BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a> State's Newsroom

WASHINGTON — Amid persistent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/despite-opt-outs-gop-states-debut-kids-summer-food-program-seen-success" target="_blank">child hunger and food insecurity</a>&nbsp;in the United States, lawmakers and advocates on Wednesday stressed the importance of school meal programs during a U.S. Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing.

Hunger severely impacts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/effects-of-hunger-on-the-body" target="_blank">kids’ emotional and physical well-being</a>&nbsp;and can lead to negative outcomes in school,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(20)30426-5/fulltext" target="_blank">research has shown</a>. Last year, 47.4 million people lived in food-insecure households, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>.

Federally funded efforts, such as the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, provide free and reduced-cost meals to students across the country.

Advocates say these programs play a crucial role in helping to reduce child hunger and urged the panel to expand them.

“School lunch should always be free and definitely free of judgment,” said Sen. John Fetterman, who chairs the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research.

“Honestly, it shouldn’t be a conversation — it would be like asking the kids to pay for the school bus every morning or to pay for their own textbooks at school,” Fetterman said.

Fetterman and fellow Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey&nbsp;<a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-fetterman-introduce-legislation-to-combat-student-hunger-expand-access-to-free-or-reduced-price-school-meals" target="_blank">introduced two bills</a>&nbsp;in June aiming to expand free or reduced-price meals access for kids. Part of the initiatives also call for amending the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools and school districts in low-income areas to offer free meal options to all students.

Fetterman also sponsored the Universal School Meals Program Act, an effort introduced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1568/text" target="_blank">independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;last May, which would “provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to every student — without demanding they prove they are poor enough to deserve help getting three meals a day,” according to Sanders’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Universal-School-Meals-Program-Act-of-2023_Bill-Summary.pdf" target="_blank">summary</a>&nbsp;of the bill. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3204/text" target="_blank">a companion bill</a>.

Subcommittee ranking member Mike Braun of Indiana said he introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.braun.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-braun-brown-introduce-senate-version-american-food-american-schools-act/" target="_blank">American Food for American Schools Act</a>&nbsp;last July with Ohio Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown in an effort “to better prioritize and support the use of American food in school meal programs.”

That bipartisan bill would increase requirements for school meals to include U.S. products.

Crystal FitzSimons, interim president of the Food Research &amp; Action Center, pointed out that eight states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/08/29/usda-celebrates-new-school-meals-options-new-school-year-begins#:~:text=Eight%20states%20have%20taken%20permanent,Minnesota%2C%20New%20Mexico%20and%20Vermont" target="_blank">have implemented policies</a>&nbsp;that offer school meals to all students, regardless of one’s household income. Those states are California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont.

The national nonprofit aims to reduce poverty-related hunger in the U.S. through research, advocacy and policy solutions.

“While those eight states are showing us what is possible, there are critical steps the subcommittee and Congress should take to enhance the reach and impact of school meals nationwide,” FitzSimons said.

As one piece of the puzzle, FitzSimons said Congress can “ensure that all children nationwide are hunger-free and ready to learn while they are at school by allowing all schools to offer meals to all their students at no charge” and the Universal School Meals Program Act “creates that path.”

Meg Bruening, professor and department head at Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, said “the school meal programs in the U.S. provide a critical safety net for almost 30 million children with meals each year” — comprising 60% of children in the country.

Bruening said these school meal programs align closely with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/" target="_blank">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>, “ensuring a variety of healthy foods are offered to children while at school, where children spend most of their waking and eating hours.”

The guidelines, developed by the USDA and the Health and Human Services Department, are&nbsp;<a href="https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/dietary-guidelines" target="_blank">updated every five years</a>.

Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock underscored how child hunger increases in the summer months when kids lack access to regular meals at school.

Thirty-seven states, the District of Columbia and multiple territories and tribal nations opted in this year to a new effort, known as Summer EBT, to feed kids during the long summer months.

Also called Sun Bucks, the USDA initiative provides low-income families with school-aged children a grocery-buying benefit of $120 per child for the summer.

But 13 states,&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/08/13/georgia-dems-press-governor-to-participate-for-federal-2025-summer-feeding-program/" target="_blank">including Georgia</a>, chose not to participate in the program in 2024. The USDA said states have until Jan. 1 to submit a notice of intent if they plan to participate in the program next year.

Warnock said he hopes&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/08/13/georgia-dems-press-governor-to-participate-for-federal-2025-summer-feeding-program/" target="_blank">state leaders reverse their position</a>&nbsp;on Summer EBT.

“Unfortunately, my home state — the state of Georgia — has not opted in to Sun Bucks, with some officials saying it does not result in higher nutritional outcomes for students, and that existing programs are ‘effective,’” he said.

“I heard our state leadership say: ‘We don’t need it,’” he added. “I’m still trying to figure out who this ‘we’ is — for whom are you speaking when you say: ‘We don’t need it?’”

A spokesperson for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has said the governor has concerns about the program’s dietary standards and cost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727007674307.png" alt="Students eat lunch at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, on March 12 (Spenser Heaps/Utah News Dispatch)." />
 <figcaption>Students eat lunch at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, on March 12 (Spenser Heaps/Utah News Dispatch).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a> State's Newsroom WASHINGTON — Amid persistent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/despite-opt-outs-gop-states-debut-kids-summer-food-program-seen-success" target="_blank">child hunger and food insecurity</a>&nbsp;in the United States, lawmakers and advocates on Wednesday stressed the importance of school meal programs during a U.S. Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing.Hunger severely impacts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/effects-of-hunger-on-the-body" target="_blank">kids’ emotional and physical well-being</a>&nbsp;and can lead to negative outcomes in school,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(20)30426-5/fulltext" target="_blank">research has shown</a>. Last year, 47.4 million people lived in food-insecure households, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>.Federally funded efforts, such as the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, provide free and reduced-cost meals to students across the country.Advocates say these programs play a crucial role in helping to reduce child hunger and urged the panel to expand them.“School lunch should always be free and definitely free of judgment,” said Sen. John Fetterman, who chairs the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research.“Honestly, it shouldn’t be a conversation — it would be like asking the kids to pay for the school bus every morning or to pay for their own textbooks at school,” Fetterman said.Fetterman and fellow Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey&nbsp;<a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-fetterman-introduce-legislation-to-combat-student-hunger-expand-access-to-free-or-reduced-price-school-meals" target="_blank">introduced two bills</a>&nbsp;in June aiming to expand free or reduced-price meals access for kids. Part of the initiatives also call for amending the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools and school districts in low-income areas to offer free meal options to all students.Fetterman also sponsored the Universal School Meals Program Act, an effort introduced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1568/text" target="_blank">independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;last May, which would “provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to every student — without demanding they prove they are poor enough to deserve help getting three meals a day,” according to Sanders’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Universal-School-Meals-Program-Act-of-2023_Bill-Summary.pdf" target="_blank">summary</a>&nbsp;of the bill. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3204/text" target="_blank">a companion bill</a>.Subcommittee ranking member Mike Braun of Indiana said he introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.braun.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-braun-brown-introduce-senate-version-american-food-american-schools-act/" target="_blank">American Food for American Schools Act</a>&nbsp;last July with Ohio Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown in an effort “to better prioritize and support the use of American food in school meal programs.”That bipartisan bill would increase requirements for school meals to include U.S. products.<h2>States a model</h2>Crystal FitzSimons, interim president of the Food Research &amp; Action Center, pointed out that eight states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/08/29/usda-celebrates-new-school-meals-options-new-school-year-begins#:~:text=Eight%20states%20have%20taken%20permanent,Minnesota%2C%20New%20Mexico%20and%20Vermont" target="_blank">have implemented policies</a>&nbsp;that offer school meals to all students, regardless of one’s household income. Those states are California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont.The national nonprofit aims to reduce poverty-related hunger in the U.S. through research, advocacy and policy solutions.“While those eight states are showing us what is possible, there are critical steps the subcommittee and Congress should take to enhance the reach and impact of school meals nationwide,” FitzSimons said.As one piece of the puzzle, FitzSimons said Congress can “ensure that all children nationwide are hunger-free and ready to learn while they are at school by allowing all schools to offer meals to all their students at no charge” and the Universal School Meals Program Act “creates that path.”Meg Bruening, professor and department head at Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, said “the school meal programs in the U.S. provide a critical safety net for almost 30 million children with meals each year” — comprising 60% of children in the country.Bruening said these school meal programs align closely with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/" target="_blank">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>, “ensuring a variety of healthy foods are offered to children while at school, where children spend most of their waking and eating hours.”The guidelines, developed by the USDA and the Health and Human Services Department, are&nbsp;<a href="https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/dietary-guidelines" target="_blank">updated every five years</a>.<h2>Summer EBT&nbsp;</h2>Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock underscored how child hunger increases in the summer months when kids lack access to regular meals at school.Thirty-seven states, the District of Columbia and multiple territories and tribal nations opted in this year to a new effort, known as Summer EBT, to feed kids during the long summer months.Also called Sun Bucks, the USDA initiative provides low-income families with school-aged children a grocery-buying benefit of $120 per child for the summer.But 13 states,&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/08/13/georgia-dems-press-governor-to-participate-for-federal-2025-summer-feeding-program/" target="_blank">including Georgia</a>, chose not to participate in the program in 2024. The USDA said states have until Jan. 1 to submit a notice of intent if they plan to participate in the program next year.Warnock said he hopes&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/08/13/georgia-dems-press-governor-to-participate-for-federal-2025-summer-feeding-program/" target="_blank">state leaders reverse their position</a>&nbsp;on Summer EBT.“Unfortunately, my home state — the state of Georgia — has not opted in to Sun Bucks, with some officials saying it does not result in higher nutritional outcomes for students, and that existing programs are ‘effective,’” he said.“I heard our state leadership say: ‘We don’t need it,’” he added. “I’m still trying to figure out who this ‘we’ is — for whom are you speaking when you say: ‘We don’t need it?’”A spokesperson for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has said the governor has concerns about the program’s dietary standards and cost.

