WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran released the following statement in response to President Biden’s address to a Joint Session of Congress:

“Unity, bipartisanship, working together – I agree with President Biden that these are all things that should and can represent the federal government, but we are falling far short. Pledges for unity mean nothing without listening to those with opposing points of view, finding common ground with them and agreeing to compromises.&nbsp;The President demonstrated he was unwilling to work with Republicans by forcing his partisan $1.9 trillion relief package through Congress without a single Republican vote. Overreaching, partisan legislation that costs trillions of taxpayer dollars isn’t the right path forward.

“While I am eager to work with the President and my colleagues on improving America’s infrastructure, the President’s $2.3 trillion proposal isn’t affordable, and it isn’t infrastructure. I also agree that we should focus on supporting families and education, but these things are achieved through creating jobs and opportunities, not by adding an additional $1.8 trillion spending package.

“Even amidst this divisive political climate, I’ve seen through my work on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee that we are capable of working together to get things done, especially on behalf of our nations’ veterans. I am committed to working with the President to continue serving our veterans by further implementing the&nbsp;MISSION Act, improving care for veterans suffering from toxic exposure and improving VA accessibility for minority and women veterans.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619661641260.png" alt="President Biden addressed fewer members of the House and Senate Wednesday night due to COVID-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden addressed fewer members of the House and Senate Wednesday night due to COVID-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran released the following statement in response to President Biden’s address to a Joint Session of Congress:“Unity, bipartisanship, working together – I agree with President Biden that these are all things that should and can represent the federal government, but we are falling far short. Pledges for unity mean nothing without listening to those with opposing points of view, finding common ground with them and agreeing to compromises.&nbsp;The President demonstrated he was unwilling to work with Republicans by forcing his partisan $1.9 trillion relief package through Congress without a single Republican vote. Overreaching, partisan legislation that costs trillions of taxpayer dollars isn’t the right path forward.“While I am eager to work with the President and my colleagues on improving America’s infrastructure, the President’s $2.3 trillion proposal isn’t affordable, and it isn’t infrastructure. I also agree that we should focus on supporting families and education, but these things are achieved through creating jobs and opportunities, not by adding an additional $1.8 trillion spending package.“Even amidst this divisive political climate, I’ve seen through my work on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee that we are capable of working together to get things done, especially on behalf of our nations’ veterans. I am committed to working with the President to continue serving our veterans by further implementing the&nbsp;MISSION Act, improving care for veterans suffering from toxic exposure and improving VA accessibility for minority and women veterans.”&nbsp;

Sen. Moran: Biden's pledge for unity means nothing without compromise

Lyle L. McClintock, 68, of Salina passed away Sunday, April 25, 2021.&nbsp; He was born March 3, 1953, in Salina, to Gordon and Evelyn (Rogers) McClintock.&nbsp; He attended Salina High School and worked for Central Garage, city of Salina for 35 years before retiring in 2016.

Survivors include his children Stephanie Reinking (Rodney), Shane McClintock (Breanna), all of Salina; siblings Butch McClintock (Meloney), of Port Richey, FL, Connie McClintock Braden (Ray Phillips), of Iola, KS; step-children Kevin Summers (Amber), Michelle Newell (Tony), all of Salina; grandchildren Tristan Goodwin, Miranda Reinking, Ethan Reinking, Trace McClintock, Drake McClintock, Megan Graham, Kyle Summers; great-grandchild Dawson; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Sharon; siblings Cindy McClintock, Larry McClintock, Lana VanBlaricon, Randy McClintock; and grandson Marcus Graham.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. with family present 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 29.&nbsp; Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 30, all at Ryan Mortuary. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.&nbsp; 

People attending either celebration are encouraged to wear Ford apparel or anything blue.&nbsp; Lyle will always be remembered as being a huge Ford fan.&nbsp; His life revolved around WWE wrestling.&nbsp; He loved attending parades, listening to classic country music and enjoyed model cars.

Memorials may be made to Tammy Walker Cancer Center, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.&nbsp;

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lyle L. McClintock, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Lyle-McClintock/sympathy">floral store.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619623143258.jpeg" alt="Lyle L. McClintock" />
 <figcaption>Lyle L. McClintock</figcaption>
 </figure>March 3, 1953 ~ April 25, 2021 (age 68)Lyle L. McClintock, 68, of Salina passed away Sunday, April 25, 2021.&nbsp; He was born March 3, 1953, in Salina, to Gordon and Evelyn (Rogers) McClintock.&nbsp; He attended Salina High School and worked for Central Garage, city of Salina for 35 years before retiring in 2016.Survivors include his children Stephanie Reinking (Rodney), Shane McClintock (Breanna), all of Salina; siblings Butch McClintock (Meloney), of Port Richey, FL, Connie McClintock Braden (Ray Phillips), of Iola, KS; step-children Kevin Summers (Amber), Michelle Newell (Tony), all of Salina; grandchildren Tristan Goodwin, Miranda Reinking, Ethan Reinking, Trace McClintock, Drake McClintock, Megan Graham, Kyle Summers; great-grandchild Dawson; and many nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Sharon; siblings Cindy McClintock, Larry McClintock, Lana VanBlaricon, Randy McClintock; and grandson Marcus Graham.Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. with family present 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 29.&nbsp; Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 30, all at Ryan Mortuary. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park.&nbsp; People attending either celebration are encouraged to wear Ford apparel or anything blue.&nbsp; Lyle will always be remembered as being a huge Ford fan.&nbsp; His life revolved around WWE wrestling.&nbsp; He loved attending parades, listening to classic country music and enjoyed model cars.Memorials may be made to Tammy Walker Cancer Center, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, KS 67401.&nbsp;To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lyle L. McClintock, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Lyle-McClintock/sympathy">floral store.</a>

Lyle L. McClintock

<a href="https://www.gliddenedigerfuneral.com/obituaries/Larry-Goering/">Larry Dean Goering Obituary - Visitation &amp; Funeral Information (gliddenedigerfuneral.com)</a>

Larry Dean Goering, 72, of Moundridge, Kansas, passed away at 12:14 a.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2021 while in the company of family members at his residence. Larry was born in Moundridge, Kansas on March 28, 1949, a son of Wilbert "Toby" and Erma (Gaeddert) Goering. Larry attended Moundridge Grade School and graduated from Moundridge High School, Moundridge, Kansas in 1967. He then attended Bethel College in Newton, Kansas. He was a member of Eden Mennonite Church in Moundridge. Larry enjoyed hunting, following sports, fishing, studying the bible, doing yard work, listening to music, taking care of Carol, and spending time with his friends and family. Larry Goering was united in marriage to Ailene Catherine Billings on July 15, 1972 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The young couple established their first home together in Greeley, Colorado and then moved to Moundridge, Kansas. This union was blessed with the birth of two children, Chris and Angie. Larry Goering was then united in marriage to Carol Ann Frickey on January 7, 1999. The couple established their first home together in Moundridge, Kansas along with Carol's two children, Jenny and Justin "J.J." Larry is survived by his loving and caring wife Carol Goering, of Moundridge, Kansas; his children Chris Goering and his wife, Lisa, of Derby, Kansas; Angie Smith and her husband, Dwayne, of Hutchinson, Kansas; Jenny Frickey of Moundridge, Kansas; and Justin Frickey, of Hutchinson, Kansas; his siblings Jan Johnson and her husband, Merle, of Greeley, Colorado; Sharon Regehr and her husband, Duane, of Hesston, Kansas; Barb Goering and her husband, Joe Smucker, of Goessel, Kansas; and his stepmother, Erma Goering, of Moundridge, Kansas. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Larry was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Glidden-Ediger Chapel in McPherson, Kansas. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Glidden-Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas, with Pastor Andrea Baker officiating. Burial will be at the Eden Church Cemetery in Moundridge, Kansas. Memorials can be made to the Larry Goering Memorial Fund and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid St., McPherson, Kansas 67460.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Larry Dean Goering please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gliddenedigerfuneral.com/store/Category.aspx?CategoryId=319&amp;icn=desktop_memorial_obituary_link#chooser">Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>Larry Dean Goering, Moundridge</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619470883579.jpeg" alt="Larry Dean Goering" />
 <figcaption>Larry Dean Goering</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.gliddenedigerfuneral.com/obituaries/Larry-Goering/">Larry Dean Goering Obituary - Visitation &amp; Funeral Information (gliddenedigerfuneral.com)</a>March 28, 1949 - April 25, 2021Larry Dean Goering, 72, of Moundridge, Kansas, passed away at 12:14 a.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2021 while in the company of family members at his residence. Larry was born in Moundridge, Kansas on March 28, 1949, a son of Wilbert "Toby" and Erma (Gaeddert) Goering. Larry attended Moundridge Grade School and graduated from Moundridge High School, Moundridge, Kansas in 1967. He then attended Bethel College in Newton, Kansas. He was a member of Eden Mennonite Church in Moundridge. Larry enjoyed hunting, following sports, fishing, studying the bible, doing yard work, listening to music, taking care of Carol, and spending time with his friends and family. Larry Goering was united in marriage to Ailene Catherine Billings on July 15, 1972 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The young couple established their first home together in Greeley, Colorado and then moved to Moundridge, Kansas. This union was blessed with the birth of two children, Chris and Angie. Larry Goering was then united in marriage to Carol Ann Frickey on January 7, 1999. The couple established their first home together in Moundridge, Kansas along with Carol's two children, Jenny and Justin "J.J." Larry is survived by his loving and caring wife Carol Goering, of Moundridge, Kansas; his children Chris Goering and his wife, Lisa, of Derby, Kansas; Angie Smith and her husband, Dwayne, of Hutchinson, Kansas; Jenny Frickey of Moundridge, Kansas; and Justin Frickey, of Hutchinson, Kansas; his siblings Jan Johnson and her husband, Merle, of Greeley, Colorado; Sharon Regehr and her husband, Duane, of Hesston, Kansas; Barb Goering and her husband, Joe Smucker, of Goessel, Kansas; and his stepmother, Erma Goering, of Moundridge, Kansas. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Larry was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Glidden-Ediger Chapel in McPherson, Kansas. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Glidden-Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas, with Pastor Andrea Baker officiating. Burial will be at the Eden Church Cemetery in Moundridge, Kansas. Memorials can be made to the Larry Goering Memorial Fund and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid St., McPherson, Kansas 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Larry Dean Goering please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gliddenedigerfuneral.com/store/Category.aspx?CategoryId=319&amp;icn=desktop_memorial_obituary_link#chooser">Sympathy Store</a>.

Larry Dean Goering

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Senate Republicans&nbsp; unveiled a public works proposal with a much smaller price tag and a narrower definition of infrastructure than what President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-coronavirus-pandemic-pittsburgh-jen-psaki-8865ffc8f5ad3142155a5bd3c3a3e6d3">has proposed</a>, highlighting the stark differences between the two sides that will be difficult to bridge in the coming months.

