel’s offensive in Gaza after Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.Militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took roughly 250 hostages. Vowing to stamp out Hamas, Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the local health ministry.Israel and its supporters have branded the university protests as antisemitic, while critics of Israel say it uses such allegations to silence opponents. Although some protesters have been caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, organizers of the protests, some of whom are Jewish, say it is a peaceful movement aimed at defending Palestinian rights and protesting the war.Student demonstrations have sprung up across the U.S. in various locations including New York, California, Missouri, Indiana, Massachusetts, Vermont and Virginia.MISSOURIWashington University in St. Louis locked some campus buildings and arrested protesters Saturday. Photos showed uniformed police attempting to remove masked protesters as others, also wearing masks, linked arms to thwart the efforts.The university said in a statement that more than 100 people, including 23 students and four university employees, were arrested on suspicion of trespassing. Megan Green, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, said in a social media post that she was present and the protest remained calm “until the police came in like an ambush.”Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein said in a social media post that she and two of her campaign managers were among those arrested.The university’s statement defended the action and said protesters “did not have good intentions on our campus and that this demonstration had the potential to get out of control and become dangerous.”NEW YORKEarly protests at Columbia University in New York City, where demonstrators set up tents in the center of the campus, sparked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inside-columbia-protest-movement-0b35ff55f18d0bf4b2c8c0a27b1dbe04">pro-Palestinian demonstrations</a>&nbsp;across the country. The demonstrations have caused the school to hold remote classes.Columbia set a series of deadlines for protesters to leave the encampment, which they have missed, but the school said in an email to students that bringing back police “at this time” would be counterproductive. The students and administrators have engaged in negotiations to end the disruptions, but the sides have not come to an agreement, university President Minouche Shafik said in a statement Monday.On Sunday, students walked among dozens of colorful tents in front of Low Library, where rows of chairs already have been set up in preparation for commencement in May.CALIFORNIAAt UCLA, police set up barricades before hundreds of demonstrators on both sides joined a growing crowd Sunday near tents where pro-Palestinian students have been staying around-the-clock.Pro-Israel demonstrators who arrived for a “Stand in Support of Jewish Students” rally said their goal was to “stand up against hatred and antisemitism.” The counterprotest was organized by the Israeli-American Council, whose leader Elan Carr urged marchers to remain peaceful,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-28/gaza-ucla-usc-protests">the Los Angeles Times reported</a>.Across town, the University of Southern California said it was open Sunday after administrators shut down the campus a day earlier because of what the school called vandalism and disruptions.USC drew criticism after refusing to allow this year's class valedictorian, who has publicly supported the Palestinian cause, to make a commencement speech. Administrators then scrapped the keynote speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu. Last week the school announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-southern-california-commencement-speech-canceled-125cb8db93f2247ca3e45f782b7fcb2a">cancellation of its main graduation event</a>, a day after more than 90 protesters were arrested by police in riot gear.In the northern part of the state, officials Saturday ordered an “enforced hard closure” of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. Two halls remained occupied by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.MASSACHUSETTSPolice in riot gear cleared an encampment at Northeastern University in Boston on Saturday. About 100 protesters were arrested and will be charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct, the Massachusetts State Police said.Boston's Emerson College said in a statement Sunday that it will not bring disciplinary charges against over 100 protesters who were arrested last week and will encourage prosecutors not to issue charges for encampment-related violations.At Boston's Tufts University, the school said in a statement that staffers would reach out to protesters Monday to plan for the end of an encampment in coming days.VIRGINIAThere were an unknown number of arrests over the weekend at a protest at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, a university spokesperson said Monday.Protesters began occupying the lawn of the graduate life center Friday, the university said in a statement. The gathering violated university policy, the school said, but there was a “safe and peaceful environment” over much of the weekend.___

Protests over Israel-Hamas war roil campuses in Missouri, nationwide

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Residents began sifting through the rubble Saturday after a tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, demolishing homes and businesses as it moved for miles through farmland and into subdivisions, then slamming an Iowa town.

Dozens of reported tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday in the Midwest, causing a building to collapse with dozens of people inside and destroying and damaging at least 150 homes in Omaha alone.

But no fatalities were reported, and fewer than two dozen people were treated at Omaha-area hospitals, said Dr. Lindsay Huse, health director of the city's Douglas County Health Department.

“Miraculous” she said, stressing that none of the city's injuries were serious. Neighboring communities reported a handful of injuries each.