Advocates call for expanding free school meals at U.S. Senate hearing

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Afeez Akinloye, age 44, a Nigerian citizen who was living in South Africa at the time of his arrest and extradition to the United States in May 2023, was sentenced on September 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Akinloye to a total of 30 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Akinloye’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release and is subject to removal from the United States.

In the Fall of 2016, continuing to the summer of 2017, Akinloye participated in a scheme to defraud U.S. based businesses involved in real estate transactions. As a part of the scheme, Akinloye and other individuals gained access to email accounts and account information related to real estate transactions and then posed as the seller in the real estate transaction, requesting wire transfers be sent to locations and accounts that the fraudsters had access to. The accounts Akinloye and the other fraudsters had access to were as a result of other co-conspirators victimizing unwitting mules through romance scams. There were two victims in the District of Nebraska who lost $52,000 because of the wire fraud conspiracy. There was a total of eleven victims with losses of $1,850,000, and attempted losses of $4,600,000. Akinloye and the co-conspirators committed the offense from outside the United States, mostly from South Africa.

Akinloye’s co-defendants, Saliu Jimoh Akinloye, Ebenezer Gbenga Omoshagba, and Sheriff Opeyemi Olalere, remain at large.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Afeez Akinloye, age 44, a Nigerian citizen who was living in South Africa at the time of his arrest and extradition to the United States in May 2023, was sentenced on September 19, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Akinloye to a total of 30 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Akinloye’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release and is subject to removal from the United States.In the Fall of 2016, continuing to the summer of 2017, Akinloye participated in a scheme to defraud U.S. based businesses involved in real estate transactions. As a part of the scheme, Akinloye and other individuals gained access to email accounts and account information related to real estate transactions and then posed as the seller in the real estate transaction, requesting wire transfers be sent to locations and accounts that the fraudsters had access to. The accounts Akinloye and the other fraudsters had access to were as a result of other co-conspirators victimizing unwitting mules through romance scams. There were two victims in the District of Nebraska who lost $52,000 because of the wire fraud conspiracy. There was a total of eleven victims with losses of $1,850,000, and attempted losses of $4,600,000. Akinloye and the co-conspirators committed the offense from outside the United States, mostly from South Africa.Akinloye’s co-defendants, Saliu Jimoh Akinloye, Ebenezer Gbenga Omoshagba, and Sheriff Opeyemi Olalere, remain at large.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Foreign National Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Lincoln, NE ‐ September 23, 2024 ‐ One lucky player who bought a Nebraska Pick 5 ticket for the Sunday, September 22 drawing is holding a ticket worth $120,000.

The Nebraska Lottery has confirmed that one ticket sold for Sunday's Nebraska Pick 5 draw matched all five winning numbers for the $120,000 jackpot. The ticket was sold at Fat Dogs Truck Stop GI, 3310 Platte Rd, in Grand Island. The winning numbers from Sunday's Nebraska Pick 5 draw were and 13, 22, 29, 31, 36.

Winning Nebraska Lottery Lotto tickets expire 180 days after the drawing. Prizes of $20,000 or more must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. Additional information about claiming prizes can be found at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling 800-587-5200.

Nebraska Pick 5 is Nebraska's unique Lottery game: all the proceeds from Nebraska Pick 5 stay in Nebraska, and all the winning tickets are sold in Nebraska at Nebraska Lottery Lotto game retailers. The odds of winning the Nebraska Pick 5 jackpot, which starts at $50,000 and grows by $10,000 each drawing that it is not won, are 1 in 658,008. The overall odds of winning any Nebraska Pick 5 prize which has drawings seven nights a week, are 1 in 9.2.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $991 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery's beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Neil WatsonNebraska Lottery&nbsp;Lincoln, NE ‐ September 23, 2024 ‐ One lucky player who bought a Nebraska Pick 5 ticket for the Sunday, September 22 drawing is holding a ticket worth $120,000.The Nebraska Lottery has confirmed that one ticket sold for Sunday's Nebraska Pick 5 draw matched all five winning numbers for the $120,000 jackpot. The ticket was sold at Fat Dogs Truck Stop GI, 3310 Platte Rd, in Grand Island. The winning numbers from Sunday's Nebraska Pick 5 draw were and 13, 22, 29, 31, 36.Winning Nebraska Lottery Lotto tickets expire 180 days after the drawing. Prizes of $20,000 or more must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. Additional information about claiming prizes can be found at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling 800-587-5200.Nebraska Pick 5 is Nebraska's unique Lottery game: all the proceeds from Nebraska Pick 5 stay in Nebraska, and all the winning tickets are sold in Nebraska at Nebraska Lottery Lotto game retailers. The odds of winning the Nebraska Pick 5 jackpot, which starts at $50,000 and grows by $10,000 each drawing that it is not won, are 1 in 658,008. The overall odds of winning any Nebraska Pick 5 prize which has drawings seven nights a week, are 1 in 9.2.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $991 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery's beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

$120,000 Nebraska Pick 5 Winning Ticket Sold in Central Nebraska

&nbsp;(Scottsbluff, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Garden County Sheriff’s Deputy following an investigation into a report of sexual assault.

NSP began investigating the case in July at the request of the Attorney General’s Office. Following an investigation, NSP investigators arrested Bruce Neal, 39, of Oshkosh, for one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of child abuse.

Neal was arrested today at his home and has been lodged at the Cheyenne County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

Cody ThomasNebraska State Patrol&nbsp;(Scottsbluff, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Garden County Sheriff’s Deputy following an investigation into a report of sexual assault.NSP began investigating the case in July at the request of the Attorney General’s Office. Following an investigation, NSP investigators arrested Bruce Neal, 39, of Oshkosh, for one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of child abuse.Neal was arrested today at his home and has been lodged at the Cheyenne County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

ICYMI: Garden County Deputy arrested following sexual assault investigation 

WASHINGTON, DC —&nbsp;With the 2024/25 NFL football season newly underway,&nbsp;Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act,&nbsp;landmark legislation that would create nationwide consumer protections and standards for the mobile sports gambling industry, according to a media release from Tonko's office.

The SAFE Bet Act would, for the first time, address the public health implications resulting from the widespread legalization of sports&nbsp;betting in the United States. The legislation would require states offering sports betting to meet minimum federal standards in the categories of advertising, affordability and Artificial Intelligence to create a safer, less addictive product.

