Nebraska lawmakers adjourned Thursday knowing they'll be called back by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen for a summer session to ease soaring property taxes.

A Pillen-backed sales tax expansion failed on the last day of the session after its author, Omaha Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, pulled it from consideration because it lacked support.

“Because of this legislature's inaction this morning, Nebraskans will not see a penny of property tax relief this session,” Pillen told lawmakers as he announced the special session. “It's unacceptable from my seat.”

The unique one-chamber, officially nonpartisan Legislature's 60-day session began more collegially than last year, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-transgender-ban-nebraska-filibuster-b0b88845d29f1aaadf7936b7304a0507">a measure</a>&nbsp;to greatly restrict gender-affirming care for transgender minors generated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-legislature-filibuster-nonpartisan-814790373744b59cd1822f472f6ab3ec">bitter acrimony</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/filibuster-transgender-gender-affirming-therapy-bill-nebraska-cavanaugh-b9018fd1bf72112ca984ff58679eda6d">epic filibuster</a>&nbsp;before passing — along with a 12-week abortion ban.

This session, a lawmaker was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-lawmaker-graphic-description-of-rape-0fc4001d222026a3ce9390979da83ac1">reprimanded</a>&nbsp;by the Legislature's governing board after invoking the name of a colleague while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-lawmaker-halloran-rape-415eb8066a43c973128ec2601dee85a8">reading a graphic account</a>&nbsp;of rape on the floor.

Here’s a look at legislation that passed this session — and some that didn't.

Linehan's bill would have shifted the state's growing property tax burden to sales and other taxes, raising the sales tax by 1 cent and creating an array of new taxes on candy, tobacco, CBD products and digital advertising.

The bill was stripped of the sales tax increase before it reached a final debate Thursday but still didn't have enough support to pass, and Linehan pulled it.

Pillen had been unable to find a lawmaker willing to sponsor a bill that would have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-governor-state-address-fccfa23e3b12fe8a508484e369a2e9c4">reduced property taxes 40%</a>&nbsp;while creating the nation's highest sales tax on goods and services, at 7.5%.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-felons-nebraska-elections-49dee80b7787a60d33b25a35aefa6e98">A new Nebraska law</a>, enacted Thursday without the governor's endorsement, eliminates a two-year waiting period for regaining voting rights for those who have served their sentences for felonies, including prison and parole time.

The waiting period was established in 2005. Before that, a person convicted of a felony lost their right to vote indefinitely.

Restrictions on transgender rights drew acrimony late in the session. A bill was resurrected at the 11th hour to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-bathrooms-sports-nebraska-01b7eeeb56874e2338e58d368765f66a">restrict transgender students</a>&nbsp;in bathrooms, locker rooms and sports.

Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth's measure failed by two votes to end a filibuster.

On the session's last day, lawmakers passed a bill that repeals and replaces 2023 legislation to divert income tax receipts to pay for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-choice-nebraska-bill-ballot-6597a1a657b98604214d48aa3b07db2b">private school scholarships</a>. The bill represents the first time lawmakers have passed legislation that would block voters from deciding a ballot measure initiated by constituents.

A failed bill would have held&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-libraries-obscenity-bill-2dc43c6f4f1bc602a02d7bb66b6d137f">librarians and teachers</a>&nbsp;criminally responsible for providing “obscene material” to students in grades K-12. State Sen. Joni Albrecht introduced the bill to close a “loophole” in the state’s obscenity laws, which prohibit adults from giving such material to minors. But critics panned it as a way for a vocal minority to ban books they don’t like from school and public library shelves.

A bill passed to recognize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/malcolm-x-day-nebraska-272738484ecac71fba0b7919fba94407">Malcolm X</a>&nbsp;every May 19, the day he was born Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. The legislation fell short of declaring the day a state holiday. Instead, it sets aside Malcolm X Day to allow Nebraska schools to hold exercises on the civil rights icon.

Lawmakers passed a whittled-down bill offering child care works an easier path to child care subsidies after stripping the legislation of its $10 million funding due to budget restrictions. Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson modeled the bill on Kentucky legislation that successfully eased a child care worker shortage.

Associated PressNebraska lawmakers adjourned Thursday knowing they'll be called back by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen for a summer session to ease soaring property taxes.A Pillen-backed sales tax expansion failed on the last day of the session after its author, Omaha Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, pulled it from consideration because it lacked support.“Because of this legislature's inaction this morning, Nebraskans will not see a penny of property tax relief this session,” Pillen told lawmakers as he announced the special session. “It's unacceptable from my seat.”The unique one-chamber, officially nonpartisan Legislature's 60-day session began more collegially than last year, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-transgender-ban-nebraska-filibuster-b0b88845d29f1aaadf7936b7304a0507">a measure</a>&nbsp;to greatly restrict gender-affirming care for transgender minors generated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-legislature-filibuster-nonpartisan-814790373744b59cd1822f472f6ab3ec">bitter acrimony</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/filibuster-transgender-gender-affirming-therapy-bill-nebraska-cavanaugh-b9018fd1bf72112ca984ff58679eda6d">epic filibuster</a>&nbsp;before passing — along with a 12-week abortion ban.This session, a lawmaker was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-lawmaker-graphic-description-of-rape-0fc4001d222026a3ce9390979da83ac1">reprimanded</a>&nbsp;by the Legislature's governing board after invoking the name of a colleague while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-lawmaker-halloran-rape-415eb8066a43c973128ec2601dee85a8">reading a graphic account</a>&nbsp;of rape on the floor.Here’s a look at legislation that passed this session — and some that didn't.TAXESLinehan's bill would have shifted the state's growing property tax burden to sales and other taxes, raising the sales tax by 1 cent and creating an array of new taxes on candy, tobacco, CBD products and digital advertising.The bill was stripped of the sales tax increase before it reached a final debate Thursday but still didn't have enough support to pass, and Linehan pulled it.Pillen had been unable to find a lawmaker willing to sponsor a bill that would have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-governor-state-address-fccfa23e3b12fe8a508484e369a2e9c4">reduced property taxes 40%</a>&nbsp;while creating the nation's highest sales tax on goods and services, at 7.5%.VOTING<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-felons-nebraska-elections-49dee80b7787a60d33b25a35aefa6e98">A new Nebraska law</a>, enacted Thursday without the governor's endorsement, eliminates a two-year waiting period for regaining voting rights for those who have served their sentences for felonies, including prison and parole time.The waiting period was established in 2005. Before that, a person convicted of a felony lost their right to vote indefinitely.TRANSGENDER RIGHTSRestrictions on transgender rights drew acrimony late in the session. A bill was resurrected at the 11th hour to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-bathrooms-sports-nebraska-01b7eeeb56874e2338e58d368765f66a">restrict transgender students</a>&nbsp;in bathrooms, locker rooms and sports.Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth's measure failed by two votes to end a filibuster.EDUCATIONOn the session's last day, lawmakers passed a bill that repeals and replaces 2023 legislation to divert income tax receipts to pay for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-choice-nebraska-bill-ballot-6597a1a657b98604214d48aa3b07db2b">private school scholarships</a>. The bill represents the first time lawmakers have passed legislation that would block voters from deciding a ballot measure initiated by constituents.A failed bill would have held&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-libraries-obscenity-bill-2dc43c6f4f1bc602a02d7bb66b6d137f">librarians and teachers</a>&nbsp;criminally responsible for providing “obscene material” to students in grades K-12. State Sen. Joni Albrecht introduced the bill to close a “loophole” in the state’s obscenity laws, which prohibit adults from giving such material to minors. But critics panned it as a way for a vocal minority to ban books they don’t like from school and public library shelves.MALCOLM XA bill passed to recognize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/malcolm-x-day-nebraska-272738484ecac71fba0b7919fba94407">Malcolm X</a>&nbsp;every May 19, the day he was born Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. The legislation fell short of declaring the day a state holiday. Instead, it sets aside Malcolm X Day to allow Nebraska schools to hold exercises on the civil rights icon.CHILD CARELawmakers passed a whittled-down bill offering child care works an easier path to child care subsidies after stripping the legislation of its $10 million funding due to budget restrictions. Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson modeled the bill on Kentucky legislation that successfully eased a child care worker shortage.

