<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/21/pillen-budget-proposal-would-bury-all-good-life-districts-but-lawmaker-holds-out-hope-for-a-fix/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp; All of Nebraska’s “good life” districts appear to be in a precarious spot — not just the embattled one in Gretna — as Gov. Jim Pillen’s proposed budget seeks to deny $5 million a year set aside for the new state incentive that had been committed for multiple years to boost the buildout of those destination sites.

Pillen’s recently revealed biennial&nbsp;<a href="https://das.nebraska.gov/budget/publications/docs/2025-2027/2025/ExecutiveBudgetinBrief2025-2027Biennium.pdf" target="_blank">budget package</a>&nbsp;targets “Good Life Transformational Projects” as one of about 50 programs and incentives the Legislature and governor approved over the past five years but that Pillen now proposes cutting. It’s part of his strategy to address a projected two-year $432 million state budget shortfall.

Specific to the good life districts, the governor wants to reject roughly $5 million annually in incentives budgeted through 2029, for a revenue savings of about $20 million in four years. The plan notes that the benefit was to stretch longer, for up to 30 years — derived from a now-controversial cut in the state sales tax rate within the district boundaries.

Here’s how the incentive works: Under the 2023 Good Life Transformational Projects Act, championed by then-State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, the state sales tax within up to five “good life” districts is to be slashed in half, from 5.5% to 2.75%. The idea was that the difference would be redirected to help develop unique, entertainment and shopping districts that ultimately and over time would rake in more tourists and money for the state.

Controversy has swirled around the incentive — mostly as it relates to the largest and highest-profile district — in Gretna. The state approved that district based on an application by Nebraska Crossing owner Rod Yates and last April cut the sales tax within the district’s city limits.

But Gretna officials and Yates&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/01/rod-yates-5b-good-life-district-plan-hits-not-so-good-patch/">deadlocked over terms</a>&nbsp;for his multibillion dollar mega sports-themed vision. Without an actual project or mechanism in place to recapture the vacated portion of the tax, an average of $300,000 a month in sales tax revenue has been lost. As of November, more than $2.2 million was forfeited, according to an update from the Nebraska Department of Revenue.

The governor told reporters at a budget briefing last week that he regrets signing into law certain funding incentives, including the good life districts, and he sees now as the time to “reverse” the course.&nbsp;

State Sen. Brad von Gillern, who has replaced Linehan as chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, said that he has not seen the bill language reflecting the governor’s request. But he said that, as described in the proposed budget, the entire good life district concept would end.

The Omaha senator prefers less drastic measures. He said he is working with a group of state senators on revised legislation that would “preserve the program in a more workable way.”

Besides Gretna, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development has approved formation of good life districts in Grand Island,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-newest-good-life-district-in-bellevue-will-center-on-indoor-waterpark/">Bellevue</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/08/nebraska-cities-make-key-strides-in-pursuit-of-activating-good-life-districts/">Omaha</a>. All are in various early stages, with Gretna the last to hold a local election&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gretna-good-life-district-ballot-measure-appears-to-narrowly-pass-despite-late-balk-by-rod-yates/">(on Jan. 14</a>) that was required under a 2024 revision to the good life law. Voter approval was needed to tap into the state incentive to help private development.

There is no denying, von Gillern said, that state officials have not been pleased with certain aspects of the law, including that state tax revenue went uncollected in Gretna without even benefiting a project.&nbsp;

Linehan, the sponsor of the original legislation, also has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/06/nebraska-lawmaker-who-championed-good-life-districts-law-criticizes-rollout/">publicly denounced&nbsp;</a>how the law has played out —&nbsp;not only in Gretna, she told the Nebraska Examiner, although that is where her fury was focused.

In her recent criticism, Linehan said the 2024 revisions to the legislation also opened the door for cities to use the incentive in a way she believes lawmakers did not intend, for projects less spectacular than one-of-a-kind. She said that the state did not give up revenue for cities to use the public incentive on non-extraordinary ventures.

“Shame on me,” she told the Nebraska Examiner previously. “But something is very wrong here.”