The tornado damage started Friday afternoon near Lincoln, Nebraska. An industrial building in Lancaster County was hit, causing it to collapse with 70 people inside. Several were trapped, but everyone was evacuated, and the three injuries were not life-threatening, authorities said.

One or possibly two tornadoes then spent around an hour creeping toward Omaha, leaving behind damage consistent with an EF3 twister, with winds of 135 to 165 mph, said Chris Franks, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service's Omaha office.

Ultimately the twister slammed into the Elkhorn neighborhood in western Omaha, a city of 485,000 people with a metropolitan-area population of about 1 million.

“We barely made it to the basement and then we heard the destruction going on upstairs,” said James Stennis, who moved to the Elkhorn neighborhood about a year ago. “Wow!”

Firefighters worked into the evening to make sure no one was trapped. By Saturday morning, the sounds of chainsaws filled the air there. Lumber from the damaged homes lay in piles. Fences were knocked over, and the trees were skeletal, missing most of their branches.

Staci Roe surveyed the damage to what was supposed to be her “forever home,” which was not even two years old. When the tornado hit, they were at the airport picking up a friend who was supposed to spend the night.

“There was no home to come to,” she said, describing “utter dread” when she saw it for the first time.

Power outages peaked at 10,000, but they had dropped to 4,300 by morning.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds spent Saturday touring the damage and arranging for assistance for the damaged communities. Formal damage assessments are still underway, but the states plan to seek federal help.

“It is an extraordinary miracle that we've had this kind of cell come through and no casualties, no loss of life,” Pillen marveled at a news conference.

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson begged gawkers to stay at home, saying he and Pillen were stuck in multiple traffic jams while viewing the wreckage.

“And that’s because in large part there’s a lot of looky-loos who are very curious,” he said. Hanson said law enforcement would be out in force to safeguard the damaged property.

A second tornado then passed over Eppley Airfield on the eastern edge of Omaha, destroying four hanger buildings with 32 privately owned planes inside. No one was hurt, and the passenger terminal was not hit. The airport has resumed operations, although access to areas used by noncommercial pilots is limited so crew can clean up the mess, the airfield said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OMAairport/posts/pfbid0zXPVQ1tKFM5ZZAmuSqFQdEoPLBseRADwd837h3Zq7U7n3u11doJMqZLkL7LYKKjtl">news</a>&nbsp;release.

Franks estimated that this twister was a slightly weaker EF2, capable of winds of 111 to 135 mph.

“Strong tornadoes, rare tornadoes,” he called the duo of twisters that hit the city.

After hitting the airport, the storm moved into Iowa, taking aim at the small town of Minden.

Forty to 50 homes were completely destroyed. Two injuries were reported but none were life-threatening, said Jeff Theulen, chief deputy of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, at a late Friday briefing.

“It’s heartbreaking to see these people who have lost houses, cars, essentially their life until they have to rebuild it,” he said, urging people to stay away because of downed power lines.

At the Minden United Church of Christ, which survived the storm and has become a community hub of help and support, there were plans to take 4-wheel-drive vehicles out to devastated parts of town to bring meals to those who need them, Pastor Eric Biehl said.

“A lot of people are just kind of in shock,” Biehl said. “It’s all overwhelming now.”

Tammy Pavich, who stores equipment on the west edge of town, said she “kind of breathed a sigh of relief” after the first round of tornadoes moved through Omaha. Then, she recalled, the storm “hit Minden dead-on.”

Todd Lehan, a lifelong resident of the town, said he took shelter in a windowless basement. “It sounded like a vacuum cleaner on top of your house,” he recalled.

Just west of the Iowa town of Pleasant Hill, a suspected tornado also damaged nearly 20 homes, injuring one person.

The damage was causing headaches for Nebraska football fans headed to the spring game.

“Be prepared for heavy traffic, buckle up and put the phone down,” warned the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Even as the National Weather Service worked to evaluate the damage, the forecast for Saturday was ominous. It issued tornado watches for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa. Large hail also was possible. Some schools canceled proms because of the forecasts.