Nebraska lawmakers end session, leaving taxes for later

UNL&nbsp;Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources



Lincoln, Neb. April 19, 2024 —&nbsp;Nebraska’s net farm income is projected to fall to $6 billion in 2024 and average $6.3 billion per year across the next decade, according to a new report from the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) at the University of Missouri, produced in conjunction with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

While U.S. farm income projections topped a 2021 record with a new record in 2022 before falling in 2023, Nebraska net farm income took a fall in 2022, to $6.6 billion, before partially rebounding in 2023, to $7.2 billion.

"Producers are feeling the pinch of declining farm income in 2023, with&nbsp; a further drop expected in 2024, but the projection to fall to $6 billion this year is a still a relatively strong farm income number, compared to the past decade and builds on a solid financial position for agriculture in the state as a whole," said Brad Lubben, an extension agricultural policy specialist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability and a contributor to the report.

The projected decline is attributed to a downturn in crop receipts in the state — due to lower crop prices in 2023 — that look to fall further in 2024. Livestock receipts grew in 2023 on the strength of cattle prices but look to decline in 2024 with reduced cattle marketings and further declines in other livestock commodities, the report said.

While production expenses remained high in 2023, the report projects that the costs of feed, fertilizer, and fuel, along with interest rates, are expected to drop in 2024, helping to offset some of the impact of lower commodity receipts in Nebraska.

Other highlights from the report include:

The spring 2024 farm income outlook is co-published by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability and RaFF at the University of Missouri, which provides objective policy analysis and informs decision-makers on issues affecting farm and rural finances. The center collaborates with a number of states to develop farm income projections with local expertise.

The Nebraska Farm Income Outlook report is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://cap.unl.edu/farm-income" target="_blank">https://cap.unl.edu/farm-income</a>.A webinar covering 2024 Nebraska and U.S. Farm Income and Outlook will be held at noon Central time on April 18, with registration accessible on the same page.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713532790352.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>UNL&nbsp;Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Lincoln, Neb. April 19, 2024 —&nbsp;Nebraska’s net farm income is projected to fall to $6 billion in 2024 and average $6.3 billion per year across the next decade, according to a new report from the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) at the University of Missouri, produced in conjunction with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.While U.S. farm income projections topped a 2021 record with a new record in 2022 before falling in 2023, Nebraska net farm income took a fall in 2022, to $6.6 billion, before partially rebounding in 2023, to $7.2 billion."Producers are feeling the pinch of declining farm income in 2023, with&nbsp; a further drop expected in 2024, but the projection to fall to $6 billion this year is a still a relatively strong farm income number, compared to the past decade and builds on a solid financial position for agriculture in the state as a whole," said Brad Lubben, an extension agricultural policy specialist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability and a contributor to the report.The projected decline is attributed to a downturn in crop receipts in the state — due to lower crop prices in 2023 — that look to fall further in 2024. Livestock receipts grew in 2023 on the strength of cattle prices but look to decline in 2024 with reduced cattle marketings and further declines in other livestock commodities, the report said.While production expenses remained high in 2023, the report projects that the costs of feed, fertilizer, and fuel, along with interest rates, are expected to drop in 2024, helping to offset some of the impact of lower commodity receipts in Nebraska.Other highlights from the report include:<ul>
 <li>After persistent drought conditions in Nebraska, the forecast of average yields in 2024 results in increases in crop production. Despite increased production projected in 2024, lower commodity prices are expected to reduce 2024 crop receipts by 7%, with projections indicating further reductions in 2025 and 2026.</li><li>Corn planted acreage is anticipated to shrink 240,000 acres in 2024, but an expected return to trend yields allows corn production to increase this year. However, lower corn prices are expected to reduce receipts by $1 billion in 2024.</li><li>Soybean acres climb in 2024, with planted area projected to increase by roughly 472,000 acres from 2023. Higher yields drive production higher, but lower prices cause soybean receipts to decline slightly in 2024.</li><li>After experiencing herd liquidation in 2022, Nebraska cattle and calf inventory fell again during 2023. With improved forage conditions, cattle inventory is projected to grow modestly during 2024.</li><li>Despite higher prices, declining marketings are projected to cause cattle and calf receipts to drop an estimated $0.7 billion in 2024. Total cattle marketings are forecast to decline nearly 6% from 2023. Cattle prices are projected to peak in 2026 and marketings begin to increase in 2025.</li>
 </ul>The spring 2024 farm income outlook is co-published by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability and RaFF at the University of Missouri, which provides objective policy analysis and informs decision-makers on issues affecting farm and rural finances. The center collaborates with a number of states to develop farm income projections with local expertise.The Nebraska Farm Income Outlook report is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://cap.unl.edu/farm-income" target="_blank">https://cap.unl.edu/farm-income</a>.A webinar covering 2024 Nebraska and U.S. Farm Income and Outlook will be held at noon Central time on April 18, with registration accessible on the same page.

Nebraska farm income projected to fall in 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-israel-house-republicans-3f6f6af81c860eb8ce4104e61728a0fb">Mike Johnson has unveiled</a>&nbsp;a long-awaited package of bills that will provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">military aid to Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and Israel, replenish U.S. weapons systems and give&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-04-02-2024-9bdf66771b62af37d85a2800f71c0e6c">humanitarian assistance</a>&nbsp;to civilians in Gaza.

The package totals $95.3 billion in spending, which matches the total that the Senate passed in mid-February. But there are also a few differences with the Senate bill designed to win over some House conservatives.

Here's a look at what is in the bills that Johnson hopes to pass by this weekend.

The aid to support Ukraine totals about $61 billion. Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee said that more than a third of that amount would be dedicated to replenishing weapons and ammunition systems for the U.S. military.

The overall amount of money provided to Ukraine for the purchase of weapons from the U.S. is roughly the same in the House and Senate bills — $13.8 billion.

The main difference between the two packages is that the House bill provides more than $9 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine in the form of “forgivable loans.” The Senate bill included no such provision seeking repayment.

The president would be authorized to set the terms of the loan to Ukraine and also be given the power to cancel it. Congress could override the cancellation but would have to generate enough votes to override a veto, a high bar considering how the two chambers are so evenly divided.

Johnson, as he seeks GOP support for the package, noted that former President Donald Trump has endorsed a “loan concept."

He also noted that the House package includes a requirement for the Biden administration to provide a plan and a strategy to Congress for what it seeks to achieve in Ukraine. The plan would be required within 45 days of the bill being signed into law. House Republicans frequently complain that they have yet to see a strategy from Biden for winning the war.

The bill said the report from the administration must be a multiyear plan that spells out “specific and achievable objectives.” It also asked for an estimate of the resources required to achieve the U.S. objectives and a description of the national security implications if the objectives are not met.

Aid in the legislation to support Israel and provide humanitarian relief to citizens of Gaza comes to more than $26 billion. The amount of money dedicated to replenishing Israel's missile defense systems totals about $4 billion in the House and Senate bills. An additional $2.4 billion for current U.S. military operations in the regions is also the same in both bills.

Some conservatives have been critical of the aid for Gaza. At the end of the day, though, Johnson risked losing critical Democratic support for the package if Republicans had excluded it. The humanitarian assistance comes to more than $9 billion for Gaza, where millions of Palestinians face starvation, lack of clean water and disease outbreaks.

