<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/21/mental-health-techs-protest-working-conditions-safety-at-nebraska-psychiatric-hospital/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Mental health specialists at the Lincoln Regional Center are escalating calls for change after raising awareness of their working conditions at Nebraska’s psychiatric hospital.

The specialists, or techs, rallied Saturday outside the Governor’s Mansion and regrouped at the north steps of the State Capitol to debrief with State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, who has been one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/28/state-lawmaker-challenges-gov-pillen-to-act-on-danger-lurking-at-state-psychiatric-hospital/">sole state officials</a>&nbsp;working to address their concerns.

Jennifer Head, a tech for about four years, described a patient’s assault on two techs last week after about 3 a.m. The patient, who had no behavioral issues since he’d been at the facility, assaulted a woman in her 60s or 70s.

“He assaulted her, kicked her like she was a soccer ball,” Head said.

The patient then ran up to another staff member and punched her head into a wall. The shift included three women, Head said, and the assault occurred just after a male staffer left because the patient had been watching.

It wasn’t until one of the three women ran to a male patient and asked for help that the situation ended, Head added. She said it is sad the staff had to feel comfortable asking patients for help.

The workers, with just under a dozen rallying, said it’s conditions such as these that raise alarm.&nbsp;

Yvette Olivetti, a union rep for the techs, said it’s because of inaction by the state that they were rallying, including for the Department of Administrative Services to hire more techs.

“Words are meaningless unless they’re backed up by action, and that is going to show techs that they actually care about our safety, our well-being, our own mental health and various other issues,” Olivetti added.

Several of the workers described&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/28/state-lawmaker-challenges-gov-pillen-to-act-on-danger-lurking-at-state-psychiatric-hospital/">other conditions</a>&nbsp;needing to be addressed, including a loss of a 45-minute break window (now at 30 minutes) and hiring more staff to reduce mandatory overtime shifts. Staff already work overtime to pick up the slack, they said, because if they refuse, they’re mandated to do so anyway.

Every worker in attendance described working at least some overtime nearly every week with regular 12- or 16-hour shifts.&nbsp;Many have worked those shifts since they started at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Regional-Centers.aspx">Regional Center</a>, but they said it’s gotten to its worst point this year.&nbsp;

Scott Madsen, who has worked as a tech for about 4.5 years, said that while there are many issues, the main concern is safety. It’s hard to say the full impact improving working conditions could have, he added, and how many dangerous incidents could be prevented.

“All the other stuff, I mean, yeah, it’s fine,” Madsen told the Nebraska Examiner. “But it’s about not getting hurt.”

Then-interim CEO Bo Botelho of the Department of Health and Human Services&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DHHS-Letter-to-Senator-Blood-2023-09-08.pdf" target="_blank">responded</a>&nbsp;to Blood on Sept. 8 detailing what he described as “inaccurate” in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/LRC-Letter.pdf" target="_blank">Blood’s letter</a>. He offered little details on how the department would address workers’ concerns.

Assaults are not at heightened levels, Botelho wrote, and “while one incident is too many,” there were 33 incidents measuring level 2 or 3 this year as of Aug. 30. That’s a decline of 24% compared to that period in 2022, according to Botelho.

Assaults on LRC staff rose to 93 last year, up from 51 in 2021.

Aymar Dossou, who has worked nearly two years as a tech, said the workers feel they’ve exhausted their options for recourse and the responses they’ve been getting are “gaslighting.”

Olivetti said the data they’re being provided is incomplete and “does not match up with what we live being technicians at this facility.”

“It’s kind of a slap in the face to us because we know the reality of the job,” Olivetti said.

A spokesperson for DHHS said in a Friday statement to the Nebraska Examiner that discussions with teammates at the Regional Center are ongoing.

“The Department is committed to continuing these ongoing discussions and improving upon both the mental health services being provided and the public servant experience at the Lincoln Regional Center,” the statement reads.

Despite the challenges, the workers choose to stay because it’s rewarding and because they want to care for the patients, said Roxana Mora, a tech of about 1.5 years.

Head said it’s a good feeling to spend her days with the patients building rapport and relationships and knowing the patients can come and talk to the staff. That’s more time than she can spend with her son, who also joined the rally.

As an example, Head said a patient was in the yard Friday and refused to get up, but Head’s relationship with the patient made the difference as he ignored four or five other staff.&nbsp;

“It’s not going to happen all the time, but to walk away [from the LRC], it’s not in us,” Head said.

Yeon Choi, a tech of four years, said her “worst day” at work came when there were only two staff on a unit with 19 patients. With the other worker in the bathroom, Choi walked the hallway by herself wondering what would happen if a patient overpowered her.

Blood said the workers can’t underestimate the importance of their advocacy and encouraged them to keep fighting, maintain a paper trail for possible legal action and set up a meeting with Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon to discuss further.

“We’re not asking for the moon,” Dossou said. “We just want to be safe.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698078198947.jpeg" alt=" Mental health specialists, or techs, of the Lincoln Regional Center rally outside the Governor’s Mansion on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Lincoln. From left to right: Yvette Olivetti, Yeon Choi, Roxana Mora, Jennifer Head and her son, Aymar Dossou and Scott Madsen. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Mental health specialists, or techs, of the Lincoln Regional Center rally outside the Governor’s Mansion on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Lincoln. From left to right: Yvette Olivetti, Yeon Choi, Roxana Mora, Jennifer Head and her son, Aymar Dossou and Scott Madsen. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/21/mental-health-techs-protest-working-conditions-safety-at-nebraska-psychiatric-hospital/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Mental health specialists at the Lincoln Regional Center are escalating calls for change after raising awareness of their working conditions at Nebraska’s psychiatric hospital.The specialists, or techs, rallied Saturday outside the Governor’s Mansion and regrouped at the north steps of the State Capitol to debrief with State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, who has been one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/28/state-lawmaker-challenges-gov-pillen-to-act-on-danger-lurking-at-state-psychiatric-hospital/">sole state officials</a>&nbsp;working to address their concerns.Jennifer Head, a tech for about four years, described a patient’s assault on two techs last week after about 3 a.m. The patient, who had no behavioral issues since he’d been at the facility, assaulted a woman in her 60s or 70s.“He assaulted her, kicked her like she was a soccer ball,” Head said.The patient then ran up to another staff member and punched her head into a wall. The shift included three women, Head said, and the assault occurred just after a male staffer left because the patient had been watching.It wasn’t until one of the three women ran to a male patient and asked for help that the situation ended, Head added. She said it is sad the staff had to feel comfortable asking patients for help.<h2>‘It’s about not getting hurt’</h2>The workers, with just under a dozen rallying, said it’s conditions such as these that raise alarm.&nbsp;Yvette Olivetti, a union rep for the techs, said it’s because of inaction by the state that they were rallying, including for the Department of Administrative Services to hire more techs.“Words are meaningless unless they’re backed up by action, and that is going to show techs that they actually care about our safety, our well-being, our own mental health and various other issues,” Olivetti added.Several of the workers described&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/28/state-lawmaker-challenges-gov-pillen-to-act-on-danger-lurking-at-state-psychiatric-hospital/">other conditions</a>&nbsp;needing to be addressed, including a loss of a 45-minute break window (now at 30 minutes) and hiring more staff to reduce mandatory overtime shifts. Staff already work overtime to pick up the slack, they said, because if they refuse, they’re mandated to do so anyway.Every worker in attendance described working at least some overtime nearly every week with regular 12- or 16-hour shifts.&nbsp;Many have worked those shifts since they started at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Regional-Centers.aspx">Regional Center</a>, but they said it’s gotten to its worst point this year.&nbsp;Scott Madsen, who has worked as a tech for about 4.5 years, said that while there are many issues, the main concern is safety. It’s hard to say the full impact improving working conditions could have, he added, and how many dangerous incidents could be prevented.“All the other stuff, I mean, yeah, it’s fine,” Madsen told the Nebraska Examiner. “But it’s about not getting hurt.”<h2>‘A slap in the face’</h2>Then-interim CEO Bo Botelho of the Department of Health and Human Services&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DHHS-Letter-to-Senator-Blood-2023-09-08.pdf" target="_blank">responded</a>&nbsp;to Blood on Sept. 8 detailing what he described as “inaccurate” in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/LRC-Letter.pdf" target="_blank">Blood’s letter</a>. He offered little details on how the department would address workers’ concerns.Assaults are not at heightened levels, Botelho wrote, and “while one incident is too many,” there were 33 incidents measuring level 2 or 3 this year as of Aug. 30. That’s a decline of 24% compared to that period in 2022, according to Botelho.Assaults on LRC staff rose to 93 last year, up from 51 in 2021.Aymar Dossou, who has worked nearly two years as a tech, said the workers feel they’ve exhausted their options for recourse and the responses they’ve been getting are “gaslighting.”Olivetti said the data they’re being provided is incomplete and “does not match up with what we live being technicians at this facility.”“It’s kind of a slap in the face to us because we know the reality of the job,” Olivetti said.A spokesperson for DHHS said in a Friday statement to the Nebraska Examiner that discussions with teammates at the Regional Center are ongoing.“The Department is committed to continuing these ongoing discussions and improving upon both the mental health services being provided and the public servant experience at the Lincoln Regional Center,” the statement reads.<h2>‘It’s not in us’ to walk away</h2>Despite the challenges, the workers choose to stay because it’s rewarding and because they want to care for the patients, said Roxana Mora, a tech of about 1.5 years.Head said it’s a good feeling to spend her days with the patients building rapport and relationships and knowing the patients can come and talk to the staff. That’s more time than she can spend with her son, who also joined the rally.As an example, Head said a patient was in the yard Friday and refused to get up, but Head’s relationship with the patient made the difference as he ignored four or five other staff.&nbsp;“It’s not going to happen all the time, but to walk away [from the LRC], it’s not in us,” Head said.<h2>‘We’re not asking for the moon’</h2>Yeon Choi, a tech of four years, said her “worst day” at work came when there were only two staff on a unit with 19 patients. With the other worker in the bathroom, Choi walked the hallway by herself wondering what would happen if a patient overpowered her.Blood said the workers can’t underestimate the importance of their advocacy and encouraged them to keep fighting, maintain a paper trail for possible legal action and set up a meeting with Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon to discuss further.“We’re not asking for the moon,” Dossou said. “We just want to be safe.”

