OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Passenger railroads nationwide will now be required to install video recorders inside their locomotives, but the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday the new rule is flawed because it excludes freight trains like the one that derailed and caught fire in eastern Ohio earlier this year.

The Federal Railroad Administration didn't respond directly to the criticism of the rule requiring cameras showing both the train crew's actions and a view from the front of passenger trains.

FRA spokesman Warren Flatau said freight railroads weren't addressed because a 2015 law Congress passed only required regulators to establish a rule for passenger railroads. But many freight railroads, including all the biggest ones that handle a majority of shipments nationwide, have installed cameras voluntarily, starting with outward-facing cameras and later adding ones showing the crews' actions.

The cameras are less common on smaller railroads. A spokeswoman for the American Short Line and Railroad Association said only a few short-line railroads have them and most of those are only outward-facing cameras.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20231012.aspx">statement</a>&nbsp;that the "FRA’s belief that the cost ‘could outweigh the safety benefits’ is an affront to every community that’s experienced a freight or freight-passenger rail disaster.”

The Norfolk Southern train that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">derailed in East Palestine</a>&nbsp;near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in February did have cameras, but Homendy said that because there are no federal standards for those cameras,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">investigators</a>&nbsp;have only 20 minutes of footage from before that derailment.

“Though many in the freight rail industry have opted to install recorders voluntarily, there’s absolutely no standard for the number of hours of data they must preserve after an accident,” Homendy said. “East Palestine is a striking example: instead of having 12 hours’ worth of in cab video, as we’ve recommended, our investigators only have access to a 20-minute recording — not nearly enough to help us or the FRA identify critical safety improvements needed to prevent similar accidents from reoccurring.”

Homendy said the new rule also fails to require audio recordings inside the cabs of locomotives.

The NTSB made its&nbsp;<a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/R-10-001">recommendation</a>&nbsp;to add cameras in locomotives in 2010 after it investigated the deadly 2008 collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth, California. That crash killed 25 people, including the Metrolink engineer, and injured more than 100. But the NTSB said such cameras would have been useful in dozens of other crashes because they can help determine what caused them, particularly when the train crew was killed or can't remember key details.

Investigators determined that the Metrolink engineer was sending and receiving text messages on his cell phone before the crash, and he ran a red signal light before slamming into the Union Pacific freight train.

Congress responded to that Chatsworth collision by requiring railroads to develop and install an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-transportation-safety-us-news-transportation-887894df4186c7a6b796dc39121d8f3c">automatic braking system</a>&nbsp;that might have prevented it — something that took more than a decade and roughly $15 billion to complete. And regulators banned cell phone use by train operators. Later, lawmakers also required regulators in the 2015 law to look at requiring locomotive video recorders for passenger trains.

Amtrak pledged in 2015 to install cameras on its trains after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/36ed48d4bd5142a1a29fc2033a8ead19">a crash in Philadelphia</a>&nbsp;that killed eight people and injured about 200. This new rule will require cameras on all intercity commuter and passenger trains as well.

“While video recorders cannot directly prevent accidents, they help maintain a higher standard of safety,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “In addition, these devices play a vital role in post-accident investigations, providing valuable evidence that helps us understand the circumstances leading to the accident and take appropriate action to prevent similar accidents in the future.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697135946578.jpeg" alt="Portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed the night before burn in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2023. Passenger railroads nationwide will now be required to install video recorders inside their locomotives, but the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said the new rule is flawed because it excludes freight trains like the one that derailed and caught fire in East Palestine earlier this year. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)" />
 <figcaption>Portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed the night before burn in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2023. Passenger railroads nationwide will now be required to install video recorders inside their locomotives, but the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said the new rule is flawed because it excludes freight trains like the one that derailed and caught fire in East Palestine earlier this year. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Passenger railroads nationwide will now be required to install video recorders inside their locomotives, but the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday the new rule is flawed because it excludes freight trains like the one that derailed and caught fire in eastern Ohio earlier this year.The Federal Railroad Administration didn't respond directly to the criticism of the rule requiring cameras showing both the train crew's actions and a view from the front of passenger trains.FRA spokesman Warren Flatau said freight railroads weren't addressed because a 2015 law Congress passed only required regulators to establish a rule for passenger railroads. But many freight railroads, including all the biggest ones that handle a majority of shipments nationwide, have installed cameras voluntarily, starting with outward-facing cameras and later adding ones showing the crews' actions.The cameras are less common on smaller railroads. A spokeswoman for the American Short Line and Railroad Association said only a few short-line railroads have them and most of those are only outward-facing cameras.NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20231012.aspx">statement</a>&nbsp;that the "FRA’s belief that the cost ‘could outweigh the safety benefits’ is an affront to every community that’s experienced a freight or freight-passenger rail disaster.”The Norfolk Southern train that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">derailed in East Palestine</a>&nbsp;near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in February did have cameras, but Homendy said that because there are no federal standards for those cameras,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">investigators</a>&nbsp;have only 20 minutes of footage from before that derailment.“Though many in the freight rail industry have opted to install recorders voluntarily, there’s absolutely no standard for the number of hours of data they must preserve after an accident,” Homendy said. “East Palestine is a striking example: instead of having 12 hours’ worth of in cab video, as we’ve recommended, our investigators only have access to a 20-minute recording — not nearly enough to help us or the FRA identify critical safety improvements needed to prevent similar accidents from reoccurring.”Homendy said the new rule also fails to require audio recordings inside the cabs of locomotives.The NTSB made its&nbsp;<a href="https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/R-10-001">recommendation</a>&nbsp;to add cameras in locomotives in 2010 after it investigated the deadly 2008 collision between a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth, California. That crash killed 25 people, including the Metrolink engineer, and injured more than 100. But the NTSB said such cameras would have been useful in dozens of other crashes because they can help determine what caused them, particularly when the train crew was killed or can't remember key details.Investigators determined that the Metrolink engineer was sending and receiving text messages on his cell phone before the crash, and he ran a red signal light before slamming into the Union Pacific freight train.Congress responded to that Chatsworth collision by requiring railroads to develop and install an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-transportation-safety-us-news-transportation-887894df4186c7a6b796dc39121d8f3c">automatic braking system</a>&nbsp;that might have prevented it — something that took more than a decade and roughly $15 billion to complete. And regulators banned cell phone use by train operators. Later, lawmakers also required regulators in the 2015 law to look at requiring locomotive video recorders for passenger trains.Amtrak pledged in 2015 to install cameras on its trains after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/36ed48d4bd5142a1a29fc2033a8ead19">a crash in Philadelphia</a>&nbsp;that killed eight people and injured about 200. This new rule will require cameras on all intercity commuter and passenger trains as well.“While video recorders cannot directly prevent accidents, they help maintain a higher standard of safety,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “In addition, these devices play a vital role in post-accident investigations, providing valuable evidence that helps us understand the circumstances leading to the accident and take appropriate action to prevent similar accidents in the future.”

NTSB chair says new locomotive camera rule is flawed because it excludes freight railroads

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-does-social-security-work-91e2d237d93e2ac7d2775e8b19d2a7a1">Social Security recipients</a>&nbsp;will get a 3.2% increase in their benefits in 2024, far less than this year's historic boost and reflecting moderating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-8ab5c75e191a31942f2fcf1eeb8fa44c">consumer prices</a>.

The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, means the average recipient will receive more than $50 more every month beginning in January, the Social Security Administration said Thursday. The AARP estimated that increase at $59 per month.

“This will help millions of people keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Social Security’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-government-and-politics-b31675f4c5c286d08bc52466a2fc0165">acting commissioner</a>.

About 71 million people — including retirees, disabled people and children — receive Social Security benefits.

Thursday's announcement follows this year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-cola-increase-8778d4aa9da4102edc79762ea622196f">8.7% benefit increase</a>, brought on by record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/inflation">40-year-high inflation</a>, which pushed up the price of consumer goods. With inflation easing, the next annual increase is markedly smaller.

Still, senior advocates applauded the annual adjustment.

“Retirees can rest a little easier at night knowing they will soon receive an increase in their Social Security checks to help them keep up with rising prices,” AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins said. “We know older Americans are still feeling the sting when they buy groceries and gas, making every dollar important."

Social Security is financed by payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers. The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes will be $168,600 for 2024, up from $160,200 for 2023.

Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an advocacy group for the social insurance program, said that the COLA is a “reminder of Social Security’s unique importance" and that “Congress should pass legislation to protect and expand benefits.”

But the program faces a severe financial shortfall in coming years.

The annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicare-social-security-finances-shortfall-debt-biden-b1f45ba6dd6fdef18e741e308d8ecf12">Social Security and Medicare trustees report</a>&nbsp;released in March said the program’s trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2033. If the trust fund is depleted, the government will be able to pay only 77% of scheduled benefits,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/TRSUM/">the report</a>&nbsp;said.