Yates, meanwhile, asked the DED on Jan. 13 to terminate his district application. He said he now is seeking someone to push alternative legislation that would help his vision materialize. He said he has amassed partners ready to build arenas and other components and has not given up.

Yates said he has continued to talk with representatives of the Pillen administration. The governor and K.C. Belitz, DED director, had been involved early on in Yates’ vision, at one point&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/18/rod-yates-good-life-vision-grows-further-to-5b-3000-acres-hes-got-fans-critics-history/">traveling to New York</a>&nbsp;to help the former Husker split end’s effort to woo a pro hockey team to Nebraska and the Gretna good life district.

Von Gillern told the Examiner that said he does not plan to introduce separate legislation to catapult that mega project and did not know of any such bills in the pipeline.&nbsp;

State officials said Jan. 13 that<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/14/uncertainty-piles-on-gretna-good-life-district-as-yates-pulls-out-of-current-deal/">&nbsp;they would seek information</a>&nbsp;from Gretna officials to determine if the approved Gretna project and district remain viable. The 2,000-acre district’s boundaries include and surround the Nebraska Crossing campus near Interstate 80 and Highway 31, between Nebraska’s two largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln.

DED said it has the authority to terminate the good life district if it determines the approved project is no longer viable and if termination is in the best interests of the state economy.

Gretna’s Mayor Mike Evans has said they&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/14/uncertainty-piles-on-gretna-good-life-district-as-yates-pulls-out-of-current-deal/">would present evidence</a>&nbsp;to the state that the district should continue, even without Yates’ participation. He said multiple developers within the district are capable of delivering a transformative project.&nbsp;