“Tornadoes, perhaps significant tornadoes,” were possible Saturday afternoon and evening, said weather service meteorologist Bruce Thoren in Norman, Oklahoma.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714396465868.jpeg" alt="Damaged homes are seen after a tornado hit the Newport Landing neighborhood in Bennington, Neb., Saturday, April 27, 2024. Dozens of reported tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday in the Midwest. (Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Damaged homes are seen after a tornado hit the Newport Landing neighborhood in Bennington, Neb., Saturday, April 27, 2024. Dozens of reported tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday in the Midwest. (Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Residents began sifting through the rubble Saturday after a tornado plowed through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, demolishing homes and businesses as it moved for miles through farmland and into subdivisions, then slamming an Iowa town.Dozens of reported tornadoes wreaked havoc Friday in the Midwest, causing a building to collapse with dozens of people inside and destroying and damaging at least 150 homes in Omaha alone.But no fatalities were reported, and fewer than two dozen people were treated at Omaha-area hospitals, said Dr. Lindsay Huse, health director of the city's Douglas County Health Department.“Miraculous” she said, stressing that none of the city's injuries were serious. Neighboring communities reported a handful of injuries each.The tornado damage started Friday afternoon near Lincoln, Nebraska. An industrial building in Lancaster County was hit, causing it to collapse with 70 people inside. Several were trapped, but everyone was evacuated, and the three injuries were not life-threatening, authorities said.One or possibly two tornadoes then spent around an hour creeping toward Omaha, leaving behind damage consistent with an EF3 twister, with winds of 135 to 165 mph, said Chris Franks, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service's Omaha office.Ultimately the twister slammed into the Elkhorn neighborhood in western Omaha, a city of 485,000 people with a metropolitan-area population of about 1 million.“We barely made it to the basement and then we heard the destruction going on upstairs,” said James Stennis, who moved to the Elkhorn neighborhood about a year ago. “Wow!”Firefighters worked into the evening to make sure no one was trapped. By Saturday morning, the sounds of chainsaws filled the air there. Lumber from the damaged homes lay in piles. Fences were knocked over, and the trees were skeletal, missing most of their branches.Staci Roe surveyed the damage to what was supposed to be her “forever home,” which was not even two years old. When the tornado hit, they were at the airport picking up a friend who was supposed to spend the night.“There was no home to come to,” she said, describing “utter dread” when she saw it for the first time.Power outages peaked at 10,000, but they had dropped to 4,300 by morning.Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds spent Saturday touring the damage and arranging for assistance for the damaged communities. Formal damage assessments are still underway, but the states plan to seek federal help.“It is an extraordinary miracle that we've had this kind of cell come through and no casualties, no loss of life,” Pillen marveled at a news conference.Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson begged gawkers to stay at home, saying he and Pillen were stuck in multiple traffic jams while viewing the wreckage.“And that’s because in large part there’s a lot of looky-loos who are very curious,” he said. Hanson said law enforcement would be out in force to safeguard the damaged property.A second tornado then passed over Eppley Airfield on the eastern edge of Omaha, destroying four hanger buildings with 32 privately owned planes inside. No one was hurt, and the passenger terminal was not hit. The airport has resumed operations, although access to areas used by noncommercial pilots is limited so crew can clean up the mess, the airfield said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OMAairport/posts/pfbid0zXPVQ1tKFM5ZZAmuSqFQdEoPLBseRADwd837h3Zq7U7n3u11doJMqZLkL7LYKKjtl">news</a>&nbsp;release.Franks estimated that this twister was a slightly weaker EF2, capable of winds of 111 to 135 mph.“Strong tornadoes, rare tornadoes,” he called the duo of twisters that hit the city.After hitting the airport, the storm moved into Iowa, taking aim at the small town of Minden.Forty to 50 homes were completely destroyed. Two injuries were reported but none were life-threatening, said Jeff Theulen, chief deputy of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, at a late Friday briefing.“It’s heartbreaking to see these people who have lost houses, cars, essentially their life until they have to rebuild it,” he said, urging people to stay away because of downed power lines.At the Minden United Church of Christ, which survived the storm and has become a community hub of help and support, there were plans to take 4-wheel-drive vehicles out to devastated parts of town to bring meals to those who need them, Pastor Eric Biehl said.“A lot of people are just kind of in shock,” Biehl said. “It’s all overwhelming now.”Tammy Pavich, who stores equipment on the west edge of town, said she “kind of breathed a sigh of relief” after the first round of tornadoes moved through Omaha. Then, she recalled, the storm “hit Minden dead-on.”Todd Lehan, a lifelong resident of the town, said he took shelter in a windowless basement. “It sounded like a vacuum cleaner on top of your house,” he recalled.Just west of the Iowa town of Pleasant Hill, a suspected tornado also damaged nearly 20 homes, injuring one person.The damage was causing headaches for Nebraska football fans headed to the spring game.“Be prepared for heavy traffic, buckle up and put the phone down,” warned the Nebraska Department of Transportation.Even as the National Weather Service worked to evaluate the damage, the forecast for Saturday was ominous. It issued tornado watches for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa. Large hail also was possible. Some schools canceled proms because of the forecasts.“Tornadoes, perhaps significant tornadoes,” were possible Saturday afternoon and evening, said weather service meteorologist Bruce Thoren in Norman, Oklahoma.

