DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union said Wednesday it has reached a tentative contract agreement with Ford that could be a breakthrough toward ending the nearly 6-week-old strikes against Detroit automakers.

The four-year deal, which still has to be approved by 57,000 union members at the company, could bring a close to the union’s series of strikes at targeted factories run by Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis.

The Ford deal could set the pattern for agreements with the other two automakers, although no other agreements were announced.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

The United Auto Workers union is expected to announce a tentative contract agreement with Ford Wednesday night that could be a breakthrough toward ending the nearly 6-week-old strikes against Detroit automakers.

Two people with knowledge of the bargaining said the company and union are working on the final details of the contract and could announce it Wednesday evening in a video appearance with UAW President Shawn Fain. The people asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about the bargaining.

Terms of the deal weren’t immediately available, but both sides have been discussing a four-year contract. It would have to be approved by 57,000 union members at Ford.

The Ford deal could set the pattern for agreements with the other two automakers.

The people said the union made a counter-offer to Ford that proposes a 25% general wage increase over the life of a new contract and said that negotiations on Tuesday extended well into Wednesday. Previously Ford, Stellantis and General Motors had all offered 23% pay increases.

A Ford deal would include cost-of-living pay increases that could lift the total pay raises above 30%, said the people. In addition, workers would still receive annual profit-sharing checks.

Typically, during past auto strikes, a UAW deal with one automaker has led the other companies to match it with their own settlements.

One of the people said there also was progress in the union’s talks with GM. But it was unclear whether any of the automakers had accepted the UAW’s counter-offer of 25% pay increases over four years.

The progress in the negotiations came after the union this week walked out at three factories that produce highly profitable&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-strike-united-auto-workers-uaw-f16005a7b20a6f1772947957854d1017">pickup trucks and SUVs,</a>&nbsp;adding them to the list of plants already on strike in a strategy to intensify pressure on the companies.

On Tuesday, about 5,000 workers at GM’s assembly plant in Arlington, Texas, walked out, halting production of truck-based SUVs that are huge profit makers for the company. A day earlier, the UAW’s president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-union-uaw-shawn-fain-0e3e71f44f075fda066f499bb2165b48">Shawn Fain</a>, had added 6,800 employees at Stellantis’ Ram pickup plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Two weeks ago the union struck Ford’s largest and most profitable factory, the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, where 8,700 workers make heavy-duty F-Series pickups and two large SUVs.

In all, about 46,000 workers have walked out at factories owned by the three companies in a series of targeted strikes that began Sept. 15. About 32% of the union’s 146,000 members at the automakers are now on strike and getting by on $500 per week in strike pay. The automakers have been laying off workers at other plants as parts shortages have cascaded through their manufacturing systems.

Todd Dunn, president of the UAW local at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant, said he was told by people within the union's leadership that the company is nearing an agreement.

“I've heard they are moving the needle as aggressively as possible,” Dunn said in an interview Wednesday. “It's very positive.”

The prospect of a breakthrough, he said, has raised the spirits of workers who are willing to stay out on strike to reach a deal despite hardships for some.

Dunn said he thinks the strike at his plant had nudged Ford along in the talks and could help yield the best contract he's seen in 29 years with the company.

Neither the companies nor the union would comment on the talks Wednesday. The union’s counter-offer of a 25% wage increase over four years was reported earlier by Bloomberg News and the trade publication Automotive News.

One key issue is whether to extend the national UAW contract to 11 U.S. electric vehicle battery factories. This would essentially ensure that workers there would be represented by the union.

All but one of these plants are joint ventures with South Korean battery makers. GM has agreed to this, but the other companies have balked, saying their joint venture partners must also agree.

GM CEO Mary Barra said Tuesday that the offer to bring the battery plants into the master union agreement was still open but that they would have to meet what she called “benchmark economics and also operating flexibility.”

Having union representation at the battery factories is a vital issue for the union because these plants will house many of the jobs of the future as the industry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-battery-plants-strike-contract-3e5b9a970cdf9b0de9c79fcebe315694">transitions away from gasoline vehicles</a>. Workers who now make engines and transmissions at all three companies will need places to work as their plants are phased out.

All three companies have said they don’t want to absorb labor costs that are so high that they would force price increases and make their vehicles more expensive than those made by nonunion companies such as Tesla and Toyota.

A study this month by Moody's Investor Service found that annual labor costs could rise by $1.1 billion for Stellantis, $1.2 billion for GM and $1.4 billion for Ford in the fourth year of the contract. The study assumed a 20% increase in hourly labor costs.

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union said Wednesday it has reached a tentative contract agreement with Ford that could be a breakthrough toward ending the nearly 6-week-old strikes against Detroit automakers.Click below to watch the announcement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fuaw.union%2Fvideos%2F256949587348063%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" 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>The four-year deal, which still has to be approved by 57,000 union members at the company, could bring a close to the union’s series of strikes at targeted factories run by Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis.The Ford deal could set the pattern for agreements with the other two automakers, although no other agreements were announced.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.The United Auto Workers union is expected to announce a tentative contract agreement with Ford Wednesday night that could be a breakthrough toward ending the nearly 6-week-old strikes against Detroit automakers.Two people with knowledge of the bargaining said the company and union are working on the final details of the contract and could announce it Wednesday evening in a video appearance with UAW President Shawn Fain. The people asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about the bargaining.Terms of the deal weren’t immediately available, but both sides have been discussing a four-year contract. It would have to be approved by 57,000 union members at Ford.The Ford deal could set the pattern for agreements with the other two automakers.The people said the union made a counter-offer to Ford that proposes a 25% general wage increase over the life of a new contract and said that negotiations on Tuesday extended well into Wednesday. Previously Ford, Stellantis and General Motors had all offered 23% pay increases.A Ford deal would include cost-of-living pay increases that could lift the total pay raises above 30%, said the people. In addition, workers would still receive annual profit-sharing checks.Typically, during past auto strikes, a UAW deal with one automaker has led the other companies to match it with their own settlements.One of the people said there also was progress in the union’s talks with GM. But it was unclear whether any of the automakers had accepted the UAW’s counter-offer of 25% pay increases over four years.The progress in the negotiations came after the union this week walked out at three factories that produce highly profitable&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-strike-united-auto-workers-uaw-f16005a7b20a6f1772947957854d1017">pickup trucks and SUVs,</a>&nbsp;adding them to the list of plants already on strike in a strategy to intensify pressure on the companies.On Tuesday, about 5,000 workers at GM’s assembly plant in Arlington, Texas, walked out, halting production of truck-based SUVs that are huge profit makers for the company. A day earlier, the UAW’s president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-union-uaw-shawn-fain-0e3e71f44f075fda066f499bb2165b48">Shawn Fain</a>, had added 6,800 employees at Stellantis’ Ram pickup plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan.Two weeks ago the union struck Ford’s largest and most profitable factory, the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, where 8,700 workers make heavy-duty F-Series pickups and two large SUVs.In all, about 46,000 workers have walked out at factories owned by the three companies in a series of targeted strikes that began Sept. 15. About 32% of the union’s 146,000 members at the automakers are now on strike and getting by on $500 per week in strike pay. The automakers have been laying off workers at other plants as parts shortages have cascaded through their manufacturing systems.Todd Dunn, president of the UAW local at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant, said he was told by people within the union's leadership that the company is nearing an agreement.“I've heard they are moving the needle as aggressively as possible,” Dunn said in an interview Wednesday. “It's very positive.”The prospect of a breakthrough, he said, has raised the spirits of workers who are willing to stay out on strike to reach a deal despite hardships for some.Dunn said he thinks the strike at his plant had nudged Ford along in the talks and could help yield the best contract he's seen in 29 years with the company.Neither the companies nor the union would comment on the talks Wednesday. The union’s counter-offer of a 25% wage increase over four years was reported earlier by Bloomberg News and the trade publication Automotive News.One key issue is whether to extend the national UAW contract to 11 U.S. electric vehicle battery factories. This would essentially ensure that workers there would be represented by the union.All but one of these plants are joint ventures with South Korean battery makers. GM has agreed to this, but the other companies have balked, saying their joint venture partners must also agree.GM CEO Mary Barra said Tuesday that the offer to bring the battery plants into the master union agreement was still open but that they would have to meet what she called “benchmark economics and also operating flexibility.”Having union representation at the battery factories is a vital issue for the union because these plants will house many of the jobs of the future as the industry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-battery-plants-strike-contract-3e5b9a970cdf9b0de9c79fcebe315694">transitions away from gasoline vehicles</a>. Workers who now make engines and transmissions at all three companies will need places to work as their plants are phased out.All three companies have said they don’t want to absorb labor costs that are so high that they would force price increases and make their vehicles more expensive than those made by nonunion companies such as Tesla and Toyota.A study this month by Moody's Investor Service found that annual labor costs could rise by $1.1 billion for Stellantis, $1.2 billion for GM and $1.4 billion for Ford in the fourth year of the contract. The study assumed a 20% increase in hourly labor costs.