Mental health techs protest working conditions, safety at Nebraska psychiatric hospital

For many years, the Nebraska Hospital Association has been honored to bestow awards to Nebraska health care employees who have risen to the top by providing service excellence and dedication to their profession. These award recipients commit themselves to the betterment of their hospitals and health systems, their customers, their co-workers, and their communities.&nbsp;

Michael Pracheil is the recipient of the NHA's "The Caring Kind" Award and will be honored at a luncheon at the NHA conference on October 27 in LaVista.&nbsp;

Pracheil served Gothenburg Health for seven years as Chief Financial Officer; in 2023 he transitioned to Strategic Financial Executive.  When Michael started as CFO in March of 2016, he not only brought his financial knowledge but also his leadership, mentoring and passion for community service.  Michael has a unique viewpoint with healthcare finances as he is always advocating for the patient first, addressing financial concerns second.  His personal experiences with healthcare motivate his drive to improve the system.&nbsp;

Pracheil serves his community by assisting with meals on wheels, holiday meal boxes, Harvest Festival, and providing AV technology for community events. He has been a member of the Rotary club, was a past Rotary President and also served as a mentor for the Teammates program for years. Above all else, Michael is always there to listen and provide support to anyone who may be in need.

2023 marks 44 years of the NHA “The Caring Kind” Awards Luncheon. The NHA has honored over 2,800 of Nebraska’s most caring and dedicated hospital and health system employees.&nbsp;

Gothenburg Health is a premier critical access hospital, and rural health clinic focused on serving the community of Gothenburg and surrounding areas with modern facilities and highly skilled employees. Gothenburg Health completed a 31 million-dollar renovation and expansion in 2018, which includes a state-of-the-art surgical suite, brand-new patient wing, prominent main entry, clinical expansion, advanced imaging suite with in-house MRI, and finally, a medically integrated YMCA.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698076664307.jpeg" alt="Michael Pracheil/Photo provided by Gothenburg Health" />
 <figcaption>Michael Pracheil/Photo provided by Gothenburg Health</figcaption>
 </figure>Gothenburg HealthFor many years, the Nebraska Hospital Association has been honored to bestow awards to Nebraska health care employees who have risen to the top by providing service excellence and dedication to their profession. These award recipients commit themselves to the betterment of their hospitals and health systems, their customers, their co-workers, and their communities.&nbsp;Michael Pracheil is the recipient of the NHA's "The Caring Kind" Award and will be honored at a luncheon at the NHA conference on October 27 in LaVista.&nbsp;Pracheil served Gothenburg Health for seven years as Chief Financial Officer; in 2023 he transitioned to Strategic Financial Executive.  When Michael started as CFO in March of 2016, he not only brought his financial knowledge but also his leadership, mentoring and passion for community service.  Michael has a unique viewpoint with healthcare finances as he is always advocating for the patient first, addressing financial concerns second.  His personal experiences with healthcare motivate his drive to improve the system.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698076774693.jpeg" alt="Photo provided by Gothenburg Health" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by Gothenburg Health</figcaption>
 </figure>Pracheil serves his community by assisting with meals on wheels, holiday meal boxes, Harvest Festival, and providing AV technology for community events. He has been a member of the Rotary club, was a past Rotary President and also served as a mentor for the Teammates program for years. Above all else, Michael is always there to listen and provide support to anyone who may be in need.2023 marks 44 years of the NHA “The Caring Kind” Awards Luncheon. The NHA has honored over 2,800 of Nebraska’s most caring and dedicated hospital and health system employees.&nbsp;ABOUT GOTHENBURG HEALTH&nbsp;Gothenburg Health is a premier critical access hospital, and rural health clinic focused on serving the community of Gothenburg and surrounding areas with modern facilities and highly skilled employees. Gothenburg Health completed a 31 million-dollar renovation and expansion in 2018, which includes a state-of-the-art surgical suite, brand-new patient wing, prominent main entry, clinical expansion, advanced imaging suite with in-house MRI, and finally, a medically integrated YMCA.

NHA’s The Caring Kind Award given to Michael Pracheil

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Friday said it would indefinitely block a lower court order curbing Biden administration efforts to combat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-media-biden-administration-lawsuit-injunction-6322aae981bdc5c9009babde4b31ab60">controversial social media posts</a>&nbsp;on topics including COVID-19 and election security.

The justices said they would hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by Louisiana, Missouri and other parties accusing administration officials of unconstitutionally squelching conservative points of view. The new case adds to a term already heavy with social media issues.

Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas would have rejected the emergency appeal from the Biden administration.

“At this time in the history of our country, what the Court has done, I fear, will be seen by some as giving the Government a green light to use heavy-handed tactics to skew the presentation of views on the medium that increasingly dominates the dissemination of news. That is most unfortunate,” Alito wrote in dissent.

White House communications staffers, the surgeon general, the FBI and the U.S. cybersecurity agency are among those who would have been affected by the order. The lawsuit said they were among those who coerced changes in online content on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and other media platforms.

Notably, the companies themselves are not part of the litigation.

A panel of three judges on the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled earlier that the administration had likely brought unconstitutional pressure on the media platforms. The appellate panel said officials cannot attempt to “coerce or significantly encourage” changes in online content.

The Justice Department said the appellate ruling and a much broader order issued by a federal judge in Louisiana that the appeals court narrowed were riddled with factual and legal mistakes.

“The Fifth Circuit erred in finding coercion by the White House, Surgeon General’s office, and FBI because the court did not identify any threat, implicit or explicit, of adverse consequences for noncompliance," Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote. "Indeed, the Fifth Circuit adopted a definition of coercion so lax that it deemed the FBI’s actions coercive simply because the FBI is a powerful law enforcement agency and the platforms sometimes (but not always) removed the content it flagged.”

The 5th Circuit had previously narrowed a more sweeping order during the summer from a federal judge, who wanted to include even more government officials and prohibit mere encouragement of content changes.

The Supreme Court has four other social media cases on its docket. The justices are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-social-media-florida-texas-820e90e58e49c1146b69101ece4dd9d5">evaluating Republican-passed laws in Florida and Texas</a>&nbsp;that prohibit large social media companies from taking down posts because of the views they express. The tech companies said that the laws violate their First Amendment rights. The laws reflect a view among Republicans that the platforms disproportionately censor conservative viewpoints.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Friday said it would indefinitely block a lower court order curbing Biden administration efforts to combat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-media-biden-administration-lawsuit-injunction-6322aae981bdc5c9009babde4b31ab60">controversial social media posts</a>&nbsp;on topics including COVID-19 and election security.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 BREAKING: The United States Supreme Court has granted cert in Missouri v. Biden -- the nation&#39;s highest court will hear the most important free speech case in American history. I&#39;m proud to have filed this case when I was AG, and will always defend free speech. <a href="https://t.co/2MOfLXH8u0">pic.twitter.com/2MOfLXH8u0</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1715469445815054529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The justices said they would hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by Louisiana, Missouri and other parties accusing administration officials of unconstitutionally squelching conservative points of view. The new case adds to a term already heavy with social media issues.Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas would have rejected the emergency appeal from the Biden administration.“At this time in the history of our country, what the Court has done, I fear, will be seen by some as giving the Government a green light to use heavy-handed tactics to skew the presentation of views on the medium that increasingly dominates the dissemination of news. That is most unfortunate,” Alito wrote in dissent.White House communications staffers, the surgeon general, the FBI and the U.S. cybersecurity agency are among those who would have been affected by the order. The lawsuit said they were among those who coerced changes in online content on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and other media platforms.Notably, the companies themselves are not part of the litigation.A panel of three judges on the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled earlier that the administration had likely brought unconstitutional pressure on the media platforms. The appellate panel said officials cannot attempt to “coerce or significantly encourage” changes in online content.The Justice Department said the appellate ruling and a much broader order issued by a federal judge in Louisiana that the appeals court narrowed were riddled with factual and legal mistakes.“The Fifth Circuit erred in finding coercion by the White House, Surgeon General’s office, and FBI because the court did not identify any threat, implicit or explicit, of adverse consequences for noncompliance," Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote. "Indeed, the Fifth Circuit adopted a definition of coercion so lax that it deemed the FBI’s actions coercive simply because the FBI is a powerful law enforcement agency and the platforms sometimes (but not always) removed the content it flagged.”The 5th Circuit had previously narrowed a more sweeping order during the summer from a federal judge, who wanted to include even more government officials and prohibit mere encouragement of content changes.The Supreme Court has four other social media cases on its docket. The justices are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-social-media-florida-texas-820e90e58e49c1146b69101ece4dd9d5">evaluating Republican-passed laws in Florida and Texas</a>&nbsp;that prohibit large social media companies from taking down posts because of the views they express. The tech companies said that the laws violate their First Amendment rights. The laws reflect a view among Republicans that the platforms disproportionately censor conservative viewpoints.

U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocks order in social media lawsuit

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A company on Friday said it would cancel its plans for a 1,300-mile (2,092-kilometer) pipeline across five Midwestern states that would have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-technology-science-business-iceland-39fda46606cdba85ad10fac44d08dce6">gathered carbon dioxide emissions</a>&nbsp;from ethanol plants and buried the gas deep underground.

Navigator CO2 Ventures' Heartland Greenway project is among a handful of similar ventures supported by the renewable fuels industry and farming organizations, but opposed by many landowners and environmental groups who question their safety and effectiveness in reducing climate-warming gases.

In a written statement, the company said the "unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government processes involved, particularly in South Dakota and Iowa” were key to the decision to cancel the project.

