KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released 13 Israelis and four foreigners late Saturday in the second round of swaps under a cease-fire deal, the Israeli military said, after the militant group initially delayed the exchange for several hours and claimed that Israel had violated the terms of a truce deal.

Shortly after midnight, the Israeli military said the released hostages, including four Thais, had been transferred to Israel. They were being taken to hospitals for observation and to be reunited with their families.

Israel was to free 39 Palestinians later Saturday as part of the deal that ultimately went through after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-war-hostage-qatar-0126c6443a9b3b32fe97032b81eaa515">international mediation efforts</a>.

The Israeli hostages released Saturday by Hamas included seven children and six women, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced. Most of the released hostages were from Kibbutz Be’eri, a community Hamas militants ravaged during their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-displaced-hamas-dead-sea-beeri-hotel-94d57fc34dd18a73e38eea8437d15801">Oct. 7 cross-border attack</a>, a spokesperson for the kibbutz said. The children ranged in age from 3 to 16, and the women ranged from 18 to 67.

It was a bittersweet moment for the residents of Be’eri. A kibbutz spokesperson said all the released hostages either had a family member killed in the Oct. 7 rampage or had left a loved one in captivity in Gaza.

The mother of one of the released hostages, 12-year-old Hila Rotem, remained in captivity, the spokesperson said.

Another,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-hostages-emily-hand-226eb289c8f69158c6fec4fb2ffaaf6d">Emily Hand</a>, is a girl whose father believed her to be dead for weeks before finding out she was held as a hostage.

The last-minute delay had created a tense standoff on the second day of what's meant to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-what-to-know-af1cfbc9dcaa1485ed7a9efaca7ec2b7">four-day cease-fire</a>. By nightfall, as the hostages should have emerged from Gaza, Hamas alleged that the aid deliveries permitted by Israel fell short of what was promised and that not enough of it was reaching northern Gaza — the focus of Israel's ground offensive and main combat zone. Hamas also said not enough veteran prisoners were freed in the first swap on Friday.

“This is putting the deal in danger,” Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, said in Beirut. But Egypt, Qatar and Hamas itself later said obstacles had been overcome, and Hamas listed six women and 33 teenage boys it said were expected to be released by the Israelis. Two women, Maysoun Jabali and Israa Jaabis, were imprisoned in 2015 after being convicted of carrying out attacks on Israelis. Jaabis suffered severe burns during the incident.

While uncertainty around some details of the exchange remained, there was some optimism, too, amid earlier scenes of joyous families reuniting on both sides.

On the first day of the cease-fire, Hamas released 24 of the roughly 240 hostages taken during its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack</a>&nbsp;on Israel that triggered the war, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison. Those freed in Gaza were 13 Israelis,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-hostages-thai-workers-qatar-iran-1e712be6ab4446574128f36a5c6130e8">10 Thais and a Filipino</a>.

Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners, during the four-day truce — all women and minors.

Israel has said the truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed — something U.S. President Joe Biden said he hoped would occur.

Separately, a Qatari delegation arrived in Israel on Saturday to coordinate with parties on the ground and “ensure the deal continues to move smoothly,” according to a diplomat briefed on the visit. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details with the media.

The start of the pause brought quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians reeling from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">driven three-quarters of the population</a>&nbsp;from their homes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">leveled residential areas</a>. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel also went silent.

War-weary Palestinians in northern Gaza returned to the streets, crunching over rubble between shattered buildings and at times digging through it with bare hands. At the Indonesian hospital in Jabaliya, besieged by the Israeli military earlier this month, bodies lay in the courtyard and outside the main gate.

For Emad Abu Hajer, a resident of the Jabaliya refugee camp in the Gaza City area, the pause meant he could again search through the remains of his home, which was flattened in an Israeli attack last week.

He found the bodies of a cousin and nephew, bringing the death toll in the attack to 19. His sister and two other relatives are still missing.

“We want to find them and bury them in dignity,” he said.

The United Nations said the pause enabled it to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">scale up the delivery of food</a>, water, and medicine to the largest volume since the resumption of aid convoys on Oct. 21. It was also able to deliver 129,000 liters (34,078 gallons) of fuel — just over 10% of the daily pre-war volume — as well as cooking gas, a first since the war began.

In the southern city of Khan Younis, a long line of people with containers waited outside a filling station. Hossam Fayad lamented that the pause in fighting was only for four days.

“I wish it could be extended until people's conditions improved,” he said.

For the first time in over a month, aid reached northern Gaza. The Palestinian Red Crescent said 61 trucks carrying food, water and medical supplies headed there on Saturday, the largest aid convoy to reach the area yet. The U.N. said it and the Palestinian Red Crescent were also able to evacuate 40 patients and family members from a hospital in Gaza City to a hospital in Khan Younis.

In Tel Aviv, several thousand people packed a central square called “the square of the hostages,” awaiting news of the second release.

“Don’t forget the others because it’s getting harder, harder and harder. It’s heartbreaking,” said Neri Gershon, a Tel Aviv resident. Some families have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-hamas-gaza-israel-freed-6395a6113301e677bcac713f8db914b1">not doing enough</a>&nbsp;to bring hostages home.

In the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank, the family of 16-year-old Wael Mesheh was frantically getting the house ready for his homecoming as part of the second swap. “We are going to hug him so tight," his mother, Hanadi Mesheh, said by phone.

The first group of freed Israelis included nine women and four children ages 9 and under. They were taken to Israeli hospitals for observation and were declared to be in good condition.

Hours later, 24 Palestinian women and 15 teenage boys held in Israeli prisons in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem were freed. The teenagers had been jailed for minor offenses like throwing stones. The women included several convicted of trying to stab Israeli soldiers.

“It’s a happiness tainted with sorrow because our release from prison came at the cost of the lives of martyrs and the innocence of children,” said one released prisoner, Aseel Munir al-Titi.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group, Israel is holding 7,200 Palestinians, including about 2,000 arrested since the start of the war.

On Saturday, at least two Palestinians were injured at a tense West Bank checkpoint where Israel was to free prisoners. Israeli security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Palestinians gathered at Beitunia checkpoint. It was not clear how the two were injured.

The war erupted when several thousand Hamas militants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-attack-military-war-a8f63b07641212f0de61861844e5e71e">stormed into southern Israel</a>, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking scores of hostages, including babies, women and older adults, as well as soldiers.

“We will return immediately at the end of the cease-fire to attacking in Gaza, operating in Gaza,” Herzi Halevi, Israeli chief of staff, told soldiers.

Israeli leaders have said they won't stop until Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for the past 16 years, is crushed. Israeli officials have argued that only military pressure can bring the hostages home. But the government is under pressure from hostages' families to prioritize the release of the remaining captives.