The price of the Republicans’ two-page outline came in at $568 billion over five years, compared to the $2.3 trillion that Biden has called for spending over eight years. The lawmakers framed their counter proposal as a “very, very generous offer.”

“This is the largest infrastructure investment that Republicans have come forward with,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., told reporters. “This is a robust package.”

Yet the unveiling of the GOP proposal also made clear the parties are leagues apart on the size and scope of what’s needed. Biden is spending time listening to Republicans and voicing a willingness to consider their ideas, but Democrats are intent on passing a major infrastructure boost this year with or without GOP support. They have made clear they are willing to use the budget reconciliation process to bypass Republicans altogether,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">just as they did on COVID relief</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.

Whether to raise taxes is perhaps the biggest dividing line. To help pay for their plan, the Republicans would instead rely on user fees, including for electric vehicles, and on redirecting unspent federal dollars. The outline does not offer specifics, such as which federal programs would lose unspent dollars to infrastructure. Biden has proposed raising the corporate income tax from 21% to 28% to help pay for his plan, a move the Republican senators rejected.

The GOP’s slimmer infrastructure plan received a positive reception from the White House, with press secretary Jen Psaki characterizing it as a legitimate starting point for negotiations. She said Biden’s aides looked forward to reviewing the details and that Biden would invite members to the White House to discuss it further after he addresses a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.

“We certainly welcome any good faith effort and see this as that,” Psaki said.

Republican lawmakers have been quick to criticize the infrastructure proposal from Biden. They say just a fraction of the spending would go to traditional infrastructure. Biden’s plan devotes $400 billion to expand Medicaid support for caregivers, and substantial portions would fund electric vehicle charging stations and address the racial injustice of highways that were built in ways that harmed Black neighborhoods.

The Republican plan would dedicate $299 billion to roads and bridges, $65 billion to broadband internet and $61 billion to transit. Another big-ticket item: $44 billion for airports. Absent from the plan are Biden priorities like electric vehicle charging stations and caregiver support, as well as billions of dollars to renovate schools and public housing.

The senators delivered their blueprint to the White House about 30 minutes prior to holding a press conference on it.

“We take the part of the president’s plan that most Americans agree is real, hard infrastructure, we give it our touch and we think we have a very good number here,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., found little to like in the proposal.

“It goes nowhere near what has to be done to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and the funding is totally regressive and anti-working class,” Sanders said.

Republicans have been dismissive of aspects of Biden’s plan that focus on easing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Penn., said the Republican plan “consists of actual, real infrastructure.”

But the investments Biden is proposing to curb global warming matches what many Democrats are looking for and could dampen their support if removed in negotiations.

“Any infrastructure proposal has to be green and cannot be paid for on the backs of working people,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. said.

It’s not the first time Republicans have tried to draw Biden into negotiations. Earlier this year, they offered a counterproposal to Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan. Their price tag came in at about one-third of what the president wanted, and he soon declared it inadequate. Democrats went forward on their own and passed the relief bill without the support of any GOP lawmaker.

Capito said she is optimistic that compromise can be found this time.

“I’ve been reading this very closely,” she said. “I feel like the White House and other counterparts on the House side want to try to reach a consensus.”

As debate continues regarding the size and scope of the infrastructure bill, Biden’s team is finalizing its “American Families Plan” to be outlined next week during the president’s joint address to Congress. That proposal would likely seek to extend the expanded child tax credit through 2025, universal pre-kindergarten and free community college by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

Psaki said that the president is meeting “over the coming days to finalize details of the package” and how to pay for it.

The New York Times reported Thursday that Biden would make good on a campaign plan to nearly double the capital gains tax on people earning more than $1 million, increasing it from 20% to 39.6%. White House officials declined to confirm the precise numbers, but they emphasized that taxes would not increase for anyone making under $400,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617897620264.png" alt="The GOP’s slimmer infrastructure plan received a positive reception from the White House, with press secretary Jen Psaki characterizing it as a legitimate starting point for negotiations. She said Biden’s aides looked forward to reviewing the details and that Biden would invite members to the White House to discuss it further after he addresses a joint session of Congress on Wednesday-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>The GOP’s slimmer infrastructure plan received a positive reception from the White House, with press secretary Jen Psaki characterizing it as a legitimate starting point for negotiations. She said Biden’s aides looked forward to reviewing the details and that Biden would invite members to the White House to discuss it further after he addresses a joint session of Congress on Wednesday-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of Senate Republicans&nbsp; unveiled a public works proposal with a much smaller price tag and a narrower definition of infrastructure than what President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-coronavirus-pandemic-pittsburgh-jen-psaki-8865ffc8f5ad3142155a5bd3c3a3e6d3">has proposed</a>, highlighting the stark differences between the two sides that will be difficult to bridge in the coming months.The price of the Republicans’ two-page outline came in at $568 billion over five years, compared to the $2.3 trillion that Biden has called for spending over eight years. The lawmakers framed their counter proposal as a “very, very generous offer.”“This is the largest infrastructure investment that Republicans have come forward with,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., told reporters. “This is a robust package.”Yet the unveiling of the GOP proposal also made clear the parties are leagues apart on the size and scope of what’s needed. Biden is spending time listening to Republicans and voicing a willingness to consider their ideas, but Democrats are intent on passing a major infrastructure boost this year with or without GOP support. They have made clear they are willing to use the budget reconciliation process to bypass Republicans altogether,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-vote-coronavirus-relief-package-33f4902ca9a2aed4e76274af6bb2ea5c">just as they did on COVID relief</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.Whether to raise taxes is perhaps the biggest dividing line. To help pay for their plan, the Republicans would instead rely on user fees, including for electric vehicles, and on redirecting unspent federal dollars. The outline does not offer specifics, such as which federal programs would lose unspent dollars to infrastructure. Biden has proposed raising the corporate income tax from 21% to 28% to help pay for his plan, a move the Republican senators rejected.The GOP’s slimmer infrastructure plan received a positive reception from the White House, with press secretary Jen Psaki characterizing it as a legitimate starting point for negotiations. She said Biden’s aides looked forward to reviewing the details and that Biden would invite members to the White House to discuss it further after he addresses a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.“We certainly welcome any good faith effort and see this as that,” Psaki said.Republican lawmakers have been quick to criticize the infrastructure proposal from Biden. They say just a fraction of the spending would go to traditional infrastructure. Biden’s plan devotes $400 billion to expand Medicaid support for caregivers, and substantial portions would fund electric vehicle charging stations and address the racial injustice of highways that were built in ways that harmed Black neighborhoods.The Republican plan would dedicate $299 billion to roads and bridges, $65 billion to broadband internet and $61 billion to transit. Another big-ticket item: $44 billion for airports. Absent from the plan are Biden priorities like electric vehicle charging stations and caregiver support, as well as billions of dollars to renovate schools and public housing.The senators delivered their blueprint to the White House about 30 minutes prior to holding a press conference on it.“We take the part of the president’s plan that most Americans agree is real, hard infrastructure, we give it our touch and we think we have a very good number here,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., found little to like in the proposal.“It goes nowhere near what has to be done to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and the funding is totally regressive and anti-working class,” Sanders said.Republicans have been dismissive of aspects of Biden’s plan that focus on easing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Penn., said the Republican plan “consists of actual, real infrastructure.”But the investments Biden is proposing to curb global warming matches what many Democrats are looking for and could dampen their support if removed in negotiations.“Any infrastructure proposal has to be green and cannot be paid for on the backs of working people,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. said.It’s not the first time Republicans have tried to draw Biden into negotiations. Earlier this year, they offered a counterproposal to Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan. Their price tag came in at about one-third of what the president wanted, and he soon declared it inadequate. Democrats went forward on their own and passed the relief bill without the support of any GOP lawmaker.Capito said she is optimistic that compromise can be found this time.“I’ve been reading this very closely,” she said. “I feel like the White House and other counterparts on the House side want to try to reach a consensus.”As debate continues regarding the size and scope of the infrastructure bill, Biden’s team is finalizing its “American Families Plan” to be outlined next week during the president’s joint address to Congress. That proposal would likely seek to extend the expanded child tax credit through 2025, universal pre-kindergarten and free community college by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans.Psaki said that the president is meeting “over the coming days to finalize details of the package” and how to pay for it.The New York Times reported Thursday that Biden would make good on a campaign plan to nearly double the capital gains tax on people earning more than $1 million, increasing it from 20% to 39.6%. White House officials declined to confirm the precise numbers, but they emphasized that taxes would not increase for anyone making under $400,000._____

Infrastructure plans: GOP $568B or Biden $2.3T

Today is Saturday, April 24, the 114th day of 2021. There are 251 days left in the year. 

On April 24, 1980, the United States launched an unsuccessful attempt to free the American hostages in Iran, a mission that resulted in the deaths of eight U.S. servicemen. 

In 1800, Congress approved a bill establishing the Library of Congress. 

In 1877, federal troops were ordered out of New Orleans, ending the North's post-Civil War rule in the South.

In 1915, in what's considered the start of the Armenian genocide, the Ottoman Empire began rounding up Armenian political and cultural leaders in Constantinople. 

In 1960, rioting erupted in Biloxi, Miss., after Black protesters staging a "wade-in" at a whites-only beach were attacked by a crowd of hostile whites.

In 1962, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieved the first satellite relay of a television signal, between Camp Parks, California, and Westford, Massachusetts.

In 1967, Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov was killed when his Soyuz 1 spacecraft smashed into the Earth after his parachutes failed to deploy properly during re-entry; he was the first human spaceflight fatality.

In 1974, comedian Bud Abbott, 78, died in Woodland Hills, Calif.

In 2003, U.S. forces in Iraq took custody of Tariq Aziz, the former Iraqi deputy prime minister. China shut down a Beijing hospital as the global death toll from SARS surpassed 260. 

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI formally began his stewardship of the Roman Catholic Church; the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said in his installation homily that as pontiff he would listen to the will of God in governing the world's 1.1 billion Catholics. 

In 2009, Mexico shut down schools, museums, libraries and state-run theaters across its overcrowded capital in hopes of containing a deadly swine flu outbreak. 

In 2013, in Bangladesh, a shoddily constructed eight-story commercial building housing garment factories collapsed, killing more than 1,100 people. 

In 2019, avowed racist John William King was executed in Texas for the 1998 slaying of James Byrd Jr., who was chained to the back of a truck and dragged along a road outside Jasper, Texas; prosecutors said Byrd was targeted because he was Black.