Residents begin going through the rubble after tornadoes hammer parts of Nebraska and Iowa

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia, in part because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-chernihiv-missile-strike-drones-2eaf2f93ad447bce3ea2d8f9631c554b">Russian drone warfare</a>&nbsp;has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack, two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-technology-germany-7b63726a3935da3f03424e98e52a85b2">U.S. agreed to send 31 Abrams</a>&nbsp;to Ukraine in January 2023 after an aggressive monthslong campaign by Kyiv arguing that the tanks, which cost about $10 million apiece, were vital to its ability to breach Russian lines.

But the battlefield has changed substantially since then, notably by the ubiquitous use of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-energy-infrastructure-drones-f57e600db45757aaf5120ba23a96980f">Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones</a>. Those weapons have made it more difficult for Ukraine to protect the tanks when they are quickly detected and hunted by Russian drones or rounds.

Five of the 31 tanks have already been lost to Russian attacks.

The proliferation of drones on the Ukrainian battlefield means “there isn’t open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection,” a senior defense official told reporters Thursday.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide an update on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-aid-package-kharkiv-drones-cadd79c8abd56ad58d07c93253e04ef1">U.S. weapons support for Ukraine</a>&nbsp;before Friday's Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.

For now,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-us-national-security-council-7b8475342e6d5e0ad6e45715fe5a1fd9">the tanks</a>&nbsp;have been moved from the front lines, and the U.S. will work with the Ukrainians to reset tactics, said Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady and a third defense official who confirmed the move on the condition of anonymity.

“When you think about the way the fight has evolved, massed armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk," Grady told the AP in an interview this week, adding that tanks are still important.

“Now, there is a way to do it," he said. "We’ll work with our Ukrainian partners, and other partners on the ground, to help them think through how they might use that, in that kind of changed environment now, where everything is seen immediately.”

News of the sidelined tanks comes as the U.S. marks the two-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries that meets monthly to assess&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-ammunition-military-b263dfaceef57fb2c1f74c53861734da">Ukraine's battlefield needs</a>&nbsp;and identify where to find needed ammunition, weapons or maintenance to keep Ukraine's troops equipped.

Recent aid packages, including the $1 billion military assistance package signed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday, also reflect a wider reset for Ukrainian forces in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-energy-infrastructure-drones-f57e600db45757aaf5120ba23a96980f">evolving fight</a>.

The U.S.&nbsp; announced Friday that it also will provide about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-funding-war-russia-patriot-missiles-026fc8f9ee064ffb49bbee2422e2908b">$6 billion in long-term military aid</a>&nbsp;to Ukraine, U.S. officials said, adding that it will include much sought after munitions for Patriot air defense systems. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.

The $1 billion package emphasized counter-drone capabilities, including .50-caliber rounds specifically modified to counter drone systems; additional air defenses and ammunition; and a host of alternative, and cheaper, vehicles, including Humvees, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles.

The U.S. also confirmed for the first time that it is providing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-long-range-missiles-4d2254639eb5a503d8b0a291ed0680e9">long-range ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;known as ATACMs, which allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian-occupied areas without having to advance and be further exposed to either drone detection or fortified Russian defenses.

While drones are a significant threat, the Ukrainians also have not adopted tactics that could have made the tanks more effective, one of the U.S. defense officials said.

After announcing it would provide Ukraine the Abrams tanks in January 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abrams-tanks-ukraine-war-training-russia-62a21f24f4769044b3fcade518e5b44e">the U.S. began training Ukrainians</a>&nbsp;at Grafenwoehr Army base in Germany that spring on how to maintain and operate them. They also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abrams-tanks-ukraine-training-war-russia-aid-6de94897aad37e6d30e744df0dad07bd">taught the Ukrainians</a>&nbsp;how to use them in combined arms warfare — where the tanks operate as part of a system of advancing armored forces, coordinating movements with overhead offensive fires, infantry troops and air assets.

As the spring progressed and Ukraine's highly anticipated counteroffensive stalled, shifting from tank training in Germany to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-abrams-tanks-94294a9c1e1acc50098afa440bcb4d40">getting Abrams on the battlefield</a>&nbsp;was seen as an imperative to breach fortified Russian lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his Telegram channel in September that the Abrams had arrived in Ukraine.