There have been legislative proposals to shore up Social Security, but they have not made it past committee hearings.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-medicare-cuts-ap-poll-biden-9e7395e8efeab68063d741beac6ef24b">A March poll</a>&nbsp;by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that most U.S. adults are opposed to proposals that would cut into Medicare or Social Security benefits, and 79% of people polled said they oppose reducing the size of Social Security benefits.

The COLA is calculated according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, or CPI. But there are calls for the agency to instead use a different index, the CPI-E, which measures price changes based on the spending patterns of the elderly, like health care, food and medicine costs.

Any change to the calculation would require congressional approval. But with decades of inaction on Social Security and with the House at a standstill after the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., seniors and their advocates say they don’t have confidence any sort of change will be approved soon.

The cost of living adjustments have a big impact for people like Alfred Mason, an 83-year-old Louisiana resident. Mason said that “any increase is welcomed, because it sustains us for what we are going through.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-does-social-security-work-91e2d237d93e2ac7d2775e8b19d2a7a1">Social Security recipients</a>&nbsp;will get a 3.2% increase in their benefits in 2024, far less than this year's historic boost and reflecting moderating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-8ab5c75e191a31942f2fcf1eeb8fa44c">consumer prices</a>.The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, means the average recipient will receive more than $50 more every month beginning in January, the Social Security Administration said Thursday. The AARP estimated that increase at $59 per month.“This will help millions of people keep up with expenses,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Social Security’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-government-and-politics-b31675f4c5c286d08bc52466a2fc0165">acting commissioner</a>.About 71 million people — including retirees, disabled people and children — receive Social Security benefits.Thursday's announcement follows this year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-cola-increase-8778d4aa9da4102edc79762ea622196f">8.7% benefit increase</a>, brought on by record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/inflation">40-year-high inflation</a>, which pushed up the price of consumer goods. With inflation easing, the next annual increase is markedly smaller.Still, senior advocates applauded the annual adjustment.“Retirees can rest a little easier at night knowing they will soon receive an increase in their Social Security checks to help them keep up with rising prices,” AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins said. “We know older Americans are still feeling the sting when they buy groceries and gas, making every dollar important."Social Security is financed by payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers. The maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security payroll taxes will be $168,600 for 2024, up from $160,200 for 2023.Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an advocacy group for the social insurance program, said that the COLA is a “reminder of Social Security’s unique importance" and that “Congress should pass legislation to protect and expand benefits.”But the program faces a severe financial shortfall in coming years.The annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicare-social-security-finances-shortfall-debt-biden-b1f45ba6dd6fdef18e741e308d8ecf12">Social Security and Medicare trustees report</a>&nbsp;released in March said the program’s trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2033. If the trust fund is depleted, the government will be able to pay only 77% of scheduled benefits,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/TRSUM/">the report</a>&nbsp;said.There have been legislative proposals to shore up Social Security, but they have not made it past committee hearings.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-medicare-cuts-ap-poll-biden-9e7395e8efeab68063d741beac6ef24b">A March poll</a>&nbsp;by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that most U.S. adults are opposed to proposals that would cut into Medicare or Social Security benefits, and 79% of people polled said they oppose reducing the size of Social Security benefits.The COLA is calculated according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, or CPI. But there are calls for the agency to instead use a different index, the CPI-E, which measures price changes based on the spending patterns of the elderly, like health care, food and medicine costs.Any change to the calculation would require congressional approval. But with decades of inaction on Social Security and with the House at a standstill after the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., seniors and their advocates say they don’t have confidence any sort of change will be approved soon.The cost of living adjustments have a big impact for people like Alfred Mason, an 83-year-old Louisiana resident. Mason said that “any increase is welcomed, because it sustains us for what we are going through.”

Social Security benefits will increase in 2024 as inflation moderates

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– At the direction of Governor Jim Pillen, the Nebraska Capitol will be illuminated in blue light starting tonight, as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Israel.

The color is representative of Israel’s flag, which is blue and white. The Capitol will remain blue through the evening of Thursday, October 19, 2023.

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– At the direction of Governor Jim Pillen, the Nebraska Capitol will be illuminated in blue light starting tonight, as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Israel.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Nebraska Capitol will be lit blue through Oct. 19 to show our solidarity with Israel. Please join me in prayer over Israel as she continues to defend her people and sovereignty against these terrorist attacks. <a href="https://t.co/wAnrJu8glr">pic.twitter.com/wAnrJu8glr</a>&mdash; Governor Jim Pillen (@TeamPillen) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamPillen/status/1712279284973244703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The color is representative of Israel’s flag, which is blue and white. The Capitol will remain blue through the evening of Thursday, October 19, 2023.

Nebraska Capitol Goes Blue in Showing Solidarity with Israel

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;- Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement in response to an update provided by Secretary of State Bob Evnen that signatures collected for a repeal of LB753 (Opportunity Scholarship Act) had met the necessary threshold for placing the issue on the ballot in November 2024.

“This issue is very simple – it’s about giving families a choice in identifying the best educational environment for their kids. This is not about which one is better – public or private schools. I am confident that voters will understand the decision before them and will vote to keep school choice for children. We must provide students and their families the ability to decide the educational fit that works best for them. This law accomplishes that.”

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;- Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement in response to an update provided by Secretary of State Bob Evnen that signatures collected for a repeal of LB753 (Opportunity Scholarship Act) had met the necessary threshold for placing the issue on the ballot in November 2024.“This issue is very simple – it’s about giving families a choice in identifying the best educational environment for their kids. This is not about which one is better – public or private schools. I am confident that voters will understand the decision before them and will vote to keep school choice for children. We must provide students and their families the ability to decide the educational fit that works best for them. This law accomplishes that.”

Governor Pillen Provides Statement Upon Signature Verification for LB753

&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/135693/joseph-clark/">Joseph Clark</a>&nbsp;, DOD&nbsp;

The U.S. will lead a newly formed coalition focused on developing Ukraine's air force in a bid to bolster that country's long-term capability to defend itself against Russian aggression, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said on Wednesday.

The announcement, unveiled by Austin following the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, marks the formation of several distinct coalitions focused on building Ukraine's future force capabilities. Those coalitions are comprised of the more than 50 countries that make up the UDCG.

"By leading this capability coalition, the United States will coordinate closely with Ukraine and other partners with the focus on developing Ukraine's F-16 fighter aircraft capabilities," Austin said.

Austin said Denmark and the Netherlands will join the U.S. in leading the effort to ensure Ukrainian forces can defend their skies.

The two European countries previously announced that they would supply Ukraine with F-16s. Norway has also joined the effort to outfit Ukrainian pilots with the U.S.-made jets.

The U.S. has joined the countries in training Ukrainian pilots and aircrews on how to employ and maintain the advanced fighters.

Austin also announced Estonia and Luxembourg will lead a group of countries focused on supporting Ukraine's information technology infrastructure.

Lithuania will lead a separate coalition focused on neutralizing mines in Ukrainian territory.

"I'm also proud to announce that the United States will be joining several more of these coalitions as they form in the coming months, including those focused on Ukraine's air defense, armor and artillery," he said. "That shows how much we can do when we come together.

"It also shows American leadership matters," he continued. "And as Ukraine's troops face this key moment on the battlefield, we must ensure that America's indispensable assistance to Ukraine continues to flow without disruption."

Austin said the United States' support for Ukrainian forces remains unwavering as evidenced by the more than $43.9 billion in U.S. aid that has flowed to Ukraine since Russia's unprovoked invasion.

That figure includes the latest security assistance package valued at $200 million, which was announced by U.S. officials as the UCDG gathered for today's meeting.

The latest package includes a series of air defense systems, as well as additional artillery and rocket ammunition, precision aerial munitions, antitank weapons, and equipment to counter Russian drones.

Austin said the U.S. is "in great company" as dozens of countries step up to aid to Ukraine.

"Some 50 other members of this contact group have committed more than $33 billion in direct security assistance to Ukraine," he said. "In fact, the three biggest European donors to Ukraine — Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland — have all committed more than the United States as a percentage of gross domestic product. So have many other European countries, including Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and all three of the Baltic states."

Several of those countries announced additional rounds of assistance as the contact group gathered in Brussels.

The display of unwavering unity comes at a critical time for global stability as Israel battles Hamas terrorists responsible for a series of deadly attacks over the weekend.

Following the attacks, the U.S. enhanced its military force posture in the region to strengthen its deterrence against further attacks.

That enhanced posture includes the positioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean and bolstered Air Force fighter presence in the region.

The U.S. has also begun to flow military aid to Israel and will soon provide additional rounds to replenish Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.

Austin reaffirmed U.S. support to Israel as he kicked off his remarks in Brussels.

"Like any other country, Israel has the right to defend itself," he said. "As [President Joe Biden] says, Israel has a duty to defend itself."