The Israeli offensive has killed more than 13,300 Palestinians, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in the Hamas-run Gaza government. Women and minors have consistently made up around two-thirds of the dead. The figure does not include updated numbers from hospitals in the north, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-health-ministry-gaza-hamas-fe30cbc76479fa437d5f5a0e96c36e52">communications have broken down</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700950654978.png" alt="This September 2023 photo shows Emily Hand near Kibbutz Be’eri, Israel. Her father believed her to be dead for weeks before finding out she was held as a hostage. (Yael Shahrur Noah via AP)." />
 <figcaption>This September 2023 photo shows Emily Hand near Kibbutz Be’eri, Israel. Her father believed her to be dead for weeks before finding out she was held as a hostage. (Yael Shahrur Noah via AP).</figcaption>
 </figure>KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released 13 Israelis and four foreigners late Saturday in the second round of swaps under a cease-fire deal, the Israeli military said, after the militant group initially delayed the exchange for several hours and claimed that Israel had violated the terms of a truce deal.Shortly after midnight, the Israeli military said the released hostages, including four Thais, had been transferred to Israel. They were being taken to hospitals for observation and to be reunited with their families.Israel was to free 39 Palestinians later Saturday as part of the deal that ultimately went through after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-war-hostage-qatar-0126c6443a9b3b32fe97032b81eaa515">international mediation efforts</a>.The Israeli hostages released Saturday by Hamas included seven children and six women, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced. Most of the released hostages were from Kibbutz Be’eri, a community Hamas militants ravaged during their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-displaced-hamas-dead-sea-beeri-hotel-94d57fc34dd18a73e38eea8437d15801">Oct. 7 cross-border attack</a>, a spokesperson for the kibbutz said. The children ranged in age from 3 to 16, and the women ranged from 18 to 67.It was a bittersweet moment for the residents of Be’eri. A kibbutz spokesperson said all the released hostages either had a family member killed in the Oct. 7 rampage or had left a loved one in captivity in Gaza.The mother of one of the released hostages, 12-year-old Hila Rotem, remained in captivity, the spokesperson said.Another,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-hostages-emily-hand-226eb289c8f69158c6fec4fb2ffaaf6d">Emily Hand</a>, is a girl whose father believed her to be dead for weeks before finding out she was held as a hostage.The last-minute delay had created a tense standoff on the second day of what's meant to be a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-what-to-know-af1cfbc9dcaa1485ed7a9efaca7ec2b7">four-day cease-fire</a>. By nightfall, as the hostages should have emerged from Gaza, Hamas alleged that the aid deliveries permitted by Israel fell short of what was promised and that not enough of it was reaching northern Gaza — the focus of Israel's ground offensive and main combat zone. Hamas also said not enough veteran prisoners were freed in the first swap on Friday.“This is putting the deal in danger,” Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, said in Beirut. But Egypt, Qatar and Hamas itself later said obstacles had been overcome, and Hamas listed six women and 33 teenage boys it said were expected to be released by the Israelis. Two women, Maysoun Jabali and Israa Jaabis, were imprisoned in 2015 after being convicted of carrying out attacks on Israelis. Jaabis suffered severe burns during the incident.While uncertainty around some details of the exchange remained, there was some optimism, too, amid earlier scenes of joyous families reuniting on both sides.On the first day of the cease-fire, Hamas released 24 of the roughly 240 hostages taken during its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack</a>&nbsp;on Israel that triggered the war, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison. Those freed in Gaza were 13 Israelis,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-hostages-thai-workers-qatar-iran-1e712be6ab4446574128f36a5c6130e8">10 Thais and a Filipino</a>.Overall, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners, during the four-day truce — all women and minors.Israel has said the truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed — something U.S. President Joe Biden said he hoped would occur.Separately, a Qatari delegation arrived in Israel on Saturday to coordinate with parties on the ground and “ensure the deal continues to move smoothly,” according to a diplomat briefed on the visit. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details with the media.The start of the pause brought quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians reeling from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">driven three-quarters of the population</a>&nbsp;from their homes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">leveled residential areas</a>. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel also went silent.War-weary Palestinians in northern Gaza returned to the streets, crunching over rubble between shattered buildings and at times digging through it with bare hands. At the Indonesian hospital in Jabaliya, besieged by the Israeli military earlier this month, bodies lay in the courtyard and outside the main gate.For Emad Abu Hajer, a resident of the Jabaliya refugee camp in the Gaza City area, the pause meant he could again search through the remains of his home, which was flattened in an Israeli attack last week.He found the bodies of a cousin and nephew, bringing the death toll in the attack to 19. His sister and two other relatives are still missing.“We want to find them and bury them in dignity,” he said.The United Nations said the pause enabled it to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">scale up the delivery of food</a>, water, and medicine to the largest volume since the resumption of aid convoys on Oct. 21. It was also able to deliver 129,000 liters (34,078 gallons) of fuel — just over 10% of the daily pre-war volume — as well as cooking gas, a first since the war began.In the southern city of Khan Younis, a long line of people with containers waited outside a filling station. Hossam Fayad lamented that the pause in fighting was only for four days.“I wish it could be extended until people's conditions improved,” he said.For the first time in over a month, aid reached northern Gaza. The Palestinian Red Crescent said 61 trucks carrying food, water and medical supplies headed there on Saturday, the largest aid convoy to reach the area yet. The U.N. said it and the Palestinian Red Crescent were also able to evacuate 40 patients and family members from a hospital in Gaza City to a hospital in Khan Younis.JOY AND EXPECTATIONIn Tel Aviv, several thousand people packed a central square called “the square of the hostages,” awaiting news of the second release.“Don’t forget the others because it’s getting harder, harder and harder. It’s heartbreaking,” said Neri Gershon, a Tel Aviv resident. Some families have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-hamas-gaza-israel-freed-6395a6113301e677bcac713f8db914b1">not doing enough</a>&nbsp;to bring hostages home.In the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank, the family of 16-year-old Wael Mesheh was frantically getting the house ready for his homecoming as part of the second swap. “We are going to hug him so tight," his mother, Hanadi Mesheh, said by phone.The first group of freed Israelis included nine women and four children ages 9 and under. They were taken to Israeli hospitals for observation and were declared to be in good condition.Hours later, 24 Palestinian women and 15 teenage boys held in Israeli prisons in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem were freed. The teenagers had been jailed for minor offenses like throwing stones. The women included several convicted of trying to stab Israeli soldiers.“It’s a happiness tainted with sorrow because our release from prison came at the cost of the lives of martyrs and the innocence of children,” said one released prisoner, Aseel Munir al-Titi.According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group, Israel is holding 7,200 Palestinians, including about 2,000 arrested since the start of the war.On Saturday, at least two Palestinians were injured at a tense West Bank checkpoint where Israel was to free prisoners. Israeli security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Palestinians gathered at Beitunia checkpoint. It was not clear how the two were injured.A LONGER PEACE?The war erupted when several thousand Hamas militants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-attack-military-war-a8f63b07641212f0de61861844e5e71e">stormed into southern Israel</a>, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking scores of hostages, including babies, women and older adults, as well as soldiers.“We will return immediately at the end of the cease-fire to attacking in Gaza, operating in Gaza,” Herzi Halevi, Israeli chief of staff, told soldiers.Israeli leaders have said they won't stop until Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for the past 16 years, is crushed. Israeli officials have argued that only military pressure can bring the hostages home. But the government is under pressure from hostages' families to prioritize the release of the remaining captives.The Israeli offensive has killed more than 13,300 Palestinians, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in the Hamas-run Gaza government. Women and minors have consistently made up around two-thirds of the dead. The figure does not include updated numbers from hospitals in the north, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-health-ministry-gaza-hamas-fe30cbc76479fa437d5f5a0e96c36e52">communications have broken down</a>.

2nd group of hostages freed in Gaza includes 7 children 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/nathanielcline/">NATHANIEL CLINE</a>

College financial aid applicants can expect the release of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, on Dec. 31, according to an<a target="_blank" href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2023-11-15/update-simplified-streamlined-redesigned-2024-25-fafsa">&nbsp;announcement</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday.

Schools and applicants in Virginia and elsewhere have been waiting eagerly for the announcement after the agency said on March 21 that it would roll out the form in December but did not provide an exact date, creating uncertainty about how financial aid processes would unfold this year.

“The department has been working closely with all of our partners to prepare for the many changes to the better FAFSA experience,” the education department said in a statement. “To ensure a smooth experience for students and families, the department is issuing guidance, hosting webinars, and offering training support in the coming months.”

During the past three years, the department has been redesigning the form to make it less complex and allow more students access to financial aid after Congress passed the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/fafsa-simplification-act">FAFSA Simplification Act</a>.

Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, a nonprofit representing financial aid professionals across the country, said in a statement that the association is pleased with the announcement. However, he said schools need the federal government to quickly provide applicant data to institutions and “clearly” communicate updates.

Draeger said once financial aid offices receive applicant data, the distribution of financial aid offers will take at least several more weeks.

“A successful partnership between the financial aid community and [Education Department] means goodwill is extended by all stakeholders,” Drager said. “Financial aid professionals will work to shield students from the adverse effects of any truncated timelines. In addition to working as quickly as possible to deliver a completed FAFSA process, the department can partner in this effort by giving students realistic timelines and top-notch customer service, and giving schools the space and resources they need to focus solely on students for the next several months.”

This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/u-s-department-of-ed-announces-dec-31-rollout-for-new-fafsa/">Virginia Mercury</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/nathanielcline/">NATHANIEL CLINE</a>College financial aid applicants can expect the release of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, on Dec. 31, according to an<a target="_blank" href="https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/electronic-announcements/2023-11-15/update-simplified-streamlined-redesigned-2024-25-fafsa">&nbsp;announcement</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday.Schools and applicants in Virginia and elsewhere have been waiting eagerly for the announcement after the agency said on March 21 that it would roll out the form in December but did not provide an exact date, creating uncertainty about how financial aid processes would unfold this year.“The department has been working closely with all of our partners to prepare for the many changes to the better FAFSA experience,” the education department said in a statement. “To ensure a smooth experience for students and families, the department is issuing guidance, hosting webinars, and offering training support in the coming months.”During the past three years, the department has been redesigning the form to make it less complex and allow more students access to financial aid after Congress passed the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/fafsa-simplification-act">FAFSA Simplification Act</a>.Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, a nonprofit representing financial aid professionals across the country, said in a statement that the association is pleased with the announcement. However, he said schools need the federal government to quickly provide applicant data to institutions and “clearly” communicate updates.Draeger said once financial aid offices receive applicant data, the distribution of financial aid offers will take at least several more weeks.“A successful partnership between the financial aid community and [Education Department] means goodwill is extended by all stakeholders,” Drager said. “Financial aid professionals will work to shield students from the adverse effects of any truncated timelines. In addition to working as quickly as possible to deliver a completed FAFSA process, the department can partner in this effort by giving students realistic timelines and top-notch customer service, and giving schools the space and resources they need to focus solely on students for the next several months.”This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/blog-va/u-s-department-of-ed-announces-dec-31-rollout-for-new-fafsa/">Virginia Mercury</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

U.S. Department of Education sets date for rollout for new FAFSA

LINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen is making the case for growing a biobased economy in Nebraska. He delivered remarks and participated in multiple panel discussions during the Alternative Fuels and Chemical Coalition (AFCC) Global Biobased Economy Conference in Washington D.C. This annual event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators to explore the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in this rapidly growing sector.

Sharing his vision, Gov. Pillen emphasized the state’s ability to feed the world, while prioritizing sustainable farming practices and implementing innovative, science-based technologies that monitor progress in ag production.

“The biobased economy is gigantic for the future. It’s our Silicon Valley,” said Gov. Pillen. “Sustainable farming that creates products with lower carbon scores is good business. It’s something that Nebraska farmers have been doing for generations. Now, we need the data that confirms those practices and allows farmers to keep making improvements, so they get the credit they deserve – improving their bottom line.”&nbsp;

At the conference, Gov. Pillen expressed his commitment to expanding the biomanufacturing industry in Nebraska, which in turn, will create career opportunities for future Nebraskans. He encouraged all manufactures to consider Nebraska for future projects, emphasizing the state’s abundant natural resources and collaborative atmosphere for supporting those investments.