Gretna officials have said they wanted to work with Yates, but he was not willing to budge on what they believed were legal and financial risks for taxpayers. They said his demands involved possible use of&nbsp; eminent domain, as Yates owned only a slice of the property within the district.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737476853626.jpeg" alt="All state-approved good life districts could be in jeopardy under Gov. Jim Pillen’s budget proposal. Here is a vision of the Gretna good life district proposed by businessman Rod Yates. (Courtesy of Nebraska Crossing)" />
 <figcaption>All state-approved good life districts could be in jeopardy under Gov. Jim Pillen’s budget proposal. Here is a vision of the Gretna good life district proposed by businessman Rod Yates. (Courtesy of Nebraska Crossing)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/21/pillen-budget-proposal-would-bury-all-good-life-districts-but-lawmaker-holds-out-hope-for-a-fix/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp; All of Nebraska’s “good life” districts appear to be in a precarious spot — not just the embattled one in Gretna — as Gov. Jim Pillen’s proposed budget seeks to deny $5 million a year set aside for the new state incentive that had been committed for multiple years to boost the buildout of those destination sites.Pillen’s recently revealed biennial&nbsp;<a href="https://das.nebraska.gov/budget/publications/docs/2025-2027/2025/ExecutiveBudgetinBrief2025-2027Biennium.pdf" target="_blank">budget package</a>&nbsp;targets “Good Life Transformational Projects” as one of about 50 programs and incentives the Legislature and governor approved over the past five years but that Pillen now proposes cutting. It’s part of his strategy to address a projected two-year $432 million state budget shortfall.Specific to the good life districts, the governor wants to reject roughly $5 million annually in incentives budgeted through 2029, for a revenue savings of about $20 million in four years. The plan notes that the benefit was to stretch longer, for up to 30 years — derived from a now-controversial cut in the state sales tax rate within the district boundaries.Here’s how the incentive works: Under the 2023 Good Life Transformational Projects Act, championed by then-State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, the state sales tax within up to five “good life” districts is to be slashed in half, from 5.5% to 2.75%. The idea was that the difference would be redirected to help develop unique, entertainment and shopping districts that ultimately and over time would rake in more tourists and money for the state.<h2>Controversy swirls</h2>Controversy has swirled around the incentive — mostly as it relates to the largest and highest-profile district — in Gretna. The state approved that district based on an application by Nebraska Crossing owner Rod Yates and last April cut the sales tax within the district’s city limits.But Gretna officials and Yates&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/01/rod-yates-5b-good-life-district-plan-hits-not-so-good-patch/">deadlocked over terms</a>&nbsp;for his multibillion dollar mega sports-themed vision. Without an actual project or mechanism in place to recapture the vacated portion of the tax, an average of $300,000 a month in sales tax revenue has been lost. As of November, more than $2.2 million was forfeited, according to an update from the Nebraska Department of Revenue.The governor told reporters at a budget briefing last week that he regrets signing into law certain funding incentives, including the good life districts, and he sees now as the time to “reverse” the course.&nbsp;State Sen. Brad von Gillern, who has replaced Linehan as chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, said that he has not seen the bill language reflecting the governor’s request. But he said that, as described in the proposed budget, the entire good life district concept would end.The Omaha senator prefers less drastic measures. He said he is working with a group of state senators on revised legislation that would “preserve the program in a more workable way.”Besides Gretna, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development has approved formation of good life districts in Grand Island,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraskas-newest-good-life-district-in-bellevue-will-center-on-indoor-waterpark/">Bellevue</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/08/nebraska-cities-make-key-strides-in-pursuit-of-activating-good-life-districts/">Omaha</a>. All are in various early stages, with Gretna the last to hold a local election&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gretna-good-life-district-ballot-measure-appears-to-narrowly-pass-despite-late-balk-by-rod-yates/">(on Jan. 14</a>) that was required under a 2024 revision to the good life law. Voter approval was needed to tap into the state incentive to help private development.There is no denying, von Gillern said, that state officials have not been pleased with certain aspects of the law, including that state tax revenue went uncollected in Gretna without even benefiting a project.&nbsp;<h2>Yates persists</h2>Linehan, the sponsor of the original legislation, also has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/06/nebraska-lawmaker-who-championed-good-life-districts-law-criticizes-rollout/">publicly denounced&nbsp;</a>how the law has played out —&nbsp;not only in Gretna, she told the Nebraska Examiner, although that is where her fury was focused.In her recent criticism, Linehan said the 2024 revisions to the legislation also opened the door for cities to use the incentive in a way she believes lawmakers did not intend, for projects less spectacular than one-of-a-kind. She said that the state did not give up revenue for cities to use the public incentive on non-extraordinary ventures.“Shame on me,” she told the Nebraska Examiner previously. “But something is very wrong here.”Yates, meanwhile, asked the DED on Jan. 13 to terminate his district application. He said he now is seeking someone to push alternative legislation that would help his vision materialize. He said he has amassed partners ready to build arenas and other components and has not given up.Yates said he has continued to talk with representatives of the Pillen administration. The governor and K.C. Belitz, DED director, had been involved early on in Yates’ vision, at one point&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/18/rod-yates-good-life-vision-grows-further-to-5b-3000-acres-hes-got-fans-critics-history/">traveling to New York</a>&nbsp;to help the former Husker split end’s effort to woo a pro hockey team to Nebraska and the Gretna good life district.Von Gillern told the Examiner that said he does not plan to introduce separate legislation to catapult that mega project and did not know of any such bills in the pipeline.&nbsp;State officials said Jan. 13 that<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/14/uncertainty-piles-on-gretna-good-life-district-as-yates-pulls-out-of-current-deal/">&nbsp;they would seek information</a>&nbsp;from Gretna officials to determine if the approved Gretna project and district remain viable. The 2,000-acre district’s boundaries include and surround the Nebraska Crossing campus near Interstate 80 and Highway 31, between Nebraska’s two largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln.<h2>Gretna sees district surviving</h2>DED said it has the authority to terminate the good life district if it determines the approved project is no longer viable and if termination is in the best interests of the state economy.Gretna’s Mayor Mike Evans has said they&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/14/uncertainty-piles-on-gretna-good-life-district-as-yates-pulls-out-of-current-deal/">would present evidence</a>&nbsp;to the state that the district should continue, even without Yates’ participation. He said multiple developers within the district are capable of delivering a transformative project.&nbsp;Gretna officials have said they wanted to work with Yates, but he was not willing to budge on what they believed were legal and financial risks for taxpayers. They said his demands involved possible use of&nbsp; eminent domain, as Yates owned only a slice of the property within the district.

