Nearly 21 million children in the U.S. and its territories are expected to receive food benefits this summer through a newly permanent federal program, the United States Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

Thirty-five states, all five U.S. territories and four tribes opted into the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or Summer EBT, which the government says is meant to supplement existing programs during the summer that have had a more limited reach.

“No child in this country should go hungry,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an interview with The Associated Press. “They certainly shouldn’t go hungry because they lose access to nutritious school meals during the summer months."

In December 2022, Congress made Summer EBT permanent starting in 2024 after the USDA had tested it for several years. The states that chose not to opt in for this summer will have a chance to join for summer 2025, the USDA said.

Families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches (that is, families who are at or under 185% of the federal poverty line) will be eligible for Summer EBT, which will cover about 70% of the eligible population in its first year.

In an October report,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunger-food-us-increase-inflation-pandemic-report-49fe26f083583d6efa66c6509657a741">the USDA said an estimated 17 million households in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;reported problems finding enough food in 2022. That was up from 13.5 million in 2021, when there was more pandemic-era federal food aid.

Eligible families will receive $40 per month per child during the summer — a total of $120 per child. The money will be loaded on an EBT card, which can be used at stores that also take Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The USDA estimates it will provide a total of $2.5 billion in grocery benefits in 2024 through the Summer EBT program.

The Cherokee Nation is one of the four tribes that'll be a part of the inaugural summer. Cherokee National Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said it was an easy decision.

“I think we’re seeing a lot of pressures on households in terms of rent or other housing costs, all of that hitting very finite household budgets,” he said, adding, “ … This puts a dent in that overall problem by empowering parents to just simply be able to go out and purchase more food and some healthy options that are available.”

The Cherokee Nation has its headquarters in Tahlequah, Oklahoma — a state that opted out of Summer EBT. Hoskin said he expects more applications from non-tribal citizens who live on the reservation.

Which states will not participate, and why?

Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wyoming chose not to participate this summer.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-summer-ebt-food-program-children-789f2d04bd195086d2e41d0d43b8111c">Nebraska</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://hhs.iowa.gov/news-release/2023-12-22/summer-24-ebt">Iowa</a>&nbsp;and Oklahoma cited existing programs that already feed children during the summer as reasons not to join Summer EBT.

Implementing a Summer EBT program this year was “not feasible” in Texas, state Health and Human Services Commission spokesperson Thomas Vazquez said in a statement to the AP. He said that was due to USDA guidance coming in late December, ”the level of effort needed" to start a new program and the need for the state legislature to approve money for it.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement that he doesn't want "a single Oklahoma child to go hungry, and I’ll keep working to accomplish that, but large, duplicative federal programs don’t accomplish that goal.

“They cause more bureaucracy for families to wade through.”

What other federal summer food programs are available?

All 50 states already administer the Summer Food Service Program, which provides sites where kids can eat for free. Vilsack said he’s worried it doesn't “provide the help for all the children, no matter how well-intentioned it is."

“For the life of me I don’t see why 50 governors aren't doing (Summer EBT)," he said, "but we’re happy that 35 are, we’re happy that territories are in and we’re happy that the tribes are continuing to work with us.”

Associated PressNearly 21 million children in the U.S. and its territories are expected to receive food benefits this summer through a newly permanent federal program, the United States Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.Thirty-five states, all five U.S. territories and four tribes opted into the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or Summer EBT, which the government says is meant to supplement existing programs during the summer that have had a more limited reach.“No child in this country should go hungry,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an interview with The Associated Press. “They certainly shouldn’t go hungry because they lose access to nutritious school meals during the summer months."In December 2022, Congress made Summer EBT permanent starting in 2024 after the USDA had tested it for several years. The states that chose not to opt in for this summer will have a chance to join for summer 2025, the USDA said.Who is eligible for Summer EBT?Families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches (that is, families who are at or under 185% of the federal poverty line) will be eligible for Summer EBT, which will cover about 70% of the eligible population in its first year.In an October report,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunger-food-us-increase-inflation-pandemic-report-49fe26f083583d6efa66c6509657a741">the USDA said an estimated 17 million households in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;reported problems finding enough food in 2022. That was up from 13.5 million in 2021, when there was more pandemic-era federal food aid.How much do families get?Eligible families will receive $40 per month per child during the summer — a total of $120 per child. The money will be loaded on an EBT card, which can be used at stores that also take Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.The USDA estimates it will provide a total of $2.5 billion in grocery benefits in 2024 through the Summer EBT program.Who opted in?The Cherokee Nation is one of the four tribes that'll be a part of the inaugural summer. Cherokee National Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said it was an easy decision.“I think we’re seeing a lot of pressures on households in terms of rent or other housing costs, all of that hitting very finite household budgets,” he said, adding, “ … This puts a dent in that overall problem by empowering parents to just simply be able to go out and purchase more food and some healthy options that are available.”The Cherokee Nation has its headquarters in Tahlequah, Oklahoma — a state that opted out of Summer EBT. Hoskin said he expects more applications from non-tribal citizens who live on the reservation.Which states will not participate, and why?Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wyoming chose not to participate this summer.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-summer-ebt-food-program-children-789f2d04bd195086d2e41d0d43b8111c">Nebraska</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://hhs.iowa.gov/news-release/2023-12-22/summer-24-ebt">Iowa</a>&nbsp;and Oklahoma cited existing programs that already feed children during the summer as reasons not to join Summer EBT.Implementing a Summer EBT program this year was “not feasible” in Texas, state Health and Human Services Commission spokesperson Thomas Vazquez said in a statement to the AP. He said that was due to USDA guidance coming in late December, ”the level of effort needed" to start a new program and the need for the state legislature to approve money for it.Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement that he doesn't want "a single Oklahoma child to go hungry, and I’ll keep working to accomplish that, but large, duplicative federal programs don’t accomplish that goal.“They cause more bureaucracy for families to wade through.”What other federal summer food programs are available?All 50 states already administer the Summer Food Service Program, which provides sites where kids can eat for free. Vilsack said he’s worried it doesn't “provide the help for all the children, no matter how well-intentioned it is."“For the life of me I don’t see why 50 governors aren't doing (Summer EBT)," he said, "but we’re happy that 35 are, we’re happy that territories are in and we’re happy that the tribes are continuing to work with us.”

USDA estimates 21 million kids will get summer food benefits through new program in 2024, Nebraska opted out

&nbsp; The Dawson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a hit and run accident that occurred during the evening hours of January 9th into the early morning of the 10th near Cozad. The suspect vehicle is a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup. The year of the vehicle ranges between a 2008 to 2014.

In addition, the suspect vehicle should have damage to the passenger side with possibly maroon paint transfer. The passenger side mirror should also be damaged. If you have any information about this incident or about the suspect vehicle, please contact the Dawson County Sheriff's Office at (308) 324-3011.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dawson County Sheriff's Office&nbsp; The Dawson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a hit and run accident that occurred during the evening hours of January 9th into the early morning of the 10th near Cozad. The suspect vehicle is a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup. The year of the vehicle ranges between a 2008 to 2014.In addition, the suspect vehicle should have damage to the passenger side with possibly maroon paint transfer. The passenger side mirror should also be damaged. If you have any information about this incident or about the suspect vehicle, please contact the Dawson County Sheriff's Office at (308) 324-3011.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdawsoncountysheriff%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02Z1e2X8Pfv2rhCrX5WHeJubRSpi5U1JyFhFeuWcKCwQYFJpkUK1JxXxdNtLidh5Swl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="303" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Dawson County Sheriff's Office investigating a hit and run near Cozad

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVID%20KOENIG%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writer</a>

Alaska Airlines is canceling through Saturday all flights on Boeing 737 Max 9 planes like the one that suffered an in-flight blowout of a fuselage panel last week as it waits for new instructions from Boeing and federal officials on how to inspect the fleet.

The development came as signs indicate some travelers might try to avoid flying on Max 9 jetliners — at least temporarily.

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines said Wednesday that it would cancel 110 to 150 flights a day while the Max 9 planes remain grounded. By midday, Alaska had canceled about 120 flights — one-fifth of its schedule for the day.

“We hope this action provides guests with a little more certainty, and we are working around the clock to reaccommodate impacted guests on other flights,” the airline said on its website.

United Airlines, the only other U.S. carrier that operates the Max 9, had canceled about 200 flights, but it was not clear how many were related to the Boeing plane.

The Federal Aviation Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-airlines-portland-oregon-emergency-landing-b522e36ff228b5ea9a89ea13ee24f597">grounded all Max 9s</a>&nbsp;in the United States on Saturday, the day after a panel called a door plug&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-airlines-portland-oregon-emergency-landing-0a0378cf2ca6d5567e18d4cda74a0978">blew off an Alaska Airlines jet</a>&nbsp;over Oregon, leaving a hole in the side of the plane. The plug replaces extra doors that are used on Max 9s that are outfitted with more seats than Alaska uses.

The pilots of flight 1282 were able to return to Portland, Oregon, and make a safe emergency landing. No serious injuries were reported.

The FAA approved inspection and repair guidelines developed by Boeing on Monday. However, on Tuesday the agency ordered Boeing to revise the instructions based on “feedback received in response.”

Alaska and United both reported finding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-investigation-ntsb-safety-airplanes-d9e28fe1a11dafe4f639268504bdb85f">loose bolts and other problems</a>&nbsp;in the panel doors of an unspecified number of other Max 9s that they had begun to inspect.

A Boeing spokesman said Wednesday that the company is updating inspection procedures based on “feedback and requirements” from FAA and the airlines. The FAA repeated an earlier statement in which it said safety would determine how soon the planes return to service.