🎥Autoworkers reach a deal with Ford; breakthrough toward ending strike

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — Police in Norfolk, Nebraska, have identified a man whose body was found inside an apartment building chimney, but they're still not sure about the circumstances that led to his death.

The victim was 29-year-old Zachariah Andrews of Norfolk, the&nbsp;<a href="https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/body-found-in-chimney-identified-as-29-year-old-norfolk-man/article_9c769b60-735b-11ee-bb01-13dcddb5e8c1.html">Norfolk Daily News</a>&nbsp;reported Wednesday. His body was found Oct. 19.

Police Capt. Michael Bauer said Andrews was identified by scars, marks, tattoos and an identification card found with his body.

Andrews was last seen alive on Sept. 15. Police received a call on Sept. 16 from a tenant of the apartment building who said he heard a man yelling for help. By the time officers arrived, the yelling had stopped, and officers couldn't locate anyone.

On Sept. 20, a parking warning was placed on Andrews’ vehicle that was parked nearby. A missing-person report was taken on Oct. 3, Bauer said.

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) — Police in Norfolk, Nebraska, have identified a man whose body was found inside an apartment building chimney, but they're still not sure about the circumstances that led to his death.The victim was 29-year-old Zachariah Andrews of Norfolk, the&nbsp;<a href="https://norfolkdailynews.com/news/body-found-in-chimney-identified-as-29-year-old-norfolk-man/article_9c769b60-735b-11ee-bb01-13dcddb5e8c1.html">Norfolk Daily News</a>&nbsp;reported Wednesday. His body was found Oct. 19.Police Capt. Michael Bauer said Andrews was identified by scars, marks, tattoos and an identification card found with his body.Andrews was last seen alive on Sept. 15. Police received a call on Sept. 16 from a tenant of the apartment building who said he heard a man yelling for help. By the time officers arrived, the yelling had stopped, and officers couldn't locate anyone.On Sept. 20, a parking warning was placed on Andrews’ vehicle that was parked nearby. A missing-person report was taken on Oct. 3, Bauer said.

Police identify man found dead in Nebraska apartment building chimney

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/24/changing-valuation-of-farmland-to-income-producing-capability-is-the-wrong-approach-prof-says/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Adopting a new system of valuing agricultural land in Nebraska based on its income-producing capability was panned Tuesday as a possible solution to the state’s traditionally high property taxes.

John Anderson, an economics professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said that adopting a “use/value” approach in valuing ag land — as advocated by Gov. Jim Pillen in the 2023 legislative session — doesn’t result in a significant change compared to the current market-value approach except near big cities.

“That difference shrinks as you move away from the perimeter of a city,” Anderson said. “By the time you’re 20 miles away, there’s virtually no difference between use value and market value.”

“So, if you think this is a silver bullet in agricultural areas … you’re dreaming,” he said.

His comments came during a panel discussion on property tax “opportunities and solutions” during the fall symposium of the OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank that analyzes state tax and spending policies.

Tuesday’s discussion comes as a “working group” formed by Pillen has held three meetings already in exploring ways to “reduce the burden of insurmountable valuation growth in recent years.”

Nebraska&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-land-values-at-record-high-increasing-14-during-the-past-year/#:~:text=LINCOLN%20%E2%80%94%20Prices%20for%20Nebraska%20farmland,was%20%243%2C835%20as%20of%20Feb.">farmland is projected to increase 14%</a>&nbsp;this year, while the Nebraska Department of Revenue recently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/revenue.nebraska.gov/files/doc/pad/research/statewide_equalization/Compare%20ctl-abs%202022-2023%20%25change%204-5-2023%20Final.pdf">reported a 16% increase</a>&nbsp;in the valuation of residential property over the past year.

The working group, which includes state senators and representatives of local government, business and farm groups, is expected to meet at least two more times in hopes to crafting a proposal for the 2024 legislative session.

One member of that group, State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, said working group members were sworn to secrecy about what’s being proposed at this point. But she said Pillen is leaving “no rock unturned” in seeking a solution to recent steep increases in valuations of residential and ag property that have homeowners and farm owners howling.

“I’m very surprised at the angles he’s exploring,” Albrecht said of Pillen. “But he says we’ll walk out with a plan after five meetings.”

State lawmakers and governors have grappled for years with the state’s high property taxes, including adopting and increasing state credits to offset the local payments and, this year, increasing state aid to K-12 schools.

During the 2023 session, Pillen proposed to switch from a system of valuing ag land on its market value to one based on its production capability — as is done in Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas. But it&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/03/pillen-plan-to-shift-valuation-of-ag-land-gets-static-even-from-farm-groups/">failed to get out of the starting gate,</a>&nbsp;even with farm groups.

The failure was one of the few Pillen had in his first year as governor.

Anderson, who has studied tax policies across the country, said Nebraska is a “reasonably high” property tax state, in the “second tier” behind states like New Jersey and Connecticut.

While it’s difficult to rank states on property taxes since they are levied locally and can vary across a state, Forbes magazine recently ranked Nebraska as having the eighth highest “median” property tax. Meanwhile, the business-oriented Tax Foundation placed the Cornhusker state No. 11 in the property tax component of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/ranking-property-taxes-2023/">its annual “Business Tax Climate” report.</a>

Seward Sen. Jana Hughes, who moderated the property tax discussion, joked that no solutions were reached Tuesday.

But there were some interesting observations:

— Capping increases in property valuation, as is done in several states, is problematic, according to one panelist, Cathy Lang, a former state property tax administrator and currently head of the Nebraska Business Development Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Lang said that, for example, a cap of 3% would help one property owner who saw their land valuation increase by 8% but wouldn’t help a neighbor whose property valuation went up only 2.5%. Over time, Lang added, those disparities in valuation would widen, resulting in an unfair tax burden.

—Anderson said one problem with trying to determine the income-producing capability of a plot of farm or ranch land is that there are so many variables. It’s not simple, he said, and several “games” can be played with such a formula.

— A simpler way to reduce taxes on ag land in the face of steep increases in valuation, the professor said, would be to reduce the percentage of valuation that is considered for tax purposes. Ag land was once valued based on 80% of its market value, but that was reduced,and now stands at 75%.

That percentage could be reduced to 70% or lower, Anderson said, adding that it would be a “political” decision.

— &nbsp;In Iowa, several approaches have been tried to reduce property taxes, including a 3% cap on valuation growth, said Mike Owen, of Common Good Iowa, which was described as an OpenSky-like watchdog in the Hawkeye State.&nbsp;“We’re a giant petri dish,” Owen said.

— Lang said an important goal in tax policy should be to “keep it simple” and to assure that landowners have the opportunity to protest their valuation if they feel it’s unfair.

A bigger issue confronting state government, she said, is to decide which taxes — state or local — finance certain governmental services.