Pillen budget proposal would bury all ‘good life’ districts, but lawmaker holds out hope for a fix

Lincoln, NE–January 21–&nbsp;Debra and Kenneth Karel of Clarkson are the eighth and final winners of a 2024 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew truck in the 29th edition of the Nebraska Lottery’s $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game.

The Karels purchased their winning Truck$ &amp; Buck$ ticket at Didier’s Grocery at 122 W 16th St. in Schuyler. They were presented with their new truck on Friday, January 17 by Nebraska Lottery officials.

It was a series of lucky coincidences that led to the win, Kenneth said. They’d been in town for a appointment and stopped at Didier’s for some groceries before heading back to Clarkson. On their way out, Kenneth decided to buy a few Scratch tickets.

On the ride back he started scratching off the ticket but ended up not finishing and added it to a pile of non-winning tickets. The next morning he was cleaning out his truck and picked up the ticket pile to throw them away but something told him to take another look when he discovered the unscratched portion.

“I scratched it off and looked at my wife who was sitting in a chair across the room,” Kenneth said. “I saw three trucks and asked her, ‘do you think this is real?’”

“It took a while for it to register,” Debra said.

&nbsp;It’s looking like 2025 will be the Karel’s year. They won the truck and Kenneth found the pocket knife he’s had for 30 years he thought he’d lost forever.

“It’s a lucky January,” he said.&nbsp;

The 29th edition of the Nebraska Lottery’s popular $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game features the 2024 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew truck as its top prize. Players have the opportunity to win one of eight Ford F-150 trucks as well as thousands of cash prizes. The truck prize is valued at $81,500, which includes $976 for costs associated with ownership and state and federal withholding paid by the Nebraska Lottery of $4,075 and $19,560, respectively. The odds of winning the top prize in Truck$ &amp; Buck$ are 1 in 336,000, while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.69.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $1 billion has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737480227008.jpeg" alt="Debra Karel of Clarkson won the eighth Ford F-150 truck prize in the 2024 edition of the Nebraska Lottery's $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game. She was presented with her new truck at an event at Didier’s Grocery, 122 W 16th Street in Schuyler on January 17, 2025. Also pictured: Kenneth Karel" />
 <figcaption>Debra Karel of Clarkson won the eighth Ford F-150 truck prize in the 2024 edition of the Nebraska Lottery's $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game. She was presented with her new truck at an event at Didier’s Grocery, 122 W 16th Street in Schuyler on January 17, 2025. Also pictured: Kenneth Karel</figcaption>
 </figure>Neil WatsonNebraska LotteryLincoln, NE–January 21–&nbsp;Debra and Kenneth Karel of Clarkson are the eighth and final winners of a 2024 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew truck in the 29th edition of the Nebraska Lottery’s $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game.The Karels purchased their winning Truck$ &amp; Buck$ ticket at Didier’s Grocery at 122 W 16th St. in Schuyler. They were presented with their new truck on Friday, January 17 by Nebraska Lottery officials.It was a series of lucky coincidences that led to the win, Kenneth said. They’d been in town for a appointment and stopped at Didier’s for some groceries before heading back to Clarkson. On their way out, Kenneth decided to buy a few Scratch tickets.On the ride back he started scratching off the ticket but ended up not finishing and added it to a pile of non-winning tickets. The next morning he was cleaning out his truck and picked up the ticket pile to throw them away but something told him to take another look when he discovered the unscratched portion.“I scratched it off and looked at my wife who was sitting in a chair across the room,” Kenneth said. “I saw three trucks and asked her, ‘do you think this is real?’”“It took a while for it to register,” Debra said.&nbsp;It’s looking like 2025 will be the Karel’s year. They won the truck and Kenneth found the pocket knife he’s had for 30 years he thought he’d lost forever.“It’s a lucky January,” he said.&nbsp;The 29th edition of the Nebraska Lottery’s popular $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game features the 2024 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew truck as its top prize. Players have the opportunity to win one of eight Ford F-150 trucks as well as thousands of cash prizes. The truck prize is valued at $81,500, which includes $976 for costs associated with ownership and state and federal withholding paid by the Nebraska Lottery of $4,075 and $19,560, respectively. The odds of winning the top prize in Truck$ &amp; Buck$ are 1 in 336,000, while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.69.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $1 billion has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Clarkson Couple Claims Eighth Truck$ & Buck$ Truck