Congressman Tonko said,&nbsp;“Since their inception, sports and sporting events have been a chance for family, friends, and strangers to gather together in celebration of beloved teams and athletes in a great American pastime. But now, every single moment of every sporting event across the globe has become a betting opportunity. That’s resulted in a frightening rise in gambling disorder, which has in turn enacted a horrific toll on individuals, many of whom have lost their home, job, marriage, and their lives. We have a duty to protect people and their families from suffering the tremendous harm related to gambling addiction. Our SAFE Bet Act gets the job done and gives sports back to the American people.”

Senator Blumenthal said,&nbsp;“This bill is a matter of public health. It is a matter of stopping addiction, saving lives, and making sure that young people particularly are protected against exploitation.”

Dr. Harry Levant, Director of Gambling Policy, PHAI said,&nbsp;“We have known for more than 10 years that gambling is an addictive product and gambling disorder is an addiction similar to heroin, opioids, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine. With every other addictive product or substance, the government regulates the advertising, promotion, distribution, and consumption of the product. This is to prevent harm and protect public health. With gambling, sadly, the exact opposite is occurring. The gambling industry business model is designed to deliver constant and non-stop gambling action on every phone, tablet, and computer. With the use of cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence, the gambling industry has turned every micro moment in each game or sporting event into constant gambling action. The gambling industry and its sports partners have taken sports away from children, families, and the American public. Every pitch, shot, snap, serve, swing, and more are now used for gambling. Sports have become the equivalent of a non-stop slot machine.”

Mark Gottlieb, Executive Director, PHAI said,&nbsp;“The predatory practices of the gambling industry have resulted in a looming public health crisis and at the Public Health Advocacy Institute we are duty bound to act. At PHAI we bring big ideas to solve public health problems. With gambling, this means replacing the failed “responsible gaming” model with a comprehensive public health response. This includes the SAFE Bet Act, and the Public Health Advocacy Institute is pleased to support Congressman Tonko and Senator Blumenthal as we work for passage of the SAFE Bet Act.”

Gordon Douglas, the father of Andrew, who is currently in recovery for gambling disorder said:&nbsp;“Andrew started online betting by signing up with 1 gambling company. He soon received promotions and offers from at least 6 more gambling companies. Gambling promotions and advertising were all over his phone, computer and television. With virtually no limits on his betting opportunities at all hours of the day, every day of the week, he couldn’t find relief. He became a different person that would say anything to get money to gamble. He reached a point of wanting to end his life because he saw no way out. Thankfully, our story did not end in tragedy. Unlike many people, we had the means to help him get on a path to recovery. We as a country should not allow him and others like him to be exploited. We should do what is right to limit access to this type of gambling.”

Tonko has championed the push in Congress to address sports gambling. Last Congress, he authored the&nbsp;<a href="https://tonko.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3800" target="_blank">Betting on our Future Act</a>&nbsp;— legislation modeled after the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act — that bans all online and electronic advertising of sports gambling. Earlier this year, Tonko announced a legislative outline of the SAFE Bet Act.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726844099850.png" alt="Tonko introduced the SAFE Bet Act that creates nationwide consumer protections for the mobile sports gambling industry." />
 <figcaption>Tonko introduced the SAFE Bet Act that creates nationwide consumer protections for the mobile sports gambling industry.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON, DC —&nbsp;With the 2024/25 NFL football season newly underway,&nbsp;Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act,&nbsp;landmark legislation that would create nationwide consumer protections and standards for the mobile sports gambling industry, according to a media release from Tonko's office.The SAFE Bet Act would, for the first time, address the public health implications resulting from the widespread legalization of sports&nbsp;betting in the United States. The legislation would require states offering sports betting to meet minimum federal standards in the categories of advertising, affordability and Artificial Intelligence to create a safer, less addictive product.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726844315257.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Congressman Tonko said,&nbsp;“Since their inception, sports and sporting events have been a chance for family, friends, and strangers to gather together in celebration of beloved teams and athletes in a great American pastime. But now, every single moment of every sporting event across the globe has become a betting opportunity. That’s resulted in a frightening rise in gambling disorder, which has in turn enacted a horrific toll on individuals, many of whom have lost their home, job, marriage, and their lives. We have a duty to protect people and their families from suffering the tremendous harm related to gambling addiction. Our SAFE Bet Act gets the job done and gives sports back to the American people.”Senator Blumenthal said,&nbsp;“This bill is a matter of public health. It is a matter of stopping addiction, saving lives, and making sure that young people particularly are protected against exploitation.”Dr. Harry Levant, Director of Gambling Policy, PHAI said,&nbsp;“We have known for more than 10 years that gambling is an addictive product and gambling disorder is an addiction similar to heroin, opioids, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine. With every other addictive product or substance, the government regulates the advertising, promotion, distribution, and consumption of the product. This is to prevent harm and protect public health. With gambling, sadly, the exact opposite is occurring. The gambling industry business model is designed to deliver constant and non-stop gambling action on every phone, tablet, and computer. With the use of cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence, the gambling industry has turned every micro moment in each game or sporting event into constant gambling action. The gambling industry and its sports partners have taken sports away from children, families, and the American public. Every pitch, shot, snap, serve, swing, and more are now used for gambling. Sports have become the equivalent of a non-stop slot machine.”Mark Gottlieb, Executive Director, PHAI said,&nbsp;“The predatory practices of the gambling industry have resulted in a looming public health crisis and at the Public Health Advocacy Institute we are duty bound to act. At PHAI we bring big ideas to solve public health problems. With gambling, this means replacing the failed “responsible gaming” model with a comprehensive public health response. This includes the SAFE Bet Act, and the Public Health Advocacy Institute is pleased to support Congressman Tonko and Senator Blumenthal as we work for passage of the SAFE Bet Act.”Gordon Douglas, the father of Andrew, who is currently in recovery for gambling disorder said:&nbsp;“Andrew started online betting by signing up with 1 gambling company. He soon received promotions and offers from at least 6 more gambling companies. Gambling promotions and advertising were all over his phone, computer and television. With virtually no limits on his betting opportunities at all hours of the day, every day of the week, he couldn’t find relief. He became a different person that would say anything to get money to gamble. He reached a point of wanting to end his life because he saw no way out. Thankfully, our story did not end in tragedy. Unlike many people, we had the means to help him get on a path to recovery. We as a country should not allow him and others like him to be exploited. We should do what is right to limit access to this type of gambling.”Tonko has championed the push in Congress to address sports gambling. Last Congress, he authored the&nbsp;<a href="https://tonko.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3800" target="_blank">Betting on our Future Act</a>&nbsp;— legislation modeled after the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act — that bans all online and electronic advertising of sports gambling. Earlier this year, Tonko announced a legislative outline of the SAFE Bet Act.

Congressman: Mobile sports gambling a public health problem

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — As private student loan companies take heat over accusations of predatory behavior and deception, members of a U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs panel and student advocates voiced concerns over the industry at a hearing Tuesday.

The Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection hearing came as the broader student debt crisis impacts millions, with more than $1.74 trillion in outstanding student loans as of the second quarter of 2024, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/HIST/cc_hist_memo_levels.html" target="_blank">U.S. Federal Reserve</a>.

Subcommittee Chairman Raphael Warnock said he and his staff analyzed some of the myriad complaints the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received related to private student loans and federal student loan servicing in roughly the last year and were “struck by the sheer scope and magnitude of the problem.”

“Private lenders and servicers routinely misled or deceived borrowers, and the stories are frustrating and heartbreaking,” the Georgia Democrat said.

Some borrowers have found loans offered by private lenders to be extraordinary burdens, Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director at the Student Borrower Protection Center, an advocacy group, told the panel.

“Student loans were supposed to grant all families — regardless of race and economic status — the chance to unlock the promise of a higher education,” she said.

“But for too many, student debt has become a life sentence, holding borrowers back from buying a home, starting a small business and even starting or growing a family,” Canchola Bañez said.

Canchola Bañez said “the absence of comprehensive data in the private student loan space has too often left borrowers, policymakers and advocates in the dark” and that “this has allowed for significant gaps in protections for the millions of Americans forced to take on private student loan debt and has made it harder for policymakers and law enforcement officials to protect borrowers.”

Dalié Jiménez, a law professor and director of the Student Loan Law Initiative at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, said the private student loan industry had transformed in the last decade.