"And make no mistake, the United States will remain able to project power and to direct resources to tackle crises in multiple theaters," Austin said. "So, we will stand firmly with Israel as we continue to support Ukraine."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697074393182.png" alt="Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Oct. 11, 2023.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad J. McNeeley,&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Oct. 11, 2023.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad J. McNeeley,&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/135693/joseph-clark/">Joseph Clark</a>&nbsp;, DOD&nbsp;The U.S. will lead a newly formed coalition focused on developing Ukraine's air force in a bid to bolster that country's long-term capability to defend itself against Russian aggression, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said on Wednesday.The announcement, unveiled by Austin following the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, marks the formation of several distinct coalitions focused on building Ukraine's future force capabilities. Those coalitions are comprised of the more than 50 countries that make up the UDCG."By leading this capability coalition, the United States will coordinate closely with Ukraine and other partners with the focus on developing Ukraine's F-16 fighter aircraft capabilities," Austin said.Austin said Denmark and the Netherlands will join the U.S. in leading the effort to ensure Ukrainian forces can defend their skies.The two European countries previously announced that they would supply Ukraine with F-16s. Norway has also joined the effort to outfit Ukrainian pilots with the U.S.-made jets.The U.S. has joined the countries in training Ukrainian pilots and aircrews on how to employ and maintain the advanced fighters.Austin also announced Estonia and Luxembourg will lead a group of countries focused on supporting Ukraine's information technology infrastructure.Lithuania will lead a separate coalition focused on neutralizing mines in Ukrainian territory."I'm also proud to announce that the United States will be joining several more of these coalitions as they form in the coming months, including those focused on Ukraine's air defense, armor and artillery," he said. "That shows how much we can do when we come together."It also shows American leadership matters," he continued. "And as Ukraine's troops face this key moment on the battlefield, we must ensure that America's indispensable assistance to Ukraine continues to flow without disruption."Austin said the United States' support for Ukrainian forces remains unwavering as evidenced by the more than $43.9 billion in U.S. aid that has flowed to Ukraine since Russia's unprovoked invasion.That figure includes the latest security assistance package valued at $200 million, which was announced by U.S. officials as the UCDG gathered for today's meeting.The latest package includes a series of air defense systems, as well as additional artillery and rocket ammunition, precision aerial munitions, antitank weapons, and equipment to counter Russian drones.Austin said the U.S. is "in great company" as dozens of countries step up to aid to Ukraine."Some 50 other members of this contact group have committed more than $33 billion in direct security assistance to Ukraine," he said. "In fact, the three biggest European donors to Ukraine — Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland — have all committed more than the United States as a percentage of gross domestic product. So have many other European countries, including Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and all three of the Baltic states."Several of those countries announced additional rounds of assistance as the contact group gathered in Brussels.The display of unwavering unity comes at a critical time for global stability as Israel battles Hamas terrorists responsible for a series of deadly attacks over the weekend.Following the attacks, the U.S. enhanced its military force posture in the region to strengthen its deterrence against further attacks.That enhanced posture includes the positioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean and bolstered Air Force fighter presence in the region.The U.S. has also begun to flow military aid to Israel and will soon provide additional rounds to replenish Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.Austin reaffirmed U.S. support to Israel as he kicked off his remarks in Brussels."Like any other country, Israel has the right to defend itself," he said. "As [President Joe Biden] says, Israel has a duty to defend itself.""And make no mistake, the United States will remain able to project power and to direct resources to tackle crises in multiple theaters," Austin said. "So, we will stand firmly with Israel as we continue to support Ukraine."

$43.9 Billion: U.S. sending another $200M in military aid to Ukraine

&nbsp;DES MOINES (AP) — A player in California won a $1.73 billion Powerball jackpot Wednesday night, ending a long stretch without a winner of the top prize.

The winning numbers were: 22, 24, 40, 52, 64 and the Powerball 10. The winning ticket was sold at Midway Market &amp; Liquor in Frazier Park, according to the California Lottery.

Phone calls Wednesday night to Midway Market &amp; Liquor went unanswered.

“The phone’s been ringing off the hook, people saying congratulations. Pretty crazy,” the store’s night worker, identified only as Duke, told KCAL-TV.

“Somebody owes me a truck,” he said with a smile. “A lot of customers come in, you know they come in every day to get their tickets, religiously. And a lot of them ... said: ‘Oh, if I win I’m gonna get you a new truck.’ So where’s my truck? I’ll be waiting.”

He expected the winner will be a local resident.

Before someone won the giant prize, there had been 35 consecutive drawings without a big winner, stretching back to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">July 19</a>&nbsp;when a player in California matched all six numbers and won $1.08 billion.

The jackpot is the world’s second-largest lottery prize after rolling over for 36 consecutive drawings, since the last time someone won the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">top prize on July 19</a>. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022.

The only top prize that was ever bigger was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpot-mega-millions-powerball-b77dd9c7de3f0ab09545a01113b1f111">$2.04 billion Powerball</a>&nbsp;won by a player in California last November.

Powerball’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">terrible odds</a>&nbsp;of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes becoming ever larger as they repeatedly roll over when no one wins. And wins in recent months have been few and far between.

That didn’t bother those eager to plunk down their money on Wednesday for a long-shot chance at instant wealth.

Robert Salvato Jr., a 60-year-old electrician, bought 40 Powerball tickets at a hardware store in Billerica, Massachusetts.

“I would take care of family and give my cat that extra leg that she needs and make her a good kitty,” said Salvato, who got married on Saturday.

“I could give her a ring on every finger, I guess,” Salvato said of his new wife.

Nevada is among the five states without Powerball, so friends Tamara Carter and Denise Davis drove from Las Vegas across the state line into California to buy tickets. But the line was so long at their first stop that they gave up and went in search of another store.

“The line was about three hours long,” Carter estimated. “I was waiting for maybe a half hour, and it didn’t move.”

The jackpot has grown enormous due to a long dry spell. The previous winning Powerball ticket was sold on July 19, and it was worth $1.08 billion after 39 drawings without a jackpot win.

At the same hardware store as Salvato, Kevin Button seemed to understand the long odds as he bought a ticket.

“I only buy them usually when the jackpot’s high,” Button said. “Seems to have been pretty high quite often lately. So I’ve tried quite a few times and haven’t even won a free ticket. But maybe tonight’s the night.”

In most states, a Powerball ticket costs $2 and players can select their own numbers or leave that task to a computer.

The $1.73 billion jackpot is for a sole winner who opts for payment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">through an annuity</a>, doled out over 30 years. Winners almost always take the cash option, which for Wednesday night’s drawing is estimated at $756.6 million.

Winnings would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.

Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

&nbsp;DES MOINES (AP) — A player in California won a $1.73 billion Powerball jackpot Wednesday night, ending a long stretch without a winner of the top prize.The winning numbers were: 22, 24, 40, 52, 64 and the Powerball 10. The winning ticket was sold at Midway Market &amp; Liquor in Frazier Park, according to the California Lottery.Phone calls Wednesday night to Midway Market &amp; Liquor went unanswered.“The phone’s been ringing off the hook, people saying congratulations. Pretty crazy,” the store’s night worker, identified only as Duke, told KCAL-TV.“Somebody owes me a truck,” he said with a smile. “A lot of customers come in, you know they come in every day to get their tickets, religiously. And a lot of them ... said: ‘Oh, if I win I’m gonna get you a new truck.’ So where’s my truck? I’ll be waiting.”He expected the winner will be a local resident.Before someone won the giant prize, there had been 35 consecutive drawings without a big winner, stretching back to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">July 19</a>&nbsp;when a player in California matched all six numbers and won $1.08 billion.The jackpot is the world’s second-largest lottery prize after rolling over for 36 consecutive drawings, since the last time someone won the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">top prize on July 19</a>. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022.The only top prize that was ever bigger was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpot-mega-millions-powerball-b77dd9c7de3f0ab09545a01113b1f111">$2.04 billion Powerball</a>&nbsp;won by a player in California last November.Powerball’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">terrible odds</a>&nbsp;of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes becoming ever larger as they repeatedly roll over when no one wins. And wins in recent months have been few and far between.That didn’t bother those eager to plunk down their money on Wednesday for a long-shot chance at instant wealth.Robert Salvato Jr., a 60-year-old electrician, bought 40 Powerball tickets at a hardware store in Billerica, Massachusetts.“I would take care of family and give my cat that extra leg that she needs and make her a good kitty,” said Salvato, who got married on Saturday.“I could give her a ring on every finger, I guess,” Salvato said of his new wife.Nevada is among the five states without Powerball, so friends Tamara Carter and Denise Davis drove from Las Vegas across the state line into California to buy tickets. But the line was so long at their first stop that they gave up and went in search of another store.“The line was about three hours long,” Carter estimated. “I was waiting for maybe a half hour, and it didn’t move.”The jackpot has grown enormous due to a long dry spell. The previous winning Powerball ticket was sold on July 19, and it was worth $1.08 billion after 39 drawings without a jackpot win.At the same hardware store as Salvato, Kevin Button seemed to understand the long odds as he bought a ticket.“I only buy them usually when the jackpot’s high,” Button said. “Seems to have been pretty high quite often lately. So I’ve tried quite a few times and haven’t even won a free ticket. But maybe tonight’s the night.”In most states, a Powerball ticket costs $2 and players can select their own numbers or leave that task to a computer.The $1.73 billion jackpot is for a sole winner who opts for payment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">through an annuity</a>, doled out over 30 years. Winners almost always take the cash option, which for Wednesday night’s drawing is estimated at $756.6 million.Winnings would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 Powerball player wins lottery’s $1.73 billion jackpot 

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/lincoln-sculptor-chosen-to-produce-bust-of-malcolm-x-for-nebraska-hall-of-fame/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A “socially engaged” sculptor from Lincoln has been chosen to produce a bust of civil rights leader Malcolm X for the Nebraska Hall of Fame.

