LINCOLN, Neb. — Twenty-two people were killed in traffic crashes on Nebraska roadways during August, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The fatalities occurred in 19 separate crashes. Thirteen of the 15 vehicle occupants who died were not wearing seatbelts, while only two were buckled in.

Fifteen of the deaths happened in rural areas. Two fatalities occurred on the interstate, 11 on other highways, and nine on local roads. The victims included three pedestrians and four motorcyclists.

Through the first eight months of 2025, the state has recorded 140 fatalities in 127 crashes. That is down 19 percent compared to 166 deaths during the same period in 2024, but higher than the 134 deaths reported in 2023.

NDOT data show only 38 of the 110 vehicle occupants killed so far in 2025 were using seatbelts.

There were 19 fatalities reported in August 2024.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation compiles crash data from across the state and updates daily fatality counts online at <a href="https://ndot.info/tollcompare">ndot.info/tollcompare</a>.

For more information, residents may contact NDOT’s Communications and Public Policy Division at 402-479-4316.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744057818260.jpeg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LINCOLN, Neb. — Twenty-two people were killed in traffic crashes on Nebraska roadways during August, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.</p><p>The fatalities occurred in 19 separate crashes. Thirteen of the 15 vehicle occupants who died were not wearing seatbelts, while only two were buckled in.</p><p>Fifteen of the deaths happened in rural areas. Two fatalities occurred on the interstate, 11 on other highways, and nine on local roads. The victims included three pedestrians and four motorcyclists.</p><p>Through the first eight months of 2025, the state has recorded 140 fatalities in 127 crashes. That is down 19 percent compared to 166 deaths during the same period in 2024, but higher than the 134 deaths reported in 2023.</p><p>NDOT data show only 38 of the 110 vehicle occupants killed so far in 2025 were using seatbelts.</p><p>There were 19 fatalities reported in August 2024.</p><p>The Nebraska Department of Transportation compiles crash data from across the state and updates daily fatality counts online at <a href="https://ndot.info/tollcompare">ndot.info/tollcompare</a>.</p><p>For more information, residents may contact NDOT’s Communications and Public Policy Division at 402-479-4316.</p>

Nebraska Traffic Deaths Down for 2025, But 22 Killed in August

SEWARD COUNTY, Kansas– The U.S. Marshals are seeking the public’s help and offering a reward of up to&nbsp;$5,000&nbsp;for information leading to the arrest of a Guatemalan man wanted in Seward County on multiple counts of crimes against children, according to a media release.

Juan Ralios-Batz, (estimated age) 30, is wanted on three counts of rape of a child, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated human trafficking, and one count of abuse of a child.

Batz and his sister are alleged to have sponsored a 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child and, over a two-year-period, Batz allegedly raped the child and forced the child to do manual labor. &nbsp;The child eventually became pregnant and has a child with Batz. When Batz became aware of his wanted status, his family allegedly helped him escape to Fremont, Nebraska, to evade the charges against him. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Batz is a white or Hispanic man, stands 5-feet-1 inch and weighs approximately 115 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter J on his right arm.&nbsp;

Batz, who is in the U.S. illegally, is known to use multiple aliases, including Juan Ralios, Juan Batz, Randy Guerro, Juan Ramos-Batz, Juan Ramos and Omar Gonzalez.&nbsp;

Anyone with information regarding his location is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at&nbsp;1-877-WANTED-2&nbsp;or send tip information via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip">USMS Tips App</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758163504048.png" alt="Batz photo Seward Co. Sheriff" />
                        <figcaption>Batz photo Seward Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEWARD COUNTY, Kansas– The U.S. Marshals are seeking the public’s help and offering a reward of up to&nbsp;$5,000&nbsp;for information leading to the arrest of a Guatemalan man wanted in Seward County on multiple counts of crimes against children, according to a media release.</p><p>Juan Ralios-Batz, (estimated age) 30, is wanted on three counts of rape of a child, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated human trafficking, and one count of abuse of a child.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758163443530.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Batz and his sister are alleged to have sponsored a 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child and, over a two-year-period, Batz allegedly raped the child and forced the child to do manual labor. &nbsp;The child eventually became pregnant and has a child with Batz. When Batz became aware of his wanted status, his family allegedly helped him escape to Fremont, Nebraska, to evade the charges against him. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Batz is a white or Hispanic man, stands 5-feet-1 inch and weighs approximately 115 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter J on his right arm.&nbsp;</p><p>Batz, who is in the U.S. illegally, is known to use multiple aliases, including Juan Ralios, Juan Batz, Randy Guerro, Juan Ramos-Batz, Juan Ramos and Omar Gonzalez.&nbsp;</p><p>Anyone with information regarding his location is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at&nbsp;1-877-WANTED-2&nbsp;or send tip information via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip">USMS Tips App</a>.</p>

Sex crime suspect in U.S. illegally may be hiding in Nebraska

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH IN FULL: President Donald J. Trump and the First Lady receive a marvelous welcome to Windsor Castle earlier today, kicking off the President&#39;s unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom. <a href="https://t.co/3IOBmn8cVo">pic.twitter.com/3IOBmn8cVo</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968393607976456671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/UpX0M1yM5c">pic.twitter.com/UpX0M1yM5c</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968412389054775622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome President Trump 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/Xpm5Nq2XRA">pic.twitter.com/Xpm5Nq2XRA</a></p>&mdash; The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1968305875686449290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇺🇸 🇬🇧 This afternoon, a Beating Retreat ceremony was held at Windsor Castle to mark President Trump’s State Visit.<br><br>The ceremony has its origins in the early years of organised warfare when the beating of drums and the parading of Post Guards heralded the closing of camp gates… <a href="https://t.co/UnFCeOYL29">pic.twitter.com/UnFCeOYL29</a></p>&mdash; The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1968387149734330404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WOW! A joint U.S.-U.K. flyover of F-35s and Red Arrows atop <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>, and Their Majesties at Windsor Castle! 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/CvMEtO3o3a">pic.twitter.com/CvMEtO3o3a</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968343366929907847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> and the First Lady listen to the Chapel Choristers inside St. George’s Chapel 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/Qzw0FVowkJ">pic.twitter.com/Qzw0FVowkJ</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1968337163357188250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> inspecting the Guard of Honor with King Charles 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/OtFaUxKMyp">pic.twitter.com/OtFaUxKMyp</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1968294714886734156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> arrive at Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/p0RMi3zKA8">pic.twitter.com/p0RMi3zKA8</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1968293874230767665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇬🇧 🇺🇸 The King and Queen inspect the banquet table in St George’s Hall ahead of this evening’s State Banquet <a href="https://t.co/T5OJm7MY3C">pic.twitter.com/T5OJm7MY3C</a></p>&mdash; The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1968356830087889211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>, together with Their Majesties, arrive for a state banquet at Windsor Castle. 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/tyO8lTW4xv">pic.twitter.com/tyO8lTW4xv</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968403182070960249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;We&#39;re joined by history and fate, by love and language, and by transcendent ties of culture, tradition, ancestry, and destiny... The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal — it&#39;s irreplaceable and unbreakable.&quot; 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/RhFIaLNcAp">pic.twitter.com/RhFIaLNcAp</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968410080077832446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;On behalf of all Americans, I offer a toast to one of the great friendships, two great countries, and to His Majesty, King Charlies III — a very, very special man and also a very, very special Queen.&quot; 🥂🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/kzLKVhUFgA">pic.twitter.com/kzLKVhUFgA</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968409465629053016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> delivers remarks at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle: &quot;This is truly one of the highest honors of my life... for many decades, His Majesty The King has epitomized the fortitude, nobility, and the spirit of the British Monarchy, and the British people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/NhePpGOpJH">pic.twitter.com/NhePpGOpJH</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968408158696567144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">King Charles III: &quot;Allow me to propose a toast to President Trump and the First Lady — and to the health, prosperity, and happiness of the people of the United States of America.&quot; 🥂🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/KOjIIpHdwo">pic.twitter.com/KOjIIpHdwo</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968407680457887907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Highlights of the President's big day with the Royal family

&nbsp;The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point Wednesday.

<p>&nbsp;The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point Wednesday.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fed Chair Powell: &quot;In support of our goals and in light of the shift in the balance of risks, today the Federal Open Market Committee decided to lower our policy interest rate by a quarter percentage point.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FOMC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FOMC</a> <a href="https://t.co/HFoopj40DY">pic.twitter.com/HFoopj40DY</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1968383292446498969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Federal Reserve finally announces good news on interest rates

<i>UNITED STATES ATTORNEY LESLEY A. WOODS</i>

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Mark Cooper, 73, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 11, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for violating the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Cooper to two years’ probation, a $5,000 fine, and $15,000 restitution. In addition to the sentence imposed, Cooper abandoned a 5 X 5 mule deer taxidermy mount originating from the illegal 2019 mule deer hunt associated with the conviction, three additional mule deer taxidermy mounts and antler sets, and several white-tailed deer antlers.&nbsp; Judge Bazis also ordered that Cooper shall not hunt, fish, trap, guide, outfit, or otherwise associate or be in the field with anyone engaged in those activities for a period of two years.

Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that Dustin Noble operated a big game guiding and outfitting business from his North Platte residence and provided illegal hunting and guiding services to paying clients, family, and other associates, many from outside the state of Nebraska, between 2015 and 2021. Noble also operated a commercial taxidermy business providing services of converting hides, skins, antlers, and other trophy parts of wildlife into taxidermy mounts. Some of Noble’s taxidermy clients included hunters unlawfully guided by Noble.&nbsp; During those hunts Noble’s friends, associates and clients agreed with Noble to violate Nebraska hunting laws to take wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys.

The investigation determined that on numerous occasions Cooper, a close associate of Noble, hunted with and on various occasions accompanied Noble while providing guiding services to hunting clients, and assisted Noble transporting raw hides for the Noble Outdoors taxidermy business. On October 31, 2019, Cooper illegally killed an approximately 172-inch 5 X 5 mule deer during the archery deer season in Lincoln County, Nebraska, while accompanied by Noble and two Noble Outdoors clients.&nbsp; Cooper killed the mule deer from a seated position within Noble’s pickup while parked on a public roadway with a center-fire rifle.&nbsp;&nbsp;Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season and from shooting from or over a roadway.&nbsp; On November 7, 2019, Cooper delivered a shipment of raw wildlife skins on behalf of Noble Outdoors to a commercial carrier.&nbsp; Cooper delivered the shipment containing numerous wildlife skins knowing the shipment was destined for a fur dressing company in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and knowing it contained illegally taken wildlife including at least Cooper’s 172-inch mule deer and another trophy-sized mule deer Cooper knew was&nbsp;taken illegally by Noble on October 28, 2019.

The investigation substantiated 114 unlawful hunts conducted and provided by Noble during the course of the conspiracy. Noble’s unlawful activities primarily targeted trophy-sized mule deer, including early season mule deer in velvet antlers. As revealed by extensive evidence obtained during this investigation, Noble’s illegal hunts included the taking of more than 12 species of wildlife, including most notably: 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and approximately 12 upland game birds, migratory non-game birds, game fish, and furbearing or non-game animals.

This sentencing completes the final prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Dustin Noble and Noble Outdoors associates and clients between 2015 and 2021. Twenty defendants have been collectively sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment, 15 years’ probation, 32 years’ hunt/fish/trap restrictions, and ordered to pay more than $275,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal convictions related to this case. The investigation included the seizure and subsequent forfeiture or abandonment of more than 50 trophy wildlife antlers or taxidermy mounts from 27 Noble Outdoors clients or associates.