Since then, however, Ukraine has only employed them in a limited fashion and has not made combined arms warfare part of its operations, the defense official said.

During its recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-avdiivka-c31eb7439d1983532a3f940061efe6e7">withdrawal from Avdiivka</a>, a city in eastern Ukraine that was the focus of intense fighting for months, several tanks were lost to Russian attacks, the official said.

A long delay by Congress in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-mike-johnson-ukraine-israel-b72aed9b195818735d24363f2bc34ea4">passing new funding for Ukraine</a>&nbsp;meant its forces had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-weapons-avdiivka-24bd70ef8047140a10c67e000288f7d8">ration ammunition</a>, and in some cases they were only able to shoot back once for every five or more times they were targeted by Russian forces.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710267271851.png" alt="-Soldiers in an M1A2 SEPV3 Abrams tank assigned to the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division fires conduct a Combined Arms Live-Fire exercise at Trzebien, Poland, Feb. 12, 2024. The 3rd Infantry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo By:Army Spc. Bernabe Lopez III" />
 <figcaption>-Soldiers in an M1A2 SEPV3 Abrams tank assigned to the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division fires conduct a Combined Arms Live-Fire exercise at Trzebien, Poland, Feb. 12, 2024. The 3rd Infantry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo By:Army Spc. Bernabe Lopez III</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its fight against Russia, in part because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-chernihiv-missile-strike-drones-2eaf2f93ad447bce3ea2d8f9631c554b">Russian drone warfare</a>&nbsp;has made it too difficult for them to operate without detection or coming under attack, two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-technology-germany-7b63726a3935da3f03424e98e52a85b2">U.S. agreed to send 31 Abrams</a>&nbsp;to Ukraine in January 2023 after an aggressive monthslong campaign by Kyiv arguing that the tanks, which cost about $10 million apiece, were vital to its ability to breach Russian lines.But the battlefield has changed substantially since then, notably by the ubiquitous use of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-energy-infrastructure-drones-f57e600db45757aaf5120ba23a96980f">Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones</a>. Those weapons have made it more difficult for Ukraine to protect the tanks when they are quickly detected and hunted by Russian drones or rounds.Five of the 31 tanks have already been lost to Russian attacks.The proliferation of drones on the Ukrainian battlefield means “there isn’t open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection,” a senior defense official told reporters Thursday.The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide an update on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-aid-package-kharkiv-drones-cadd79c8abd56ad58d07c93253e04ef1">U.S. weapons support for Ukraine</a>&nbsp;before Friday's Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.For now,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-us-national-security-council-7b8475342e6d5e0ad6e45715fe5a1fd9">the tanks</a>&nbsp;have been moved from the front lines, and the U.S. will work with the Ukrainians to reset tactics, said Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady and a third defense official who confirmed the move on the condition of anonymity.“When you think about the way the fight has evolved, massed armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk," Grady told the AP in an interview this week, adding that tanks are still important.“Now, there is a way to do it," he said. "We’ll work with our Ukrainian partners, and other partners on the ground, to help them think through how they might use that, in that kind of changed environment now, where everything is seen immediately.”News of the sidelined tanks comes as the U.S. marks the two-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries that meets monthly to assess&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-ammunition-military-b263dfaceef57fb2c1f74c53861734da">Ukraine's battlefield needs</a>&nbsp;and identify where to find needed ammunition, weapons or maintenance to keep Ukraine's troops equipped.Recent aid packages, including the $1 billion military assistance package signed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday, also reflect a wider reset for Ukrainian forces in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-energy-infrastructure-drones-f57e600db45757aaf5120ba23a96980f">evolving fight</a>.The U.S.&nbsp; announced Friday that it also will provide about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-funding-war-russia-patriot-missiles-026fc8f9ee064ffb49bbee2422e2908b">$6 billion in long-term military aid</a>&nbsp;to Ukraine, U.S. officials said, adding that it will include much sought after munitions for Patriot air defense systems. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.The $1 billion package emphasized counter-drone capabilities, including .50-caliber rounds specifically modified to counter drone systems; additional air defenses and ammunition; and a host of alternative, and cheaper, vehicles, including Humvees, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles.The U.S. also confirmed for the first time that it is providing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-long-range-missiles-4d2254639eb5a503d8b0a291ed0680e9">long-range ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;known as ATACMs, which allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian-occupied areas without having to advance and be further exposed to either drone detection or fortified Russian defenses.While drones are a significant threat, the Ukrainians also have not adopted tactics that could have made the tanks more effective, one of the U.S. defense officials said.After announcing it would provide Ukraine the Abrams tanks in January 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abrams-tanks-ukraine-war-training-russia-62a21f24f4769044b3fcade518e5b44e">the U.S. began training Ukrainians</a>&nbsp;at Grafenwoehr Army base in Germany that spring on how to maintain and operate them. They also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abrams-tanks-ukraine-training-war-russia-aid-6de94897aad37e6d30e744df0dad07bd">taught the Ukrainians</a>&nbsp;how to use them in combined arms warfare — where the tanks operate as part of a system of advancing armored forces, coordinating movements with overhead offensive fires, infantry troops and air assets.As the spring progressed and Ukraine's highly anticipated counteroffensive stalled, shifting from tank training in Germany to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-abrams-tanks-94294a9c1e1acc50098afa440bcb4d40">getting Abrams on the battlefield</a>&nbsp;was seen as an imperative to breach fortified Russian lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his Telegram channel in September that the Abrams had arrived in Ukraine.Since then, however, Ukraine has only employed them in a limited fashion and has not made combined arms warfare part of its operations, the defense official said.During its recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-avdiivka-c31eb7439d1983532a3f940061efe6e7">withdrawal from Avdiivka</a>, a city in eastern Ukraine that was the focus of intense fighting for months, several tanks were lost to Russian attacks, the official said.A long delay by Congress in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-mike-johnson-ukraine-israel-b72aed9b195818735d24363f2bc34ea4">passing new funding for Ukraine</a>&nbsp;meant its forces had to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-weapons-avdiivka-24bd70ef8047140a10c67e000288f7d8">ration ammunition</a>, and in some cases they were only able to shoot back once for every five or more times they were targeted by Russian forces.