The investments to counter China and ensure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-china-us-congress-delegation-7a5997c2ebece12ac5aa620a43a398af">a strong deterrence in the region</a>&nbsp;come to about $8 billion. The overall amount of money and the investments in the two bills is about the same with a quarter of funds used to replenish weapons and ammunition systems that had been provided to Taiwan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709777601578.png" alt="File image -Speaker of the House Mike Johnson- courtesy House Speaker's office" />
 <figcaption>File image -Speaker of the House Mike Johnson- courtesy House Speaker's office</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-israel-house-republicans-3f6f6af81c860eb8ce4104e61728a0fb">Mike Johnson has unveiled</a>&nbsp;a long-awaited package of bills that will provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">military aid to Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and Israel, replenish U.S. weapons systems and give&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-04-02-2024-9bdf66771b62af37d85a2800f71c0e6c">humanitarian assistance</a>&nbsp;to civilians in Gaza.The package totals $95.3 billion in spending, which matches the total that the Senate passed in mid-February. But there are also a few differences with the Senate bill designed to win over some House conservatives.Here's a look at what is in the bills that Johnson hopes to pass by this weekend.UKRAINEThe aid to support Ukraine totals about $61 billion. Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee said that more than a third of that amount would be dedicated to replenishing weapons and ammunition systems for the U.S. military.The overall amount of money provided to Ukraine for the purchase of weapons from the U.S. is roughly the same in the House and Senate bills — $13.8 billion.The main difference between the two packages is that the House bill provides more than $9 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine in the form of “forgivable loans.” The Senate bill included no such provision seeking repayment.The president would be authorized to set the terms of the loan to Ukraine and also be given the power to cancel it. Congress could override the cancellation but would have to generate enough votes to override a veto, a high bar considering how the two chambers are so evenly divided.Johnson, as he seeks GOP support for the package, noted that former President Donald Trump has endorsed a “loan concept."He also noted that the House package includes a requirement for the Biden administration to provide a plan and a strategy to Congress for what it seeks to achieve in Ukraine. The plan would be required within 45 days of the bill being signed into law. House Republicans frequently complain that they have yet to see a strategy from Biden for winning the war.The bill said the report from the administration must be a multiyear plan that spells out “specific and achievable objectives.” It also asked for an estimate of the resources required to achieve the U.S. objectives and a description of the national security implications if the objectives are not met.ISRAELAid in the legislation to support Israel and provide humanitarian relief to citizens of Gaza comes to more than $26 billion. The amount of money dedicated to replenishing Israel's missile defense systems totals about $4 billion in the House and Senate bills. An additional $2.4 billion for current U.S. military operations in the regions is also the same in both bills.Some conservatives have been critical of the aid for Gaza. At the end of the day, though, Johnson risked losing critical Democratic support for the package if Republicans had excluded it. The humanitarian assistance comes to more than $9 billion for Gaza, where millions of Palestinians face starvation, lack of clean water and disease outbreaks.INDO-PACIFICThe investments to counter China and ensure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-china-us-congress-delegation-7a5997c2ebece12ac5aa620a43a398af">a strong deterrence in the region</a>&nbsp;come to about $8 billion. The overall amount of money and the investments in the two bills is about the same with a quarter of funds used to replenish weapons and ammunition systems that had been provided to Taiwan.

What's inside the $95 billion House bill focused on aiding Ukraine and Israel

NEW YORK (AP) — A jury of 12 people was seated Thursday in former President Donald Trump’s history-making&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-jury-selection-8da8759352478be8effd3d5734aae35e">hush money trial</a>, propelling the proceedings closer to opening statements and the start of weeks of dramatic testimony.

<a href="https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/PDFs/Letter-re-jury-selection-4-8-24.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the Trump jury selection questionnaire

The court quickly turned to selecting alternate jurors, with the process on track to wrap up by the end of the week. Prosecutors could begin presenting their case early next week.

The jury of New Yorkers includes a sales professional, a software engineer, a security engineer, an English teacher, a speech therapist, multiple lawyers, an investment banker and a retired wealth manager.

The first-ever trial of a former American president is unfolding during this year's race for the White House, meaning the presumptive Republican nominee will spend his days in court confronted by salacious and unflattering testimony about his personal life while simultaneously campaigning to reclaim the office he held for four years.

He's made clear his determination to use his legal jeopardy, already a central issue in the race against Democratic incumbent Joe Biden, to his advantage. After a full day of jury selection, he complained to reporters that he should have been out campaigning but was in court instead for what he said was a “very unfair trial.”

“Everybody’s outraged by it,” he said. “You know the whole world’s watching this New York scam.”

Jury selection proceeded at a plodding pace earlier Thursday when two jurors were dismissed, one after expressing doubt about her ability to be fair following disclosure of details about her identity and the other over concerns that some of his answers in court may have been inaccurate.

But lawyers who began the day with only five jurors settled on the remaining seven in quick succession, along with one alternate. Judge Juan Merchan has said his goal is to have six alternates.

The process of picking a jury is a critical phase in any criminal trial but especially so when the defendant is a former president and the presumptive Republican nominee. Prospective jurors have been grilled on their social media posts, personal lives and political views as the lawyers and judge search for any bias that would prevent them from being impartial.

Inside the court, there’s broad acknowledgment of the futility in trying to find jurors without knowledge of Trump. A prosecutor this week said that lawyers were not looking for people who had been “living under a rock for the past eight years.”

To that end, multiple jurors chosen for the panel acknowledged having personal opinions of Trump or his presidency.

One juror, a man who works in investment banking, earlier described himself as “ambivalent” about Trump, adding, “I might not like some of his policies, but there has been some good” for the country.

A woman picked for the jury said she thought Trump seemed “very selfish and self serving," adding, “I don’t really appreciate that from any public servant.” Defense lawyers were out of peremptory strikes, which allow them to dismiss a juror without giving a reason.

The trial centers on a $130,000 payment that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">Michael Cohen</a>, Trump's former lawyer and personal fixer, made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public in the final days of the 2016 race.

Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.

Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could get up to four years in prison if convicted, though it’s not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars. Trump would almost certainly appeal any conviction.

Trump faces four criminal cases, but it's not clear that any others will reach trial before the November election. Appeals and legal wrangling have caused delays in the other three cases charging Trump with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotting to overturn the 2020 election results</a>&nbsp;and with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">illegally hoarding classified documents</a>.

The jury selection process picked up momentum Tuesday with the selection of seven jurors. But on Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-criminal-trial-judge-merchan-c227f5eab200cccffb19ed931b4dac92">Merchan</a>&nbsp;revealed in court that one of the seven, a cancer nurse, had “conveyed that after sleeping on it overnight she had concerns about her ability to be fair and impartial in this case.”

And though jurors’ names are being kept confidential, the woman told the judge and the lawyers that she had doubts after she said aspects of her identity had been made public.

“Yesterday alone I had friends, colleagues and family push things to my phone regarding questioning my identity as a juror," she said. "I don’t believe at this point that I can be fair and unbiased and let the outside influences not affect my decision making in the courtroom.”

A second seated juror was dismissed after prosecutors raised concerns that he may not have been honest in answering a jury selection question by saying that he had never been accused or convicted of a crime.

The IT professional was summoned to court to answer questions after prosecutors said they found an article about a person with the same name who had been arrested in the 1990s for tearing down political posters pertaining to the political right in suburban Westchester County.

A prosecutor also disclosed that a relative of the man may have been involved in a deferred prosecution agreement in the 1990s with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, which is prosecuting Trump’s case.

Because the juror was questioned Thursday at the judge’s bench, off-microphone and out of earshot of reporters, it was not known whether the man confirmed or denied that either instance was connected to him.

After dismissing from the jury the nurse who had already been selected, Merchan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-media-jurors-anonymity-f858be6648fa2df7d2ab69efd30a524c">ordered journalists</a>&nbsp;in court not to report prospective jurors’ answers to questions about their current and former employers.