Ten years ago: Pope Benedict XVI offered an Easter Sunday prayer for diplomacy to prevail over warfare in Libya and for citizens of the Middle East to build a new society. Taliban militants staged a massive jailbreak in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as some 480 inmates escaped through a tunnel that had been dug over a matter of months.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama, visiting Hannover, Germany, defended international trade deals in the face of domestic and foreign opposition, saying it was "indisputable" that they strengthened the economy and made Americans businesses more competitive. Billy Paul, 80, a jazz and soul singer best known for the No. 1 hit ballad and "Philadelphia Soul" classic "Me and Mrs. Jones," died in Blackwood, New Jersey.

One year ago: The recorded U.S. death toll from the coronavirus passed the 50,000 mark. Republican governors in Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska allowed some businesses to reopen with restrictions, although health experts warned that it was too soon to ease lockdown orders. President Donald Trump signed a $484 billion measure to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the pandemic. The Food and Drug Administration issued an alert about the dangers of using a malaria drug that Trump had repeatedly promoted for coronavirus patients. The parent company of Lysol and another disinfectant warned that its products should not be used as an internal treatment for the coronavirus, a day after Trump wondered aloud about that prospect during a White House briefing. Harold Reid, who sang bass for the Grammy-winning country group the Statler Brothers, died in Virginia at the age of 80.

Today's Birthdays: Movie director-producer Richard Donner is 91. Actor Shirley MacLaine is 87. Actor-singer-director Barbra Streisand is 79. Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley is 79. Country singer Richard Sterban (The Oak Ridge Boys) is 78. Rock musician Doug Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival) is 76. R&amp;B singer Ann Peebles is 74. Former Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny is 70. Actor-playwright Eric Bogosian is 68. Rock singer-musician Jack Blades (Night Ranger) is 67. Actor Michael O'Keefe is 66. Rock musician David J (Bauhaus) is 64. Actor Glenn Morshower is 62. Rock musician Billy Gould is 58. Actor-comedian Cedric the Entertainer is 57. Actor Djimon Hounsou is 57. Rock musician Patty Schemel is 54. Actor Stacy Haiduk is 53. Rock musician Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors) is 53. Actor Aidan Gillen is 53. Actor Melinda Clarke is 52. Actor Rory McCann is 52. Latin pop singer Alejandro Fernandez is 50. Country-rock musician Brad Morgan (Drive-By Truckers) is 50. Rock musician Brian Marshall (Creed; Alter Bridge) is 48. Actor Derek Luke is 47. Actor-producer Thad Luckinbill is 46. Actor Eric Balfour is 44. Actor Rebecca Mader is 44. Country singer Rebecca Lynn Howard is 42. Country singer Danny Gokey is 41. Actor Reagan Gomez is 41. Actor Austin Nichols is 41. Actor Sasha Barrese is 40. Contemporary Christian musician Jasen Rauch (Red) is 40. Singer Kelly Clarkson is 39. Rock singer-musician Tyson Ritter (The All-American Rejects) is 37. Country singer Carly Pearce is 31. Actor Joe Keery is 29. Actor Jack Quaid is 29. Actor Doc Shaw is 29. Actor Jordan Fisher is 27. Golfer Lydia Ko is 24.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, April 24, the 114th day of 2021. There are 251 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On April 24, 1980, the United States launched an unsuccessful attempt to free the American hostages in Iran, a mission that resulted in the deaths of eight U.S. servicemen. On this date: In 1800, Congress approved a bill establishing the Library of Congress. In 1877, federal troops were ordered out of New Orleans, ending the North's post-Civil War rule in the South.In 1915, in what's considered the start of the Armenian genocide, the Ottoman Empire began rounding up Armenian political and cultural leaders in Constantinople. In 1960, rioting erupted in Biloxi, Miss., after Black protesters staging a "wade-in" at a whites-only beach were attacked by a crowd of hostile whites.In 1962, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology achieved the first satellite relay of a television signal, between Camp Parks, California, and Westford, Massachusetts.In 1967, Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov was killed when his Soyuz 1 spacecraft smashed into the Earth after his parachutes failed to deploy properly during re-entry; he was the first human spaceflight fatality.In 1974, comedian Bud Abbott, 78, died in Woodland Hills, Calif.In 2003, U.S. forces in Iraq took custody of Tariq Aziz, the former Iraqi deputy prime minister. China shut down a Beijing hospital as the global death toll from SARS surpassed 260. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI formally began his stewardship of the Roman Catholic Church; the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said in his installation homily that as pontiff he would listen to the will of God in governing the world's 1.1 billion Catholics. In 2009, Mexico shut down schools, museums, libraries and state-run theaters across its overcrowded capital in hopes of containing a deadly swine flu outbreak. In 2013, in Bangladesh, a shoddily constructed eight-story commercial building housing garment factories collapsed, killing more than 1,100 people. In 2019, avowed racist John William King was executed in Texas for the 1998 slaying of James Byrd Jr., who was chained to the back of a truck and dragged along a road outside Jasper, Texas; prosecutors said Byrd was targeted because he was Black.Ten years ago: Pope Benedict XVI offered an Easter Sunday prayer for diplomacy to prevail over warfare in Libya and for citizens of the Middle East to build a new society. Taliban militants staged a massive jailbreak in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as some 480 inmates escaped through a tunnel that had been dug over a matter of months. Five years ago: President Barack Obama, visiting Hannover, Germany, defended international trade deals in the face of domestic and foreign opposition, saying it was "indisputable" that they strengthened the economy and made Americans businesses more competitive. Billy Paul, 80, a jazz and soul singer best known for the No. 1 hit ballad and "Philadelphia Soul" classic "Me and Mrs. Jones," died in Blackwood, New Jersey.One year ago: The recorded U.S. death toll from the coronavirus passed the 50,000 mark. Republican governors in Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska allowed some businesses to reopen with restrictions, although health experts warned that it was too soon to ease lockdown orders. President Donald Trump signed a $484 billion measure to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the pandemic. The Food and Drug Administration issued an alert about the dangers of using a malaria drug that Trump had repeatedly promoted for coronavirus patients. The parent company of Lysol and another disinfectant warned that its products should not be used as an internal treatment for the coronavirus, a day after Trump wondered aloud about that prospect during a White House briefing. Harold Reid, who sang bass for the Grammy-winning country group the Statler Brothers, died in Virginia at the age of 80.Today's Birthdays: Movie director-producer Richard Donner is 91. Actor Shirley MacLaine is 87. Actor-singer-director Barbra Streisand is 79. Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley is 79. Country singer Richard Sterban (The Oak Ridge Boys) is 78. Rock musician Doug Clifford (Creedence Clearwater Revival) is 76. R&amp;B singer Ann Peebles is 74. Former Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny is 70. Actor-playwright Eric Bogosian is 68. Rock singer-musician Jack Blades (Night Ranger) is 67. Actor Michael O'Keefe is 66. Rock musician David J (Bauhaus) is 64. Actor Glenn Morshower is 62. Rock musician Billy Gould is 58. Actor-comedian Cedric the Entertainer is 57. Actor Djimon Hounsou is 57. Rock musician Patty Schemel is 54. Actor Stacy Haiduk is 53. Rock musician Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors) is 53. Actor Aidan Gillen is 53. Actor Melinda Clarke is 52. Actor Rory McCann is 52. Latin pop singer Alejandro Fernandez is 50. Country-rock musician Brad Morgan (Drive-By Truckers) is 50. Rock musician Brian Marshall (Creed; Alter Bridge) is 48. Actor Derek Luke is 47. Actor-producer Thad Luckinbill is 46. Actor Eric Balfour is 44. Actor Rebecca Mader is 44. Country singer Rebecca Lynn Howard is 42. Country singer Danny Gokey is 41. Actor Reagan Gomez is 41. Actor Austin Nichols is 41. Actor Sasha Barrese is 40. Contemporary Christian musician Jasen Rauch (Red) is 40. Singer Kelly Clarkson is 39. Rock singer-musician Tyson Ritter (The All-American Rejects) is 37. Country singer Carly Pearce is 31. Actor Joe Keery is 29. Actor Jack Quaid is 29. Actor Doc Shaw is 29. Actor Jordan Fisher is 27. Golfer Lydia Ko is 24.

Today in History -- April 24

I’m 24, single, and I make $60,000 a year. I’m also debt-free and live in an apartment, plus I have about $550,000 in a brokerage account that’s made up of 75 percent mutual funds and 25 percent single stocks. The money in the brokerage account was originally an inheritance of $280,000 that has grown since I received it in 2007. Am I putting my money toward the best investment possibilities right now?

You’re in a nice place! I’m glad you’re taking your finances and your future so seriously.

First of all, I don’t play around with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/company/newsroom/dave-says/2019-06-10" target="_blank">single stocks</a>. There’s just too much risk there for me. Since I don’t invest in single stocks, I don’t recommend others do it, either. I look at two things when it comes to investing—real estate and mutual funds.

I always pay cash for income-producing real estate. And when it comes to mutual funds, I invest in good, growth stock&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/how-mutual-funds-work" target="_blank">mutual funds</a>&nbsp;with a solid track record of at least 10 years. Now, I don’t get mad at people if they want to dabble in single stocks a little, but I wouldn’t recommend having more than 10 percent of your investment portfolio wrapped up in them. The numbers on playing single stocks are just not that good for the individual, and besides that, I don’t like losing money!

If I woke up in your shoes, I’d move the 25 percent you have in single stocks into good mutual funds. And I wouldn’t use a brokerage account. I’d stick with a quality financial advisor, one who has the heart of a teacher. I think you’ll end up doing better with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/smartvestor/investment-calculator?snid=tools.investingcalc" target="_blank">your money</a>&nbsp;in the long haul this way. It might be a little boring, but boring is good when it comes to stuff like this. Exciting means you stand a good chance of losing a lot of money.

You’ve got a good income, especially for a single guy who’s 24, so I’d make those adjustments and live like the inheritance money wasn’t there. Stay away from debt, live on a reasonable budget, and make sure you’re putting 15 percent of your income away for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/retirement-education-research" target="_blank">retirement</a>. Then, when it’s time a few years down the road, use some of that inheritance money to pay cash for a nice home.