Navigator's pipeline would have carried planet-warming CO2 emissions from more than 20 plants across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota for permanent storage deep underground in Illinois.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said carbon capture projects are “the best way to align ethanol production with the increasing demand for low carbon fuels both at home and abroad." The association saw the Navigator pipeline as an opportunity to open up markets for sustainable aviation fuel for ethanol producers, spokeswoman Emma Koehler told The Associated Press.

“It is not an overstatement to say that decisions made over the next few months will likely place agriculture on one of two paths. One would lead to 1990s stagnation as corn production exceeds demand, and the other opens new market opportunities larger than anything we’ve ever seen before,” Shaw said in a statement.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/navigator-carbon-dioxide-pipeline-permits-route-dd9b53473b8e2eff699433af570c3d2d">Navigator earlier this month</a>&nbsp;withdrew its application for a crucial permit in Illinois, and also said it was putting all of its permit applications on hold. Those moves came after South Dakota public utilities regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-carbon-dioxide-pipeline-665a20269d43d4aff5944969f869bb03">denied Navigator a construction permit</a>&nbsp;in September.

The pipeline would have used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-technology-science-business-iceland-39fda46606cdba85ad10fac44d08dce6">carbon capture technology,</a>&nbsp;which supporters tout as a combatant of climate change, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carbon-climate-biden-co2-pollution-environment-ccs-0678057d3bd003bcfd9a7ba0d61a477d">federal tax incentives and billions of dollars</a>&nbsp;from Congress, making such efforts lucrative. But opponents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-europe-climate-and-environment-forests-bd31a9206e67c47bdc5296f68841b394">question the technology at scale,</a>&nbsp;and say it could require bigger investments than less expensive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-renewable-energy-solar-wind-hydrogen-7c1830eece1708010ed039c583ddacfb">alternatives such as solar and wind power.</a>

CO2 pipelines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summit-pipeline-co2-north-dakota-iowa-68bd3c9d4cd142a05666594a936f8db0">have faced pushback</a>&nbsp;from landowners, who fear a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carbon-dioxide-spill-federal-order-b9bf4510e7538dfe9c42a2cd85143441">pipeline rupture</a>&nbsp;and that their land will be taken from them for the projects.

Pipeline opponents welcomed Navigator's announcement Friday.

“Everyone said we have no chance against foreign-backed, multibillion-dollar hazardous pipelines but when hundreds of landowners band together with a unified legal strategy, we can win,” said Brian Jorde, an Omaha-based attorney who represents many landowners opposed to Midwestern pipeline projects.

Regulatory panels in North Dakota and South Dakota dealt blows to Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed $5.5 billion, 2,000-mile (3,219-kilometer) interstate pipeline network. The system would carry CO2 emissions from more than 30 ethanol plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, to be buried deep underground in central North Dakota.

North Dakota regulators denied Summit a siting permit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-midwest-co2-pipeline-summit-carbon-dioxide-13c4c1524f96e8fbf52d0dcd6ab4abd0">but granted the company's request for reconsideration.</a>&nbsp;The South Dakota panel denied the company's permit application, but Summit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-north-dakota-co2-pipeline-summit-827c7418edba5a4ecbd7501be02d84f9">intends to reapply.</a>

Iowa regulators this month suspended a weekslong hearing for Summit's project, set to resume next month. Minnesota regulators are proceeding with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summit-pipeline-co2-north-dakota-iowa-minnesota-climate-change-415a5250937fa1cc5a114fe12ed287da">an environmental review</a>&nbsp;for a small part of Summit's project.

In a written statement released after Navigator’s announcement, Summit said it “welcomes and is well positioned to add additional plants and communities to our project footprint."

"We remain as committed to our project as the day we announced it,” the company said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698073147113.jpeg" alt="A sign reading "No CO2, no eminent domain" stands along a rural road east of Bismarck, N.D., on Aug. 15, 2023. Navigator CO2 Ventures on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, said it would cancel its plans for a 1,300-mile pipeline across five Midwestern states to gather carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants and bury the gas deep underground. (AP Photo/Jack Dura, File)" />
 <figcaption>A sign reading "No CO2, no eminent domain" stands along a rural road east of Bismarck, N.D., on Aug. 15, 2023. Navigator CO2 Ventures on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, said it would cancel its plans for a 1,300-mile pipeline across five Midwestern states to gather carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants and bury the gas deep underground. (AP Photo/Jack Dura, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A company on Friday said it would cancel its plans for a 1,300-mile (2,092-kilometer) pipeline across five Midwestern states that would have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-technology-science-business-iceland-39fda46606cdba85ad10fac44d08dce6">gathered carbon dioxide emissions</a>&nbsp;from ethanol plants and buried the gas deep underground.Navigator CO2 Ventures' Heartland Greenway project is among a handful of similar ventures supported by the renewable fuels industry and farming organizations, but opposed by many landowners and environmental groups who question their safety and effectiveness in reducing climate-warming gases.In a written statement, the company said the "unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government processes involved, particularly in South Dakota and Iowa” were key to the decision to cancel the project.Navigator's pipeline would have carried planet-warming CO2 emissions from more than 20 plants across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota for permanent storage deep underground in Illinois.Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said carbon capture projects are “the best way to align ethanol production with the increasing demand for low carbon fuels both at home and abroad." The association saw the Navigator pipeline as an opportunity to open up markets for sustainable aviation fuel for ethanol producers, spokeswoman Emma Koehler told The Associated Press.“It is not an overstatement to say that decisions made over the next few months will likely place agriculture on one of two paths. One would lead to 1990s stagnation as corn production exceeds demand, and the other opens new market opportunities larger than anything we’ve ever seen before,” Shaw said in a statement.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/navigator-carbon-dioxide-pipeline-permits-route-dd9b53473b8e2eff699433af570c3d2d">Navigator earlier this month</a>&nbsp;withdrew its application for a crucial permit in Illinois, and also said it was putting all of its permit applications on hold. Those moves came after South Dakota public utilities regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-carbon-dioxide-pipeline-665a20269d43d4aff5944969f869bb03">denied Navigator a construction permit</a>&nbsp;in September.The pipeline would have used&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-technology-science-business-iceland-39fda46606cdba85ad10fac44d08dce6">carbon capture technology,</a>&nbsp;which supporters tout as a combatant of climate change, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carbon-climate-biden-co2-pollution-environment-ccs-0678057d3bd003bcfd9a7ba0d61a477d">federal tax incentives and billions of dollars</a>&nbsp;from Congress, making such efforts lucrative. But opponents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-europe-climate-and-environment-forests-bd31a9206e67c47bdc5296f68841b394">question the technology at scale,</a>&nbsp;and say it could require bigger investments than less expensive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/germany-renewable-energy-solar-wind-hydrogen-7c1830eece1708010ed039c583ddacfb">alternatives such as solar and wind power.</a>CO2 pipelines&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summit-pipeline-co2-north-dakota-iowa-68bd3c9d4cd142a05666594a936f8db0">have faced pushback</a>&nbsp;from landowners, who fear a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/carbon-dioxide-spill-federal-order-b9bf4510e7538dfe9c42a2cd85143441">pipeline rupture</a>&nbsp;and that their land will be taken from them for the projects.Pipeline opponents welcomed Navigator's announcement Friday.“Everyone said we have no chance against foreign-backed, multibillion-dollar hazardous pipelines but when hundreds of landowners band together with a unified legal strategy, we can win,” said Brian Jorde, an Omaha-based attorney who represents many landowners opposed to Midwestern pipeline projects.Regulatory panels in North Dakota and South Dakota dealt blows to Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed $5.5 billion, 2,000-mile (3,219-kilometer) interstate pipeline network. The system would carry CO2 emissions from more than 30 ethanol plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, to be buried deep underground in central North Dakota.North Dakota regulators denied Summit a siting permit,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-midwest-co2-pipeline-summit-carbon-dioxide-13c4c1524f96e8fbf52d0dcd6ab4abd0">but granted the company's request for reconsideration.</a>&nbsp;The South Dakota panel denied the company's permit application, but Summit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-north-dakota-co2-pipeline-summit-827c7418edba5a4ecbd7501be02d84f9">intends to reapply.</a>Iowa regulators this month suspended a weekslong hearing for Summit's project, set to resume next month. Minnesota regulators are proceeding with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summit-pipeline-co2-north-dakota-iowa-minnesota-climate-change-415a5250937fa1cc5a114fe12ed287da">an environmental review</a>&nbsp;for a small part of Summit's project.In a written statement released after Navigator’s announcement, Summit said it “welcomes and is well positioned to add additional plants and communities to our project footprint.""We remain as committed to our project as the day we announced it,” the company said.

Navigator cancels proposed Midwestern CO2 pipeline, citing 'unpredictable' regulatory processes

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/23/farm-groups-weather-and-climate-watchers-pitch-state-funding-for-network-of-weather-stations/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Restoring adequate funding for a network of weather monitoring stations across Nebraska, which was once a model for the nation, is gaining some momentum.

At one time, the Nebraska Mesonet program boasted 81 weather-monitoring stations across the state, but that has dropped to 63 active locations now because of erratic and declining funding.

Now a recent series of meetings involving agriculture groups, meteorologists and university researchers has those involved in the system voicing some optimism that state funding, in the neighborhood of $2 million a year, can be found.

“People really want the data — there’s a ton of interest in it,” said Ruben Behnke, who was hired as director of the system in June. “I’m trying to continue that momentum.”

Ken Herz, a former president of the Nebraska Cattlemen and an advocate for the system, said that once people become aware of what the Mesonet system is and who it benefits, there’s a lot of support for it.

“This information is critical to a lot of segments of Nebraska,” said Herz, who farms and raises cattle near Lawrence.

That sentiment was echoed by State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, who sought $550,000 a year funding for the system during the 2023 legislative session.

Dorn, a farmer and a member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, didn’t push for passage of his Legislative Bill 401 this year, instead opting for an interim study to better develop a long-range plan to consistently fund the weather-monitoring network.