“We just lost, probably, what probably would have been a very good juror for this case, and the first thing that she said was she was afraid and intimidated by the press, all the press, and everything that had happened," Merchan said.

In other developments, prosecutors asked for Trump to be held in contempt over a series of social media posts this week.

The district attorney's office on Monday sought a $3,000 fine for Trump for three Truth Social posts they said violated the order. Since then, prosecutors said he made seven additional posts that they believe violate the order.

Several of the posts involved an article that referred to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen as a “serial perjurer,” and one from Wednesday repeated a claim by a Fox News host that liberal activists were lying to get on the jury, said prosecutor Christopher Conroy.

Trump lawyer Emil Bove said Cohen “has been attacking President Trump in public statements,” and Trump was just replying.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713486725551.png" alt="Trump outside the courtroom Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump outside the courtroom Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A jury of 12 people was seated Thursday in former President Donald Trump’s history-making&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-jury-selection-8da8759352478be8effd3d5734aae35e">hush money trial</a>, propelling the proceedings closer to opening statements and the start of weeks of dramatic testimony.<a href="https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/PDFs/Letter-re-jury-selection-4-8-24.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the Trump jury selection questionnaireThe court quickly turned to selecting alternate jurors, with the process on track to wrap up by the end of the week. Prosecutors could begin presenting their case early next week.The jury of New Yorkers includes a sales professional, a software engineer, a security engineer, an English teacher, a speech therapist, multiple lawyers, an investment banker and a retired wealth manager.The first-ever trial of a former American president is unfolding during this year's race for the White House, meaning the presumptive Republican nominee will spend his days in court confronted by salacious and unflattering testimony about his personal life while simultaneously campaigning to reclaim the office he held for four years.He's made clear his determination to use his legal jeopardy, already a central issue in the race against Democratic incumbent Joe Biden, to his advantage. After a full day of jury selection, he complained to reporters that he should have been out campaigning but was in court instead for what he said was a “very unfair trial.”“Everybody’s outraged by it,” he said. “You know the whole world’s watching this New York scam.”Jury selection proceeded at a plodding pace earlier Thursday when two jurors were dismissed, one after expressing doubt about her ability to be fair following disclosure of details about her identity and the other over concerns that some of his answers in court may have been inaccurate.But lawyers who began the day with only five jurors settled on the remaining seven in quick succession, along with one alternate. Judge Juan Merchan has said his goal is to have six alternates.The process of picking a jury is a critical phase in any criminal trial but especially so when the defendant is a former president and the presumptive Republican nominee. Prospective jurors have been grilled on their social media posts, personal lives and political views as the lawyers and judge search for any bias that would prevent them from being impartial.Inside the court, there’s broad acknowledgment of the futility in trying to find jurors without knowledge of Trump. A prosecutor this week said that lawyers were not looking for people who had been “living under a rock for the past eight years.”To that end, multiple jurors chosen for the panel acknowledged having personal opinions of Trump or his presidency.One juror, a man who works in investment banking, earlier described himself as “ambivalent” about Trump, adding, “I might not like some of his policies, but there has been some good” for the country.A woman picked for the jury said she thought Trump seemed “very selfish and self serving," adding, “I don’t really appreciate that from any public servant.” Defense lawyers were out of peremptory strikes, which allow them to dismiss a juror without giving a reason.The trial centers on a $130,000 payment that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">Michael Cohen</a>, Trump's former lawyer and personal fixer, made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public in the final days of the 2016 race.Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could get up to four years in prison if convicted, though it’s not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars. Trump would almost certainly appeal any conviction.Trump faces four criminal cases, but it's not clear that any others will reach trial before the November election. Appeals and legal wrangling have caused delays in the other three cases charging Trump with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotting to overturn the 2020 election results</a>&nbsp;and with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">illegally hoarding classified documents</a>.The jury selection process picked up momentum Tuesday with the selection of seven jurors. But on Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-criminal-trial-judge-merchan-c227f5eab200cccffb19ed931b4dac92">Merchan</a>&nbsp;revealed in court that one of the seven, a cancer nurse, had “conveyed that after sleeping on it overnight she had concerns about her ability to be fair and impartial in this case.”And though jurors’ names are being kept confidential, the woman told the judge and the lawyers that she had doubts after she said aspects of her identity had been made public.“Yesterday alone I had friends, colleagues and family push things to my phone regarding questioning my identity as a juror," she said. "I don’t believe at this point that I can be fair and unbiased and let the outside influences not affect my decision making in the courtroom.”A second seated juror was dismissed after prosecutors raised concerns that he may not have been honest in answering a jury selection question by saying that he had never been accused or convicted of a crime.The IT professional was summoned to court to answer questions after prosecutors said they found an article about a person with the same name who had been arrested in the 1990s for tearing down political posters pertaining to the political right in suburban Westchester County.A prosecutor also disclosed that a relative of the man may have been involved in a deferred prosecution agreement in the 1990s with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, which is prosecuting Trump’s case.Because the juror was questioned Thursday at the judge’s bench, off-microphone and out of earshot of reporters, it was not known whether the man confirmed or denied that either instance was connected to him.After dismissing from the jury the nurse who had already been selected, Merchan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-media-jurors-anonymity-f858be6648fa2df7d2ab69efd30a524c">ordered journalists</a>&nbsp;in court not to report prospective jurors’ answers to questions about their current and former employers.“We just lost, probably, what probably would have been a very good juror for this case, and the first thing that she said was she was afraid and intimidated by the press, all the press, and everything that had happened," Merchan said.In other developments, prosecutors asked for Trump to be held in contempt over a series of social media posts this week.The district attorney's office on Monday sought a $3,000 fine for Trump for three Truth Social posts they said violated the order. Since then, prosecutors said he made seven additional posts that they believe violate the order.Several of the posts involved an article that referred to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen as a “serial perjurer,” and one from Wednesday repeated a claim by a Fox News host that liberal activists were lying to get on the jury, said prosecutor Christopher Conroy.Trump lawyer Emil Bove said Cohen “has been attacking President Trump in public statements,” and Trump was just replying.

12 jurors sworn in for the 1st criminal trial of a former U.S. President

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-of-hormuz-vessel-33fcffde2d867380e98c89403776a8ac">unprecedented drone-and-missile assault</a>&nbsp;on the country.

No Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility that Israel attacked, and the Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-retaliation-explainer-d9145465e2e2d54d3c975e51af95275b">tensions</a>&nbsp;have been high since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-attacks-f27cda966ac274982d968cbcc033eff0">the Saturday assault</a>&nbsp;on Israel amid its war on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Hamas in the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;and its own strikes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-syria-airstrike-iranian-embassy-edca34c52d38c8bc57281e4ebf33b240">targeting Iran</a>&nbsp;in Syria.

U.S. officials declined to comment as of early Friday, but American broadcast networks quoting unnamed U.S. officials said Israel carried out the attack. The New York Times quoted anonymous Israeli officials claiming the assault, which came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.

Air defense batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported. Iranian army commander Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi said crews targeted several flying objects.

“The explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defense systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage,” Mousavi said. Others suggested the drones may be so-called quadcopters — four rotor, small drones that are commercially available.

Authorities said air defenses fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats — purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tasnim also published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its “nuclear energy mountain.” The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Iran's Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

“At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on,” he said. “It was the air defense, these guys that you’re watching, and over there too.”

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Iran's civilian nuclear program.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as “fully safe." The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said “there is no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites” after the incident.

The IAEA “continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts,” the agency said.

Iran's nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.

While Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, Western nations and the IAEA say Tehran operated a secret military weapons program until 2003. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-iaea-nuclear-quarterly-report-bca494913fbc8ccc1621466fe9c221e6">IAEA has warned</a>&nbsp;that Iran now holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so — though the U.S. intelligence community maintains Tehran is not actively seeking the bomb.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran then grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Iran later restored normal flight service, authorities said.