If you can manage to do all that, the money you inherited—even with buying a home—will likely grow to millions of dollars by the time you’re ready to retire. Pretty cool situation, Drew!&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey&nbsp;</a>is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596845065840.jpeg" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,I’m 24, single, and I make $60,000 a year. I’m also debt-free and live in an apartment, plus I have about $550,000 in a brokerage account that’s made up of 75 percent mutual funds and 25 percent single stocks. The money in the brokerage account was originally an inheritance of $280,000 that has grown since I received it in 2007. Am I putting my money toward the best investment possibilities right now?DrewDear Drew,You’re in a nice place! I’m glad you’re taking your finances and your future so seriously.First of all, I don’t play around with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/company/newsroom/dave-says/2019-06-10" target="_blank">single stocks</a>. There’s just too much risk there for me. Since I don’t invest in single stocks, I don’t recommend others do it, either. I look at two things when it comes to investing—real estate and mutual funds.I always pay cash for income-producing real estate. And when it comes to mutual funds, I invest in good, growth stock&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/how-mutual-funds-work" target="_blank">mutual funds</a>&nbsp;with a solid track record of at least 10 years. Now, I don’t get mad at people if they want to dabble in single stocks a little, but I wouldn’t recommend having more than 10 percent of your investment portfolio wrapped up in them. The numbers on playing single stocks are just not that good for the individual, and besides that, I don’t like losing money!If I woke up in your shoes, I’d move the 25 percent you have in single stocks into good mutual funds. And I wouldn’t use a brokerage account. I’d stick with a quality financial advisor, one who has the heart of a teacher. I think you’ll end up doing better with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/smartvestor/investment-calculator?snid=tools.investingcalc" target="_blank">your money</a>&nbsp;in the long haul this way. It might be a little boring, but boring is good when it comes to stuff like this. Exciting means you stand a good chance of losing a lot of money.You’ve got a good income, especially for a single guy who’s 24, so I’d make those adjustments and live like the inheritance money wasn’t there. Stay away from debt, live on a reasonable budget, and make sure you’re putting 15 percent of your income away for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/retirement-education-research" target="_blank">retirement</a>. Then, when it’s time a few years down the road, use some of that inheritance money to pay cash for a nice home.If you can manage to do all that, the money you inherited—even with buying a home—will likely grow to millions of dollars by the time you’re ready to retire. Pretty cool situation, Drew!&nbsp;&nbsp;Dave<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey&nbsp;</a>is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

DAVE SAYS: Live like the money isn’t there

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?510906-1/jury-reaches-verdict-derek-chauvin-trial">Click here </a>to watch a replay of the jury verdict&nbsp;

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.

Chauvin, 45, could be sent to prison for decades.

The jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

His face was obscured by a COVID-19 mask, and little reaction could be seen beyond his eyes darting around the courtroom.

His bail was immediately revoked and he was led away with his hands cuffed behind his back.

The verdict was read in a courthouse ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire and patrolled by National Guard troops, in a city on edge against another round of unrest — not just because of the Chauvin case but because of the deadly police shooting of a young Black man, Daunte Wright, in a Minneapolis suburb April 11.

The jurors identities were kept secret and will not be released until the judge decides it is safe to do so.

Three other former Minneapolis officers charged with aiding and abetting murder in Floyd’s death will stand trial in August.

Floyd, 46, died May 25 after being arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill for a pack of cigarettes at a corner market. He panicked, pleaded that he was claustrophobic and struggled with police when they tried to put him in a squad car. They put him on the ground instead.

The centerpiece of the case was the excruciating bystander video of Floyd gasping repeatedly, “I can’t breathe” and onlookers yelling at Chauvin to stop as the officer pressed his knee on or close to Floyd’s neck for what authorities say was 9 1/2 minutes. Floyd slowly went silent and limp.

Prosecutors played the footage at the earliest opportunity, during opening statements, with Jerry Blackwell telling the jury: “Believe your eyes.” And it was shown over and over, analyzed one frame at a time by witnesses on both sides.

In the wake of Floyd’s death, demonstrations and scattered violence broke out in Minneapolis, around the country and beyond. The furor also led to the removal of Confederate statues and other offensive symbols such as Aunt Jemima.

In the months that followed, numerous states and cities restricted the use of force by police, revamped disciplinary systems or subjected police departments to closer oversight.

The “Blue Wall of Silence” that often protects police accused of wrongdoing crumbled after Floyd’s death: The Minneapolis police chief quickly called it “murder” and fired all four officers, and the city reached a staggering $27 million settlement with Floyd’s family as jury selection was underway.

Police-procedure experts and law enforcement veterans inside and outside the Minneapolis department, including the chief, testified for the prosecution that Chauvin used excessive force and went against his training.

Medical experts for the prosecution said Floyd died of asphyxia, or lack of oxygen, because his breathing was constricted by the way he was held down on his stomach, his hands cuffed behind him, a knee on his neck and his face jammed against the ground.

Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson called a police use-of-force expert and a forensic pathologist to help make the case that Chauvin acted reasonably against a struggling suspect and that Floyd died because of an underlying heart condition and his illegal drug use.

Floyd had high blood pressure, an enlarged heart and narrowed arteries, and fentanyl and methamphetamine were found in his system.

Under the law, police have certain leeway to use force and are judged according to whether their actions were “reasonable” under the circumstances.

The defense also tried to make the case that Chauvin and the other officers were hindered in their duties by what they perceived as a growing, hostile crowd.

Chauvin did not testify, and all that the jury or the public ever heard by way of an explanation from him came from a police body-camera video after an ambulance had taken the 6-foot-4, 223-pound Floyd away. Chauvin told a bystander: “We gotta control this guy ’cause he’s a sizable guy … and it looks like he’s probably on something.”

The prosecution’s case also included tearful testimony from onlookers who said the police kept them back when they protested what was happening. Eighteen-year-old Darnella Frazier, who shot the crucial video, said Chauvin just gave the bystanders a “cold” and “heartless” stare.

She and others said they felt a sense of helplessness and lingering guilt from witnessing Floyd’s slow-motion death.

“It’s been nights I stayed up, apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more, and not physically interacting and not saving his life,” Frazier testified, while the 19-year-old cashier at the neighborhood market, Christopher Martin, lamented that “this could have been avoided” if only he had rejected the suspect $20 bill.

To make Floyd more than a crime statistic in the eyes of the jury, the prosecution called to the stand his girlfriend, who told the story of how they met and how they struggled with addiction to opioids, and his younger brother Philonise. He recalled how Floyd helped teach him to catch a football and made “the best banana mayonnaise sandwiches.”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The jury reached a verdict Tuesday at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, the Black man who was pinned to the pavement with a knee on his neck in a case that set off a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.

The verdict, arrived at after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days, was to be read late in the afternoon in a city on edge against the possibility of more unrest like that that erupted last spring.

The courthouse was ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire, and thousands of National Guard troops and law enforcement officers were brought in ahead of the verdict. Some businesses boarded up with plywood.

Floyd died last May after Chauvin, a 45-year-old now-fired white officer, pinned his knee on or close to the 46-year-old Black man’s neck for about 9 1/2 minutes as Floyd gasped that he couldn’t breathe and onlookers yelled at Chauvin to get off.

The jury, made up of six white people and six Black or multiracial people, weighed charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, with convictions on some, none or all of the charges possible. The most serious charge carries up to 40 years in prison.

The city has been on edge in recent days — not just over the Chauvin case but over the deadly police shooting of a 20-year-old Black man, Daunte Wright, in the nearby Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center on April 11.

Earlier in the day Tuesday, President Joe Biden weighed in by saying he believes the case is “overwhelming.”

He said that he had spoken to Floyd’s family on Monday and “can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they’re feeling.”

“They’re a good family and they’re calling for peace and tranquility no matter what that verdict is,” Biden said. “I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict. I think it’s overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered now.”

The president has repeatedly denounced Floyd’s death but previously stopped short of commenting on the trial itself.

Other politicians and ordinary citizens also offered their opinion as the jury was deliberating.

“It shouldn’t be really even questioned whether there will be an acquittal or a verdict that doesn’t meet the scale of the crime that was committed,” Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, said in Brooklyn Center. The congresswoman said the Chauvin case looks open-and-shut.

Guilty verdicts could mark a turning point in the fight for racial equality, she said.