The senator said the state needs to determine how much of a mesonet system it needs, how best to ensure coverage of the entire state and how much it can afford “so we’re not just throwing a million dollars out there.”

“We too often in Nebraska allocate money and say ‘Go out there and plan something,'” Dorn said. “We need to plan for the long term.”

Behnke said he’d like to see up to 200 stations across Nebraska, located so that no one area is more than 15 miles from a mesonet site.

That would make Nebraska somewhat similar to the mesonet system in place in Oklahoma, viewed as one of the best in the country. The Sooner State spends about $2 million a year — a combination of state funds and university grants — to maintain a system of 120 stations strategically located across the state, about 20 miles apart.

The monitoring stations aren’t cheap — a new station can cost up to $40,000 to install, depending on its sophistication. Plus, there are annual costs for maintenance and calibrating the high-tech instruments.

Even so, Chris Fiebrich, the director of the Oklahoma Mesonet, said that such a system is a “rather small investment” for data that can help farmers determine when to plant and when to irrigate, help firefighters determine how best to discern shifting winds when battling a wildfire, and provide weather forecasters and school superintendents with better data about approaching, inclement weather.

&nbsp;“It’s easy to show the dividends of the network. It’s just hard to get the stable dollars to show up every year,” Fiebrich said.

It’s a problem nationwide, he said, for the roughly 25 states that have mesonets.

The Nebraska Mesonet system was first established in 1981 and was one of the first in the country.

Initially, it had five monitoring stations, but, due to funding challenges and inconsistent placement of stations, has never achieved its optimum coverage.

Nebraska once had 81 monitoring stations, funded by a variety of state, university and local sources. But that number dropped to 55 a year ago, after some of the stations were closed due to lack of maintenance dollars.

Now the system has 63 stations, in large part because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed six new monitoring stations north of the Niobrara River to help gauge runoff from melting snow into the Missouri River.

Behnke said that the Army Corps plans to install a total of 35 stations in Nebraska, as part of a monitoring program in five Missouri River states. The Corps has also pledged to provide funding for maintenance through 2027.

But, Behnke said, what Nebraska needs is a network of stations that adequately blankets the entire state and a funding stream that will ensure that new stations are not only installed but also maintained through the years.

In the past, funding for the mesonet system has been complicated and unstable, said Don Wilhite, a professor emeritus in drought/climate science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

New stations were sponsored by entities such as the state’s natural resources districts, Wilhite said, but maintenance was left with UNL, where budget cutbacks forced some of the stations to be shut down last year.

The stations were located where sponsors existed, so there wasn’t a systematic grid of weather stations across the state.

Behnke said that typically, they have located on state school lands — the section on each township set aside for a public school. But if new stations are to be added in eastern Nebraska, other sites might have to be found, he said.

Getting precise weather data in close proximity to a ranch or farm can be critical in determining whether, for instance, an area can qualify for federal drought relief programs.

Former State Sen. Al Davis, who owns a ranch near Hyannis, said his operation once failed to qualify for drought aid because the nearest weather data was coming from Valentine, more than 50 miles away, where plenty of rain had fallen, instead of near his ranch, which was in a drought area.

Herz said that at his farm near Lawrence, the closest mesonet station is&nbsp;30 miles away, and the next closest is 60 miles — and the USDA wants data from the four closest weather stations.

“Accurate collection of rainfall data is really important,” Herz said.

Getting weather information from a station in close proximity is critical, he added, in determining when to conduct controlled burns of pastures,&nbsp;detecting wind shifts in battling a wild fire or assessing an approaching snowstorm in deciding whether a school needs to cancel classes.&nbsp;

Davis, who now lobbies for the Sierra Club, said the Nebraska Mesonet system can also provide critical data in tracking climate change and might even be used to determine when there’s too much smoke or pollution in the atmosphere.

Dorn, the state senator, said he has been encouraged by the large turnout at “working group” meetings that have been held about the mesonet issue.

What happens next is deciding how large a mesonet system is needed in Nebraska, he said, and then, during the 2024 legislative session, if the Legislature and other entities will fund it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698068922233.jpeg" alt="A mesonet station near Fordyce in northeast Nebraska provides real-time weather data as well as information about soil moisture for the public, weather forecasts and climate watchers. (Courtesy of Nebraska Mesonet program)" />
 <figcaption>A mesonet station near Fordyce in northeast Nebraska provides real-time weather data as well as information about soil moisture for the public, weather forecasts and climate watchers. (Courtesy of Nebraska Mesonet program)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/23/farm-groups-weather-and-climate-watchers-pitch-state-funding-for-network-of-weather-stations/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Restoring adequate funding for a network of weather monitoring stations across Nebraska, which was once a model for the nation, is gaining some momentum.At one time, the Nebraska Mesonet program boasted 81 weather-monitoring stations across the state, but that has dropped to 63 active locations now because of erratic and declining funding.Now a recent series of meetings involving agriculture groups, meteorologists and university researchers has those involved in the system voicing some optimism that state funding, in the neighborhood of $2 million a year, can be found.<h2>‘A ton of interest’</h2>“People really want the data — there’s a ton of interest in it,” said Ruben Behnke, who was hired as director of the system in June. “I’m trying to continue that momentum.”Ken Herz, a former president of the Nebraska Cattlemen and an advocate for the system, said that once people become aware of what the Mesonet system is and who it benefits, there’s a lot of support for it.“This information is critical to a lot of segments of Nebraska,” said Herz, who farms and raises cattle near Lawrence.That sentiment was echoed by State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, who sought $550,000 a year funding for the system during the 2023 legislative session.Dorn, a farmer and a member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, didn’t push for passage of his Legislative Bill 401 this year, instead opting for an interim study to better develop a long-range plan to consistently fund the weather-monitoring network.<h2>How big a system?</h2>The senator said the state needs to determine how much of a mesonet system it needs, how best to ensure coverage of the entire state and how much it can afford “so we’re not just throwing a million dollars out there.”“We too often in Nebraska allocate money and say ‘Go out there and plan something,'” Dorn said. “We need to plan for the long term.”Behnke said he’d like to see up to 200 stations across Nebraska, located so that no one area is more than 15 miles from a mesonet site.That would make Nebraska somewhat similar to the mesonet system in place in Oklahoma, viewed as one of the best in the country. The Sooner State spends about $2 million a year — a combination of state funds and university grants — to maintain a system of 120 stations strategically located across the state, about 20 miles apart.The monitoring stations aren’t cheap — a new station can cost up to $40,000 to install, depending on its sophistication. Plus, there are annual costs for maintenance and calibrating the high-tech instruments.<h2>‘A rather small investment’</h2>Even so, Chris Fiebrich, the director of the Oklahoma Mesonet, said that such a system is a “rather small investment” for data that can help farmers determine when to plant and when to irrigate, help firefighters determine how best to discern shifting winds when battling a wildfire, and provide weather forecasters and school superintendents with better data about approaching, inclement weather.&nbsp;“It’s easy to show the dividends of the network. It’s just hard to get the stable dollars to show up every year,” Fiebrich said.It’s a problem nationwide, he said, for the roughly 25 states that have mesonets.The Nebraska Mesonet system was first established in 1981 and was one of the first in the country.Initially, it had five monitoring stations, but, due to funding challenges and inconsistent placement of stations, has never achieved its optimum coverage.Nebraska once had 81 monitoring stations, funded by a variety of state, university and local sources. But that number dropped to 55 a year ago, after some of the stations were closed due to lack of maintenance dollars.Now the system has 63 stations, in large part because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed six new monitoring stations north of the Niobrara River to help gauge runoff from melting snow into the Missouri River.<h2>New stations planned</h2>Behnke said that the Army Corps plans to install a total of 35 stations in Nebraska, as part of a monitoring program in five Missouri River states. The Corps has also pledged to provide funding for maintenance through 2027.But, Behnke said, what Nebraska needs is a network of stations that adequately blankets the entire state and a funding stream that will ensure that new stations are not only installed but also maintained through the years.In the past, funding for the mesonet system has been complicated and unstable, said Don Wilhite, a professor emeritus in drought/climate science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.New stations were sponsored by entities such as the state’s natural resources districts, Wilhite said, but maintenance was left with UNL, where budget cutbacks forced some of the stations to be shut down last year.The stations were located where sponsors existed, so there wasn’t a systematic grid of weather stations across the state.Behnke said that typically, they have located on state school lands — the section on each township set aside for a public school. But if new stations are to be added in eastern Nebraska, other sites might have to be found, he said.<h2>Data in close proximity critical</h2>Getting precise weather data in close proximity to a ranch or farm can be critical in determining whether, for instance, an area can qualify for federal drought relief programs.Former State Sen. Al Davis, who owns a ranch near Hyannis, said his operation once failed to qualify for drought aid because the nearest weather data was coming from Valentine, more than 50 miles away, where plenty of rain had fallen, instead of near his ranch, which was in a drought area.Herz said that at his farm near Lawrence, the closest mesonet station is&nbsp;30 miles away, and the next closest is 60 miles — and the USDA wants data from the four closest weather stations.“Accurate collection of rainfall data is really important,” Herz said.Getting weather information from a station in close proximity is critical, he added, in determining when to conduct controlled burns of pastures,&nbsp;detecting wind shifts in battling a wild fire or assessing an approaching snowstorm in deciding whether a school needs to cancel classes.&nbsp;Davis, who now lobbies for the Sierra Club, said the Nebraska Mesonet system can also provide critical data in tracking climate change and might even be used to determine when there’s too much smoke or pollution in the atmosphere.Dorn, the state senator, said he has been encouraged by the large turnout at “working group” meetings that have been held about the mesonet issue.What happens next is deciding how large a mesonet system is needed in Nebraska, he said, and then, during the 2024 legislative session, if the Legislature and other entities will fund it.