Around the time of the incident in Iran, Syria's state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defense unit in its south and causing material damage. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, and east of Israel.

Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.

The incident Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.

“There are currently no indications commercial vessels are the intended target,” it wrote.

The Houthis have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebel-attack-israel-hamas-war-bf077f026a9f177ec87f4131d695cafc">launched at least 53 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and as shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined over the threat.

However, Iranian state-run media sought to downplay the incident after the fact, airing footage of an otherwise-peaceful Isfahan morning. That could be intentional, particularly after Iranian officials for days have been threatening to retaliate for any Israeli retaliatory attack on the nation.

“As long as Iran continues to deny the attack and deflect attention from it and no further hits are seen, there is space for both sides to climb down the escalation ladder for now,” said Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near a major airbase at the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

It remained unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. One government official suggested sites may have been targeted by drones.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

IRNA said the defenses fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.

In particular, IRNA said air defenses fired at a major airbase in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats — purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies also reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged “loud noise" in the area.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli attacks. However, state television described all sites in the area as “fully safe."

Iran later announced it grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show.

Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a “loud noise” near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran's civilian space program, said on the X social media platform that several small “quadcopter” drones had been shot down. It wasn't immediately clear where that happened or if it was part of the ongoing incident in Iran.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

It remained unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. One government official suggested sites may have been targeted by drones.

The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged “loud noise" in the area.

Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program.

It remained unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Commercial flights began diverting their routes over western Iran without explanation early Friday as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic reported “explosions” heard over the city of Isfahan. State television acknowledged “loud noise.”

The incident comes as tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel.

The semiofficial Fars news agency reported on explosions being heard over Isfahan near its international airport. It offered no explanation. However, Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713495701429.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-of-hormuz-vessel-33fcffde2d867380e98c89403776a8ac">unprecedented drone-and-missile assault</a>&nbsp;on the country.No Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility that Israel attacked, and the Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. However,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-retaliation-explainer-d9145465e2e2d54d3c975e51af95275b">tensions</a>&nbsp;have been high since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-attacks-f27cda966ac274982d968cbcc033eff0">the Saturday assault</a>&nbsp;on Israel amid its war on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Hamas in the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;and its own strikes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-syria-airstrike-iranian-embassy-edca34c52d38c8bc57281e4ebf33b240">targeting Iran</a>&nbsp;in Syria.U.S. officials declined to comment as of early Friday, but American broadcast networks quoting unnamed U.S. officials said Israel carried out the attack. The New York Times quoted anonymous Israeli officials claiming the assault, which came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.Air defense batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported. Iranian army commander Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi said crews targeted several flying objects.“The explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defense systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage,” Mousavi said. Others suggested the drones may be so-called quadcopters — four rotor, small drones that are commercially available.Authorities said air defenses fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats — purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.Tasnim also published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its “nuclear energy mountain.” The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Iran's Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.“At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on,” he said. “It was the air defense, these guys that you’re watching, and over there too.”The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Iran's civilian nuclear program.Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.State television described all atomic sites in the area as “fully safe." The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said “there is no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites” after the incident.The IAEA “continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts,” the agency said.Iran's nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.While Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, Western nations and the IAEA say Tehran operated a secret military weapons program until 2003. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-iaea-nuclear-quarterly-report-bca494913fbc8ccc1621466fe9c221e6">IAEA has warned</a>&nbsp;that Iran now holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so — though the U.S. intelligence community maintains Tehran is not actively seeking the bomb.Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.Iran then grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Iran later restored normal flight service, authorities said.Around the time of the incident in Iran, Syria's state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defense unit in its south and causing material damage. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, and east of Israel.Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.The incident Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.“There are currently no indications commercial vessels are the intended target,” it wrote.The Houthis have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebel-attack-israel-hamas-war-bf077f026a9f177ec87f4131d695cafc">launched at least 53 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and as shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined over the threat.However, Iranian state-run media sought to downplay the incident after the fact, airing footage of an otherwise-peaceful Isfahan morning. That could be intentional, particularly after Iranian officials for days have been threatening to retaliate for any Israeli retaliatory attack on the nation.“As long as Iran continues to deny the attack and deflect attention from it and no further hits are seen, there is space for both sides to climb down the escalation ladder for now,” said Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House.-----------------DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near a major airbase at the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.It remained unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. One government official suggested sites may have been targeted by drones.The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.IRNA said the defenses fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.In particular, IRNA said air defenses fired at a major airbase in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats — purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies also reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged “loud noise" in the area.Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli attacks. However, state television described all sites in the area as “fully safe."Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.Iran later announced it grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show.Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a “loud noise” near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran's civilian space program, said on the X social media platform that several small “quadcopter” drones had been shot down. It wasn't immediately clear where that happened or if it was part of the ongoing incident in Iran.Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.--------------DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.It remained unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. One government official suggested sites may have been targeted by drones.The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.IRNA said the defenses fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged “loud noise" in the area.Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program.Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.Iran later announced it grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show.Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a “loud noise” near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran's civilian space program, said on the X social media platform that several small “quadcopter” drones had been shot down. It wasn't immediately clear where that happened or if it was part of the ongoing incident in Iran.DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.It remained unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel.IRNA said the defenses fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged “loud noise" in the area.-----------DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Commercial flights began diverting their routes over western Iran without explanation early Friday as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic reported “explosions” heard over the city of Isfahan. State television acknowledged “loud noise.”The incident comes as tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran’s unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel.Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.The semiofficial Fars news agency reported on explosions being heard over Isfahan near its international airport. It offered no explanation. However, Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program.Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a “loud noise” near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near nuclear facilities

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/stunning-last-minute-defeat-for-pillen-tax-shift-bill-likely-ensures-special-session/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen’s much-amended plan to raise sales taxes to decrease local property taxes went down in flames Thursday, the final day of the 2024 state legislative session.

It was a stunning defeat for the idea of raising some taxes to reduce others, and it almost assuredly guarantees that state lawmakers will be back this summer in a special session on taxes.

After all, Pillen has said that he will keep senators in session until Christmas, if need be, to reach his goal of reducing local property taxes by 40%.

His office declined to comment after the vote, instead saying the governor would address the demise of LB 388 during his sine die speech Thursday afternoon.

State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar led a final-round filibuster of the governor’s plan, Legislative Bill 388, saying it was a tax increase that Nebraskans overwhelmingly opposed and contained a likely unconstitutional clause to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/17/broadcasters-mount-last-minute-blitz-to-delete-tax-on-digital-ads-from-pillen-plan/">tax digital ads.</a>

Only one other state, Maryland, has attempted to tax advertising placed on social media giants like Facebook and Google, and that state is fighting multiple lawsuits and being forced to pay back what it’s collected in taxes plus interest.

Slama argued that the only Nebraskans who would see a tax reduction under LB 388 were those who aren’t already taking a tax credit on their property taxes available on their state income tax filing.

She and other senators said more “thoughtful” discussion is needed on a bill that was the subject of several last-minute amendments last week, including the removal of Pillen’s proposed 1-cent hike in state sales taxes.

“I would much rather handle this particular issue — the state tax code — in a special session,” Slama said.

Bayard Sen. Steve Erdman was more blunt, saying LB 388 would provide only a 2% cut in his property tax bill, which would be eaten up by larger increases in the valuation of his house.

“This bill doesn’t mean squat for anybody — bring on a special session,” he said.

After the 1-cent sales tax hike and some other new taxes were amended out of LB 388 last week, it was estimated that it would provide a 22% decrease in local property taxes, far short of the 40% goal set by the governor.

Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said that the bill was put together hurriedly, without time for senators to weigh its impact, and that there were “smarter” ways to reduce property taxes.

“We shouldn’t rush forward and jump off the cliff together … we should hit ‘pause’ today,” Conrad said.