“We are holding on to one another for support. Hopefully this verdict will come soon and the community will start the process of healing,” Omar said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618953264612.png" alt="Ex-officer Derek Chauvin is handcuffed moments after the judge read the guilty verdict-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Ex-officer Derek Chauvin is handcuffed moments after the judge read the guilty verdict-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?510906-1/jury-reaches-verdict-derek-chauvin-trial">Click here </a>to watch a replay of the jury verdict&nbsp;MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.Chauvin, 45, could be sent to prison for decades.The jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.His face was obscured by a COVID-19 mask, and little reaction could be seen beyond his eyes darting around the courtroom.His bail was immediately revoked and he was led away with his hands cuffed behind his back.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618954035360.png" alt="A court officer leads Chauvin from the courtroom- photo courtesy CSPAN " />
 <figcaption>A court officer leads Chauvin from the courtroom- photo courtesy CSPAN </figcaption>
 </figure>The verdict was read in a courthouse ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire and patrolled by National Guard troops, in a city on edge against another round of unrest — not just because of the Chauvin case but because of the deadly police shooting of a young Black man, Daunte Wright, in a Minneapolis suburb April 11.The jurors identities were kept secret and will not be released until the judge decides it is safe to do so.Three other former Minneapolis officers charged with aiding and abetting murder in Floyd’s death will stand trial in August.Floyd, 46, died May 25 after being arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill for a pack of cigarettes at a corner market. He panicked, pleaded that he was claustrophobic and struggled with police when they tried to put him in a squad car. They put him on the ground instead.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618952880785.png" alt="Derek Chauvin listens to the guilty verdicts in court Tuesday afternoon - photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Derek Chauvin listens to the guilty verdicts in court Tuesday afternoon - photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The centerpiece of the case was the excruciating bystander video of Floyd gasping repeatedly, “I can’t breathe” and onlookers yelling at Chauvin to stop as the officer pressed his knee on or close to Floyd’s neck for what authorities say was 9 1/2 minutes. Floyd slowly went silent and limp.Prosecutors played the footage at the earliest opportunity, during opening statements, with Jerry Blackwell telling the jury: “Believe your eyes.” And it was shown over and over, analyzed one frame at a time by witnesses on both sides.In the wake of Floyd’s death, demonstrations and scattered violence broke out in Minneapolis, around the country and beyond. The furor also led to the removal of Confederate statues and other offensive symbols such as Aunt Jemima.In the months that followed, numerous states and cities restricted the use of force by police, revamped disciplinary systems or subjected police departments to closer oversight.The “Blue Wall of Silence” that often protects police accused of wrongdoing crumbled after Floyd’s death: The Minneapolis police chief quickly called it “murder” and fired all four officers, and the city reached a staggering $27 million settlement with Floyd’s family as jury selection was underway.Police-procedure experts and law enforcement veterans inside and outside the Minneapolis department, including the chief, testified for the prosecution that Chauvin used excessive force and went against his training.Medical experts for the prosecution said Floyd died of asphyxia, or lack of oxygen, because his breathing was constricted by the way he was held down on his stomach, his hands cuffed behind him, a knee on his neck and his face jammed against the ground.Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson called a police use-of-force expert and a forensic pathologist to help make the case that Chauvin acted reasonably against a struggling suspect and that Floyd died because of an underlying heart condition and his illegal drug use.Floyd had high blood pressure, an enlarged heart and narrowed arteries, and fentanyl and methamphetamine were found in his system.Under the law, police have certain leeway to use force and are judged according to whether their actions were “reasonable” under the circumstances.The defense also tried to make the case that Chauvin and the other officers were hindered in their duties by what they perceived as a growing, hostile crowd.Chauvin did not testify, and all that the jury or the public ever heard by way of an explanation from him came from a police body-camera video after an ambulance had taken the 6-foot-4, 223-pound Floyd away. Chauvin told a bystander: “We gotta control this guy ’cause he’s a sizable guy … and it looks like he’s probably on something.”The prosecution’s case also included tearful testimony from onlookers who said the police kept them back when they protested what was happening. Eighteen-year-old Darnella Frazier, who shot the crucial video, said Chauvin just gave the bystanders a “cold” and “heartless” stare.She and others said they felt a sense of helplessness and lingering guilt from witnessing Floyd’s slow-motion death.“It’s been nights I stayed up, apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more, and not physically interacting and not saving his life,” Frazier testified, while the 19-year-old cashier at the neighborhood market, Christopher Martin, lamented that “this could have been avoided” if only he had rejected the suspect $20 bill.To make Floyd more than a crime statistic in the eyes of the jury, the prosecution called to the stand his girlfriend, who told the story of how they met and how they struggled with addiction to opioids, and his younger brother Philonise. He recalled how Floyd helped teach him to catch a football and made “the best banana mayonnaise sandwiches.”---------MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The jury reached a verdict Tuesday at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, the Black man who was pinned to the pavement with a knee on his neck in a case that set off a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the U.S.The verdict, arrived at after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days, was to be read late in the afternoon in a city on edge against the possibility of more unrest like that that erupted last spring.The courthouse was ringed with concrete barriers and razor wire, and thousands of National Guard troops and law enforcement officers were brought in ahead of the verdict. Some businesses boarded up with plywood.Floyd died last May after Chauvin, a 45-year-old now-fired white officer, pinned his knee on or close to the 46-year-old Black man’s neck for about 9 1/2 minutes as Floyd gasped that he couldn’t breathe and onlookers yelled at Chauvin to get off.The jury, made up of six white people and six Black or multiracial people, weighed charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, with convictions on some, none or all of the charges possible. The most serious charge carries up to 40 years in prison.The city has been on edge in recent days — not just over the Chauvin case but over the deadly police shooting of a 20-year-old Black man, Daunte Wright, in the nearby Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center on April 11.Earlier in the day Tuesday, President Joe Biden weighed in by saying he believes the case is “overwhelming.”He said that he had spoken to Floyd’s family on Monday and “can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they’re feeling.”“They’re a good family and they’re calling for peace and tranquility no matter what that verdict is,” Biden said. “I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict. I think it’s overwhelming, in my view. I wouldn’t say that unless the jury was sequestered now.”The president has repeatedly denounced Floyd’s death but previously stopped short of commenting on the trial itself.Other politicians and ordinary citizens also offered their opinion as the jury was deliberating.“It shouldn’t be really even questioned whether there will be an acquittal or a verdict that doesn’t meet the scale of the crime that was committed,” Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, said in Brooklyn Center. The congresswoman said the Chauvin case looks open-and-shut.Guilty verdicts could mark a turning point in the fight for racial equality, she said.“We are holding on to one another for support. Hopefully this verdict will come soon and the community will start the process of healing,” Omar said.___

🎥 Jury: Chauvin guilty of murder, manslaughter in George Floyd death

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he is “praying the verdict is the right verdict” in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin and that he believes the case to be “overwhelming.” 

Biden told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that he was only weighing in on the trial into the death of George Floyd because the jury in the case had been sequestered. 

He confirmed that he called Floyd’s family on Monday and said he “can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they’re feeling.” The jury is now deliberating the case against Chauvin.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is privately weighing how to handle the upcoming verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, including considering whether President Joe Biden should address the nation and dispatching specially trained community facilitators from the Justice Department, aides and officials told The Associated Press.

Closing arguments began Monday in Chauvin’s trial with a prosecutor telling jurors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-live-updates-e1d714c68ab5b067b101af7c6d486c6c">that the officer “had to know” he was squeezing the life out of George Floyd</a>&nbsp;as he cried over and over that he couldn’t breathe and finally fell silent. Chauvin faces murder and manslaughter charges

The plans for possible presidential remarks are still fluid, with the timing, venue and nature of the remarks still being considered, in part depending on the timing of the verdict, according to two White House aides who were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The White House has been warily watching the trial proceed in Minneapolis — and then another shooting of a Black man by a white police officer last week — and are preparing for the possibility of unrest if a guilty verdict is not reached in the trial. Biden may also speak after a guilty verdict, the White House aides said.

The verdict — and the aftermath —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-death-of-daunte-wright-shootings-police-5b60aafc871e642a3f1a491b5e934b91">will be a test for Biden,</a>&nbsp;who has pledged to help combat racism in policing, helping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-virus-outbreak-georgia-7a843bbce00713cfde6c3fdbc2e31eb7">African Americans who supported him in large numbers last year</a>&nbsp;in the wake of protests that swept the nation after Floyd’s death and restarted a national conversation about race. But he also has long projected himself as an ally of police, who are struggling with criticism about long-used tactics and training methods and difficulties in recruitment.

Press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the White House has had a “range of conversations” about preparations for the upcoming verdict and added, “Our objective is to ensure there is space for peaceful protest.”

“Of course we’ll let the jury deliberate and we’ll wait for the verdict to come out before we say more about our engagements,” Psaki said.

Psaki said administration officials have been in contact with leaders in Minnesota and in other cities and states that saw unrest after Floyd’s death last year.

She declined to answer if Biden would be “disappointed” if a not guilty verdict was reached.

Meanwhile, the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota have been working with local officials to support law enforcement as they prepare for the possibility of unrest after the verdict, officials said.

And the Justice Department has also dispatched specially trained community facilitators ahead of a verdict, according to a senior Justice Department official. The official could not discuss the plans publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The officials, part of the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, tout themselves as “America’s Peacemaker” by mediating disputes in communities and holding listening sessions to help prevent future conflicts.

A federal civil rights investigation, separate from the trial, remains ongoing. Several witnesses were subpoenaed earlier this year to appear before a federal grand jury considering charges against Chauvin.

The Justice Department’s civil rights investigation has been focused on Chauvin and some of the witnesses, including other officers who worked with Chauvin, people familiar with the matter have told the AP.

Chauvin was prepared to plead guilty to third-degree murder in George Floyd’s death before then-Attorney General William Barr&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-george-floyd-third-degree-2deefbc803665f808676fbbb8a131390">personally blocked the plea deal last year</a>. Barr rejected the deal in part because he felt it was too soon, as the investigation into Floyd’s death was still in its relative infancy, law enforcement officials said.

Across the country, police departments are also preparing for the possibility of rioting or other unrest, with some canceling vacation time and increasing the number of officers available for shifts. The federal government hasn’t detailed its plan in the event of widespread or sustained civil unrest.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday that there has been a request from officials in Washington, D.C., for D.C. National Guard forces in the event there is civil unrest in the nation’s capital, and it is currently being reviewed by the Army. He said the Army secretary has the authority to approve any request for D.C. National Guard but did not have details on the request.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618935352618.png" alt="President Biden confirmed that he called Floyd’s family on Monday-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden confirmed that he called Floyd’s family on Monday-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he is “praying the verdict is the right verdict” in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin and that he believes the case to be “overwhelming.” Biden told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that he was only weighing in on the trial into the death of George Floyd because the jury in the case had been sequestered. He confirmed that he called Floyd’s family on Monday and said he “can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they’re feeling.” The jury is now deliberating the case against Chauvin.------------WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is privately weighing how to handle the upcoming verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, including considering whether President Joe Biden should address the nation and dispatching specially trained community facilitators from the Justice Department, aides and officials told The Associated Press.Closing arguments began Monday in Chauvin’s trial with a prosecutor telling jurors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-live-updates-e1d714c68ab5b067b101af7c6d486c6c">that the officer “had to know” he was squeezing the life out of George Floyd</a>&nbsp;as he cried over and over that he couldn’t breathe and finally fell silent. Chauvin faces murder and manslaughter charges<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618882803416.png" alt="President Biden on Monday held the latest in a series of meetings on the American Jobs Plan. He brought together a bipartisan group of Members of Congress–all former governors or mayors–to discuss the need for federal investment in rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden on Monday held the latest in a series of meetings on the American Jobs Plan. He brought together a bipartisan group of Members of Congress–all former governors or mayors–to discuss the need for federal investment in rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>The plans for possible presidential remarks are still fluid, with the timing, venue and nature of the remarks still being considered, in part depending on the timing of the verdict, according to two White House aides who were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.The White House has been warily watching the trial proceed in Minneapolis — and then another shooting of a Black man by a white police officer last week — and are preparing for the possibility of unrest if a guilty verdict is not reached in the trial. Biden may also speak after a guilty verdict, the White House aides said.The verdict — and the aftermath —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-death-of-daunte-wright-shootings-police-5b60aafc871e642a3f1a491b5e934b91">will be a test for Biden,</a>&nbsp;who has pledged to help combat racism in policing, helping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-race-and-ethnicity-virus-outbreak-georgia-7a843bbce00713cfde6c3fdbc2e31eb7">African Americans who supported him in large numbers last year</a>&nbsp;in the wake of protests that swept the nation after Floyd’s death and restarted a national conversation about race. But he also has long projected himself as an ally of police, who are struggling with criticism about long-used tactics and training methods and difficulties in recruitment.Press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the White House has had a “range of conversations” about preparations for the upcoming verdict and added, “Our objective is to ensure there is space for peaceful protest.”“Of course we’ll let the jury deliberate and we’ll wait for the verdict to come out before we say more about our engagements,” Psaki said.Psaki said administration officials have been in contact with leaders in Minnesota and in other cities and states that saw unrest after Floyd’s death last year.She declined to answer if Biden would be “disappointed” if a not guilty verdict was reached.Meanwhile, the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota have been working with local officials to support law enforcement as they prepare for the possibility of unrest after the verdict, officials said.And the Justice Department has also dispatched specially trained community facilitators ahead of a verdict, according to a senior Justice Department official. The official could not discuss the plans publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.The officials, part of the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, tout themselves as “America’s Peacemaker” by mediating disputes in communities and holding listening sessions to help prevent future conflicts.A federal civil rights investigation, separate from the trial, remains ongoing. Several witnesses were subpoenaed earlier this year to appear before a federal grand jury considering charges against Chauvin.The Justice Department’s civil rights investigation has been focused on Chauvin and some of the witnesses, including other officers who worked with Chauvin, people familiar with the matter have told the AP.Chauvin was prepared to plead guilty to third-degree murder in George Floyd’s death before then-Attorney General William Barr&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-george-floyd-third-degree-2deefbc803665f808676fbbb8a131390">personally blocked the plea deal last year</a>. Barr rejected the deal in part because he felt it was too soon, as the investigation into Floyd’s death was still in its relative infancy, law enforcement officials said.Across the country, police departments are also preparing for the possibility of rioting or other unrest, with some canceling vacation time and increasing the number of officers available for shifts. The federal government hasn’t detailed its plan in the event of widespread or sustained civil unrest.Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday that there has been a request from officials in Washington, D.C., for D.C. National Guard forces in the event there is civil unrest in the nation’s capital, and it is currently being reviewed by the Army. He said the Army secretary has the authority to approve any request for D.C. National Guard but did not have details on the request.__

Biden praying for 'right verdict' in Chauvin trial

Loneliness is poison. It is deadly. Loneliness is&nbsp;literally&nbsp;killing us.