The door plugs are installed by Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, but investigators have not said which company's employees last worked on the plug on the ill-fated Alaska plane.

Earlier this week, Boeing CEO David Calhoun told employees at the 737 factory in Renton, Washington, that the company was “acknowledging our mistake ... and that this event can never happen again.”

Boeing, which is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, didn't allow reporters to attend the event, but it released a four-minute clip in which Calhoun stressed safety and said that Boeing's airline customers are watching the company's response to the current crisis.

“Moments like this shake them to the bone, just like it shook me to the bone,” he said, adding that Boeing must reassure airlines that the planes are safe.

“We will see our way through to that, but we need to know that we are starting from a very anxious moment for our customers,” he told the Boeing employees.

Some travelers are watching the unfolding investigation too.

Kayak, a travel-search site owned by Booking Holdings, said Wednesday that after the blowout on the Alaska flight, it saw a three-fold jump in the number of people filtering their searches to isolate the type of aircraft. The jump — from low numbers, a Kayak spokeswoman acknowledged — led the site to make its airplane-type filter easier to find.

“Anytime an aircraft model becomes a household name, something has gone wrong,” said Scott Keyes, founder of the travel site Going. “A heck of a lot more people are checking their aircraft this week than last week.”

But once the FAA clears the planes to fly — “and assuming no other incidents” — the public's memory will fade, Keyes said. Within six months, few people will be paying attention to the aircraft type when booking a flight, he predicted.

The Max — of which there are two models flying, the 8 and larger 9, and two more in development — is the latest version of Boeing's half-century-old 737. Two Max 8 jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people, and the plane&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-alaska-airlines-emergency-door-plug-1ef6d34c42fb22935c03a9cea46dd814">has been dogged</a>&nbsp;by manufacturing quality problems since then.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVID%20KOENIG%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writer</a>Alaska Airlines is canceling through Saturday all flights on Boeing 737 Max 9 planes like the one that suffered an in-flight blowout of a fuselage panel last week as it waits for new instructions from Boeing and federal officials on how to inspect the fleet.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">For the very latest, including information on the systemwide travel waiver currently in place, visit: <a href="https://t.co/EWhHuhqMtG">https://t.co/EWhHuhqMtG</a> <a href="https://t.co/DztwoSLXPK">pic.twitter.com/DztwoSLXPK</a>&mdash; Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlaskaAir/status/1744864134708027762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The development came as signs indicate some travelers might try to avoid flying on Max 9 jetliners — at least temporarily.Seattle-based Alaska Airlines said Wednesday that it would cancel 110 to 150 flights a day while the Max 9 planes remain grounded. By midday, Alaska had canceled about 120 flights — one-fifth of its schedule for the day.“We hope this action provides guests with a little more certainty, and we are working around the clock to reaccommodate impacted guests on other flights,” the airline said on its website.United Airlines, the only other U.S. carrier that operates the Max 9, had canceled about 200 flights, but it was not clear how many were related to the Boeing plane.The Federal Aviation Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-airlines-portland-oregon-emergency-landing-b522e36ff228b5ea9a89ea13ee24f597">grounded all Max 9s</a>&nbsp;in the United States on Saturday, the day after a panel called a door plug&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alaska-airlines-portland-oregon-emergency-landing-0a0378cf2ca6d5567e18d4cda74a0978">blew off an Alaska Airlines jet</a>&nbsp;over Oregon, leaving a hole in the side of the plane. The plug replaces extra doors that are used on Max 9s that are outfitted with more seats than Alaska uses.The pilots of flight 1282 were able to return to Portland, Oregon, and make a safe emergency landing. No serious injuries were reported.The FAA approved inspection and repair guidelines developed by Boeing on Monday. However, on Tuesday the agency ordered Boeing to revise the instructions based on “feedback received in response.”Alaska and United both reported finding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-investigation-ntsb-safety-airplanes-d9e28fe1a11dafe4f639268504bdb85f">loose bolts and other problems</a>&nbsp;in the panel doors of an unspecified number of other Max 9s that they had begun to inspect.A Boeing spokesman said Wednesday that the company is updating inspection procedures based on “feedback and requirements” from FAA and the airlines. The FAA repeated an earlier statement in which it said safety would determine how soon the planes return to service.The door plugs are installed by Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, but investigators have not said which company's employees last worked on the plug on the ill-fated Alaska plane.Earlier this week, Boeing CEO David Calhoun told employees at the 737 factory in Renton, Washington, that the company was “acknowledging our mistake ... and that this event can never happen again.”Boeing, which is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, didn't allow reporters to attend the event, but it released a four-minute clip in which Calhoun stressed safety and said that Boeing's airline customers are watching the company's response to the current crisis.“Moments like this shake them to the bone, just like it shook me to the bone,” he said, adding that Boeing must reassure airlines that the planes are safe.“We will see our way through to that, but we need to know that we are starting from a very anxious moment for our customers,” he told the Boeing employees.Some travelers are watching the unfolding investigation too.Kayak, a travel-search site owned by Booking Holdings, said Wednesday that after the blowout on the Alaska flight, it saw a three-fold jump in the number of people filtering their searches to isolate the type of aircraft. The jump — from low numbers, a Kayak spokeswoman acknowledged — led the site to make its airplane-type filter easier to find.“Anytime an aircraft model becomes a household name, something has gone wrong,” said Scott Keyes, founder of the travel site Going. “A heck of a lot more people are checking their aircraft this week than last week.”But once the FAA clears the planes to fly — “and assuming no other incidents” — the public's memory will fade, Keyes said. Within six months, few people will be paying attention to the aircraft type when booking a flight, he predicted.The Max — of which there are two models flying, the 8 and larger 9, and two more in development — is the latest version of Boeing's half-century-old 737. Two Max 8 jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people, and the plane&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-alaska-airlines-emergency-door-plug-1ef6d34c42fb22935c03a9cea46dd814">has been dogged</a>&nbsp;by manufacturing quality problems since then.

More flights canceled on certain Boeing planes for mandatory inspections

Statement from Jenni Benson, Support Our Schools Nebraska,&nbsp;regarding Sen. Linehan’s letter to the Nebraska Secretary of State seeking an about-face on the certification of the Repeal LB753 referendum petition.

&nbsp;&nbsp; “Nebraskans have made it very clear they want to vote on whether to divert tax dollars to private schools.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Secretary of State certified and has made clear that the Repeal LB753 referendum petition met all statutory and constitutional requirements to put this issue on the ballot for the voters to decide.

&nbsp;&nbsp; Sen. Linehan has made it clear that she and her billionaire buddies are afraid to let Nebraskans vote on whether to repeal LB753. &nbsp;They failed miserably in their attempt to derail the petition drive. They will attempt everything they can to try to deny Nebraska voters the right to vote on this issue.

&nbsp;&nbsp; Now let me be clear: &nbsp;Support Our Schools Nebraska will not back down from Linehan, Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos or any others who seek to impose their will on Nebraska voters.”

From OpenSky Executive Director Dr. Rebecca Firestone:

&nbsp;&nbsp; "Every year, elected officials ask voters to weigh in on revenue issues through bond elections, and it was the Legislature who gave voters the opportunity to override revenue caps that the state imposed on local school districts.

&nbsp;&nbsp; Preventing voters from weighing in on state revenue policy undermines democracy, stifles public participation and removes a check on elected officials that is a hallmark of Nebraska’s unicameral system."

Karen KilgarenStatement from Jenni Benson, Support Our Schools Nebraska,&nbsp;regarding Sen. Linehan’s letter to the Nebraska Secretary of State seeking an about-face on the certification of the Repeal LB753 referendum petition.&nbsp;&nbsp; “Nebraskans have made it very clear they want to vote on whether to divert tax dollars to private schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Secretary of State certified and has made clear that the Repeal LB753 referendum petition met all statutory and constitutional requirements to put this issue on the ballot for the voters to decide.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sen. Linehan has made it clear that she and her billionaire buddies are afraid to let Nebraskans vote on whether to repeal LB753. &nbsp;They failed miserably in their attempt to derail the petition drive. They will attempt everything they can to try to deny Nebraska voters the right to vote on this issue.&nbsp;&nbsp; Now let me be clear: &nbsp;Support Our Schools Nebraska will not back down from Linehan, Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos or any others who seek to impose their will on Nebraska voters.”From OpenSky Executive Director Dr. Rebecca Firestone:&nbsp;&nbsp; "Every year, elected officials ask voters to weigh in on revenue issues through bond elections, and it was the Legislature who gave voters the opportunity to override revenue caps that the state imposed on local school districts.&nbsp;&nbsp; Preventing voters from weighing in on state revenue policy undermines democracy, stifles public participation and removes a check on elected officials that is a hallmark of Nebraska’s unicameral system."

RESPONSE to Linehan Letter to Sec of State seeking to deny voter rights (Repeal LB753)

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;made a surprise visit to a Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday as Republicans were taking the first step toward holding President Joe Biden's son in contempt of Congress for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-investigation-impeachment-0226bb1041d7b5c10bc8c33e5d98b5e0">defying a congressional subpoena</a>&nbsp;in a bitterly contested standoff

The arrival of president's son arrival at the Oversight Committee, sitting in the audience with his legal team, including attorney Abbe Lowell, sent the panel that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">is working to impeach President Biden</a>&nbsp;into a political frenzy.

One Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, insisted that Hunter Biden be quickly arrested. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called him a coward as he left during her remarks. Democratic lawmakers argued that Biden, who has refused to testify to the panel behind closed doors, should be allowed to speak publicly.