But supporters of the bill said it addressed the No. 1 demand they hear from constituents — reduce local property taxes.

“Is it a perfect solution? Probably not,” said Omaha Sen. Brad von Gillern. “But it was the best I saw this year.”

Property taxes, in total, have risen 53% over the past decade, according to Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, and have shifted off of sales and income taxes and onto property.

“My constituents are tired of being patient,” he said. “They want action.”

The chief sponsor of LB 388, Elkhorn Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, said that taxing soda pop and candy was a fair trade “so grandma doesn’t have to move out of her house” due to high property taxes.

But later, Linehan, facing growing opposition during floor debate, asked that the measure be pulled from the agenda. The Speaker of the Legislature, Sen. John Arch, confirmed that the bill wouldn’t be debated later Thursday, the last day of the 2024 session, and thus the measure was dead.

LB 388 had been the subject of a<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/17/broadcasters-mount-last-minute-blitz-to-delete-tax-on-digital-ads-from-pillen-plan/">&nbsp;last-minute TV</a>&nbsp;and newspaper ad blitz by Nebraska broadcasters and a coalition led by the state’s grocery association to defeat the bill because it raised taxes on several products, such as cigarettes and vaping products, and imposed new sales taxes on other items, such as pop and candy, pet services by veterinarians, digital ads and dry cleaning.

In defeat, Linehan said that broadening the sales tax base, as LB 388 would do, has been a long-running recommendation of several organizations, including the state chamber, Platte Institute and OpenSky Policy Institute, and it was frustrating that they were opposing the bill.

“It’s easy to say no, no, no,” the senator said, adding that opponents of LB 388 need to be ready to offer alternative paths to lower property taxes prior to the special session.

Already, some senators were discussing other ideas for reducing property taxes, such as legalizing marijuana and online gaming, and taxing them to replace property tax revenue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713465125222.jpeg" alt=" State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar. April 18, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar. April 18, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/18/stunning-last-minute-defeat-for-pillen-tax-shift-bill-likely-ensures-special-session/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen’s much-amended plan to raise sales taxes to decrease local property taxes went down in flames Thursday, the final day of the 2024 state legislative session.It was a stunning defeat for the idea of raising some taxes to reduce others, and it almost assuredly guarantees that state lawmakers will be back this summer in a special session on taxes.After all, Pillen has said that he will keep senators in session until Christmas, if need be, to reach his goal of reducing local property taxes by 40%.<h2>Comment later during speech</h2>His office declined to comment after the vote, instead saying the governor would address the demise of LB 388 during his sine die speech Thursday afternoon.State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar led a final-round filibuster of the governor’s plan, Legislative Bill 388, saying it was a tax increase that Nebraskans overwhelmingly opposed and contained a likely unconstitutional clause to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/17/broadcasters-mount-last-minute-blitz-to-delete-tax-on-digital-ads-from-pillen-plan/">tax digital ads.</a>Only one other state, Maryland, has attempted to tax advertising placed on social media giants like Facebook and Google, and that state is fighting multiple lawsuits and being forced to pay back what it’s collected in taxes plus interest.Slama argued that the only Nebraskans who would see a tax reduction under LB 388 were those who aren’t already taking a tax credit on their property taxes available on their state income tax filing.<h2>‘Doesn’t mean squat’</h2>She and other senators said more “thoughtful” discussion is needed on a bill that was the subject of several last-minute amendments last week, including the removal of Pillen’s proposed 1-cent hike in state sales taxes.“I would much rather handle this particular issue — the state tax code — in a special session,” Slama said.Bayard Sen. Steve Erdman was more blunt, saying LB 388 would provide only a 2% cut in his property tax bill, which would be eaten up by larger increases in the valuation of his house.“This bill doesn’t mean squat for anybody — bring on a special session,” he said.After the 1-cent sales tax hike and some other new taxes were amended out of LB 388 last week, it was estimated that it would provide a 22% decrease in local property taxes, far short of the 40% goal set by the governor.Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said that the bill was put together hurriedly, without time for senators to weigh its impact, and that there were “smarter” ways to reduce property taxes.“We shouldn’t rush forward and jump off the cliff together … we should hit ‘pause’ today,” Conrad said.<h2>Not a ‘perfect solution’</h2>But supporters of the bill said it addressed the No. 1 demand they hear from constituents — reduce local property taxes.“Is it a perfect solution? Probably not,” said Omaha Sen. Brad von Gillern. “But it was the best I saw this year.”Property taxes, in total, have risen 53% over the past decade, according to Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, and have shifted off of sales and income taxes and onto property.“My constituents are tired of being patient,” he said. “They want action.”The chief sponsor of LB 388, Elkhorn Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, said that taxing soda pop and candy was a fair trade “so grandma doesn’t have to move out of her house” due to high property taxes.But later, Linehan, facing growing opposition during floor debate, asked that the measure be pulled from the agenda. The Speaker of the Legislature, Sen. John Arch, confirmed that the bill wouldn’t be debated later Thursday, the last day of the 2024 session, and thus the measure was dead.<h2>Last-minute ad blitz</h2>LB 388 had been the subject of a<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/17/broadcasters-mount-last-minute-blitz-to-delete-tax-on-digital-ads-from-pillen-plan/">&nbsp;last-minute TV</a>&nbsp;and newspaper ad blitz by Nebraska broadcasters and a coalition led by the state’s grocery association to defeat the bill because it raised taxes on several products, such as cigarettes and vaping products, and imposed new sales taxes on other items, such as pop and candy, pet services by veterinarians, digital ads and dry cleaning.In defeat, Linehan said that broadening the sales tax base, as LB 388 would do, has been a long-running recommendation of several organizations, including the state chamber, Platte Institute and OpenSky Policy Institute, and it was frustrating that they were opposing the bill.“It’s easy to say no, no, no,” the senator said, adding that opponents of LB 388 need to be ready to offer alternative paths to lower property taxes prior to the special session.Already, some senators were discussing other ideas for reducing property taxes, such as legalizing marijuana and online gaming, and taxing them to replace property tax revenue.

Stunning last-minute defeat for Pillen tax shift bill likely ensures special session

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States vetoed a widely backed U.N. resolution on Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?535031-1/un-security-council-meeting-situation-middle-east">Click here to watch</a> the debate

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favor, the United States opposed and two abstentions.

The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the United Nations. Some 140 countries have already recognized the state of Palestine, so its admission would have been approved.

This is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestine-un-membership-security-council-us-reject-f55c4f58c35cf8486cf512b85b530a50">second Palestinian attempt</a>&nbsp;to become a full member of the United Nations, and it comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-statistics-95a6407fac94e9d589be234708cd5005">the war in Gaza</a>, now in its seventh month, has put the more than 75-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-hamas-latest-04-16-2024-2d556f46e9dd08b68930f86777524b21">Israeli-Palestinian conflict</a>&nbsp;at center stage.

Before the vote, U.S. deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said the United States has “been very clear consistently that premature actions in New York — even with the best intentions — will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people.”

Palestinian membership “needs to be the outcome of the negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians,” U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said. It “is something that would flow from the result of those negotiations.”

Anything that gets in the way “makes it more difficult to have those negotiations” and doesn’t help move toward a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace, which “we all want,” Wood told reporters.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas first delivered the Palestinian Authority’s application for U.N. membership to then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2011. That initial bid failed because the Palestinians didn’t get the required minimum support of nine of the Security Council’s 15 members.

The Palestinians then went to the General Assembly and by more than a two-thirds majority succeeded in having their status raised from a U.N. observer to a non-member observer state in November 2012. That opened the door for the Palestinian territories to join U.N. and other international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.

The Palestinians revived their bid for U.N. membership in early April, backed by the 140 countries that have recognized Palestine as an independent state.

Ziad Abu Amr, special representative of the Palestinian president, said adopting the resolution would grant the Palestinian people hope “for a decent life within an independent state."