And if you just rolled your eyes, I’m especially talking to you.

Over the past couple of decades, researchers have repeatedly found a direct link between loneliness and a host of physical and psychological problems, like heart disease and mental illness.<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0033350617302731" target="_blank">1</a>&nbsp;Loneliness slowly dissolves us physically, mentally, and makes it impossible to be spiritually whole. Our culture has sped up and become increasingly frantic and chaotic. It’s tough to find time for new friendships, let alone time to invest in deep, meaningful relationships. We’ve managed to get by on sips of connection from the forced relationships of our kid’s friends’ parents or people at work, and the forced isolation of a global pandemic is highlighting a loneliness and mental health crisis like we haven’t seen in our lifetimes.&nbsp;

But here’s some good news: Regardless of how old you are, how much loss you have experienced, or how overwhelming it feels, you don’t have to live a lonely, isolated life. In fact, you&nbsp;must not&nbsp;life a lonely, isolated life.

Just like learning new ways to handle your money, learning how to connect and manage relationships requires a new set of skills. You have to be intentional, humble, and commit to learning new things. In fact, you&nbsp;can&nbsp;learn to cultivate new, whole, and authentic relationships with people. You can learn to trust and be trusted. You can enjoy depth and connection, but you have to make it a priority and do the work.

Make no mistake: You are worth the work. Your kids, your spouse, your friends, your business, and/or your community are all worth the work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Here are five tangible and powerful practices that will help you find connection and relationships and live a joyful and whole life.

Who would be the first person you would call if you got word that your mom was sick? That you’d just lost your job? That you need help changing a tire in your driveway. If you’re like many Americans, you would have no one to call.

This should sound every personal and cultural alarm that we have. Finding connection first begins with admitting that you are lonely, with no one to call. That you have no one you can tell the good stuff, the bad stuff, and the painful stuff too. That you have no one to lean on.

Or you might have a ton of people to call, but you find yourself lonely in a crowded room. Either way, you’re lonely—and disconnected.&nbsp;

So, inhale deeply and say it out loud:&nbsp;I’m lonely. Then exhale.

Admitting you’re lonely doesn’t mean you’re weak or a loser. It means you’re human. I’ve felt lonely in a crowded room of people who love me, on stage in front of thousands of people, and even when surrounded by family at my own kitchen table.

If we aren’t honest about our loneliness, we run the risk of mislabeling our feelings and experiences. We might blame our feelings on any number of other things, from politics to neighbors, to people who have different beliefs. Instead of blaming or numbing, what you need is people on your team, someone to argue, laugh, eat, watch a game with—or maybe cry with.

Develop a plan to connect with people. Loneliness can quickly turn into a pity party if you’re waiting for others to reach out to you. Telephones, visits, and letter writing work both ways. You can be upset that no one has called or written, or you can begin reaching out.

If you’re in a season of life where you truly have few friends, you’ll have to get serious about coming up with a plan to meet people. Choose to be active in your search for connections. The be bold and go for it.

Additionally, be mindful about exhausting your friends and family with your problems and challenges. Other people don’t exist&nbsp;for&nbsp;you, they exist&nbsp;with&nbsp;you. Always remember: Listen more than you talk. Serve more than you are served.

Schedule in-person time with others

Depending on what studies you read, 70­–90% of communication is nonverbal.&nbsp;<a href="https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=Xt-YALu9CGwC&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PR7&amp;dq=nonverbal+communication&amp;ots=5AGaQa3dmu&amp;sig=1-PGHrLmzEwTVjUTpKPTORsqUFg#v=onepage&amp;q=nonverbal%20communication&amp;f=false" target="_blank">2</a>&nbsp;In recent years we’ve outsourced almost all our communication to texting, emails, snapchats and DMs. Hear me clearly: Digital interactions are ways of passing information—not&nbsp;connecting. Relationships are about eye contact, presence, and when appropriate, touch. You can trade information in a digital format, but you cannot connect. Connecting in person (or though FaceTime, if necessary) is critical. Spend time face-to-face with the people you care about most on a regular basis.

Find a group to join, and commit to it

In addition to having a few close friends, consider joining groups in your community. Find people pursuing a common purpose, and commit to it.

Visit different groups and explore, but once you’ve landed on something, commit. Show up and keep showing up. Even if you deem some of the people annoying. Especially if they don’t look like you or you find they are way better at it than you. Stop comparing and competing and instead, say YES! and just keep showing up.

Be intentional about social media choices

They told us social media was going to help us to stay connected with our loved ones, meet new people, and deepen our relationships.

Social media does not help me remain connected, in a meaningful way, to people I love and care about. It gives me information, not connection. These platforms use fine-tuned algorithms that are designed to keep us scrolling – not connecting. In fact, there’s alarming evidence that social media use actually increases feelings of depression and loneliness.<a href="https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.10.751" target="_blank">3</a>

How many of you have hundreds of “friends” on Facebook, but no one to help you move your couch? If you’re going to use social media, be careful about when you’re on it and how long you access it.

I know COVID-19 brought with it many things we never expected, including lengthy physical separation from family and friends. However, deep, rewarding relationships are still possible. They may take a little more effort and intentionality than before, but they’re worth it. You can become a better friend—and find better friends—if you’re ready and willing to take the next step!

John Delony&nbsp;is a mental health expert with&nbsp;PhDs in counselor education and supervision and higher education administration&nbsp;from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining Ramsey Solutions in 2020, John worked as a senior leader, professor, and researcher at multiple universities. He also spent time in victim’s services and crisis response, walking with people through severe trauma. As a Ramsey Personality, he teaches on relationships and emotional wellness. Follow John on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/johndelony" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JohnDelony/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/johndelony" target="_blank">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ramseysolutions.com/john-delony" target="_blank">www.ramseysolutions.com/john-delony</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618625696051.jpeg" alt="John Delony" />
 <figcaption>John Delony</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN DELONYLoneliness is poison. It is deadly. Loneliness is&nbsp;literally&nbsp;killing us.And if you just rolled your eyes, I’m especially talking to you.Over the past couple of decades, researchers have repeatedly found a direct link between loneliness and a host of physical and psychological problems, like heart disease and mental illness.<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0033350617302731" target="_blank">1</a>&nbsp;Loneliness slowly dissolves us physically, mentally, and makes it impossible to be spiritually whole. Our culture has sped up and become increasingly frantic and chaotic. It’s tough to find time for new friendships, let alone time to invest in deep, meaningful relationships. We’ve managed to get by on sips of connection from the forced relationships of our kid’s friends’ parents or people at work, and the forced isolation of a global pandemic is highlighting a loneliness and mental health crisis like we haven’t seen in our lifetimes.&nbsp;But here’s some good news: Regardless of how old you are, how much loss you have experienced, or how overwhelming it feels, you don’t have to live a lonely, isolated life. In fact, you&nbsp;must not&nbsp;life a lonely, isolated life.Just like learning new ways to handle your money, learning how to connect and manage relationships requires a new set of skills. You have to be intentional, humble, and commit to learning new things. In fact, you&nbsp;can&nbsp;learn to cultivate new, whole, and authentic relationships with people. You can learn to trust and be trusted. You can enjoy depth and connection, but you have to make it a priority and do the work.Make no mistake: You are worth the work. Your kids, your spouse, your friends, your business, and/or your community are all worth the work.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here are five tangible and powerful practices that will help you find connection and relationships and live a joyful and whole life.Be honest about your lonelinessWho would be the first person you would call if you got word that your mom was sick? That you’d just lost your job? That you need help changing a tire in your driveway. If you’re like many Americans, you would have no one to call.No one.This should sound every personal and cultural alarm that we have. Finding connection first begins with admitting that you are lonely, with no one to call. That you have no one you can tell the good stuff, the bad stuff, and the painful stuff too. That you have no one to lean on.Or you might have a ton of people to call, but you find yourself lonely in a crowded room. Either way, you’re lonely—and disconnected.&nbsp;So, inhale deeply and say it out loud:&nbsp;I’m lonely. Then exhale.Admitting you’re lonely doesn’t mean you’re weak or a loser. It means you’re human. I’ve felt lonely in a crowded room of people who love me, on stage in front of thousands of people, and even when surrounded by family at my own kitchen table.If we aren’t honest about our loneliness, we run the risk of mislabeling our feelings and experiences. We might blame our feelings on any number of other things, from politics to neighbors, to people who have different beliefs. Instead of blaming or numbing, what you need is people on your team, someone to argue, laugh, eat, watch a game with—or maybe cry with.Be proactiveDevelop a plan to connect with people. Loneliness can quickly turn into a pity party if you’re waiting for others to reach out to you. Telephones, visits, and letter writing work both ways. You can be upset that no one has called or written, or you can begin reaching out.If you’re in a season of life where you truly have few friends, you’ll have to get serious about coming up with a plan to meet people. Choose to be active in your search for connections. The be bold and go for it.Additionally, be mindful about exhausting your friends and family with your problems and challenges. Other people don’t exist&nbsp;for&nbsp;you, they exist&nbsp;with&nbsp;you. Always remember: Listen more than you talk. Serve more than you are served.Schedule in-person time with othersDepending on what studies you read, 70­–90% of communication is nonverbal.&nbsp;<a href="https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=Xt-YALu9CGwC&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PR7&amp;dq=nonverbal+communication&amp;ots=5AGaQa3dmu&amp;sig=1-PGHrLmzEwTVjUTpKPTORsqUFg#v=onepage&amp;q=nonverbal%20communication&amp;f=false" target="_blank">2</a>&nbsp;In recent years we’ve outsourced almost all our communication to texting, emails, snapchats and DMs. Hear me clearly: Digital interactions are ways of passing information—not&nbsp;connecting. Relationships are about eye contact, presence, and when appropriate, touch. You can trade information in a digital format, but you cannot connect. Connecting in person (or though FaceTime, if necessary) is critical. Spend time face-to-face with the people you care about most on a regular basis.Find a group to join, and commit to itIn addition to having a few close friends, consider joining groups in your community. Find people pursuing a common purpose, and commit to it.Visit different groups and explore, but once you’ve landed on something, commit. Show up and keep showing up. Even if you deem some of the people annoying. Especially if they don’t look like you or you find they are way better at it than you. Stop comparing and competing and instead, say YES! and just keep showing up.Be intentional about social media choicesThey told us social media was going to help us to stay connected with our loved ones, meet new people, and deepen our relationships.They lied.Social media does not help me remain connected, in a meaningful way, to people I love and care about. It gives me information, not connection. These platforms use fine-tuned algorithms that are designed to keep us scrolling – not connecting. In fact, there’s alarming evidence that social media use actually increases feelings of depression and loneliness.<a href="https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.10.751" target="_blank">3</a>How many of you have hundreds of “friends” on Facebook, but no one to help you move your couch? If you’re going to use social media, be careful about when you’re on it and how long you access it.I know COVID-19 brought with it many things we never expected, including lengthy physical separation from family and friends. However, deep, rewarding relationships are still possible. They may take a little more effort and intentionality than before, but they’re worth it. You can become a better friend—and find better friends—if you’re ready and willing to take the next step!John Delony&nbsp;is a mental health expert with&nbsp;PhDs in counselor education and supervision and higher education administration&nbsp;from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining Ramsey Solutions in 2020, John worked as a senior leader, professor, and researcher at multiple universities. He also spent time in victim’s services and crisis response, walking with people through severe trauma. As a Ramsey Personality, he teaches on relationships and emotional wellness. Follow John on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/johndelony" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JohnDelony/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/johndelony" target="_blank">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ramseysolutions.com/john-delony" target="_blank">www.ramseysolutions.com/john-delony</a>.