“New financial products have emerged, offering alternatives to traditional loans, but they’ve come with added risks that we’re only beginning to understand,” Jiménez said, adding that “many are offered by schools that provide dubious value in return for costly credit.”

Major student loan servicers, such as Navient, have been at the center of legal issues and scrutiny in recent years. Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-bans-navient-from-federal-student-loan-servicing-and-orders-the-company-to-pay-120-million-for-wide-ranging-student-lending-failures/" target="_blank">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a>&nbsp;reached a&nbsp;<a href="https://news.navient.com/news-releases/news-release-details/navient-resolves-legal-matters-consumer-financial-protection" target="_blank">$120 million settlement</a>&nbsp;with Navient that&nbsp;<a href="https://news.navient.com/news-releases/news-release-details/navient-resolves-legal-matters-consumer-financial-protection" target="_blank">bans the company</a>&nbsp;from federal student loan servicing.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat and member of the subcommittee, has led investigations into Navient for nearly a decade.

Warren said Tuesday that “Republican extremists want to return to the days where borrowers were just at the mercy of predatory servicers like Navient” and that “the Biden-Harris administration has a different vision.”

Warren added that it’s “long past time for Navient to do the right thing by their countless defrauded borrowers and cancel out these loans for the private student loan borrowers as well.”

On the other side of the aisle, GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis defended the industry’s basic mission.

“While individual cases of malfeasance certainly exist in the private loan market — as they do in any market — private lenders fill a crucial gap in higher education financing and equip borrowers with the tools to meet the barriers to education in place today,” Lummis said.

Lummis, a Wyoming Republican, also noted that the private student loan market only accounts for 8% of outstanding loans and that the vast majority of loans are federal loans.

Beth Akers, senior fellow at the conservative think tank the American Enterprise Institute, pointed out that while “private student loan origination and servicing, both for federal and private loans, hasn’t been perfect” and “lending institutions and those that service loans are fallible,” these private entities supporting student lending “don’t deserve the ire of lawmakers looking for a quick fix or even a scapegoat for what is happening more broadly in student lending.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726745923175.png" alt="Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director at the Student Borrower Protection Center testified during the hearing -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director at the Student Borrower Protection Center testified during the hearing -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — As private student loan companies take heat over accusations of predatory behavior and deception, members of a U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs panel and student advocates voiced concerns over the industry at a hearing Tuesday.The Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection hearing came as the broader student debt crisis impacts millions, with more than $1.74 trillion in outstanding student loans as of the second quarter of 2024, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/HIST/cc_hist_memo_levels.html" target="_blank">U.S. Federal Reserve</a>.Subcommittee Chairman Raphael Warnock said he and his staff analyzed some of the myriad complaints the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received related to private student loans and federal student loan servicing in roughly the last year and were “struck by the sheer scope and magnitude of the problem.”“Private lenders and servicers routinely misled or deceived borrowers, and the stories are frustrating and heartbreaking,” the Georgia Democrat said.Some borrowers have found loans offered by private lenders to be extraordinary burdens, Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director at the Student Borrower Protection Center, an advocacy group, told the panel.“Student loans were supposed to grant all families — regardless of race and economic status — the chance to unlock the promise of a higher education,” she said.“But for too many, student debt has become a life sentence, holding borrowers back from buying a home, starting a small business and even starting or growing a family,” Canchola Bañez said.Canchola Bañez said “the absence of comprehensive data in the private student loan space has too often left borrowers, policymakers and advocates in the dark” and that “this has allowed for significant gaps in protections for the millions of Americans forced to take on private student loan debt and has made it harder for policymakers and law enforcement officials to protect borrowers.”Dalié Jiménez, a law professor and director of the Student Loan Law Initiative at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, said the private student loan industry had transformed in the last decade.“New financial products have emerged, offering alternatives to traditional loans, but they’ve come with added risks that we’re only beginning to understand,” Jiménez said, adding that “many are offered by schools that provide dubious value in return for costly credit.”<h2>Troubled industry</h2>Major student loan servicers, such as Navient, have been at the center of legal issues and scrutiny in recent years. Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-bans-navient-from-federal-student-loan-servicing-and-orders-the-company-to-pay-120-million-for-wide-ranging-student-lending-failures/" target="_blank">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a>&nbsp;reached a&nbsp;<a href="https://news.navient.com/news-releases/news-release-details/navient-resolves-legal-matters-consumer-financial-protection" target="_blank">$120 million settlement</a>&nbsp;with Navient that&nbsp;<a href="https://news.navient.com/news-releases/news-release-details/navient-resolves-legal-matters-consumer-financial-protection" target="_blank">bans the company</a>&nbsp;from federal student loan servicing.Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat and member of the subcommittee, has led investigations into Navient for nearly a decade.Warren said Tuesday that “Republican extremists want to return to the days where borrowers were just at the mercy of predatory servicers like Navient” and that “the Biden-Harris administration has a different vision.”Warren added that it’s “long past time for Navient to do the right thing by their countless defrauded borrowers and cancel out these loans for the private student loan borrowers as well.”On the other side of the aisle, GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis defended the industry’s basic mission.“While individual cases of malfeasance certainly exist in the private loan market — as they do in any market — private lenders fill a crucial gap in higher education financing and equip borrowers with the tools to meet the barriers to education in place today,” Lummis said.Lummis, a Wyoming Republican, also noted that the private student loan market only accounts for 8% of outstanding loans and that the vast majority of loans are federal loans.Beth Akers, senior fellow at the conservative think tank the American Enterprise Institute, pointed out that while “private student loan origination and servicing, both for federal and private loans, hasn’t been perfect” and “lending institutions and those that service loans are fallible,” these private entities supporting student lending “don’t deserve the ire of lawmakers looking for a quick fix or even a scapegoat for what is happening more broadly in student lending.”

Concerns over private student loans brought to U.S. Senate panel

Vice President Kamala Harris participated in an online town hall&nbsp; Thursday evening with former talk show host Oprah Winfrey. The "Unite for America" event in Michigan featured a number of celebrities.

Harris discussed abortion rights, gun violence and the economy.

The Harris campaign livestreamed the event on YouTube and other social media platforms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726796309324.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Vice President Kamala Harris participated in an online town hall&nbsp; Thursday evening with former talk show host Oprah Winfrey. The "Unite for America" event in Michigan featured a number of celebrities.Harris discussed abortion rights, gun violence and the economy.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bZasBoVhuUA?si=t0Y7R3kt2ONgkg8C&amp;start=787" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Harris campaign livestreamed the event on YouTube and other social media platforms.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726796287122.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The election is November 5.

🎥Oprah and Kamala Harris host online town hall

By Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office

At 09:58 am the Scottsbluff Police Department was made aware of an escape of an inmate on a work detail in downtown Scottsbluff. The escapee was identified as Aaron J. Wilder Jr. (07/11/2003). Wilder has been taken into custody as of 1115 hrs this morning.

--------------------------------------------------------

At 9:55 a.m. this morning, inmate Aaron Wilder, age 21, walked away from an outside work crew in downtown Scottsbluff.&nbsp; The work crew was supervised by a Scotts Bluff County Corrections Officer.

Officers from multiple agencies are actively searching for him at this time.

Wilder, age 21, was last seen wearing a blue jail-issued uniform.

Wilder is being held on a variety of misdemeanor charges and is not considered dangerous.&nbsp;

Aaron Wilder Jr. is age 21, 5’9&nbsp; 165 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726679462503.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's Office9/19/2024 UpdateAt 09:58 am the Scottsbluff Police Department was made aware of an escape of an inmate on a work detail in downtown Scottsbluff. The escapee was identified as Aaron J. Wilder Jr. (07/11/2003). Wilder has been taken into custody as of 1115 hrs this morning.--------------------------------------------------------At 9:55 a.m. this morning, inmate Aaron Wilder, age 21, walked away from an outside work crew in downtown Scottsbluff.&nbsp; The work crew was supervised by a Scotts Bluff County Corrections Officer.Officers from multiple agencies are actively searching for him at this time.Wilder, age 21, was last seen wearing a blue jail-issued uniform.Wilder is being held on a variety of misdemeanor charges and is not considered dangerous.&nbsp;Aaron Wilder Jr. is age 21, 5’9&nbsp; 165 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes.