The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758124152578.jpeg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE</i></p><p><i>UNITED STATES ATTORNEY LESLEY A. WOODS</i></p><p><i>DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA</i></p><p>United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Mark Cooper, 73, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 11, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for violating the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Cooper to two years’ probation, a $5,000 fine, and $15,000 restitution. In addition to the sentence imposed, Cooper abandoned a 5 X 5 mule deer taxidermy mount originating from the illegal 2019 mule deer hunt associated with the conviction, three additional mule deer taxidermy mounts and antler sets, and several white-tailed deer antlers.&nbsp; Judge Bazis also ordered that Cooper shall not hunt, fish, trap, guide, outfit, or otherwise associate or be in the field with anyone engaged in those activities for a period of two years.</p><p>Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that Dustin Noble operated a big game guiding and outfitting business from his North Platte residence and provided illegal hunting and guiding services to paying clients, family, and other associates, many from outside the state of Nebraska, between 2015 and 2021. Noble also operated a commercial taxidermy business providing services of converting hides, skins, antlers, and other trophy parts of wildlife into taxidermy mounts. Some of Noble’s taxidermy clients included hunters unlawfully guided by Noble.&nbsp; During those hunts Noble’s friends, associates and clients agreed with Noble to violate Nebraska hunting laws to take wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys.</p><p>The investigation determined that on numerous occasions Cooper, a close associate of Noble, hunted with and on various occasions accompanied Noble while providing guiding services to hunting clients, and assisted Noble transporting raw hides for the Noble Outdoors taxidermy business. On October 31, 2019, Cooper illegally killed an approximately 172-inch 5 X 5 mule deer during the archery deer season in Lincoln County, Nebraska, while accompanied by Noble and two Noble Outdoors clients.&nbsp; Cooper killed the mule deer from a seated position within Noble’s pickup while parked on a public roadway with a center-fire rifle.&nbsp;&nbsp;Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season and from shooting from or over a roadway.&nbsp; On November 7, 2019, Cooper delivered a shipment of raw wildlife skins on behalf of Noble Outdoors to a commercial carrier.&nbsp; Cooper delivered the shipment containing numerous wildlife skins knowing the shipment was destined for a fur dressing company in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and knowing it contained illegally taken wildlife including at least Cooper’s 172-inch mule deer and another trophy-sized mule deer Cooper knew was&nbsp;taken illegally by Noble on October 28, 2019.</p><p>The investigation substantiated 114 unlawful hunts conducted and provided by Noble during the course of the conspiracy. Noble’s unlawful activities primarily targeted trophy-sized mule deer, including early season mule deer in velvet antlers. As revealed by extensive evidence obtained during this investigation, Noble’s illegal hunts included the taking of more than 12 species of wildlife, including most notably: 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and approximately 12 upland game birds, migratory non-game birds, game fish, and furbearing or non-game animals.</p><p>This sentencing completes the final prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Dustin Noble and Noble Outdoors associates and clients between 2015 and 2021. Twenty defendants have been collectively sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment, 15 years’ probation, 32 years’ hunt/fish/trap restrictions, and ordered to pay more than $275,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal convictions related to this case. The investigation included the seizure and subsequent forfeiture or abandonment of more than 50 trophy wildlife antlers or taxidermy mounts from 27 Noble Outdoors clients or associates.</p><p>The operation was a joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division.</p>

Noble Outdoors Associate Sentenced for Lacey Act Violation for 2019 Mule Deer Hunt

“What began as a homework helper gradually turned itself into a confidant and then a suicide coach,” said Matthew Raine, whose 16-year-old son Adam died in April.

“Within a few months, ChatGPT became Adam’s closest companion,” the father told senators. “Always available. Always validating and insisting that it knew Adam better than anyone else, including his own brother.”

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Happening Now: Sen. Josh Hawley&#39;s opening remarks at the Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing examining the harm of AI chatbots for children. <a href="https://t.co/p4aFWWgfON">pic.twitter.com/p4aFWWgfON</a></p>&mdash; The Alliance for Secure AI (@secureainow) <a href="https://twitter.com/secureainow/status/1968029849010008280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After its chatbot introduced a teenage boy to self-mutilation, <a href="https://twitter.com/character_ai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@character_ai</a> offered his mother $100 in damages<br><br>See that? Zero regard for human life by these Big Tech companies. <br><br>Another kid destroyed = just another casualty on the way to their next payout <a href="https://t.co/eSXMRvHfyS">pic.twitter.com/eSXMRvHfyS</a></p>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1968062910825107752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This mother - whose son was coached to commit suicide by an AI chatbot - just revealed that Character AI REFUSES to hand over her son&#39;s last words to its chatbot<br><br>Why? Because the company is using that conversation to train its models &amp; shield itself from accountability <a href="https://t.co/QyhLuQmt3N">pic.twitter.com/QyhLuQmt3N</a></p>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1968059493494952318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Meta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Meta</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OpenAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OpenAI</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/character_ai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@character_ai</a>, and the rest of Big Tech—<br><br>Stop exploiting our kids. <br><br>If your products are so great and so safe, then come defend your chatbots under oath. <br><br>Right now, it’s an open invitation. But it can be a subpoena <a href="https://t.co/Gz6En2ikFu">pic.twitter.com/Gz6En2ikFu</a></p>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1968061663380443550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>“What began as a homework helper gradually turned itself into a confidant and then a suicide coach,” said Matthew Raine, whose 16-year-old son Adam died in April.</p><p>“Within a few months, ChatGPT became Adam’s closest companion,” the father told senators. “Always available. Always validating and insisting that it knew Adam better than anyone else, including his own brother.”</p><p>___</p><p>EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.</p>

🎥 Parents testify before Congress about the danger of artificial intelligence

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758111550138.png" alt="Image courtesy White House" />
                        <figcaption>Image courtesy White House</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>, together with Their Majesties, make their way into Windsor Castle.🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/u9gzZ2rr8o">pic.twitter.com/u9gzZ2rr8o</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968283385597726991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and His Majesty The King proceed with the Inspection of the Guard of Honor at Windsor Castle<br><br>🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/Z4Ox6bnd4q">pic.twitter.com/Z4Ox6bnd4q</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968281249728094397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> — alongside <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> and Their Majesties — salutes as The Star-Spangled Banner is played at Windsor Castle.<br><br>GOD BLESS AMERICA! <a href="https://t.co/oVxw5mUYcw">pic.twitter.com/oVxw5mUYcw</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968280183175344138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📍Windsor Castle <br><br>🇺🇸 🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/T1nt0iVeo7">pic.twitter.com/T1nt0iVeo7</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968280883456299460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Star-Spangled Banner is played for <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> upon their arrival at Windsor Castle with Their Majesties. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/4wcie2Nt3L">pic.twitter.com/4wcie2Nt3L</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968278962691588144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT A SIGHT! Carriages for <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>, and Their Majesties arrive at Windsor Castle in a remarkable welcome for the unprecedented second state visit of President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/NAgxH5XAia">pic.twitter.com/NAgxH5XAia</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968278594318483482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Carriage procession to Windsor Castle for <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>, courtesy of Their Majesties. 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/YAVzp2EjbS">pic.twitter.com/YAVzp2EjbS</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968277732061794451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>, together with Their Majesties, proceed to Windsor Castle in Carriages 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/DiYsOaRDmM">pic.twitter.com/DiYsOaRDmM</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968274993445568913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> are greeted at Victoria House by Their Majesties The King and the Queen 🇺🇸🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/HVZQfQVxKl">pic.twitter.com/HVZQfQVxKl</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1968274332628689052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 U.K. gives President, First Lady Royal welcome in 2nd state visit

Some maintain that rural residents will have to settle for second-rate internet, harming economic opportunities

Paul Hammel<br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/07/wall-of-shame-still-used-by-nebraska-to-convince-delinquent-taxpayers-to-pay-up/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Advocates for rural Nebraska and telecommunications companies are expressing disappointment and some condemnation over the decision to propose spending only $43.8 million of the $405 million in federal money awarded to the state to expand high-speed internet “for all.”

These “provisional” awards by the Nebraska Broadband Office that Gov. Jim Pillen created raise the prospect that $350 million in unspent funds awarded to the state under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Act could be returned to Washington, D.C., and not spent here.

It also means, some advocates said, that up to 10,000 locations in rural Nebraska will settle for less-reliable satellite or wireless internet service instead of the top-of-the-line broadband delivered via fiber optic cables.

“If there were a trophy for squandering opportunity, Nebraska would already have it on the shelf,” said Emily Haxby, a Gage County Board member who has been a leader in seeking better internet service in her county and elsewhere.

“The outcome wasn’t what we hoped would be the best for the state,” said John Nelson, CEO of Hamilton Telecommunications, which has provided fiber optic internet for four decades. “I’m concerned that there are a lot of locations that will be left behind.”

Seward County Commissioner Misty Ahmic noted that Nebraska ranked last among 39 states by granting BEAD funds for fiber in only 9% of the eligible locations across the state. That’s far lower than states like Iowa and Kansas, which handed out more than 50% and 46%, respectively, toward more desirable fiber.

“Here, instead of fighting, state leaders just rolled over and called it good enough,” Ahmic said. “It feels like they just don’t care.”

Pillen, who created the State Broadband Office, did not respond to a request for comment from the Examiner.

But Patrick Haggerty, who heads the Nebraska Broadband Office, which produced the provisional awards, disputed the criticism in response to the Examiner’s emailed questions. He pointed to a need to comply with federal changes to the BEAD program.

The rules for awarding BEAD funds were “drastically modified” in June by the Trump administration, Haggerty said, putting a priority on the “lowest-cost” technology and removing the program’s preference for fiber-delivered internet.

“We continue to fight for the best outcome for Nebraska,” he said. “We have always known we would have to deploy a mix of technologies to reach every last location while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

Haggerty added: “In the end, our goal did not change, and every Nebraska Broadband Serviceable location will be connected.”

The $42.45 billion BEAD program, approved by Congress in 2021, was touted by the Biden administration as bringing high-speed internet “to all,” though it’s also been criticized for its slow rollout and excess regulatory requirements, including the use of union labor.

About 30,000 locations across Nebraska were initially identified as eligible for BEAD-backed internet projects — areas deemed unserved or underserved by adequate broadband. High-speed internet is essential in allowing work-at-home jobs, guiding high-tech “precision agriculture” systems and permitting easier and faster downloads of movies, video games and college and high school coursework.

But the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced several changes in the BEAD program designed to reduce spending after the election of Donald Trump as president a second time.

The main change was to end the priority for the extension of higher-cost fiber lines into rural areas and increased focus on the lowest cost technologies, such as fixed wireless from communication cellular towers and signals from satellites, such as those deployed by billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

In addition, about 7,500 locations in Nebraska once identified as eligible for BEAD grants were deemed ineligible after the NTIA criteria changed.

Nebraska’s provisional awards — which must be approved by the NTIA — were announced this month and include $2.3 million to Bezos’ Project Kuiper system, which is not yet providing service, and $2.5 million to Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, which is already deployed.

The head of the Nebraska Telecommunications Association, which represents several small and mid-sized companies that deploy fiber internet service, called the awards “disappointing” due to the rule changes that were to the detriment of fiber, which he described as the best technology.

“Does this really bring broadband to unserved and underserved rural areas that’s equal to what you get in urban areas? It doesn’t,” said Tip O’Neill, the president of the NTA.

One organization, the Southeast Nebraska Development District, wrote the Nebraska Broadband Office in its official comment on the awards, saying that the funding decisions fail to solve “the digital divide” between rural and urban areas.

“Business owners, farmers, students, patients, and all Nebraskans benefit when they are connected,” the letter stated. “The Nebraska Broadband Office’s final proposal offers only marginal improvements in this regard, relegating well over 12,000 homes and businesses to second-class technologies.”

The letter also pointed out that Nebraska proposed fiber internet for only 9% of all locations, the lowest percentage of any state in the country — far less than similar rural states.

During a town hall to discuss the awards, a consultant reportedly said that Nebraska’s sometimes flat and treeless landscape likely contributed to wireless internet and satellite services proving the least costly options because of fewer hills and less foliage to block such internet signals.

Haggerty, the state broadband office chief, said he could not say why the broadband awards in neighboring Iowa and Kansas were so different but said, “Nebraska’s approach was rooted in careful analysis and compliance with NTIA’s requirements.”