“We will take advantage of the endless opportunities that the new biobased economy holds for our state,” said Governor Pillen. “The time is now for Nebraska to be the lead in growing this industry for our planet, our country, and for our state.

Expansion efforts are supported through Executive Order 14081, signed by President Biden, which builds on the policies enacted by presidents Obama and Trump aimed at growing a U.S. bioeconomy.

These actions mirror President Bush’s renewable fuels policies he enacted during his 2007 State of the Union Address. The action President Bush took transformed Nebraska agriculture overnight, by increasing crop production, doubling cattle on feed, all while utilizing the byproducts of ethanol production.

“We will lead the way again through Executive Order 14081 by enhancing the plant-based manufacturing industry of Nebraska with our grains and feedstocks,” said Gov. Pillen. “Together Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and business owners will leverage this opportunity to ensure Nebraska is the frontrunner in the new bioeconomy.”

LINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen is making the case for growing a biobased economy in Nebraska. He delivered remarks and participated in multiple panel discussions during the Alternative Fuels and Chemical Coalition (AFCC) Global Biobased Economy Conference in Washington D.C. This annual event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators to explore the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in this rapidly growing sector.Sharing his vision, Gov. Pillen emphasized the state’s ability to feed the world, while prioritizing sustainable farming practices and implementing innovative, science-based technologies that monitor progress in ag production.“The biobased economy is gigantic for the future. It’s our Silicon Valley,” said Gov. Pillen. “Sustainable farming that creates products with lower carbon scores is good business. It’s something that Nebraska farmers have been doing for generations. Now, we need the data that confirms those practices and allows farmers to keep making improvements, so they get the credit they deserve – improving their bottom line.”&nbsp;At the conference, Gov. Pillen expressed his commitment to expanding the biomanufacturing industry in Nebraska, which in turn, will create career opportunities for future Nebraskans. He encouraged all manufactures to consider Nebraska for future projects, emphasizing the state’s abundant natural resources and collaborative atmosphere for supporting those investments.“We will take advantage of the endless opportunities that the new biobased economy holds for our state,” said Governor Pillen. “The time is now for Nebraska to be the lead in growing this industry for our planet, our country, and for our state.Expansion efforts are supported through Executive Order 14081, signed by President Biden, which builds on the policies enacted by presidents Obama and Trump aimed at growing a U.S. bioeconomy.These actions mirror President Bush’s renewable fuels policies he enacted during his 2007 State of the Union Address. The action President Bush took transformed Nebraska agriculture overnight, by increasing crop production, doubling cattle on feed, all while utilizing the byproducts of ethanol production.“We will lead the way again through Executive Order 14081 by enhancing the plant-based manufacturing industry of Nebraska with our grains and feedstocks,” said Gov. Pillen. “Together Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and business owners will leverage this opportunity to ensure Nebraska is the frontrunner in the new bioeconomy.”

Gov. Pillen Makes Case for Growing Biobased Economy at National Convention

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">convicted of murdering George Floyd</a>, was stabbed by another inmate and seriously injured Friday at a federal prison in Arizona, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

The attack happened at the Federal Correctional Institution, Tucson, a medium-security prison that has been plagued by security lapses and staffing shortages. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.

The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an incarcerated person was assaulted at FCI Tucson at around 12:30 p.m. local time Friday. In a statement, the agency said responding employees contained the incident and performed “life-saving measures” before the inmate, who it did not name, was taken to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

No employees were injured and the FBI was notified, the Bureau of Prisons said. Visiting at the facility, which has about 380 inmates, has been suspended.

Messages seeking comment were left with Chauvin’s lawyers and the FBI.

Chauvin’s stabbing is the second high-profile attack on a federal prisoner in the last five months. In July,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/larry-nassar-gymnastics-stabbed-prison-98c5ca2052f0ebce4a785f5fa2b2ede2">disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar was stabbed by a fellow inmate</a>&nbsp;at a federal penitentiary in Florida.

It is also the second major incident at the Tucson federal prison in a little over a year. In November 2022, an inmate at the facility’s low-security prison camp&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prisons-arizona-tucson-government-and-politics-319595c5a1a393f0734641443dd46df4">pulled out a gun and attempted to shoot a visitor in the head</a>. The weapon, which the inmate shouldn’t have had, misfired and no one was hurt.

Chauvin, 47, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ahmaud-arbery-death-of-george-floyd-minnesota-minneapolis-2375e5b10ec6e2976059f1eb0e261c28">sent to FCI Tucson</a>&nbsp;from a maximum-security Minnesota state prison in August 2022 to simultaneously serve a 21-year federal sentence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-george-floyd-minneapolis-race-and-ethnicity-st-paul-a8b12b1e3e0fedc1270c659e3428134e">for violating Floyd’s civil rights</a>&nbsp;and a 22½-year state sentence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-live-updates-04-20-2021-955a78df9a7a51835ad63afb8ce9b5c1">for second-degree murder</a>.

Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric Nelson, had advocated for keeping him out of general population and away from other inmates, anticipating he’d be a target. In Minnesota, Chauvin was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-prisons-minnesota-minneapolis-d067afde1589c5175a7b553b68f7eef0">mainly kept in solitary confinement</a>&nbsp;“largely for his own protection,” Nelson wrote in court papers last year.

Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-george-floyd-officer-convicted-2c08301003ebb4ed83f53679e179d5e2">the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Chauvin’s appeal</a>&nbsp;of his murder conviction. Separately, Chauvin is making a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-derek-chauvin-police-murder-civil-rights-56c9768ad08c4f1a4913c93d75a00536">longshot bid to overturn his federal guilty plea</a>, claiming new evidence shows he didn’t cause Floyd’s death.

Floyd, who was Black, died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, pressed a knee on his neck for 9½ minutes on the street outside a convenience store where Floyd was suspected of trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.

Bystander video captured Floyd’s fading cries of “I can’t breathe.” His death touched off protests worldwide, some of which turned violent, and forced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-death-anniversary-police-reform-protests-506efdec8275364db1b652cb6436339b">national reckoning with police brutality and racism</a>.

Three other former officers who were at the scene received lesser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-minneapolis-officer-tou-thou-sentencing-586deaeb4d14807ef3f2bdd0196d0b86">state and federal sentences</a>&nbsp;for their roles in Floyd’s death.

Chauvin’s stabbing comes as the federal Bureau of Prisons has faced increased scrutiny in recent years following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein’s jail suicide in 2019</a>. It's another example of the agency’s inability to keep even its highest profile prisoners safe after Nassar’s stabbing and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ted-kaczynski-unabomber-1197f597364b36e56bdbcaca9837bdc4">“Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski’s suicide</a>&nbsp;at a federal medical center in June.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-crime-prisons-only-on-ap-c7a1cfc4aee226570c375fc015ee322f">ongoing AP investigation</a>&nbsp;has uncovered deep, previously unreported flaws within the Bureau of Prisons, the Justice Department’s largest law enforcement agency with more than 30,000 employees, 158,000 inmates and an annual budget of about $8 billion.

AP reporting has revealed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-california-united-states-prisons-00a711766f5f3d2bd3fe6402af1e0ff8">rampant sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-5be574b4103a2f5420e0d9da2daf5c9c">other criminal conduct</a>&nbsp;by staff,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-prisons-prison-breaks-business-c1979d6ad6e7b3531968dab0e61eb22d">dozens of escapes</a>, chronic violence, deaths and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-prisons-government-and-politics-88fff925b1901a36a10581c28d826916">severe staffing shortages</a>&nbsp;that have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/only-on-ap-suicides-business-prisons-government-and-politics-0eba20833af541730b5e71bc4d2efbfe">hampered responses to emergencies</a>, including inmate assaults and suicides.

Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-crime-government-and-politics-prisons-treatment-of-prisoners-f1f5ee0553770dcb75783d05e4327a11">brought in last year to reform the crisis-plagued agency</a>. She vowed to change archaic hiring practices and bring new transparency, while emphasizing that the agency's mission is “to make good neighbors, not good inmates."

Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September, Peters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-colette-peters-senate-judiciary-committee-ca053cfe5170a755771392498153a420">touted steps she'd taken to overhaul problematic prisons</a>&nbsp;and beef up internal affairs investigations. This month, she told a House Judiciary subcommittee that hiring had improved and that new hires were outpacing retirements and other departures.