Farm groups, weather and climate watchers pitch state funding for network of weather stations

Lincoln, NE ‐ October 23, 2023 ‐ One lucky player who bought a 2by2 ticket for the Sunday, October 22 drawing is holding a ticket worth $22,000.

The Nebraska Lottery has confirmed that one ticket sold for Sunday's 2by2 draw matched all four winning numbers for the $22,000 top prize. The ticket was sold at Pump &amp; Pantry #41, 1212 E 56th St, in Kearney. The winning numbers from Sunday's 2by2 draw were Red 06, 20, and White 11, 12. Players are encouraged to check their tickets at any Nebraska Lottery retailer, online at&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling the Lottery office at 402-471-6100.

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

2by2 is run by the Multi-State Lottery Association and was introduced in June 2002. Players in Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming have the opportunity to win up to $22,000 Monday through Sunday by playing 2by2. The odds of winning the $22,000 2by2 top prize are 1 in 105,625. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.59.

Lincoln, NE ‐ October 23, 2023 ‐ One lucky player who bought a 2by2 ticket for the Sunday, October 22 drawing is holding a ticket worth $22,000.The Nebraska Lottery has confirmed that one ticket sold for Sunday's 2by2 draw matched all four winning numbers for the $22,000 top prize. The ticket was sold at Pump &amp; Pantry #41, 1212 E 56th St, in Kearney. The winning numbers from Sunday's 2by2 draw were Red 06, 20, and White 11, 12. Players are encouraged to check their tickets at any Nebraska Lottery retailer, online at&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling the Lottery office at 402-471-6100.Winning Nebraska Lottery Lotto tickets expire 180 days after the drawing. Prizes of $20,000 or more must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. Additional information about claiming prizes can be found at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling 800-587-5200.2by2 is run by the Multi-State Lottery Association and was introduced in June 2002. Players in Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming have the opportunity to win up to $22,000 Monday through Sunday by playing 2by2. The odds of winning the $22,000 2by2 top prize are 1 in 105,625. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.59.

$22,000 2by2 Winning Ticket Sold in Kearney

BEIRUT —As tensions grow in the Middle East, the U.S. State Department has increased their alerts to Americans.

Late Sunday, the U.S. State Department alert said, "&nbsp;U.S. citizens who wish to depart Lebanon should leave now, due to the unpredictable security situation."

"There are still commercial flights available, but there is reduced capacity. Please check flight options at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (<a href="https://t.co/k6ZEqXfR8S" target="_blank">https://beirutairport.gov.lb</a>)."

If you need a financial assistance loan from the U.S. government to purchase tickets on a flight to depart Lebanon, or are interested in receiving messages from the U.S. Department of State, please complete this crisis intake form (<a href="https://t.co/SS3GH5pbgj" target="_blank">https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake</a>). Do not fill out this form if you have already completed it – we have your information, and duplicate requests delay our response. Security Alert&nbsp;

On October 19, U.S. State Department released a rare “Worldwide Travel Alert” stating that American citizens should exercise increased caution around the world due to increasing tensions in various locations and the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.&nbsp;

<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/worldwide-caution.html">Click here</a>&nbsp;for additional details from the U.S. State Department

In addition, the FBI is continuing to monitor threats both in the United States and overseas.&nbsp;As the conflict continues, the FBI has seen an increase in reports of threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and institutions, according to a statement from the agency.

"We take all potential threats seriously and are working closely with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility, share information, and take appropriate&nbsp;investigative&nbsp;action.&nbsp;As always, we encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement. "

"FBI field offices across the country are communicating not just with our law enforcement partners but also with faith-based organizations and the private sector, among others. To help keep our communities safe, we are talking with leaders of all faiths, including Jewish and Muslim leaders, sharing information, and asking them to let us know if they see anything concerning."

"Through our Legal Attaché office in Tel Aviv, we are working with our Israeli and U.S. Embassy partners to identify all Americans who have been impacted in the region, including those who remain unaccounted for, and our victim services specialists are working closely with victims and their families here and abroad."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697731566690.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BEIRUT —As tensions grow in the Middle East, the U.S. State Department has increased their alerts to Americans.Late Sunday, the U.S. State Department alert said, "&nbsp;U.S. citizens who wish to depart Lebanon should leave now, due to the unpredictable security situation.""There are still commercial flights available, but there is reduced capacity. Please check flight options at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (<a href="https://t.co/k6ZEqXfR8S" target="_blank">https://beirutairport.gov.lb</a>)." If you need a financial assistance loan from the U.S. government to purchase tickets on a flight to depart Lebanon, or are interested in receiving messages from the U.S. Department of State, please complete this crisis intake form (<a href="https://t.co/SS3GH5pbgj" target="_blank">https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake</a>). Do not fill out this form if you have already completed it – we have your information, and duplicate requests delay our response. Security Alert&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697731837363.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On October 19, U.S. State Department released a rare “Worldwide Travel Alert” stating that American citizens should exercise increased caution around the world due to increasing tensions in various locations and the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.&nbsp;<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/worldwide-caution.html">Click here</a>&nbsp;for additional details from the U.S. State DepartmentIn addition, the FBI is continuing to monitor threats both in the United States and overseas.&nbsp;As the conflict continues, the FBI has seen an increase in reports of threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and institutions, according to a statement from the agency."We take all potential threats seriously and are working closely with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility, share information, and take appropriate&nbsp;investigative&nbsp;action.&nbsp;As always, we encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement. ""FBI field offices across the country are communicating not just with our law enforcement partners but also with faith-based organizations and the private sector, among others. To help keep our communities safe, we are talking with leaders of all faiths, including Jewish and Muslim leaders, sharing information, and asking them to let us know if they see anything concerning.""Through our Legal Attaché office in Tel Aviv, we are working with our Israeli and U.S. Embassy partners to identify all Americans who have been impacted in the region, including those who remain unaccounted for, and our victim services specialists are working closely with victims and their families here and abroad."

State Department: Emergency loans to get Americans out of Lebanon

&nbsp;WASHINGTON —On Sunday, President Biden, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada,&nbsp; President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom spoke regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas. The leaders reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians. 

They welcomed the release of two hostages and called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. They committed to close coordination to support their nationals in the region, in particular those wishing to leave Gaza.

The leaders welcomed the announcement of the first humanitarian convoys to reach Palestinians in need in Gaza and committed to continue coordinating with partners in the region to ensure sustained and safe access to food, water, medical care, and other assistance required to meet humanitarian needs. 

The leaders committed to continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key partners in the region, to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution&nbsp; and durable peace.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698021282699.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;WASHINGTON —On Sunday, President Biden, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada,&nbsp; President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom spoke regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas. The leaders reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians. They welcomed the release of two hostages and called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. They committed to close coordination to support their nationals in the region, in particular those wishing to leave Gaza.The leaders welcomed the announcement of the first humanitarian convoys to reach Palestinians in need in Gaza and committed to continue coordinating with partners in the region to ensure sustained and safe access to food, water, medical care, and other assistance required to meet humanitarian needs. The leaders committed to continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key partners in the region, to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution&nbsp; and durable peace.&nbsp;

World leaders issue new joint statement on Israel's right to defend itself

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/20/my-comments-are-my-comments-gov-pillen-responds-to-criticism-of-outright-racist-remarks/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Editor’s note: This has been updated with comments from Matt Wynn with the&nbsp;Nebraska Journalism Trust.

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday addressed for the first time&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/18/nebraska-gov-pillen-faces-national-criticism-after-dismissing-reporter-by-country-of-origin/">national criticism</a>&nbsp;he has faced after dismissing a Chinese reporter’s work because of her nationality.

Pillen told reporters following an event in Lincoln that he is “100% focused on being the governor of all Nebraskans” and would not get involved in a “political sideshow.” He did not address calls for him to apologize and declined to speak more specificity.

“I’m not going to talk about any reporter. I’m not going to talk about any sideshows,” Pillen said. “I’m focused on my job.”

The national criticism came after Pillen, during an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-kfabs-morning-news-28366287/episode/gov-pillen-updates-on-trade-mission-122970278/">appearance with 1110 KFAB radio</a>&nbsp;in September, responded to a question about Flatwater Free Press investigative reporter Yanqi Xu. Xu reported that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/pillens-water-high-nitrate-detected-on-hog-farms-owned-by-nebraskas-governor/">16 hog farms within Pillen Family Farms</a>&nbsp;— owned by the governor’s family&nbsp;—&nbsp;recorded nitrate levels more than five times higher than what is considered safe to drink.

“Number one, I didn’t read it. And I won’t,” Pillen told KFAB’s Gary Sadlemyer. “Number two, all you got to do is look at the author. The author is from communist China. What more do you need to know?”

Matt Wynn, executive director of the Nebraska Journalism Trust, which launched and funds Flatwater,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/governors-comments-about-ffp-reporter-are-in-a-word-wrong/">fired back</a>&nbsp;at Pillen on Tuesday, describing his comments as infuriating and dead wrong.

“Had Governor Pillen spoken to the facts Yanqi found, I wouldn’t be writing this now,” Wynn wrote. “Elected officials deserve the chance to respond to findings. We offered every opportunity for him to do so before we ran the story. He declined them all.”

Wynn told the Nebraska Examiner on Friday, after listening to a recording of the exchange between reporters and Pillen, that he is heartened the governor mentions immigrants and glad that he takes pride in that chapter of Nebraska’s history.

“The opportunity is still there for an apology,” Wynn added. “I think it is the right and decent thing to do.”

Pillen said that across the state immigrants have been involved in agriculture, and he pointed to Japanese immigrants coming to build railroads 120 years ago in Nebraska. Over a century ago,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/news/news-articles/learning-lessons-from-japanese-immigrants-a-century-ago/#:~:text=Over%20a%20century%20ago%2C%20western,%2C%20but%20growing%2C%20immigrant%20population.">more than 1,000 Japanese immigrants</a>&nbsp;worked on the railroads and in sugar beet fields.