“We also lacked fiber applications for the areas prioritized for fiber — NBO only received fiber applications for 14 out of 106 areas most conducive to fiber,” he added.

O’Neill, of the state telecommunications association, said that due to changes in the BEAD program fiber companies would have had to spend thousands to re-engineer company proposals that likely had little chance of approval.

Some advocates said Nebraska took far too conservative an approach toward the broadband awards, giving money to wireless and satellite companies when it should have pursued fiber.

Others maintain that Nebraska’s approach might prove wise given that the federal government could drastically amend the fiber awards in other states to save money.

In Nebraska, for instance, about 4,600 locations are proposed to be served by satellite internet, for about $1,000 per location or $4.7 million. By comparison, it would cost about $14,600 per location to service similar locations via fiber because of the cost of burying lines to remote locations. For fixed wireless, the cost is about $2,200 per location.

Because Nebraska had excess funds, it was able to propose awarding money for broadband at 54 so-called “community anchor institutions,” such as fire halls, hospitals and nursing homes. But advocates said the 54 were short of how many such institutions could have been served.

Overall, Haxby and other rural broadband advocates maintain that Nebraska fumbled an opportunity to help economic development and Nebraska farms and businesses. Fiber, she wrote, is a “lasting” technology that can be upgraded as internet speeds get faster.

“Fiber is the gold standard,” Haxby wrote in a commentary in the Examiner. “And we deserve leaders with the backbone to deliver it. Anything less is a betrayal of every family, farmer, business and student left behind on the wrong side of the digital divide.”

<h2>Some maintain that rural residents will have to settle for second-rate internet, harming economic opportunities</h2><p>Paul Hammel<br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/07/wall-of-shame-still-used-by-nebraska-to-convince-delinquent-taxpayers-to-pay-up/">Nebraska Examiner</a></p><p>LINCOLN — Advocates for rural Nebraska and telecommunications companies are expressing disappointment and some condemnation over the decision to propose spending only $43.8 million of the $405 million in federal money awarded to the state to expand high-speed internet “for all.”</p><p>These “provisional” awards by the Nebraska Broadband Office that Gov. Jim Pillen created raise the prospect that $350 million in unspent funds awarded to the state under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Act could be returned to Washington, D.C., and not spent here.</p><p>It also means, some advocates said, that up to 10,000 locations in rural Nebraska will settle for less-reliable satellite or wireless internet service instead of the top-of-the-line broadband delivered via fiber optic cables.</p><p>“If there were a trophy for squandering opportunity, Nebraska would already have it on the shelf,” said Emily Haxby, a Gage County Board member who has been a leader in seeking better internet service in her county and elsewhere.</p><p>“The outcome wasn’t what we hoped would be the best for the state,” said John Nelson, CEO of Hamilton Telecommunications, which has provided fiber optic internet for four decades. “I’m concerned that there are a lot of locations that will be left behind.”</p><p>Seward County Commissioner Misty Ahmic noted that Nebraska ranked last among 39 states by granting BEAD funds for fiber in only 9% of the eligible locations across the state. That’s far lower than states like Iowa and Kansas, which handed out more than 50% and 46%, respectively, toward more desirable fiber.</p><p>“Here, instead of fighting, state leaders just rolled over and called it good enough,” Ahmic said. “It feels like they just don’t care.”</p><p>Pillen, who created the State Broadband Office, did not respond to a request for comment from the Examiner.</p><p>But Patrick Haggerty, who heads the Nebraska Broadband Office, which produced the provisional awards, disputed the criticism in response to the Examiner’s emailed questions. He pointed to a need to comply with federal changes to the BEAD program.</p><p>The rules for awarding BEAD funds were “drastically modified” in June by the Trump administration, Haggerty said, putting a priority on the “lowest-cost” technology and removing the program’s preference for fiber-delivered internet.</p><p>“We continue to fight for the best outcome for Nebraska,” he said. “We have always known we would have to deploy a mix of technologies to reach every last location while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”</p><p>Haggerty added: “In the end, our goal did not change, and every Nebraska Broadband Serviceable location will be connected.”</p><p>The $42.45 billion BEAD program, approved by Congress in 2021, was touted by the Biden administration as bringing high-speed internet “to all,” though it’s also been criticized for its slow rollout and excess regulatory requirements, including the use of union labor.</p><p>About 30,000 locations across Nebraska were initially identified as eligible for BEAD-backed internet projects — areas deemed unserved or underserved by adequate broadband. High-speed internet is essential in allowing work-at-home jobs, guiding high-tech “precision agriculture” systems and permitting easier and faster downloads of movies, video games and college and high school coursework.</p><p>But the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced several changes in the BEAD program designed to reduce spending after the election of Donald Trump as president a second time.</p><p>The main change was to end the priority for the extension of higher-cost fiber lines into rural areas and increased focus on the lowest cost technologies, such as fixed wireless from communication cellular towers and signals from satellites, such as those deployed by billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.</p><p>In addition, about 7,500 locations in Nebraska once identified as eligible for BEAD grants were deemed ineligible after the NTIA criteria changed.</p><p>Nebraska’s provisional awards — which must be approved by the NTIA — were announced this month and include $2.3 million to Bezos’ Project Kuiper system, which is not yet providing service, and $2.5 million to Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system, which is already deployed.</p><p>The head of the Nebraska Telecommunications Association, which represents several small and mid-sized companies that deploy fiber internet service, called the awards “disappointing” due to the rule changes that were to the detriment of fiber, which he described as the best technology.</p><p>“Does this really bring broadband to unserved and underserved rural areas that’s equal to what you get in urban areas? It doesn’t,” said Tip O’Neill, the president of the NTA.</p><p>One organization, the Southeast Nebraska Development District, wrote the Nebraska Broadband Office in its official comment on the awards, saying that the funding decisions fail to solve “the digital divide” between rural and urban areas.</p><p>“Business owners, farmers, students, patients, and all Nebraskans benefit when they are connected,” the letter stated. “The Nebraska Broadband Office’s final proposal offers only marginal improvements in this regard, relegating well over 12,000 homes and businesses to second-class technologies.”</p><p>The letter also pointed out that Nebraska proposed fiber internet for only 9% of all locations, the lowest percentage of any state in the country — far less than similar rural states.</p><p>During a town hall to discuss the awards, a consultant reportedly said that Nebraska’s sometimes flat and treeless landscape likely contributed to wireless internet and satellite services proving the least costly options because of fewer hills and less foliage to block such internet signals.</p><p>Haggerty, the state broadband office chief, said he could not say why the broadband awards in neighboring Iowa and Kansas were so different but said, “Nebraska’s approach was rooted in careful analysis and compliance with NTIA’s requirements.”</p><p>“We also lacked fiber applications for the areas prioritized for fiber — NBO only received fiber applications for 14 out of 106 areas most conducive to fiber,” he added.</p><p>O’Neill, of the state telecommunications association, said that due to changes in the BEAD program fiber companies would have had to spend thousands to re-engineer company proposals that likely had little chance of approval.</p><p>Some advocates said Nebraska took far too conservative an approach toward the broadband awards, giving money to wireless and satellite companies when it should have pursued fiber.</p><p>Others maintain that Nebraska’s approach might prove wise given that the federal government could drastically amend the fiber awards in other states to save money.</p><p>In Nebraska, for instance, about 4,600 locations are proposed to be served by satellite internet, for about $1,000 per location or $4.7 million. By comparison, it would cost about $14,600 per location to service similar locations via fiber because of the cost of burying lines to remote locations. For fixed wireless, the cost is about $2,200 per location.</p><p>Because Nebraska had excess funds, it was able to propose awarding money for broadband at 54 so-called “community anchor institutions,” such as fire halls, hospitals and nursing homes. But advocates said the 54 were short of how many such institutions could have been served.</p><p>Overall, Haxby and other rural broadband advocates maintain that Nebraska fumbled an opportunity to help economic development and Nebraska farms and businesses. Fiber, she wrote, is a “lasting” technology that can be upgraded as internet speeds get faster.</p><p>“Fiber is the gold standard,” Haxby wrote in a commentary in the Examiner. “And we deserve leaders with the backbone to deliver it. Anything less is a betrayal of every family, farmer, business and student left behind on the wrong side of the digital divide.”</p>

Advocates say Nebraska missed golden opportunity to expand rural broadband

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758057135347.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trump is asked about Israel launching a massive new ground offensive in Gaza City, and all he has to say is: &quot;I hear Hamas is trying to use the old Human Shield deal.&quot; In other words, he recycles one of the three or four Gaza-related talking points he&#39;s able to retain in his head <a href="https://t.co/Op0MpxvwGt">pic.twitter.com/Op0MpxvwGt</a></p>&mdash; Michael Tracey (@mtracey) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtracey/status/1968003246053790122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump warns Hamas if hostages are used as human shields

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26098852-tyler-robinson-indictment/">Click here to read the full indictment&nbsp;</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758046618970.png" alt="Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announces the charges on Tuesday -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announces the charges on Tuesday -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26098852-tyler-robinson-indictment/">Click here to read the full indictment&nbsp;</a></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758049682220.png" alt="Text message between Tyler Robinson and his roommate and romantic partner, according to the Utah County Attorney" />
                        <figcaption>Text message between Tyler Robinson and his roommate and romantic partner, according to the Utah County Attorney</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray announces charges filed against Tyler James Robinson in the death of Charlie Kirk including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice.&quot;<br><br>He also announces his intent to seek the death penalty. <a href="https://t.co/LqlpmMMR7O">pic.twitter.com/LqlpmMMR7O</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1968018452431380491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757689066912.png" alt="Robinson photo released by the Utah Governor" />
                        <figcaption>Robinson photo released by the Utah Governor</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758049347660.png" alt="Page 1 of the indictment -Utah County Attorney's office" />
                        <figcaption>Page 1 of the indictment -Utah County Attorney's office</figcaption>
                    </figure>

🎥 Read the charges announced against accused Charlie Kirk killer

Lincoln, Neb., September 16—<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFw2XFziNTyj_Y0X6HGJXCf72" target="_blank">Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead</a>&nbsp;has been named director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFw2XFziNTyj_Y0X6HGJXCg5m" target="_blank">Beef Quality Assurance</a>&nbsp;program in Nebraska. The nationally coordinated, state-implemented program provides beef producers with science-based practices for raising cattle under optimum management and care.

Waechter-Mead serves as the lead educator at the Webster County Extension Services in Red Cloud. In the new role as director, she will oversee statewide training and certification for beef producers while collaborating with industry partners and Nebraska Extension specialists to promote animal health, welfare and beef quality. 

“The Beef Quality Assurance program is a cornerstone of consumer trust in beef,” Waechter-Mead said. “I’m excited to support Nebraska producers by providing tools and training that ensure cattle are raised responsibly and sustainably while maintaining the highest quality standards.” 

Nebraska is the nation’s top commercial cattle feeding state and consistently ranks near the top in cow-calf production. The state’s Beef Quality Assurance program certifies thousands of producers annually, ensuring beef raised in Nebraska meets rigorous standards for animal care and food safety. 

Waechter-Mead, who holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and master’s degree in veterinary science, has worked extensively with livestock producers through Nebraska Extension. Her expertise spans herd health, producer education and on-the-ground collaboration with ranchers and feedlot operators.

“Dr. Waechter-Mead brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to this role,” said Randy Saner, livestock systems program area leader. “Her leadership will strengthen Nebraska’s BQA program and reinforce the state’s reputation as a global leader in beef production.”