He said such "hope has dissipated over the past years because of the intransigence of the Israeli government that has rejected this solution publicly and blatantly, especially following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-news-04-15-2024-5d6b5dc1483771045113eea2c1904449">the destructive war against the Gaza Strip</a>.”

He stressed to the Security Council that it won’t be an alternative “for serious negotiations that are time-bound to implement the two-state solution” and U.N. resolutions, and to resolve pending issues between Palestinians and Israelis.

Amr asked the U.S. and other countries opposed to its U.N. membership how that could damage prospects for peace or harm international peace and security when they already recognize Israel and approved its U.N. membership.

“To grant the state of Palestine full membership will be an important pillar to achieve peace in our region, because the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and its different dimensions now goes beyond the borders of Palestine and Israel and impacts other regions in the Middle East and around the world,” the Palestinian envoy said.

Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have been stalled for years, and Israel’s right-wing government is dominated by hard-liners who oppose Palestinian statehood.

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan called the resolution “disconnected to the reality on the ground” and warned that it “will cause only destruction for years to come and harm any chance for future dialogue.”

Six months after the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas, which controlled Gaza, and the killing of 1,200 people in “the most brutal massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,” he accused the Security Council of seeking “to reward the perpetrators of these atrocities with statehood.”

Israel's military offensive in response has killed over 32,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, and destroyed much of the territory, which speaker after speaker denounced Thursday.

Erdan listed the requirements for U.N. membership — accepting the obligations in the U.N. Charter and especially being a “peace-loving” state.

“What a joke,” he said. “Does anyone doubt that the Palestinians failed to meet these criteria? Did anyone hear any Palestinian leader even condemn the massacre of our children?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713477575817.png" alt="Robert Wood, United States' Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Thursday.-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Robert Wood, United States' Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Thursday.-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States vetoed a widely backed U.N. resolution on Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?535031-1/un-security-council-meeting-situation-middle-east">Click here to watch</a> the debateThe vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favor, the United States opposed and two abstentions.The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the United Nations. Some 140 countries have already recognized the state of Palestine, so its admission would have been approved.This is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestine-un-membership-security-council-us-reject-f55c4f58c35cf8486cf512b85b530a50">second Palestinian attempt</a>&nbsp;to become a full member of the United Nations, and it comes as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-statistics-95a6407fac94e9d589be234708cd5005">the war in Gaza</a>, now in its seventh month, has put the more than 75-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-hamas-latest-04-16-2024-2d556f46e9dd08b68930f86777524b21">Israeli-Palestinian conflict</a>&nbsp;at center stage.Before the vote, U.S. deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said the United States has “been very clear consistently that premature actions in New York — even with the best intentions — will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people.”Palestinian membership “needs to be the outcome of the negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians,” U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood said. It “is something that would flow from the result of those negotiations.”Anything that gets in the way “makes it more difficult to have those negotiations” and doesn’t help move toward a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace, which “we all want,” Wood told reporters.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas first delivered the Palestinian Authority’s application for U.N. membership to then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2011. That initial bid failed because the Palestinians didn’t get the required minimum support of nine of the Security Council’s 15 members.The Palestinians then went to the General Assembly and by more than a two-thirds majority succeeded in having their status raised from a U.N. observer to a non-member observer state in November 2012. That opened the door for the Palestinian territories to join U.N. and other international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.The Palestinians revived their bid for U.N. membership in early April, backed by the 140 countries that have recognized Palestine as an independent state.Ziad Abu Amr, special representative of the Palestinian president, said adopting the resolution would grant the Palestinian people hope “for a decent life within an independent state."He said such "hope has dissipated over the past years because of the intransigence of the Israeli government that has rejected this solution publicly and blatantly, especially following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-news-04-15-2024-5d6b5dc1483771045113eea2c1904449">the destructive war against the Gaza Strip</a>.”He stressed to the Security Council that it won’t be an alternative “for serious negotiations that are time-bound to implement the two-state solution” and U.N. resolutions, and to resolve pending issues between Palestinians and Israelis.Amr asked the U.S. and other countries opposed to its U.N. membership how that could damage prospects for peace or harm international peace and security when they already recognize Israel and approved its U.N. membership.“To grant the state of Palestine full membership will be an important pillar to achieve peace in our region, because the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and its different dimensions now goes beyond the borders of Palestine and Israel and impacts other regions in the Middle East and around the world,” the Palestinian envoy said.Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have been stalled for years, and Israel’s right-wing government is dominated by hard-liners who oppose Palestinian statehood.Israeli U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan called the resolution “disconnected to the reality on the ground” and warned that it “will cause only destruction for years to come and harm any chance for future dialogue.”Six months after the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas, which controlled Gaza, and the killing of 1,200 people in “the most brutal massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,” he accused the Security Council of seeking “to reward the perpetrators of these atrocities with statehood.”Israel's military offensive in response has killed over 32,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, and destroyed much of the territory, which speaker after speaker denounced Thursday.Erdan listed the requirements for U.N. membership — accepting the obligations in the U.N. Charter and especially being a “peace-loving” state.“What a joke,” he said. “Does anyone doubt that the Palestinians failed to meet these criteria? Did anyone hear any Palestinian leader even condemn the massacre of our children?”

US stops UN from recognizing a Palestinian state through membership

OMAHA, NE — Today, the Platte Institute addresses LB 388, a measure
 proposed to alleviate property tax pressures in Nebraska. Despite its intention to provide relief, the Institute had raised concerns about its long-term fiscal implications and its approach to funding.&nbsp;


Jim Vokal, CEO of the Platte Institute, stated, "Solving the property tax problem
 is difficult but with the 7th highest rates in the country, we need to continue our efforts. These solutions, however, must not raise other tax rates, tamper with previous income tax reforms, or involve taxing business inputs. Further, the focus of property
 tax reform should center on reform solutions that control and limit spending at the local level rather than a shift of state funds.”&nbsp;


Vokal added, "While the Platte Institute had concerns about LB388, we remain
 steadfast in our push for lower property taxes in Nebraska and stand ready to work with policymakers moving forward.”&nbsp;


The Platte Institute remains dedicated to promoting a balanced, forward-looking
 fiscal policy framework that supports economic growth and fiscal responsibility. We will continue to engage with stakeholders and policymakers to explore sustainable property tax solutions that align with the principles of economic freedom and fairness.&nbsp;

Platte InsituteOMAHA, NE — Today, the Platte Institute addresses LB 388, a measure
 proposed to alleviate property tax pressures in Nebraska. Despite its intention to provide relief, the Institute had raised concerns about its long-term fiscal implications and its approach to funding.&nbsp;
Jim Vokal, CEO of the Platte Institute, stated, "Solving the property tax problem
 is difficult but with the 7th highest rates in the country, we need to continue our efforts. These solutions, however, must not raise other tax rates, tamper with previous income tax reforms, or involve taxing business inputs. Further, the focus of property
 tax reform should center on reform solutions that control and limit spending at the local level rather than a shift of state funds.”&nbsp;
Vokal added, "While the Platte Institute had concerns about LB388, we remain
 steadfast in our push for lower property taxes in Nebraska and stand ready to work with policymakers moving forward.”&nbsp;
The Platte Institute remains dedicated to promoting a balanced, forward-looking
 fiscal policy framework that supports economic growth and fiscal responsibility. We will continue to engage with stakeholders and policymakers to explore sustainable property tax solutions that align with the principles of economic freedom and fairness.&nbsp;

Platte Institute Responds to Legislative Action on Property Tax Relief Measure LB 388 

NASHVILLE (AP) —Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80.

The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ manager of 20 years, confirmed. Betts had been battling cancer for more than a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Spero said.

“He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully. They didn’t think he was in any pain,” Spero said by phone.

Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman in the original Allman Brothers Band to help give the group its distinctive sound and create a new genre — Southern rock. Acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Kid Rock were influenced by the Allmans’ music, which combined the blues, country, R&amp;B and jazz with ‘60s rock.

Founded in 1969, the Allmans were a pioneering jam band, trampling the traditional notion of three-minute pop songs by performing lengthy compositions in concert and on record. The band was also notable as a biracial group from the Deep South.

Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, and founding member Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle crash a year later. That left Betts and Allman’s younger brother Gregg as the band’s leaders, but they frequently clashed, and substance abuse caused further dysfunction. The band broke up at least twice before reforming, and has had more than a dozen lineups.

The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012. Betts left the group for good in 2000, and also played solo and with his own band Great Southern, which included his son, guitarist Duane Betts.

Forrest Richard Betts was born Dec. 12, 1943, and was raised in the Bradenton, Florida, area, near the highway 41 he sang about in “Ramblin’ Man.” His family had lived in area since the mid-19th century.

Betts grew up listening to country, bluegrass and Western swing, and played the ukulele and banjo before focusing on the electric guitar because it impressed girls. At 16 he left home for his first road trip, joining the circus to play in a band.

He returned home, and with bassist Oakley joined a group that became the Jacksonville, Florida-based band Second Coming. One night in 1969 Betts and Oakley jammed with Duane Allman, already a successful session musician, and his younger brother, and together they formed the Allman Brothers Band.

The group moved to Macon, Georgia, and released a self-titled debut album in 1969. A year later came the album “Idlewild South,” highlighted by Betts’ instrumental composition “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” which soon became a concert staple.

The 1971 double album “At Fillmore East,” now considered among the greatest live albums of the classic rock era, was the Allmans’ commercial breakthrough and cemented their performing reputation by showcasing the unique guitar interplay between Allman and Betts. Their styles contrasted, with Allman playing bluesy slide guitar, while Betts’ solos and singing tugged the band toward country. When layered in harmony, their playing was especially distinctive.

The group also had two drummers — “Jaimoe” Johanson, who is Black, and Butch Trucks.

Duane Allman died four days after “Fillmore” was certified as a gold record, but the band carried on and crowds continued to grow. The 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters” rose to No. 1 on the charts and featured “Ramblin' Man,” with Betts singing the lead and bringing twang to the Top 40. The song reached No. 2 on the singles charts and was kept out of the No. 1 spot by "Half Breed" by Cher, who later married Gregg Allman.

The soaring sound of Betts’ guitar on “Ramblin’ Man” reverberated in neighborhood bars around the country for decades, and the song underscored his knack for melodic hooks. “Ramblin’ Man” was the Allmans’ only Top Ten hit, but Betts’ catchy 7½-minute instrumental composition “Jessica,” recorded in 1972, became an FM radio staple.

Betts also wrote or co-wrote some of the band’s other best-loved songs, including “Blue Sky” and “Southbound.” In later years the group remained a successful touring act with Betts and Warren Haynes on guitar. Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks died in 2017.

After leaving the Allmans for good, Betts continued to play with his own group and lived in the Bradenton area with his wife, Donna.

The group also had two drummers — “Jaimoe” Johanson, who is black, and Butch Trucks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713458097441.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE (AP) —Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80.The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ manager of 20 years, confirmed. Betts had been battling cancer for more than a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Spero said.“He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully. They didn’t think he was in any pain,” Spero said by phone.Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman in the original Allman Brothers Band to help give the group its distinctive sound and create a new genre — Southern rock. Acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Kid Rock were influenced by the Allmans’ music, which combined the blues, country, R&amp;B and jazz with ‘60s rock.Founded in 1969, the Allmans were a pioneering jam band, trampling the traditional notion of three-minute pop songs by performing lengthy compositions in concert and on record. The band was also notable as a biracial group from the Deep South.Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, and founding member Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle crash a year later. That left Betts and Allman’s younger brother Gregg as the band’s leaders, but they frequently clashed, and substance abuse caused further dysfunction. The band broke up at least twice before reforming, and has had more than a dozen lineups.The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012. Betts left the group for good in 2000, and also played solo and with his own band Great Southern, which included his son, guitarist Duane Betts.Forrest Richard Betts was born Dec. 12, 1943, and was raised in the Bradenton, Florida, area, near the highway 41 he sang about in “Ramblin’ Man.” His family had lived in area since the mid-19th century.Betts grew up listening to country, bluegrass and Western swing, and played the ukulele and banjo before focusing on the electric guitar because it impressed girls. At 16 he left home for his first road trip, joining the circus to play in a band.He returned home, and with bassist Oakley joined a group that became the Jacksonville, Florida-based band Second Coming. One night in 1969 Betts and Oakley jammed with Duane Allman, already a successful session musician, and his younger brother, and together they formed the Allman Brothers Band.The group moved to Macon, Georgia, and released a self-titled debut album in 1969. A year later came the album “Idlewild South,” highlighted by Betts’ instrumental composition “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” which soon became a concert staple.The 1971 double album “At Fillmore East,” now considered among the greatest live albums of the classic rock era, was the Allmans’ commercial breakthrough and cemented their performing reputation by showcasing the unique guitar interplay between Allman and Betts. Their styles contrasted, with Allman playing bluesy slide guitar, while Betts’ solos and singing tugged the band toward country. When layered in harmony, their playing was especially distinctive.The group also had two drummers — “Jaimoe” Johanson, who is Black, and Butch Trucks.Duane Allman died four days after “Fillmore” was certified as a gold record, but the band carried on and crowds continued to grow. The 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters” rose to No. 1 on the charts and featured “Ramblin' Man,” with Betts singing the lead and bringing twang to the Top 40. The song reached No. 2 on the singles charts and was kept out of the No. 1 spot by "Half Breed" by Cher, who later married Gregg Allman.The soaring sound of Betts’ guitar on “Ramblin’ Man” reverberated in neighborhood bars around the country for decades, and the song underscored his knack for melodic hooks. “Ramblin’ Man” was the Allmans’ only Top Ten hit, but Betts’ catchy 7½-minute instrumental composition “Jessica,” recorded in 1972, became an FM radio staple.Betts also wrote or co-wrote some of the band’s other best-loved songs, including “Blue Sky” and “Southbound.” In later years the group remained a successful touring act with Betts and Warren Haynes on guitar. Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks died in 2017.After leaving the Allmans for good, Betts continued to play with his own group and lived in the Bradenton area with his wife, Donna.The 1971 double album “At Fillmore East,” now considered among the greatest live albums of the classic rock era, was the Allmans’ commercial breakthrough and cemented their performing reputation by showcasing the unique guitar interplay between Allman and Betts. Their styles contrasted, with Allman playing bluesy slide guitar, while Betts’ solos and singing tugged the band toward country. When layered in harmony, their playing was especially distinctive.The group also had two drummers — “Jaimoe” Johanson, who is black, and Butch Trucks.Duane Allman died four days after “Fillmore” was certified as a gold record, but the band carried on and crowds continued to grow. The 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters” rose to No. 1 on the charts and featured “Ramblin' Man,” with Betts singing the lead and bringing twang to the Top 40. The song reached No. 2 on the singles charts and was kept out of the No. 1 spot by "Half Breed" by Cher, who later married Gregg Allman.The soaring sound of Betts’ guitar on “Ramblin’ Man” reverberated in neighborhood bars around the country for decades, and the song underscored his knack for melodic hooks. “Ramblin’ Man” was the Allmans’ only Top Ten hit, but Betts’ catchy 7½-minute instrumental composition “Jessica,” recorded in 1972, became an FM radio staple.Betts also wrote or co-wrote some of the band’s other best-loved songs, including “Blue Sky” and “Southbound.” In later years the group remained a successful touring act with Betts and Warren Haynes on guitar. Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks died in 2017.After leaving the Allmans for good, Betts continued to play with his own group and lived in the Bradenton area with his wife, Donna.