Research indicates&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://history.stanford.edu/news/forgotten-history-chinese-who-helped-build-americas-railroads">Chinese immigrants</a>&nbsp;made up&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/jul/18/forgotten-by-society-how-chinese-migrants-built-the-transcontinental-railroad#:~:text=Chinese%20workers%20made%20up%20most,shortage%20threatened%20the%20railroad's%20completion.">most of the workforce</a>&nbsp;in building railroads nationwide.

“The proof’s in the pudding,” Pillen said. “People on the sideshows can make any kind of comments they want.”

During his appearance with KFAB, Pillen said Nebraska is the “most welcoming” state in the nation. National and local groups have since said that notion is undermined by Pillen’s remarks.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., and chair of the Congressional Pacific American Caucus, told NBC News that Pillen should apologize for a “baseless xenophobic attack.” Norman Chen, CEO of The Asian American Foundation in San Francisco, described the comments as “not only appalling but also outright racist.”

Chen noted Asian Americans are the fastest-growing minority group in Nebraska, at about 3.5%, and said Pillen should apologize and work with local AAPI leaders to understand the implications of his remarks and rebuild trust within the community.

“Anti-Chinese rhetoric skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to have dangerous consequences for the safety of the whole Asian American community,” Chen said. “For the Governor, the highest leader in the state, to publicly degrade a journalist based on her ethnicity fosters an environment where AAPIs cannot feel safe and do not feel like they belong.”

Xu grew up in Guangzhou, China, and left for Beijing to study English and international journalism. She came to the United States in 2017 for a master’s degree, and she has reported in four states and Washington, D.C. This includes North Carolina Policy Watch (now NC Newsline), part of the States Newsroom network of nonprofit news outlets, which include the Nebraska Examiner.

Xu has received support from numerous journalists and organizations nationwide, including the Asian American Journalists Association. She has described the support as emotional and told NBC News this week that it’s important to speak up, though it can be hard at first as it makes someone the center of the story.

“Especially as a woman of color, if the other person who made such a comment about you is the most powerful person in the state, how do you respond?” Xu told NBC. “But I think for me, I found myself coming back to this point of: If I don’t do it, who would?”

When asked Friday by the Nebraska Examiner what policies he would support to curb&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/16/environmental-group-continues-fight-against-contaminants-nitrates-in-nebraskas-water/">nitrate levels</a>&nbsp;and promote safe water, Pillen said he is working to develop policy and plans to have a master plan for improvement. Education on how nitrates get into Nebraska water will also be involved.

“Water is a gift, just like God’s grace is a gift,” Pillen said.

Pillen said he is focused on kids, taxes, agriculture and values. He declined to comment further on whether Nebraskans deserved to hear more about the controversy with Flatwater, whether he stood by his initial comments or what his comments mean for other minorities in the state.

“My comments were my comments,” Pillen said. “That’s what I have to say about it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697973897309.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen talks to reporters after an event Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen talks to reporters after an event Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/20/my-comments-are-my-comments-gov-pillen-responds-to-criticism-of-outright-racist-remarks/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Editor’s note: This has been updated with comments from Matt Wynn with the&nbsp;Nebraska Journalism Trust.LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday addressed for the first time&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/18/nebraska-gov-pillen-faces-national-criticism-after-dismissing-reporter-by-country-of-origin/">national criticism</a>&nbsp;he has faced after dismissing a Chinese reporter’s work because of her nationality.Pillen told reporters following an event in Lincoln that he is “100% focused on being the governor of all Nebraskans” and would not get involved in a “political sideshow.” He did not address calls for him to apologize and declined to speak more specificity.“I’m not going to talk about any reporter. I’m not going to talk about any sideshows,” Pillen said. “I’m focused on my job.”The national criticism came after Pillen, during an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-kfabs-morning-news-28366287/episode/gov-pillen-updates-on-trade-mission-122970278/">appearance with 1110 KFAB radio</a>&nbsp;in September, responded to a question about Flatwater Free Press investigative reporter Yanqi Xu. Xu reported that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/pillens-water-high-nitrate-detected-on-hog-farms-owned-by-nebraskas-governor/">16 hog farms within Pillen Family Farms</a>&nbsp;— owned by the governor’s family&nbsp;—&nbsp;recorded nitrate levels more than five times higher than what is considered safe to drink.“Number one, I didn’t read it. And I won’t,” Pillen told KFAB’s Gary Sadlemyer. “Number two, all you got to do is look at the author. The author is from communist China. What more do you need to know?”<h2>‘The proof’s in the pudding’</h2>Matt Wynn, executive director of the Nebraska Journalism Trust, which launched and funds Flatwater,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/governors-comments-about-ffp-reporter-are-in-a-word-wrong/">fired back</a>&nbsp;at Pillen on Tuesday, describing his comments as infuriating and dead wrong.“Had Governor Pillen spoken to the facts Yanqi found, I wouldn’t be writing this now,” Wynn wrote. “Elected officials deserve the chance to respond to findings. We offered every opportunity for him to do so before we ran the story. He declined them all.”Wynn told the Nebraska Examiner on Friday, after listening to a recording of the exchange between reporters and Pillen, that he is heartened the governor mentions immigrants and glad that he takes pride in that chapter of Nebraska’s history.“The opportunity is still there for an apology,” Wynn added. “I think it is the right and decent thing to do.”Pillen said that across the state immigrants have been involved in agriculture, and he pointed to Japanese immigrants coming to build railroads 120 years ago in Nebraska. Over a century ago,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/news/news-articles/learning-lessons-from-japanese-immigrants-a-century-ago/#:~:text=Over%20a%20century%20ago%2C%20western,%2C%20but%20growing%2C%20immigrant%20population.">more than 1,000 Japanese immigrants</a>&nbsp;worked on the railroads and in sugar beet fields.Research indicates&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://history.stanford.edu/news/forgotten-history-chinese-who-helped-build-americas-railroads">Chinese immigrants</a>&nbsp;made up&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/jul/18/forgotten-by-society-how-chinese-migrants-built-the-transcontinental-railroad#:~:text=Chinese%20workers%20made%20up%20most,shortage%20threatened%20the%20railroad's%20completion.">most of the workforce</a>&nbsp;in building railroads nationwide.“The proof’s in the pudding,” Pillen said. “People on the sideshows can make any kind of comments they want.”<h2>Comments blasted as xenophobic, racist</h2>During his appearance with KFAB, Pillen said Nebraska is the “most welcoming” state in the nation. National and local groups have since said that notion is undermined by Pillen’s remarks.Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., and chair of the Congressional Pacific American Caucus, told NBC News that Pillen should apologize for a “baseless xenophobic attack.” Norman Chen, CEO of The Asian American Foundation in San Francisco, described the comments as “not only appalling but also outright racist.”Chen noted Asian Americans are the fastest-growing minority group in Nebraska, at about 3.5%, and said Pillen should apologize and work with local AAPI leaders to understand the implications of his remarks and rebuild trust within the community.“Anti-Chinese rhetoric skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to have dangerous consequences for the safety of the whole Asian American community,” Chen said. “For the Governor, the highest leader in the state, to publicly degrade a journalist based on her ethnicity fosters an environment where AAPIs cannot feel safe and do not feel like they belong.”Xu grew up in Guangzhou, China, and left for Beijing to study English and international journalism. She came to the United States in 2017 for a master’s degree, and she has reported in four states and Washington, D.C. This includes North Carolina Policy Watch (now NC Newsline), part of the States Newsroom network of nonprofit news outlets, which include the Nebraska Examiner.Xu has received support from numerous journalists and organizations nationwide, including the Asian American Journalists Association. She has described the support as emotional and told NBC News this week that it’s important to speak up, though it can be hard at first as it makes someone the center of the story.“Especially as a woman of color, if the other person who made such a comment about you is the most powerful person in the state, how do you respond?” Xu told NBC. “But I think for me, I found myself coming back to this point of: If I don’t do it, who would?”<h2>‘My comments were my comments’</h2>When asked Friday by the Nebraska Examiner what policies he would support to curb&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/16/environmental-group-continues-fight-against-contaminants-nitrates-in-nebraskas-water/">nitrate levels</a>&nbsp;and promote safe water, Pillen said he is working to develop policy and plans to have a master plan for improvement. Education on how nitrates get into Nebraska water will also be involved.“Water is a gift, just like God’s grace is a gift,” Pillen said.Pillen said he is focused on kids, taxes, agriculture and values. He declined to comment further on whether Nebraskans deserved to hear more about the controversy with Flatwater, whether he stood by his initial comments or what his comments mean for other minorities in the state.“My comments were my comments,” Pillen said. “That’s what I have to say about it.”

‘My comments were my comments’: Gov. Pillen responds to criticism of ‘outright racist’ remarks

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed the month of October as&nbsp;Developmental Disabilities Employment Awareness Month&nbsp;and highlighted the contributions of capable and eager individuals who are ready to join the workforce and help the state’s economy grow.

“Creating a welcoming and supportive workplace is not only beneficial for individuals with disabilities, it’s also a benefit to Nebraska businesses,” said Governor Pillen. “Although our state continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, individuals with disabilities are an underutilized resource who can help fill workplace gaps in our communities.”

One of the businesses highlighted for hiring such workers was the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. The hotel’s program, Project Search, works with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to develop transferable skills that can be used in the community. Workers fill a variety of roles at the Cornhusker – dishwashers, prep cooks, banquet and valet assistants, plus more.

“The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel is proud of the contributions our associates with disabilities make to our&nbsp; hotel and the positive impact they have to our culture,” said Human Resources Director Codie Meehan. “We are happy to be an inclusive workplace in the Lincoln community and hope to inspire other businesses to employ our Project Search graduates and others with disabilities.”

By hiring individuals with disabilities, a business can expand its talent pool and strengthen its workforce. According to a national survey by National Core Indicators, 54% of individuals with IDD in Nebraska do not have a community job, but would like one.

