<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/20/unl-obtains-collection-of-papers-of-beatrice-born-poet-writer-artist-and-musician/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — During his life, Beatrice-born Weldon Kees ran with the hip crowd of writers, artists and musicians in New York City and San Fransisco.

His own Beat-era poetry, writings and paintings won acclaim before he disappeared, amid a battle with depression, into the fog at the Golden Gate Bridge in July 1955. It was a presumed suicide.

On Wednesday, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced the acquisition of a collection of Kees papers that were in the possession of a friend and collaborator, Michael Grieg.

The collection includes 12 diaries, manuscripts, audiotapes of Kees’ radio show, photographs and letters.

Obtaining the papers was hailed as a significant addition to the Kees materials and collections already held by both Archives &amp; Special Collections at UNL and the Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at the Lincoln City Libraries.

“This acquisition helps Lincoln, Nebraska, become a central destination for the study of Kees, a figure whose fascinating life and work is worthy of more attention,” said Melanie Griffin, chair of Archives &amp; Special Collections, in a press release.

Kees grew up in Beatrice — his playmates included actor Robert Taylor — and graduated from UNL in 1935.

He was a Renaissance man whose creative outlets included poetry, abstract painting, jazz, photography, radio broadcasting, playwriting and filmmaking.&nbsp;His poetry appeared regularly in The New Yorker magazine, and his 1943 book of poetry, “The Last Man,” has been recognized as an important work of that era.

He ran with the hip crowd of the day, including painter Willem de Koonig, film critic Pauline Kael, author Saul Bellow and the founder of the City Lights Bookstore, Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

The acquisition was made possible by a donation from the Herbert T. Weston Jr. and Marian S. Weston Foundation. The Westons, who knew Kees, were lifelong residents of Beatrice.

“My grandmother used to sit on the porch with ‘Weldie,’ as she used to call him, and talk for hours at a time,” said Matt Cohen, the president of the family foundation and a UNL English professor.

“She enjoyed his work,” Cohen said. “We donated her collection of his materials to the Archives &amp; Special Collections a few years ago and are happy to be able to be in the position to assist with the acquisition and the intake and cataloguing of this new collection.”

Cohen describes Kees as a “restless aesthetic figure,” who was always seeking, exploring and trying to get in touch with the explorer in all of us.

“His significance has to do with Kees’ origins in Nebraska and his place in the pantheon of figures, writers and artists from Nebraska who’ve influenced their fields,” he said.

&nbsp;“It shows the colossal creativity that emerges from this place,” Cohen added.&nbsp;

The UNL Archives &amp; Special Collections holds manuscripts, university records and rare book collections. Its reading room is open by appointment only. Visits can be scheduled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://libraries.unl.edu/schedule-plan-your-visit">online</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695221196684.jpeg" alt="Portrait of Weldon Kees (Courtesy of Weldon Kees, Papers, Archives &amp; Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)" />
 <figcaption>Portrait of Weldon Kees (Courtesy of Weldon Kees, Papers, Archives &amp; Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/20/unl-obtains-collection-of-papers-of-beatrice-born-poet-writer-artist-and-musician/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — During his life, Beatrice-born Weldon Kees ran with the hip crowd of writers, artists and musicians in New York City and San Fransisco.His own Beat-era poetry, writings and paintings won acclaim before he disappeared, amid a battle with depression, into the fog at the Golden Gate Bridge in July 1955. It was a presumed suicide.On Wednesday, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced the acquisition of a collection of Kees papers that were in the possession of a friend and collaborator, Michael Grieg.<h2>Radio show recordings</h2>The collection includes 12 diaries, manuscripts, audiotapes of Kees’ radio show, photographs and letters.Obtaining the papers was hailed as a significant addition to the Kees materials and collections already held by both Archives &amp; Special Collections at UNL and the Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at the Lincoln City Libraries.“This acquisition helps Lincoln, Nebraska, become a central destination for the study of Kees, a figure whose fascinating life and work is worthy of more attention,” said Melanie Griffin, chair of Archives &amp; Special Collections, in a press release.Kees grew up in Beatrice — his playmates included actor Robert Taylor — and graduated from UNL in 1935.He was a Renaissance man whose creative outlets included poetry, abstract painting, jazz, photography, radio broadcasting, playwriting and filmmaking.&nbsp;His poetry appeared regularly in The New Yorker magazine, and his 1943 book of poetry, “The Last Man,” has been recognized as an important work of that era.He ran with the hip crowd of the day, including painter Willem de Koonig, film critic Pauline Kael, author Saul Bellow and the founder of the City Lights Bookstore, Lawrence Ferlinghetti.The acquisition was made possible by a donation from the Herbert T. Weston Jr. and Marian S. Weston Foundation. The Westons, who knew Kees, were lifelong residents of Beatrice.<h2>Donors knew Kees</h2>“My grandmother used to sit on the porch with ‘Weldie,’ as she used to call him, and talk for hours at a time,” said Matt Cohen, the president of the family foundation and a UNL English professor.“She enjoyed his work,” Cohen said. “We donated her collection of his materials to the Archives &amp; Special Collections a few years ago and are happy to be able to be in the position to assist with the acquisition and the intake and cataloguing of this new collection.”Cohen describes Kees as a “restless aesthetic figure,” who was always seeking, exploring and trying to get in touch with the explorer in all of us.“His significance has to do with Kees’ origins in Nebraska and his place in the pantheon of figures, writers and artists from Nebraska who’ve influenced their fields,” he said.&nbsp;“It shows the colossal creativity that emerges from this place,” Cohen added.&nbsp;The UNL Archives &amp; Special Collections holds manuscripts, university records and rare book collections. Its reading room is open by appointment only. Visits can be scheduled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://libraries.unl.edu/schedule-plan-your-visit">online</a>.&nbsp;

UNL obtains collection of papers of Beatrice-born poet, writer, artist and musician

Kraft Heinz said Tuesday it's recalling more than 83,000 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices because part of the wrapper could stick to the slice and become a choking hazard.

The company, which is based in Chicago and Pittsburgh, said one of its wrapping machines developed a temporary issue that makes it possible for a thin strip of film to remain on the slice even after it's been removed from the wrapper. The machine has since been fixed.

Kraft Heinz said it initiated the voluntary recall after it received several consumer complaints. In six cases, people said the issue caused gagging or choking, but no injuries or serious health issues have been reported, Kraft Heinz said.

The recall affects 16-ounce Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 10, 2024, and Jan. 27, 2024. Also included in the recall are 3-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 9, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695219914760.png" alt="Photo Kraft Heinz" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kraft Heinz</figcaption>
 </figure>Kraft Heinz said Tuesday it's recalling more than 83,000 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices because part of the wrapper could stick to the slice and become a choking hazard.The company, which is based in Chicago and Pittsburgh, said one of its wrapping machines developed a temporary issue that makes it possible for a thin strip of film to remain on the slice even after it's been removed from the wrapper. The machine has since been fixed.Kraft Heinz said it initiated the voluntary recall after it received several consumer complaints. In six cases, people said the issue caused gagging or choking, but no injuries or serious health issues have been reported, Kraft Heinz said.The recall affects 16-ounce Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 10, 2024, and Jan. 27, 2024. Also included in the recall are 3-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 9, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2024.

Kraft issues recall of processed American cheese slices

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has declared September as National Preparedness Month in Nebraska. He is reminding all Nebraskans how important it is for individuals, families, and communities to prepare&nbsp;for disasters and emergencies.&nbsp;

“Working together, we can build a prepared and resilient Nebraska,” Gov. Pillen said. “While it’s important for all of us to be ready when disaster strikes, this year, the National Preparedness Month campaign is focused on providing information and resources to empower older adults as they make their preparations.”

“The state’s local emergency managers and NEMA have plans to address a wide range of natural and man-made disasters, but individuals and families must be prepared to assume a role in personal health and safety emergency preparedness as well,” said NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis.

“Plans should include where to meet if a home is destroyed and how family members would contact each other should phone service be out,” Portis said. “For instance, texting often works when phone calls don’t.”

Emergency managers recommend that individuals be prepared to shelter in place for a minimum of three days. Emergency workers may have a large number of people to reach in a disaster and the health of everyone could very well depend on the kit or plan Nebraskans have developed before a major disaster occurs.