Cheap Russian drones overwhelm US-made Abrams tanks in Ukraine

NEW YORK (AP) — The Biden administration has finalized a new rule set to make millions of more salaried workers eligible for overtime pay in the U.S.

The move marks the largest expansion in federal overtime eligibility seen in decades. Starting July 1, employers will be required pay overtime to salaried workers who make less than $43,888 a year in certain executive, administrative and professional roles, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That cap will then rise to $58,656 by the start of 2025.

“Too often, lower-paid salaried workers are doing the same job as their hourly counterparts but are spending more time away from their families for no additional pay. That is unacceptable,” acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said in a prepared statement.

She added that the administration was “following through on our promise to raise the bar.”

Tuesday’s news marks a significant jump from the current overtime eligibility threshold of $35,568, which was set&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/20a969ae220d4dd587e21a1ae73a849d">under the Trump administration</a>&nbsp;in 2019 — just three years after a more generous Obama-era effort&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a0d8eada5bb24cbd91ff03f692306aa3/21-us-states-sue-block-expansion-overtime-pay-law">was ultimately scuttled in court</a>&nbsp;after facing pushback from some business leaders and Republican politicians.

Under the federal law, nearly all hourly workers in the U.S. are entitled to overtime pay after 40 hours a week. But many salaried workers are exempt from that requirement — unless they earn below a certain level.

The new rule also expands overtime eligibility for some highly-compensated workers. According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime/rulemaking/faqs#impact17">Labor Department FAQ</a>, the current $107,432 annual threshold for highly-compensated workers is set to increase to $132,964 on July 1 and $151,164 by the start of 2025.

The Labor Department estimates that 4 million lower-paid salary workers who are exempt under current regulations will become eligible for overtime protections in the first year under the new rule. An additional 292,900 higher-compensated workers are also expected to get overtime entitlements.

The July 1 increases update the current salary thresholds using methodology put in place under the Trump administration’s 2019 regulation. The new rule’s methodology takes effect Jan. 1, the Labor Department said, with salary thresholds set to update every three years based on the latest wage data.

The Biden administration first announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/work-labor-overtime-pay-biden-ba1613a766bd45c4f15650bb7d361063">plans for its new rule in late August</a>, and submitted a proposal in September. The Labor Department said it “conducted extensive engagement with employers, workers, unions and other stakeholders” and considered more than 33,000 comments as it developed the final rule.

Critics have argued that the new regulation could saddle companies with new costs and add to persistent labor challenges. In a statement, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a North Carolina Republican and chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said that employers “are staring down the barrel of billions in annual costs to comply with the rule” while calling the regulation “excessive and heavy-handed.”