UPDATE: Authorities searching for inmate in Scottsbluff

CVB Recalls LUCID Platform Beds with Upholstered Square Tufted Headboards Due to Fall and Injury Hazards, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recalled beds can sag, break, or collapse during use, posing fall and injury hazards to consumers.

The firm has received 245 reports of the beds breaking, sagging or collapsing during use, causing 18 injuries, including contusions and bruises.

The beds were sold online at Amazon.com, Bed Bath &amp; Beyond, Belk.com, Brookside, eBay, Home Depot, JC Penney, Lowes.com, Lucid, Macys, Menards, Overstock, QVC, Sears.com, Target.com, Malouf VIP, Wayfair and Walmart, and in stores nationwide from September 2019 through April 2024 for between $150 and $250

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled beds and contact Lucid for a free replacement bed frame. Consumers must write “recalled” on the support rails of the bed with a permanent marker and send a photo of the bed, as well as a photo of the support rails on the underside of the bed or a photo of the law label, to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:recall@lucidmattress.com">recall@lucidmattress.com</a>&nbsp;to receive the free replacement product.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726767723365.png" alt="Recalled Lucid Upholstered Square Tufted Platform Bed, photo Consumer Product Safety Commission" />
 <figcaption>Recalled Lucid Upholstered Square Tufted Platform Bed, photo Consumer Product Safety Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>CVB Recalls LUCID Platform Beds with Upholstered Square Tufted Headboards Due to Fall and Injury Hazards, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.The recalled beds can sag, break, or collapse during use, posing fall and injury hazards to consumers.The firm has received 245 reports of the beds breaking, sagging or collapsing during use, causing 18 injuries, including contusions and bruises.The beds were sold online at Amazon.com, Bed Bath &amp; Beyond, Belk.com, Brookside, eBay, Home Depot, JC Penney, Lowes.com, Lucid, Macys, Menards, Overstock, QVC, Sears.com, Target.com, Malouf VIP, Wayfair and Walmart, and in stores nationwide from September 2019 through April 2024 for between $150 and $250Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled beds and contact Lucid for a free replacement bed frame. Consumers must write “recalled” on the support rails of the bed with a permanent marker and send a photo of the bed, as well as a photo of the support rails on the underside of the bed or a photo of the law label, to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:recall@lucidmattress.com">recall@lucidmattress.com</a>&nbsp;to receive the free replacement product.

 Bed, sold at major retailers, recalled after falls and injuries

Aaron Sanderford <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/18/winner-take-all-push-gets-help-of-gov-jim-pillen-sen-lindsey-graham-trump/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The national Republican push to help former President Donald Trump win all five of Nebraska’s Electoral College votes is ramping up again, and this time it might work.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Wednesday hosted two dozen state senators at the Governor’s Mansion, along with Secretary of State Bob Evnen, the state’s chief election official.

Several who attended the meeting said some senators who had wavered earlier showed more support now for changing Nebraska to the winner-take-all system of awarding electoral votes this year.

Some saw a shift in State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, a former Omaha fire union leader who said when he switched from Democrat to Republican earlier this year that he would never support winner-take-all.

Five people attending the meeting confirmed that McDonnell told the group he was looking for a way to get to yes, though he expressed concerns.

Some said Trump was likely to engage McDonnell soon, if he hadn’t done so already. The Trump campaign had no immediate comment on who he might be contacting.

McDonnell responded to a Wednesday call to his cell phone with a text asking if he could call back later. He did not respond to several subsequent text messages seeking comment on the meeting.

Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said late Wednesday that her party is competing for votes, knocking on doors and visiting with Nebraskans about how to “lower costs.”

“Republicans are bullying legislators,” said Kleeb, who had tried to keep McDonnell in her party. “They do not have the votes, and this is all political theater for Trump.”

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha said she spoke with McDonnell before this summer’s special session on property tax relief and he assured her that he remained opposed to winner-take-all.

She said she believes McDonnell to be “a man of his word” and “takes him at his word.”

McDonnell’s vote could prove critical. People whipping votes for Pillen and the Trump campaign have told others they expect the remaining GOP holdouts to join them if McDonnell does.

None was willing to say so by name. Attendees said the public would likely soon hear more about specific holdouts.

The Trump campaign and local Republicans plan to use local pressure to persuade holdout senators to support winner-take-all, with Trump and his surrogates engaging selectively.

On Wednesday evening, 1st District U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb.,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/USRepMikeFlood/status/1836567974678798642" target="_blank">tweeted a letter</a>&nbsp;from all five members of Nebraska’s all-GOP congressional delegation supporting a switch to winner-take-all.

The letter says Nebraska should never have split its electoral votes beginning in 1992. It says it is “past time that Nebraska join 48 other states in embracing winner-take-all.”

Nebraska and Maine are the only states that award a single Electoral College vote in each congressional district, in addition to awarding two votes to the statewide winner.

President Joe Biden won one electoral vote in Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District in 2020. Trump won all five of the state’s votes in 2016. Mitt Romney won all five in 2012. Former President Barack Obama won a single vote in the 2nd District in 2008.

State senators at Wednesday’s meeting at the Governor’s Mansion heard from Trump ally U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about the national security and economic stakes if voters don’t return Trump to the White House.&nbsp;

A national GOP spokeswoman said Graham’s visit shows how seriously Republicans are treating the need for Trump to win Nebraska’s 2nd District. Some have argued it could break a 269-269 Electoral College tie.

The spokeswoman said the Trump campaign and other Republicans have been calling, texting and going door-to-door for months.

State Sens. Loren Lippincott and Tom Brewer confirmed the meeting and Graham’s visit.&nbsp;

Both sought to tamp down expectations that the 33 votes needed to overcome a promised filibuster have been secured and said winner-take-all currently lacks the votes.

Lippincott, of Central City, said he was just happy to hear Graham and others discuss the importance of making the change and push back against the idea that it’s too late to change the rules.

Like Trump, he said he was tired of Republicans worrying about what people might think. He said it was time for them to worry more about what happens if Vice President Kamala Harris wins.

“Biden received all the votes in the primary, and they chose a new candidate in the fourth quarter,” he said. “We’re not proposing to do anything illegal or unethical.”

Brewer, who represents north-central Nebraska, said the senators do not yet have 33 votes and said he does not see a path yet to having 33 votes. He said his best guess is 30-31 votes, which echoes Lippincott’s count.

“I told them the Government Committee stands ready if they can find the votes, but I think the chances are very remote,” said Brewer, who chairs the committee in charge of election law.

Pillen told the senators that he needs them to show him they have 33 firm commitments from senators to support winner-take-all before he calls a special session.

His office had no immediate comment Wednesday night about where the effort stands. But senators attending the meeting told the Examiner he said he would prefer to call a session no later than next week.

Some lawyers have argued that the rules governing an election should not be changed after voting begins. &nbsp;Ballots get sent to Nebraskans abroad starting this week. The first domestic ballots get mailed Sept. 30. Early in-person voting in Nebraska starts Oct. 7.