To drive home preparation planning, Gov. Pillen signed a proclamation on Sept. 15, marking September as&nbsp;National Preparedness Month.

Visit NEMA’s website at:&nbsp;<a href="https://nema.nebraska.gov/assets/files/preparedness/preparedness-kit.pdf" target="_blank">https://nema.nebraska.gov/assets/files/preparedness/preparedness-kit.pdf</a>&nbsp;for a checklist of items to include in your Family Preparedness Kit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695215291587.jpeg" alt="Gov. Pillen and representatives from NEMA at the proclamation signing on September 15." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Pillen and representatives from NEMA at the proclamation signing on September 15.</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has declared September as National Preparedness Month in Nebraska. He is reminding all Nebraskans how important it is for individuals, families, and communities to prepare&nbsp;for disasters and emergencies.&nbsp;“Working together, we can build a prepared and resilient Nebraska,” Gov. Pillen said. “While it’s important for all of us to be ready when disaster strikes, this year, the National Preparedness Month campaign is focused on providing information and resources to empower older adults as they make their preparations.”“The state’s local emergency managers and NEMA have plans to address a wide range of natural and man-made disasters, but individuals and families must be prepared to assume a role in personal health and safety emergency preparedness as well,” said NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis.“Plans should include where to meet if a home is destroyed and how family members would contact each other should phone service be out,” Portis said. “For instance, texting often works when phone calls don’t.”Emergency managers recommend that individuals be prepared to shelter in place for a minimum of three days. Emergency workers may have a large number of people to reach in a disaster and the health of everyone could very well depend on the kit or plan Nebraskans have developed before a major disaster occurs.To drive home preparation planning, Gov. Pillen signed a proclamation on Sept. 15, marking September as&nbsp;National Preparedness Month.Visit NEMA’s website at:&nbsp;<a href="https://nema.nebraska.gov/assets/files/preparedness/preparedness-kit.pdf" target="_blank">https://nema.nebraska.gov/assets/files/preparedness/preparedness-kit.pdf</a>&nbsp;for a checklist of items to include in your Family Preparedness Kit.

Governor Pillen Declares September as National Preparedness Month in Nebraska

WASHINGTON (AP) — The stuffy Senate is now a bit less formal.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that staff for the chamber’s Sergeant-at-Arms — the Senate’s official clothes police — will no longer enforce a dress code on the Senate floor. The change comes after Pennsylvania&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fetterman-depression-senate-return-hoodies-shorts-771886ba8f3caee9be9674d186cd656b" target="_blank">Sen. John Fetterman</a>&nbsp;has been unapologetically wearing shorts as he goes about his duties, voting from doorways so he doesn’t get in trouble for his more casual attire.

“There has been an informal dress code that was enforced,” Schumer said in a statement. “Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.”

Schumer did not mention Fetterman in his statement about the dress code, which will only apply to senators, not staff.

The changes prompted outrage from some of the chamber’s more formal members, eroding a bit of the good will that first-term Fetterman had earned earlier this year when he checked himself into the hospital for clinical depression. He won bipartisan praise for being honest about his diagnosis, which came in the wake of a stroke he suffered on the campaign trail last year. When he returned from treatment, he started donning the more casual clothes, which he says make him more comfortable.

Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall said it’s a “sad day in the Senate” and that the people who Fetterman and Schumer represent should be embarrassed.

“I represent the people of Kansas, and much like when I get dressed up to go to a wedding, it’s to honor the bride and groom, you go to a funeral you get dressed up to honor the family of the deceased,” Marshall said. Senators should have a certain level of decorum, he added.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine agreed, arguing that the relaxed rules debase the institution of the Senate. “I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow to the Senate floor,” Collins joked.

Walking to Monday evening’s vote in a short-sleeved button-down shirt and shorts, Fetterman said he wasn’t sure if he’d take advantage of the new rules just yet.

“It’s nice to have the option, but I’m going to plan to be using it sparingly and not really overusing it,” he said.

Asked about the criticism, Fetterman feigned mock outrage.

“They’re freaking out, I don’t understand it,” he said of his critics. “Like, aren’t there more important things we should be working on right now instead of, you know, that I might be dressing like a slob?”

When Fetterman reached the Senate floor, he still voted from the doorway. “Baby steps,” he told reporters as he got on the elevator to go back to his office.

Not all Republicans were upset about the change. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was wearing jeans, boots and no tie on Monday evening, an outfit he says he normally wears when he flies in from his home state for the first votes of the week.

“Now I can vote from the Senate floor on Mondays,” Hawley said, noting that he usually wears a suit and tie every other day.

Nearby, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy was also tieless. The Democrat said he’s been reprimanded by Sergeant-at-Arms staff in the past for not wearing a tie on the floor.

“They would tell us when we were doing it wrong,” Murphy said.

It’s unclear if the rules for more formal attire were actually written down anywhere, but Schumer’s directive means that staff will no longer scold senators for their choice of clothing or ask them to vote from the doorway.

For Fetterman, his signature hoodies and gym shorts were a sign of his recovery. Before he checked himself into the hospital, his staff had asked him to always wear suits, which he famously hates. But after a check with the Senate parliamentarian upon his return in April, it became clear that he could continue wearing the casual clothes that were often his uniform back at home in Pennsylvania, as long as he didn’t walk on to the Senate floor. He still wears suits to committee meetings when they are required.

In recent weeks, the Pennsylvania senator has become more comfortable joking around in the hallways and answering reporters’ questions. His words are still halting sometimes due to his stroke and an auditory processing disorder that makes it harder to speak fluidly and process spoken conversation. He uses iPads and iPhones in conversations that transcribe spoken words in real time.

“I think we should all want to be more comfortable,” Fetterman told a group of reporters on Monday. “And now we have that option, and if people prefer to wear a suit, then that’s great.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695136551099.png" alt="Senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and&nbsp; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania during a news conference in May -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and&nbsp; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania during a news conference in May -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The stuffy Senate is now a bit less formal.Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that staff for the chamber’s Sergeant-at-Arms — the Senate’s official clothes police — will no longer enforce a dress code on the Senate floor. The change comes after Pennsylvania&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fetterman-depression-senate-return-hoodies-shorts-771886ba8f3caee9be9674d186cd656b" target="_blank">Sen. John Fetterman</a>&nbsp;has been unapologetically wearing shorts as he goes about his duties, voting from doorways so he doesn’t get in trouble for his more casual attire.“There has been an informal dress code that was enforced,” Schumer said in a statement. “Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.”Schumer did not mention Fetterman in his statement about the dress code, which will only apply to senators, not staff.The changes prompted outrage from some of the chamber’s more formal members, eroding a bit of the good will that first-term Fetterman had earned earlier this year when he checked himself into the hospital for clinical depression. He won bipartisan praise for being honest about his diagnosis, which came in the wake of a stroke he suffered on the campaign trail last year. When he returned from treatment, he started donning the more casual clothes, which he says make him more comfortable.Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall said it’s a “sad day in the Senate” and that the people who Fetterman and Schumer represent should be embarrassed.“I represent the people of Kansas, and much like when I get dressed up to go to a wedding, it’s to honor the bride and groom, you go to a funeral you get dressed up to honor the family of the deceased,” Marshall said. Senators should have a certain level of decorum, he added.Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine agreed, arguing that the relaxed rules debase the institution of the Senate. “I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow to the Senate floor,” Collins joked.Walking to Monday evening’s vote in a short-sleeved button-down shirt and shorts, Fetterman said he wasn’t sure if he’d take advantage of the new rules just yet.“It’s nice to have the option, but I’m going to plan to be using it sparingly and not really overusing it,” he said.Asked about the criticism, Fetterman feigned mock outrage.“They’re freaking out, I don’t understand it,” he said of his critics. “Like, aren’t there more important things we should be working on right now instead of, you know, that I might be dressing like a slob?”When Fetterman reached the Senate floor, he still voted from the doorway. “Baby steps,” he told reporters as he got on the elevator to go back to his office.Not all Republicans were upset about the change. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was wearing jeans, boots and no tie on Monday evening, an outfit he says he normally wears when he flies in from his home state for the first votes of the week.“Now I can vote from the Senate floor on Mondays,” Hawley said, noting that he usually wears a suit and tie every other day.Nearby, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy was also tieless. The Democrat said he’s been reprimanded by Sergeant-at-Arms staff in the past for not wearing a tie on the floor.“They would tell us when we were doing it wrong,” Murphy said.It’s unclear if the rules for more formal attire were actually written down anywhere, but Schumer’s directive means that staff will no longer scold senators for their choice of clothing or ask them to vote from the doorway.For Fetterman, his signature hoodies and gym shorts were a sign of his recovery. Before he checked himself into the hospital, his staff had asked him to always wear suits, which he famously hates. But after a check with the Senate parliamentarian upon his return in April, it became clear that he could continue wearing the casual clothes that were often his uniform back at home in Pennsylvania, as long as he didn’t walk on to the Senate floor. He still wears suits to committee meetings when they are required.In recent weeks, the Pennsylvania senator has become more comfortable joking around in the hallways and answering reporters’ questions. His words are still halting sometimes due to his stroke and an auditory processing disorder that makes it harder to speak fluidly and process spoken conversation. He uses iPads and iPhones in conversations that transcribe spoken words in real time.“I think we should all want to be more comfortable,” Fetterman told a group of reporters on Monday. “And now we have that option, and if people prefer to wear a suit, then that’s great.”