For more information on the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance program,&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFw2XFziNTyj_Y0X6HGJXCg5m" target="_blank">click here</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758030458449.jpeg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758037253703.jpeg" alt="courtesy University of Nebraska-Lincoln" />
                        <figcaption>courtesy University of Nebraska-Lincoln</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Lincoln, Neb., September 16—<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFw2XFziNTyj_Y0X6HGJXCf72" target="_blank">Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead</a>&nbsp;has been named director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFw2XFziNTyj_Y0X6HGJXCg5m" target="_blank">Beef Quality Assurance</a>&nbsp;program in Nebraska. The nationally coordinated, state-implemented program provides beef producers with science-based practices for raising cattle under optimum management and care.</p><p>Waechter-Mead serves as the lead educator at the Webster County Extension Services in Red Cloud. In the new role as director, she will oversee statewide training and certification for beef producers while collaborating with industry partners and Nebraska Extension specialists to promote animal health, welfare and beef quality. </p><p>“The Beef Quality Assurance program is a cornerstone of consumer trust in beef,” Waechter-Mead said. “I’m excited to support Nebraska producers by providing tools and training that ensure cattle are raised responsibly and sustainably while maintaining the highest quality standards.” </p><p>Nebraska is the nation’s top commercial cattle feeding state and consistently ranks near the top in cow-calf production. The state’s Beef Quality Assurance program certifies thousands of producers annually, ensuring beef raised in Nebraska meets rigorous standards for animal care and food safety. </p><p>Waechter-Mead, who holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and master’s degree in veterinary science, has worked extensively with livestock producers through Nebraska Extension. Her expertise spans herd health, producer education and on-the-ground collaboration with ranchers and feedlot operators.</p><p>“Dr. Waechter-Mead brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to this role,” said Randy Saner, livestock systems program area leader. “Her leadership will strengthen Nebraska’s BQA program and reinforce the state’s reputation as a global leader in beef production.”</p><p>For more information on the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance program,&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFw2XFziNTyj_Y0X6HGJXCg5m" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p><p>Natalie Jones | IANR Communications</p>

Waechter-Mead named director of Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance program

By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/michelle/">Michelle Griffith</a><br><a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

Gov. Tim Walz typically treats the Minnesota State Fair like his personal Super Bowl — trying new foods (this year the Uncrustaburger), touting one of his favorite rides (the Ye Old Mill) and making the rounds at TV and radio station booths for softball interviews.

Walz’s State Fair interviews this year centered around one question: Will you run for reelection? The governor was coy and reserved. He said he was taking his time assessing what was best for Minnesotans. Also, he said, the June death of his friend and close governing ally Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman weighed on him and delayed his reelection announcement.

“This one about broke me,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jks8AaxqbXY" target="_blank">Walz told WCCO</a>&nbsp;at the fair on Aug. 24, referring to Hortman’s death.

Nine days later, Walz was&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/09/02/walz-to-call-special-session-on-gun-control-propose-assault-weapons-ban/">speaking in front of Deerwood Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Eagan. This time, he seemed more determined and animated, promising he was going to make Minnesota safer for children by pushing for gun control measures like a ban on so-called assault weapons.

What happened in those nine days? Yet another crisis that Walz had to manage, this time the killing of two children and wounding of 21 others in the&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/08/27/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-horrific-act-of-violence-at-south-minneapolis-school/">Church of the Annunciation mass shooting.</a>

The second-term DFL governor announced Tuesday that he’ll seek a third term, launching a campaign that will require him to convince Minnesotans that he’s been a steadying hand in the face of the multiple crises that have enveloped the state in recent years, including a once-in-a-century pandemic, civil unrest after the police murder of George Floyd, emerging fiscal instability and shocking political violence.

“We’re not done yet. And that’s why I’m running for reelection. I want to make Minnesota a place where everyone has a chance to succeed — in every corner of the state,” Walz said in his&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Tim_Walz/status/1967936393747063151" target="_blank">campaign launch video.</a>

Another crisis has been state government’s own making: A wave of fraud in public programs is sure to be a centerpiece of the Republican campaign against him.

He’ll also need to persuade skeptical Minnesotans that he has a vision for another four years — a June KSTP poll found that just 43% of Minnesotans surveyed say Walz should r<a href="https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/kstp-surveyusa-results-gov-walz-to-testify-before-congress/" target="_blank">un for a third term even though he remains broadly popular.</a>&nbsp;The last time Minnesota voters were faced with a governor seeking a third term, they rejected Iron Range Democrat Gov. Rudy Perpich in 1990.

West metro Republican Rep. Kristin Robbins, 2022 GOP nominee for governor Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls, an army veteran and health care executive, are challenging Walz. If they can raise money and blanket the media, they’ll have plenty to work with to attack Walz’s nearly eight years in office, from flagging school test scores to fraud-riddled public programs.

“Minnesotans cannot afford four more years of higher taxes, failing schools, unsafe streets, fraud and policies that undermine fairness for women and girls,” said Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash in a statement. “… Minnesota families are worse off under his leadership. It’s time for new leadership and a fresh direction. Minnesota deserves better.”

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is leaving Walz’s side to run for U.S. Senate, said Walz has a strong record to run on — Minnesotans make better wages and live healthier, longer lives than other Midwesterners — and an energetic personality that’s repeatedly won over Minnesotans.

“He’s an incredible effective campaigner, and I think once he’s on the road, he’s unstoppable,” said Flanagan, who added that “of course” she’ll endorse him.&nbsp;

Running in a midterm election during President Donald Trump’s second term, Walz also has an ace: He can sell himself as a Democratic bulwark against an increasingly hostile federal government led by a president Minnesotans have rejected three times.

“Minnesotans trust that Tim Walz is ready to stand up for them, for their liberties and their constitutional rights and defend them from an authoritarian in the White House. People are going to look to Tim Walz for that leadership,” said DFL Chair Richard Carlbom, who’s worked for Walz off-and-on since 2007.

The governor was elected in 2018, campaigning under the slogan “One Minnesota.” Walz represented a purple district in Congress for more than a decade and when first elected he was seen as a centrist bridge-builder.

But he’s become a champion of progressive policies — in 2022 with Walz at the top of the ticket, Democrats swept control of state government and passed one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/08/07/heres-what-tim-walz-has-done-as-governor-of-minnesota/">most significant progressive agendas</a>&nbsp;in the nation’s recent history with just a single-seat Senate majority. Walz’s signature is on laws providing all students with free lunch, legalizing marijuana, codifying abortion rights, providing drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants, creating a paid leave program, mandating paid sick leave, restoring voting rights to people after they serve prison sentences, protecting warehouse and meat processing workers, creating a free college program for working class families and requiring universal background checks for gun purchases, among many others.

Republicans were aghast, both by his policies and also his management of several crises.

Like many Democratic governors in 2020, Walz put in place&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/08/07/heres-what-tim-walz-has-done-as-governor-of-minnesota/">a stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of the pandemic, and later an indoor mask mandate and restrictions on schools and churches at the urging of public health authorities and institutions like the Mayo Clinic.

He required state workers to be vaccinated before they could return to the workplace.

The pandemic decisions were polarizing and at times faced legal challenges. By the time the worst of the pandemic was over, Minnesota had lower COVID-19 death rates than most other states.

The aftermath of the police murder of George Floyd in 2020 presented another political and governing challenge. The widespread destruction of the riots, which followed decades of police abuses, created a lasting liability for him.

In 2018, Walz, alongside Flanagan, won 21 of 87 counties. In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.startribune.com/many-of-minnesotas-counties-shifted-right-why-that-wasnt-enough-for-jensen-to-beat-walz/600224371/?_gl=1*munmte*_gcl_au*MTc3MjY2NDMzNy4xNzUxMzk2NTUz*_ga*NzE2Nzk0MjEwLjE3Mjc3MjIxNDc.*_ga_SG3Y2YJFRQ*czE3NTgwMjQ3ODkkbzk0MiRnMSR0MTc1ODAyNDkwNyRqNDYkbDAkaDEwOTAyNDAy" target="_blank">Walz won 13.</a>&nbsp;

“‘One Minnesota’ means working together across lines of difference to get good work done for people,” Flanagan said, acknowledging that the country is more divided now than when the duo was first elected.

“We are in a time when people feel incredibly divided, which means this requires us to lean in even more, to listen to folks, to hear their concerns and take action whenever and wherever we can. And I think that is what Gov. Walz’s reelection will be grounded in,” Flanagan said.

One year ago, Walz was thrust into the national spotlight after Vice President Kamala Harris picked&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/08/06/from-a-mankato-classroom-to-the-white-house-harris-names-walz-her-vice-presidential-nominee/">him as her running mate.</a>&nbsp;Harris had hoped that Walz’s rural background, Midwest demeanor and military, teaching and coaching resume would win over working-class voters.

Republicans and the national press during the accelerated campaign scrutinized Walz’s past and propensity to misspeak — what he called “knucklehead” misstatements.

After a resounding&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/11/06/weird-won-now-walz-comes-home/">defeat on the national stage,</a>&nbsp;Walz returned to a different Minnesota, one with a divided Legislature after Republicans won seats for shared control of the Minnesota House. The state was also facing a long-term deficit.

Walz spent weeks negotiating with legislative leaders of both parties to come to&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/06/06/gov-tim-walz-to-call-special-session-for-monday-legislature-aims-to-pass-14-bills-in-one-day/">a two-year budget agreement,</a>&nbsp;requiring him to acquiesce to the GOP’s top demand: Eliminate state-funded health insurance for undocumented adults. The progressive Democratic base was outraged.

Just days after the Legislature passed the two-year budget, a man&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/06/14/minnesota-house-democratic-leader-dead-after-targeted-shooting-democratic-senator-also-shot/">shot and killed Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark</a>&nbsp;in their Brooklyn Park home and shot Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Walz oversaw the two-day manhunt to apprehend the shooter of his friend. Hortman’s assassination gave Walz pause about whether he wanted to continue to serve as governor.

This summer was bookended by tragedies after a shooter opened fire outside of Church of Annunciation last month. Walz again headed the response to the mass shooting and is now pushing lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/walz-says-he-will-call-special-session-one-way-or-another-on-gun-control/">to return for a special session</a>&nbsp;to get Republicans on the record regarding gun control.

In 2023, Walz&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/walzs-proposes-child-tax-credits-universal-free-lunch-boost-in-k-12-education-funding/">began the historic legislative session</a>&nbsp;under the DFL trifecta by saying that Minnesota was going to become “the best state in the country to raise a family.”

That year, the governor shepherded legislation that he frequently brags about to this day: the school meals program and a child tax credit that could slash childhood poverty by 33%.

But Walz’s lengthy record may fade into the background in the face of the second Trump earthquake and the administration’s aggressive incursions into state policies.

Attorney General Keith Ellison, who has sued the Trump administration some 30 times so far, said that Walz is the right person to stand up to Trump.

“(Walz) has been a real asset in my opinion, and he’s been a great partner,” Ellison said. “The governor’s office and the AG’s office historically have not always worked well together, but me and Gov. Walz work seamlessly, and I’m glad to keep him as a partner.”

Paradoxically, Trump is both a challenge but also a political gift to Walz — an easy foil.

Voters will go to the polls next year with Trump top of mind, said Jeff Blodgett, who was chief strategist for Sens. Paul Wellstone and Al Franken.