Aaron Sanderford <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/18/winner-take-all-push-gets-help-of-gov-jim-pillen-sen-lindsey-graham-trump/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The national Republican push to help former President Donald Trump win all five of Nebraska’s Electoral College votes is ramping up again, and this time it might work.Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Wednesday hosted two dozen state senators at the Governor’s Mansion, along with Secretary of State Bob Evnen, the state’s chief election official.Several who attended the meeting said some senators who had wavered earlier showed more support now for changing Nebraska to the winner-take-all system of awarding electoral votes this year.<h2>McDonnell, other holdouts eyed</h2>Some saw a shift in State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, a former Omaha fire union leader who said when he switched from Democrat to Republican earlier this year that he would never support winner-take-all.Five people attending the meeting confirmed that McDonnell told the group he was looking for a way to get to yes, though he expressed concerns.Some said Trump was likely to engage McDonnell soon, if he hadn’t done so already. The Trump campaign had no immediate comment on who he might be contacting.McDonnell responded to a Wednesday call to his cell phone with a text asking if he could call back later. He did not respond to several subsequent text messages seeking comment on the meeting.Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said late Wednesday that her party is competing for votes, knocking on doors and visiting with Nebraskans about how to “lower costs.”“Republicans are bullying legislators,” said Kleeb, who had tried to keep McDonnell in her party. “They do not have the votes, and this is all political theater for Trump.”State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha said she spoke with McDonnell before this summer’s special session on property tax relief and he assured her that he remained opposed to winner-take-all.She said she believes McDonnell to be “a man of his word” and “takes him at his word.”McDonnell’s vote could prove critical. People whipping votes for Pillen and the Trump campaign have told others they expect the remaining GOP holdouts to join them if McDonnell does.None was willing to say so by name. Attendees said the public would likely soon hear more about specific holdouts.<h2>Pressure campaign</h2>The Trump campaign and local Republicans plan to use local pressure to persuade holdout senators to support winner-take-all, with Trump and his surrogates engaging selectively.On Wednesday evening, 1st District U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb.,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/USRepMikeFlood/status/1836567974678798642" target="_blank">tweeted a letter</a>&nbsp;from all five members of Nebraska’s all-GOP congressional delegation supporting a switch to winner-take-all.The letter says Nebraska should never have split its electoral votes beginning in 1992. It says it is “past time that Nebraska join 48 other states in embracing winner-take-all.”Nebraska and Maine are the only states that award a single Electoral College vote in each congressional district, in addition to awarding two votes to the statewide winner.President Joe Biden won one electoral vote in Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District in 2020. Trump won all five of the state’s votes in 2016. Mitt Romney won all five in 2012. Former President Barack Obama won a single vote in the 2nd District in 2008.State senators at Wednesday’s meeting at the Governor’s Mansion heard from Trump ally U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about the national security and economic stakes if voters don’t return Trump to the White House.&nbsp;A national GOP spokeswoman said Graham’s visit shows how seriously Republicans are treating the need for Trump to win Nebraska’s 2nd District. Some have argued it could break a 269-269 Electoral College tie.The spokeswoman said the Trump campaign and other Republicans have been calling, texting and going door-to-door for months.<h2>Graham visit confirmed</h2>State Sens. Loren Lippincott and Tom Brewer confirmed the meeting and Graham’s visit.&nbsp;Both sought to tamp down expectations that the 33 votes needed to overcome a promised filibuster have been secured and said winner-take-all currently lacks the votes.Lippincott, of Central City, said he was just happy to hear Graham and others discuss the importance of making the change and push back against the idea that it’s too late to change the rules.Like Trump, he said he was tired of Republicans worrying about what people might think. He said it was time for them to worry more about what happens if Vice President Kamala Harris wins.“Biden received all the votes in the primary, and they chose a new candidate in the fourth quarter,” he said. “We’re not proposing to do anything illegal or unethical.”<h2>Next steps</h2>Brewer, who represents north-central Nebraska, said the senators do not yet have 33 votes and said he does not see a path yet to having 33 votes. He said his best guess is 30-31 votes, which echoes Lippincott’s count.“I told them the Government Committee stands ready if they can find the votes, but I think the chances are very remote,” said Brewer, who chairs the committee in charge of election law.Pillen told the senators that he needs them to show him they have 33 firm commitments from senators to support winner-take-all before he calls a special session.His office had no immediate comment Wednesday night about where the effort stands. But senators attending the meeting told the Examiner he said he would prefer to call a session no later than next week.Some lawyers have argued that the rules governing an election should not be changed after voting begins. &nbsp;Ballots get sent to Nebraskans abroad starting this week. The first domestic ballots get mailed Sept. 30. Early in-person voting in Nebraska starts Oct. 7.

Winner-take-all push gets help of Gov. Jim Pillen, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Trump

September 19, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Husker fans are setting up for a historic Friday night at Memorial Stadium and the Nebraska State Patrol is urging safety in and around the stadium.

“A Friday night game at Memorial Stadium is unique, so we’re urging all fans to plan ahead before tomorrow’s game,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “While this is the third night game in a row, fans should be ready for heavier traffic congestion than the last two games because of regular Friday afternoon traffic in Lincoln.”

NSP urges fans coming to Lincoln to follow the routes recommended by the Nebraska Department of Transportation:

Fans can also get real-time traffic updates before and after the game from Trooper Brett on Huskers Radio Network stations throughout the state. Once downtown, drivers should follow directions from officers working traffic control to keep the large number of pedestrians safe. After the game, fans should make sure to have a sober driver behind the wheel and be patient as much of the traffic will be leaving the area at the same time.

“Friday will be a memorable night at Memorial Stadium, with the 400th&nbsp;consecutive sellout and a big-time game between two ranked teams,” said Colonel Bolduc. “Let’s all work together so that we all remember the game for the action on the field, rather than a tragedy on the road.”

NSP is proud to partner with the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, UNL Police Department, NDOT, and other partners to keep fans safe on their way to and from the game, as well as inside Memorial Stadium. Any fan in need of help inside the stadium can text 402-472-0800 to reach the stadium dispatch center.

Cody Thomas&nbsp;Nebraska State PatrolSeptember 19, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Husker fans are setting up for a historic Friday night at Memorial Stadium and the Nebraska State Patrol is urging safety in and around the stadium.“A Friday night game at Memorial Stadium is unique, so we’re urging all fans to plan ahead before tomorrow’s game,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “While this is the third night game in a row, fans should be ready for heavier traffic congestion than the last two games because of regular Friday afternoon traffic in Lincoln.”NSP urges fans coming to Lincoln to follow the routes recommended by the Nebraska Department of Transportation:<ul>
 <li>From the west – Use Exit 397 to take Highway 77 southbound to Rosa Parks Way, and then Rosa Parks Way into downtown.</li><li>From the east – Use Exit 401 to take Interstate 180 into downtown Lincoln.</li>
 </ul>Fans can also get real-time traffic updates before and after the game from Trooper Brett on Huskers Radio Network stations throughout the state. Once downtown, drivers should follow directions from officers working traffic control to keep the large number of pedestrians safe. After the game, fans should make sure to have a sober driver behind the wheel and be patient as much of the traffic will be leaving the area at the same time.“Friday will be a memorable night at Memorial Stadium, with the 400th&nbsp;consecutive sellout and a big-time game between two ranked teams,” said Colonel Bolduc. “Let’s all work together so that we all remember the game for the action on the field, rather than a tragedy on the road.”NSP is proud to partner with the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, UNL Police Department, NDOT, and other partners to keep fans safe on their way to and from the game, as well as inside Memorial Stadium. Any fan in need of help inside the stadium can text 402-472-0800 to reach the stadium dispatch center.

Troopers Urge Safety for Historic Friday Night Husker Game

September 18, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol broke ground today on a $26 million dollar expansion project for the NSP Crime Laboratory. The project will increase the footprint of the existing Crime Lab from 31,000 square feet to 59,000 square feet.

“Our dedicated team of scientists at the NSP Crime Lab provides excellent service to law enforcement agencies across the state, but they need more room to operate,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Since our current facility opened in 2015, we’ve seen a significant increase in caseload submissions.”

The NSP Crime Lab provides evidence testing free of charge for law enforcement agencies across the entire state. Areas of expertise for NSP scientists include drug chemistry, biology/DNA, latent fingerprints, toxicology, and firearms and tool marks. The NSP Crime Lab currently receives approximately 5,000 case submissions per year.

“The work these scientists do is on display in criminal prosecutions that occur throughout the entire state,” said Jason Linder, NSP Crime Lab Director, “Since 2015, the lab has seen a 23 percent increase in overall caseload submissions, including a 90 percent increase in cases involving DNA testing. This expansion will help us meet the demands for today and be prepared for the future.”

The expansion project will work in phases, making sure the existing Crime Lab remains operational throughout the project. This project was included in Governor Pillen’s budget proposal and approved by the Nebraska Legislature in 2023.