Kansas Senator: Sad day as U.S. Senate ditches dress code

David’s Cookies is recalling 960 units of&nbsp;“Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake”&nbsp;lot # BS23212 that has been sold in Walmart retail stores across the country, according to a statement from the FDA.

This recall is due to that the 960 units of “Marketside Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake”&nbsp;were mislabeled with a label as&nbsp;“Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake”&nbsp;a name that does not depict peanut as a key ingredient and does not declare the peanut allergen warning on the label.

The product is in a 7-ounce, clear plastic package marked with lot # BS23212 on the top of the package. Photo below:

No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date in connection with this mislabel. If there are any consumers with concerns about illness or injury associated with this product, please contact a physician immediately.

Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused at the labeling and packaging stage.

In coordination with Walmart, they have blocked all&nbsp;Marketside Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake&nbsp;and&nbsp;Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake&nbsp;from their distribution centers and store registers, so no consumer is able to purchase either of these products until further investigation and resolutions have been completed by David’s Cookies and Walmart.

Consumers who have purchased the 7.9 oz&nbsp;Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake, lot # BS23212, are urged to return them to the location of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact David’s Cookies at 800-500-2800. Business hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 am, DST Eastern time zone.

The Walmart distribution center distributing the mislabeled product has been identified and David’s Cookies and Walmart will continue to work to correct the situation and prevent further shipments to stores.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695204304001.png" alt="photo FDA" />
 <figcaption>photo FDA</figcaption>
 </figure>David’s Cookies is recalling 960 units of&nbsp;“Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake”&nbsp;lot # BS23212 that has been sold in Walmart retail stores across the country, according to a statement from the FDA.This recall is due to that the 960 units of “Marketside Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake”&nbsp;were mislabeled with a label as&nbsp;“Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake”&nbsp;a name that does not depict peanut as a key ingredient and does not declare the peanut allergen warning on the label.The product is in a 7-ounce, clear plastic package marked with lot # BS23212 on the top of the package. Photo below:No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date in connection with this mislabel. If there are any consumers with concerns about illness or injury associated with this product, please contact a physician immediately.Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused at the labeling and packaging stage.In coordination with Walmart, they have blocked all&nbsp;Marketside Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake&nbsp;and&nbsp;Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake&nbsp;from their distribution centers and store registers, so no consumer is able to purchase either of these products until further investigation and resolutions have been completed by David’s Cookies and Walmart.Consumers who have purchased the 7.9 oz&nbsp;Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake, lot # BS23212, are urged to return them to the location of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact David’s Cookies at 800-500-2800. Business hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 am, DST Eastern time zone.The Walmart distribution center distributing the mislabeled product has been identified and David’s Cookies and Walmart will continue to work to correct the situation and prevent further shipments to stores.

Recall: Cake sold at Walmart stores nationwide

BOSTON (AP) — The family of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly discovered an iPhone taped to the back of a toilet seat on a recent flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston said they believe it was put there to record her by a member of the crew.

During the Sept. 2 American Airlines flight 1441, the girl was told by a male member of the crew to use the first-class bathroom. The crew member entered just before the 14-year-old, told her the seat was broken but not to worry about it and then re-entered the bathroom after she left, her family said in a written statement.

After using the toilet, the girl realized that a largely obscured iPhone had been affixed to the back of the toilet seat, apparently to record her. She took a picture of this with her own phone before leaving the bathroom.

“These events have left our daughter — and entire family — shocked and profoundly disturbed,” the family wrote in a statement.

Paul Llewellyn, a lawyer representing the family, said they have not yet filed a lawsuit.

Law enforcement officers met the plane at the gate after it landed. Massachusetts State Police escorted a flight attendant off the flight.

State police later deferred to the FBI as the primary investigating agency because the episode happened in the air, where the FBI has jurisdiction.

An FBI spokesperson declined comment via email.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695152869974.jpeg" alt="American Airlines planes are parked at Pittsburgh International Airport on March 31, 2020, in Imperial, Pa. The family of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly discovered an iPhone taped to the back of a toilet seat on a Sept. 2, 2023, flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston said they believe she was targeted by a member of the crew. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)" />
 <figcaption>American Airlines planes are parked at Pittsburgh International Airport on March 31, 2020, in Imperial, Pa. The family of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly discovered an iPhone taped to the back of a toilet seat on a Sept. 2, 2023, flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston said they believe she was targeted by a member of the crew. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — The family of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly discovered an iPhone taped to the back of a toilet seat on a recent flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston said they believe it was put there to record her by a member of the crew.During the Sept. 2 American Airlines flight 1441, the girl was told by a male member of the crew to use the first-class bathroom. The crew member entered just before the 14-year-old, told her the seat was broken but not to worry about it and then re-entered the bathroom after she left, her family said in a written statement.After using the toilet, the girl realized that a largely obscured iPhone had been affixed to the back of the toilet seat, apparently to record her. She took a picture of this with her own phone before leaving the bathroom.“These events have left our daughter — and entire family — shocked and profoundly disturbed,” the family wrote in a statement.Paul Llewellyn, a lawyer representing the family, said they have not yet filed a lawsuit.Law enforcement officers met the plane at the gate after it landed. Massachusetts State Police escorted a flight attendant off the flight.State police later deferred to the FBI as the primary investigating agency because the episode happened in the air, where the FBI has jurisdiction.An FBI spokesperson declined comment via email.

A teen girl found an iPhone in an airplane bathroom. Her family says it was put there to record her

WASHINGTON (AP) — Parents whose kids bought virtual gear without their knowledge on the popular Fortnite video game could soon be able to get a refund.

U.S. regulators are starting to notify more than 37 million people by email that they may be eligible for compensation as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-privacy-2bf09af93c0bca94c27e2c91ce735053">part of a legal settlement</a>&nbsp;with Fortnite's maker, Epic Games Inc.

The Federal Trade Commission announced late last year that Epic Games would pay $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints revolving around children’s privacy and its payment methods that tricked players into making unintended purchases.

Part of that $520 million consists of $245 million in customer refunds, as part of a settlement finalized in March. It's meant to cover some of the costs of unwanted V-Bucks, the game's in-game currency, or virtual items such as outfits or cartoonish purple llama loot crates.

Consumers have until Jan. 17 to submit a claim.

Epic Games had also agreed to pay a $275 million fine for collecting personal information on Fortnite players under the age of 13 without informing their parents or getting their consent. It was the biggest penalty ever imposed for breaking an FTC rule.