But Peters has also irritated lawmakers who said she reneged on her promise to be candid and open with them. In September, senators scolded her for forcing them to wait more than a year for answers to written questions and for claiming that she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-colette-peters-senate-judiciary-committee-ca053cfe5170a755771392498153a420">couldn’t answer basic questions about agency operations</a>, like how many correctional officers are on staff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619012623324.png" alt="Derek Chauvin's booking photo following his guilty verdict in April of 2021- Minnesota Dpt. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Derek Chauvin's booking photo following his guilty verdict in April of 2021- Minnesota Dpt. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">convicted of murdering George Floyd</a>, was stabbed by another inmate and seriously injured Friday at a federal prison in Arizona, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.The attack happened at the Federal Correctional Institution, Tucson, a medium-security prison that has been plagued by security lapses and staffing shortages. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an incarcerated person was assaulted at FCI Tucson at around 12:30 p.m. local time Friday. In a statement, the agency said responding employees contained the incident and performed “life-saving measures” before the inmate, who it did not name, was taken to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation.No employees were injured and the FBI was notified, the Bureau of Prisons said. Visiting at the facility, which has about 380 inmates, has been suspended.Messages seeking comment were left with Chauvin’s lawyers and the FBI.Chauvin’s stabbing is the second high-profile attack on a federal prisoner in the last five months. In July,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/larry-nassar-gymnastics-stabbed-prison-98c5ca2052f0ebce4a785f5fa2b2ede2">disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar was stabbed by a fellow inmate</a>&nbsp;at a federal penitentiary in Florida.It is also the second major incident at the Tucson federal prison in a little over a year. In November 2022, an inmate at the facility’s low-security prison camp&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prisons-arizona-tucson-government-and-politics-319595c5a1a393f0734641443dd46df4">pulled out a gun and attempted to shoot a visitor in the head</a>. The weapon, which the inmate shouldn’t have had, misfired and no one was hurt.Chauvin, 47, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ahmaud-arbery-death-of-george-floyd-minnesota-minneapolis-2375e5b10ec6e2976059f1eb0e261c28">sent to FCI Tucson</a>&nbsp;from a maximum-security Minnesota state prison in August 2022 to simultaneously serve a 21-year federal sentence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-george-floyd-minneapolis-race-and-ethnicity-st-paul-a8b12b1e3e0fedc1270c659e3428134e">for violating Floyd’s civil rights</a>&nbsp;and a 22½-year state sentence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-live-updates-04-20-2021-955a78df9a7a51835ad63afb8ce9b5c1">for second-degree murder</a>.Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric Nelson, had advocated for keeping him out of general population and away from other inmates, anticipating he’d be a target. In Minnesota, Chauvin was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-prisons-minnesota-minneapolis-d067afde1589c5175a7b553b68f7eef0">mainly kept in solitary confinement</a>&nbsp;“largely for his own protection,” Nelson wrote in court papers last year.Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-george-floyd-officer-convicted-2c08301003ebb4ed83f53679e179d5e2">the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Chauvin’s appeal</a>&nbsp;of his murder conviction. Separately, Chauvin is making a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-derek-chauvin-police-murder-civil-rights-56c9768ad08c4f1a4913c93d75a00536">longshot bid to overturn his federal guilty plea</a>, claiming new evidence shows he didn’t cause Floyd’s death.Floyd, who was Black, died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, pressed a knee on his neck for 9½ minutes on the street outside a convenience store where Floyd was suspected of trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.Bystander video captured Floyd’s fading cries of “I can’t breathe.” His death touched off protests worldwide, some of which turned violent, and forced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-death-anniversary-police-reform-protests-506efdec8275364db1b652cb6436339b">national reckoning with police brutality and racism</a>.Three other former officers who were at the scene received lesser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-floyd-minneapolis-officer-tou-thou-sentencing-586deaeb4d14807ef3f2bdd0196d0b86">state and federal sentences</a>&nbsp;for their roles in Floyd’s death.Chauvin’s stabbing comes as the federal Bureau of Prisons has faced increased scrutiny in recent years following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-jail-suicide-prison-death-8d194a756f2b429067f009a0c70f96c0">wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein’s jail suicide in 2019</a>. It's another example of the agency’s inability to keep even its highest profile prisoners safe after Nassar’s stabbing and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ted-kaczynski-unabomber-1197f597364b36e56bdbcaca9837bdc4">“Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski’s suicide</a>&nbsp;at a federal medical center in June.An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-crime-prisons-only-on-ap-c7a1cfc4aee226570c375fc015ee322f">ongoing AP investigation</a>&nbsp;has uncovered deep, previously unreported flaws within the Bureau of Prisons, the Justice Department’s largest law enforcement agency with more than 30,000 employees, 158,000 inmates and an annual budget of about $8 billion.AP reporting has revealed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-california-united-states-prisons-00a711766f5f3d2bd3fe6402af1e0ff8">rampant sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-5be574b4103a2f5420e0d9da2daf5c9c">other criminal conduct</a>&nbsp;by staff,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-prisons-prison-breaks-business-c1979d6ad6e7b3531968dab0e61eb22d">dozens of escapes</a>, chronic violence, deaths and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-prisons-government-and-politics-88fff925b1901a36a10581c28d826916">severe staffing shortages</a>&nbsp;that have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/only-on-ap-suicides-business-prisons-government-and-politics-0eba20833af541730b5e71bc4d2efbfe">hampered responses to emergencies</a>, including inmate assaults and suicides.Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-crime-government-and-politics-prisons-treatment-of-prisoners-f1f5ee0553770dcb75783d05e4327a11">brought in last year to reform the crisis-plagued agency</a>. She vowed to change archaic hiring practices and bring new transparency, while emphasizing that the agency's mission is “to make good neighbors, not good inmates."Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September, Peters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-colette-peters-senate-judiciary-committee-ca053cfe5170a755771392498153a420">touted steps she'd taken to overhaul problematic prisons</a>&nbsp;and beef up internal affairs investigations. This month, she told a House Judiciary subcommittee that hiring had improved and that new hires were outpacing retirements and other departures.But Peters has also irritated lawmakers who said she reneged on her promise to be candid and open with them. In September, senators scolded her for forcing them to wait more than a year for answers to written questions and for claiming that she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-prisons-colette-peters-senate-judiciary-committee-ca053cfe5170a755771392498153a420">couldn’t answer basic questions about agency operations</a>, like how many correctional officers are on staff.

Ex-officer, convicted in George Floyd's killing, stabbed in prison

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages it held captive in Gaza for weeks, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap under a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-what-to-know-af1cfbc9dcaa1485ed7a9efaca7ec2b7">four-day cease-fire</a>&nbsp;that offered a small glimmer of relief to both sides.

(Click below to watch&nbsp;President Biden deliver remarks on the release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.)

Israel — wrenched by the abduction of nearly 240 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack</a>&nbsp;that triggered the war — cheered as 13 Israeli women and children emerged free from Gaza. Most were in their 70s or 80s, and the youngest was a 2-year-old. Also released were 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines.

In Gaza, the truce’s start Friday morning brought the first quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians reeling and desperate from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">driven three-quarters of the population</a>&nbsp;from their homes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">leveled residential areas</a>. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well.

Increased supplies of food, water, medicine and fuel promised under the deal began to roll into Gaza, where U.N. officials had warned that Israel’s seal on the territory threatened to push it to starvation.

But relief has been tempered — among Israelis by the fact that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-hamas-gaza-israel-freed-6395a6113301e677bcac713f8db914b1">not all hostages will be freed</a>&nbsp;and among Palestinians by the briefness of the pause. The short truce leaves Gaza mired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">in humanitarian crisis</a>&nbsp;and under the threat that fighting could soon resume.

Israel says the cease-fire could be extended if more hostages are released, but it has vowed to resume its massive offensive once the truce ends. That has clouded hopes that the deal could eventually help wind down the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">conflict,</a>&nbsp;which has fueled a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-west-bank-war-gaza-hamas-settlers-army-raid-militants-c1386ab6a633971cc18b2497169210d3">surge of violence in the occupied West Bank</a>&nbsp;and stirred fears of a wider conflagration across the Middle East.

Under the deal, Hamas is to release at least 50 hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners over the four days. Both sides were starting with women and children. Israel said the four-day truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed.

After nightfall Friday, a line of ambulances emerged from Gaza through the Rafah Crossing into Egypt carrying the freed hostages, as seen live on on Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera TV. The freed Israelis included nine women and four children 9 and under.

The released hostages were taken to three Israeli hospitals for observation. The Schneider Children’s Medical Center said it was treating eight Israelis — four children and four women — and that all appeared to be in good physical condition. The center said they were also receiving psychological treatment, adding that “these are sensitive moments” for the families.

At a plaza dubbed “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv, a crowd of Israelis celebrated at the news.

Yael Adar spotted her mother, 85-year-old Yaffa Adar, in a TV newscast of the release and was cheered to see her walking. “That was a huge concern, what would happen to her health during these almost two months,” she told Israel’s Channel 12.

But Yael’s 38-year-old son, Tamir Adar, remained in captivity. Both were kidnapped on Oct. 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz. “Everyone needs to come back. It’s happiness locked up in grief.”

The hostages included multiple generations. Nine-year-old Ohad Munder-Zichri was freed along with his mother, Keren Munder, and grandmother Ruti Munder. The fourth-grader was abducted during a holiday visit to his grandparents at the kibbutz where about 80 people — nearly a quarter of all residents of the small community — are believed to have been taken hostage.

The plight of the hostages has raised anger among some families that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to bring them home.

Hours later, 24 Palestinian women and 15 teenagers held in Israeli prisons in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem were freed. In the West Bank town of Beituna, hundreds of Palestinians poured out of their homes to celebrate, honking horns and setting off fireworks that lite up the nights sky.

The teenagers had been jailed for minor offenses like throwing stones. The women included several convicted of trying to stab Israeli soldiers, and others who had been arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.

“As a Palestinian, my heart is broken for my brothers in Gaza, so I can’t really celebrate,” said Abdulqader Khatib, a U.N. worker whose 17-year-old son, Iyas, was freed. “But I am a father. And deep inside, I am very happy.”

Iyas had been taken last year into “administrative detention,” without charges or trial and based on secret evidence. Israel often holds detainees for months without charges. Most of those who are tried are put before military courts that almost never acquit defendants and often don’t follow due process, human rights groups say.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group, Israel is currently holding 7,200 Palestinians, including about 2,000 arrested since the start of the war.