Hunter Biden has defended his lack of compliance with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">the GOP-issued subpoena</a>, which ordered him to appear for closed-door testimony in mid-December. Biden and his attorneys said information from private interviews can be selectively leaked and manipulated by House Republicans and insisted that he would only testify in public

On Wednesday, Committee Chairman James Comer struggled to regain control. “Mr. Biden doesn’t make the rules, we make the rules,” he said.

The House Oversight and Judiciary committees will each vote on contempt resolutions that seem likely to result in the U.S. House recommending criminal charges as Republicans move into the final stages of their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">impeachment inquiry into the president himself.</a>

It's the latest step for the inquiry, which began in September, but has so far failed to uncover evidence directly implicating the president in wrongdoing involving his son's business dealings.

If the committees approve the contempt resolutions as expected, they will go to the full House for consideration. And if the House votes to hold Hunter Biden in contempt, it will be up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-merrick-garland-adam-schiff-subpoenas-7051b957a80ef6a5f84016124b00682f">the Department of Justice to decide</a>&nbsp;whether to prosecute.

The contempt referral would be yet another headache for federal prosecutors already under heavy scrutiny for their handling of charges against Hunter Biden related to his taxes and gun use.

Shelving the contempt of Congress charges would likely further stoke conservative criticism that the Justice Department is politicized — especially given that two one-time advisers to former President Donald Trump were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-congress-donald-trump-sentencing-36d412eba9e1609a030859852378ae3d">prosecuted</a>&nbsp;for contempt of Congress by the Biden administration. But prosecuting contempt cases can be difficult.

“It’s clear the Republican chairmen aren’t interested in getting the facts or they would allow Hunter to testify publicly,” Hunter Biden’s attorney, Lowell, said in a statement Friday. “Instead, House Republicans continue to play politics by seeking an unprecedented contempt motion against someone who has from the first request offered to answer all their proper questions.”

Further angering Republicans, Hunter Biden did come to the Capitol on the day specified by the subpoena — but not to testify. Instead, he stood behind microphones outside the U.S. Capitol complex — a couple hundred feet away from the awaiting GOP investigators — and delivered a rare public statement defending his business affairs and castigating the yearslong investigations into him and his family.

“There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen,” the president's son said in those remarks.

He added, "There is no fairness or decency in what these Republicans are doing — they have lied over and over about every aspect of my personal and professional life — so much so that their lies have become the false facts believed by too many people.

After delivering the statement to the media, Hunter Biden left the Capitol grounds.

The contempt resolution, released by Republicans on Monday, reads, “Mr. Biden’s flagrant defiance of the Committees’ deposition subpoenas — while choosing to appear nearby on the Capitol grounds to read a prepared statement on the same matters — is contemptuous, and he must be held accountable for his unlawful actions.”

While Republicans say their inquiry is ultimately focused on the president, they have taken particular interest in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;and his overseas business dealings, questioning whether the president profited from that work.

Republicans have also focused a large part of their investigation on whistleblower allegations that there has been political interference in the long-running Justice Department investigation into Hunter Biden.

The committees' votes Wednesday on contempt of Congress come a day before Hunter Biden is scheduled to make his first court appearance on tax charges filed by a special counsel in Los Angeles. He is facing three felony and six misdemeanor counts, including filing a false return, tax evasion, failure to file and failure to pay.

His lawyer has accused David Weiss, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-david-weiss-congress-republicans-aed25541b709a57371cdfe1582be0c5a">special counsel</a>&nbsp;overseeing the yearslong case, of “bowing to Republican pressure” by bringing the charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704904282755.png" alt="After delivering the statement to the media, Hunter Biden left the Capitol grounds.-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>After delivering the statement to the media, Hunter Biden left the Capitol grounds.-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;made a surprise visit to a Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday as Republicans were taking the first step toward holding President Joe Biden's son in contempt of Congress for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-investigation-impeachment-0226bb1041d7b5c10bc8c33e5d98b5e0">defying a congressional subpoena</a>&nbsp;in a bitterly contested standoff<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepNancyMace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepNancyMace</a>: &quot;Who bribed Hunter Biden to be here today? That&#39;s my first question. Second question, you are the epitome of white privilege...what are you afraid of? You have no balls to come up here...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Wd9WbMP5bJ">pic.twitter.com/Wd9WbMP5bJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1745104946377154656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The arrival of president's son arrival at the Oversight Committee, sitting in the audience with his legal team, including attorney Abbe Lowell, sent the panel that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">is working to impeach President Biden</a>&nbsp;into a political frenzy.One Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, insisted that Hunter Biden be quickly arrested. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called him a coward as he left during her remarks. Democratic lawmakers argued that Biden, who has refused to testify to the panel behind closed doors, should be allowed to speak publicly.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepMoskowitz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMoskowitz</a> while Hunter Biden was in the room: &quot;Let&#39;s vote. Let&#39;s take a vote. Who wants to hear from Hunter right now, today? Anyone?&quot; He continues, &quot;There&#39;s no one, other than one or two, that want to hear from the witness... with the American people watching.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/6HWZiFcsha">pic.twitter.com/6HWZiFcsha</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1745118848297177100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hunter Biden has defended his lack of compliance with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">the GOP-issued subpoena</a>, which ordered him to appear for closed-door testimony in mid-December. Biden and his attorneys said information from private interviews can be selectively leaked and manipulated by House Republicans and insisted that he would only testify in publicOn Wednesday, Committee Chairman James Comer struggled to regain control. “Mr. Biden doesn’t make the rules, we make the rules,” he said.The House Oversight and Judiciary committees will each vote on contempt resolutions that seem likely to result in the U.S. House recommending criminal charges as Republicans move into the final stages of their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">impeachment inquiry into the president himself.</a>It's the latest step for the inquiry, which began in September, but has so far failed to uncover evidence directly implicating the president in wrongdoing involving his son's business dealings.If the committees approve the contempt resolutions as expected, they will go to the full House for consideration. And if the House votes to hold Hunter Biden in contempt, it will be up to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-merrick-garland-adam-schiff-subpoenas-7051b957a80ef6a5f84016124b00682f">the Department of Justice to decide</a>&nbsp;whether to prosecute.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hunter Biden departs hearing.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepMTG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMTG</a>: &quot;I think it&#39;s clear and obvious for everyone watching this hearing today that Hunter Biden is terrified of strong conservative Republican women because he can&#39;t even face my words as I was about to speak to him. What a coward.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MaIkmDIMbv">pic.twitter.com/MaIkmDIMbv</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1745108433072804071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The contempt referral would be yet another headache for federal prosecutors already under heavy scrutiny for their handling of charges against Hunter Biden related to his taxes and gun use.Shelving the contempt of Congress charges would likely further stoke conservative criticism that the Justice Department is politicized — especially given that two one-time advisers to former President Donald Trump were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-congress-donald-trump-sentencing-36d412eba9e1609a030859852378ae3d">prosecuted</a>&nbsp;for contempt of Congress by the Biden administration. But prosecuting contempt cases can be difficult.“It’s clear the Republican chairmen aren’t interested in getting the facts or they would allow Hunter to testify publicly,” Hunter Biden’s attorney, Lowell, said in a statement Friday. “Instead, House Republicans continue to play politics by seeking an unprecedented contempt motion against someone who has from the first request offered to answer all their proper questions.”He added, “What are they afraid of?”Further angering Republicans, Hunter Biden did come to the Capitol on the day specified by the subpoena — but not to testify. Instead, he stood behind microphones outside the U.S. Capitol complex — a couple hundred feet away from the awaiting GOP investigators — and delivered a rare public statement defending his business affairs and castigating the yearslong investigations into him and his family.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: Hunter Biden news conference. <a href="https://t.co/MovQT3qMLJ">pic.twitter.com/MovQT3qMLJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1735054990631125216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“There is no evidence to support the allegations that my father was financially involved in my business because it did not happen,” the president's son said in those remarks.He added, "There is no fairness or decency in what these Republicans are doing — they have lied over and over about every aspect of my personal and professional life — so much so that their lies have become the false facts believed by too many people.After delivering the statement to the media, Hunter Biden left the Capitol grounds.The contempt resolution, released by Republicans on Monday, reads, “Mr. Biden’s flagrant defiance of the Committees’ deposition subpoenas — while choosing to appear nearby on the Capitol grounds to read a prepared statement on the same matters — is contemptuous, and he must be held accountable for his unlawful actions.”While Republicans say their inquiry is ultimately focused on the president, they have taken particular interest in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;and his overseas business dealings, questioning whether the president profited from that work.Republicans have also focused a large part of their investigation on whistleblower allegations that there has been political interference in the long-running Justice Department investigation into Hunter Biden.The committees' votes Wednesday on contempt of Congress come a day before Hunter Biden is scheduled to make his first court appearance on tax charges filed by a special counsel in Los Angeles. He is facing three felony and six misdemeanor counts, including filing a false return, tax evasion, failure to file and failure to pay.His lawyer has accused David Weiss, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-david-weiss-congress-republicans-aed25541b709a57371cdfe1582be0c5a">special counsel</a>&nbsp;overseeing the yearslong case, of “bowing to Republican pressure” by bringing the charges.