According to the FTC, those eligible for refunds include Fortnite users charged in-game currency for items they didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022; those whose child made charges to their credit card without their knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018; and those whose account was locked after they complained to their credit card company about wrongful charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695153042918.jpeg" alt="The Federal Trade Commission building, Jan. 28, 2015, in Washington. Parents whose kids bought virtual gear without their knowledge on the popular Fortnite video game could soon be able to get a refund. The U.S. regulators are starting to notify more than 37 million people by email that they may be eligible for compensation as part of a legal settlement with Fortnite’s maker, Epic Games Inc. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)" />
 <figcaption>The Federal Trade Commission building, Jan. 28, 2015, in Washington. Parents whose kids bought virtual gear without their knowledge on the popular Fortnite video game could soon be able to get a refund. The U.S. regulators are starting to notify more than 37 million people by email that they may be eligible for compensation as part of a legal settlement with Fortnite’s maker, Epic Games Inc. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Parents whose kids bought virtual gear without their knowledge on the popular Fortnite video game could soon be able to get a refund.U.S. regulators are starting to notify more than 37 million people by email that they may be eligible for compensation as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-privacy-2bf09af93c0bca94c27e2c91ce735053">part of a legal settlement</a>&nbsp;with Fortnite's maker, Epic Games Inc.The Federal Trade Commission announced late last year that Epic Games would pay $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints revolving around children’s privacy and its payment methods that tricked players into making unintended purchases.Part of that $520 million consists of $245 million in customer refunds, as part of a settlement finalized in March. It's meant to cover some of the costs of unwanted V-Bucks, the game's in-game currency, or virtual items such as outfits or cartoonish purple llama loot crates.Consumers have until Jan. 17 to submit a claim.Epic Games had also agreed to pay a $275 million fine for collecting personal information on Fortnite players under the age of 13 without informing their parents or getting their consent. It was the biggest penalty ever imposed for breaking an FTC rule.According to the FTC, those eligible for refunds include Fortnite users charged in-game currency for items they didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022; those whose child made charges to their credit card without their knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018; and those whose account was locked after they complained to their credit card company about wrongful charges.

Did your kids buy gear in Fortnite without asking you? The FTC says you could get a refund

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

LINCOLN, Neb. -&nbsp;Mental health professionals in rural Nebraska can now qualify for repayment assistance for their entire student loan debt.

The Nebraska Loan Repayment Program – Nebraska Legislative Bill, LB 50 – provides up to complete repayment of student loans for qualified mental health professionals who agree to work in rural and underserved communities in designated shortage areas for at least five years. They must work at least 50 percent of the time with individuals on probation or parole. State employees are prohibited from participating. A local match is required. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Loan-Repayment-FAQ.aspx">here</a>&nbsp;to apply.

Incentive programs are an important tool to recruit and retain medical providers in needed areas.&nbsp; According to studies on the economic impact of rural health care, one primary care physician in a rural community creates 23 jobs annually. On average, 14 percent of total employment in rural communities is attributed to the healthcare sector. In small towns and rural areas, approximately 40 percent of family medicine providers have participated in incentive programs. Rural health incentive programs currently impact more than 900,000 people living in Nebraska. For more information on economic impact, review the Nebraska Rural Health Advisory's Annual 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/RH%20Advisory%20Commission/RHAC%20Annual%20Report%202022.pdf" target="_blank">Report&nbsp;</a>.

The two other programs remain available as well: the&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Loan-Repayment-FAQ.aspx">Nebraska Loan Repayment Program and the National Health Service Corps Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program</a>.

The Nebraska Loan Repayment Program offers loan repayment assistance for primary care, mental, dental, and certain allied health professionals who agree to practice for three years in a state-designated shortage area in Nebraska. Doctors and dentists are eligible for up to $180,000 in loan relief, while other medical professions are eligible for up to $90,000. Those who have previously participated in the state program for less than this maximum amount are able to apply for a second award. A local match is required.

The National Health Service Corps Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program offers loan repayment assistance for primary care, dental, and mental health professionals who agree to practice for a minimum of two years at a National Health Service Corps site in Nebraska. The length of participation is capped at four years and providers cannot apply for another award after reaching the four-year maximum. Awards are also available for pharmacists and registered nurses who have bachelor's level training. Doctors, dentists, and pharmacists are eligible for up to $50 thousand in loan relief per year, while other medical professions are eligible for up to $25 thousand per year. A local match is required but may be waived for registered nurses and mental health professionals depending on funding availability.

Applicants must have employment secured at a site in a qualifying shortage area before applying. For more information on shortage areas and how to apply for the Nebraska Loan Repayment Program – LB 50 – the Nebraska Loan Repayment Program, and the National Health Service Corps Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/LoanRepayment">here</a>.​

Nebraska Department of Health and Human ServicesLINCOLN, Neb. -&nbsp;Mental health professionals in rural Nebraska can now qualify for repayment assistance for their entire student loan debt.The Nebraska Loan Repayment Program – Nebraska Legislative Bill, LB 50 – provides up to complete repayment of student loans for qualified mental health professionals who agree to work in rural and underserved communities in designated shortage areas for at least five years. They must work at least 50 percent of the time with individuals on probation or parole. State employees are prohibited from participating. A local match is required. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Loan-Repayment-FAQ.aspx">here</a>&nbsp;to apply.Incentive programs are an important tool to recruit and retain medical providers in needed areas.&nbsp; According to studies on the economic impact of rural health care, one primary care physician in a rural community creates 23 jobs annually. On average, 14 percent of total employment in rural communities is attributed to the healthcare sector. In small towns and rural areas, approximately 40 percent of family medicine providers have participated in incentive programs. Rural health incentive programs currently impact more than 900,000 people living in Nebraska. For more information on economic impact, review the Nebraska Rural Health Advisory's Annual 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/RH%20Advisory%20Commission/RHAC%20Annual%20Report%202022.pdf" target="_blank">Report&nbsp;</a>.The two other programs remain available as well: the&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Loan-Repayment-FAQ.aspx">Nebraska Loan Repayment Program and the National Health Service Corps Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program</a>.The Nebraska Loan Repayment Program offers loan repayment assistance for primary care, mental, dental, and certain allied health professionals who agree to practice for three years in a state-designated shortage area in Nebraska. Doctors and dentists are eligible for up to $180,000 in loan relief, while other medical professions are eligible for up to $90,000. Those who have previously participated in the state program for less than this maximum amount are able to apply for a second award. A local match is required.The National Health Service Corps Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program offers loan repayment assistance for primary care, dental, and mental health professionals who agree to practice for a minimum of two years at a National Health Service Corps site in Nebraska. The length of participation is capped at four years and providers cannot apply for another award after reaching the four-year maximum. Awards are also available for pharmacists and registered nurses who have bachelor's level training. Doctors, dentists, and pharmacists are eligible for up to $50 thousand in loan relief per year, while other medical professions are eligible for up to $25 thousand per year. A local match is required but may be waived for registered nurses and mental health professionals depending on funding availability.Applicants must have employment secured at a site in a qualifying shortage area before applying. For more information on shortage areas and how to apply for the Nebraska Loan Repayment Program – LB 50 – the Nebraska Loan Repayment Program, and the National Health Service Corps Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program, please click&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/LoanRepayment">here</a>.​

Student Loan Debt Repayment Assistance For Mental Health Professionals In Rural Nebraska

OMAHA, NE&nbsp;— The Platte Institute&nbsp;will host its&nbsp;Annual Legislative Summit on September 28th in Lincoln, Nebraska. This summit comes on the heels of a landmark year of legislative achievements, embodying the theme "Keep Up the Momentum" as we look forward to more&nbsp;prosperous&nbsp;endeavors for the state.&nbsp;

Jim Vokal, Chief Executive Officer of the Platte Institute, remarked, "With the successes of the past year as our foundation, this summit will not only reflect on our achievements but will chart the course for our future. We invite all Nebraskans to join us in this crucial conversation."&nbsp;

Tickets for the event are priced at $20, with complimentary passes available for senators, their staff, and media representatives.&nbsp;Tickets are&nbsp;available&nbsp;at this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/platte-institute-annual-legislative-summit-tickets-699044138837?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank">link</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Members of the media wishing to&nbsp;secure tickets or schedule an interview, please contact Ryan Kopsa at (402) 366-4432 or write to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rkopsa@platteinstitute.org" target="_blank">rkopsa@platteinstitute.org</a>.&nbsp;

The Platte Institute advances policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity in Nebraska. For more on our initiatives and resources, visit PlatteInstitute.org.&nbsp;