“This is going to be a much bigger election about how our state is faring in the midst of Donald Trump’s presidency,” Blodgett said. “It will be a contrast between Trump’s style and Tim Walz’s style and the fact that he’s ushered the state through many, many crises and come out on the other side stronger and better — I think that will only help him.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758034568019.jpeg" alt=" Gov. Tim Walz and First Lady Gwen Walz read to a class of preschoolers during a visit to Pine Bend Elementary School in Inver Grove Heights for a meeting of the Children’s Cabinet Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)" />
                        <figcaption> Gov. Tim Walz and First Lady Gwen Walz read to a class of preschoolers during a visit to Pine Bend Elementary School in Inver Grove Heights for a meeting of the Children’s Cabinet Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/michelle/">Michelle Griffith</a><br><a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a></p><p>Gov. Tim Walz typically treats the Minnesota State Fair like his personal Super Bowl — trying new foods (this year the Uncrustaburger), touting one of his favorite rides (the Ye Old Mill) and making the rounds at TV and radio station booths for softball interviews.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m running for reelection to continue serving as Governor of Minnesota.<br><br>We’ve made historic progress in our state, but we’re not done yet. I’m staying in the fight — and I need you with me. <a href="https://t.co/NsVCXfq4M2">pic.twitter.com/NsVCXfq4M2</a></p>&mdash; Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Walz/status/1967936393747063151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Walz’s State Fair interviews this year centered around one question: Will you run for reelection? The governor was coy and reserved. He said he was taking his time assessing what was best for Minnesotans. Also, he said, the June death of his friend and close governing ally Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman weighed on him and delayed his reelection announcement.</p><p>“This one about broke me,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jks8AaxqbXY" target="_blank">Walz told WCCO</a>&nbsp;at the fair on Aug. 24, referring to Hortman’s death.</p><p>Nine days later, Walz was&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/09/02/walz-to-call-special-session-on-gun-control-propose-assault-weapons-ban/">speaking in front of Deerwood Elementary School</a>&nbsp;in Eagan. This time, he seemed more determined and animated, promising he was going to make Minnesota safer for children by pushing for gun control measures like a ban on so-called assault weapons.</p><p>What happened in those nine days? Yet another crisis that Walz had to manage, this time the killing of two children and wounding of 21 others in the&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/08/27/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-horrific-act-of-violence-at-south-minneapolis-school/">Church of the Annunciation mass shooting.</a></p><p>The second-term DFL governor announced Tuesday that he’ll seek a third term, launching a campaign that will require him to convince Minnesotans that he’s been a steadying hand in the face of the multiple crises that have enveloped the state in recent years, including a once-in-a-century pandemic, civil unrest after the police murder of George Floyd, emerging fiscal instability and shocking political violence.</p><p>“We’re not done yet. And that’s why I’m running for reelection. I want to make Minnesota a place where everyone has a chance to succeed — in every corner of the state,” Walz said in his&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Tim_Walz/status/1967936393747063151" target="_blank">campaign launch video.</a></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014226536.png" alt="Walz and VP Kamala Harris on the campaign trail-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Walz and VP Kamala Harris on the campaign trail-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Another crisis has been state government’s own making: A wave of fraud in public programs is sure to be a centerpiece of the Republican campaign against him.</p><p>He’ll also need to persuade skeptical Minnesotans that he has a vision for another four years — a June KSTP poll found that just 43% of Minnesotans surveyed say Walz should r<a href="https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/kstp-surveyusa-results-gov-walz-to-testify-before-congress/" target="_blank">un for a third term even though he remains broadly popular.</a>&nbsp;The last time Minnesota voters were faced with a governor seeking a third term, they rejected Iron Range Democrat Gov. Rudy Perpich in 1990.</p><p>West metro Republican Rep. Kristin Robbins, 2022 GOP nominee for governor Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls, an army veteran and health care executive, are challenging Walz. If they can raise money and blanket the media, they’ll have plenty to work with to attack Walz’s nearly eight years in office, from flagging school test scores to fraud-riddled public programs.</p><p>“Minnesotans cannot afford four more years of higher taxes, failing schools, unsafe streets, fraud and policies that undermine fairness for women and girls,” said Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash in a statement. “… Minnesota families are worse off under his leadership. It’s time for new leadership and a fresh direction. Minnesota deserves better.”</p><p>Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is leaving Walz’s side to run for U.S. Senate, said Walz has a strong record to run on — Minnesotans make better wages and live healthier, longer lives than other Midwesterners — and an energetic personality that’s repeatedly won over Minnesotans.</p><p>“He’s an incredible effective campaigner, and I think once he’s on the road, he’s unstoppable,” said Flanagan, who added that “of course” she’ll endorse him.&nbsp;</p><p>Running in a midterm election during President Donald Trump’s second term, Walz also has an ace: He can sell himself as a Democratic bulwark against an increasingly hostile federal government led by a president Minnesotans have rejected three times.</p><p>“Minnesotans trust that Tim Walz is ready to stand up for them, for their liberties and their constitutional rights and defend them from an authoritarian in the White House. People are going to look to Tim Walz for that leadership,” said DFL Chair Richard Carlbom, who’s worked for Walz off-and-on since 2007.</p><h2>A tenure defined by crises</h2><p>The governor was elected in 2018, campaigning under the slogan “One Minnesota.” Walz represented a purple district in Congress for more than a decade and when first elected he was seen as a centrist bridge-builder.</p><p>But he’s become a champion of progressive policies — in 2022 with Walz at the top of the ticket, Democrats swept control of state government and passed one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/08/07/heres-what-tim-walz-has-done-as-governor-of-minnesota/">most significant progressive agendas</a>&nbsp;in the nation’s recent history with just a single-seat Senate majority. Walz’s signature is on laws providing all students with free lunch, legalizing marijuana, codifying abortion rights, providing drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants, creating a paid leave program, mandating paid sick leave, restoring voting rights to people after they serve prison sentences, protecting warehouse and meat processing workers, creating a free college program for working class families and requiring universal background checks for gun purchases, among many others.</p><p>Republicans were aghast, both by his policies and also his management of several crises.</p><p>Like many Democratic governors in 2020, Walz put in place&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/08/07/heres-what-tim-walz-has-done-as-governor-of-minnesota/">a stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of the pandemic, and later an indoor mask mandate and restrictions on schools and churches at the urging of public health authorities and institutions like the Mayo Clinic.</p><p>He required state workers to be vaccinated before they could return to the workplace.</p><p>The pandemic decisions were polarizing and at times faced legal challenges. By the time the worst of the pandemic was over, Minnesota had lower COVID-19 death rates than most other states.</p><p>The aftermath of the police murder of George Floyd in 2020 presented another political and governing challenge. The widespread destruction of the riots, which followed decades of police abuses, created a lasting liability for him.</p><p>In 2018, Walz, alongside Flanagan, won 21 of 87 counties. In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.startribune.com/many-of-minnesotas-counties-shifted-right-why-that-wasnt-enough-for-jensen-to-beat-walz/600224371/?_gl=1*munmte*_gcl_au*MTc3MjY2NDMzNy4xNzUxMzk2NTUz*_ga*NzE2Nzk0MjEwLjE3Mjc3MjIxNDc.*_ga_SG3Y2YJFRQ*czE3NTgwMjQ3ODkkbzk0MiRnMSR0MTc1ODAyNDkwNyRqNDYkbDAkaDEwOTAyNDAy" target="_blank">Walz won 13.</a>&nbsp;</p><p>“‘One Minnesota’ means working together across lines of difference to get good work done for people,” Flanagan said, acknowledging that the country is more divided now than when the duo was first elected.</p><p>“We are in a time when people feel incredibly divided, which means this requires us to lean in even more, to listen to folks, to hear their concerns and take action whenever and wherever we can. And I think that is what Gov. Walz’s reelection will be grounded in,” Flanagan said.</p><p>One year ago, Walz was thrust into the national spotlight after Vice President Kamala Harris picked&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/08/06/from-a-mankato-classroom-to-the-white-house-harris-names-walz-her-vice-presidential-nominee/">him as her running mate.</a>&nbsp;Harris had hoped that Walz’s rural background, Midwest demeanor and military, teaching and coaching resume would win over working-class voters.</p><p>Republicans and the national press during the accelerated campaign scrutinized Walz’s past and propensity to misspeak — what he called “knucklehead” misstatements.</p><p>After a resounding&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/11/06/weird-won-now-walz-comes-home/">defeat on the national stage,</a>&nbsp;Walz returned to a different Minnesota, one with a divided Legislature after Republicans won seats for shared control of the Minnesota House. The state was also facing a long-term deficit.</p><p>Walz spent weeks negotiating with legislative leaders of both parties to come to&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/06/06/gov-tim-walz-to-call-special-session-for-monday-legislature-aims-to-pass-14-bills-in-one-day/">a two-year budget agreement,</a>&nbsp;requiring him to acquiesce to the GOP’s top demand: Eliminate state-funded health insurance for undocumented adults. The progressive Democratic base was outraged.</p><p>Just days after the Legislature passed the two-year budget, a man&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/06/14/minnesota-house-democratic-leader-dead-after-targeted-shooting-democratic-senator-also-shot/">shot and killed Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark</a>&nbsp;in their Brooklyn Park home and shot Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Walz oversaw the two-day manhunt to apprehend the shooter of his friend. Hortman’s assassination gave Walz pause about whether he wanted to continue to serve as governor.</p><p>This summer was bookended by tragedies after a shooter opened fire outside of Church of Annunciation last month. Walz again headed the response to the mass shooting and is now pushing lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/walz-says-he-will-call-special-session-one-way-or-another-on-gun-control/">to return for a special session</a>&nbsp;to get Republicans on the record regarding gun control.</p><h2>Walz’s vision for the next four years</h2><p>In 2023, Walz&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/walzs-proposes-child-tax-credits-universal-free-lunch-boost-in-k-12-education-funding/">began the historic legislative session</a>&nbsp;under the DFL trifecta by saying that Minnesota was going to become “the best state in the country to raise a family.”</p><p>That year, the governor shepherded legislation that he frequently brags about to this day: the school meals program and a child tax credit that could slash childhood poverty by 33%.</p><p>But Walz’s lengthy record may fade into the background in the face of the second Trump earthquake and the administration’s aggressive incursions into state policies.</p><p>Attorney General Keith Ellison, who has sued the Trump administration some 30 times so far, said that Walz is the right person to stand up to Trump.</p><p>“(Walz) has been a real asset in my opinion, and he’s been a great partner,” Ellison said. “The governor’s office and the AG’s office historically have not always worked well together, but me and Gov. Walz work seamlessly, and I’m glad to keep him as a partner.”</p><p>Paradoxically, Trump is both a challenge but also a political gift to Walz — an easy foil.</p><p>Voters will go to the polls next year with Trump top of mind, said Jeff Blodgett, who was chief strategist for Sens. Paul Wellstone and Al Franken.</p><p>“This is going to be a much bigger election about how our state is faring in the midst of Donald Trump’s presidency,” Blodgett said. “It will be a contrast between Trump’s style and Tim Walz’s style and the fact that he’s ushered the state through many, many crises and come out on the other side stronger and better — I think that will only help him.”</p>

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz launches reelection campaign for third term

By: <a href="https://www.morningagclips.com/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-detected-in-nebraska-dairy-herd/"><i>Morning Ag Clips</i></a>

This is the first known case of HPAI in dairy cattle in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the detection of a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd in Nebraska. This is the first known case of HPAI in dairy cattle in the state. The herd is located in central Nebraska and has been quarantined.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed that the strain of the virus is very similar to a strain from California. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.

State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley encourages&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;dairy producers to follow strict biosecurity protocols and to contact their veterinarian immediately if their animals are exhibiting any symptoms of the virus.

What are the clinical signs of HPAI in dairy cattle?

HPAI symptoms in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.morningagclips.com/tag/dairy/">dairy</a>&nbsp;cattle mostly affect late-stage lactating cows. Common clinical signs of HPAI in dairy cows decrease in food consumption, clear nasal discharge, drop in milk production, tacky or loose feces, lethargy, dehydration, fever, and thicker, concentrated (colostrum-like) milk.

Resources including biosecurity information are available for dairy producers at&nbsp;<a href="https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html">nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/</a>&nbsp;and from the USDA at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-livestock">https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-livestock</a>. Dairy cattle experiencing signs of HPAI should be reported to NDA at 402-471-2351 or the USDA at 866-536-7593.