For instance, Lang said, there was discussion about having the state pay all teacher salaries as a way to finance that portion of K-12 education via state sales and income taxes rather than with local property taxes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698260835468.jpeg" alt="A combine, grain cart and semi work through a dusty soybean field north of Ashland in October 2023. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>A combine, grain cart and semi work through a dusty soybean field north of Ashland in October 2023. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/24/changing-valuation-of-farmland-to-income-producing-capability-is-the-wrong-approach-prof-says/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Adopting a new system of valuing agricultural land in Nebraska based on its income-producing capability was panned Tuesday as a possible solution to the state’s traditionally high property taxes.John Anderson, an economics professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said that adopting a “use/value” approach in valuing ag land — as advocated by Gov. Jim Pillen in the 2023 legislative session — doesn’t result in a significant change compared to the current market-value approach except near big cities.“That difference shrinks as you move away from the perimeter of a city,” Anderson said. “By the time you’re 20 miles away, there’s virtually no difference between use value and market value.”“So, if you think this is a silver bullet in agricultural areas … you’re dreaming,” he said.His comments came during a panel discussion on property tax “opportunities and solutions” during the fall symposium of the OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank that analyzes state tax and spending policies.Tuesday’s discussion comes as a “working group” formed by Pillen has held three meetings already in exploring ways to “reduce the burden of insurmountable valuation growth in recent years.”Nebraska&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-land-values-at-record-high-increasing-14-during-the-past-year/#:~:text=LINCOLN%20%E2%80%94%20Prices%20for%20Nebraska%20farmland,was%20%243%2C835%20as%20of%20Feb.">farmland is projected to increase 14%</a>&nbsp;this year, while the Nebraska Department of Revenue recently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/revenue.nebraska.gov/files/doc/pad/research/statewide_equalization/Compare%20ctl-abs%202022-2023%20%25change%204-5-2023%20Final.pdf">reported a 16% increase</a>&nbsp;in the valuation of residential property over the past year.<h2>‘No rock unturned’</h2>The working group, which includes state senators and representatives of local government, business and farm groups, is expected to meet at least two more times in hopes to crafting a proposal for the 2024 legislative session.One member of that group, State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, said working group members were sworn to secrecy about what’s being proposed at this point. But she said Pillen is leaving “no rock unturned” in seeking a solution to recent steep increases in valuations of residential and ag property that have homeowners and farm owners howling.“I’m very surprised at the angles he’s exploring,” Albrecht said of Pillen. “But he says we’ll walk out with a plan after five meetings.”State lawmakers and governors have grappled for years with the state’s high property taxes, including adopting and increasing state credits to offset the local payments and, this year, increasing state aid to K-12 schools.<h2>Pillen plan failed</h2>During the 2023 session, Pillen proposed to switch from a system of valuing ag land on its market value to one based on its production capability — as is done in Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas. But it&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/03/pillen-plan-to-shift-valuation-of-ag-land-gets-static-even-from-farm-groups/">failed to get out of the starting gate,</a>&nbsp;even with farm groups.The failure was one of the few Pillen had in his first year as governor.Anderson, who has studied tax policies across the country, said Nebraska is a “reasonably high” property tax state, in the “second tier” behind states like New Jersey and Connecticut.While it’s difficult to rank states on property taxes since they are levied locally and can vary across a state, Forbes magazine recently ranked Nebraska as having the eighth highest “median” property tax. Meanwhile, the business-oriented Tax Foundation placed the Cornhusker state No. 11 in the property tax component of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/ranking-property-taxes-2023/">its annual “Business Tax Climate” report.</a>Seward Sen. Jana Hughes, who moderated the property tax discussion, joked that no solutions were reached Tuesday.<h2>Capping increases ‘problematic’</h2>But there were some interesting observations:— Capping increases in property valuation, as is done in several states, is problematic, according to one panelist, Cathy Lang, a former state property tax administrator and currently head of the Nebraska Business Development Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.Lang said that, for example, a cap of 3% would help one property owner who saw their land valuation increase by 8% but wouldn’t help a neighbor whose property valuation went up only 2.5%. Over time, Lang added, those disparities in valuation would widen, resulting in an unfair tax burden.—Anderson said one problem with trying to determine the income-producing capability of a plot of farm or ranch land is that there are so many variables. It’s not simple, he said, and several “games” can be played with such a formula.— A simpler way to reduce taxes on ag land in the face of steep increases in valuation, the professor said, would be to reduce the percentage of valuation that is considered for tax purposes. Ag land was once valued based on 80% of its market value, but that was reduced,and now stands at 75%.That percentage could be reduced to 70% or lower, Anderson said, adding that it would be a “political” decision.— &nbsp;In Iowa, several approaches have been tried to reduce property taxes, including a 3% cap on valuation growth, said Mike Owen, of Common Good Iowa, which was described as an OpenSky-like watchdog in the Hawkeye State.&nbsp;“We’re a giant petri dish,” Owen said.— Lang said an important goal in tax policy should be to “keep it simple” and to assure that landowners have the opportunity to protest their valuation if they feel it’s unfair.A bigger issue confronting state government, she said, is to decide which taxes — state or local — finance certain governmental services.For instance, Lang said, there was discussion about having the state pay all teacher salaries as a way to finance that portion of K-12 education via state sales and income taxes rather than with local property taxes.

Changing valuation of farmland to income-producing capability is the wrong approach, prof says

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — A suspect holding a gun was fatally shot by Nebraska deputies after a lengthy chase, authorities said.

The shooting happened Monday afternoon in Seward County. Names of the person killed and the deputies involved have not been released.

The Seward County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Tuesday that deputies tried to stop a vehicle traveling west on Interstate 80, but the vehicle spun around, going east in the westbound lanes for a time before crossing into the eastbound lanes.

The release said deputies chased the vehicle for 7 miles. When the chase ended, deputies told both people in the vehicle to get out. The sheriff's office said the passenger exited but the driver refused and deputies “saw a weapon in the driver's hand.”

The suspect was shot and died at the scene.

The Nebraska State Patrol's Special Investigations Team is investigating.

SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — A suspect holding a gun was fatally shot by Nebraska deputies after a lengthy chase, authorities said.The shooting happened Monday afternoon in Seward County. Names of the person killed and the deputies involved have not been released.The Seward County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Tuesday that deputies tried to stop a vehicle traveling west on Interstate 80, but the vehicle spun around, going east in the westbound lanes for a time before crossing into the eastbound lanes.The release said deputies chased the vehicle for 7 miles. When the chase ended, deputies told both people in the vehicle to get out. The sheriff's office said the passenger exited but the driver refused and deputies “saw a weapon in the driver's hand.”The suspect was shot and died at the scene.The Nebraska State Patrol's Special Investigations Team is investigating.

Suspect killed after confrontation with deputies in Seward County

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump was called to the witness stand and then fined $10,000 on Wednesday after a judge concluded that the former president had violated a limited gag order in his civil fraud trial. It was the second time in less than a week that Trump was penalized for his out-of-court comments.

Before imposing the latest fine, Judge Arthur Engoron summoned Trump from the defense table to testify about his comment to reporters hours earlier about “a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside” the judge.

Trump and his lawyers said that comment was about witness Michael Cohen, a former Trump law, and not about the clerk. Trump told the judge from the witness stand that his remark about partisans was aimed at “you and Cohen.”

But Trump did not conceal his frustration with the clerk. “I think she’s very biased against us, I think we’ve made that clear,” Trump said.

Engoron on Oct. 3 had ordered all participants in the trial not to comment publicly about his staff, a restriction issued after a Trump social media post maligning the clerk.

The judge had ordered Trump to take down that post and Trump did, which the former president noted in court Wednesday. But that post had lingered on his campaign website for weeks, prompting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-letitia-james-fraud-contempt-new-york-ce593e3ee07d95bb6ec7e2de23f47dc9">$5,000 fine</a>&nbsp;for Trump last Friday.

Three of Trump’s attorneys objected to the $10,000 fine and they reiterated Trump's claim that the clerk was biased.