Nathan Murray was chosen&nbsp;through a selection process conducted by the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission and the Nebraska Arts Council.

Murray earned his undergraduate fine arts degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master’s degree from the University of Florida.

His proposal for the bust stood out as “captivating and iconic,” according to Meagan Dion of the Nebraska Arts Council, who was involved in the selection.

“Murray embraced Malcolm X in a recognizable moment,” Dion said, “where viewers will be able to engage with him and be more curious about the impact he made for others in Nebraska and beyond.”

Sara Crook, who chairs the Hall of Fame Commission, said that Murray’s enthusiasm and talent for the project impressed the selection committee.

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/12/malcolm-x-edges-nu-educator-louise-pound-for-induction-into-the-nebraska-hall-of-fame/">A year ago, the state Hall of Fame Commission</a>&nbsp;voted Malcolm X as the next inductee in the Hall, which sits inside the Nebraska State Capitol.

He will become the first African-American in the Nebraska Hall of Fame when he is inducted next year.

Malcolm X, also known as Malcolm Little and El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, was born in Omaha in 1925, but his family, harassed and threatened by white supremacists, moved away while he was still an infant.

Supporters of his induction cited his life story of transformation, from a street hustler and a prison inmate to a leader in the Nation of Islam and civil rights movement who advocated for empowerment of Blacks and racial justice.

A fiery speaker, he was assassinated in 1965 after an appearance in New York City.

Malcolm X was the subject of a best-selling autobiography written by Alex Haley and a Hollywood film starring Denzel Washington.

A press release from History Nebraska described Murray as a “socially engaged artist and educator” whose work “explores issues of race, ethnicity, and intersectionality, particularly how these aspects of identity are expressed in people and their stories.”

Murray said he was honored to be selected to create the bronze of Malcolm X.

“Malcolm X’s advocacy for human rights and his message of empowerment made him a pivotal figure not only for Nebraska but also on the world stage, inspiring generations to strive for equality and justice,” Murray said.

He teaches at Lux Center for the Arts in Lincoln and Nebraska Wesleyan University, and he recently taught a two-week workshop titled, “Clay Identity: Sculpting Busts” at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass, Colorado.

Currently, Murray is working on an exhibition entitled, “BIPOC of Nebraska,”&nbsp; which features ceramic busts of notable Nebraskans of color.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697049389591.jpeg" alt="Lincoln sculptor Nathan Murray and his proposal for the bust of Malcolm X to be displayed in the Nebraska Hall of Fame. (Courtesy of History Nebraska)" />
 <figcaption>Lincoln sculptor Nathan Murray and his proposal for the bust of Malcolm X to be displayed in the Nebraska Hall of Fame. (Courtesy of History Nebraska)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/lincoln-sculptor-chosen-to-produce-bust-of-malcolm-x-for-nebraska-hall-of-fame/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A “socially engaged” sculptor from Lincoln has been chosen to produce a bust of civil rights leader Malcolm X for the Nebraska Hall of Fame.Nathan Murray was chosen&nbsp;through a selection process conducted by the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission and the Nebraska Arts Council.Murray earned his undergraduate fine arts degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master’s degree from the University of Florida.<h2>‘Captivating’ proposal</h2>His proposal for the bust stood out as “captivating and iconic,” according to Meagan Dion of the Nebraska Arts Council, who was involved in the selection.“Murray embraced Malcolm X in a recognizable moment,” Dion said, “where viewers will be able to engage with him and be more curious about the impact he made for others in Nebraska and beyond.”Sara Crook, who chairs the Hall of Fame Commission, said that Murray’s enthusiasm and talent for the project impressed the selection committee.<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/12/malcolm-x-edges-nu-educator-louise-pound-for-induction-into-the-nebraska-hall-of-fame/">A year ago, the state Hall of Fame Commission</a>&nbsp;voted Malcolm X as the next inductee in the Hall, which sits inside the Nebraska State Capitol.<h2>First African-American in the Hall</h2>He will become the first African-American in the Nebraska Hall of Fame when he is inducted next year.Malcolm X, also known as Malcolm Little and El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, was born in Omaha in 1925, but his family, harassed and threatened by white supremacists, moved away while he was still an infant.Supporters of his induction cited his life story of transformation, from a street hustler and a prison inmate to a leader in the Nation of Islam and civil rights movement who advocated for empowerment of Blacks and racial justice.A fiery speaker, he was assassinated in 1965 after an appearance in New York City.Malcolm X was the subject of a best-selling autobiography written by Alex Haley and a Hollywood film starring Denzel Washington.A press release from History Nebraska described Murray as a “socially engaged artist and educator” whose work “explores issues of race, ethnicity, and intersectionality, particularly how these aspects of identity are expressed in people and their stories.”<h2>‘A pivotal figure’</h2>Murray said he was honored to be selected to create the bronze of Malcolm X.“Malcolm X’s advocacy for human rights and his message of empowerment made him a pivotal figure not only for Nebraska but also on the world stage, inspiring generations to strive for equality and justice,” Murray said.He teaches at Lux Center for the Arts in Lincoln and Nebraska Wesleyan University, and he recently taught a two-week workshop titled, “Clay Identity: Sculpting Busts” at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass, Colorado.Currently, Murray is working on an exhibition entitled, “BIPOC of Nebraska,”&nbsp; which features ceramic busts of notable Nebraskans of color.

Lincoln sculptor chosen to produce bust of Malcolm X for Nebraska Hall of Fame

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Navigator CO2 Ventures announced Tuesday that it is putting on hold one of the two biggest proposed carbon dioxide pipeline projects in the Midwest so it can reassess the project.

The company withdrew its application for a key permit in Illinois and said it it was putting all its permit applications on hold. The decision comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-carbon-dioxide-pipeline-665a20269d43d4aff5944969f869bb03">South Dakota regulators</a>&nbsp;last month denied a permit.

The proposed 1,300-mile (2,092-kilometer) project would carry planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from more than 20 industrial plants across South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. The Illinois permit is crucial because that’s where the company planned to store the carbon dioxide underground.

“As is consistent with our recent filings in neighboring jurisdictions, Navigator will be taking time to reassess the route and application,” the company said in a statement.

Navigator said it is not abandoning the project. It plans to reapply for permits where appropriate after completing its evaluation.

Opponents cheered the news that the project is being put on hold, and promised to keep fighting when the company reapplies. Opponents had organized landowners who were concerned about the project.

“When you organize the families most at-risk of eminent domain, you can stop a pipeline," said Jane Kleeb with the Nebraska-based Bold Alliance that also fought against the ill-fated Keystone XL oil pipeline. “This is a core lesson we have learned over the years, as pipeline corporations try to bully hard-working Americans into giving up their land for corporate greed.”

Proposed pipelines in the region would use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-technology-science-business-iceland-39fda46606cdba85ad10fac44d08dce6">carbon capture technology</a>&nbsp;that supporters believe would combat climate change. Opponents question its effectiveness at scale and the need for potentially huge investments over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-renewable-energy-solar-wind-hydrogen-7c1830eece1708010ed039c583ddacfb">cheaper renewable energy sources.</a>&nbsp;New&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carbon-climate-biden-co2-pollution-environment-ccs-0678057d3bd003bcfd9a7ba0d61a477d">federal tax incentives and billions of dollars</a>&nbsp;from Congress toward carbon capture efforts have made such projects lucrative.