🎥Capitol Hill chaos: Hunter Biden makes surprise appearance at hearing

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/09/sen-linehans-letter-seeks-to-boot-referendum-on-opportunity-scholarships-off-nebraska-ballot/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, the author of Nebraska’s Opportunity Scholarships Act, asked Secretary of State Bob Evnen on Tuesday not to allow a ballot initiative that could repeal a new tax break for helping low-income kids attend private schools.&nbsp;

Linehan’s core argument is that the Nebraska Constitution reserves the power to set and raise revenues expressly for the Legislature. Linehan wants Evnen to reconsider his October certification of the Support Our Schools petition effort for the November 2024 ballot.

She said several lawyers she consulted questioned whether a referendum can repeal a revenue-setting law. But this was the first time any of them knew of a Nebraska referendum involving a revenue law already in effect, she said.&nbsp;

Her letter to Evnen cites Article VIII, Section 1 of the State Constitution, which says the “necessary revenue of the state and its governmental subdivisions shall be raised by taxation in such manner as the Legislature may direct.”&nbsp;

The constitution also says only the Legislature can undo revenue laws, she and her attorneys wrote. Linehan said Tuesday she has been exploring this option since September but wanted to make sure lawyers agreed with her approach.&nbsp;

“I’m not a lawyer, but it’s pretty basic, clear language,” she said. “On top of that there is a statute that says only the Legislature can do revenue bills.”

Jackie Ourada, spokeswoman for Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, said he “hopes to make a decision as soon as possible” about Linehan’s request but said there is not yet “a set timeline.”

Linehan said school choice advocates are prepared to explore their legal options if Evnen disagrees. Benson said supporters of the repeal referendum are also prepared.

Proponents of protecting public funds for public schools, including Jenni Benson of Support Our Schools, said Linehan seems determined to stop voters from weighing in on diverting public funds for private K-12 education.

“Nebraskans have made it very clear they want to vote on whether to divert tax dollars to private schools,” she said. “The Secretary of State certified and has made clear that the Repeal LB 753 referendum petition met all statutory and constitutional requirements to put this issue on the ballot.”

Benson and others opposing the Opportunity Scholarships Act, including some with ties to the Nebraska State Education Association, have contended that Linehan is helping billionaires who want to save on their taxes.

Those opposing the scholarships act “will not back down” from people seeking to “impose their will on Nebraska voters,” Benson said.

Opponents of the law have said they worry the tax break given for funding scholarships for low-income Nebraskans is one foot in the door for broader, more expensive efforts to fund private school vouchers, mirroring the pattern in some other states, including neighboring Iowa.

Linehan and others defending the Opportunity Scholarships Act, including Gov. Jim Pillen, have said that some children need more options than their local public schools. They also say competition for students is good.

Lauren Gage, a former spokeswoman for Keep Kids First, who works now for the scholarship-granting organization Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, said she is pleased to see people try to protect the new law.&nbsp;

She said the law has helped an idea become more tangible for families “who see a glimmer of hope.” She said it would be “tragic” to stop the law before more people benefit. She said they “serve families who wanted a better educational opportunity and just couldn’t afford it.”&nbsp;

“We’ve heard from hundreds of families interested in the scholarships and our application process isn’t even open yet,” Gage said.

The Nebraska Catholic Conference, which supports the scholarships, anxiously awaits Evnen’s response, said&nbsp;Tom Venzor, executive director.

Under the new law, the tax break is capped at $25 million annually for three years and could rise by the tenth year to $100 million. The law lets taxpayers who donate to scholarship-granting organizations a dollar-for-dollar break from their income taxes, for up to half of what they owe.&nbsp;

Linehan’s critics have argued she is protecting her legislative legacy in her final legislative session. She is term-limited in 2025. They also note that her daughter works for a school-choice advocacy organization.

Rebecca Firestone, executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute, which has advocated to protect state funding for public schools, said the premise of Linehan’s legal argument would seem to put school bond elections, municipal bond elections and levy cap overrides at risk.

“Preventing voters from weighing in on state revenue policy undermines democracy, stifles public participation and removes a check on elected officials that is a hallmark of Nebraska’s Unicameral system,” Firestone said.&nbsp;

Asked why she’s trying to stop the referendum this way, Linehan said she believes in the constitution and the law. She said it appears referendums can’t reverse revenue or spending measures by the Legislature.&nbsp;

“It’s because the Legislature has to look at the whole picture, revenue and appropriations,” Linehan said.

University of Nebraska law professor Anthony Schutz, who has argued the Opportunity Scholarships Act itself might violate the State Constitution’s provision on appropriating public money to private schools, said Linehan’s legal argument has some holes.

Schutz, an expert on the Nebraska Constitution, said the document reserves powers for the people “separate and higher than the Legislature.” He said the only power not granted to the referendum process in his read is “appropriations.”&nbsp;

Since Linehan’s law was designed, in part, as a revenue bill to avoid triggering that provision, he said it either is open to the referendum process or an appropriations bill that is open to a legal challenge on constitutional grounds.&nbsp;

He said the people reserved for themselves the power to repeal existing laws and to write their own.

“I think this is a pretty steep hill for them to climb,” he said. “The people wanted, through those provisions on referendum, the power to check the Legislature’s work. To say the referendum doesn’t extend to the tax laws is a massive power.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704898821186.jpeg" alt=" State Sens. Lou Ann Linehan and Justin Wayne flank Gov. Jim Pillen after he signed LB 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, into law on May 30. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Governor’s Office)" />
 <figcaption> State Sens. Lou Ann Linehan and Justin Wayne flank Gov. Jim Pillen after he signed LB 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, into law on May 30. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Governor’s Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01/09/sen-linehans-letter-seeks-to-boot-referendum-on-opportunity-scholarships-off-nebraska-ballot/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, the author of Nebraska’s Opportunity Scholarships Act, asked Secretary of State Bob Evnen on Tuesday not to allow a ballot initiative that could repeal a new tax break for helping low-income kids attend private schools.&nbsp;Linehan’s core argument is that the Nebraska Constitution reserves the power to set and raise revenues expressly for the Legislature. Linehan wants Evnen to reconsider his October certification of the Support Our Schools petition effort for the November 2024 ballot.She said several lawyers she consulted questioned whether a referendum can repeal a revenue-setting law. But this was the first time any of them knew of a Nebraska referendum involving a revenue law already in effect, she said.&nbsp;Her letter to Evnen cites Article VIII, Section 1 of the State Constitution, which says the “necessary revenue of the state and its governmental subdivisions shall be raised by taxation in such manner as the Legislature may direct.”&nbsp;The constitution also says only the Legislature can undo revenue laws, she and her attorneys wrote. Linehan said Tuesday she has been exploring this option since September but wanted to make sure lawyers agreed with her approach.&nbsp;“I’m not a lawyer, but it’s pretty basic, clear language,” she said. “On top of that there is a statute that says only the Legislature can do revenue bills.”Jackie Ourada, spokeswoman for Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, said he “hopes to make a decision as soon as possible” about Linehan’s request but said there is not yet “a set timeline.”Linehan said school choice advocates are prepared to explore their legal options if Evnen disagrees. Benson said supporters of the repeal referendum are also prepared.<h2>Public school supporters will fight</h2>Proponents of protecting public funds for public schools, including Jenni Benson of Support Our Schools, said Linehan seems determined to stop voters from weighing in on diverting public funds for private K-12 education.“Nebraskans have made it very clear they want to vote on whether to divert tax dollars to private schools,” she said. “The Secretary of State certified and has made clear that the Repeal LB 753 referendum petition met all statutory and constitutional requirements to put this issue on the ballot.”Benson and others opposing the Opportunity Scholarships Act, including some with ties to the Nebraska State Education Association, have contended that Linehan is helping billionaires who want to save on their taxes.Those opposing the scholarships act “will not back down” from people seeking to “impose their will on Nebraska voters,” Benson said.Opponents of the law have said they worry the tax break given for funding scholarships for low-income Nebraskans is one foot in the door for broader, more expensive efforts to fund private school vouchers, mirroring the pattern in some other states, including neighboring Iowa.<h2>Children need more options</h2>Linehan and others defending the Opportunity Scholarships Act, including Gov. Jim Pillen, have said that some children need more options than their local public schools. They also say competition for students is good.Lauren Gage, a former spokeswoman for Keep Kids First, who works now for the scholarship-granting organization Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, said she is pleased to see people try to protect the new law.&nbsp;She said the law has helped an idea become more tangible for families “who see a glimmer of hope.” She said it would be “tragic” to stop the law before more people benefit. She said they “serve families who wanted a better educational opportunity and just couldn’t afford it.”&nbsp;“We’ve heard from hundreds of families interested in the scholarships and our application process isn’t even open yet,” Gage said.The Nebraska Catholic Conference, which supports the scholarships, anxiously awaits Evnen’s response, said&nbsp;Tom Venzor, executive director.Under the new law, the tax break is capped at $25 million annually for three years and could rise by the tenth year to $100 million. The law lets taxpayers who donate to scholarship-granting organizations a dollar-for-dollar break from their income taxes, for up to half of what they owe.&nbsp;<h2>Legal questions</h2>Linehan’s critics have argued she is protecting her legislative legacy in her final legislative session. She is term-limited in 2025. They also note that her daughter works for a school-choice advocacy organization.Rebecca Firestone, executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute, which has advocated to protect state funding for public schools, said the premise of Linehan’s legal argument would seem to put school bond elections, municipal bond elections and levy cap overrides at risk.“Preventing voters from weighing in on state revenue policy undermines democracy, stifles public participation and removes a check on elected officials that is a hallmark of Nebraska’s Unicameral system,” Firestone said.&nbsp;Asked why she’s trying to stop the referendum this way, Linehan said she believes in the constitution and the law. She said it appears referendums can’t reverse revenue or spending measures by the Legislature.&nbsp;“It’s because the Legislature has to look at the whole picture, revenue and appropriations,” Linehan said.<h2>What’s next</h2>University of Nebraska law professor Anthony Schutz, who has argued the Opportunity Scholarships Act itself might violate the State Constitution’s provision on appropriating public money to private schools, said Linehan’s legal argument has some holes.Schutz, an expert on the Nebraska Constitution, said the document reserves powers for the people “separate and higher than the Legislature.” He said the only power not granted to the referendum process in his read is “appropriations.”&nbsp;Since Linehan’s law was designed, in part, as a revenue bill to avoid triggering that provision, he said it either is open to the referendum process or an appropriations bill that is open to a legal challenge on constitutional grounds.&nbsp;He said the people reserved for themselves the power to repeal existing laws and to write their own.“I think this is a pretty steep hill for them to climb,” he said. “The people wanted, through those provisions on referendum, the power to check the Legislature’s work. To say the referendum doesn’t extend to the tax laws is a massive power.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704898760337.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Sen. Linehan’s letter seeks to boot referendum on Opportunity Scholarships off Nebraska ballot