Platte&nbsp;InstituteOMAHA, NE&nbsp;— The Platte Institute&nbsp;will host its&nbsp;Annual Legislative Summit on September 28th in Lincoln, Nebraska. This summit comes on the heels of a landmark year of legislative achievements, embodying the theme "Keep Up the Momentum" as we look forward to more&nbsp;prosperous&nbsp;endeavors for the state.&nbsp;Jim Vokal, Chief Executive Officer of the Platte Institute, remarked, "With the successes of the past year as our foundation, this summit will not only reflect on our achievements but will chart the course for our future. We invite all Nebraskans to join us in this crucial conversation."&nbsp;Reasons to Attend:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Pivotal Discussions:&nbsp;Dive deep into the core subjects that define Nebraska's future - workforce, taxes, education, and regulation. Explore innovative strategies designed to position Nebraska at the forefront of economic and educational leadership.&nbsp;</li><li>Engage with Elected Leaders:&nbsp;Beyond the routine event circuit, this summit offers a rare chance for Nebraskans to interact directly with their representatives,&nbsp;providing&nbsp;a platform to voice their thoughts and play an active role in the state's development.</li><li>Celebrate Excellence:&nbsp;Join us as we unveil our 'Legislator of the Year', an honor given to a legislator whose outstanding dedication has been instrumental in Nebraska's growth.&nbsp;</li><li>Insights from the Top:&nbsp;Keynote talks by Speaker Arch, Auditor Foley, and others&nbsp;promise to shed light on the upcoming legislative session and&nbsp;provide&nbsp;an unparalleled glimpse into the inner workings of state governance.&nbsp;</li><li>Networking &amp; Breakfast:&nbsp;Kickstart the day by connecting with peers, leaders, and influencers over a breakfast spread.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Tickets for the event are priced at $20, with complimentary passes available for senators, their staff, and media representatives.&nbsp;Tickets are&nbsp;available&nbsp;at this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/platte-institute-annual-legislative-summit-tickets-699044138837?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank">link</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Members of the media wishing to&nbsp;secure tickets or schedule an interview, please contact Ryan Kopsa at (402) 366-4432 or write to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rkopsa@platteinstitute.org" target="_blank">rkopsa@platteinstitute.org</a>.&nbsp;The Platte Institute advances policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity in Nebraska. For more on our initiatives and resources, visit PlatteInstitute.org.&nbsp;

Platte Institute to Host Annual Legislative Summit: "Keep Up the Momentum" 

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Today, Governor Jim Pillen joined twenty-five other United States Governors in a joint letter calling for President Biden to address the crisis at the southern border and provide states with accurate information on border crossings.

“Every state is a border state, and this crisis transcends partisan politics,” said Gov. Pillen. “President Biden and the federal government have turned a blind eye to the surge of crossings of illegal drugs, weapons, and human trafficking happening at our border.”

The joint letter requests the Biden administration to provide detailed information immediately on where migrants admitted at the southern border are being relocated in the United States, comprehensive data on asylum claim timeliness and qualifications rates, and successful deportations. The states affirmed their commitment to addressing the issues that face our southern border.

In May, Texas Governor Abbott requested assistance from states to secure the border. Gov. Pillen responded by deploying State Patrol drone operators in May and soldiers with the Nebraska National Guard in August to support Operation Lone Star.

<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/sites/governor.nebraska.gov/files/doc/press/Joint-Governors-Letter-to-President-Biden-on-the-Impact-of-the-Border-Crisis-9-19-23.pdf" target="_blank">You can read the joint Governors’ letter here.</a>

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Today, Governor Jim Pillen joined twenty-five other United States Governors in a joint letter calling for President Biden to address the crisis at the southern border and provide states with accurate information on border crossings.“Every state is a border state, and this crisis transcends partisan politics,” said Gov. Pillen. “President Biden and the federal government have turned a blind eye to the surge of crossings of illegal drugs, weapons, and human trafficking happening at our border.”The joint letter requests the Biden administration to provide detailed information immediately on where migrants admitted at the southern border are being relocated in the United States, comprehensive data on asylum claim timeliness and qualifications rates, and successful deportations. The states affirmed their commitment to addressing the issues that face our southern border.In May, Texas Governor Abbott requested assistance from states to secure the border. Gov. Pillen responded by deploying State Patrol drone operators in May and soldiers with the Nebraska National Guard in August to support Operation Lone Star.<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/sites/governor.nebraska.gov/files/doc/press/Joint-Governors-Letter-to-President-Biden-on-the-Impact-of-the-Border-Crisis-9-19-23.pdf" target="_blank">You can read the joint Governors’ letter here.</a>

Governor Pillen Signs Joint Governors Letter to President Biden on the Border Crisis

More than 27 million unique files of child sexual abuse material were reported last year. 59 percent were of children who were prepubescent. 8 percent were of infants or toddlers.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Amy was 12 years old when a sex trafficker started grooming her online. She was a star softball player in Spring Hill, Kan. He said he was her age.

He was so nice, she said. She met him in person and got the shock of her life when she realized he was a 21-year-old sex trafficker from Olathe.

She still lived at home with her dad and mom, who was a stay-at-home mom, but her trafficker was selling her seven to 10 times a week. She never told a trusted adult.

When she was 14, the traffickers killed a little dog in front of her and told her if she didn't come with them the same thing would happen to her dad. She went with them and officially became a runaway.

She tried to escape many times. She became addicted to drugs and alcohol to cope. By the time she was 21, her heart had given out and she had to have an artificial heart implanted. She died in 2021, leaving a young son.

Before Amy died, she insisted that&nbsp;Russ Tuttle of the Stop Trafficking Project tell her story, say her name.&nbsp;

"I want my life to have meant something," she told him.

Tuttle spoke to an adult audience Sunday night at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Hays. Tuttle will be giving age-appropriate presentations to youth in the public and Catholic schools in Ellis County this week.

Kids feel fear and shame, Tuttle said, and that's why they don't tell.

Child sex crimes, sex abuse material and domestic minor sex trafficking are increasing in Kansas. 2021 was the worst year on record for online sex abuse, he said.

There was a three-fold increase of self-generated images of children 7 to 10, he said. That is children taking their clothes off and sending naked pictures.

"At the Stop Trafficking Project, it is our vision is to end domestic minor sex trafficking before it starts," he said, " by disrupting the exploration of vulnerability. ...

"My heart is that a student will never need to be rescued by law enforcement," Tuttle said. "Our heart is that a student will never need to be examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner. 

"Our heart is that a student will never experience such severe trauma that they now require a lifetime of housing and public assistance and trauma-informed therapy. Our heart is to function on the very front end of this crisis."

After a student assembly in another community, a sixth-grade girl came up to Tuttle with tears in her eyes and showed him the bruises on her neck where her eighth-grade boyfriend had choked her out while having sex the day before.

The boy, who had started watching porn when he was in the second grade, thought this was normal. He had recorded the act on a cell phone. Within 24 hours of the act, that eighth-grade boy had been approached by 37 adult men who were trying to figure out how to pay the eighth-grade boy to sexually assault that sixth-grade girl.

The United States far outpaces every other country in the world in its porn usage, according to Pornhub. The United States consumes more than double the next country on the list, which is the United Kingdom.

The average age of exposure to porn is between 8 and 11, Tuttle said. Eighty-four percent of porn is viewed through a cell phone, according to Pornhub. Even if your child doesn't have a cell phone, they have a friend who does, Tuttle said.&nbsp;

One of the pervasive ideas about sex trafficking is that young kids are being snatched off the street by a person in a scary vehicle. Tuttle said that is very rare and is a very narrow view of what trafficking can be.

One hundred percent of sex trafficking today is coming through digital devices, almost all of them cell phones, he said.

The initial contact and grooming usually come through an app that has some kind of chat function, he said.

Tuttle said the youngest child he's encountered who was on Tinder, which is an adult hook-up app, was in the second grade. Seventeen adult men, who all knew she was in second grade, had asked her to take off her clothes and send them naked pictures of herself.

An eighth-grade boy in Missouri convinced 80 girls in junior high to take naked pictures of themselves. He created an app and was selling the pictures to adult men for $25 each. His goal was to sell the girls in person. That ring was disrupted before those in-person interactions happened.