Summit Carbon Solutions is behind the biggest proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in the area. It is pressing forward with its plans despite regulatory setbacks in the Dakotas. North Dakota agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-midwest-co2-pipeline-summit-carbon-dioxide-13c4c1524f96e8fbf52d0dcd6ab4abd0">reconsider its denial</a>&nbsp;of a permit for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summit-pipeline-co2-north-dakota-iowa-68bd3c9d4cd142a05666594a936f8db0">$5.5 billion, 2,000-mile (3,220-kilometer) pipeline</a>&nbsp;that would cross five states, and Summit is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-north-dakota-co2-pipeline-summit-827c7418edba5a4ecbd7501be02d84f9">reapplying</a>&nbsp;in South Dakota. A separate hearing on that project in Iowa started in August. And Minnesota regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summit-pipeline-co2-north-dakota-iowa-minnesota-climate-change-415a5250937fa1cc5a114fe12ed287da">plan to conduct a detailed environmental review</a>&nbsp;of the project.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697048511583.jpeg" alt="A sign reading "No CO2, no eminent domain" stands along a rural road east of Bismarck, N.D., on Aug. 15, 2023. One of the two biggest proposed carbon dioxide pipeline projects in the Midwest is being put on hold so the company can reevaluate the route. Navigator CO2 Ventures has withdrawn its application for a permit in Illinois. And it said in a statement Tuesday, Oct. 10 that it was putting all its permit applications on hold while it reassesses the project's route through South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. (AP Photo/Jack Dura, file)" />
 <figcaption>A sign reading "No CO2, no eminent domain" stands along a rural road east of Bismarck, N.D., on Aug. 15, 2023. One of the two biggest proposed carbon dioxide pipeline projects in the Midwest is being put on hold so the company can reevaluate the route. Navigator CO2 Ventures has withdrawn its application for a permit in Illinois. And it said in a statement Tuesday, Oct. 10 that it was putting all its permit applications on hold while it reassesses the project's route through South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. (AP Photo/Jack Dura, file)</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Navigator CO2 Ventures announced Tuesday that it is putting on hold one of the two biggest proposed carbon dioxide pipeline projects in the Midwest so it can reassess the project.The company withdrew its application for a key permit in Illinois and said it it was putting all its permit applications on hold. The decision comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-carbon-dioxide-pipeline-665a20269d43d4aff5944969f869bb03">South Dakota regulators</a>&nbsp;last month denied a permit.The proposed 1,300-mile (2,092-kilometer) project would carry planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from more than 20 industrial plants across South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. The Illinois permit is crucial because that’s where the company planned to store the carbon dioxide underground.“As is consistent with our recent filings in neighboring jurisdictions, Navigator will be taking time to reassess the route and application,” the company said in a statement.Navigator said it is not abandoning the project. It plans to reapply for permits where appropriate after completing its evaluation.Opponents cheered the news that the project is being put on hold, and promised to keep fighting when the company reapplies. Opponents had organized landowners who were concerned about the project.“When you organize the families most at-risk of eminent domain, you can stop a pipeline," said Jane Kleeb with the Nebraska-based Bold Alliance that also fought against the ill-fated Keystone XL oil pipeline. “This is a core lesson we have learned over the years, as pipeline corporations try to bully hard-working Americans into giving up their land for corporate greed.”Proposed pipelines in the region would use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-technology-science-business-iceland-39fda46606cdba85ad10fac44d08dce6">carbon capture technology</a>&nbsp;that supporters believe would combat climate change. Opponents question its effectiveness at scale and the need for potentially huge investments over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-renewable-energy-solar-wind-hydrogen-7c1830eece1708010ed039c583ddacfb">cheaper renewable energy sources.</a>&nbsp;New&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carbon-climate-biden-co2-pollution-environment-ccs-0678057d3bd003bcfd9a7ba0d61a477d">federal tax incentives and billions of dollars</a>&nbsp;from Congress toward carbon capture efforts have made such projects lucrative.Summit Carbon Solutions is behind the biggest proposed carbon dioxide pipeline in the area. It is pressing forward with its plans despite regulatory setbacks in the Dakotas. North Dakota agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-midwest-co2-pipeline-summit-carbon-dioxide-13c4c1524f96e8fbf52d0dcd6ab4abd0">reconsider its denial</a>&nbsp;of a permit for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summit-pipeline-co2-north-dakota-iowa-68bd3c9d4cd142a05666594a936f8db0">$5.5 billion, 2,000-mile (3,220-kilometer) pipeline</a>&nbsp;that would cross five states, and Summit is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-north-dakota-co2-pipeline-summit-827c7418edba5a4ecbd7501be02d84f9">reapplying</a>&nbsp;in South Dakota. A separate hearing on that project in Iowa started in August. And Minnesota regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summit-pipeline-co2-north-dakota-iowa-minnesota-climate-change-415a5250937fa1cc5a114fe12ed287da">plan to conduct a detailed environmental review</a>&nbsp;of the project.

Major Navigator CO2 pipeline project is on hold while the company reevaluates the route in 5 states

OCTOBER 11, 2023 (KEARNEY, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol hosted troopers and officers from eleven other states for a week of training that will help keep roadways safe across the country.

Last week, NSP Carrier Enforcement Troopers provided a series of training sessions focused on commercial motor vehicle safety, including inspections and post-crash investigations. The training included troopers and officers from Wyoming, Missouri, Iowa, Vermont, Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Nevada, New Jersey, Alaska, and South Dakota.

“Sharing knowledge across state lines helps keep roadways safe across the entire country,” said Captain Martin Denton, Commander of NSP Carrier Enforcement. “We shape these training sessions around what our troopers encounter in real life. We were proud to share those experiences with troopers and officers from many other states and continue the collaboration that has been ongoing for years.”

The training sessions provided both classroom and hands-on instruction in areas of forensic examination of commercial motor vehicles and completion of post-crash inspections of commercial motor vehicles. NSP received assistance from several local partners to make this training as valuable as possible. Thank you to the Nebraska Trucking Association, Kearney Towing, Dowhy Towing, Coach Masters, Andersen Wrecking, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and others for their partnership.

Cody ThomasOCTOBER 11, 2023 (KEARNEY, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol hosted troopers and officers from eleven other states for a week of training that will help keep roadways safe across the country.Last week, NSP Carrier Enforcement Troopers provided a series of training sessions focused on commercial motor vehicle safety, including inspections and post-crash investigations. The training included troopers and officers from Wyoming, Missouri, Iowa, Vermont, Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas, Nevada, New Jersey, Alaska, and South Dakota.“Sharing knowledge across state lines helps keep roadways safe across the entire country,” said Captain Martin Denton, Commander of NSP Carrier Enforcement. “We shape these training sessions around what our troopers encounter in real life. We were proud to share those experiences with troopers and officers from many other states and continue the collaboration that has been ongoing for years.”The training sessions provided both classroom and hands-on instruction in areas of forensic examination of commercial motor vehicles and completion of post-crash inspections of commercial motor vehicles. NSP received assistance from several local partners to make this training as valuable as possible. Thank you to the Nebraska Trucking Association, Kearney Towing, Dowhy Towing, Coach Masters, Andersen Wrecking, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and others for their partnership.

NSP Hosts Officials from 11 States for Commercial Vehicle Training

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/10/public-school-advocates-qualify-referendum-on-opportunity-scholarship-law-for-2024-election/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — As expected, a signature drive to repeal a new and controversial “opportunity scholarships” law has qualified for a public vote on the 2024 general election ballot.

Tuesday afternoon, the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office confirmed that Support Our Schools Nebraska had submitted more than enough valid signatures to force a referendum on Legislative Bill 753, or the Opportunity Scholarships Act.

Public school advocates have condemned the law as a roundabout way to funnel public tax dollars to finance private schools.

The law allows taxpayers to designate up to half of their state income tax payment to an organization that provides scholarships to private and parochial, K-12 schools. The entire program is capped at $25 million in the first year, but could eventually grow to $100 million a year.

Opponents to LB 753 called it a tax scheme that will suck away funds from state priorities, including education, social services and roads. Advocates, meanwhile, maintain that the law will give low-income families an alternative for children who may be struggling in a public school.

Nebraska was one of only two states in the nation that didn’t provide some kind of “school choice” option.

A Support Our Schools leader said Tuesday the “overwhelming success” of the signature drive is a clear sign that Nebraskans want a vote on the issue.

“This was a decisive victory and the first step to ensure public funds are used to support public schools, not private schools,” said Jenni Benson, who is also president of the Nebraska State Education Association.

“Nebraskans cannot afford to pay for two school systems,” Benson said in a press release.

“Now we redouble our efforts to inform Nebraskans of the harm LB 753 will cause if it is not repealed,” she said.

A spokeswoman with Keep Kids First said the organization remains committed to “help&nbsp;students struggling in a traditional education setting.”&nbsp;

“Our focus has always been on giving Nebraska families the opportunity to choose the right education for their children to grow and reach their potential,” said spokeswoman Lauren Garcia Gage.

The signature gathering campaign by Support Our Schools sparked a bitter, give-and-take between it and Keep Kids First.

Charges of improper behavior by petition circulators and “blockers” have been traded, as has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/03/governor-doubles-down-on-support-for-school-choice-with-100000-donation/">criticism of where each side is getting its funding.</a>

Support Our Schools has been primarily funded by the state and national teachers unions, while Keep Kids First has the backing of Gov. Jim Pillen and Betsy DeVos, a former U.S. Education secretary in the Trump administration and a millionaire businesswoman.