“All Nebraskans deserve to live, love, work, play, and pursue their life aspirations,” said Tony Green, director of the division of developmental disabilities at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). “Many individuals with disabilities are willing, ready, and excited to work. Employment provides an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to be contributing members of their communities while helping businesses strengthen their workforce and increase their overall bottom line.”

One of the resources available for employers who are interested in hiring individuals with IDD is Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The organization works with businesses to find and retain talent, and also works with individuals to make sure their new at-work match is a positive one. &nbsp;That includes identifying on and off-site job supports and tools that can help make the worker more successful in their new role.

“Nebraska VR is proud to be a part of this year’s&nbsp;Developmental Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Nebraska VR Director Lindy Foley. “This year is the 50th&nbsp;Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act which underscores the importance of our work to advance access to build a workforce including the skills and talents of all individuals, including individuals with disabilities.”

Hands of the Heartland is another community resource offering a variety of services to individuals with IDD. Employment services include working with individuals on job coaching, interview skills, and identifying specific employment opportunities that fit the person’s interests. One client, Desi, has been a standout employee at the Stewart Seed Lab at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL).

“We at Hands of Heartland take great pride in helping individuals secure, succeed, and maintain wonderful working relationships with their employers,” said Erin Ruskamp, employment administrator. &nbsp;“The University of Nebraska has been nothing short of accommodating and wonderful to work with. We are proud to partner with Desi and the University to make all of her dreams come true.”&nbsp;

Employers who are interested in learning about the resources available to them are encouraged to contact&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vr.nebraska.gov/business/contact_us.html" target="_blank">Nebraska VR</a>. Individuals with disabilities who are interested in seeking employment should reach out to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vr.nebraska.gov/offices/" target="_blank">their local Nebraska VR Service Office</a>&nbsp;or their service coordinator.

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed the month of October as&nbsp;Developmental Disabilities Employment Awareness Month&nbsp;and highlighted the contributions of capable and eager individuals who are ready to join the workforce and help the state’s economy grow.“Creating a welcoming and supportive workplace is not only beneficial for individuals with disabilities, it’s also a benefit to Nebraska businesses,” said Governor Pillen. “Although our state continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, individuals with disabilities are an underutilized resource who can help fill workplace gaps in our communities.”One of the businesses highlighted for hiring such workers was the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. The hotel’s program, Project Search, works with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to develop transferable skills that can be used in the community. Workers fill a variety of roles at the Cornhusker – dishwashers, prep cooks, banquet and valet assistants, plus more.“The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel is proud of the contributions our associates with disabilities make to our&nbsp; hotel and the positive impact they have to our culture,” said Human Resources Director Codie Meehan. “We are happy to be an inclusive workplace in the Lincoln community and hope to inspire other businesses to employ our Project Search graduates and others with disabilities.”By hiring individuals with disabilities, a business can expand its talent pool and strengthen its workforce. According to a national survey by National Core Indicators, 54% of individuals with IDD in Nebraska do not have a community job, but would like one.“All Nebraskans deserve to live, love, work, play, and pursue their life aspirations,” said Tony Green, director of the division of developmental disabilities at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). “Many individuals with disabilities are willing, ready, and excited to work. Employment provides an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to be contributing members of their communities while helping businesses strengthen their workforce and increase their overall bottom line.”One of the resources available for employers who are interested in hiring individuals with IDD is Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The organization works with businesses to find and retain talent, and also works with individuals to make sure their new at-work match is a positive one. &nbsp;That includes identifying on and off-site job supports and tools that can help make the worker more successful in their new role.“Nebraska VR is proud to be a part of this year’s&nbsp;Developmental Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Nebraska VR Director Lindy Foley. “This year is the 50th&nbsp;Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act which underscores the importance of our work to advance access to build a workforce including the skills and talents of all individuals, including individuals with disabilities.”Hands of the Heartland is another community resource offering a variety of services to individuals with IDD. Employment services include working with individuals on job coaching, interview skills, and identifying specific employment opportunities that fit the person’s interests. One client, Desi, has been a standout employee at the Stewart Seed Lab at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL).“We at Hands of Heartland take great pride in helping individuals secure, succeed, and maintain wonderful working relationships with their employers,” said Erin Ruskamp, employment administrator. &nbsp;“The University of Nebraska has been nothing short of accommodating and wonderful to work with. We are proud to partner with Desi and the University to make all of her dreams come true.”&nbsp;Employers who are interested in learning about the resources available to them are encouraged to contact&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vr.nebraska.gov/business/contact_us.html" target="_blank">Nebraska VR</a>. Individuals with disabilities who are interested in seeking employment should reach out to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vr.nebraska.gov/offices/" target="_blank">their local Nebraska VR Service Office</a>&nbsp;or their service coordinator.

Gov. Pillen Encourages Businesses to Hire Individuals with Disabilities

Recent world events have highlighted the need to ensure America is secure and stands ready to respond to aggression from rogue actors that threaten Americans. Along with reinforcing the readiness of our military and standing firmly with allies like Israel, a significant aspect of safeguarding the American homeland is securing our borders.

Sadly, we see the crisis on our Southern Border worsening as the Biden administration seemingly turns a blind eye to the national security threat and humanitarian cost of ineffective border policy. According to statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), authorities have encountered more than 2.8 million individuals seeking to cross the border in Fiscal Year 2023, including over 150 individuals on the federal terror watchlist and more than 210,000 apprehensions in the month of September. This increase in apprehensions is not a marker of success for CBP; unfortunately, it corresponds with an increase in illegal crossings which have gone unapprehended.

Realizing the severity of the crisis, a number of high-profile Democrats have joined the calls for increased security. In addition to the historic number of migrants seeking shelter and straining local resources across the country, the risk of our adversaries taking advantage of an overwhelmed border must not be overlooked. The risk of escalation of tensions around the world is serious, and the United States must do everything possible to ensure vulnerabilities on our borders are addressed and our allies are supported.

Considering the support Iran has supplied to Hamas terrorists who perpetrated the recent attacks on Israel, the United States must be hypervigilant in its approach to Iran. October 18 marked the day when certain restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs were due to be lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). The agreement the Obama administration entered with Iran in 2015 was misguided from the start.

Additionally, the Biden administration should have never moved forward with unfreezing $6 billion for Iran. I am a cosponsor of legislation to block Iran from accessing these funds. The United States must never again show weakness where its adversaries have shown a desire to increase aggression.

I am grateful support for Israel following the horrific attacks by Hamas has been bipartisan. The task Israel has before it is extremely difficult. We must stand firmly for Israel’s right to defend itself and provide necessary military and humanitarian assistance.

After 20 months since Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, fighting rages on. The fact that Russia has not been able to overwhelm Ukraine and extend aggression further into Eastern Europe is significant; however, this conflict continues to have the potential to escalate as Putin attempts to involve other nations. This week, for example, Putin visited Beijing to meet with Chinese head of state Xi Jinping. Since the Russian offensive began in February 2022, Putin has also personally met with the leaders of North Korea, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. This is very concerning.

At the same time, China continues its aggressive posturing. This week, 13 Chinese military aircraft passed through Taiwanese airspace. Because of the importance of the United States’ relationship with Taiwan, I recently joined with a bipartisan group of members from the Ways and Means Committee, on which I serve, to introduce legislation to strengthen ties with Taiwan and encourage economic development by relieving double-taxation on investments between our countries.

Unrest globally reminds us peace and freedom are delicate and do not come without cost. This is why it’s so disappointing the House has not been able to come together and elect a speaker. I supported Kevin McCarthy when he was the nominee, I would have supported Steve Scalise had his nomination for speaker come to a vote, and I supported Jim Jordan on the House floor – three times. We must stop the nonsense and immediately elect a Speaker of the House so we can get back to work. It’s important in a time like this for the federal government to come together and show a united front. Our adversaries around the world are closely watching our&nbsp;response.

Adrian SmithRecent world events have highlighted the need to ensure America is secure and stands ready to respond to aggression from rogue actors that threaten Americans. Along with reinforcing the readiness of our military and standing firmly with allies like Israel, a significant aspect of safeguarding the American homeland is securing our borders.Sadly, we see the crisis on our Southern Border worsening as the Biden administration seemingly turns a blind eye to the national security threat and humanitarian cost of ineffective border policy. According to statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), authorities have encountered more than 2.8 million individuals seeking to cross the border in Fiscal Year 2023, including over 150 individuals on the federal terror watchlist and more than 210,000 apprehensions in the month of September. This increase in apprehensions is not a marker of success for CBP; unfortunately, it corresponds with an increase in illegal crossings which have gone unapprehended.Realizing the severity of the crisis, a number of high-profile Democrats have joined the calls for increased security. In addition to the historic number of migrants seeking shelter and straining local resources across the country, the risk of our adversaries taking advantage of an overwhelmed border must not be overlooked. The risk of escalation of tensions around the world is serious, and the United States must do everything possible to ensure vulnerabilities on our borders are addressed and our allies are supported.Considering the support Iran has supplied to Hamas terrorists who perpetrated the recent attacks on Israel, the United States must be hypervigilant in its approach to Iran. October 18 marked the day when certain restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs were due to be lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). The agreement the Obama administration entered with Iran in 2015 was misguided from the start.Additionally, the Biden administration should have never moved forward with unfreezing $6 billion for Iran. I am a cosponsor of legislation to block Iran from accessing these funds. The United States must never again show weakness where its adversaries have shown a desire to increase aggression.I am grateful support for Israel following the horrific attacks by Hamas has been bipartisan. The task Israel has before it is extremely difficult. We must stand firmly for Israel’s right to defend itself and provide necessary military and humanitarian assistance.After 20 months since Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, fighting rages on. The fact that Russia has not been able to overwhelm Ukraine and extend aggression further into Eastern Europe is significant; however, this conflict continues to have the potential to escalate as Putin attempts to involve other nations. This week, for example, Putin visited Beijing to meet with Chinese head of state Xi Jinping. Since the Russian offensive began in February 2022, Putin has also personally met with the leaders of North Korea, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. This is very concerning.At the same time, China continues its aggressive posturing. This week, 13 Chinese military aircraft passed through Taiwanese airspace. Because of the importance of the United States’ relationship with Taiwan, I recently joined with a bipartisan group of members from the Ways and Means Committee, on which I serve, to introduce legislation to strengthen ties with Taiwan and encourage economic development by relieving double-taxation on investments between our countries.Unrest globally reminds us peace and freedom are delicate and do not come without cost. This is why it’s so disappointing the House has not been able to come together and elect a speaker. I supported Kevin McCarthy when he was the nominee, I would have supported Steve Scalise had his nomination for speaker come to a vote, and I supported Jim Jordan on the House floor – three times. We must stop the nonsense and immediately elect a Speaker of the House so we can get back to work. It’s important in a time like this for the federal government to come together and show a united front. Our adversaries around the world are closely watching our&nbsp;response.