Earlier Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">Michael Cohen</a>&nbsp;returned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-letitia-james-michael-cohen-fraud-new-york-8e49619e3f5ebb6931e6947c4dabda87">the witness stand</a>&nbsp;as the defense team tried to undermine the credibility and question the motives of his onetime personal attorney turned adversary.

With Trump at the defense table, his lawyer Alina Habba confronted Cohen with comments he had made praising Trump, before turning on him when Cohen's legal problems started in 2018.

Habba tried to suggest that Cohen had angled unsuccessfully for a job in Trump’s White House — Cohen insisted he never sought one — and asked whether he had “significant animosity" toward Trump.

“Do I have animosity toward him? Yes I do,” Cohen replied.

“You have made a career out of publicly attacking President Trump, haven’t you?” Habba asked.

After a long pause, Cohen said, “Yes.”

Cohen worked as Trump’s lawyer and fixer for many years, before Cohen’s 2018 federal prosecution, guilty pleas and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8b9d39ea54374ae296a9a8401bf58cb8">prison sentence</a>&nbsp;for tax evasion, making false statements on a bank loan application, lying to Congress and making illegal contributions to Trump’s campaign. The contributions were in the form of payouts to women who said they had extramarital sexual encounters with Trump, who said the women’s stories were false.

Cohen is now a key witness in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ civil case against Trump. James alleges that Trump habitually&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fraud-lawsuit-explainer-judge-business-empire-5e37f1468bd8ef63fff2e284886e3b8c">exaggerated the value of his real estate holdings</a>&nbsp;on financial documents that helped him get loans and insurance and make deals.

Trump denies any wrongdoing and says James, a Democrat, is targeting the leading Republican presidential candidate in 2024 for partisan reasons.

During his first day of testimony Tuesday, Cohen said he and key executives at Trump's company worked to inflate the estimated values of their employer's holdings so documents given to banks and others would match a net worth that Trump had set “arbitrarily.”

In cross-examining Cohen, Habba emphasized his federal criminal convictions and worked to portray him as a liar, especially after he said Tuesday he had lied when he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and loan application lies. Cohen asserted that he did not really commit those crimes and he sought to portray his conduct as a matter of omissions and failure to correct paperwork.

Habba returned to those themes Wednesday, underscoring that Cohen had admitted in open court to lying under oath in a federal courthouse next door.

Outside court, Trump said the trial was “very unfair” and a “pure political witch hunt.” Nonetheless, he said, “We’re happy with the way it’s going.”

“We have the facts on our side,” Trump said. He's expected to testify later in the trial but meanwhile has voluntarily attended several days of the proceedings.

Cohen is also expected to be an important prosecution witness in a criminal trial scheduled for next spring in which Trump is accused of falsifying business records. That case is one of four criminal prosecutions Trump faces in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698261736155.png" alt="-Former President Donald Trump during a break in his civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court, Wednesday in New York. -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>-Former President Donald Trump during a break in his civil business fraud trial at New York Supreme Court, Wednesday in New York. -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump was called to the witness stand and then fined $10,000 on Wednesday after a judge concluded that the former president had violated a limited gag order in his civil fraud trial. It was the second time in less than a week that Trump was penalized for his out-of-court comments.Before imposing the latest fine, Judge Arthur Engoron summoned Trump from the defense table to testify about his comment to reporters hours earlier about “a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside” the judge.Trump and his lawyers said that comment was about witness Michael Cohen, a former Trump law, and not about the clerk. Trump told the judge from the witness stand that his remark about partisans was aimed at “you and Cohen.”But Trump did not conceal his frustration with the clerk. “I think she’s very biased against us, I think we’ve made that clear,” Trump said.Engoron on Oct. 3 had ordered all participants in the trial not to comment publicly about his staff, a restriction issued after a Trump social media post maligning the clerk.The judge had ordered Trump to take down that post and Trump did, which the former president noted in court Wednesday. But that post had lingered on his campaign website for weeks, prompting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-letitia-james-fraud-contempt-new-york-ce593e3ee07d95bb6ec7e2de23f47dc9">$5,000 fine</a>&nbsp;for Trump last Friday.Three of Trump’s attorneys objected to the $10,000 fine and they reiterated Trump's claim that the clerk was biased.Earlier Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">Michael Cohen</a>&nbsp;returned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-letitia-james-michael-cohen-fraud-new-york-8e49619e3f5ebb6931e6947c4dabda87">the witness stand</a>&nbsp;as the defense team tried to undermine the credibility and question the motives of his onetime personal attorney turned adversary.With Trump at the defense table, his lawyer Alina Habba confronted Cohen with comments he had made praising Trump, before turning on him when Cohen's legal problems started in 2018.Habba tried to suggest that Cohen had angled unsuccessfully for a job in Trump’s White House — Cohen insisted he never sought one — and asked whether he had “significant animosity" toward Trump.“Do I have animosity toward him? Yes I do,” Cohen replied.“You have made a career out of publicly attacking President Trump, haven’t you?” Habba asked.After a long pause, Cohen said, “Yes.”Cohen worked as Trump’s lawyer and fixer for many years, before Cohen’s 2018 federal prosecution, guilty pleas and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8b9d39ea54374ae296a9a8401bf58cb8">prison sentence</a>&nbsp;for tax evasion, making false statements on a bank loan application, lying to Congress and making illegal contributions to Trump’s campaign. The contributions were in the form of payouts to women who said they had extramarital sexual encounters with Trump, who said the women’s stories were false.Cohen is now a key witness in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ civil case against Trump. James alleges that Trump habitually&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fraud-lawsuit-explainer-judge-business-empire-5e37f1468bd8ef63fff2e284886e3b8c">exaggerated the value of his real estate holdings</a>&nbsp;on financial documents that helped him get loans and insurance and make deals.Trump denies any wrongdoing and says James, a Democrat, is targeting the leading Republican presidential candidate in 2024 for partisan reasons.During his first day of testimony Tuesday, Cohen said he and key executives at Trump's company worked to inflate the estimated values of their employer's holdings so documents given to banks and others would match a net worth that Trump had set “arbitrarily.”In cross-examining Cohen, Habba emphasized his federal criminal convictions and worked to portray him as a liar, especially after he said Tuesday he had lied when he pleaded guilty to tax evasion and loan application lies. Cohen asserted that he did not really commit those crimes and he sought to portray his conduct as a matter of omissions and failure to correct paperwork.Habba returned to those themes Wednesday, underscoring that Cohen had admitted in open court to lying under oath in a federal courthouse next door.Outside court, Trump said the trial was “very unfair” and a “pure political witch hunt.” Nonetheless, he said, “We’re happy with the way it’s going.”“We have the facts on our side,” Trump said. He's expected to testify later in the trial but meanwhile has voluntarily attended several days of the proceedings.Cohen is also expected to be an important prosecution witness in a criminal trial scheduled for next spring in which Trump is accused of falsifying business records. That case is one of four criminal prosecutions Trump faces in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington.___

Trump fined $10,000 over a comment he made outside court 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans eagerly elected Rep. Mike Johnson as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-republicans-emmer-mccarthy-c7ddb6abf4c7322f9fc44fdaa07791fc">House speaker</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, elevating a deeply conservative but lesser-known leader to the seat of U.S. power and ending for now the political chaos in their majority.

When called for his vote, Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann shouted, "I like Mike!" The GOP members of the House roared with approval.

Johnson, 51, of Louisiana, swept through on the first ballot with support from all Republicans anxious to put the past weeks of tumult behind and get on with the business of governing. He was quickly sworn into office.

“We are ready to get to work again,” he said after taking the gavel.

To the American people watching he said, “Our mission here is to serve you well and to restore the people’s faith in this House.”

A lower-ranked member of the House GOP leadership team, Johnson emerged as the fourth Republican nominee in what had become an almost absurd cycle of political infighting since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">Kevin McCarthy's ouster</a>&nbsp;as GOP factions jockeyed for power. While not the party's top choice for the gavel, the deeply religious and even-keeled Johnson has few foes and an important GOP backer: Donald Trump.