Lincoln - The Nebraska Public Service Commission has approved an Order (<a href="https://www.nebraska.gov/psc/orders/telecom/2024-01-09%20C-5484%20Order%20Issuing%20Grant%20Awards%20and%20Results%20of%20Challenges.pdf" target="_blank">C-5484</a>) awarding 22 grants totaling nearly $20 million from the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP).

“We are pleased that carriers continue to utilize this program as a viable way to help providebroadband to unserved and underserved Nebraskans,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier.

Created by the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act (Neb. Rev. Stat § 86 1301-1310) the NBBPprovides up to $20 million dollars annually for the development of broadband networks capableof at least 100/100 Mbps (up/down) in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

During the 2023 grant cycle, the Commission received 51 applications for funding through the NBBP. As part of the grant review process, the Commission also received challenges from parties stating that they already served an area covered by a grant application, or plan to provide service to the area in the near future.

Upon review of the applications and the challenges received the Commission determined 22submissions would be funded. The grants awarded were submitted by 10 providers for a total of$19,713,379.26. Projects funded through today’s awards must be completed by July 9, 2025.Providers may apply for one six-month extension.

Commissioner Watermeier said, “ We look forward to watching these projects come to fruitionaccess to broadband continues to increase throughout the state.” 

A detailed list of projects approved through the 2023 grant cycle and funding amounts can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/nebraska-broadband-bridge-program-nbbpcapital-projects-fund-cpf" target="_blank">Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program page</a>&nbsp;of the PSC website.

Lincoln - The Nebraska Public Service Commission has approved an Order (<a href="https://www.nebraska.gov/psc/orders/telecom/2024-01-09%20C-5484%20Order%20Issuing%20Grant%20Awards%20and%20Results%20of%20Challenges.pdf" target="_blank">C-5484</a>) awarding 22 grants totaling nearly $20 million from the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP).“We are pleased that carriers continue to utilize this program as a viable way to help providebroadband to unserved and underserved Nebraskans,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier.Created by the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act (Neb. Rev. Stat § 86 1301-1310) the NBBPprovides up to $20 million dollars annually for the development of broadband networks capableof at least 100/100 Mbps (up/down) in unserved and underserved areas of the state.During the 2023 grant cycle, the Commission received 51 applications for funding through the NBBP. As part of the grant review process, the Commission also received challenges from parties stating that they already served an area covered by a grant application, or plan to provide service to the area in the near future.Upon review of the applications and the challenges received the Commission determined 22submissions would be funded. The grants awarded were submitted by 10 providers for a total of$19,713,379.26. Projects funded through today’s awards must be completed by July 9, 2025.Providers may apply for one six-month extension.Commissioner Watermeier said, “ We look forward to watching these projects come to fruitionaccess to broadband continues to increase throughout the state.” A detailed list of projects approved through the 2023 grant cycle and funding amounts can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/nebraska-broadband-bridge-program-nbbpcapital-projects-fund-cpf" target="_blank">Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program page</a>&nbsp;of the PSC website.

PSC Awards Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program Grants

WASHINGTON (AP) — With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;listening intently in the courtroom, federal appeals court judges in Washington expressed deep skepticism Tuesday that the former president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-special-counsel-f82dbd294cd7b963dd69f1ecdf90aded" target="_blank">immune from prosecution</a>&nbsp;on charges that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc" target="_blank">plotted to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election.

The panel of three judges, two of whom were appointed by President Joe Biden, also questioned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-arguments-takeaways-26e6e525c040d0e546b37f2786bfd132" target="_blank">whether they had jurisdiction</a>&nbsp;to consider the appeal at this point in the case, raising the prospect that Trump’s appeal could be dispensed with on more procedural grounds.

During lengthy arguments, the judges repeatedly pressed Trump’s lawyer to defend claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html" target="_blank">Trump was shielded from criminal charges</a>&nbsp;for acts that he says fell within his official duties as president. That argument was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388" target="_blank">rejected last month</a>&nbsp;by the lower-court judge overseeing the case against Trump, and the appeals judges suggested through their questions that they, too, were dubious that the Founding Fathers envisioned absolute immunity for presidents after they leave office.

“I think it’s paradoxical to say that his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed allows him to violate criminal law,” said Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, an appointee of former President George H.W. Bush.

The outcome could carry enormous ramifications both for the landmark criminal case against Trump and for the broader, and legally untested, question of whether an ex-president can be prosecuted for actions taken in the White House. It will also likely set the stage for further appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, which last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-january-6-justice-department-90b93eeb663ebaf67a2e0bc266390fa0" target="_blank">declined a request to weigh in</a>&nbsp;but could still get involved later.

A swift decision is crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b" target="_blank">special counsel Jack Smith</a>&nbsp;and his team, who are eager to get the case —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-january-6-appeal-20726ba42ac87cd2f3a3ffc6a2145490" target="_blank">now paused pending the appeal</a>&nbsp;— to trial before the November election. But Trump’s lawyers, in addition to seeking to get the case dismissed, are hoping to benefit from a protracted appeals process that could delay the trial well past its scheduled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f" target="_blank">March 4 start date</a>, including until potentially after the election.

Underscoring the importance to both sides, Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, attended Tuesday’s arguments even though the Iowa caucuses are just one week away and despite the fact that there’s no requirement that defendants appear in person for such proceedings. Making his first court appearance in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-a79f2d3683c7591058635c9b3d870070" target="_blank">since his arraignment in August</a>, Trump sat at the defense table, watching closely and occasionally taking notes and speaking with his lawyers.

His appearance and his comments afterward underscored his broader effort to portray himself as the victim of a justice system he claims is politicized. Though there’s no evidence Biden has had any influence on the case, Trump’s argument could resonate with Republican voters in Iowa as they prepare to launch the presidential nomination process.

After the hearing, Trump spoke to reporters at The Waldorf-Astoria hotel, which used to be the Trump International Hotel, calling Tuesday “a very momentous day.” He insisted he did nothing wrong and claimed he was being prosecuted for political reasons.

“A president has to have immunity,” he said.

Former presidents enjoy broad immunity from lawsuits for actions taken as part of their official White House duties. But because no former president before Trump has ever been indicted, courts have never before addressed whether that protection extends to criminal prosecution.

Trump’s lawyers insist that it does, arguing that courts have no authority to scrutinize a president’s official acts and that the prosecution of their client represents a dramatic departure from more than two centuries of American history that would open the door to future politically motivated cases.

“To authorize the prosecution of a president for official acts would open a Pandora’s box from which this nation may never recover,” said D. John Sauer, a lawyer for Trump, asserting that, under the government’s theory, presidents could be prosecuted for giving Congress “false information” to enter war or for authorizing drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens abroad.

He later added, “If a president has to look over his shoulder or her shoulder every time he or she has to make a controversial decision and wonder if ‘after I leave office, am I going to jail for this when my political opponents take power?’ that inevitably dampens the ability of the president.”

But the judges were skeptical about those arguments. Judges Henderson and Florence Pan noted the lawyer who represented Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial suggested that he could later face criminal prosecution, telling senators at the time: “We have a judicial process in this country. We have an investigative process in this country to which no former office holder is immune.”

“It seems that many senators relied on that in voting to acquit” Trump, Pan told Sauer.

Judge J. Michelle Childs also questioned why former President Richard Nixon would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rafael-nadal-today-in-history-covid-health-texas-6453a85999b1728c1fac461186b10774" target="_blank">need to be granted a pardon</a>&nbsp;in 1974 after the Watergate scandal if former presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution. Sauer replied that in Nixon’s case, the conduct did not involve the same kind of “official acts” Trump’s lawyers argue form the basis of his indictment.

Aside from the merits of the immunity claim, the judges jumped right into questioning Trump’s lawyer over whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal at this time. Sauer said presidential immunity is clearly a claim that is meant to be reviewed before trial. Smith’s team also said that it wants the court to decide the appeal now.

Smith’s team maintains that presidents are not entitled to absolute immunity and that, in any event, the acts Trump is alleged in the indictment to have taken — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4" target="_blank">scheming to enlist fake electors</a>&nbsp;in battleground states won by Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-jan-6-trump-indictment-ab36fd360a0850562a07d1b404f15d69" target="_blank">pressing his vice president</a>, Mike Pence, to reject the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021 — fall outside a president’s official job duties.