Prioritizing Security

WASHINGTON —Following detailed discussions with President Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East Region, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin late Saturday directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense posture in the region, according to a statement from the agency.

These steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for U.S. forces in the region, and assist in the defense of Israel.

The Defense Secretary redirected the movement of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to the Central Command area of responsibility. This carrier strike group is in addition to the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which is currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. It will further increase our force posture and strengthen our capabilities and ability to respond to a range of contingencies.&nbsp;

Austin also activated the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations throughout the region to increase force protection for U.S. forces.

He also placed an additional number of forces on prepare to deploy orders as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697765298614.png" alt="The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney transits the Suez Canal, Oct. 18. Carney is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau" />
 <figcaption>The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney transits the Suez Canal, Oct. 18. Carney is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Following detailed discussions with President Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East Region, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin late Saturday directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense posture in the region, according to a statement from the agency.These steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for U.S. forces in the region, and assist in the defense of Israel.The Defense Secretary redirected the movement of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to the Central Command area of responsibility. This carrier strike group is in addition to the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which is currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. It will further increase our force posture and strengthen our capabilities and ability to respond to a range of contingencies.&nbsp;Austin also activated the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations throughout the region to increase force protection for U.S. forces.He also placed an additional number of forces on prepare to deploy orders as part of prudent contingency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required.&nbsp;

Iran threat: Pentagon sending additional forces to the Middle East

WASHINGTON&nbsp; (AP)— President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with two freed Americans who had been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, were released Friday. It was the first such hostage release from among the roughly 200 people the militant group abducted from Israel during its Oct. 7 rampage.

Video of Biden speaking with them by phone was posted Saturday on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. He told the mother and daughter that he was glad they had been released.

“We’re going to get them all out, God willing,” he said.

Natalie thanked Biden for his “services” to Israel. Judith said they are in good health.

Hamas said it released the mother and daughter for humanitarian reasons in an agreement with the Qatari government.

Family members have said Judith and Natalie had been on a trip from their home in the Chicago suburb of Evanston to Israel to celebrate Judith’s mother’s birthday and the Jewish holidays.

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — The father of freed American teen hostage Natalie Raanan said Friday she’s doing well following two weeks in captivity after she and her mother were abducted in Israel by Hamas and held in Gaza.

Uri Raanan of Illinois told The Associated Press that he spoke to his daughter Friday by telephone. “She’s doing good. She’s doing very good,” said Uri, who lives in the Chicago suburbs. “I’m in tears, and I feel very, very good.”

The 71-year-old said he saw on the news earlier Friday that an American mother and daughter would be released by Hamas, and he spent the day hoping that meant his daughter and her mother, Judith.

Knowing Natalie may be able to celebrate her 18th birthday next week at home with family and friends feels “wonderful. The best news,” Uri Raanan said.

He said he believes Natalie and Judith to be in transit to Tel Aviv to reunite with relatives, and that both will be back in the U.S. early next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697842903063.png" alt="In this photo provided by the Government of Israel, Judith Raanan, right, and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie are escorted by Israeli soldiers and Gal Hirsch, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special coordinator for returning the hostages, as they return to Israel from captivity in the Gaza Strip, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Hamas released the pair in what it said was a goodwill gesture late Friday, nearly two weeks after they were captured in a bloody cross-border raid by the Islamic militant group. The Hamas attack sparked a war that is entering its third week, and Hamas is believed to still be holding some 200 people hostage. (Government of Israel via AP Photo)" />
 <figcaption>In this photo provided by the Government of Israel, Judith Raanan, right, and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie are escorted by Israeli soldiers and Gal Hirsch, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special coordinator for returning the hostages, as they return to Israel from captivity in the Gaza Strip, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Hamas released the pair in what it said was a goodwill gesture late Friday, nearly two weeks after they were captured in a bloody cross-border raid by the Islamic militant group. The Hamas attack sparked a war that is entering its third week, and Hamas is believed to still be holding some 200 people hostage. (Government of Israel via AP Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp; (AP)— President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with two freed Americans who had been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Judith and Natalie, I’m so glad you’re coming home. <a href="https://t.co/c7az0PcYXn">pic.twitter.com/c7az0PcYXn</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1715740319772295519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, were released Friday. It was the first such hostage release from among the roughly 200 people the militant group abducted from Israel during its Oct. 7 rampage.Video of Biden speaking with them by phone was posted Saturday on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. He told the mother and daughter that he was glad they had been released.“We’re going to get them all out, God willing,” he said.Natalie thanked Biden for his “services” to Israel. Judith said they are in good health.Hamas said it released the mother and daughter for humanitarian reasons in an agreement with the Qatari government.Family members have said Judith and Natalie had been on a trip from their home in the Chicago suburb of Evanston to Israel to celebrate Judith’s mother’s birthday and the Jewish holidays.-----------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697827658899.png" alt="In this undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family is Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 18, after Natalie's recent high school graduation. Judith and Natalie are missing while visiting relatives in Nahal Oz for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual reading of the Torah. (Raanan Family via AP)" />
 <figcaption>In this undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family is Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 18, after Natalie's recent high school graduation. Judith and Natalie are missing while visiting relatives in Nahal Oz for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual reading of the Torah. (Raanan Family via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — The father of freed American teen hostage Natalie Raanan said Friday she’s doing well following two weeks in captivity after she and her mother were abducted in Israel by Hamas and held in Gaza.Uri Raanan of Illinois told The Associated Press that he spoke to his daughter Friday by telephone. “She’s doing good. She’s doing very good,” said Uri, who lives in the Chicago suburbs. “I’m in tears, and I feel very, very good.”The 71-year-old said he saw on the news earlier Friday that an American mother and daughter would be released by Hamas, and he spent the day hoping that meant his daughter and her mother, Judith.Knowing Natalie may be able to celebrate her 18th birthday next week at home with family and friends feels “wonderful. The best news,” Uri Raanan said.He said he believes Natalie and Judith to be in transit to Tel Aviv to reunite with relatives, and that both will be back in the U.S. early next week.U.S. President Joe Biden was among the many celebrating the stunning news that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-ed6875f15ea0d2bc196e4033b54b7194">the Raanans had been freed.</a>An Israeli army spokesman said the two Americans were out of the Gaza Strip and with the Israeli military.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-news-10-19-2023">Hamas said Friday</a>&nbsp;it released them for humanitarian reasons in an agreement with the Qatari government.They were the first hostages to be released since Hamas militants, according to Israel, abducted roughly 200 people during their Oct. 7 rampage.“I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear,” Biden said in Washington. The president spoke Friday with Judith and Natalie and "relayed that they will have the full support of the U.S. government as they recover from this terrible ordeal,” the White House said.The International Committee of the Red Cross, which transported the freed Americans from Gaza to Israel, said their release offered "a sliver of hope” for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-israel-hamas-war-what-to-know-406920c384818fa4fe3525327adf3f50">those still being held</a>.Judith and Natalie Ranaan had been on a trip from their home in the Chicago suburb of Evanston to Israel to celebrate the Jewish holidays, according to family members. They were in Nahal Oz, near Gaza, on Oct. 7 for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday, when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israeli towns, killing hundreds of people and abducting others.Their family had heard nothing from them since the attack and were later told by U.S. and Israeli officials that they were being held in Gaza, Natalie’s brother Ben has said.“The news that Judith and Natalie have been released from the hands of Hamas is overwhelming. It brings us a tremendous amount of gratitude to the Almighty, to God, for this incredible miracle,” Meir Hecht, Judith Raanan’s rabbi, said at a press conference outside his home in Evanston on Friday afternoon.“At the same time we hold our pain very deep,” said Hecht, who called for the other hostages to be released as soon as possible. “We need to continue besieging whoever we can and however we can, and praying for their release.”Judith came regularly to Meir’s congregation and felt like “part of our family,” the rabbi said.Natalie Raanan loves art, makeup, fashion, and DoorDash -- “she hates eating at home,” according to her brother Ben, who is based in Denver. She graduated from high school this year and was deciding between going to college to study interior or fashion design and taking an apprenticeship with a tattoo shop.Ben Raanan described Natalie as “just a very loving, kind person.” Their middle brother, Adam, is nonverbal and much older than she is, but Natalie makes it a priority to maintain a strong bond with him, he explained.Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth expressed relief at news of the Raanans’ release while asking people to remember other families whose relatives were abducted.“They are now safe and receiving necessary medical treatment,” Pritzker said of Natalie and Judith. “I cannot wait to welcome them back home after demonstrating immense strength and bravery in the face of unthinkable terror.”French President Emmanuel Macron said the release of the two Americans is “a very good result” and expressed hope it could help pave the way for others to be freed, including French-Israelis feared held in Gaza.Qatar said it would continue its dialogue with Israel and Hamas in hopes of winning the release of all hostages “with the ultimate aim of de-escalating the current crisis and restoring peace.”Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel was continuing to work to return hostages and find the missing, and its goals had not changed. “We are continuing the war against Hamas and ready for the next stage of the war,” he said.