Meanwhile, advocates applauded the administration’s rule — with some noting that such a move is overdue. The left-leaning Economic Policy Institute says that the overtime threshold has not been updated properly for almost 50 years — leaving millions without such federal protections.

“The rule is an important step toward correctly valuing one of the most precious resources workers have — their time,” EPI president Heidi Shierholz said Tuesday. “This rule is an essential milestone in creating a stronger, fairer economy.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The Biden administration has finalized a new rule set to make millions of more salaried workers eligible for overtime pay in the U.S.The move marks the largest expansion in federal overtime eligibility seen in decades. Starting July 1, employers will be required pay overtime to salaried workers who make less than $43,888 a year in certain executive, administrative and professional roles, the Labor Department said Tuesday. That cap will then rise to $58,656 by the start of 2025.“Too often, lower-paid salaried workers are doing the same job as their hourly counterparts but are spending more time away from their families for no additional pay. That is unacceptable,” acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said in a prepared statement.She added that the administration was “following through on our promise to raise the bar.”Tuesday’s news marks a significant jump from the current overtime eligibility threshold of $35,568, which was set&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/20a969ae220d4dd587e21a1ae73a849d">under the Trump administration</a>&nbsp;in 2019 — just three years after a more generous Obama-era effort&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a0d8eada5bb24cbd91ff03f692306aa3/21-us-states-sue-block-expansion-overtime-pay-law">was ultimately scuttled in court</a>&nbsp;after facing pushback from some business leaders and Republican politicians.Under the federal law, nearly all hourly workers in the U.S. are entitled to overtime pay after 40 hours a week. But many salaried workers are exempt from that requirement — unless they earn below a certain level.The new rule also expands overtime eligibility for some highly-compensated workers. According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime/rulemaking/faqs#impact17">Labor Department FAQ</a>, the current $107,432 annual threshold for highly-compensated workers is set to increase to $132,964 on July 1 and $151,164 by the start of 2025.The Labor Department estimates that 4 million lower-paid salary workers who are exempt under current regulations will become eligible for overtime protections in the first year under the new rule. An additional 292,900 higher-compensated workers are also expected to get overtime entitlements.The July 1 increases update the current salary thresholds using methodology put in place under the Trump administration’s 2019 regulation. The new rule’s methodology takes effect Jan. 1, the Labor Department said, with salary thresholds set to update every three years based on the latest wage data.The Biden administration first announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/work-labor-overtime-pay-biden-ba1613a766bd45c4f15650bb7d361063">plans for its new rule in late August</a>, and submitted a proposal in September. The Labor Department said it “conducted extensive engagement with employers, workers, unions and other stakeholders” and considered more than 33,000 comments as it developed the final rule.Critics have argued that the new regulation could saddle companies with new costs and add to persistent labor challenges. In a statement, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a North Carolina Republican and chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said that employers “are staring down the barrel of billions in annual costs to comply with the rule” while calling the regulation “excessive and heavy-handed.”Meanwhile, advocates applauded the administration’s rule — with some noting that such a move is overdue. The left-leaning Economic Policy Institute says that the overtime threshold has not been updated properly for almost 50 years — leaving millions without such federal protections.“The rule is an important step toward correctly valuing one of the most precious resources workers have — their time,” EPI president Heidi Shierholz said Tuesday. “This rule is an essential milestone in creating a stronger, fairer economy.”

Millions of salaried workers now eligible for overtime pay under new Biden rule

WASHINGTON (AP) —No, TikTok will not suddenly disappear from your phone. Nor will you go to jail if you continue using it after it is banned.

After years of attempts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-bill-divest-5b5a685e8f1e19d22182d62526bf19b8">ban the Chinese-owned app</a>, including by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/global-trade-ap-top-news-politics-asia-business-719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8">former President Donald Trump</a>, a measure to outlaw the popular video-sharing app has won congressional approval and is on its way to President Biden for his signature. The measure gives Beijing-based parent company ByteDance nine months to sell the company, with a possible additional three months if a sale is in progress. If it doesn't, TikTok will be banned.

So what does this mean for you, a TikTok user, or perhaps the parent of a TikTok user? Here are some key questions and answers.

The original proposal gave ByteDance just six months to divest from its U.S. subsidiary, negotiations lengthened it to nine. Then, if the sale is already in progress, the company will get another three months to complete it.

So it would be at least a year before a ban goes into effect — but with likely court challenges, this could stretch even longer, perhaps years. TikTok has seen some success with court challenges in the past, but it has never sought to prevent federal legislation from going into effect.