“The president has a unique constitutional role but he is not above the law. Separation of powers principles, constitutional text, history, precedent and immunity doctrines all point to the conclusion that a former president enjoys no immunity from prosecution,” prosecutor James Pearce said, adding that a case in which a former president is alleged to have sought to overturn an election “is not the place to recognize some novel form of immunity.”

When Judge Henderson asked how the court could write its opinion in a way that wouldn’t open the “floodgates” of investigations against ex-presidents, Pearce said he did not anticipate “a sea change of vindictive tit-for-tat prosecutions in the future.” He called the allegations against Trump fundamentally unprecedented.

“Never before has there been allegations that a sitting president has, with private individuals and using the levers of power, sought to fundamentally subvert the democratic republic and the electoral system,” he said. “And frankly, if that kind of fact pattern arises again, I think it would be awfully scary if there weren’t some sort of mechanism by which to reach that criminally.”

It’s not clear how quickly the panel from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from the D.C. Circuit will rule, though it has signaled that it intends to work quickly.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected the immunity arguments,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388" target="_blank">ruling last month that the office of the presidency does not confer a “‘get-out-of-jail-free’” pass.</a>&nbsp;Trump’s lawyers appealed that decision, but Smith’s team, determined to keep the case on schedule, sought to leapfrog the appeals court by asking the Supreme Court to fast-track the immunity question. The justices declined to get involved.

The appeal is vital to a Trump strategy of trying to postpone the case until after the November election, when a victory could empower him to order the Justice Department to abandon the prosecution or even to seek a pardon for himself. He faces three other criminal cases, in state and federal court, though the Washington case is scheduled for trial first.

WASHINGTON (AP) — With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;listening intently in the courtroom, federal appeals court judges in Washington expressed deep skepticism Tuesday that the former president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-special-counsel-f82dbd294cd7b963dd69f1ecdf90aded" target="_blank">immune from prosecution</a>&nbsp;on charges that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc" target="_blank">plotted to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump: &quot;I think they feel this is the way they&#39;re going to try and win and that&#39;s not the way it goes. It&#39;ll be bedlam in the country. It&#39;s a very bad thing. It&#39;s a very bad precedent. It&#39;s the opening of a Pandora&#39;s Box...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/fyYqul1CPC">pic.twitter.com/fyYqul1CPC</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1744765731181343209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The panel of three judges, two of whom were appointed by President Joe Biden, also questioned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-arguments-takeaways-26e6e525c040d0e546b37f2786bfd132" target="_blank">whether they had jurisdiction</a>&nbsp;to consider the appeal at this point in the case, raising the prospect that Trump’s appeal could be dispensed with on more procedural grounds.During lengthy arguments, the judges repeatedly pressed Trump’s lawyer to defend claims that&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html" target="_blank">Trump was shielded from criminal charges</a>&nbsp;for acts that he says fell within his official duties as president. That argument was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388" target="_blank">rejected last month</a>&nbsp;by the lower-court judge overseeing the case against Trump, and the appeals judges suggested through their questions that they, too, were dubious that the Founding Fathers envisioned absolute immunity for presidents after they leave office.“I think it’s paradoxical to say that his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed allows him to violate criminal law,” said Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, an appointee of former President George H.W. Bush.The outcome could carry enormous ramifications both for the landmark criminal case against Trump and for the broader, and legally untested, question of whether an ex-president can be prosecuted for actions taken in the White House. It will also likely set the stage for further appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court, which last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-january-6-justice-department-90b93eeb663ebaf67a2e0bc266390fa0" target="_blank">declined a request to weigh in</a>&nbsp;but could still get involved later.A swift decision is crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b" target="_blank">special counsel Jack Smith</a>&nbsp;and his team, who are eager to get the case —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-january-6-appeal-20726ba42ac87cd2f3a3ffc6a2145490" target="_blank">now paused pending the appeal</a>&nbsp;— to trial before the November election. But Trump’s lawyers, in addition to seeking to get the case dismissed, are hoping to benefit from a protracted appeals process that could delay the trial well past its scheduled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f" target="_blank">March 4 start date</a>, including until potentially after the election.Underscoring the importance to both sides, Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, attended Tuesday’s arguments even though the Iowa caucuses are just one week away and despite the fact that there’s no requirement that defendants appear in person for such proceedings. Making his first court appearance in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-a79f2d3683c7591058635c9b3d870070" target="_blank">since his arraignment in August</a>, Trump sat at the defense table, watching closely and occasionally taking notes and speaking with his lawyers.His appearance and his comments afterward underscored his broader effort to portray himself as the victim of a justice system he claims is politicized. Though there’s no evidence Biden has had any influence on the case, Trump’s argument could resonate with Republican voters in Iowa as they prepare to launch the presidential nomination process.After the hearing, Trump spoke to reporters at The Waldorf-Astoria hotel, which used to be the Trump International Hotel, calling Tuesday “a very momentous day.” He insisted he did nothing wrong and claimed he was being prosecuted for political reasons.“A president has to have immunity,” he said.Former presidents enjoy broad immunity from lawsuits for actions taken as part of their official White House duties. But because no former president before Trump has ever been indicted, courts have never before addressed whether that protection extends to criminal prosecution.Trump’s lawyers insist that it does, arguing that courts have no authority to scrutinize a president’s official acts and that the prosecution of their client represents a dramatic departure from more than two centuries of American history that would open the door to future politically motivated cases.“To authorize the prosecution of a president for official acts would open a Pandora’s box from which this nation may never recover,” said D. John Sauer, a lawyer for Trump, asserting that, under the government’s theory, presidents could be prosecuted for giving Congress “false information” to enter war or for authorizing drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens abroad.He later added, “If a president has to look over his shoulder or her shoulder every time he or she has to make a controversial decision and wonder if ‘after I leave office, am I going to jail for this when my political opponents take power?’ that inevitably dampens the ability of the president.”But the judges were skeptical about those arguments. Judges Henderson and Florence Pan noted the lawyer who represented Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial suggested that he could later face criminal prosecution, telling senators at the time: “We have a judicial process in this country. We have an investigative process in this country to which no former office holder is immune.”“It seems that many senators relied on that in voting to acquit” Trump, Pan told Sauer.Judge J. Michelle Childs also questioned why former President Richard Nixon would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rafael-nadal-today-in-history-covid-health-texas-6453a85999b1728c1fac461186b10774" target="_blank">need to be granted a pardon</a>&nbsp;in 1974 after the Watergate scandal if former presidents enjoy immunity from prosecution. Sauer replied that in Nixon’s case, the conduct did not involve the same kind of “official acts” Trump’s lawyers argue form the basis of his indictment.Aside from the merits of the immunity claim, the judges jumped right into questioning Trump’s lawyer over whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal at this time. Sauer said presidential immunity is clearly a claim that is meant to be reviewed before trial. Smith’s team also said that it wants the court to decide the appeal now.Smith’s team maintains that presidents are not entitled to absolute immunity and that, in any event, the acts Trump is alleged in the indictment to have taken — including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4" target="_blank">scheming to enlist fake electors</a>&nbsp;in battleground states won by Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-jan-6-trump-indictment-ab36fd360a0850562a07d1b404f15d69" target="_blank">pressing his vice president</a>, Mike Pence, to reject the counting of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021 — fall outside a president’s official job duties.“The president has a unique constitutional role but he is not above the law. Separation of powers principles, constitutional text, history, precedent and immunity doctrines all point to the conclusion that a former president enjoys no immunity from prosecution,” prosecutor James Pearce said, adding that a case in which a former president is alleged to have sought to overturn an election “is not the place to recognize some novel form of immunity.”When Judge Henderson asked how the court could write its opinion in a way that wouldn’t open the “floodgates” of investigations against ex-presidents, Pearce said he did not anticipate “a sea change of vindictive tit-for-tat prosecutions in the future.” He called the allegations against Trump fundamentally unprecedented.“Never before has there been allegations that a sitting president has, with private individuals and using the levers of power, sought to fundamentally subvert the democratic republic and the electoral system,” he said. “And frankly, if that kind of fact pattern arises again, I think it would be awfully scary if there weren’t some sort of mechanism by which to reach that criminally.”It’s not clear how quickly the panel from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from the D.C. Circuit will rule, though it has signaled that it intends to work quickly.U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected the immunity arguments,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388" target="_blank">ruling last month that the office of the presidency does not confer a “‘get-out-of-jail-free’” pass.</a>&nbsp;Trump’s lawyers appealed that decision, but Smith’s team, determined to keep the case on schedule, sought to leapfrog the appeals court by asking the Supreme Court to fast-track the immunity question. The justices declined to get involved.The appeal is vital to a Trump strategy of trying to postpone the case until after the November election, when a victory could empower him to order the Justice Department to abandon the prosecution or even to seek a pardon for himself. He faces three other criminal cases, in state and federal court, though the Washington case is scheduled for trial first.<h2>___</h2>

🎥Trump predicts bedlam and violence if he loses in court

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-shipping-houthi-attacks-drones-missiles-1acc4ca5ebcaf6fee932a2061d451f59">targeting shipping in the Red Sea</a>, forcing the United States and British navies to shoot down the projectiles in a major naval engagement, authorities said Wednesday. No damage was immediately reported.

The attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis came despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-resolution-attacks-f26262fe055c8a1e39dee0c3c0d6f7f6">planned United Nations Security Council vote</a>&nbsp;later Wednesday to potentially condemn and demand an immediate halt to the attacks by the rebels, who say their assaults are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-hamas-war-yemen-red-sea-rebellions-and-uprisings-yemen-government-35148e6fbef64ec8b6fa074d4da2551c">aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip.