Friday’s halt in fighting brought Gaza’s uprooted population a moment to catch their breath after weeks of fleeing for shelter, searching for food and fearing for family.

After the truce began Friday morning, four trucks of fuel and four trucks of cooking gas entered from Egypt, as well as 200 trucks of relief supplies, Israel said.

Israel has barred all imports into Gaza throughout the war, except for a trickle of supplies from Egypt.

Its ban on fuel, which it said could be diverted to Hamas, caused a territory-wide blackout. Hospitals, water systems, bakeries and shelters have struggled to keep generators running.

During the truce, Israel agreed to allow the delivery of 130,000 liters (34,340 gallons) of fuel per day — still only a small portion of Gaza’s estimated daily needs of more than 1 million liters.

Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are crowded into the southern portion of the territory, with more than 1 million living in U.N. schools-turned-shelters. The calm brought a chance for displaced residents of the south to visit homes and retrieve some belongings.

But the hundreds of thousands who evacuated from northern Gaza to the south were warned not to return in leaflets dropped by Israel. Israeli troops hold much of the north, including Gaza City.

Still, hundreds of Palestinians tried walking north Friday. Two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-11-24-2023-f0a8acd3926fda71bd1a0c3750e3b695">were shot and killed</a>&nbsp;by Israeli troops and another 11 were wounded.

Sofian Abu Amer decided to risk checking his home in Gaza City.

“We don’t have enough clothes, food and drinks,” he said. “The situation is disastrous. It’s better for a person to die.”

Israel’s northern border with Lebanon was also quiet on Friday, a day after the militant Hezbollah group, an ally of Hamas, carried out the highest number of attacks in one day since fighting there began Oct. 8.

Hezbollah is not a party to the cease-fire agreement but was widely expected to halt its attacks.

The war erupted when several thousand Hamas militants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-attack-military-war-a8f63b07641212f0de61861844e5e71e">stormed into southern Israel</a>, killing at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking scores of hostages, including babies, women and older adults, as well as soldiers.

The hope is that “momentum” from the deal will lead to an “end to this violence,” said Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar, which served as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-war-hostage-qatar-0126c6443a9b3b32fe97032b81eaa515">mediator along with the United States and Egypt</a>.

But hours before it came into effect, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops that their respite would be short and that the war would resume with intensity for at least two more months.

Netanyahu has also vowed to continue the war to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities, end its 16-year rule in Gaza and return all the hostages.

The Israeli offensive has killed more than 13,300 Palestinians, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in the Hamas-run Gaza government. Women and minors have consistently made up around two-thirds of the dead, though the latest number was not broken down. The figure does not include updated numbers from hospitals in the north, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-health-ministry-gaza-hamas-fe30cbc76479fa437d5f5a0e96c36e52">communications</a>&nbsp;have broken down.

The ministry says some 6,000 people have been reported missing, feared&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-buried-rubble-airstrikes-89c0e8d0934d573d94d2fbfeba44d933">buried under rubble</a>. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its death tolls.

Israel says it has killed thousands of Hamas fighters, without presenting evidence for its count.

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages it held captive in Gaza for weeks, and Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap under a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-what-to-know-af1cfbc9dcaa1485ed7a9efaca7ec2b7">four-day cease-fire</a>&nbsp;that offered a small glimmer of relief to both sides.(Click below to watch&nbsp;President Biden deliver remarks on the release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F2055360164824251%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=21" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Israel — wrenched by the abduction of nearly 240 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack</a>&nbsp;that triggered the war — cheered as 13 Israeli women and children emerged free from Gaza. Most were in their 70s or 80s, and the youngest was a 2-year-old. Also released were 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines.In Gaza, the truce’s start Friday morning brought the first quiet for 2.3 million Palestinians reeling and desperate from relentless Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">driven three-quarters of the population</a>&nbsp;from their homes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">leveled residential areas</a>. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well.Increased supplies of food, water, medicine and fuel promised under the deal began to roll into Gaza, where U.N. officials had warned that Israel’s seal on the territory threatened to push it to starvation.But relief has been tempered — among Israelis by the fact that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-hamas-gaza-israel-freed-6395a6113301e677bcac713f8db914b1">not all hostages will be freed</a>&nbsp;and among Palestinians by the briefness of the pause. The short truce leaves Gaza mired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">in humanitarian crisis</a>&nbsp;and under the threat that fighting could soon resume.Israel says the cease-fire could be extended if more hostages are released, but it has vowed to resume its massive offensive once the truce ends. That has clouded hopes that the deal could eventually help wind down the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">conflict,</a>&nbsp;which has fueled a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-west-bank-war-gaza-hamas-settlers-army-raid-militants-c1386ab6a633971cc18b2497169210d3">surge of violence in the occupied West Bank</a>&nbsp;and stirred fears of a wider conflagration across the Middle East.FIRST HOSTAGES FREEDUnder the deal, Hamas is to release at least 50 hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners over the four days. Both sides were starting with women and children. Israel said the four-day truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed.After nightfall Friday, a line of ambulances emerged from Gaza through the Rafah Crossing into Egypt carrying the freed hostages, as seen live on on Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera TV. The freed Israelis included nine women and four children 9 and under.The released hostages were taken to three Israeli hospitals for observation. The Schneider Children’s Medical Center said it was treating eight Israelis — four children and four women — and that all appeared to be in good physical condition. The center said they were also receiving psychological treatment, adding that “these are sensitive moments” for the families.At a plaza dubbed “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv, a crowd of Israelis celebrated at the news.Yael Adar spotted her mother, 85-year-old Yaffa Adar, in a TV newscast of the release and was cheered to see her walking. “That was a huge concern, what would happen to her health during these almost two months,” she told Israel’s Channel 12.But Yael’s 38-year-old son, Tamir Adar, remained in captivity. Both were kidnapped on Oct. 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz. “Everyone needs to come back. It’s happiness locked up in grief.”The hostages included multiple generations. Nine-year-old Ohad Munder-Zichri was freed along with his mother, Keren Munder, and grandmother Ruti Munder. The fourth-grader was abducted during a holiday visit to his grandparents at the kibbutz where about 80 people — nearly a quarter of all residents of the small community — are believed to have been taken hostage.The plight of the hostages has raised anger among some families that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to bring them home.Hours later, 24 Palestinian women and 15 teenagers held in Israeli prisons in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem were freed. In the West Bank town of Beituna, hundreds of Palestinians poured out of their homes to celebrate, honking horns and setting off fireworks that lite up the nights sky.The teenagers had been jailed for minor offenses like throwing stones. The women included several convicted of trying to stab Israeli soldiers, and others who had been arrested at checkpoints in the West Bank.“As a Palestinian, my heart is broken for my brothers in Gaza, so I can’t really celebrate,” said Abdulqader Khatib, a U.N. worker whose 17-year-old son, Iyas, was freed. “But I am a father. And deep inside, I am very happy.”Iyas had been taken last year into “administrative detention,” without charges or trial and based on secret evidence. Israel often holds detainees for months without charges. Most of those who are tried are put before military courts that almost never acquit defendants and often don’t follow due process, human rights groups say.According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group, Israel is currently holding 7,200 Palestinians, including about 2,000 arrested since the start of the war.CEASE-FIRE TAKES HOLDFriday’s halt in fighting brought Gaza’s uprooted population a moment to catch their breath after weeks of fleeing for shelter, searching for food and fearing for family.After the truce began Friday morning, four trucks of fuel and four trucks of cooking gas entered from Egypt, as well as 200 trucks of relief supplies, Israel said.Israel has barred all imports into Gaza throughout the war, except for a trickle of supplies from Egypt.Its ban on fuel, which it said could be diverted to Hamas, caused a territory-wide blackout. Hospitals, water systems, bakeries and shelters have struggled to keep generators running.During the truce, Israel agreed to allow the delivery of 130,000 liters (34,340 gallons) of fuel per day — still only a small portion of Gaza’s estimated daily needs of more than 1 million liters.Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are crowded into the southern portion of the territory, with more than 1 million living in U.N. schools-turned-shelters. The calm brought a chance for displaced residents of the south to visit homes and retrieve some belongings.But the hundreds of thousands who evacuated from northern Gaza to the south were warned not to return in leaflets dropped by Israel. Israeli troops hold much of the north, including Gaza City.Still, hundreds of Palestinians tried walking north Friday. Two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-11-24-2023-f0a8acd3926fda71bd1a0c3750e3b695">were shot and killed</a>&nbsp;by Israeli troops and another 11 were wounded.Sofian Abu Amer decided to risk checking his home in Gaza City.“We don’t have enough clothes, food and drinks,” he said. “The situation is disastrous. It’s better for a person to die.”Israel’s northern border with Lebanon was also quiet on Friday, a day after the militant Hezbollah group, an ally of Hamas, carried out the highest number of attacks in one day since fighting there began Oct. 8.Hezbollah is not a party to the cease-fire agreement but was widely expected to halt its attacks.A LONGER PEACE?The war erupted when several thousand Hamas militants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-attack-military-war-a8f63b07641212f0de61861844e5e71e">stormed into southern Israel</a>, killing at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking scores of hostages, including babies, women and older adults, as well as soldiers.The hope is that “momentum” from the deal will lead to an “end to this violence,” said Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar, which served as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-war-hostage-qatar-0126c6443a9b3b32fe97032b81eaa515">mediator along with the United States and Egypt</a>.But hours before it came into effect, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops that their respite would be short and that the war would resume with intensity for at least two more months.Netanyahu has also vowed to continue the war to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities, end its 16-year rule in Gaza and return all the hostages.The Israeli offensive has killed more than 13,300 Palestinians, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in the Hamas-run Gaza government. Women and minors have consistently made up around two-thirds of the dead, though the latest number was not broken down. The figure does not include updated numbers from hospitals in the north, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-health-ministry-gaza-hamas-fe30cbc76479fa437d5f5a0e96c36e52">communications</a>&nbsp;have broken down.The ministry says some 6,000 people have been reported missing, feared&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-buried-rubble-airstrikes-89c0e8d0934d573d94d2fbfeba44d933">buried under rubble</a>. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its death tolls.Israel says it has killed thousands of Hamas fighters, without presenting evidence for its count.___

🎥No US citizens in first group of hostages freed as Gaza cease-fire begins

WASHINGTON (AP —U.S. health officials recalled three more brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes Friday as the number of people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cantaloupe-salmonella-malichita-recall-b0e630ffcab3aff0936d7c43d3c3b323">sickened by salmonella more than doubled this week</a>.