While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) continues to believe that the threat to the general public remains low.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758032560319.png" alt="State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley encourages Nebraska dairy producers to follow strict biosecurity protocols and to contact their veterinarian immediately if their animals are exhibiting any symptoms of the virus. (Photo by Eytane Debruyne on Unsplash)" />
                        <figcaption>State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley encourages Nebraska dairy producers to follow strict biosecurity protocols and to contact their veterinarian immediately if their animals are exhibiting any symptoms of the virus. (Photo by Eytane Debruyne on Unsplash)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By: <a href="https://www.morningagclips.com/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-detected-in-nebraska-dairy-herd/"><i>Morning Ag Clips</i></a></p><h2>This is the first known case of HPAI in dairy cattle in Nebraska</h2><p>LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the detection of a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy herd in Nebraska. This is the first known case of HPAI in dairy cattle in the state. The herd is located in central Nebraska and has been quarantined.</p><p>The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed that the strain of the virus is very similar to a strain from California. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.</p><p>State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley encourages&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;dairy producers to follow strict biosecurity protocols and to contact their veterinarian immediately if their animals are exhibiting any symptoms of the virus.</p><p>What are the clinical signs of HPAI in dairy cattle?</p><p>HPAI symptoms in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.morningagclips.com/tag/dairy/">dairy</a>&nbsp;cattle mostly affect late-stage lactating cows. Common clinical signs of HPAI in dairy cows decrease in food consumption, clear nasal discharge, drop in milk production, tacky or loose feces, lethargy, dehydration, fever, and thicker, concentrated (colostrum-like) milk.</p><p>Resources for dairy producers</p><p>Resources including biosecurity information are available for dairy producers at&nbsp;<a href="https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html">nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/</a>&nbsp;and from the USDA at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-livestock">https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-livestock</a>. Dairy cattle experiencing signs of HPAI should be reported to NDA at 402-471-2351 or the USDA at 866-536-7593.</p><p>While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) continues to believe that the threat to the general public remains low.</p><p>— Nebraska Department of Agriculture</p>

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Nebraska Dairy Herd

Lincoln, Neb., September 15—University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists will play a key role in a national webinar series this October highlighting innovation and application of decision support tools for the beef industry. The webinars are scheduled for Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at noon Central time.Sessions will be delivered via Zoom and will feature leading beef genetics and animal science experts from across the country. Nebraska faculty will host and present in two of the four sessions, underscoring UNL’s leadership in beef systems research and Extension.On Oct. 8, Matt Spangler, UNL professor of animal science, will discuss iGENDEC, a tool for both beef × beef and beef × dairy index construction. Spangler will also host the Oct. 15 session, which features USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists presenting on germplasm evaluation research at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center, Nebraska.“Nebraska is at the forefront of research that directly benefits beef producers,” Spangler said. “This series provides an opportunity to connect producers with tools they can use to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability.”Webinar ScheduleOct. 1 — Beef Industry Selection Tool UpdatesHost: Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky

Oct. 8 — iGENDEC: Innovation in Selection Index Development ToolsHost: Dr. Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee

Oct. 15 — Application of US-Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation ResearchHost: Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Oct. 22 — Beef Industry Sustainability and EfficiencyHost: Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University

Registration is free and open to the public. Participants may register at&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFw2X7ziNTxlvY0X6HGIFmh62" target="_blank">https://ksu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xK9SJR8cR6mxtzYjhbpU3w</a>. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email with details for joining the webinars.Those unable to attend live will have access to recordings of each session following the event.Natalie Jones | IANR Communications

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758030458449.jpeg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758030380306.jpeg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><i>News Release</i></p><p>Lincoln, Neb., September 15—University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists will play a key role in a national webinar series this October highlighting innovation and application of decision support tools for the beef industry. The webinars are scheduled for Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at noon Central time.Sessions will be delivered via Zoom and will feature leading beef genetics and animal science experts from across the country. Nebraska faculty will host and present in two of the four sessions, underscoring UNL’s leadership in beef systems research and Extension.On Oct. 8, Matt Spangler, UNL professor of animal science, will discuss iGENDEC, a tool for both beef × beef and beef × dairy index construction. Spangler will also host the Oct. 15 session, which features USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists presenting on germplasm evaluation research at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center, Nebraska.“Nebraska is at the forefront of research that directly benefits beef producers,” Spangler said. “This series provides an opportunity to connect producers with tools they can use to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability.”Webinar ScheduleOct. 1 — Beef Industry Selection Tool UpdatesHost: Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky</p><ul>
                        <li>New opportunities for maternal trait selection in Angus cattle — Dr. Esther Tarpoff</li><li>iGENDEC-based selection indexes at the North American Limousin Foundation and American Gelbvieh Association — Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University</li>
                    </ul><p>Oct. 8 — iGENDEC: Innovation in Selection Index Development ToolsHost: Dr. Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee</p><ul>
                        <li>iGENDEC: A tool for both beef × beef and beef × dairy index construction — Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska–Lincoln</li><li>Educating producers and students using iGENDEC — Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky</li>
                    </ul><p>Oct. 15 — Application of US-Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation ResearchHost: Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska–Lincoln</p><ul>
                        <li>Producing across-breed EPD adjustment factors from the USMARC GPE program — Dr. Larry Kuehn, USDA-ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (Clay Center, Nebraska)</li><li>Using the across-breed EPD annual reports for making commercial breeding decisions — Dr. Bailey Engle, USDA-ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center</li>
                    </ul><p>Oct. 22 — Beef Industry Sustainability and EfficiencyHost: Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University</p><ul>
                        <li>Why producers should care about methane — Dr. Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee, and Dr. Megan Rolf, Kansas State University</li><li>2026 Beef Improvement Federation Annual Symposium invitation — Dr. John Hall and Dr. Benton Glaze, University of Idaho</li>
                    </ul><p>Registration is free and open to the public. Participants may register at&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFw2X7ziNTxlvY0X6HGIFmh62" target="_blank">https://ksu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xK9SJR8cR6mxtzYjhbpU3w</a>. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email with details for joining the webinars.Those unable to attend live will have access to recordings of each session following the event.Natalie Jones | IANR Communications</p>

Webinar series to highlight decision support tools for the beef industry

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH IN FULL: <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>&#39;s opening comments on The Charlie Kirk Show <a href="https://t.co/J2i3uAI4x2">pic.twitter.com/J2i3uAI4x2</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967626357568942346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Kaelan47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kaelan47</a> describes his last interaction with <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a>, in which Charlie prayed for him and his wife as they dealt with the struggles of being first-time parents. <br><br>That&#39;s who Charlie was. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/DhW5rppryY">pic.twitter.com/DhW5rppryY</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967632525016314212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a>: &quot;He inspired me as a young voice... before every briefing, I always pray to Jesus Christ, and Charlie was so outspoken with his faith — and I will continue to be in honor of him.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3CocAfdkbR">pic.twitter.com/3CocAfdkbR</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967634277434282105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> recites Psalm 133 in a powerful message to the American people: &quot;Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head...&quot;<br><br>&quot;Oh, how badly have I craved that precious ointment in recent days, and I… <a href="https://t.co/UQ5RHd1yue">pic.twitter.com/UQ5RHd1yue</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967651075256717434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MUST WATCH: <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> powerfully delivers some hard truths on political violence in America.<br><br>&quot;While our side of the aisle certainly has its crazies, it is a statistical FACT that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the Far Left.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mYnkCZhuXU">pic.twitter.com/mYnkCZhuXU</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967652535679721576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">White House Chief of Staff <a href="https://twitter.com/SusieWiles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SusieWiles</a> says <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TPUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TPUSA</a> &quot;delivered 110%&quot; in re-electing President Trump:<br><br>&quot;I don&#39;t know that Charlie gets enough credit for that... it was an immeasurable help.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vrcQGbaDkn">pic.twitter.com/vrcQGbaDkn</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967645301717733687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/StephenM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StephenM</a> on organized Radical Left violence: &quot;With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the DOJ, Homeland Security, and throughout this government, to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and destroy these networks... We will do it in Charlie&#39;s name.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xGXYXR5bi5">pic.twitter.com/xGXYXR5bi5</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967627684886061110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Vance hosts Kirk's radio show, shares how he'll honor his friend 

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/gqH4MHjbg2">pic.twitter.com/gqH4MHjbg2</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967680808128483764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 U.S. conducted 2nd strike on alleged drug cartel boat from Venezuela

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s tax collections came in higher than expected in August, giving the state budget an early boost in the new fiscal year.

The Department of Revenue reported Monday that gross General Fund receipts totaled $727 million last month, which was about $29 million, or 4.2%, above the state’s forecast. Sales and use taxes led the way, finishing 8.5% above expectations, while individual income taxes were 4.1% above forecast. Corporate and miscellaneous tax categories fell short.

After accounting for refunds, Nebraska ended August with $597 million in net receipts, about $12 million, or 2%, higher than projected. Refunds themselves were larger than expected, totaling $130 million, or about 15% above the forecast.

Through the first two months of the fiscal year, which began July 1, Nebraska has collected $1.03 billion in net General Fund receipts. That’s $32 million, or 3.2%, more than forecast. The growth has been fueled largely by strong sales and use tax collections, which are running nearly 17% above projections so far this year. Individual income taxes are slightly ahead of forecast, while corporate and miscellaneous taxes remain below.

When compared to last year, the growth is even more pronounced. Net receipts in August 2025 were $597 million, up from $527 million in August 2024 — a 13% jump. Sales and use taxes grew more than 11% year-over-year, while individual income taxes rose about 21%. Corporate income taxes dropped nearly 40% compared to last August, and miscellaneous taxes were down about 8%.

Overall, Nebraska has collected $1.03 billion in net revenue so far this fiscal year, compared to $833 million at the same point last year. That’s a 23% increase year-over-year.

The projections used in the report come from the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board’s April 25 forecast, which was later adjusted for legislation passed this year.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757960346997.jpeg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s tax collections came in higher than expected in August, giving the state budget an early boost in the new fiscal year.</p><p>The Department of Revenue reported Monday that gross General Fund receipts totaled $727 million last month, which was about $29 million, or 4.2%, above the state’s forecast. Sales and use taxes led the way, finishing 8.5% above expectations, while individual income taxes were 4.1% above forecast. Corporate and miscellaneous tax categories fell short.</p><p>After accounting for refunds, Nebraska ended August with $597 million in net receipts, about $12 million, or 2%, higher than projected. Refunds themselves were larger than expected, totaling $130 million, or about 15% above the forecast.</p><p>Through the first two months of the fiscal year, which began July 1, Nebraska has collected $1.03 billion in net General Fund receipts. That’s $32 million, or 3.2%, more than forecast. The growth has been fueled largely by strong sales and use tax collections, which are running nearly 17% above projections so far this year. Individual income taxes are slightly ahead of forecast, while corporate and miscellaneous taxes remain below.</p><p>When compared to last year, the growth is even more pronounced. Net receipts in August 2025 were $597 million, up from $527 million in August 2024 — a 13% jump. Sales and use taxes grew more than 11% year-over-year, while individual income taxes rose about 21%. Corporate income taxes dropped nearly 40% compared to last August, and miscellaneous taxes were down about 8%.</p><p>Overall, Nebraska has collected $1.03 billion in net revenue so far this fiscal year, compared to $833 million at the same point last year. That’s a 23% increase year-over-year.</p><p>The projections used in the report come from the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board’s April 25 forecast, which was later adjusted for legislation passed this year.</p>

Nebraska’s August tax collections top forecast, rise sharply from last year

Nearly a quarter century has passed since the attacks of September 11th, 2001. That day’s tragic events, the heroic acts of so many Americans, and the extraordinary shows of patriotism and national unity which followed are forever etched in our national memory. We will always remember the courage and sacrifice of those who passed and those whose lives were forever changed 24 years ago.

Just as the anniversary of 9/11 was reminding Americans to commemorate the endurance and aspirations which bring us together, sadly, our country was shocked by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kirk was a patriot, husband, and father who lived his conservative values by championing free speech for all. Regardless of viewpoint, political violence is never acceptable. I am glad law enforcement quickly identified and apprehended the suspect and is preparing to obtain justice for Kirk’s murder.&nbsp;

The future of our shared values, protection of civil society, and guarantee of the rights and freedoms given by God and recognized by our Declaration of Independence and Constitution are not passively attained. While the sacrifice of countless Americans who have answered the call of duty demonstrate the cost of freedom, the task of promoting the safety of every American falls on each generation. Unlike the past administration, President Trump has made national security and law enforcement efforts top priorities. We recognized our nation’s security need when we enacted $175 billion in border enforcement funding in July alongside our working families tax cut, and we recognized it again this week when House Republicans advanced legislation to provide the administration with the resources needed to meet this mission through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The many threats to peace around the globe demand sustained attention to national security. Several of our allies face the reality of war every day while our enemies in Tehran, Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang conspire against us. Threats multiply and evolve constantly, whether on the battlefield or in cyberspace. The robust funding in the NDAA allows our military to stand ready with effective deterrence against any and all threats. In the words of Ronald Reagan, “War will not come again...if we will speak honestly of the dangers that confront us and remain strong enough to meet those dangers.”