However, their targets increasingly have tenuous — or no — relationship with Israel and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">imperil a crucial trade route</a>&nbsp;linking Asia and the Middle East to Europe. That raises the risk of a U.S. retaliatory strike on Yemen that could upend an uneasy cease-fire that's held in the Arab world's poorest country.

The assault happened off the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and Mokha, according to the private intelligence firm Ambrey. In the Hodeida attack, Ambrey said ships described over radio seeing missiles and drones, with U.S.-allied warships in the area urging “vessels to proceed at maximum speed.”

Off Mokha, ships saw missiles fired, a drone in the air and small vessels trailing them, Ambrey said early Wednesday. The British military’s United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations also acknowledged the attack off Hodeida.

The U.S. military’s Central Command said the “complex attack” launched by the Houthis included bomb-carrying drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile.

It said 18 drones, two cruise missiles and the anti-ship missile were downed by F-18s from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as by American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers the USS Gravely, the USS Laboon and the USS Mason, as well as the United Kingdom's HMS Diamond.

“This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported.”

“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity," the UKTMO added.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps described the assault as “the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date," saying the Diamond used Sea Viper missiles and guns to shoot down multiple drones.

“The U.K. alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences," Shapps said in a statement. “We will take the action needed to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”

The Houthis, a Shiite group that's held Yemen's capital since 2014, did not formally acknowledge launching the attacks. However, the pan-Arab satellite news network Al Jazeera quoted an anonymous Houthi military official saying their forces “targeted a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea,” without elaborating.

The Houthis say their attacks aim to end the pounding Israeli air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-09-2024-017066376ac06026622ee0b83dc2b65e">amid that country’s war on Hamas</a>. However, the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue.

The Red Sea links the Mideast and Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal, and its narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait. That strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two channels for inbound and outbound shipments, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nearly 10% of all oil traded at sea passes through it. An estimated $1 trillion in goods pass through the strait annually.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-08d42a18873ce55979c755ea1a9cc1b5">U.S. draft resolution</a>&nbsp;before the U.N. Security Council, obtained late Tuesday by The Associated Press, says the Houthi attacks impede global commerce “and undermine navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security.” The resolution would demand the immediate release of the first ship the Houthis attacked, the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship with links to an Israeli company that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthi-rebels-hijacked-ship-red-sea-dc9b6448690bcf5c70a0baf7c7c34b09">seized in November along with its crew</a>.

An initial draft of the resolution would have recognized “the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to take appropriate measures to defend their merchant and naval vessels.”

The final draft is weaker, eliminating any U.N. recognition of a country’s right to defend its ships. Instead, it would affirm that the navigational rights and freedoms of merchant and commercial vessels must be respected, and take note “of the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms.”

A U.S-led coalition of nations has been patrolling the Red Sea to try and prevent the attacks. American troops in one conflict&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-red-sea-shipping-centcom-us-bb70acea5062a9952a5b983ecc047863">sank Houthi vessels and killed 10 rebel fighters</a>. There's been no broad retaliatory strike yet, despite warnings from the U.S. However, Tuesday's attack appeared to be testing what response, if any, would come from Washington.

Meanwhile, a separate, tentative cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition fighting on behalf of Yemen’s exiled government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-yemen-war-peace-talks-d2a9ad9efe1ab0b4f5d51597098f46a2">has held for months despite that country’s long war</a>. That’s raised concerns that any wider conflict in the sea — or a potential reprisal strike from Western forces — could reignite those tensions in the Arab world’s poorest nation. It also may draw Iran, which so far has largely avoided directly entering the wider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>, further into the conflict.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704853180043.png" alt="USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts flight operations, photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts flight operations, photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-shipping-houthi-attacks-drones-missiles-1acc4ca5ebcaf6fee932a2061d451f59">targeting shipping in the Red Sea</a>, forcing the United States and British navies to shoot down the projectiles in a major naval engagement, authorities said Wednesday. No damage was immediately reported.The attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis came despite a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-resolution-attacks-f26262fe055c8a1e39dee0c3c0d6f7f6">planned United Nations Security Council vote</a>&nbsp;later Wednesday to potentially condemn and demand an immediate halt to the attacks by the rebels, who say their assaults are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-hamas-war-yemen-red-sea-rebellions-and-uprisings-yemen-government-35148e6fbef64ec8b6fa074d4da2551c">aimed at stopping Israel's war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip.However, their targets increasingly have tenuous — or no — relationship with Israel and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">imperil a crucial trade route</a>&nbsp;linking Asia and the Middle East to Europe. That raises the risk of a U.S. retaliatory strike on Yemen that could upend an uneasy cease-fire that's held in the Arab world's poorest country.The assault happened off the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and Mokha, according to the private intelligence firm Ambrey. In the Hodeida attack, Ambrey said ships described over radio seeing missiles and drones, with U.S.-allied warships in the area urging “vessels to proceed at maximum speed.”Off Mokha, ships saw missiles fired, a drone in the air and small vessels trailing them, Ambrey said early Wednesday. The British military’s United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations also acknowledged the attack off Hodeida.The U.S. military’s Central Command said the “complex attack” launched by the Houthis included bomb-carrying drones, anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile.It said 18 drones, two cruise missiles and the anti-ship missile were downed by F-18s from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as by American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers the USS Gravely, the USS Laboon and the USS Mason, as well as the United Kingdom's HMS Diamond.“This is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since Nov. 19,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported.”“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity," the UKTMO added.British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps described the assault as “the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date," saying the Diamond used Sea Viper missiles and guns to shoot down multiple drones.“The U.K. alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences," Shapps said in a statement. “We will take the action needed to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”The Houthis, a Shiite group that's held Yemen's capital since 2014, did not formally acknowledge launching the attacks. However, the pan-Arab satellite news network Al Jazeera quoted an anonymous Houthi military official saying their forces “targeted a ship linked to Israel in the Red Sea,” without elaborating.The Houthis say their attacks aim to end the pounding Israeli air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-09-2024-017066376ac06026622ee0b83dc2b65e">amid that country’s war on Hamas</a>. However, the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue.The Red Sea links the Mideast and Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal, and its narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait. That strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two channels for inbound and outbound shipments, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Nearly 10% of all oil traded at sea passes through it. An estimated $1 trillion in goods pass through the strait annually.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-08d42a18873ce55979c755ea1a9cc1b5">U.S. draft resolution</a>&nbsp;before the U.N. Security Council, obtained late Tuesday by The Associated Press, says the Houthi attacks impede global commerce “and undermine navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security.” The resolution would demand the immediate release of the first ship the Houthis attacked, the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship with links to an Israeli company that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthi-rebels-hijacked-ship-red-sea-dc9b6448690bcf5c70a0baf7c7c34b09">seized in November along with its crew</a>.An initial draft of the resolution would have recognized “the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to take appropriate measures to defend their merchant and naval vessels.”The final draft is weaker, eliminating any U.N. recognition of a country’s right to defend its ships. Instead, it would affirm that the navigational rights and freedoms of merchant and commercial vessels must be respected, and take note “of the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms.”A U.S-led coalition of nations has been patrolling the Red Sea to try and prevent the attacks. American troops in one conflict&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-red-sea-shipping-centcom-us-bb70acea5062a9952a5b983ecc047863">sank Houthi vessels and killed 10 rebel fighters</a>. There's been no broad retaliatory strike yet, despite warnings from the U.S. However, Tuesday's attack appeared to be testing what response, if any, would come from Washington.Meanwhile, a separate, tentative cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition fighting on behalf of Yemen’s exiled government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-yemen-war-peace-talks-d2a9ad9efe1ab0b4f5d51597098f46a2">has held for months despite that country’s long war</a>. That’s raised concerns that any wider conflict in the sea — or a potential reprisal strike from Western forces — could reignite those tensions in the Arab world’s poorest nation. It also may draw Iran, which so far has largely avoided directly entering the wider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>, further into the conflict.

U.S. Navy: Terrorists launch largest Red Sea drone, missile attack

Lincoln, January 9, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) re-elected&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/administration/dan-watermeier" target="_blank">District 1Commissioner Dan Watermeier</a>&nbsp;of Syracuse as Chair for 2024. Commissioner Watermeier wasselected during the Commission’s January 9, meeting in Lincoln.

Watermeier was elected to the Commission in 2018, for a six-year term. He represents eightcounties in Southeast Nebraska.

<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/administration/eric-kamler" target="_blank">Fourth District Commissioner Eric Kamler</a>&nbsp;of Geneva was elected Vice-Chair. Kamler waselected in 2022 for a six-year term. The fourth district encompasses 31 counties and includes allof northeast Nebraska stretching the length of the entire state vertically north &amp; south.

The Commission leadership positions are elected on an annual basis.

Lincoln, January 9, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) re-elected&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/administration/dan-watermeier" target="_blank">District 1Commissioner Dan Watermeier</a>&nbsp;of Syracuse as Chair for 2024. Commissioner Watermeier wasselected during the Commission’s January 9, meeting in Lincoln.Watermeier was elected to the Commission in 2018, for a six-year term. He represents eightcounties in Southeast Nebraska.<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/administration/eric-kamler" target="_blank">Fourth District Commissioner Eric Kamler</a>&nbsp;of Geneva was elected Vice-Chair. Kamler waselected in 2022 for a six-year term. The fourth district encompasses 31 counties and includes allof northeast Nebraska stretching the length of the entire state vertically north &amp; south.The Commission leadership positions are elected on an annual basis.