“I think he’s gonna be a fantastic speaker,” Trump said Wednesday at the New York courthouse where the former president, who is now the Republican front-runner for president in 2024, is on trial over a lawsuit alleging business fraud.

Three weeks on without a House speaker, the Republicans have been wasting their majority status — a maddening embarrassment to some, democracy in action to others, but not at all how the House is expected to function.

Far-right members had refused to accept a more traditional speaker, and moderate conservatives didn't want a hard-liner. While Johnson had no opponents during a private party roll call late Tuesday, some two dozen Republicans did not vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-republican-lawmakers-house-opponents-33c7d984964916f29d548b5b1dfe508b">more than enough</a>&nbsp;to sink his nomination.

But when GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik rose to introduce Johnson's name Wednesday as their nominee, Republicans jumped to their feet for a standing ovation.

“House Republicans and Speaker Mike Johnson will never give up,” she said.

Democrats again nominated their leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, criticizing Johnson as an architect of Trump's legal effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

With Republicans controlling the House only 221-212 over Democrats, Johnson could afford just a few detractors to win the gavel. He won 220-209, with a few absences.

Jeffries said House Democrats will work with Republicans whenever possible for the “good of the country.”

Overnight the endorsements for Johnson started pouring in, including from failed speaker hopefuls. Rep. Jim Jordan, the hard-charging Judiciary Committee chairman, gave his support, as did Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the fellow Louisiana congressman, who stood behind Johnson after he won the nomination.

“Mike! Mike! Mike!” lawmakers chanted at a press conference after the late-night internal vote, surrounding Johnson and posing for selfies in a show of support.

Anxious and exhausted, Republican lawmakers are desperately trying to move on.

Johnson's rise comes after a tumultuous month, capped by a head-spinning Tuesday that within a span of a few hours saw one candidate, Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-republican-party-thomas-emmer-united-states-house-of-representatives-hockey-744b602f30285f3398da09d1489f37dd">Tom Emmer</a>, the GOP Whip, nominated and then quickly withdraw when it became clear he would be the third candidate unable to secure enough support from GOP colleagues after Trump bashed his nomination.

“He wasn’t MAGA,” said Trump, referring to his Make America Great Again campaign slogan.

Attention quickly turned to Johnson. A lawyer specializing in constitutional issues, Johnson had rallied Republicans around Trump’s legal effort to overturn the 2020 election results.

Elevating Johnson to speaker gives Louisianians two high-ranking GOP leaders, putting him above Scalise, who was rejected by hard-liners in his own bid as speaker.

Johnson is affable and well liked, with a fiery belief system, and colleagues swiftly started giving him their support.

“Democracy is messy sometimes, but it is our system,” Johnson said after winning the nomination. “We’re going to restore your trust in what we do here.”

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who led a small band of hard-liners to engineer McCarthy's ouster at the start of the month, posted on social media that “Mike Johnson won’t be the Speaker the Swamp wants but, he is the Speaker America needs.”

Republicans have been flailing all month, unable to conduct routine business as they fight amongst themselves with daunting challenges ahead.

The federal government risks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-biden-trump-mccarthy-f1b06964cf549b09977677e5f70bf9ff">a shutdown</a>&nbsp;in a matter of weeks if Congress fails to pass funding legislation by a Nov. 17 deadline to keep services and offices running. More immediately, President Biden has asked Congress to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">$105 billion in aid</a>&nbsp;— to help Israel and Ukraine amid their wars and to shore up the U.S. border with Mexico. Federal aviation and farming programs face expiration without action.

Many hard-liners have been resisting a leader who voted for the budget deal that McCarthy struck with Biden earlier this year, which set federal spending levels that far-right Republicans don't agree with and now want to undo. They are pursuing steeper cuts to federal programs and services with next month's funding deadline.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said she wanted assurances the candidates would pursue impeachment inquiries into Biden and other top Cabinet officials.

During the turmoil, the House was led by a speaker pro tempore,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-interim-congress-north-carolina-15b8b6cc20afa9d8f18d84765d776736">Rep. Patrick McHenry</a>, R-N.C., the bow tie-wearing chairman of the Financial Services Committee. His main job was to elect a more permanent speaker.

Some Republicans — and Democrats — wanted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-powers-mchenry-875bebd218096a5252840cd8f52cc137">give McHenry more power</a>&nbsp;to get on with the routine business of governing. But McHenry, the first person to be in the position that was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks as an emergency measure, declined to back those overtures. He, too, received a standing ovation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698250303541.png" alt="New House Speaker Mike Johnson -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>New House Speaker Mike Johnson -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans eagerly elected Rep. Mike Johnson as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-republicans-emmer-mccarthy-c7ddb6abf4c7322f9fc44fdaa07791fc">House speaker</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, elevating a deeply conservative but lesser-known leader to the seat of U.S. power and ending for now the political chaos in their majority.When called for his vote, Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann shouted, "I like Mike!" The GOP members of the House roared with approval.Johnson, 51, of Louisiana, swept through on the first ballot with support from all Republicans anxious to put the past weeks of tumult behind and get on with the business of governing. He was quickly sworn into office.“We are ready to get to work again,” he said after taking the gavel.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations Speaker Mike Johnson! Mike is a God-fearing father of four and a dedicated public servant. As the House GOP Vice Chair and member of the Judiciary Committee, he has fought to defend our Constitutional rights, hold the Biden administration accountable, and… <a href="https://t.co/iLwpHIcr62">pic.twitter.com/iLwpHIcr62</a>&mdash; Rep. Jake LaTurner (@RepLaTurner) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepLaTurner/status/1717253014254158322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>To the American people watching he said, “Our mission here is to serve you well and to restore the people’s faith in this House.”A lower-ranked member of the House GOP leadership team, Johnson emerged as the fourth Republican nominee in what had become an almost absurd cycle of political infighting since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">Kevin McCarthy's ouster</a>&nbsp;as GOP factions jockeyed for power. While not the party's top choice for the gavel, the deeply religious and even-keeled Johnson has few foes and an important GOP backer: Donald Trump.“I think he’s gonna be a fantastic speaker,” Trump said Wednesday at the New York courthouse where the former president, who is now the Republican front-runner for president in 2024, is on trial over a lawsuit alleging business fraud.Three weeks on without a House speaker, the Republicans have been wasting their majority status — a maddening embarrassment to some, democracy in action to others, but not at all how the House is expected to function.Far-right members had refused to accept a more traditional speaker, and moderate conservatives didn't want a hard-liner. While Johnson had no opponents during a private party roll call late Tuesday, some two dozen Republicans did not vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-republican-lawmakers-house-opponents-33c7d984964916f29d548b5b1dfe508b">more than enough</a>&nbsp;to sink his nomination.But when GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik rose to introduce Johnson's name Wednesday as their nominee, Republicans jumped to their feet for a standing ovation.“House Republicans and Speaker Mike Johnson will never give up,” she said.Democrats again nominated their leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, criticizing Johnson as an architect of Trump's legal effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.With Republicans controlling the House only 221-212 over Democrats, Johnson could afford just a few detractors to win the gavel. He won 220-209, with a few absences.Jeffries said House Democrats will work with Republicans whenever possible for the “good of the country.”Overnight the endorsements for Johnson started pouring in, including from failed speaker hopefuls. Rep. Jim Jordan, the hard-charging Judiciary Committee chairman, gave his support, as did Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the fellow Louisiana congressman, who stood behind Johnson after he won the nomination.“Mike! Mike! Mike!” lawmakers chanted at a press conference after the late-night internal vote, surrounding Johnson and posing for selfies in a show of support.Anxious and exhausted, Republican lawmakers are desperately trying to move on.Johnson's rise comes after a tumultuous month, capped by a head-spinning Tuesday that within a span of a few hours saw one candidate, Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-republican-party-thomas-emmer-united-states-house-of-representatives-hockey-744b602f30285f3398da09d1489f37dd">Tom Emmer</a>, the GOP Whip, nominated and then quickly withdraw when it became clear he would be the third candidate unable to secure enough support from GOP colleagues after Trump bashed his nomination.“He wasn’t MAGA,” said Trump, referring to his Make America Great Again campaign slogan.Attention quickly turned to Johnson. A lawyer specializing in constitutional issues, Johnson had rallied Republicans around Trump’s legal effort to overturn the 2020 election results.Elevating Johnson to speaker gives Louisianians two high-ranking GOP leaders, putting him above Scalise, who was rejected by hard-liners in his own bid as speaker.Johnson is affable and well liked, with a fiery belief system, and colleagues swiftly started giving him their support.“Democracy is messy sometimes, but it is our system,” Johnson said after winning the nomination. “We’re going to restore your trust in what we do here.”Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who led a small band of hard-liners to engineer McCarthy's ouster at the start of the month, posted on social media that “Mike Johnson won’t be the Speaker the Swamp wants but, he is the Speaker America needs.”Republicans have been flailing all month, unable to conduct routine business as they fight amongst themselves with daunting challenges ahead.The federal government risks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-biden-trump-mccarthy-f1b06964cf549b09977677e5f70bf9ff">a shutdown</a>&nbsp;in a matter of weeks if Congress fails to pass funding legislation by a Nov. 17 deadline to keep services and offices running. More immediately, President Biden has asked Congress to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">$105 billion in aid</a>&nbsp;— to help Israel and Ukraine amid their wars and to shore up the U.S. border with Mexico. Federal aviation and farming programs face expiration without action.Many hard-liners have been resisting a leader who voted for the budget deal that McCarthy struck with Biden earlier this year, which set federal spending levels that far-right Republicans don't agree with and now want to undo. They are pursuing steeper cuts to federal programs and services with next month's funding deadline.Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said she wanted assurances the candidates would pursue impeachment inquiries into Biden and other top Cabinet officials.During the turmoil, the House was led by a speaker pro tempore,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-interim-congress-north-carolina-15b8b6cc20afa9d8f18d84765d776736">Rep. Patrick McHenry</a>, R-N.C., the bow tie-wearing chairman of the Financial Services Committee. His main job was to elect a more permanent speaker.Some Republicans — and Democrats — wanted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-powers-mchenry-875bebd218096a5252840cd8f52cc137">give McHenry more power</a>&nbsp;to get on with the routine business of governing. But McHenry, the first person to be in the position that was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks as an emergency measure, declined to back those overtures. He, too, received a standing ovation.___