Office of Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese&nbsp;

(Lincoln, NE) Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese and the Omaha Storm Chasers today announced the 23rd annual “Why I Want to Go to College” writing sweepstakes. Entries must be postmarked by Monday, March 11, 2025.&nbsp;

Students are asked to reflect on the value of education and what they hope to achieve through higher education. Entries are limited to 750 words and should be sent to Aniya Tate, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046.&nbsp;

Information about the writing sweepstakes is available on the Treasurer’s website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/" target="_blank">www.treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/</a>.&nbsp;

Prizes will be awarded to 12 winners in seventh and eighth grades who will receive contributions to the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) college savings accounts – including $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. Three winners will be chosen from each of Nebraska’s three Congressional districts, and three winners will be chosen from outside Nebraska.&nbsp;Winners will be notified in late March.

Each Nebraska winner will receive four tickets to the May 18th Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion where they will be recognized during a brief ceremony before the game.&nbsp;

“This is such a great celebration of our students, teachers, and our national pastime. This sweepstakes gives kids a chance to reflect on what their educational goals are and how to achieve those goals. It is always such a pleasure to meet the winners and enjoy a day at the ballpark,” Treasurer Briese said.

Families can save for college for their children and grandchildren through NEST 529, the state-sponsored 529 college savings program that allows for tax-free investments and tax-free qualified withdrawals. Nebraska account owners can qualify for up to $10,000 a year in state income tax deductions ($5,000 if married filing separately).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Office of Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese&nbsp;(Lincoln, NE) Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese and the Omaha Storm Chasers today announced the 23rd annual “Why I Want to Go to College” writing sweepstakes. Entries must be postmarked by Monday, March 11, 2025.&nbsp;Students are asked to reflect on the value of education and what they hope to achieve through higher education. Entries are limited to 750 words and should be sent to Aniya Tate, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046.&nbsp;Information about the writing sweepstakes is available on the Treasurer’s website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/" target="_blank">www.treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/</a>.&nbsp;Prizes will be awarded to 12 winners in seventh and eighth grades who will receive contributions to the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) college savings accounts – including $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. Three winners will be chosen from each of Nebraska’s three Congressional districts, and three winners will be chosen from outside Nebraska.&nbsp;Winners will be notified in late March.Each Nebraska winner will receive four tickets to the May 18th Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion where they will be recognized during a brief ceremony before the game.&nbsp;“This is such a great celebration of our students, teachers, and our national pastime. This sweepstakes gives kids a chance to reflect on what their educational goals are and how to achieve those goals. It is always such a pleasure to meet the winners and enjoy a day at the ballpark,” Treasurer Briese said.Families can save for college for their children and grandchildren through NEST 529, the state-sponsored 529 college savings program that allows for tax-free investments and tax-free qualified withdrawals. Nebraska account owners can qualify for up to $10,000 a year in state income tax deductions ($5,000 if married filing separately).&nbsp;&nbsp;

NEST529 “Why I Want to Go to College” Writing Sweepstakes Now Open

Students in three rural Nebraska school districts have greater access to vital in-school behavioral health services, thanks to a project supported by the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska American Rescue Plan Act Awards Program.

South Sioux City-based Heartland Counseling Services has successfully placed full-time therapists in three Northeast Nebraska school districts, directly benefiting students and addressing their behavioral health needs.