DELONY: Loneliness is killing you (Yes, even you!)

<a href="https://www.gliddenedigerfuneral.com/obituaries/James-Boyer-12/">James "Jim" Boyer Obituary - Visitation &amp; Funeral Information (gliddenedigerfuneral.com)</a>

On Wednesday April 14th Jim Boyer (78) passed away. He was a devoted husband, father, and friend. He met the love of his life Edee (Hansen) in high school. They have been the model for a loving, supportive marriage. Without a doubt, the greatest gift he gave to his three kids and his six “grands” was the profound love he had for their mom/NaNa. Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years and their three children and six grandchildren: Bret and wife Kristin, daughter Joslyn (of Round Rock, TX) Jason and wife Dana, sons Hunter, Brodie (of Meriden, KS) Jamie Hicks and husband Ryan, daughter Allie, sons Colson, Cooper (of McPherson) When asked to describe their Papa in one word, each grandchild provided a perfect aspect of who their Papa was: Hunter (21) said “Teacher” Allie (20) said “Adventurist” Colson (17) said “Stoic” Joslyn (16) said “Protector” Brodie (14) said “Wholesome” Cooper (10) said “Nice” Jim truly lived an extraordinary life. A Christian and a life-long student of the Bible, Jim had many interests, and he approached each with a laser focus. He worked in Idaho and Utah for the U.S. Forest Service in the summers from the time he was 17 through 24. He fought forest fires, worked on trail maintenance and fell in love with the mountains and hiking. While in Idaho, he started the first youth baseball team for the town of Clark Fork, Idaho. He grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating from East High School, having played on an exceptional basketball team that is still remembered to this day. He continued to play basketball at Wayne State College and Morningside College, where he earned a degree in education. He attended graduate school at the University of Utah, after which he taught history, economics and government at LeMars High School in Iowa, while also writing curriculum for the American government classes and coaching the varsity boys’ basketball team. During the summers, he worked with the Youth Conservation Corps, sharing his love for the out-of-doors with teenagers. In 1979, he, Edee, and their young family moved to McPherson as the owners of Culligan Water Conditioning, the business he and Edee ran together for more than 20 years. When they sold their successful business in 1999, Jim worked for Culligan International, traveling the southwest quarter of the United States before retiring. Jim’s commitment to civic responsibility and engagement continued into his retirement. After leaving Culligan, he took the classes and certification to become a “master gardener” through Kansas State University’s extension program. He helped start a demonstration garden in McPherson with the McPherson Master Gardeners and Friends. He and Edee loved gardening and giving away produce to family and friends. He worked hard with the city of McPherson to help put in better sidewalks so kids would be safer as they walked and rode bikes to school. He also volunteered much of his time to help others, most recently with Meals on Wheels. In addition, he was very involved as a long-time member of the McPherson United Methodist Church. He volunteered countless hours, taught Sunday school, and served on many committees. Throughout his life, Jim’s love for adventure was equally matched by his love for a solid nap. He approached both with full commitment. In fact, commitment was a hallmark feature. He never met a task or a project he couldn’t map out, organize and tackle. Other hallmarks have become legacies given to his children. He had a gift for fixing what was broken and that was passed on to his oldest son. He had a ferocious desire to protect that he passed on to his middle son. And he had an unlimited love for processes that he passed on to his youngest daughter. He had a fantastic sense of humor that was evident in his easy smile and deep laugh, and he passed on his sense of humor to each of his children in equal measure. He never grew weary of spending time listening to stories and laughing with friends and family, sitting with a newspaper in his hands, listening to music or drinking tea. Anyone who knew Jim is better for having met him. He will be forever loved, cherished and carried in our hearts and memories. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials in memory of Jim are suggested to Kindred Hospice or the Moundridge Manor and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid; McPherson, Kansas 67460.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James "Jim" Boyer, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gliddenedigerfuneral.com/store/Category.aspx?CategoryId=319&amp;icn=desktop_memorial_obituary_link#chooser">Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>James 'Jim' Boyer</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618584642292.jpeg" alt="James 'Jim' Boyer" />
 <figcaption>James 'Jim' Boyer</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.gliddenedigerfuneral.com/obituaries/James-Boyer-12/">James "Jim" Boyer Obituary - Visitation &amp; Funeral Information (gliddenedigerfuneral.com)</a>October 19, 1942 - April 14, 2021On Wednesday April 14th Jim Boyer (78) passed away. He was a devoted husband, father, and friend. He met the love of his life Edee (Hansen) in high school. They have been the model for a loving, supportive marriage. Without a doubt, the greatest gift he gave to his three kids and his six “grands” was the profound love he had for their mom/NaNa. Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years and their three children and six grandchildren: Bret and wife Kristin, daughter Joslyn (of Round Rock, TX) Jason and wife Dana, sons Hunter, Brodie (of Meriden, KS) Jamie Hicks and husband Ryan, daughter Allie, sons Colson, Cooper (of McPherson) When asked to describe their Papa in one word, each grandchild provided a perfect aspect of who their Papa was: Hunter (21) said “Teacher” Allie (20) said “Adventurist” Colson (17) said “Stoic” Joslyn (16) said “Protector” Brodie (14) said “Wholesome” Cooper (10) said “Nice” Jim truly lived an extraordinary life. A Christian and a life-long student of the Bible, Jim had many interests, and he approached each with a laser focus. He worked in Idaho and Utah for the U.S. Forest Service in the summers from the time he was 17 through 24. He fought forest fires, worked on trail maintenance and fell in love with the mountains and hiking. While in Idaho, he started the first youth baseball team for the town of Clark Fork, Idaho. He grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, graduating from East High School, having played on an exceptional basketball team that is still remembered to this day. He continued to play basketball at Wayne State College and Morningside College, where he earned a degree in education. He attended graduate school at the University of Utah, after which he taught history, economics and government at LeMars High School in Iowa, while also writing curriculum for the American government classes and coaching the varsity boys’ basketball team. During the summers, he worked with the Youth Conservation Corps, sharing his love for the out-of-doors with teenagers. In 1979, he, Edee, and their young family moved to McPherson as the owners of Culligan Water Conditioning, the business he and Edee ran together for more than 20 years. When they sold their successful business in 1999, Jim worked for Culligan International, traveling the southwest quarter of the United States before retiring. Jim’s commitment to civic responsibility and engagement continued into his retirement. After leaving Culligan, he took the classes and certification to become a “master gardener” through Kansas State University’s extension program. He helped start a demonstration garden in McPherson with the McPherson Master Gardeners and Friends. He and Edee loved gardening and giving away produce to family and friends. He worked hard with the city of McPherson to help put in better sidewalks so kids would be safer as they walked and rode bikes to school. He also volunteered much of his time to help others, most recently with Meals on Wheels. In addition, he was very involved as a long-time member of the McPherson United Methodist Church. He volunteered countless hours, taught Sunday school, and served on many committees. Throughout his life, Jim’s love for adventure was equally matched by his love for a solid nap. He approached both with full commitment. In fact, commitment was a hallmark feature. He never met a task or a project he couldn’t map out, organize and tackle. Other hallmarks have become legacies given to his children. He had a gift for fixing what was broken and that was passed on to his oldest son. He had a ferocious desire to protect that he passed on to his middle son. And he had an unlimited love for processes that he passed on to his youngest daughter. He had a fantastic sense of humor that was evident in his easy smile and deep laugh, and he passed on his sense of humor to each of his children in equal measure. He never grew weary of spending time listening to stories and laughing with friends and family, sitting with a newspaper in his hands, listening to music or drinking tea. Anyone who knew Jim is better for having met him. He will be forever loved, cherished and carried in our hearts and memories. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials in memory of Jim are suggested to Kindred Hospice or the Moundridge Manor and they can be sent in care of the Glidden - Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid; McPherson, Kansas 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James "Jim" Boyer, please visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gliddenedigerfuneral.com/store/Category.aspx?CategoryId=319&amp;icn=desktop_memorial_obituary_link#chooser">Sympathy Store</a>.

James 'Jim' Boyer

Our daughter recently moved back in with us after she lost her job and her apartment. She hasn’t been able to find full-time work yet, and she had nowhere else to go. My husband and I are nearing retirement age, so we want to do the best and smartest thing to help her get back on her feet. What do you suggest?

First, you need to define what helping your daughter really means. What does it look like? In my mind, you haven’t helped her if she’s still living at home two or three years from now. Going to those lengths is called being an enabler. At the same time, you shouldn’t just show her the door and wish her good luck.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/recommends/life-insurance-for-married-couples" target="_blank">You and your husband</a>&nbsp;together&nbsp;should come to agreement on a forward-thinking plan that falls somewhere in the middle. I’m talking about something that allows your daughter a little time to heal and regain her dignity, but also includes a plan, expectations, and a move-out date.