Kan. Congressman: I like Mike; House finally elects new Speaker

&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen announced the appointment of Dr. Alyssa Bish as the Director of Children and Family Services for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS). Dr. Bish will start on Dec. 28.

Dr. Bish has served as the director of personnel and the director of strategy and leadership development for the state of Missouri. Prior to that, she worked for Missouri’s Department of Social Services and in the state’s Children’s Division where she focused on initiatives to improve the quality of foster care services and decrease the backlog of cases.

“Alyssa brings firsthand experience to the Children and Family Services Division of DHHS, having served in multiple roles in Missouri,” said Governor Pillen. “In addition to the success she has had, Alyssa brings a passion for helping children and families through difficult times. I look forward to working with Alyssa as she brings that passion to this role at DHHS.”

“We are grateful Dr. Bish has agreed to return to her native State of Nebraska and bring her wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead the Division of Children and Family Services, and we look forward to working with her to continue our mission of helping Nebraskans live better lives,” said Steve Corsi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHHS.

Dr. Bish is a native Nebraskan who graduated from Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She earned her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University in Missouri, with an emphasis on foster care issues.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen announced the appointment of Dr. Alyssa Bish as the Director of Children and Family Services for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS). Dr. Bish will start on Dec. 28.Dr. Bish has served as the director of personnel and the director of strategy and leadership development for the state of Missouri. Prior to that, she worked for Missouri’s Department of Social Services and in the state’s Children’s Division where she focused on initiatives to improve the quality of foster care services and decrease the backlog of cases.“Alyssa brings firsthand experience to the Children and Family Services Division of DHHS, having served in multiple roles in Missouri,” said Governor Pillen. “In addition to the success she has had, Alyssa brings a passion for helping children and families through difficult times. I look forward to working with Alyssa as she brings that passion to this role at DHHS.”“We are grateful Dr. Bish has agreed to return to her native State of Nebraska and bring her wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead the Division of Children and Family Services, and we look forward to working with her to continue our mission of helping Nebraskans live better lives,” said Steve Corsi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHHS.Dr. Bish is a native Nebraskan who graduated from Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. She earned her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University in Missouri, with an emphasis on foster care issues.&nbsp;

Governor Pillen Appoints New Children & Family Services Director

&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/42773/c-todd-lopez/">C. Todd Lopez</a>,&nbsp;Department of Defense

The Pentagon announced that a squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft has arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The aircraft will work alongside an array of capabilities the Defense Department has sent to the region in recent days to further enhance the ability of U.S. forces to defend themselves.

Since Hamas attacked Israel Oct. 7, militia groups backed by Iran have, on more than a dozen occasions, attacked U.S. forces conducting counterterrorism missions in both Iraq and Syria.&nbsp;

"We know that the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and the Iranian regime," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a briefing today. "What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region, in the very near term, coming from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran."&nbsp;

In response, this past weekend, the department deployed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group to Centcom, and directed to the region a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery from Fort Bliss, Texas, and additional Patriot missile battalions from both Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.&nbsp;

The aircraft movement announced today involves F-16s from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.&nbsp;

A variety of military units have been put on prepare-to-deploy orders, though none of those have yet been activated, he said.

The effort to protect U.S. forces in the region is one of three primary objectives the department has focused on since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Ryder said the department is also focused on supporting Israel's right to defend itself from terrorist attacks and deterring a broader conflict in the region.&nbsp;

To assist Israel in its defense he said the U.S. has rushed in security assistance to enable Israel Defense Forces to restore security and protect the Israeli people.&nbsp;

"As we've highlighted, this includes capabilities requested by Israel, to include precision guided munitions, small diameter bombs, artillery, ammunition, Iron Dome interceptors and other critical equipment. We continue to stay in close contact with our Israeli partners on their defense needs and remain committed to the security of Israel," Ryder said.&nbsp;

The department has also provided advisors to Israel to help officials there mitigate civilian casualties as they conduct their military planning. Those advisors, Ryder noted, have deep experience in urban combat.&nbsp;

"Since [the] Hamas terrorist attack, we've also been crystal clear that we do not want to see the situation in Israel [widen] into a broader regional conflict," he said. " ... Our message to any country or group thinking about trying to take advantage of this situation to widen the conflict is: Don't."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698241827937.png" alt="F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 177th Fighter Wing, 119th Fighter Squadron, of the New Jersey Air National Guard, prepare to land at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J., July 31, 2021. The squadron has been identified to deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility-photo Department of Defense." />
 <figcaption>F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 177th Fighter Wing, 119th Fighter Squadron, of the New Jersey Air National Guard, prepare to land at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J., July 31, 2021. The squadron has been identified to deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility-photo Department of Defense.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/42773/c-todd-lopez/">C. Todd Lopez</a>,&nbsp;Department of DefenseThe Pentagon announced that a squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft has arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The aircraft will work alongside an array of capabilities the Defense Department has sent to the region in recent days to further enhance the ability of U.S. forces to defend themselves.Since Hamas attacked Israel Oct. 7, militia groups backed by Iran have, on more than a dozen occasions, attacked U.S. forces conducting counterterrorism missions in both Iraq and Syria.&nbsp;"We know that the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and the Iranian regime," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a briefing today. "What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region, in the very near term, coming from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran."&nbsp;In response, this past weekend, the department deployed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group to Centcom, and directed to the region a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery from Fort Bliss, Texas, and additional Patriot missile battalions from both Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.&nbsp;The aircraft movement announced today involves F-16s from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.&nbsp;A variety of military units have been put on prepare-to-deploy orders, though none of those have yet been activated, he said.The effort to protect U.S. forces in the region is one of three primary objectives the department has focused on since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Ryder said the department is also focused on supporting Israel's right to defend itself from terrorist attacks and deterring a broader conflict in the region.&nbsp;To assist Israel in its defense he said the U.S. has rushed in security assistance to enable Israel Defense Forces to restore security and protect the Israeli people.&nbsp;"As we've highlighted, this includes capabilities requested by Israel, to include precision guided munitions, small diameter bombs, artillery, ammunition, Iron Dome interceptors and other critical equipment. We continue to stay in close contact with our Israeli partners on their defense needs and remain committed to the security of Israel," Ryder said.&nbsp;The department has also provided advisors to Israel to help officials there mitigate civilian casualties as they conduct their military planning. Those advisors, Ryder noted, have deep experience in urban combat.&nbsp;"Since [the] Hamas terrorist attack, we've also been crystal clear that we do not want to see the situation in Israel [widen] into a broader regional conflict," he said. " ... Our message to any country or group thinking about trying to take advantage of this situation to widen the conflict is: Don't."