"... people online want to harm kids' brains and their minds, so they can later harm them in person," Tuttle said.

All the crimes of sex trafficking come down to three words — exploration of vulnerability, Tuttle said.

"This is the loneliest generation that has ever lived on planet Earth," he said, "yet they are the most connected."

Kids can find out on social media they didn't get invited to the party and what other kids are saying about them. Depression is skyrocketing among youth, Tuttle said.

"Perverts, predators and pimps love this," Tuttle said. "When in the process of grooming if a kid is lonely, isolated and depressed and wondering in life if they are even important, they pounce on that."

They are extremely kind or extremely controlling, he said.

"We don't let these people in our homes, but we don't know what our kids are doing online or we don't know how to know what our kids are doing online or we say, 'not my kids,'" Tuttle said.

The perverts, predators and pimps start by casing children online. Tuttle showed a video from a woman who had been lured into sex trafficking when she was a child. She met the predator through an online book club.

"Then the grooming started, because he found her weaknesses," Tuttle said.&nbsp;

"What I hear all the time from kids is 'He's so nice. She's so nice. They're so nice,'" Tuttle said.&nbsp;

More than 27 million unique files of child sexual abuse material were reported last year. Fifty-nine percent were of children who were prepubescent. Eight percent were of infants or toddlers, Tuttle said.

&nbsp;Two sixth-grade girls independently of each other came to Tuttle after a school assembly and said they were engaging in online sex during school hours on school-issued Macbooks. Both girls said they had plans to meet these "boys" that weekend in-person. They were actually all adult male registered sex offenders.

"We ended it before it started," Tuttle said.

"If we go into schools and tell the truth about this to kids, when we appeal to the hero in kids in a space that is very near and dear to them, it's amazing to watch them step up."

Predators infiltrate any number of apps and groom children. Tuttle mentioned Snapchat, Blender and TikTok.

You can find a list of 100 problematic apps through the Stop Trafficking Project app, which is available for download for free for Apple and Android devices.

People upload images to Blender and others rank them as hot or not hot. Two 12-year-old girls at the same school uploaded naked images to the app. One was ranked as "hot," but within 30 minutes she was being body-shamed and exploited online. She was suicidal.

 The second girl was ranked as"not hot." She was also suicidal.

"This is where kids live. We better figure it out," Tuttle said.

Tuttle said TikTok was the worst app on the market in terms of child safety.&nbsp;

"This is where they are learning how to die by suicide," he said. "This is learning the latest self-harming techniques such as cutting and burning. This is where they are learning dangerous diet fads to lessen the pain of the seductions they are facing online."

Seven-year-old Jessy had no technology of her own. Her mother set a timer for 15 minutes and allowed her to get online on her phone. In that short time, a grown man who said he was her age, tried to get Jesse to take a picture of herself with her shirt off and send it to him.&nbsp;

Her father was a law enforcement officer. He ended the chat before his daughter sent the image the man requested.

When Tuttle does presentations for young children, he shares with them to not keep secrets and to go to a trusted adult and ask for "screen help," if they encounter something online that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Predators will lie about their age and send fake photos. They appeal to a child's fantasy of love.

A ninth-grade boy told Tuttle that a "smokin' hot" woman sent him naked photos and asked him to send her naked photos of himself. He sent pictures and videos. Within an hour he had multiple messages that if he didn't pay $1,000, they were going to make him famous on the Internet.

The boy stole his dad's credit card and paid $18,000 before his disclosure. Tuttle said if that happens to your child, never pay. The photos are going to be circulated anyway.

"We are not arguing with kids. We are arguing with their fantasy," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695063779015.jpeg" alt="Russ Tuttle of the Stop Trafficking Project spoke at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center Sunday in Hays. Photos by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Russ Tuttle of the Stop Trafficking Project spoke at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center Sunday in Hays. Photos by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>More than 27 million unique files of child sexual abuse material were reported last year. 59 percent were of children who were prepubescent. 8 percent were of infants or toddlers.</h2>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAmy was 12 years old when a sex trafficker started grooming her online. She was a star softball player in Spring Hill, Kan. He said he was her age.He was so nice, she said. She met him in person and got the shock of her life when she realized he was a 21-year-old sex trafficker from Olathe.She still lived at home with her dad and mom, who was a stay-at-home mom, but her trafficker was selling her seven to 10 times a week. She never told a trusted adult.When she was 14, the traffickers killed a little dog in front of her and told her if she didn't come with them the same thing would happen to her dad. She went with them and officially became a runaway.She tried to escape many times. She became addicted to drugs and alcohol to cope. By the time she was 21, her heart had given out and she had to have an artificial heart implanted. She died in 2021, leaving a young son.Before Amy died, she insisted that&nbsp;Russ Tuttle of the Stop Trafficking Project tell her story, say her name.&nbsp;"I want my life to have meant something," she told him.Tuttle spoke to an adult audience Sunday night at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Hays. Tuttle will be giving age-appropriate presentations to youth in the public and Catholic schools in Ellis County this week.Kids feel fear and shame, Tuttle said, and that's why they don't tell.Child sex crimes, sex abuse material and domestic minor sex trafficking are increasing in Kansas. 2021 was the worst year on record for online sex abuse, he said.There was a three-fold increase of self-generated images of children 7 to 10, he said. That is children taking their clothes off and sending naked pictures."At the Stop Trafficking Project, it is our vision is to end domestic minor sex trafficking before it starts," he said, " by disrupting the exploration of vulnerability. ..."My heart is that a student will never need to be rescued by law enforcement," Tuttle said. "Our heart is that a student will never need to be examined by a sexual assault nurse examiner. "Our heart is that a student will never experience such severe trauma that they now require a lifetime of housing and public assistance and trauma-informed therapy. Our heart is to function on the very front end of this crisis."After a student assembly in another community, a sixth-grade girl came up to Tuttle with tears in her eyes and showed him the bruises on her neck where her eighth-grade boyfriend had choked her out while having sex the day before.The boy, who had started watching porn when he was in the second grade, thought this was normal. He had recorded the act on a cell phone. Within 24 hours of the act, that eighth-grade boy had been approached by 37 adult men who were trying to figure out how to pay the eighth-grade boy to sexually assault that sixth-grade girl."That's sex trafficking," Tuttle said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695056730023.jpeg" alt="The United States is the top viewer of porn in the world, according to Pornhub." />
 <figcaption>The United States is the top viewer of porn in the world, according to Pornhub.</figcaption>
 </figure>The United States far outpaces every other country in the world in its porn usage, according to Pornhub. The United States consumes more than double the next country on the list, which is the United Kingdom.The average age of exposure to porn is between 8 and 11, Tuttle said. Eighty-four percent of porn is viewed through a cell phone, according to Pornhub. Even if your child doesn't have a cell phone, they have a friend who does, Tuttle said.&nbsp;One of the pervasive ideas about sex trafficking is that young kids are being snatched off the street by a person in a scary vehicle. Tuttle said that is very rare and is a very narrow view of what trafficking can be.One hundred percent of sex trafficking today is coming through digital devices, almost all of them cell phones, he said.The initial contact and grooming usually come through an app that has some kind of chat function, he said.Tuttle said the youngest child he's encountered who was on Tinder, which is an adult hook-up app, was in the second grade. Seventeen adult men, who all knew she was in second grade, had asked her to take off her clothes and send them naked pictures of herself.An eighth-grade boy in Missouri convinced 80 girls in junior high to take naked pictures of themselves. He created an app and was selling the pictures to adult men for $25 each. His goal was to sell the girls in person. That ring was disrupted before those in-person interactions happened."... people online want to harm kids' brains and their minds, so they can later harm them in person," Tuttle said.All the crimes of sex trafficking come down to three words — exploration of vulnerability, Tuttle said."This is the loneliest generation that has ever lived on planet Earth," he said, "yet they are the most connected."Kids can find out on social media they didn't get invited to the party and what other kids are saying about them. Depression is skyrocketing among youth, Tuttle said."Perverts, predators and pimps love this," Tuttle said. "When in the process of grooming if a kid is lonely, isolated and depressed and wondering in life if they are even important, they pounce on that."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695066147581.jpeg" alt="Texting and sexting lingo" />
 <figcaption>Texting and sexting lingo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695066496572.jpeg" alt="Texting and sexting lingo" />
 <figcaption>Texting and sexting lingo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695066624469.jpeg" alt="Texting and sexting lingo" />
 <figcaption>Texting and sexting lingo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695066624469.jpeg" alt="Texting and sexting lingo" />
 <figcaption>Texting and sexting lingo</figcaption>
 </figure>They are extremely kind or extremely controlling, he said."We don't let these people in our homes, but we don't know what our kids are doing online or we don't know how to know what our kids are doing online or we say, 'not my kids,'" Tuttle said.The perverts, predators and pimps start by casing children online. Tuttle showed a video from a woman who had been lured into sex trafficking when she was a child. She met the predator through an online book club."Then the grooming started, because he found her weaknesses," Tuttle said.&nbsp;"What I hear all the time from kids is 'He's so nice. She's so nice. They're so nice,'" Tuttle said.&nbsp;More than 27 million unique files of child sexual abuse material were reported last year. Fifty-nine percent were of children who were prepubescent. Eight percent were of infants or toddlers, Tuttle said.&nbsp;Two sixth-grade girls independently of each other came to Tuttle after a school assembly and said they were engaging in online sex during school hours on school-issued Macbooks. Both girls said they had plans to meet these "boys" that weekend in-person. They were actually all adult male registered sex offenders."We ended it before it started," Tuttle said."If we go into schools and tell the truth about this to kids, when we appeal to the hero in kids in a space that is very near and dear to them, it's amazing to watch them step up."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695068015938.jpeg" alt="Process predators use to groom children into sex trafficking." />
 <figcaption>Process predators use to groom children into sex trafficking.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695068046590.jpeg" alt="Process predators use to groom children into sex trafficking." />
 <figcaption>Process predators use to groom children into sex trafficking.</figcaption>
 </figure>Predators infiltrate any number of apps and groom children. Tuttle mentioned Snapchat, Blender and TikTok.You can find a list of 100 problematic apps through the Stop Trafficking Project app, which is available for download for free for Apple and Android devices.People upload images to Blender and others rank them as hot or not hot. Two 12-year-old girls at the same school uploaded naked images to the app. One was ranked as "hot," but within 30 minutes she was being body-shamed and exploited online. She was suicidal. The second girl was ranked as"not hot." She was also suicidal."This is where kids live. We better figure it out," Tuttle said.Tuttle said TikTok was the worst app on the market in terms of child safety.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695068284754.jpeg" alt="Talking point for adults with children on safety online from Russ Tuttle." />
 <figcaption>Talking point for adults with children on safety online from Russ Tuttle.</figcaption>
 </figure>"This is where they are learning how to die by suicide," he said. "This is learning the latest self-harming techniques such as cutting and burning. This is where they are learning dangerous diet fads to lessen the pain of the seductions they are facing online."Seven-year-old Jessy had no technology of her own. Her mother set a timer for 15 minutes and allowed her to get online on her phone. In that short time, a grown man who said he was her age, tried to get Jesse to take a picture of herself with her shirt off and send it to him.&nbsp;He said it would be their secret.Her father was a law enforcement officer. He ended the chat before his daughter sent the image the man requested.When Tuttle does presentations for young children, he shares with them to not keep secrets and to go to a trusted adult and ask for "screen help," if they encounter something online that makes them feel uncomfortable.Predators will lie about their age and send fake photos. They appeal to a child's fantasy of love.A ninth-grade boy told Tuttle that a "smokin' hot" woman sent him naked photos and asked him to send her naked photos of himself. He sent pictures and videos. Within an hour he had multiple messages that if he didn't pay $1,000, they were going to make him famous on the Internet.The boy stole his dad's credit card and paid $18,000 before his disclosure. Tuttle said if that happens to your child, never pay. The photos are going to be circulated anyway."We are not arguing with kids. We are arguing with their fantasy," he said.