Nearly 100 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/map.html">32 states</a>&nbsp;have gotten sick from the contaminated fruits. Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio have the highest number of cases. Two people have died of the infections in Minnesota, and 45 people are hospitalized nationwide.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's original recall included Malichita brand whole cantaloupe, Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupe and ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products. Rudy brand whole cantaloupes and Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupes joined the list Friday.

Health officials say anyone who bought&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/index.html">the recalled fruits</a>&nbsp;should throw them away and wash surfaces that touched them with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within six hour to six days after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. Illnesses typically last four to seven days. Vulnerable people, including children, people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems may develop severe illnesses that require medical care or hospitalization.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700856554341.png" alt="FDA image" />
 <figcaption>FDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP —U.S. health officials recalled three more brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes Friday as the number of people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cantaloupe-salmonella-malichita-recall-b0e630ffcab3aff0936d7c43d3c3b323">sickened by salmonella more than doubled this week</a>.Nearly 100 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/map.html">32 states</a>&nbsp;have gotten sick from the contaminated fruits. Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio have the highest number of cases. Two people have died of the infections in Minnesota, and 45 people are hospitalized nationwide.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's original recall included Malichita brand whole cantaloupe, Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupe and ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products. Rudy brand whole cantaloupes and Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupes joined the list Friday.Health officials say anyone who bought&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/index.html">the recalled fruits</a>&nbsp;should throw them away and wash surfaces that touched them with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within six hour to six days after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. Illnesses typically last four to seven days. Vulnerable people, including children, people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems may develop severe illnesses that require medical care or hospitalization.

FDA expands cantaloupe recall after salmonella infections double 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln, Nebraska, police officer shot and wounded a man who drove a Jeep at the officer and ran over a woman in the process, police said.

The woman was hospitalized with injuries described by police as serious but not life threatening. The driver was treated for minor injuries. The officer was unhurt.

Police said the officer was at a motel Tuesday looking for a man wanted for an alleged probation violation for possession of a weapon. The man pulled into the motel parking lot, and the officer approached the Jeep.

Police said the 35-year-old suspect put the Jeep in reverse and rammed the police cruiser, then did it again before driving at the officer, who fired into the Jeep, striking the driver. As that was happening, a 39-year-old female passenger got out of the Jeep and was run over. She had to be extricated from beneath the vehicle.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln, Nebraska, police officer shot and wounded a man who drove a Jeep at the officer and ran over a woman in the process, police said.The woman was hospitalized with injuries described by police as serious but not life threatening. The driver was treated for minor injuries. The officer was unhurt.Police said the officer was at a motel Tuesday looking for a man wanted for an alleged probation violation for possession of a weapon. The man pulled into the motel parking lot, and the officer approached the Jeep.Police said the 35-year-old suspect put the Jeep in reverse and rammed the police cruiser, then did it again before driving at the officer, who fired into the Jeep, striking the driver. As that was happening, a 39-year-old female passenger got out of the Jeep and was run over. She had to be extricated from beneath the vehicle.

Lincoln officer shoots man who allegedly drove at him; woman jumped from Jeep and was run over

WASHINGTON (AP) — A major Iranian-backed militant group in Iraq warned it may strike additional U.S. targets after U.S. warplanes killed multiple militants in response to the first use of short-range ballistic missiles against U.S. forces at Al-Asad Air Base Monday and shot down drones over the Red Sea.

U.S. fighter jets struck a Kataib Hezbollah operations center and a Kataib Hezbollah command and control node near Al Anbar and Jurf al Saqr, south of Baghdad, on Tuesday, two defense officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to provide additional sensitive details of the attacks.

There were Kataib Hezbollah personnel at both sites at the time of the strikes, but the officials said they could not yet confirm whether anyone there was killed.

Militia officials in Iraq said the attack had killed eight Kataib Hezbollah members.

The U.S. airstrikes followed an earlier retaliatory strike by an AC-130 gunship that was in the air when the Iranian-backed militants fired two short-range ballistic missiles at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq late Monday evening. The gunship was able to locate the origin of the missiles, and fired on several militants who had fled in a vehicle, killing several of them.

Kataib Hezbollah in a statement meanwhile said it was considering “expanding the scope of targets” if the U.S. military continues with its strikes, adding that the attack “will not go unpunished”.

The dangerous back-and-forth strikes have escalated since Iranian-backed militant groups under the umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Syria began striking U.S. facilities Oct. 17, the date that a blast at a hospital in Gaza killed hundreds. The attacks have continued unabated since, with at least 66 rocket and missile attacks hitting U.S. facilities and wounding at least 62 service members.

The Monday attack stood out in that it was the first time militants had used ballistic missiles, and the U.S. response inside Iraq was immediate.

It was also noteworthy because the previous planned counterattacks by U.S. warplanes had focused on militant weapons caches and training centers in Syria, due to political sensitivities in Iraq.

The office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who rose to power through the backing of an Iran-backed political coalition, called the recent escalations “a dangerous development," reflecting the delicate balance the government must strike between Iranian factions and U.S. military presence.

In a statement, Sudani called the the U.S. attack a violation of the country’s sovereignty and of the U.S.-led coalition’s mission to combat Islamic State militants on Iraqi soil, given that the attack was done without giving Iraq notice. Over the past month however, the Iraqi premier has also called for the authorities to pursue the attackers of U.S. bases in Iraq, as he tries to maintain a delicate balance in maintaining positive ties with both Washington and Tehran.

On Tuesday evening, U.S. officials speaking on background said the U.S. is trying to communicate that it does not seek wider conflict, but that the Iran-backed attacks against American forces must stop and that the U.S. will take further action if needed. The U.S. has moved considerable assets to the region — two carrier groups, multiple squadrons of warplanes and U.S. personnel to try and dissuade factions from turning the crisis between Israel and Hamas into a regional war.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A major Iranian-backed militant group in Iraq warned it may strike additional U.S. targets after U.S. warplanes killed multiple militants in response to the first use of short-range ballistic missiles against U.S. forces at Al-Asad Air Base Monday and shot down drones over the Red Sea.U.S. fighter jets struck a Kataib Hezbollah operations center and a Kataib Hezbollah command and control node near Al Anbar and Jurf al Saqr, south of Baghdad, on Tuesday, two defense officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to provide additional sensitive details of the attacks.There were Kataib Hezbollah personnel at both sites at the time of the strikes, but the officials said they could not yet confirm whether anyone there was killed.Militia officials in Iraq said the attack had killed eight Kataib Hezbollah members.The U.S. airstrikes followed an earlier retaliatory strike by an AC-130 gunship that was in the air when the Iranian-backed militants fired two short-range ballistic missiles at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq late Monday evening. The gunship was able to locate the origin of the missiles, and fired on several militants who had fled in a vehicle, killing several of them.Kataib Hezbollah in a statement meanwhile said it was considering “expanding the scope of targets” if the U.S. military continues with its strikes, adding that the attack “will not go unpunished”.The dangerous back-and-forth strikes have escalated since Iranian-backed militant groups under the umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Syria began striking U.S. facilities Oct. 17, the date that a blast at a hospital in Gaza killed hundreds. The attacks have continued unabated since, with at least 66 rocket and missile attacks hitting U.S. facilities and wounding at least 62 service members.The Monday attack stood out in that it was the first time militants had used ballistic missiles, and the U.S. response inside Iraq was immediate.It was also noteworthy because the previous planned counterattacks by U.S. warplanes had focused on militant weapons caches and training centers in Syria, due to political sensitivities in Iraq.The office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who rose to power through the backing of an Iran-backed political coalition, called the recent escalations “a dangerous development," reflecting the delicate balance the government must strike between Iranian factions and U.S. military presence.In a statement, Sudani called the the U.S. attack a violation of the country’s sovereignty and of the U.S.-led coalition’s mission to combat Islamic State militants on Iraqi soil, given that the attack was done without giving Iraq notice. Over the past month however, the Iraqi premier has also called for the authorities to pursue the attackers of U.S. bases in Iraq, as he tries to maintain a delicate balance in maintaining positive ties with both Washington and Tehran.On Tuesday evening, U.S. officials speaking on background said the U.S. is trying to communicate that it does not seek wider conflict, but that the Iran-backed attacks against American forces must stop and that the U.S. will take further action if needed. The U.S. has moved considerable assets to the region — two carrier groups, multiple squadrons of warplanes and U.S. personnel to try and dissuade factions from turning the crisis between Israel and Hamas into a regional war.