Squadron of US F-16 fighter jets has arrived in the Middle East

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Tuesday that “prudent contingency planning” is underway to evacuate Americans from the Middle East in case the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;spreads into a broad regional conflict.

(click below to watch White House spokesman John Kirby's statement)

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stressed there are currently no “active efforts” to evacuate Americans from the region beyond charter flights the U.S government began operating earlier this month out of Israel.

“It would be imprudent and irresponsible if we didn’t have folks thinking through a broad range of contingencies and possibilities,” Kirby said. “And certainly evacuations are one of those things.”

The White House addressed the contingency plans amid growing concerns that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-palestinians-live-updates-9a0ddf745bde0ffc46921b99ed34fb65">18-day-old Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;could further escalate. The U.S. has advised Israel that postponing a possible ground invasion of Gaza could be helpful as the U.S. and other partners in the region try to secure the release of more than 200 hostages who were captured in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel soil. The contingency planning was first reported by The Washington Post.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone on Tuesday about the deteriorating situation. It was the two leaders' first interaction since before the Hamas attack on Israel.

Biden and the crown prince spoke about “efforts to deter state and non-state actors from widening the conflict between Israel and Hamas,” according to the White House. Biden administration officials have repeatedly warned Iran not to become involved in the conflict. U.S. forces in the region over the last few days have come under repeated attacks that the Pentagon has said were likely endorsed by Iran, which is the chief sponsor of Hamas, the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, as well as militant groups in Iraq and Yemen.

“The two leaders agreed on pursuing broader diplomatic efforts to maintain stability across the region and prevent the conflict from expanding,” the White House added.

At the Pentagon, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S. is preparing for an increase in violence, noting that there have already been at least 13 attacks against troops and installations in Iraq and Syria.

“What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region in the very near term coming from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran,” said Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary.

He added that the U.S. won’t hesitate to take action if needed to protect its forces and interests in the region.

Biden said last week he believed that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Hamas was motivated to attack Israel</a>&nbsp;in part by a desire to stop that country from normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia.

“One of the reasons ... why Hamas moved on Israel, is because they knew I was about to sit down with the Saudis,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-hamas-saudi-arabia-war-1c376cf1497acd0df05a98721bf88fae">Biden said at a campaign fundraiser.</a>&nbsp;The U.S. president said he thinks Hamas militants launched their deadly assault on Oct. 7 because “guess what? The Saudis wanted to recognize Israel” and were near being able to formally do so.

An agreement, which the White House says it continues to pursue, would be a feat of diplomacy that could have enabled broader recognition of Israel by other Arab and Muslim-majority nations that have largely opposed Israel since its creation 75 years ago in a territory where Palestinians have long resided.

But talks were interrupted after Hamas militants stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip where Palestinians live into nearby Israeli towns.

Israel sealed off Gaza in response, and Biden told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that humanitarian aid into the territory wasn't arriving fast enough.

Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been running out of food, water, fuel and medicine. The aid convoys allowed into Gaza so far have carried a fraction of what’s needed.

The president made his comments to reporters about the speed of aid flowing into Gaza after presenting science and technology awards to several Americans for exemplary achievements that have had a positive impact on the United States.

One of the recipients, Sheldon Weinbaum of the City College of New York, wore a “Stop War” button on his suit coat lapel as he received his medal from Biden.

Biden suggested the ceremony was a welcome break from the grim news coming out of the Middle East.

“This is a happy occasion," Biden said at the start of the White House ceremony. "We need some more happy occasions.”

The war is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Hamas-run Health Ministry said at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed and 16,297 wounded. In the occupied West Bank, 96 Palestinians have been killed and 1,650 wounded in violence and Israeli raids since Oct. 7.

“This is war. It is combat. It is bloody, it is ugly, and it’s going to be messy,” Kirby said. “I wish I could tell you something different. I wish that that wasn’t going to happen.”

Ryder said several new force protection measures are now underway, including the deployment of air defense systems. He said a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and additional Patriot missile battalions have begun to move to undisclosed locations in the Middle East.

The THAAD is being sent from Fort Bliss, Texas, and the Patriot battalions are from Fort Liberty in North Carolina and Fort Sill in Oklahoma.

Ryder also said that additional forces have moved into the Middle East. He said the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, with its F-16 fighter jets, arrived on Tuesday, but officials would not say where exactly it went.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Tuesday that “prudent contingency planning” is underway to evacuate Americans from the Middle East in case the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;spreads into a broad regional conflict.(click below to watch White House spokesman John Kirby's statement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F310166491774001%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=422" 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>White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stressed there are currently no “active efforts” to evacuate Americans from the region beyond charter flights the U.S government began operating earlier this month out of Israel.“It would be imprudent and irresponsible if we didn’t have folks thinking through a broad range of contingencies and possibilities,” Kirby said. “And certainly evacuations are one of those things.”The White House addressed the contingency plans amid growing concerns that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-palestinians-live-updates-9a0ddf745bde0ffc46921b99ed34fb65">18-day-old Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;could further escalate. The U.S. has advised Israel that postponing a possible ground invasion of Gaza could be helpful as the U.S. and other partners in the region try to secure the release of more than 200 hostages who were captured in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel soil. The contingency planning was first reported by The Washington Post.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone on Tuesday about the deteriorating situation. It was the two leaders' first interaction since before the Hamas attack on Israel.Biden and the crown prince spoke about “efforts to deter state and non-state actors from widening the conflict between Israel and Hamas,” according to the White House. Biden administration officials have repeatedly warned Iran not to become involved in the conflict. U.S. forces in the region over the last few days have come under repeated attacks that the Pentagon has said were likely endorsed by Iran, which is the chief sponsor of Hamas, the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, as well as militant groups in Iraq and Yemen.“The two leaders agreed on pursuing broader diplomatic efforts to maintain stability across the region and prevent the conflict from expanding,” the White House added.At the Pentagon, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the U.S. is preparing for an increase in violence, noting that there have already been at least 13 attacks against troops and installations in Iraq and Syria.“What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region in the very near term coming from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran,” said Ryder, the Pentagon's press secretary.He added that the U.S. won’t hesitate to take action if needed to protect its forces and interests in the region.Biden said last week he believed that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Hamas was motivated to attack Israel</a>&nbsp;in part by a desire to stop that country from normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia.“One of the reasons ... why Hamas moved on Israel, is because they knew I was about to sit down with the Saudis,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-hamas-saudi-arabia-war-1c376cf1497acd0df05a98721bf88fae">Biden said at a campaign fundraiser.</a>&nbsp;The U.S. president said he thinks Hamas militants launched their deadly assault on Oct. 7 because “guess what? The Saudis wanted to recognize Israel” and were near being able to formally do so.An agreement, which the White House says it continues to pursue, would be a feat of diplomacy that could have enabled broader recognition of Israel by other Arab and Muslim-majority nations that have largely opposed Israel since its creation 75 years ago in a territory where Palestinians have long resided.But talks were interrupted after Hamas militants stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip where Palestinians live into nearby Israeli towns.Israel sealed off Gaza in response, and Biden told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that humanitarian aid into the territory wasn't arriving fast enough.Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been running out of food, water, fuel and medicine. The aid convoys allowed into Gaza so far have carried a fraction of what’s needed.The president made his comments to reporters about the speed of aid flowing into Gaza after presenting science and technology awards to several Americans for exemplary achievements that have had a positive impact on the United States.One of the recipients, Sheldon Weinbaum of the City College of New York, wore a “Stop War” button on his suit coat lapel as he received his medal from Biden.Biden suggested the ceremony was a welcome break from the grim news coming out of the Middle East.“This is a happy occasion," Biden said at the start of the White House ceremony. "We need some more happy occasions.”The war is the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. The Hamas-run Health Ministry said at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed and 16,297 wounded. In the occupied West Bank, 96 Palestinians have been killed and 1,650 wounded in violence and Israeli raids since Oct. 7.“This is war. It is combat. It is bloody, it is ugly, and it’s going to be messy,” Kirby said. “I wish I could tell you something different. I wish that that wasn’t going to happen.”Ryder said several new force protection measures are now underway, including the deployment of air defense systems. He said a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and additional Patriot missile battalions have begun to move to undisclosed locations in the Middle East.The THAAD is being sent from Fort Bliss, Texas, and the Patriot battalions are from Fort Liberty in North Carolina and Fort Sill in Oklahoma.Ryder also said that additional forces have moved into the Middle East. He said the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, with its F-16 fighter jets, arrived on Tuesday, but officials would not say where exactly it went.___