Recent events have shown both the importance of and fragility of our constitutional rights. While the First Amendment is foundational to the fabric of our communities and public discourse, freedom of speech and other basic human rights remain under threat by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and other nations around the world. Because of this, I supported measures in the NDAA to counter China’s malign influence. I am also a cosponsor of the Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act. This bill would reestablish the initiative to curb theft of American intellectual property and spying on our academic institutions perpetrated by the CCP.

Our adversaries profit from dividing us, and political polarization only makes it more difficult to protect our country from enemies, both foreign and domestic. As we remember the victims of terrorism perpetrated by these enemies, as well as honor the legacies of those who risked everything to protect our rights and liberties, let us not forget strength ultimately comes from unity.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757939765389.png" alt="The legacies of our selfless military heroes, like Donald McPherson of Adams, Nebraska, must be celebrated and protected for future generations to understand the true cost of freedom. On the House floor, I honored the life, service, and passing of America’s last WWII Ace fighter pilot.&nbsp;To watch these remarks,&nbsp;<a href="https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=NE03AS&amp;crop=16643.182186133.19936282.102931&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fRepAdrianSmith%2fstatus%2f1965504821097828513&amp;redir_log=812447022207331" target="_blank">Click Here</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;" />
                        <figcaption>The legacies of our selfless military heroes, like Donald McPherson of Adams, Nebraska, must be celebrated and protected for future generations to understand the true cost of freedom. On the House floor, I honored the life, service, and passing of America’s last WWII Ace fighter pilot.&nbsp;To watch these remarks,&nbsp;<a href="https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=NE03AS&amp;crop=16643.182186133.19936282.102931&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fRepAdrianSmith%2fstatus%2f1965504821097828513&amp;redir_log=812447022207331" target="_blank">Click Here</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Nearly a quarter century has passed since the attacks of September 11th, 2001. That day’s tragic events, the heroic acts of so many Americans, and the extraordinary shows of patriotism and national unity which followed are forever etched in our national memory. We will always remember the courage and sacrifice of those who passed and those whose lives were forever changed 24 years ago.</p><p>Just as the anniversary of 9/11 was reminding Americans to commemorate the endurance and aspirations which bring us together, sadly, our country was shocked by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kirk was a patriot, husband, and father who lived his conservative values by championing free speech for all. Regardless of viewpoint, political violence is never acceptable. I am glad law enforcement quickly identified and apprehended the suspect and is preparing to obtain justice for Kirk’s murder.&nbsp;</p><p>The future of our shared values, protection of civil society, and guarantee of the rights and freedoms given by God and recognized by our Declaration of Independence and Constitution are not passively attained. While the sacrifice of countless Americans who have answered the call of duty demonstrate the cost of freedom, the task of promoting the safety of every American falls on each generation. Unlike the past administration, President Trump has made national security and law enforcement efforts top priorities. We recognized our nation’s security need when we enacted $175 billion in border enforcement funding in July alongside our working families tax cut, and we recognized it again this week when House Republicans advanced legislation to provide the administration with the resources needed to meet this mission through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).</p><p>The many threats to peace around the globe demand sustained attention to national security. Several of our allies face the reality of war every day while our enemies in Tehran, Beijing, Moscow, and Pyongyang conspire against us. Threats multiply and evolve constantly, whether on the battlefield or in cyberspace. The robust funding in the NDAA allows our military to stand ready with effective deterrence against any and all threats. In the words of Ronald Reagan, “War will not come again...if we will speak honestly of the dangers that confront us and remain strong enough to meet those dangers.”</p><p>Recent events have shown both the importance of and fragility of our constitutional rights. While the First Amendment is foundational to the fabric of our communities and public discourse, freedom of speech and other basic human rights remain under threat by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and other nations around the world. Because of this, I supported measures in the NDAA to counter China’s malign influence. I am also a cosponsor of the Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act. This bill would reestablish the initiative to curb theft of American intellectual property and spying on our academic institutions perpetrated by the CCP.</p><p>Our adversaries profit from dividing us, and political polarization only makes it more difficult to protect our country from enemies, both foreign and domestic. As we remember the victims of terrorism perpetrated by these enemies, as well as honor the legacies of those who risked everything to protect our rights and liberties, let us not forget strength ultimately comes from unity.</p><p>Sincerely,</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NYmhxEyccW3DFsOONp9Rzkt2m1J1HDeL7HKhupc3MkO9moGAIqdrBsSIwviMgEYZjAuw5UgNYmZt2t6vhfgyS71fa_Euxm8eIkW9qdvfxTw7_Z-Yh9MaDqc6FbzaQpA9s4K=s0-d-e1-ft#https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/Customers/NE03AS/NE03AS_Signature.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Adrian Smith</p><p>Member of Congress</p>

From the Desk of Adrian Smith: "Defending America's Greatness"

Taking over management of the scenic Niobrara River would come with costs

LINCOLN — Nebraska would have to dig into its pocketbook if it wants to take over management of the scenic Niobrara River from the National Park Service.

That seems clear after officials from Ohio, a state that has a rare “cooperative agreement” to manage federally designated wild and scenic rivers within its state, told the Examiner that it spends $1.2 million a year on its state scenic river program. Ohio manages three, federally designated scenic rivers and 13 other streams that have either a state scenic, wild or recreation designation.

The state assigns 11 staff members to manage stream quality, promote preservation of forest corridors and scenery and protect sensitive areas along the streams, as well as assist landowners, developers and other stakeholders. State personnel also work with advisory councils associated with each of the scenic rivers to give local landowners and other interests a voice in management decisions.

The issue of cost came up after Nebraska State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman proposed an interim study of the state possibly taking over of management of the Niobrara River, a federally designated scenic river, from the National Park Service.

Part of Storer’s district includes the 75 miles of the Niobrara that was added to the federal list of wild and scenic rivers in 1991. The designation followed an effort that prevented the damming of the unique stream by the proposed Norden Dam.

Currently, the Park Service operates on an annual budget of $1.2 million to help police the popular river, help conserve the wild and scenic nature of the Niobrara and staff a visitors center in Valentine. In addition, the Niobrara Council, a committee of local officials that provides input and runs some river-related programs, gets about $52,000 a year from the state and, until this past year, $100,000 a year from the federal government to help fund its activities.

Advocates for retaining federal management of the Niobrara maintain that the State of Nebraska lacks the expertise and the funds — given its recent budget shortfalls — to take over river management. Meanwhile Storer and the head of a local natural resources district have pushed back on that, saying they doubt it would take too much money. They maintain that the interim study — set for a hearing at 1 p.m. on Friday at the State Capitol — will help answer the cost question.

Bob Gable, the scenic rivers administrator for the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, said he could not separate how much of his state’s money and staff were devoted to Ohio’s three federally designated scenic rivers — the Big and Little Darby Creek, Little Beaver Creek and the Little Miami River. He said it wasn’t as simple as dividing the funding equally among the 16 rivers, which would be about $75,000 per river spent in Ohio.

Gable said managing federally designated rivers comes with additional coordination with the federal government. For instance, the National Park Service must review and approve water resource projects that impact banks and streams. All told, Ohio manages 945 miles of streams in its scenic river program, a program that began in 1968, a few months before the federal government passed the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

“This is a fact that we are very proud of,” Gable said in an email, of the Ohio program preceding the federal act.

Storer did not respond to calls and texts seeking comment on this story.

Sändra Washington, who worked with scenic river programs in Ohio and later with the Park Service, said it would be difficult to estimate what it might cost for the state to take over the management of the Niobrara River.

Much, said Washington, now a member of the Lincoln City Council, would depend on whether state agencies have the expertise to do it. It would certainly cost more to create a new scenic rivers program from scratch than if the state had an existing one.

Storer has said that uncertainty about federal funding for the National Park Service to manage the Niobrara River and funding for a local river advisory council, the Niobrara Council, call for a look at taking over management of the scenic river by the state and some local entities, such as the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, called for the cancellation of the lease on the scenic river visitors center in Valentine. That decision was later reversed.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757942549118.png" alt=" The Niobrara National Scenic River. (Courtesy of the National Park Service)" />
                        <figcaption> The Niobrara National Scenic River. (Courtesy of the National Park Service)</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Taking over management of the scenic Niobrara River would come with costs</h2><p>Paul Hammel<br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/07/wall-of-shame-still-used-by-nebraska-to-convince-delinquent-taxpayers-to-pay-up/">Nebraska Examiner</a></p><p>LINCOLN — Nebraska would have to dig into its pocketbook if it wants to take over management of the scenic Niobrara River from the National Park Service.</p><p>That seems clear after officials from Ohio, a state that has a rare “cooperative agreement” to manage federally designated wild and scenic rivers within its state, told the Examiner that it spends $1.2 million a year on its state scenic river program. Ohio manages three, federally designated scenic rivers and 13 other streams that have either a state scenic, wild or recreation designation.</p><p>The state assigns 11 staff members to manage stream quality, promote preservation of forest corridors and scenery and protect sensitive areas along the streams, as well as assist landowners, developers and other stakeholders. State personnel also work with advisory councils associated with each of the scenic rivers to give local landowners and other interests a voice in management decisions.</p><p>The issue of cost came up after Nebraska State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman proposed an interim study of the state possibly taking over of management of the Niobrara River, a federally designated scenic river, from the National Park Service.</p><p>Part of Storer’s district includes the 75 miles of the Niobrara that was added to the federal list of wild and scenic rivers in 1991. The designation followed an effort that prevented the damming of the unique stream by the proposed Norden Dam.</p><p>Currently, the Park Service operates on an annual budget of $1.2 million to help police the popular river, help conserve the wild and scenic nature of the Niobrara and staff a visitors center in Valentine. In addition, the Niobrara Council, a committee of local officials that provides input and runs some river-related programs, gets about $52,000 a year from the state and, until this past year, $100,000 a year from the federal government to help fund its activities.</p><p>Advocates for retaining federal management of the Niobrara maintain that the State of Nebraska lacks the expertise and the funds — given its recent budget shortfalls — to take over river management. Meanwhile Storer and the head of a local natural resources district have pushed back on that, saying they doubt it would take too much money. They maintain that the interim study — set for a hearing at 1 p.m. on Friday at the State Capitol — will help answer the cost question.</p><p>Bob Gable, the scenic rivers administrator for the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, said he could not separate how much of his state’s money and staff were devoted to Ohio’s three federally designated scenic rivers — the Big and Little Darby Creek, Little Beaver Creek and the Little Miami River. He said it wasn’t as simple as dividing the funding equally among the 16 rivers, which would be about $75,000 per river spent in Ohio.</p><p>Gable said managing federally designated rivers comes with additional coordination with the federal government. For instance, the National Park Service must review and approve water resource projects that impact banks and streams. All told, Ohio manages 945 miles of streams in its scenic river program, a program that began in 1968, a few months before the federal government passed the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.</p><p>“This is a fact that we are very proud of,” Gable said in an email, of the Ohio program preceding the federal act.</p><p>Storer did not respond to calls and texts seeking comment on this story.</p><p>Sändra Washington, who worked with scenic river programs in Ohio and later with the Park Service, said it would be difficult to estimate what it might cost for the state to take over the management of the Niobrara River.</p><p>Much, said Washington, now a member of the Lincoln City Council, would depend on whether state agencies have the expertise to do it. It would certainly cost more to create a new scenic rivers program from scratch than if the state had an existing one.</p><p>Storer has said that uncertainty about federal funding for the National Park Service to manage the Niobrara River and funding for a local river advisory council, the Niobrara Council, call for a look at taking over management of the scenic river by the state and some local entities, such as the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District.</p><p>Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, called for the cancellation of the lease on the scenic river visitors center in Valentine. That decision was later reversed.</p>

GLENDALE, ARIZONA&nbsp; —Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist&nbsp;and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination carried out from a rooftop.