The NSP Crime Lab has been in operation since 1973. The Lab moved to its current location in Lincoln’s Air Park neighborhood in 2015. The expansion project is expected to be complete and fully operational in 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726688987895.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of NSP)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of NSP)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolSeptember 18, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol broke ground today on a $26 million dollar expansion project for the NSP Crime Laboratory. The project will increase the footprint of the existing Crime Lab from 31,000 square feet to 59,000 square feet.“Our dedicated team of scientists at the NSP Crime Lab provides excellent service to law enforcement agencies across the state, but they need more room to operate,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Since our current facility opened in 2015, we’ve seen a significant increase in caseload submissions.”The NSP Crime Lab provides evidence testing free of charge for law enforcement agencies across the entire state. Areas of expertise for NSP scientists include drug chemistry, biology/DNA, latent fingerprints, toxicology, and firearms and tool marks. The NSP Crime Lab currently receives approximately 5,000 case submissions per year.“The work these scientists do is on display in criminal prosecutions that occur throughout the entire state,” said Jason Linder, NSP Crime Lab Director, “Since 2015, the lab has seen a 23 percent increase in overall caseload submissions, including a 90 percent increase in cases involving DNA testing. This expansion will help us meet the demands for today and be prepared for the future.”The expansion project will work in phases, making sure the existing Crime Lab remains operational throughout the project. This project was included in Governor Pillen’s budget proposal and approved by the Nebraska Legislature in 2023.The NSP Crime Lab has been in operation since 1973. The Lab moved to its current location in Lincoln’s Air Park neighborhood in 2015. The expansion project is expected to be complete and fully operational in 2026.

State Patrol Breaks Ground on Crime Lab Expansion

UNL&nbsp;institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 18, 2024 —The Nebraska Forest Service is pleased to announce the&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0Olu3Y2hi_H2nuovbHLDInmZ" target="_blank">Trees, People and Towns Conference</a>&nbsp;at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Oct. 15-17, 2024. The conference brings together tree advocates, practitioners, tree-board members, parks or public works personnel, planners, community leaders, city administrators, city clerks, non-profits, or those responsible for community trees in small towns and mid-sized cities.

"We are excited to bring this conference to Nebraska," said Christina Hoyt, bureau chief for the Nebraska Forest Service. "This is an opportunity for those involved with community trees to walk away inspired and with tangible ideas to bring back to their communities. The speaker line-up is top-notch."

Attendees will participate in insightful discussions, engaging presentations, hands-on workshops, field experiences, and networking opportunities. Topics will focus on strengthening community forestry policy, practices, partnerships, and public engagement. The agenda includes:

This event is hosted by the University of Nebraska IANR-Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Community Forestry Council, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, University of Nebraska Community and Regional Forestry Program, Colorado State Forest Service, Kansas State Forest Service, Wyoming State Forestry Division, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Resource Conservation and Forestry Division and the USDA Forest Service Region 2.Those interested can find out more and register by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://nfs.unl.edu/workshops" target="_blank">nfs.unl.edu/workshops</a>&nbsp;or contact Christina Hoyt at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:choyt2@unl.edu" target="_blank">choyt2@unl.edu</a>for any questions. Registration closes on Oct. 1, 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726688912004.png" alt="Every few years, we gather to learn, share, and renew our commitment to community trees. In 2024, Trees, People and Towns is in Nebraska! If you are a tree advocate, practitioner, planner, leader, city administrator, city clerk, non-profit, or in any way responsible for community trees, this conference is for you!" />
 <figcaption>Every few years, we gather to learn, share, and renew our commitment to community trees. In 2024, Trees, People and Towns is in Nebraska! If you are a tree advocate, practitioner, planner, leader, city administrator, city clerk, non-profit, or in any way responsible for community trees, this conference is for you!</figcaption>
 </figure>UNL&nbsp;institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 18, 2024 —The Nebraska Forest Service is pleased to announce the&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0Olu3Y2hi_H2nuovbHLDInmZ" target="_blank">Trees, People and Towns Conference</a>&nbsp;at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Oct. 15-17, 2024. The conference brings together tree advocates, practitioners, tree-board members, parks or public works personnel, planners, community leaders, city administrators, city clerks, non-profits, or those responsible for community trees in small towns and mid-sized cities."We are excited to bring this conference to Nebraska," said Christina Hoyt, bureau chief for the Nebraska Forest Service. "This is an opportunity for those involved with community trees to walk away inspired and with tangible ideas to bring back to their communities. The speaker line-up is top-notch."Attendees will participate in insightful discussions, engaging presentations, hands-on workshops, field experiences, and networking opportunities. Topics will focus on strengthening community forestry policy, practices, partnerships, and public engagement. The agenda includes:<ul>
 <li>Oct. 15: A morning Tree City USA, Tree Line USA, and Tree Campus Higher Education celebration, followed by a Pre-Conference workshop on Tree Risk Management in the afternoon.</li><li>Oct. 16: Tree, People and Towns conference and evening networking event</li><li>Oct. 17: Field experiences in the morning, followed by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Curator’s meeting in the afternoon.</li>
 </ul>This event is hosted by the University of Nebraska IANR-Nebraska Forest Service, Nebraska Community Forestry Council, Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, University of Nebraska Community and Regional Forestry Program, Colorado State Forest Service, Kansas State Forest Service, Wyoming State Forestry Division, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Resource Conservation and Forestry Division and the USDA Forest Service Region 2.Those interested can find out more and register by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://nfs.unl.edu/workshops" target="_blank">nfs.unl.edu/workshops</a>&nbsp;or contact Christina Hoyt at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:choyt2@unl.edu" target="_blank">choyt2@unl.edu</a>for any questions. Registration closes on Oct. 1, 2024.

NFS Hosts Trees, People and Towns Conference in Lincoln

Lower Platte North Natural Resources District

WAHOO, Nebraska&nbsp;– The Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group (SCWIG) recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a significant achievement in Nebraska’s conservation efforts. Since its founding in 1999, SCWIG has led grassroots initiatives to improve water quality in Shell Creek, working with over 300 landowners to implement more than 350 conservation practices across the watershed.

One of the group’s most remarkable accomplishments was the removal of Shell Creek from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Impaired Waters list in 2018. This was a historic achievement, as Shell Creek became the first stream in the nation to be delisted after years of elevated levels of Atrazine—a herbicide that once impaired aquatic life in the creek. Due to the implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan, the creek’s water quality and ecosystem health have significantly improved, benefiting fish, frogs, and other aquatic species.

“Shell Creek shows how multiple partners have come together to significantly improve water quality in Nebraska,” said Matt Bailey, SCWIG co-chair and Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (NRD) director. “Having a waterbody delisted is an extremely difficult and rare thing to accomplish, which resulted from the implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan. Since then, we’ve continued our work with partners to provide safe, quality water for our state.”

SCWIG’s efforts have focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices such as no-till farming, filter and buffer strips, cover crops, fencing livestock from streams, cross fencing, and solar livestock wells, which have helped reduce non-point source pollution. The group’s partnerships with the Lower Platte North NRD, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Nebraska Environmental Trust and other agencies have been crucial in addressing these conservation goals.

Each year, the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group and its partners invest nearly $500,000 in conservation practices, with about half of the funding provided by federal sources.

“Being involved in the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group has been one of the highlights of my life, because of all the things we’ve been able to accomplish,” said Carl Grotelueschen, SCWIG founding member and Colfax County commissioner.

As part of the celebration, attendees toured key watershed projects, including a major upgrade to the Union Pacific Railroad bridge between Schuyler and Rogers, Nebraska. The new bridge, built to replace a structure dating back to the 1920s, is 2.5 times longer than the original. This expansion plays a critical role in floodwater management, allowing water to flow more freely beneath the tracks and reducing the risk of flooding in the surrounding area. In conjunction with new county road bridges, the infrastructure improvements are designed to enhance flood protection and prevent property damage.

“Union Pacific is proud of the collaboration between the many public and private stakeholders who had a hand in the Shell Creek watershed project’s completion,” said Union Pacific’s Senior Manager of Structures Design Adam Studts. “Union Pacific’s new bridge will make stormwater management more efficient, while serving as a critical link in our nation’s supply chain.”

Attendees also viewed displays featuring soil health demonstrations, a high-boy cover crop seeder, and local high school students involved in watershed monitoring projects.

Educational outreach has been a cornerstone of SCWIG’s success. Newman Grove and Schuyler Central High Schools have developed volunteer programs where students monitor Shell Creek’s water, sediment, and aquatic life. These programs provide valuable data and give students hands-on experience in environmental science.

“SCWIG has set an example for how local conservation groups can create long-lasting environmental change,” said Eric Gottschalk, Lower Platte North NRD general manager. “As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize that other water bodies could benefit from similar efforts. SCWIG’s model shows that with the right partnerships and commitment, it’s possible to achieve measurable improvements in water quality.”