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/27/betsy-devos-two-others-spent-big-on-nebraska-legislative-races/">DeVos spent heavily</a>&nbsp;to help elect Nebraska state legislators in 2022 who support school choice. That helped pass the Opportunity Scholarships Act after years of failure of school choice bills. Conversely, the state teachers’ union has been among the top contributors to candidates who support public education.

A month ago, Support Our Schools turned in petitions containing an estimated 117,000 signatures, nearly double the 61,308 valid signatures required to place the referendum on the ballot.

By law, the Secretary of State’s Office is allowed to quit counting when it reaches 110% of that requirement.

A press release stated that county election officials verified 91,861 valid signatures and that signatures of more than 5% of registered voters were collected in 64 of the state’s 93 counties. The petition drive was required to meet that requirement in 38 counties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697036886421.jpeg" alt="Teachers and other backers of Support Our Schools wheel out boxes of voter-signed petitions seeking to get a repeal of the Opportunity Scholarships Act on the 2024 ballot. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Teachers and other backers of Support Our Schools wheel out boxes of voter-signed petitions seeking to get a repeal of the Opportunity Scholarships Act on the 2024 ballot. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/10/public-school-advocates-qualify-referendum-on-opportunity-scholarship-law-for-2024-election/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — As expected, a signature drive to repeal a new and controversial “opportunity scholarships” law has qualified for a public vote on the 2024 general election ballot.Tuesday afternoon, the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office confirmed that Support Our Schools Nebraska had submitted more than enough valid signatures to force a referendum on Legislative Bill 753, or the Opportunity Scholarships Act.Public school advocates have condemned the law as a roundabout way to funnel public tax dollars to finance private schools.The law allows taxpayers to designate up to half of their state income tax payment to an organization that provides scholarships to private and parochial, K-12 schools. The entire program is capped at $25 million in the first year, but could eventually grow to $100 million a year.<h2>Nebraskans want a vote</h2>Opponents to LB 753 called it a tax scheme that will suck away funds from state priorities, including education, social services and roads. Advocates, meanwhile, maintain that the law will give low-income families an alternative for children who may be struggling in a public school.Nebraska was one of only two states in the nation that didn’t provide some kind of “school choice” option.A Support Our Schools leader said Tuesday the “overwhelming success” of the signature drive is a clear sign that Nebraskans want a vote on the issue.“This was a decisive victory and the first step to ensure public funds are used to support public schools, not private schools,” said Jenni Benson, who is also president of the Nebraska State Education Association.“Nebraskans cannot afford to pay for two school systems,” Benson said in a press release.“Now we redouble our efforts to inform Nebraskans of the harm LB 753 will cause if it is not repealed,” she said.A spokeswoman with Keep Kids First said the organization remains committed to “help&nbsp;students struggling in a traditional education setting.”&nbsp;“Our focus has always been on giving Nebraska families the opportunity to choose the right education for their children to grow and reach their potential,” said spokeswoman Lauren Garcia Gage.The signature gathering campaign by Support Our Schools sparked a bitter, give-and-take between it and Keep Kids First.Charges of improper behavior by petition circulators and “blockers” have been traded, as has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/03/governor-doubles-down-on-support-for-school-choice-with-100000-donation/">criticism of where each side is getting its funding.</a>Support Our Schools has been primarily funded by the state and national teachers unions, while Keep Kids First has the backing of Gov. Jim Pillen and Betsy DeVos, a former U.S. Education secretary in the Trump administration and a millionaire businesswoman.<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/27/betsy-devos-two-others-spent-big-on-nebraska-legislative-races/">DeVos spent heavily</a>&nbsp;to help elect Nebraska state legislators in 2022 who support school choice. That helped pass the Opportunity Scholarships Act after years of failure of school choice bills. Conversely, the state teachers’ union has been among the top contributors to candidates who support public education.A month ago, Support Our Schools turned in petitions containing an estimated 117,000 signatures, nearly double the 61,308 valid signatures required to place the referendum on the ballot.By law, the Secretary of State’s Office is allowed to quit counting when it reaches 110% of that requirement.A press release stated that county election officials verified 91,861 valid signatures and that signatures of more than 5% of registered voters were collected in 64 of the state’s 93 counties. The petition drive was required to meet that requirement in 38 counties.

Public school advocates qualify referendum on ‘opportunity scholarship’ law for 2024 election

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans nominated Rep. Steve Scalise on Wednesday to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Speaker%20Kevin,its%20Republican%20leadership%20into%20chaos.">next House speaker</a>&nbsp;but now must try to unite their deeply divided majority to elect the conservative in a floor vote after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;from the job.

In private balloting at the Capitol, House Republicans narrowly pushed aside Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chairman, in favor of Scalise, the current majority leader, lawmakers said. The Louisiana congressman, who is battling blood cancer, is seen as a hero to some after surviving a mass shooting on lawmakers at a congressional baseball game practice in 2017.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Scalise said afterward.

A floor vote of the whole House could come as soon as Wednesday afternoon.

Republicans have been stalemated after McCarthy’s historic removal last week and it's unclear whether Jordan, the hardliner backed by the party's presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, will throw his support to Scalise in what is certain to be a close vote of the full House. Democrats are set to oppose the Republican nominee.

“I don’t know how the hell you get to 218," said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, referring to the majority vote typically needed in the 435-member House to become speaker. “It could be a long week.”

It's an extraordinary moment of political chaos that has brought the House to a standstill at a time of uncertainty at home and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates">crisis abroad</a>, just 10 months after Republicans swept to power. Aspiring to operate as a team and run government more like a business, the GOP majority has drifted far from that goal with the unprecedented ouster of a speaker.

Americans are watching. One-quarter of Republicans say they approve of the decision by a small group of Republicans to remove McCarthy as speaker. Three in 10 Republicans believe it was a mistake,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-speaker-kevin-mccarthy-removal-motion-vacate-72ec3c28d2987e90b3fe032a6ff97d87">according to a poll</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-republican-lawmakers-house-opponents-33c7d984964916f29d548b5b1dfe508b">hard-right coalition of lawmakers</a>&nbsp;that ousted McCarthy, R-Calif., has shown what an oversize role a few lawmakers can have in choosing his successor.

“I am not thrilled with either choice right now,” said Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., who voted to oust McCarthy.

It's unclear whether Scalise can amass the votes that would be needed from almost all Republicans to overcome the Democratic opposition. Usually, the majority needed would be 218 votes, but there are currently two vacant seats, dropping the threshold to 217.

Many Republicans want to prevent the spectacle of a messy House floor fight like the grueling January brawl when McCarthy became speaker.

“People are not comfortable going to the floor with a simple majority and then having C-SPAN and the rest of the world watch as we have this fight,” said Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla. “We want to have this family fight behind closed doors."

Behind closed doors, the Republicans voted to set aside a proposed a rules change that would have tried to ensure a majority vote before the nominee was presented for a full floor vote.

Without the rules change, the Republican lawmakers would be expected to agree to a majority-wins process.

Neither Scalise nor Jordan was seen as the heir apparent to McCarthy, who was removed in a push by the far-right flank after the speaker led Congress to approve legislation that averted a government shutdown.

All three men have been here before. In 2018, they were similarly vying for leadership, with McCarthy and Scalise extending the rivalry to this day.

Scalise was in line for the job, but faced a challenge from Jordan, a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, who was viewed as a more hard-edged option, after McCarthy's ouster.

Jordan is known for his close&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speaker-mccarthy-capitol-hill-432f89f6826b2b4f51990ae4b4d293fb">alliance with Trump</a>, particularly when the then-president was working to overturn the results of the 2020 election, leading to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump backed Jordan's bid for the gavel.

Several lawmakers, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who engineered McCarthy's ouster, said they would be willing to support either Scalise or Jordan.

“Long live Speaker Scalise,” Gaetz said after the vote.

For now, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who was named as the speaker pro-tempore, is effectively in charge. He has shown little interest in expanding his power beyond the role he was assigned — an interim leader tasked with ensuring the election of the next speaker.