Iranian-backed terrorists issue threat if U.S. airstrikes continue

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced a whole-of-government strategy to fight antisemitism and issued a suit of actions to condemn surging antisemitism, enhance public safety and re-emphasize the State of Nebraska’s strong support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against barbaric Iran-backed terrorism.&nbsp;

“From the day Hamas started this war, Nebraskans have stood in strong support of Israel,” Gov. Pillen said. “Now more than ever, we must recommit our support for America’s greatest ally. Tragically, despite the clear justifications for Israel’s defensive action in Gaza, activists and politicians have used propaganda and misinformation to try to deceive people into believing a false equivalence between Israeli military efforts and Hamas terror. This has fueled antisemitism across the country and must be stopped immediately.”

Gov. Pillen has issued a proclamation that condemns antisemitism and unequivocally reaffirms the State of Nebraska’s support for the safety and security of Israeli civilians and Nebraska’s Jewish communities. It specifically condemns public statements and demonstrations that seek to normalize or justify terrorist violence and support for Hamas, and it denounces statements by any politician or activist which seek to draw a false equivalence between Hamas’ barbaric terror attacks and Israel’s legitimate defensive actions to protect its people.

The proclamation also reaffirms the State of Nebraska’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. Gov. Pillen has directed that all state code agencies charged with enforcing non-discrimination laws utilize IHRA when investigating complaints of anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination to the extent consistent with Nebraska and federal law.

Gov. Pillen has designated Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly to serve as liaison between Nebraska’s Jewish and other faith communities and state law enforcement authorities to ensure that as security threats against those communities emerge, they are channeled to and addressed promptly by the appropriate officials. Lt. Gov. Kelly, as a lifelong prosecutor, brings valuable experience to this role, having served as Lancaster County Attorney, United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska, and Nebraska Department of Justice Criminal Bureau Chief. He also serves as the state’s Director of Homeland Security and Chairman of the Governor’s Homeland Security Policy Group.

In another action, Gov. Pillen has directed the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) State Personnel Division to conduct a review of all anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training provided to state public servants to ensure Jewish identity and antisemitism are sufficiently covered by such training. The DAS State Purchasing Bureau has also been asked to develop a policy which will provide that the state not procure from companies or firms involved in the anti-Israel “Boycott, Divest, Sanction” (BDS) movement. Pursuant to this policy, vendors being paid with public funds will be required to attest that they are compliant with this requirement at the time of bid.

With antisemitism surging in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks against Israel and Israel’s corresponding defensive actions in Gaza, actions that reinforce support for Jewish Nebraskans come at a critical time when strong, principled support for Israel is needed from leaders at every level of American government.

“I'm thankful for Gov. Pillen’s actions to support Israel and protect the local Jewish community,” said Bob Goldberg, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. “Fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate is all of our work, and we appreciate the State of Nebraska for partnering with us in this endeavor.”

The proclamation and other actions issued by Gov. Pillen are effective immediately.&nbsp;

<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/sites/governor.nebraska.gov/files/doc/press/Israel-Proc_0.pdf">Proclamation condemning antisemitism</a>

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced a whole-of-government strategy to fight antisemitism and issued a suit of actions to condemn surging antisemitism, enhance public safety and re-emphasize the State of Nebraska’s strong support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against barbaric Iran-backed terrorism.&nbsp;“From the day Hamas started this war, Nebraskans have stood in strong support of Israel,” Gov. Pillen said. “Now more than ever, we must recommit our support for America’s greatest ally. Tragically, despite the clear justifications for Israel’s defensive action in Gaza, activists and politicians have used propaganda and misinformation to try to deceive people into believing a false equivalence between Israeli military efforts and Hamas terror. This has fueled antisemitism across the country and must be stopped immediately.”Gov. Pillen has issued a proclamation that condemns antisemitism and unequivocally reaffirms the State of Nebraska’s support for the safety and security of Israeli civilians and Nebraska’s Jewish communities. It specifically condemns public statements and demonstrations that seek to normalize or justify terrorist violence and support for Hamas, and it denounces statements by any politician or activist which seek to draw a false equivalence between Hamas’ barbaric terror attacks and Israel’s legitimate defensive actions to protect its people.The proclamation also reaffirms the State of Nebraska’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. Gov. Pillen has directed that all state code agencies charged with enforcing non-discrimination laws utilize IHRA when investigating complaints of anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination to the extent consistent with Nebraska and federal law.Gov. Pillen has designated Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly to serve as liaison between Nebraska’s Jewish and other faith communities and state law enforcement authorities to ensure that as security threats against those communities emerge, they are channeled to and addressed promptly by the appropriate officials. Lt. Gov. Kelly, as a lifelong prosecutor, brings valuable experience to this role, having served as Lancaster County Attorney, United States Attorney for the District of Nebraska, and Nebraska Department of Justice Criminal Bureau Chief. He also serves as the state’s Director of Homeland Security and Chairman of the Governor’s Homeland Security Policy Group.In another action, Gov. Pillen has directed the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) State Personnel Division to conduct a review of all anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training provided to state public servants to ensure Jewish identity and antisemitism are sufficiently covered by such training. The DAS State Purchasing Bureau has also been asked to develop a policy which will provide that the state not procure from companies or firms involved in the anti-Israel “Boycott, Divest, Sanction” (BDS) movement. Pursuant to this policy, vendors being paid with public funds will be required to attest that they are compliant with this requirement at the time of bid.With antisemitism surging in the wake of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks against Israel and Israel’s corresponding defensive actions in Gaza, actions that reinforce support for Jewish Nebraskans come at a critical time when strong, principled support for Israel is needed from leaders at every level of American government.“I'm thankful for Gov. Pillen’s actions to support Israel and protect the local Jewish community,” said Bob Goldberg, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. “Fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate is all of our work, and we appreciate the State of Nebraska for partnering with us in this endeavor.”The proclamation and other actions issued by Gov. Pillen are effective immediately.&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/sites/governor.nebraska.gov/files/doc/press/Israel-Proc_0.pdf">Proclamation condemning antisemitism</a>

Gov. Pillen Issues Proclamation, Announces Actions to Fight Antisemitism and Support Nebraska’s Jewish Communities

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/teacher-who-grew-up-on-southeast-nebraska-farm-is-surprised-with-national-milken-educator-award-and-25000/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — A fifth-grade teacher who grew up on a farm outside Syracuse, in southeastern Nebraska, and now teaches at the local middle school was surprised Tuesday with a national Milken Educator Award, and the $25,000 prize that comes with it.

Leslie McIntosh’s hands flew up to her cheeks when hearing her name and realizing she was the reason for the all-school assembly.

Students cheered as she took center stage and let her colleagues and students know that she learns from them.

“I love my job,” she said. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

McIntosh has been a teacher for 12 years, the last six teaching reading and language arts to fifth graders at the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School.

In a recorded account of the event, she said her hometown school district might not be “real flashy,” but it makes her proud.

“We’re a hidden gem in Nebraska, and I am just so proud to have grown up here and come back to be a teacher here for all of you.”&nbsp;

Sponsors of the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/about/home/">&nbsp;award, touted as the “Oscar</a>&nbsp;of Teaching,” focused on McIntosh’s roots in her community and in the profession.

She graduated from Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca High School, and her mother is a “seasoned educator” in the same district.

Stephanie Bishop, Milken Educator Awards vice president, said McIntosh empowers students and “uplifts her entire community.”

“Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring legacy of an educator who goes above and beyond to inspire and lead,” Bishop said.

When student scores in English Language Arts declined, McIntosh developed a plan, presented it to the school board and tried the tactics on fifth-graders.&nbsp;

“Her dedication paid off,” a media release said. Last year, 59% of fifth-graders showed proficiency under her guidance, compared to 46% of students statewide.

Among other achievements noted, McIntosh spearheads an annual weeklong summer school program known as “Summer Blast,” which offers kids science lab, computer coding, sewing, furniture-making and more.&nbsp;

Proceeds from the camp go to the school, and last year it raised more than $10,000.

McIntosh is the second and final recipient on the Milken Educator Awards tour in Nebraska this school year.<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bellevue-math-teacher-is-surprised-with-prestigious-milken-award-and-25000-prize/">&nbsp;Jacob Eitzen, a math teacher a</a>t Bellevue West High School, received the award Nov. 16.

Up to 75 recipients across the nation will get the award this year, which is kept hush-hush until announced at each school assembly.

More than $144 million has been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, the organization said. The intent is to celebrate the K-12 profession and inspire young people to pursue teaching as a career.

Recipients are sought out while in early-to-mid-career for achievements and the promise of what they will accomplish. In addition to $25,000 to do with as they wish, honorees get mentorship opportunities and get all expenses paid to a networking conference in Los Angeles.&nbsp;

McIntosh received a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011. She attended Doane University for postgraduate education, earning two master of education degrees.