TikTok, which is used by more than 170 million Americans, most likely won't disappear from your phone even if an eventual ban does take effect. But it would disappear from Apple and Google's app stores, which means users won't be able to download it. This would also mean that TikTok wouldn't be able to send updates, security patches and bug fixes, and over time the app would likely become unusable — not to mention a security risk.

Teenagers are known for circumventing parental controls and bans when it comes to social media, so dodging the U.S. government's ban is certainly not outside the realm of possibilities. For instance, users could try to mask their location using a VPN, or virtual private network, use alternative app stores or even install a foreign SIM card into their phone.

But some tech savvy is required, and it's not clear what will and won't work. More likely, users will migrate to another platform — such as Instagram, which has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-u-s-news-featured-mark-zuckerberg-600d0654df8a24c0ad9cc79507f1063a">TikTok-like feature called Reels</a>, or YouTube, which has incorporated vertical short videos in its feed to try to compete with TikTok. Often, such videos are taken directly from TikTok itself. And popular creators are likely to be found on other platforms as well, so you'll probably be able to see the same stuff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708714541315.png" alt="Image from President Biden's TikTok account" />
 <figcaption>Image from President Biden's TikTok account</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —No, TikTok will not suddenly disappear from your phone. Nor will you go to jail if you continue using it after it is banned.After years of attempts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-bill-divest-5b5a685e8f1e19d22182d62526bf19b8">ban the Chinese-owned app</a>, including by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/global-trade-ap-top-news-politics-asia-business-719d8c83f689929c9c9d8c9aa5593fc8">former President Donald Trump</a>, a measure to outlaw the popular video-sharing app has won congressional approval and is on its way to President Biden for his signature. The measure gives Beijing-based parent company ByteDance nine months to sell the company, with a possible additional three months if a sale is in progress. If it doesn't, TikTok will be banned.So what does this mean for you, a TikTok user, or perhaps the parent of a TikTok user? Here are some key questions and answers.WHEN DOES THE BAN GO INTO EFFECT?The original proposal gave ByteDance just six months to divest from its U.S. subsidiary, negotiations lengthened it to nine. Then, if the sale is already in progress, the company will get another three months to complete it.So it would be at least a year before a ban goes into effect — but with likely court challenges, this could stretch even longer, perhaps years. TikTok has seen some success with court challenges in the past, but it has never sought to prevent federal legislation from going into effect.WHAT IF I ALREADY DOWNLOADED IT?TikTok, which is used by more than 170 million Americans, most likely won't disappear from your phone even if an eventual ban does take effect. But it would disappear from Apple and Google's app stores, which means users won't be able to download it. This would also mean that TikTok wouldn't be able to send updates, security patches and bug fixes, and over time the app would likely become unusable — not to mention a security risk.BUT SURELY THERE ARE WORKAROUNDS?Teenagers are known for circumventing parental controls and bans when it comes to social media, so dodging the U.S. government's ban is certainly not outside the realm of possibilities. For instance, users could try to mask their location using a VPN, or virtual private network, use alternative app stores or even install a foreign SIM card into their phone.But some tech savvy is required, and it's not clear what will and won't work. More likely, users will migrate to another platform — such as Instagram, which has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-u-s-news-featured-mark-zuckerberg-600d0654df8a24c0ad9cc79507f1063a">TikTok-like feature called Reels</a>, or YouTube, which has incorporated vertical short videos in its feed to try to compete with TikTok. Often, such videos are taken directly from TikTok itself. And popular creators are likely to be found on other platforms as well, so you'll probably be able to see the same stuff.“The TikTok bill relies heavily on the control that Apple and Google maintain over their smartphone platforms because the bill’s primary mechanism is to direct Apple and Google to stop allowing the TikTok app on their respective app stores,” said Dean Ball, a research fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. “Such a mechanism might be much less effective in the world envisioned by many advocates of antitrust and aggressive regulation against the large tech firms.”SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT USING TIKTOK?Lawmakers from both parties — as well as law enforcement and intelligence officials — have long expressed concerns that Chinese authorities could force ByteDance to hand over data on the 170 million Americans who use TikTok. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering - which ByteDance would likely be subject to – and other far-reaching ways the country’s authoritarian government exercises control.Data privacy experts say, though, that the Chinese government could easily get information on Americans in other ways, including through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-executive-action-personal-data-protections-china-ea0fe0af31dc26b254e2724c8e53867f">commercial data brokers</a>&nbsp;that sell or rent personal information.