Speaker: Children are cell phone chat away from predators, perverts, pimps

The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday recognized 353 schools as&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Mi5lZC5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbXMvbmNsYmJycy9pbmRleC5odG1sP3V0bV9jb250ZW50PSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9uYW1lPSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5JnV0bV90ZXJtPSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MTkuODI4MTk0MzEifQ.u3iTMM_yzpfxsaD1pjAKtL_fH41EWWRc8eFA1Lj_a38/s/179215596/br/226211591441-l" target="_blank">National Blue Ribbon Schools</a>&nbsp;for 2023. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments, according to a media release from the U.S. Department of Education.

Four schools in Nebraska earned the honor this year including&nbsp;Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Omaha, Neb.;&nbsp;Dodge Elementary School, Dodge, Neb.;&nbsp;Pender High School and Pender Elementary School, Pender, Neb. and&nbsp;Reeder Elementary School, Gretna, Neb.

<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/assets/reports/2023/all_2023_national_blue_ribbon_schools.pdf">CLICK here to see</a> the entire list of Blue Ribbon Schools.

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”

With its 40th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools and serve students of every background.

While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695146261197.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday recognized 353 schools as&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Mi5lZC5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbXMvbmNsYmJycy9pbmRleC5odG1sP3V0bV9jb250ZW50PSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9uYW1lPSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5JnV0bV90ZXJtPSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MTkuODI4MTk0MzEifQ.u3iTMM_yzpfxsaD1pjAKtL_fH41EWWRc8eFA1Lj_a38/s/179215596/br/226211591441-l" target="_blank">National Blue Ribbon Schools</a>&nbsp;for 2023. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments, according to a media release from the U.S. Department of Education.Four schools in Nebraska earned the honor this year including&nbsp;Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, Omaha, Neb.;&nbsp;Dodge Elementary School, Dodge, Neb.;&nbsp;Pender High School and Pender Elementary School, Pender, Neb. and&nbsp;Reeder Elementary School, Gretna, Neb.<a href="https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/assets/reports/2023/all_2023_national_blue_ribbon_schools.pdf">CLICK here to see</a> the entire list of Blue Ribbon Schools.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695145849769.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”With its 40th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools and serve students of every background.While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.The Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:<ul>
 <li>Exemplary High-Performing Schools&nbsp;are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.</li><li>Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools&nbsp;are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement.</li>
 </ul>Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

4 Nebraska schools named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools

UNITED NATIONS (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;made a robust case before the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that the world must remain united in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, warning that no nation can be secure if “we allow Ukraine to be carved up" as he tries to rally support for Kyiv's effort to repel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">a nearly 19-month-old Russian invasion</a>&nbsp;that has no end in sight.

(click below to watch a replay of the President's address)

The U.S. president called on world leaders to not let support for Ukraine diminish, arguing that Russia is counting on countries to grow tired of prolonged conflict in Kyiv which will “allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.” Russia alone is standing in the way of a resolution, Biden argued, saying that Moscow's price for peace was “Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory and Ukraine’s children.”

"I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?” Biden said in his address. “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?

He continued: “I'd respectfully suggest the answer is no.” He implored the leaders to stand up to "this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

During his address, Biden described the partnerships that the U.S. government was fostering around the globe — from Africa to the Indo-Pacific — that he said were creating economic and other advancements, even as he stressed that those relationships were not about “containing any country" — a clear reference to Beijing.

“When it comes to China, let me be clear and consistent,” Biden said. “We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.'

In his 30-minute address, Biden repeatedly emphasized the value of institutions such as the United Nations and international coalitions that has helped the world confront significant challenges such as poverty and disease, as well as echoing his defense of democracy, a common theme of his presidency.

“We will not retreat from the values that make us strong," Biden said. “We will defend democracy — our best tool to meet the challenges that we face around the world. And we're working to show how democracy can deliver in ways that matter to people's lives."

The annual forum is a chance for Biden to showcase to other world leaders — and the 2024 U.S. electorate — that he’s reestablished U.S. leadership on the world stage that he says was diminished under former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

Biden previewed his thinking in a pair of fundraisers on Monday evening, telling supporters that he stood up to Vladimir Putin’s invasion, and questioning whether Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential front-runner, would have even attempted to help Ukraine stop the Russian land grab if he were in power.