“The success of her students shows the impact she is making every day,” said Nebraska Commissioner of Education Brian Maher. “We are thrilled to celebrate her work and are excited to see what she does in the future.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700665845355.jpeg" alt=" Fifth-grade teacher Leslie McIntosh is stunned as she realizes she is the reason that an all-school assembly was called, to name her a Milken Educator Award winner. The teaching recognition comes with $25,000 to do with as she pleases. (Courtesy of Milken Family Foundation)" />
 <figcaption> Fifth-grade teacher Leslie McIntosh is stunned as she realizes she is the reason that an all-school assembly was called, to name her a Milken Educator Award winner. The teaching recognition comes with $25,000 to do with as she pleases. (Courtesy of Milken Family Foundation)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/teacher-who-grew-up-on-southeast-nebraska-farm-is-surprised-with-national-milken-educator-award-and-25000/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — A fifth-grade teacher who grew up on a farm outside Syracuse, in southeastern Nebraska, and now teaches at the local middle school was surprised Tuesday with a national Milken Educator Award, and the $25,000 prize that comes with it.Leslie McIntosh’s hands flew up to her cheeks when hearing her name and realizing she was the reason for the all-school assembly.Students cheered as she took center stage and let her colleagues and students know that she learns from them.“I love my job,” she said. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”McIntosh has been a teacher for 12 years, the last six teaching reading and language arts to fifth graders at the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School.In a recorded account of the event, she said her hometown school district might not be “real flashy,” but it makes her proud.“We’re a hidden gem in Nebraska, and I am just so proud to have grown up here and come back to be a teacher here for all of you.”&nbsp;Sponsors of the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/about/home/">&nbsp;award, touted as the “Oscar</a>&nbsp;of Teaching,” focused on McIntosh’s roots in her community and in the profession.She graduated from Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca High School, and her mother is a “seasoned educator” in the same district.Stephanie Bishop, Milken Educator Awards vice president, said McIntosh empowers students and “uplifts her entire community.”“Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring legacy of an educator who goes above and beyond to inspire and lead,” Bishop said.When student scores in English Language Arts declined, McIntosh developed a plan, presented it to the school board and tried the tactics on fifth-graders.&nbsp;“Her dedication paid off,” a media release said. Last year, 59% of fifth-graders showed proficiency under her guidance, compared to 46% of students statewide.Among other achievements noted, McIntosh spearheads an annual weeklong summer school program known as “Summer Blast,” which offers kids science lab, computer coding, sewing, furniture-making and more.&nbsp;Proceeds from the camp go to the school, and last year it raised more than $10,000.McIntosh is the second and final recipient on the Milken Educator Awards tour in Nebraska this school year.<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bellevue-math-teacher-is-surprised-with-prestigious-milken-award-and-25000-prize/">&nbsp;Jacob Eitzen, a math teacher a</a>t Bellevue West High School, received the award Nov. 16.Up to 75 recipients across the nation will get the award this year, which is kept hush-hush until announced at each school assembly.More than $144 million has been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, the organization said. The intent is to celebrate the K-12 profession and inspire young people to pursue teaching as a career.Recipients are sought out while in early-to-mid-career for achievements and the promise of what they will accomplish. In addition to $25,000 to do with as they wish, honorees get mentorship opportunities and get all expenses paid to a networking conference in Los Angeles.&nbsp;McIntosh received a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011. She attended Doane University for postgraduate education, earning two master of education degrees.“The success of her students shows the impact she is making every day,” said Nebraska Commissioner of Education Brian Maher. “We are thrilled to celebrate her work and are excited to see what she does in the future.”&nbsp;

Teacher who grew up on southeast Nebraska farm is surprised with national Milken Educator Award, and $25,000

“At Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for,” Warren Buffet said in a statement Tuesday, announcing that he had&nbsp;<a href="https://berkshirehathaway.com/news/nov2123.pdf">gifted 2.4 million Class B shares</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-profit-earnings-24f65f1d2df9bf734d7faefce7ee85e3">Berkshire Hathaway</a>&nbsp;stock to charitable foundations run by his children.

The gifts to The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation and NoVo Foundation total approximately $876 million and are in addition to the regular donations he makes each summer to those foundations and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-health-united-nations-climate-and-environment-aca7d06500b6c0b2ebc3d4d6d3ea1b34">Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation</a>.

This is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-philanthropy-nebraska-omaha-warren-buffett-fe3405ede25adb124c4f900c1720b02b">second year</a>&nbsp;that Buffett has made additional gifts to the family foundations around Thanksgiving.

"My children, along with their father, have a common belief that dynastic wealth, though both legal and common in much of the world including the United States, is not desirable," Buffett said in the statement, adding that after his death, his children would act as trustees of a charitable trust that would inherit 99% of his wealth.

The “testamentary trust will be self-liquidating after a decade or so and operate with a lean staff,” Buffett said. His will will be available for inspection at the county courthouse in Omaha, he said. Buffett first committed to giving away his fortune in 2006, and in 2012, he increased the annual donations he made to the foundations.

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation is named after Buffett's first wife who has since passed away. His children are Susie, Howard and Peter Buffett.

In 2021, Warren Buffett estimated that he had&nbsp;<a href="https://berkshirehathaway.com/donate/jun2321.pdf">given away about half of his wealth</a>&nbsp;as counted by the number of Berkshire Hathaway shares that he holds. The remaining shares, he said, were valued at around $100 billion.

Associated Press“At Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for,” Warren Buffet said in a statement Tuesday, announcing that he had&nbsp;<a href="https://berkshirehathaway.com/news/nov2123.pdf">gifted 2.4 million Class B shares</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-profit-earnings-24f65f1d2df9bf734d7faefce7ee85e3">Berkshire Hathaway</a>&nbsp;stock to charitable foundations run by his children.The gifts to The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, The Howard G. Buffett Foundation and NoVo Foundation total approximately $876 million and are in addition to the regular donations he makes each summer to those foundations and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-health-united-nations-climate-and-environment-aca7d06500b6c0b2ebc3d4d6d3ea1b34">Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation</a>.This is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-philanthropy-nebraska-omaha-warren-buffett-fe3405ede25adb124c4f900c1720b02b">second year</a>&nbsp;that Buffett has made additional gifts to the family foundations around Thanksgiving."My children, along with their father, have a common belief that dynastic wealth, though both legal and common in much of the world including the United States, is not desirable," Buffett said in the statement, adding that after his death, his children would act as trustees of a charitable trust that would inherit 99% of his wealth.The “testamentary trust will be self-liquidating after a decade or so and operate with a lean staff,” Buffett said. His will will be available for inspection at the county courthouse in Omaha, he said. Buffett first committed to giving away his fortune in 2006, and in 2012, he increased the annual donations he made to the foundations.+The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation is named after Buffett's first wife who has since passed away. His children are Susie, Howard and Peter Buffett.In 2021, Warren Buffett estimated that he had&nbsp;<a href="https://berkshirehathaway.com/donate/jun2321.pdf">given away about half of his wealth</a>&nbsp;as counted by the number of Berkshire Hathaway shares that he holds. The remaining shares, he said, were valued at around $100 billion.

Warren Buffet donates Berkshire Hathaway shares to children's foundations at Thanksgiving

JERUSALEM —On the morning of November 23, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) shot down multiple one-way attack drones launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

The drones were shot down while the U.S. warship was on patrol in the Red Sea. The ship and crew sustained no damage or injury.

This is the second similar incident involving the the USS Thomas Hudner in the past week.

On November 15, the naval destroyer down a drone that was heading toward the it as it sailed in the southern Red Sea.

The Hudner was sailing toward the Bab-el-Mandeb strait when the crew saw the drone, which originated in Yemen. The ship shot down the drone over the water. Officials said the crew took action to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, and there were no casualties or damage to the ship. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.

According to a initial intelligence assessment, the drone was likely targeting the ship, said one of the officials. The U.S. did not directly blame the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for launching the unmanned aircraft. But the early Wednesday incident comes less than a week after Houthis shot down a U.S. drone over the Red Sea. Officials said the MQ-9 Reaper was in international airspace. The Houthis said it was in Yemeni airspace and was shot down by air defenses.

The Houthis have launched at least six aerial attacks against Israel since Oct. 7 and, according to the group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea.

Another Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, took similar strikes on drones coming from Yemen on Oct. 19. The ship took out three missiles and several drones. It wasn’t certain if they were aimed at Israel. One of the officials said the U.S. does not believe the missiles were aimed at the ship.

The Houthi are staunch foes of Israel and regularly hold huge demonstrations in support of Palestinians, during peacetime and wartime.

JERUSALEM —On the morning of November 23, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) shot down multiple one-way attack drones launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.The drones were shot down while the U.S. warship was on patrol in the Red Sea. The ship and crew sustained no damage or injury.This is the second similar incident involving the the USS Thomas Hudner in the past week.On November 15, the naval destroyer down a drone that was heading toward the it as it sailed in the southern Red Sea.The Hudner was sailing toward the Bab-el-Mandeb strait when the crew saw the drone, which originated in Yemen. The ship shot down the drone over the water. Officials said the crew took action to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, and there were no casualties or damage to the ship. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.According to a initial intelligence assessment, the drone was likely targeting the ship, said one of the officials. The U.S. did not directly blame the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for launching the unmanned aircraft. But the early Wednesday incident comes less than a week after Houthis shot down a U.S. drone over the Red Sea. Officials said the MQ-9 Reaper was in international airspace. The Houthis said it was in Yemeni airspace and was shot down by air defenses.The Houthis have launched at least six aerial attacks against Israel since Oct. 7 and, according to the group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea.Another Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, took similar strikes on drones coming from Yemen on Oct. 19. The ship took out three missiles and several drones. It wasn’t certain if they were aimed at Israel. One of the officials said the U.S. does not believe the missiles were aimed at the ship.The Houthi are staunch foes of Israel and regularly hold huge demonstrations in support of Palestinians, during peacetime and wartime.-The Associated Press contributed to this story.