The role was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to ensure the continuity of government. McHenry's name was at the top of a list submitted by McCarthy when he became speaker in January.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697046038480.png" alt="House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisana., speaks to reporters as he arrives for a meeting of House Republicans to vote on candidates for Speaker of the House on Capitol Hill, Wednesday,-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisana., speaks to reporters as he arrives for a meeting of House Republicans to vote on candidates for Speaker of the House on Capitol Hill, Wednesday,-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans nominated Rep. Steve Scalise on Wednesday to be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Speaker%20Kevin,its%20Republican%20leadership%20into%20chaos.">next House speaker</a>&nbsp;but now must try to unite their deeply divided majority to elect the conservative in a floor vote after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;from the job.In private balloting at the Capitol, House Republicans narrowly pushed aside Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chairman, in favor of Scalise, the current majority leader, lawmakers said. The Louisiana congressman, who is battling blood cancer, is seen as a hero to some after surviving a mass shooting on lawmakers at a congressional baseball game practice in 2017.“We have a lot of work to do,” Scalise said afterward.A floor vote of the whole House could come as soon as Wednesday afternoon.Republicans have been stalemated after McCarthy’s historic removal last week and it's unclear whether Jordan, the hardliner backed by the party's presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, will throw his support to Scalise in what is certain to be a close vote of the full House. Democrats are set to oppose the Republican nominee.“I don’t know how the hell you get to 218," said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, referring to the majority vote typically needed in the 435-member House to become speaker. “It could be a long week.”It's an extraordinary moment of political chaos that has brought the House to a standstill at a time of uncertainty at home and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates">crisis abroad</a>, just 10 months after Republicans swept to power. Aspiring to operate as a team and run government more like a business, the GOP majority has drifted far from that goal with the unprecedented ouster of a speaker.Americans are watching. One-quarter of Republicans say they approve of the decision by a small group of Republicans to remove McCarthy as speaker. Three in 10 Republicans believe it was a mistake,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-speaker-kevin-mccarthy-removal-motion-vacate-72ec3c28d2987e90b3fe032a6ff97d87">according to a poll</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kevin-mccarthy-republican-lawmakers-house-opponents-33c7d984964916f29d548b5b1dfe508b">hard-right coalition of lawmakers</a>&nbsp;that ousted McCarthy, R-Calif., has shown what an oversize role a few lawmakers can have in choosing his successor.“I am not thrilled with either choice right now,” said Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., who voted to oust McCarthy.It's unclear whether Scalise can amass the votes that would be needed from almost all Republicans to overcome the Democratic opposition. Usually, the majority needed would be 218 votes, but there are currently two vacant seats, dropping the threshold to 217.Many Republicans want to prevent the spectacle of a messy House floor fight like the grueling January brawl when McCarthy became speaker.“People are not comfortable going to the floor with a simple majority and then having C-SPAN and the rest of the world watch as we have this fight,” said Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla. “We want to have this family fight behind closed doors."Behind closed doors, the Republicans voted to set aside a proposed a rules change that would have tried to ensure a majority vote before the nominee was presented for a full floor vote.Without the rules change, the Republican lawmakers would be expected to agree to a majority-wins process.Neither Scalise nor Jordan was seen as the heir apparent to McCarthy, who was removed in a push by the far-right flank after the speaker led Congress to approve legislation that averted a government shutdown.All three men have been here before. In 2018, they were similarly vying for leadership, with McCarthy and Scalise extending the rivalry to this day.Scalise was in line for the job, but faced a challenge from Jordan, a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, who was viewed as a more hard-edged option, after McCarthy's ouster.Jordan is known for his close&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speaker-mccarthy-capitol-hill-432f89f6826b2b4f51990ae4b4d293fb">alliance with Trump</a>, particularly when the then-president was working to overturn the results of the 2020 election, leading to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump backed Jordan's bid for the gavel.Several lawmakers, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who engineered McCarthy's ouster, said they would be willing to support either Scalise or Jordan.“Long live Speaker Scalise,” Gaetz said after the vote.For now, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who was named as the speaker pro-tempore, is effectively in charge. He has shown little interest in expanding his power beyond the role he was assigned — an interim leader tasked with ensuring the election of the next speaker.The role was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to ensure the continuity of government. McHenry's name was at the top of a list submitted by McCarthy when he became speaker in January.

Republicans nominate Steve Scalise to be House speaker

By&nbsp;Jim Garamone, U.S. Department of Defense

We stand with Israel," the president said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/10/10/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-terrorist-attacks-in-israel-2/">during an announcement at the White House</a>.&nbsp;

The Hamas attack has been exceptionally brutal with hundreds of Israeli civilians killed and thousands wounded in the surprise attack out of Gaza that began Saturday.

(click below to watch the President's comments)

"There's still so many families desperately waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones, not knowing if they are alive or dead or hostages," the president said.

Hamas gunmen also kidnapped civilians and now leaders of the group have threatened to execute them.&nbsp; The State Department on Wednesday said the number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to 22. That’s an increase from the 14 who’d been confirmed dead on Tuesday.

"The brutality of Hamas, its bloodthirstiness, brings to mind the worst rampages of ISIS," Biden said. "This is terrorism."&nbsp;

"We will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack," he continued. &nbsp;

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today and Biden assured him that the U.S. response to the events will be swift, decisive and overwhelming.

"My team has been in near constant communication with our Israeli partners and partners all across the region and the world from the moment this crisis began," the president said. "We're surging additional military assistance, including ammunition, and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome. We are going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens."

Biden said that he will ask Congress "to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. This is not about party or politics; this is about the security of our world, security of the United States of America."&nbsp;

The United States has also enhanced its military force posture in the region to strengthen deterrence. DOD has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean and bolstered fighter aircraft presence in the region.

These moves are not to deter Hamas, but any country or group that may think of taking advantage of the instability and confusion to pursue their own ends. "To any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don't," Biden said. "Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear."

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said there are U.S. citizens among the hostages Hamas has taken. "We are working with the Israeli government and with our regional partners on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the U.S. government to advise the Israeli government and coordinate with them on hostage recovery efforts," he said during a White House news conference. "As the President … said, there is no higher priority than the safety and well-being of American citizens being held hostage overseas."&nbsp;

Sullivan said military supplies are already flowing into Israel with interceptors for the Iron Dome missile defense shield leading the way. "We will be flowing in additional Iron Dome interceptors so that [the Israelis] have the capabilities they need to sustain their Iron Dome defense systems," he said. "We're also looking at other ways that we can help augment their air defense capabilities."&nbsp;

Sullivan said that Iran "is complicit in this attack, in a broad sense," meaning Iran has long funded and trained and supplied the terror group.&nbsp;

Iranian leaders "have provided capabilities, they have provided support, and they have had engagement in contact with Hamas over years and years," he said. "All of that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen now. As to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance, or helped plan or direct this attack? We do not, as of the moment … have confirmation."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697042067511.png" alt="President Joe Biden speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone at the White House, Oct. 10, 2023. -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone at the White House, Oct. 10, 2023. -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;Jim Garamone, U.S. Department of DefenseWe stand with Israel," the president said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/10/10/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-terrorist-attacks-in-israel-2/">during an announcement at the White House</a>.&nbsp;The Hamas attack has been exceptionally brutal with hundreds of Israeli civilians killed and thousands wounded in the surprise attack out of Gaza that began Saturday.(click below to watch the President's comments)<div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7v40bJGqfEo?si=wCspaDDhv7t2n9B0&amp;start=5840" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>"There's still so many families desperately waiting to hear the fate of their loved ones, not knowing if they are alive or dead or hostages," the president said.Hamas gunmen also kidnapped civilians and now leaders of the group have threatened to execute them.&nbsp; The State Department on Wednesday said the number of U.S. citizens confirmed to have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war has risen to 22. That’s an increase from the 14 who’d been confirmed dead on Tuesday."The brutality of Hamas, its bloodthirstiness, brings to mind the worst rampages of ISIS," Biden said. "This is terrorism."&nbsp;"We will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself and respond to this attack," he continued. &nbsp;Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today and Biden assured him that the U.S. response to the events will be swift, decisive and overwhelming."My team has been in near constant communication with our Israeli partners and partners all across the region and the world from the moment this crisis began," the president said. "We're surging additional military assistance, including ammunition, and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome. We are going to make sure that Israel does not run out of these critical assets to defend its cities and its citizens."Biden said that he will ask Congress "to take urgent action to fund the national security requirements of our critical partners. This is not about party or politics; this is about the security of our world, security of the United States of America."&nbsp;The United States has also enhanced its military force posture in the region to strengthen deterrence. DOD has moved the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean and bolstered fighter aircraft presence in the region.These moves are not to deter Hamas, but any country or group that may think of taking advantage of the instability and confusion to pursue their own ends. "To any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation, I have one word: Don't," Biden said. "Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear."National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said there are U.S. citizens among the hostages Hamas has taken. "We are working with the Israeli government and with our regional partners on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the U.S. government to advise the Israeli government and coordinate with them on hostage recovery efforts," he said during a White House news conference. "As the President … said, there is no higher priority than the safety and well-being of American citizens being held hostage overseas."&nbsp;Sullivan said military supplies are already flowing into Israel with interceptors for the Iron Dome missile defense shield leading the way. "We will be flowing in additional Iron Dome interceptors so that [the Israelis] have the capabilities they need to sustain their Iron Dome defense systems," he said. "We're also looking at other ways that we can help augment their air defense capabilities."&nbsp;Sullivan said that Iran "is complicit in this attack, in a broad sense," meaning Iran has long funded and trained and supplied the terror group.&nbsp;Iranian leaders "have provided capabilities, they have provided support, and they have had engagement in contact with Hamas over years and years," he said. "All of that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen now. As to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance, or helped plan or direct this attack? We do not, as of the moment … have confirmation."