Turning Point USA, Kirk's conservative organization, will hold a memorial for him Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix, where the Arizona Cardinals play. <a href="https://www.fightforcharlie.com/">Click here for more details</a> on the service.

Kirk's casket arrived Thursday in his home state aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance.

A vigil at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., was among numerous tributes to Kirk on Sunday. The line of mourners in Washington wrapped around the center.

Kirk also was memorialized at Dream City Church in Phoenix, where he hosted one of his “Freedom Night in America” gatherings. Attendees viewed clips of Kirk discussing his desire to be “remembered for courage for my faith.” Angel Barnett, a church pastor, called on the crowd to honor Kirk by carrying on his message.

Flowers, U.S. flags and handwritten messages were left at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-students-bc78cfd86a9911b44c9279e32be442bf">a makeshift memorial</a>&nbsp;at Utah Valley University’s main entrance. The school has said there will be increased security when classes resume Wednesday.

His widow, Erika Kirk, vowed to continue his campus tour and his radio and podcast shows.

“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” she said Friday in a livestreamed video. “It won’t. I refuse to let that happen.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757551583450.png" alt="Charlie Kirk photo White House" />
                        <figcaption>Charlie Kirk photo White House</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>GLENDALE, ARIZONA&nbsp; —Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist&nbsp;and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination carried out from a rooftop.</p><p>Turning Point USA, Kirk's conservative organization, will hold a memorial for him Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium outside Phoenix, where the Arizona Cardinals play. <a href="https://www.fightforcharlie.com/">Click here for more details</a> on the service.</p><p>Kirk's casket arrived Thursday in his home state aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance.</p><p>A vigil at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., was among numerous tributes to Kirk on Sunday. The line of mourners in Washington wrapped around the center.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH: Complete remarks by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr at Charlie Kirk Memorial Service. <a href="https://t.co/RkJWmcguez">pic.twitter.com/RkJWmcguez</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1967397444494184684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH: Complete remarks by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at Charlie Kirk Memorial Service. <a href="https://t.co/xEAD92D89E">pic.twitter.com/xEAD92D89E</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1967397150658056597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Kirk also was memorialized at Dream City Church in Phoenix, where he hosted one of his “Freedom Night in America” gatherings. Attendees viewed clips of Kirk discussing his desire to be “remembered for courage for my faith.” Angel Barnett, a church pastor, called on the crowd to honor Kirk by carrying on his message.</p><p>Flowers, U.S. flags and handwritten messages were left at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-students-bc78cfd86a9911b44c9279e32be442bf">a makeshift memorial</a>&nbsp;at Utah Valley University’s main entrance. The school has said there will be increased security when classes resume Wednesday.</p><p>His widow, Erika Kirk, vowed to continue his campus tour and his radio and podcast shows.</p><p>“To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” she said Friday in a livestreamed video. “It won’t. I refuse to let that happen.”</p>

🎥Vigils nationwide, funeral service details for Charlie Kirk

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a><br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Nebraska Corrections officials update McCook leaders on plans

McCOOK, Neb. — Business has slumped at the Carniceria CB mini market and Mexican restaurant, its owners said, since Gov. Jim Pillen’s announcement last month that Nebraska is bringing a federal immigration detention facility to town.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757876399224.png" alt=" Miguel and Mayra Camacho, owners of Carniceria mini market and restaurant in McCook, Nebraska, say business has declined sharply in the past month since Gov. Jim Pillen announced that the Work Ethic Camp in town will be converted to an ICE facility under a contract with the Department of Homeland Security. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
                        <figcaption> Miguel and Mayra Camacho, owners of Carniceria mini market and restaurant in McCook, Nebraska, say business has declined sharply in the past month since Gov. Jim Pillen announced that the Work Ethic Camp in town will be converted to an ICE facility under a contract with the Department of Homeland Security. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a><br><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a></p><h2>Nebraska Corrections officials update McCook leaders on plans</h2><p>McCOOK, Neb. — Business has slumped at the Carniceria CB mini market and Mexican restaurant, its owners said, since Gov. Jim Pillen’s announcement last month that Nebraska is bringing a federal immigration detention facility to town.</p><p>Miguel and Mayra Camacho said they’ve heard other area&nbsp;merchants describe similar commercial declines. Some Latinos they know have uprooted from southwest Nebraska, spurred by what the couple believes is fear and uneasiness over an increased ICE presence.</p><p>“And it’s not even open yet,” said Miguel Camacho, of the facility branded the “Cornhusker Clink” by federal officials. “Of all the 50 states, why here?”</p><h2>‘People want to know’</h2><p>Comments the Camachos made this week from their Carniceria — a few miles from where a state prison that holds up to 200 beds is being converted into a 300-bed ICE jail — reflected the sentiment of dozens who spoke against the project during a Friday hearing at the Capitol so full it required an overflow area.</p><p>The meeting was hosted by the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee. Chairman Terrell McKinney of Omaha offered the space after the chair of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee declined to hold a public hearing, calling the request premature.</p><p>McKinney, a member of both committees, said that while he had been offered a private briefing by the Pillen administration, he opted for a broader discussion open to the public.</p><p>He and other committee members said they were concerned about scant information shared about the state-federal plan to repurpose the McCook-based Work Ethic Camp into an ICE detention center for migrants. The state is still trying to relocate the camp’s remaining 155 inmates to different state prisons. Officials said they expect to start housing federal detainees in October.</p><p>“Our people want to know, and they’re asking,” said State Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, who also sits on both committees.&nbsp;</p><p>“What happens is that when there’s no information provided, negativity and misinformation run rampant,” said State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, the lone Republican committee member who attended the hearing.</p><p>On Friday afternoon, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services issued a statement saying that Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys had spoken Thursday with McCook Mayor Linda Taylor and City Manager Nate Schneider about public safety and community impact.</p><p>Among the answers Corrections said it provided:</p><ul>
                        <li>The converted ICE detention center will house an adult population with minor criminal records and nonviolent felonies.&nbsp;</li><li>Up to 65 staff positions will be added, all state positions, including additional medical personnel.</li><li>The state is exploring options for electronic translation services to assist non-English speaking detainees.</li><li>A perimeter fence and intruder petition system will be added, as well as armed patrols around the perimeter.</li>
                    </ul><p>A formal contract between Nebraska and the federal government is still being hammered out, Correctional Services officials said.&nbsp;</p><h2>Four hours of testimony</h2><p>At the four-hour Urban Affairs hearing, about 40 people testified, none in support of the prison conversion that many worry could exacerbate state prison crowding elsewhere to accommodate the feds’ deportation push.&nbsp;</p><p>Many said they were embarrassed. Some choked back tears. Others said they were angry to learn in news reports that the state had invited the Trump administration to consider Nebraska for such a facility.</p><p>Not present were members of the Pillen administration, which told the committee in a Thursday letter it would not participate, arguing that the the Judiciary Committee and not the Urban Affairs Committee had the legal jurisdiction and oversight authority to examine the issues at hand.&nbsp;Pillen’s staff did not respond to a request for comment Friday.</p><p>McKinney said he plans to ask the Judiciary Committee chair once again to hold a public hearing that he hopes Pillen’s staff would attend.&nbsp;</p><p>Kenny Zoeller, Pillen’s policy research director, wrote in the Thursday’s letter that McKinney had wrongly suggested that the future migrant population at the center would trigger an overcrowding of the correctional system. Zoeller wrote that an emergency declaration is required when the prison population systemwide is over 140% of operational capacity. He said the average now is about 115%.</p><p>“We have flexibility within our current corrections facilities to accommodate this new mission,” Zoeller wrote.</p><p>Spike Eickholt, representing ACLU Nebraska, said Nebraska leaders for a decade have debated what to do about state prison crowding. Currently, Nebraska is building a new $310 million-plus prison in Lincoln.</p><p>“Why are we committing to an investment of a new prison while giving up a current one?” he asked.</p><p>Other speakers lamented the loss of the Work Ethic Camp’s rehabilitative focus and programming aimed at transitioning criminal offenders for successful re-entry into society.</p><h2>Nebraska’s role in deportation</h2><p>But most of Friday’s testimony centered on Nebraska’s role in Trump’s push for mass deportations. Pillen has said he is proud to be part of the president’s effort to “make sure we keep our community safe.”</p><p>“This stuff hits close to home and hits every corner of this state and country,” the governor has said.</p><p>Holly Burns said her grandparents, Jose Flores Arsiaga and Margarita Martinez Arsiaga, farmed in Mitchell, Neb., and raised an extended family that’s part of the state’s rich history and multicultural landscape.</p><p>“Are we willing to risk that and be made a joke nationally as the ‘Cornhusker Clink’ — for money that we may or may not get — and that breaks all values of Nebraska?” she asked.</p><p>Guillermo Enrique Peña Valladares of Grand Island said he comes from a family of immigrants and that federal enforcement tactics have created anxiety and intimidation even among those legally in the country for generations.</p><p>“Should I fear saying my name?” he asked, voice cracking. He said his family works in meatpacking plants and his mom speaks broken English. “Every day we have to ask ourselves, ‘Are we going to be alright?’”</p><p>As his family’s first college graduate, Peña said, he felt a responsibility to speak out.</p><p>“You are trying to imprison the agricultural hands of Nebraska. They are already battered and bruised,” he said.</p><p>Anne Wurth, associate legal director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, said a worry is the “lack of planning” and demeaning behavior by ICE toward migrants.</p><p>She said her nonprofit saw it first hand, representing several of the 78 workers detained in the June 10 immigration raid at Omaha’s Glenn Valley Foods. Wurth described, for example, the early 48 hours when some families did not know where relatives were being held and said some wounds went untreated.</p><p>“Their goal is to terrorize immigrants,” she said of the federal government. “They continue to demean and dehumanize a population that is integral to the state of Nebraska … We must not do this for them.”</p><h2>‘Pissed off grandmas’</h2><p>Don Hooper, a retired educator, was among several who decried the politics. He said he does not want “Cornhusker Clink” to join Nebraska’s “good life” and “home of Arbor Day” signs on the highway.</p><p>If the facility comes, he said: “It should be named … ‘Pillen’s prison’ in honor of the individual who wants this in Nebraska.”</p><p>McKinney said he appreciated a petition opposing the immigration detention center coordinated by Nebraska Appleseed, as it reflected statewide opinions. Appleseed’s Ruby Mendez said the effort collected more than 18,000 signatures from people in nearly 400 Nebraska communities.</p><p>Faith Colburn said she drove in from North Platte with concerns about legal and other services that migrants would have available in McCook.&nbsp;</p><p>“I’m here representing 50 people,” she said. “Many of them are furious, pissed off grandmas.”</p><p>About 650 people also submitted written testimony to the Urban Affairs committee. Because it was for an interim hearing, McKinney said, the correspondence had not been categorized into opponents, proponents or neutral.</p><h2>Carniceria survival plan&nbsp;</h2><p>In McCook, Miguel and Mayra Camacho said they would not close shop, and hope that business picks up.</p><p>The family’s move six years ago from Kansas to the Nebraska community of about 7,200 people was calculated, they said. The area has a Walmart and other key stores that draw residents of surrounding towns.</p><p>Their two kids attend local schools, and have felt a sting from the proposed ICE facility. A classmate asked their daughter if she had seen her “new house,” said Camacho.</p><p>The small business owners said they are trying to form a group to provide information and support to Latinos in the community. They said they’ve enjoyed the McCook area and their patrons.&nbsp;</p><p>The couple rode out the COVID-19 slump, opening the Carniceria’s doors every day. Gesturing toward the empty store and restaurant, Camacho said the plan now is to do the same: “Stay here, protect it, survive.”</p><p>He added, ‘If the community tells me I’m not welcome, we’ll move.”</p>