🎥U.S. readies plans for mass evacuations from the Middle East

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.

Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.

“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men,” McMinn said. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

Roundtree, who was born in New Rochelle, New York, was considered as the first Black action hero and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film in 1971. At age 28, it was Roundtree’s first feature film appearance after starting his career as a model.

Roundtree’s “Shaft” was part of a change in how Black movies were viewed in Hollywood, which failed to consider Black actors – especially for leading roles — in projects at the time. The blaxploitation films were primarily aimed at the African American audiences.

In the film, his character navigated the world of thugs. He regularly whipped out popular one-liners like “It’s my duty to please that booty.”

“What we were doing was a good, old Saturday afternoon shoot ’em up," Roundtree said in a 2000 interview with The Associated Press.

Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft” theme song — which included the line “You a bad mother— (Shut your mouth)” — helped insinuate the original movie into the pop-cult consciousness. The singer, who died in 2008, said the song was “like the ‘shot heard round the world." His single won an Academy Award for best song in 1971 and two Grammys the following year.

After the film’s success, Roundtree returned in sequels “Shaft’s Big Score” in 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” in 1973. That same year, he played the savvy detective once again on the CBS television series “Shaft,” which lasted only seven episodes.

Roundtree reprised his role in the 2000 “Shaft” film, a revival that starred Samuel L. Jackson. He appeared as Jackson’s uncle in the big-budget film that was aimed at the general audience. Both appeared again in the same roles in the 2019 film starring Jessie T. Usher.

Jackson called Roundtree the “prototype” and the “best to ever do it" in a social media post.

“SHAFT, as we know it is &amp; will always be his Creation," he said of Roundtree. "His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too.”

Through his 50-plus year career, Roundtree appeared in a number other notable films including “Earthquake,” “Man Friday” with Peter O’Toole, “Roots,” “Maniac Cop” “Se7en” and “What Men Want” starring Taraji P. Henson. He also made his mark with television roles on “Magnum P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “Being Mary Jane” and “The Love Boat.”

In 1995, Roundtree received a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Movie &amp; TV awards.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698227923055.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African American leading men,” McMinn said. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”Roundtree, who was born in New Rochelle, New York, was considered as the first Black action hero and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film in 1971. At age 28, it was Roundtree’s first feature film appearance after starting his career as a model.Roundtree’s “Shaft” was part of a change in how Black movies were viewed in Hollywood, which failed to consider Black actors – especially for leading roles — in projects at the time. The blaxploitation films were primarily aimed at the African American audiences.In the film, his character navigated the world of thugs. He regularly whipped out popular one-liners like “It’s my duty to please that booty.”“What we were doing was a good, old Saturday afternoon shoot ’em up," Roundtree said in a 2000 interview with The Associated Press.Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft” theme song — which included the line “You a bad mother— (Shut your mouth)” — helped insinuate the original movie into the pop-cult consciousness. The singer, who died in 2008, said the song was “like the ‘shot heard round the world." His single won an Academy Award for best song in 1971 and two Grammys the following year.After the film’s success, Roundtree returned in sequels “Shaft’s Big Score” in 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” in 1973. That same year, he played the savvy detective once again on the CBS television series “Shaft,” which lasted only seven episodes.Roundtree reprised his role in the 2000 “Shaft” film, a revival that starred Samuel L. Jackson. He appeared as Jackson’s uncle in the big-budget film that was aimed at the general audience. Both appeared again in the same roles in the 2019 film starring Jessie T. Usher.Jackson called Roundtree the “prototype” and the “best to ever do it" in a social media post.“SHAFT, as we know it is &amp; will always be his Creation," he said of Roundtree. "His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too.”Through his 50-plus year career, Roundtree appeared in a number other notable films including “Earthquake,” “Man Friday” with Peter O’Toole, “Roots,” “Maniac Cop” “Se7en” and “What Men Want” starring Taraji P. Henson. He also made his mark with television roles on “Magnum P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “Being Mary Jane” and “The Love Boat.”In 1995, Roundtree received a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Movie &amp; TV awards.

'Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, first Black action movie hero, has died 

Lincoln, October 24, 2023- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) is pleased to honorMatt Effken, Agency Legal Counsel, and Laurie Casados, Budget, and Finance Manager, as its2023 State of Nebraska Excellence in Leadership Award recipients.

A member of the Commissions legal team since 2016, Effken has served as the primary attorneyfor the State 911 Department. In his role Effken has been instrumental in helping the State 911Department and the 911 Centers across the state in the transition from a Legacy 911 system to aNext Generation 911 system.

“Matt has a strong desire to improved public safety for the citizens of Nebraska,” said PSCExecutive Director Thomas Golden. “An outstanding communicator, he has played a key role inall aspects of the Commission’s effort as it works to bring the next generation of 911 services tothe state.”

In her role as Budget, and Finance Manager, Casados has proven she can adapt and respond toextreme challenges. Her ability to research grant requirements and regulations along with her in-depth knowledge of broadband proved to be essential to the successful implementation of twolarge and complex federal grants.

Golden said, “Laurie has shown herself to be an invaluable member of our team. She has aninnate desire to learn and grow and is always welcoming of a challenge.”

Lincoln, October 24, 2023- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) is pleased to honorMatt Effken, Agency Legal Counsel, and Laurie Casados, Budget, and Finance Manager, as its2023 State of Nebraska Excellence in Leadership Award recipients.A member of the Commissions legal team since 2016, Effken has served as the primary attorneyfor the State 911 Department. In his role Effken has been instrumental in helping the State 911Department and the 911 Centers across the state in the transition from a Legacy 911 system to aNext Generation 911 system.“Matt has a strong desire to improved public safety for the citizens of Nebraska,” said PSCExecutive Director Thomas Golden. “An outstanding communicator, he has played a key role inall aspects of the Commission’s effort as it works to bring the next generation of 911 services tothe state.”In her role as Budget, and Finance Manager, Casados has proven she can adapt and respond toextreme challenges. Her ability to research grant requirements and regulations along with her in-depth knowledge of broadband proved to be essential to the successful implementation of twolarge and complex federal grants.Golden said, “Laurie has shown herself to be an invaluable member of our team. She has aninnate desire to learn and grow and is always welcoming of a challenge.”