🎥 Number of US citizens killed in Israel continues to climb

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Secretary of State’s office announced today that county officials have finished verifying thousands of signatures collected this summer to place LB 753 before Nebraska voters on the November 2024 ballot. The Secretary of State’s certification means election officials have confirmed petition circulators met all constitutional requirements. In August, public school supporters submitted 117,145 signatures - nearly twice the required number - from 5% of registered voters in more than 60 counties, far surpassing the 38-county requirement.&nbsp;

“The overwhelming success of this petition sends a clear message to the Governor and state lawmakers: Nebraskans want to vote on the issue of diverting public tax dollars to pay for private schools,” said Jenni Benson, a sponsor of&nbsp;<a href="https://supportourschoolsnebraska.org/" target="_blank">Support Our Schools Nebraska</a>&nbsp;and president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsea.org/" target="_blank">Nebraska State Education Association</a>. “This was a decisive victory and the first step to ensure public funds are used to support public schools, not private schools. Nebraskans cannot afford to pay for two school systems. Now we redouble our efforts to inform Nebraskans of the harm LB 753 will cause if it is not repealed.”

The controversial bill was signed into law earlier this year after numerous failed attempts and despite strong opposition from a diverse coalition of parents, teachers, faith leaders, and education policy experts. Polling consistently shows most Nebraskans oppose measures that divert public dollars to private schools, with 55% of likely voters in favor of repealing LB 753. Nebraska is currently the only state with a school privatization referendum on the ballot in 2024.

“Time and again, voters across the country have rejected voucher schemes, which have proven to be expensive, unaccountable, and ineffective. Next November, the nation’s eyes will be on us, but Nebraskans know better. We saw the devastating consequences of privatization on our child welfare system, and we won’t let that happen to our public schools, which are some of the best in the nation and the heart of our communities,” said Connie Duncan, board president of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.standforschools.org/" target="_blank">Stand For Schools</a>, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing public education in Nebraska.

The national attention will also mean continued interference in Nebraska’s elections by out-of-state special interest groups like those affiliated with Betsy DeVos, a Michigan billionaire, who is the primary financial backer of LB 753 and who has been pressuring Nebraska policymakers to pass school vouchers for years. According to campaign filings with the&nbsp;<a href="https://nadc.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission</a>, DeVos-funded groups still have millions of out-of-state dollars to spend during the 2024 election cycle after spending $710,000 on legislative races in 2022 and over $1 million this summer in an unsuccessful effort to thwart the Support Our Schools Nebraska petition and prevent Nebraskans from voting on LB 753.&nbsp;

Brad Christian-Sallis, Director of Power Building with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nebraskatable.org/" target="_blank">Nebraska Civic Engagement Table</a>, said, "Despite the attempts of some politicians and wealthy special interests to deny everyday Nebraskans a voice, the people have spoken. Nebraskans have clearly said, 'We want to protect and support our public schools and the children they serve.' That’s because we understand our communities thrive when we invest in public education, and not by giving away resources to those with no accountability to the public. By repealing LB753 we can stop essential resources from being taken away from our communities, our public schools, and our children."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687548567793.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Karen KilgarinLINCOLN – The Nebraska Secretary of State’s office announced today that county officials have finished verifying thousands of signatures collected this summer to place LB 753 before Nebraska voters on the November 2024 ballot. The Secretary of State’s certification means election officials have confirmed petition circulators met all constitutional requirements. In August, public school supporters submitted 117,145 signatures - nearly twice the required number - from 5% of registered voters in more than 60 counties, far surpassing the 38-county requirement.&nbsp;“The overwhelming success of this petition sends a clear message to the Governor and state lawmakers: Nebraskans want to vote on the issue of diverting public tax dollars to pay for private schools,” said Jenni Benson, a sponsor of&nbsp;<a href="https://supportourschoolsnebraska.org/" target="_blank">Support Our Schools Nebraska</a>&nbsp;and president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsea.org/" target="_blank">Nebraska State Education Association</a>. “This was a decisive victory and the first step to ensure public funds are used to support public schools, not private schools. Nebraskans cannot afford to pay for two school systems. Now we redouble our efforts to inform Nebraskans of the harm LB 753 will cause if it is not repealed.”The controversial bill was signed into law earlier this year after numerous failed attempts and despite strong opposition from a diverse coalition of parents, teachers, faith leaders, and education policy experts. Polling consistently shows most Nebraskans oppose measures that divert public dollars to private schools, with 55% of likely voters in favor of repealing LB 753. Nebraska is currently the only state with a school privatization referendum on the ballot in 2024.“Time and again, voters across the country have rejected voucher schemes, which have proven to be expensive, unaccountable, and ineffective. Next November, the nation’s eyes will be on us, but Nebraskans know better. We saw the devastating consequences of privatization on our child welfare system, and we won’t let that happen to our public schools, which are some of the best in the nation and the heart of our communities,” said Connie Duncan, board president of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.standforschools.org/" target="_blank">Stand For Schools</a>, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing public education in Nebraska.The national attention will also mean continued interference in Nebraska’s elections by out-of-state special interest groups like those affiliated with Betsy DeVos, a Michigan billionaire, who is the primary financial backer of LB 753 and who has been pressuring Nebraska policymakers to pass school vouchers for years. According to campaign filings with the&nbsp;<a href="https://nadc.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission</a>, DeVos-funded groups still have millions of out-of-state dollars to spend during the 2024 election cycle after spending $710,000 on legislative races in 2022 and over $1 million this summer in an unsuccessful effort to thwart the Support Our Schools Nebraska petition and prevent Nebraskans from voting on LB 753.&nbsp;Brad Christian-Sallis, Director of Power Building with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nebraskatable.org/" target="_blank">Nebraska Civic Engagement Table</a>, said, "Despite the attempts of some politicians and wealthy special interests to deny everyday Nebraskans a voice, the people have spoken. Nebraskans have clearly said, 'We want to protect and support our public schools and the children they serve.' That’s because we understand our communities thrive when we invest in public education, and not by giving away resources to those with no accountability to the public. By repealing LB753 we can stop essential resources from being taken away from our communities, our public schools, and our children."Under LB753, taxpayers can divert up to half of what they owe in state taxes to support private schools. Individuals and corporations can annually divert up to $100,000, while estates and trusts can divert $1 million. Statewide, the dollar-for-dollar tax credits could grow to $100 million within 10 years, reducing state revenues available to fund public education and other priorities.“We know Nebraska voters care about their tax dollars, and the next 13 months are a great opportunity for Nebraskans to learn about the tax implications of LB 753,” said Dr. Rebecca Firestone, Executive Director of&nbsp;OpenSky Policy Institute. “With LB 753 on the ballot in November 2024, we can have a public discussion about how we pay for our schools and whether tax dollars are going to the priorities that all of us care about as voters, or whether we want Nebraska’s policymakers to keep directing state dollars to opaque tax breaks that are likely to benefit some taxpayers over others.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Beyond its fiscal consequences, those working to repeal LB 753 have serious concerns about its impact on students, families, and teachers. The bill lacks necessary transparency and accountability requirements, which are especially important given that private schools are allowed to discriminate in admissions and disciplinary decisions, unlike public schools which are open to all children.&nbsp;"Public education is not only a public good, it’s a moral one,” said Rev. Michael Williams, president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/omaha.naacp/" target="_blank">Omaha NAACP</a>&nbsp;and community affairs liaison with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bpmc-omaha.org/" target="_blank">Baptist Pastors and Ministers Conference of Omaha</a>. “These so-called scholarship programs won't help the kids in my neighborhood because it's not about helping low-income kids. It's about creating another way for wealthy people and corporations to avoid paying their fair share in taxes. That's an opportunity the rest of us don't get, and it will hurt the community schools that provide opportunities for every child - no matter their race, religion, language or special need."The Support Our Schools coalition wishes to thank the thousands of individuals who volunteered their time, donated their hard-earned dollars, signed the petition, and ultimately ensured that all Nebraska voters will get to exercise their right, as our state’s Second House, in November 2024 to&nbsp;repeal LB 753 and keep public dollars for public schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;Groups that support repealing LB 753 include the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, the ARC of Nebraska, the Nebraska Farmers Union, the Parent-Teacher Association of Nebraska, Holland Children’s Movement, Stand For Schools Nebraska, OpenSky Policy Institute, Omaha NAACP, Nebraska State Education Association, Center for Rural Affairs, Baptist Pastors and Ministers Conference of Omaha.&nbsp;For more information on the campaign to repeal LB 753, please visit:Website:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://supportourschoolsnebraska.org/" target="_blank">https://supportourschoolsnebraska.org/</a>Facebook:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SOSNebraska" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/SOSNebraska</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Twitter: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SOSNebraska" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/SOSNebraska</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Instagram:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sosnebraska" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/sosnebraska</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;