 Nebraska Public Service Commission Selects Leadership Positions For 2024

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A sprawling winter storm hit the South with strong thunderstorms and tornado warnings that blew roofs off homes and tossed about furniture Tuesday and brought cities across the Midwest to a standstill with more than half a foot of snow, stranding people on highways.

The violent storm with 55 mph (88 kph) winds and hail moved through the Florida Panhandle and into parts of Alabama and Georgia by sunrise Tuesday, along with at least several reports of radar-confirmed tornadoes, the National Weather Service said. A wind gust of 106 mph (171 kph) was recorded before dawn near the coast in Walton County, Florida.

“We still have potentially strong storms in that area through (Tuesday) morning and the potential for more severe weather and tornadoes,” meteorologist Lance Franck in Tallahassee said.

A section of Panama City Beach, Florida,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&amp;v=2110670112604547">showed parts of roofs blown away</a>, furniture, fences and debris strewn about and a house that appeared tilted on side, leaning on another home, WJHG-TV reported.

In Panama City, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away, police early Tuesday asked residents to stay indoors and off the roads “unless absolutely necessary” as officers checked on damage from the storms, including downed power lines and trees.

The city is in Bay County, where there had been multiple reports of tornadoes on the ground, Sheriff Tommy Ford said in a brief Facebook Live post.

“We've rescued people out of structures,” he said.

The department urged people to stay home, posting photos of crumpled structures and debris and a message that those who have taken to the roads to see it are "making it very difficult for first responders who are rushing to help people who may be trapped in damaged homes and injured.”

The Walton County sheriff's department in the Florida Panhandle posted photos of power lines draped across a road, damage to a gas station and large pieces of building materials littering the area.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida State Guard on Monday night to prepare for any storm-related impacts.

A number of schools were closed in the region and more than 140,000 customers were without power in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, according to the PowerOutage.us website.

In the Midwest, where a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-weather-09d8e810fc5d80a34ef8bf008bfec7a1">snowstorm started Monday</a>, up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) of snow could blanket a broad area stretching from southeastern Colorado all the way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including western Kansas, eastern Nebraska, large parts of Iowa, northern Missouri and northwestern Illinois, said Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

From there, the storm was expected to head east, bringing a combination of snow, rain and strong winds to the Northeast by Tuesday night, as well as concerns about flooding in areas such as New England, parts of which got more than a foot of snow Sunday.

Nearly 8 inches (19 centimeters) of snow fell in the northern city of Athol, Kansas, on Monday. The weather service office in Lincoln, Nebraska, predicted an additional 3-5 inches (8-13 centimeters) was possible overnight, with winds possibly gusting as high as 40 mph (64 kph).

Whiteout conditions in central Nebraska closed a long stretch of Interstate 80, while Kansas closed Interstate 70 from the central city of Russell all the way west to the Colorado border due to dangerous travel conditions. Several vehicles slid off I-70 in the northeastern part of the state, authorities said.

In Nebraska, federal courts in Omaha and Lincoln closed Monday, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased the water flow at a Missouri River dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border near Yankton to reduce the chance of ice jams forming. Dubuque, on Iowa’s eastern border with Illinois, closed its city offices Tuesday. Schools in Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa were among those also closing.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-caucuses-trump-haley-desantis-8455baa629589d77ea2b11a2f289fc8a">weather has already affected campaigning</a>&nbsp;for Iowa’s Jan. 15 precinct caucuses, where the snow is expected to be followed by frigid temperatures that could drift below zero degrees (minus 18 Celsius).

It forced former President Donald Trump’s campaign to cancel multiple appearances by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders and her father, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who had been scheduled to court Iowa voters on Trump’s behalf Monday.

Parts of northern Missouri braced for up to a foot of snow as the system moved east. Officials in Kansas City, Missouri, said City Hall would be closed Tuesday and municipal courts would operate remotely.

Madison, Wisconsin, was under a winter storm warning until early Wednesday, with as much as 9 inches (23 centimeters) of snow and 40 mph (64 kph) winds on tap. City officials canceled garbage collection to prevent residents from putting trash cans along curbs and making it difficult for snowplows to navigate.

Northwestern Illinois was also under a winter storm warning with forecasts calling for 7 to 12 inches (18 to 30 centimeters) of snow by early Wednesday. The Chicago area as well as Gary, Indiana, were under winter storm advisories, with forecasts calling for up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of snow and wind gusts of up to 30 mph (48 kph). Snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour Tuesday, the weather service said.

Disruptions extended as far south as the Oklahoma panhandle, where Cimmaron County emergency managers asked citizens to stay home. More than a dozen motorists were stranded there Monday afternoon, with whipping winds and blizzard conditions leading to near-zero visibility, said Lea Lavielle, the county’s emergency management director.

“At this point in time, we are advising individuals to shelter in place the best they can,” Lavielle said.

By Associated PressDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A sprawling winter storm hit the South with strong thunderstorms and tornado warnings that blew roofs off homes and tossed about furniture Tuesday and brought cities across the Midwest to a standstill with more than half a foot of snow, stranding people on highways.The violent storm with 55 mph (88 kph) winds and hail moved through the Florida Panhandle and into parts of Alabama and Georgia by sunrise Tuesday, along with at least several reports of radar-confirmed tornadoes, the National Weather Service said. A wind gust of 106 mph (171 kph) was recorded before dawn near the coast in Walton County, Florida.“We still have potentially strong storms in that area through (Tuesday) morning and the potential for more severe weather and tornadoes,” meteorologist Lance Franck in Tallahassee said.A section of Panama City Beach, Florida,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&amp;v=2110670112604547">showed parts of roofs blown away</a>, furniture, fences and debris strewn about and a house that appeared tilted on side, leaning on another home, WJHG-TV reported.In Panama City, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away, police early Tuesday asked residents to stay indoors and off the roads “unless absolutely necessary” as officers checked on damage from the storms, including downed power lines and trees.The city is in Bay County, where there had been multiple reports of tornadoes on the ground, Sheriff Tommy Ford said in a brief Facebook Live post.“We've rescued people out of structures,” he said.The department urged people to stay home, posting photos of crumpled structures and debris and a message that those who have taken to the roads to see it are "making it very difficult for first responders who are rushing to help people who may be trapped in damaged homes and injured.”The Walton County sheriff's department in the Florida Panhandle posted photos of power lines draped across a road, damage to a gas station and large pieces of building materials littering the area.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida State Guard on Monday night to prepare for any storm-related impacts.A number of schools were closed in the region and more than 140,000 customers were without power in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, according to the PowerOutage.us website.In the Midwest, where a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-weather-09d8e810fc5d80a34ef8bf008bfec7a1">snowstorm started Monday</a>, up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) of snow could blanket a broad area stretching from southeastern Colorado all the way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including western Kansas, eastern Nebraska, large parts of Iowa, northern Missouri and northwestern Illinois, said Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.From there, the storm was expected to head east, bringing a combination of snow, rain and strong winds to the Northeast by Tuesday night, as well as concerns about flooding in areas such as New England, parts of which got more than a foot of snow Sunday.Nearly 8 inches (19 centimeters) of snow fell in the northern city of Athol, Kansas, on Monday. The weather service office in Lincoln, Nebraska, predicted an additional 3-5 inches (8-13 centimeters) was possible overnight, with winds possibly gusting as high as 40 mph (64 kph).Whiteout conditions in central Nebraska closed a long stretch of Interstate 80, while Kansas closed Interstate 70 from the central city of Russell all the way west to the Colorado border due to dangerous travel conditions. Several vehicles slid off I-70 in the northeastern part of the state, authorities said.In Nebraska, federal courts in Omaha and Lincoln closed Monday, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased the water flow at a Missouri River dam on the Nebraska-South Dakota border near Yankton to reduce the chance of ice jams forming. Dubuque, on Iowa’s eastern border with Illinois, closed its city offices Tuesday. Schools in Cedar Rapids in eastern Iowa were among those also closing.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-caucuses-trump-haley-desantis-8455baa629589d77ea2b11a2f289fc8a">weather has already affected campaigning</a>&nbsp;for Iowa’s Jan. 15 precinct caucuses, where the snow is expected to be followed by frigid temperatures that could drift below zero degrees (minus 18 Celsius).It forced former President Donald Trump’s campaign to cancel multiple appearances by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders and her father, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who had been scheduled to court Iowa voters on Trump’s behalf Monday.Parts of northern Missouri braced for up to a foot of snow as the system moved east. Officials in Kansas City, Missouri, said City Hall would be closed Tuesday and municipal courts would operate remotely.Madison, Wisconsin, was under a winter storm warning until early Wednesday, with as much as 9 inches (23 centimeters) of snow and 40 mph (64 kph) winds on tap. City officials canceled garbage collection to prevent residents from putting trash cans along curbs and making it difficult for snowplows to navigate.Northwestern Illinois was also under a winter storm warning with forecasts calling for 7 to 12 inches (18 to 30 centimeters) of snow by early Wednesday. The Chicago area as well as Gary, Indiana, were under winter storm advisories, with forecasts calling for up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of snow and wind gusts of up to 30 mph (48 kph). Snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour Tuesday, the weather service said.Disruptions extended as far south as the Oklahoma panhandle, where Cimmaron County emergency managers asked citizens to stay home. More than a dozen motorists were stranded there Monday afternoon, with whipping winds and blizzard conditions leading to near-zero visibility, said Lea Lavielle, the county’s emergency management director.“At this point in time, we are advising individuals to shelter in place the best they can,” Lavielle said.