As SCWIG looks forward to its next chapter, the group remains dedicated to protecting Shell Creek and continuing its mission to promote sustainable land use and water quality practices across Nebraska.

About SCWIGThe Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group is a collaboration of landowners, farmers, and conservation agencies working together to promote sustainable land management and water quality improvement in the Shell Creek Watershed. SCWIG focuses on implementing best management practices that enhance the region’s natural resources, protect local ecosystems, and ensure long-term agricultural productivity.

The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, based in Wahoo, covers parts of seven counties in east-central Nebraska. Nebraska’s 23 NRDs are charged with developing and protecting the state’s natural resources. In pursuing this mission, the districts often partner with landowners and other government agencies. The Lower Platte North NRD is governed by 19 locally elected directors from nine subdistricts and employs 21 full-time staff members.&nbsp;The district is funded by a combination of property taxes and grants from local, state, and federal sources.

Lower Platte North Natural Resources DistrictWAHOO, Nebraska&nbsp;– The Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group (SCWIG) recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a significant achievement in Nebraska’s conservation efforts. Since its founding in 1999, SCWIG has led grassroots initiatives to improve water quality in Shell Creek, working with over 300 landowners to implement more than 350 conservation practices across the watershed.One of the group’s most remarkable accomplishments was the removal of Shell Creek from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Impaired Waters list in 2018. This was a historic achievement, as Shell Creek became the first stream in the nation to be delisted after years of elevated levels of Atrazine—a herbicide that once impaired aquatic life in the creek. Due to the implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan, the creek’s water quality and ecosystem health have significantly improved, benefiting fish, frogs, and other aquatic species.“Shell Creek shows how multiple partners have come together to significantly improve water quality in Nebraska,” said Matt Bailey, SCWIG co-chair and Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (NRD) director. “Having a waterbody delisted is an extremely difficult and rare thing to accomplish, which resulted from the implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan. Since then, we’ve continued our work with partners to provide safe, quality water for our state.”SCWIG’s efforts have focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices such as no-till farming, filter and buffer strips, cover crops, fencing livestock from streams, cross fencing, and solar livestock wells, which have helped reduce non-point source pollution. The group’s partnerships with the Lower Platte North NRD, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Nebraska Environmental Trust and other agencies have been crucial in addressing these conservation goals.Each year, the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group and its partners invest nearly $500,000 in conservation practices, with about half of the funding provided by federal sources.“Being involved in the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group has been one of the highlights of my life, because of all the things we’ve been able to accomplish,” said Carl Grotelueschen, SCWIG founding member and Colfax County commissioner.As part of the celebration, attendees toured key watershed projects, including a major upgrade to the Union Pacific Railroad bridge between Schuyler and Rogers, Nebraska. The new bridge, built to replace a structure dating back to the 1920s, is 2.5 times longer than the original. This expansion plays a critical role in floodwater management, allowing water to flow more freely beneath the tracks and reducing the risk of flooding in the surrounding area. In conjunction with new county road bridges, the infrastructure improvements are designed to enhance flood protection and prevent property damage.“Union Pacific is proud of the collaboration between the many public and private stakeholders who had a hand in the Shell Creek watershed project’s completion,” said Union Pacific’s Senior Manager of Structures Design Adam Studts. “Union Pacific’s new bridge will make stormwater management more efficient, while serving as a critical link in our nation’s supply chain.”Attendees also viewed displays featuring soil health demonstrations, a high-boy cover crop seeder, and local high school students involved in watershed monitoring projects.Educational outreach has been a cornerstone of SCWIG’s success. Newman Grove and Schuyler Central High Schools have developed volunteer programs where students monitor Shell Creek’s water, sediment, and aquatic life. These programs provide valuable data and give students hands-on experience in environmental science.“SCWIG has set an example for how local conservation groups can create long-lasting environmental change,” said Eric Gottschalk, Lower Platte North NRD general manager. “As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize that other water bodies could benefit from similar efforts. SCWIG’s model shows that with the right partnerships and commitment, it’s possible to achieve measurable improvements in water quality.”As SCWIG looks forward to its next chapter, the group remains dedicated to protecting Shell Creek and continuing its mission to promote sustainable land use and water quality practices across Nebraska.About SCWIGThe Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group is a collaboration of landowners, farmers, and conservation agencies working together to promote sustainable land management and water quality improvement in the Shell Creek Watershed. SCWIG focuses on implementing best management practices that enhance the region’s natural resources, protect local ecosystems, and ensure long-term agricultural productivity.About Lower Platte North NRDThe Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, based in Wahoo, covers parts of seven counties in east-central Nebraska. Nebraska’s 23 NRDs are charged with developing and protecting the state’s natural resources. In pursuing this mission, the districts often partner with landowners and other government agencies. The Lower Platte North NRD is governed by 19 locally elected directors from nine subdistricts and employs 21 full-time staff members.&nbsp;The district is funded by a combination of property taxes and grants from local, state, and federal sources.

Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group Celebrates 25 Years of Conservation

OMAHA, NE, (September 17, 2024) – During National Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 15-21), AAA and the National Safety Council (NSC) are releasing a safety alert for parents. 

A new AAA analysis of five years of government crash data reveals a concerning trend: child seat and booster use declines after a child turns three, despite the continued need for these safety devices. In Nebraska 85% of parents and caregivers transitioned their children to an adult seatbelt too soon and 23% transitioned to a booster seat too soon. This is alarming, as over four million children aged 11 and under were involved in car crashes, from 2018 to 2022, resulting in 547,000 injuries and nearly 3,000 fatalities.

“We know parents and caregivers go to great lengths to protect their children,” said Brian Ortner, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Yet, even with the best intentions, parents may unknowingly endanger their children by putting them in the wrong seat or not securing them properly. Since safety recommendations can vary as your child grows, AAA urges parents to take a moment to understand what type of child restraint to use and when.”

According to the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database, of the car seats inspected in 2023, 74% were not used properly or incorrectly installed. The three most common misuses were:

Not using the tether when installing a forward-facing car seat with either the lower anchors or seat belt.

The harness is too loose when securing a child in a car seat.

When used correctly, car seats, booster seats, and seat belts protect young passengers. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, child restraints reduce fatalities by 71% for infants younger than one and by 54% for children 1 to 4 years old in passenger cars.

Find the right car seat. Types of seats vary based on their age, weight and height. Click here

Install your car seat correctly. Review instructions and video tutorials.

Get your car seat inspected. Click here to find a car seat inspection provider near you.

Ensure safety belts fit properly every time. The placement of the safety harness or seat belt can be critical.

Register your car seat. Sign up for recall notices to receive safety updates.

“Parents are often eager to turn their young children forward-facing in their car seats too soon,” Ortner said. “However, due to their underdeveloped bodies, young children below the age of two who ride forward-facing are at a greater risk of head, neck and spinal cord injuries if involved in a collision.”

If you’re not sure when to move your child to the next type of car seat, look to these stages:

Rear-facing safety seat: Children should stay rear-facing as long as possible, up to the limits of the car safety seat. This includes almost all children under 2.

Forward-facing safety seat, with harness: Many seats can take children up to 60 pounds or more. When they are ready and exceed the seat’s limits, move to a belt-positioning booster seat.

Belt-positioning booster seat: Use until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly—generally when children are at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall (usually 8 to 12 years old).

Front seat versus back seat: All children younger than 13 should be restrained in the rear seats. Young children riding in the front seat can be injured or even killed if an air bag opens.

Every state has different laws on child passenger seats. In Nebraska the law requires:

All children up to age eight must ride correctly secured in a federally-approved car seat or booster seat.

Children ride rear-facing until up to age two or until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer.

Children up to age eight must ride in the back seat, as long as there is a back seat equipped with a seatbelt and is not already occupied by other children under eight years of age.

Children ages eight to eighteen must ride secured in a safety belt or child safety seat (booster seat).

Childcare providers must transport all children securely in an appropriate federally-approved car seat, booster seat or seat belt.

Children up to age eighteen are prohibited from riding in cargo areas.

A violation carries a $25 fine plus court costs and 1 point is assessed against the operator's driving record. 

Nebraska Child Safety Restraint Law: 60-6,267  &amp; 60-6,268  ​

When is Your Child is Ready for an Adult Seat Belt?