“I will not side with dictators like Putin. Maybe Trump and his MAGA friends can bow down but I won’t,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-broadway-fundraiser-new-york-fc92b7f04ad2ac20c119e60337da5cfb">Biden told supporters at a Broadway fundraiser.</a>

There were some notable absences as Biden made his case before the General Assembly: British Prime&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rishi-sunak">Rishi Sunak</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emmanuel-macron">French President Emmanuel Macron</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xi-jinping">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Putin</a>&nbsp;are all skipping the gathering.

For Biden, the more important audience for Tuesday’s speech could be closer to home as he looks to make the case to voters that he’s skillfully handled a complicated foreign policy agenda and that the experience that comes with age has proved to be an asset. It’s an argument that the 80-year-old president is likely to continue to make to try to counter skepticism — even in his own Democratic Party —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-poll-old-corrupt-12b806876e2072790f9a67793761c688">among voters who are concerned about his age.</a>

“We rallied the world to support Ukraine and united NATO because I was convinced from the beginning that Putin’s counting on NATO not being able to stick together,” Biden said at another Monday fundraiser. “He’s still trying. And our allies know once again, the United States can be counted on.”

Biden's message of unwavering support for Ukraine will play out as Congress is increasingly divided over providing additional funding for Kyiv.

Biden has sought a package of $13.1 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine and $8.5 billion for humanitarian support. But conservative Republican lawmakers have been pushing for broad federal spending cuts and some of those allied with Trump are specifically looking to stop money to Ukraine.

In addition to underscoring continued U.S. support for Ukraine, Biden is expected to touch on mobilizing global resources to combat climate change and bolstering multilateral organizations to help poor and middle-income countries, according to senior administration officials.

Biden aims to send a message that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in violation of the U.N. charter and to emphasize that every country has a stake in defending a nation’s sovereignty, especially when it is under attack, said the officials, who previewed Biden’s activities in New York this week on condition of anonymity.

After the speech, Biden planned to meet with António Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, as well as leaders from the so-called C5 group of Central Asian nations, which include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The meeting was expected to focus on regional security, trade, climate change, ongoing reforms to improve governance and other issues.

Xi has stepped up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-central-asia-energy-terrorism-security-f20090e0bacf961d0c87d50f1bcbd052">his own courting of those countries</a>. During his own summit in May with the Central Asian leaders, Xi promised to build more railway and other trade links with the region and proposed jointly developing oil and gas sources.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters last week that Biden’s meeting with those leaders should not be seen as an effort to counterbalance Chinese influence in the region.

“Look, this summit is not against any country,” Sullivan said in previewing the meeting. “It is for a positive agenda that we want to work through with these countries.”

The officials played down the fact that the leaders of the other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -– the UK, France, Russia and China — won’t be in New York this week and instead emphasized the importance that Biden attaches to showing up at the annual diplomatic forum.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;made a robust case before the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that the world must remain united in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, warning that no nation can be secure if “we allow Ukraine to be carved up" as he tries to rally support for Kyiv's effort to repel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">a nearly 19-month-old Russian invasion</a>&nbsp;that has no end in sight.(click below to watch a replay of the President's address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oVIm3oMmIm0?si=nbK3RnpNu595T0lH&amp;start=1315" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The U.S. president called on world leaders to not let support for Ukraine diminish, arguing that Russia is counting on countries to grow tired of prolonged conflict in Kyiv which will “allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.” Russia alone is standing in the way of a resolution, Biden argued, saying that Moscow's price for peace was “Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory and Ukraine’s children.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695138092476.png" alt="Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN during President Biden's address" />
 <figcaption>Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN during President Biden's address</figcaption>
 </figure>"I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?” Biden said in his address. “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?He continued: “I'd respectfully suggest the answer is no.” He implored the leaders to stand up to "this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."During his address, Biden described the partnerships that the U.S. government was fostering around the globe — from Africa to the Indo-Pacific — that he said were creating economic and other advancements, even as he stressed that those relationships were not about “containing any country" — a clear reference to Beijing.“When it comes to China, let me be clear and consistent,” Biden said. “We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.'In his 30-minute address, Biden repeatedly emphasized the value of institutions such as the United Nations and international coalitions that has helped the world confront significant challenges such as poverty and disease, as well as echoing his defense of democracy, a common theme of his presidency.“We will not retreat from the values that make us strong," Biden said. “We will defend democracy — our best tool to meet the challenges that we face around the world. And we're working to show how democracy can deliver in ways that matter to people's lives."The annual forum is a chance for Biden to showcase to other world leaders — and the 2024 U.S. electorate — that he’s reestablished U.S. leadership on the world stage that he says was diminished under former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.Biden previewed his thinking in a pair of fundraisers on Monday evening, telling supporters that he stood up to Vladimir Putin’s invasion, and questioning whether Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential front-runner, would have even attempted to help Ukraine stop the Russian land grab if he were in power.“I will not side with dictators like Putin. Maybe Trump and his MAGA friends can bow down but I won’t,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-broadway-fundraiser-new-york-fc92b7f04ad2ac20c119e60337da5cfb">Biden told supporters at a Broadway fundraiser.</a>There were some notable absences as Biden made his case before the General Assembly: British Prime&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rishi-sunak">Rishi Sunak</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emmanuel-macron">French President Emmanuel Macron</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xi-jinping">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Putin</a>&nbsp;are all skipping the gathering.For Biden, the more important audience for Tuesday’s speech could be closer to home as he looks to make the case to voters that he’s skillfully handled a complicated foreign policy agenda and that the experience that comes with age has proved to be an asset. It’s an argument that the 80-year-old president is likely to continue to make to try to counter skepticism — even in his own Democratic Party —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-poll-old-corrupt-12b806876e2072790f9a67793761c688">among voters who are concerned about his age.</a>“We rallied the world to support Ukraine and united NATO because I was convinced from the beginning that Putin’s counting on NATO not being able to stick together,” Biden said at another Monday fundraiser. “He’s still trying. And our allies know once again, the United States can be counted on.”Biden's message of unwavering support for Ukraine will play out as Congress is increasingly divided over providing additional funding for Kyiv.Biden has sought a package of $13.1 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine and $8.5 billion for humanitarian support. But conservative Republican lawmakers have been pushing for broad federal spending cuts and some of those allied with Trump are specifically looking to stop money to Ukraine.In addition to underscoring continued U.S. support for Ukraine, Biden is expected to touch on mobilizing global resources to combat climate change and bolstering multilateral organizations to help poor and middle-income countries, according to senior administration officials.Biden aims to send a message that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in violation of the U.N. charter and to emphasize that every country has a stake in defending a nation’s sovereignty, especially when it is under attack, said the officials, who previewed Biden’s activities in New York this week on condition of anonymity.After the speech, Biden planned to meet with António Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, as well as leaders from the so-called C5 group of Central Asian nations, which include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.The meeting was expected to focus on regional security, trade, climate change, ongoing reforms to improve governance and other issues.Xi has stepped up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-central-asia-energy-terrorism-security-f20090e0bacf961d0c87d50f1bcbd052">his own courting of those countries</a>. During his own summit in May with the Central Asian leaders, Xi promised to build more railway and other trade links with the region and proposed jointly developing oil and gas sources.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters last week that Biden’s meeting with those leaders should not be seen as an effort to counterbalance Chinese influence in the region.“Look, this summit is not against any country,” Sullivan said in previewing the meeting. “It is for a positive agenda that we want to work through with these countries.”The officials played down the fact that the leaders of the other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -– the UK, France, Russia and China — won’t be in New York this week and instead emphasized the importance that Biden attaches to showing up at the annual diplomatic forum.However, Biden does not plan to attend a special summit on climate that Guterres will host on Wednesday, where countries are encouraged to bring new ideas and proposals on how to further cut emissions and combat climate change. Officials played down Biden’s absence at the climate summit, saying the issue will be interspersed through the president’s remarks and events throughout the week. John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, is to attend in Biden’s place.Biden plans to meet with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva">Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.</a>&nbsp;Senior administration officials said the two leaders will discuss issues including Iran but declined to elaborate further.Biden is scheduled to host talks Thursday at the White House with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.</a>