If I were in your shoes, there would be requirements attached to her living at home again. One is that she would respect and abide by your household rules. If she’s going to live in your home, she should be expected to respect her parents and their wishes.

Number two, she should be thinking about and working on tangible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/career-advice/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview" target="_blank">career steps</a>&nbsp;every single day. I’m pretty sure she could find a part-time job out there to put a little extra money in her pocket. When she’s not earning some cash, she should be focusing on long-term career goals. Sending out resumés and filling out applications for full-time employment needs to be a priority.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The last thing I’ll suggest may sound a little strange, but trust me on this one. Right now, your daughter also needs some kind of physical activity on a regular basis. Exercise stimulates the mind, and she really needs that right now. It’ll also be great for her body.&nbsp;

This young lady has been through a stressful experience. She needs some understanding and support right now. At the same time, you don’t want to let her slide into bad habits and participate in promoting negative behavior. Step in, help her get her life back on track, and get her out in the world again. All three of you will be glad you did!

<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596845065840.jpeg" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,Our daughter recently moved back in with us after she lost her job and her apartment. She hasn’t been able to find full-time work yet, and she had nowhere else to go. My husband and I are nearing retirement age, so we want to do the best and smartest thing to help her get back on her feet. What do you suggest?JoanDear Joan,First, you need to define what helping your daughter really means. What does it look like? In my mind, you haven’t helped her if she’s still living at home two or three years from now. Going to those lengths is called being an enabler. At the same time, you shouldn’t just show her the door and wish her good luck.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/recommends/life-insurance-for-married-couples" target="_blank">You and your husband</a>&nbsp;together&nbsp;should come to agreement on a forward-thinking plan that falls somewhere in the middle. I’m talking about something that allows your daughter a little time to heal and regain her dignity, but also includes a plan, expectations, and a move-out date.If I were in your shoes, there would be requirements attached to her living at home again. One is that she would respect and abide by your household rules. If she’s going to live in your home, she should be expected to respect her parents and their wishes.Number two, she should be thinking about and working on tangible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/career-advice/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview" target="_blank">career steps</a>&nbsp;every single day. I’m pretty sure she could find a part-time job out there to put a little extra money in her pocket. When she’s not earning some cash, she should be focusing on long-term career goals. Sending out resumés and filling out applications for full-time employment needs to be a priority.&nbsp;&nbsp;The last thing I’ll suggest may sound a little strange, but trust me on this one. Right now, your daughter also needs some kind of physical activity on a regular basis. Exercise stimulates the mind, and she really needs that right now. It’ll also be great for her body.&nbsp;This young lady has been through a stressful experience. She needs some understanding and support right now. At the same time, you don’t want to let her slide into bad habits and participate in promoting negative behavior. Step in, help her get her life back on track, and get her out in the world again. All three of you will be glad you did!Dave<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time No. 1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of&nbsp;The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

DAVE SAYS: Help her get back out there

By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

Savannah will still be called the Savages, but the school's mascot imagery will be changing, starting next school year.

The
 Savannah Board of Education voted 4-3 Tuesday night to retain the 
"Savage" nickname, but phase out the Native American imagery and 
symbolism associated with the mascot.

The board also motioned to 
expand curriculum and expand its relationship with the Andrew County 
Museum and Historical Society to educate students on the history of the 
mascot, and to honor that history as well.

It's a decision that qualms a 10-month long debate amongst the board and community.

"This
 has been a long work-in-progress," outgoing school board president 
Stancy Bond said. "It's something the board has really very diligently 
tried to be thorough in our evaluation. We received a lot of criticism 
for taking so long. But in the end, I think it proved that we did our 
homework, we read through all public comment, we listened to everyone's 
concern and we made a decision. That's ultimately what we're here for - 
to make decisions for our district."

Board member Dyann Duncan motioned to put the mascot issue before voters on the August ballot - a motion that Bond opposed.

"We
 were elected to make decisions and I think we are fully capable and 
educated," Bond said. "And I don't think that we should put this on the 
ballot."

Duncan's motion failed narrowly, 4-3. Bond, 
vice-president Rebecca Bledsoe, Linda Kozminski and newly elected 
president Joseph Barbosa voted against putting the issue on the August 
ballot.

Barbosa then suggested keeping the name "Savage," but 
removing the Native American imagery from uniforms, playing surfaces and
 other places on the school's campus.

"This debate has gone on for
 the last 10 months," Barbosa said. "Not only in our community, but 
abroad and I think we need to move toward some sort of resolution."

Barbosa
 simply offered the idea up for discussion. Bond made it into a motion, 
while adding the amendment to, "expand the curriculum of course 
offerings to include Native American history, culture, genealogy and 
current events and instruct the administration to develop a relationship
 with Native American groups for educational opportunities" starting in 
the 2022-23 school year.

The amendment also instructed 
administration to "expand the district relationship with the Andrew 
County Museum and Historical Society and Savannah Alumni Association 
Foundation to preserve and maintain school artifacts and history 
including Savage memorabilia.

Barbosa notes this amendment was key in Tuesday's decision.

"The
 one thing I kept hearing from constituents," Barbosa said, "they felt 
that this was an attack on their identity. I did not want that to be the
 case. This is a moment where we preserve who we are and preserve our 
history. This preserves a big piece of our town."

A mascot 
committee was formed last July to do research on the history of the 
mascot and to explore alternatives to the current name and imagery.

That committee voted 4-4 last month on a mascot change, ultimately leaving the decision up to the board.

"I'm ready to be done," said Bond. "I think most of the community was ready for us to make a decision and move forward."

There
 was no public comment at Tuesday's meeting, but 348 comments from 
community members were submitted to the board beforehand.

"Five of
 those were 'no change' comments," Bond revealed. "So, that means that 
340 plus were for change, and I think that was expressed through those 
comments."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618430526482.png" alt="The Savannah school board meets in the high school gym Tuesday to discuss the changes to the Savannah Savages mascot and imagery./ Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>The Savannah school board meets in the high school gym Tuesday to discuss the changes to the Savannah Savages mascot and imagery./ Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>Savannah will still be called the Savages, but the school's mascot imagery will be changing, starting next school year.The
 Savannah Board of Education voted 4-3 Tuesday night to retain the 
"Savage" nickname, but phase out the Native American imagery and 
symbolism associated with the mascot.The board also motioned to 
expand curriculum and expand its relationship with the Andrew County 
Museum and Historical Society to educate students on the history of the 
mascot, and to honor that history as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618430580582.png" alt="Replacing all of the Native American imagery within the Savannah school district could take years, according to newly elected board president Joseph Barbosa. /Photo by Tommy Rezac" />
 <figcaption>Replacing all of the Native American imagery within the Savannah school district could take years, according to newly elected board president Joseph Barbosa. /Photo by Tommy Rezac</figcaption>
 </figure>It's a decision that qualms a 10-month long debate amongst the board and community."This
 has been a long work-in-progress," outgoing school board president 
Stancy Bond said. "It's something the board has really very diligently 
tried to be thorough in our evaluation. We received a lot of criticism 
for taking so long. But in the end, I think it proved that we did our 
homework, we read through all public comment, we listened to everyone's 
concern and we made a decision. That's ultimately what we're here for - 
to make decisions for our district."Board member Dyann Duncan motioned to put the mascot issue before voters on the August ballot - a motion that Bond opposed."We
 were elected to make decisions and I think we are fully capable and 
educated," Bond said. "And I don't think that we should put this on the 
ballot."Duncan's motion failed narrowly, 4-3. Bond, 
vice-president Rebecca Bledsoe, Linda Kozminski and newly elected 
president Joseph Barbosa voted against putting the issue on the August 
ballot.Barbosa then suggested keeping the name "Savage," but 
removing the Native American imagery from uniforms, playing surfaces and
 other places on the school's campus."This debate has gone on for
 the last 10 months," Barbosa said. "Not only in our community, but 
abroad and I think we need to move toward some sort of resolution."Barbosa
 simply offered the idea up for discussion. Bond made it into a motion, 
while adding the amendment to, "expand the curriculum of course 
offerings to include Native American history, culture, genealogy and 
current events and instruct the administration to develop a relationship
 with Native American groups for educational opportunities" starting in 
the 2022-23 school year.The amendment also instructed 
administration to "expand the district relationship with the Andrew 
County Museum and Historical Society and Savannah Alumni Association 
Foundation to preserve and maintain school artifacts and history 
including Savage memorabilia.Barbosa notes this amendment was key in Tuesday's decision."The
 one thing I kept hearing from constituents," Barbosa said, "they felt 
that this was an attack on their identity. I did not want that to be the
 case. This is a moment where we preserve who we are and preserve our 
history. This preserves a big piece of our town."A mascot 
committee was formed last July to do research on the history of the 
mascot and to explore alternatives to the current name and imagery.That committee voted 4-4 last month on a mascot change, ultimately leaving the decision up to the board."I'm ready to be done," said Bond. "I think most of the community was ready for us to make a decision and move forward."There
 was no public comment at Tuesday's meeting, but 348 comments from 
community members were submitted to the board beforehand."Five of
 those were 'no change' comments," Bond revealed. "So, that means that 
340 plus were for change, and I think that was expressed through those 
comments."Bond, Barbosa, Bledsoe and Kozminski voted in favor of 
the mascot image change. Duncan, along with board members Jamin Sybert 
and Than Wagers, voted against.It's been a divisive issue since 
the beginning, but Bond is relieved to see her time as school board 
president end with such an impactful decision."It's not really 
been a fun discussion," she admitted. "Both sides are very passionate 
about their opinion and both sides make great points, but ultimately, we
 made a great compromise and that's what it's all about."The 
discussion does not end with Tuesday's vote. The estimated cost of 
phasing out all of the Native American imagery on Savannah's campus and 
uniforms could be in the neighborhood of $500,000.Bond made it clear that not a cent of that expense would come from the school district's budget."As
 we do routine maintenance, that's when we'll look at images and what 
needs to be replaced and how we go forward," Bond said. "At a decent 
pace, but fiscally responsible. So, we won't use any district money to 
replace the gym floor. We just had it replaced two years ago."There's
 a lot of work ahead for Barbosa, as he takes over as the board's new 
president. But as a lifelong area resident, Barbosa is excited to move 
forward and fully resolve the matter."It is somewhat resolved, 
but with anything in our system and anything in America, there's going 
to debate and there's going to be discussion," he said. "But, I am 
looking forward to focusing on what's best for our students."The 
next big question is - what will the new mascot imagery be? That won't 
be answered overnight, but Bond hopes that the Savannah student body has
 a big say in the decision."While this is a community issue, the 
mascot belongs to our students," she said. "So, we'd like our student 
input to be the strongest voice in that conversation."