One full-time therapist, Lora Heithold, is based at Wayne Elementary School, while another therapist, Kristi Roeber, divides her time between Pender and Emerson-Hubbard schools.

“The nice thing about this is that the students don’t have to leave school to get services,” said Jennifer Jackson, Heartland’s executive director. “This eliminates the need for families to drive an hour or more one way to see a therapist.”

In-school access fosters better integration between students’ academic and emotional well-being, as therapists work closely with teachers and staff to support student needs, administrators said.

“Lora is really part of our team at the school,” said Andi Diediker, principal of third through sixth grades at Wayne Elementary, part of the Wayne Community School District. “She sits in on meetings and offers ideas on how to help the students. Having her here with us helps create a more seamless environment than if students had to see therapists outside of school.”

From her office at Wayne Elementary, Heithold provides mental health services to about 40 students each week. Roeber serves students three days a week in the Pender Public School District, and two days a week in the Emerson-Hubbard Community School District. Between the two districts, she sees approximately 40 students each week, as well.

Both therapists focus on helping students with behavioral health issues, which differs from the more academic-focused issues that school counselors typically help students address. Heithold and Roeber said the most common issues they help students with are anxiety and depression. Roeber said helping students build coping skills to manage their emotions is a key aspect of her work.

“Many kids put a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves,” Roeber said. “A major focus of my work is helping them develop skills to manage their feelings and have a voice in how their anxiety or depression impacts their lives.”

The impact on students has been noticeable, school administrators said. Improved outcomes for a single student can have a ripple effect, positively influencing the overall classroom dynamic, said Courtney Maas, principal for kindergarten through second grade at Wayne Elementary.

When a student’s behavioral health improves, that student is less likely to have issues that can distract others, which creates a better environment for everyone, Maas said.

Increasing behavioral health care access in Nebraska’s rural areas through this project and others is one of the most rewarding aspects of the BHECN-ARPA Awards Program, said Marley Doyle, MD, director of BHECN, which is housed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

“Many behavioral health issues and conditions were exacerbated by the pandemic, and our state’s children certainly felt the impact,” Dr. Doyle said. “It’s great to see Heartland using ARPA dollars to directly address this and increase access for students in these rural communities where access has historically been very limited.”

<a href="https://www.unmc.edu/bhecn/arpa/index.html" target="_blank">Learn more about the BHECN-ARPA Awards Program.</a>

UNMCStudents in three rural Nebraska school districts have greater access to vital in-school behavioral health services, thanks to a project supported by the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska American Rescue Plan Act Awards Program.South Sioux City-based Heartland Counseling Services has successfully placed full-time therapists in three Northeast Nebraska school districts, directly benefiting students and addressing their behavioral health needs.One full-time therapist, Lora Heithold, is based at Wayne Elementary School, while another therapist, Kristi Roeber, divides her time between Pender and Emerson-Hubbard schools.“The nice thing about this is that the students don’t have to leave school to get services,” said Jennifer Jackson, Heartland’s executive director. “This eliminates the need for families to drive an hour or more one way to see a therapist.”In-school access fosters better integration between students’ academic and emotional well-being, as therapists work closely with teachers and staff to support student needs, administrators said.“Lora is really part of our team at the school,” said Andi Diediker, principal of third through sixth grades at Wayne Elementary, part of the Wayne Community School District. “She sits in on meetings and offers ideas on how to help the students. Having her here with us helps create a more seamless environment than if students had to see therapists outside of school.”From her office at Wayne Elementary, Heithold provides mental health services to about 40 students each week. Roeber serves students three days a week in the Pender Public School District, and two days a week in the Emerson-Hubbard Community School District. Between the two districts, she sees approximately 40 students each week, as well.Both therapists focus on helping students with behavioral health issues, which differs from the more academic-focused issues that school counselors typically help students address. Heithold and Roeber said the most common issues they help students with are anxiety and depression. Roeber said helping students build coping skills to manage their emotions is a key aspect of her work.“Many kids put a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves,” Roeber said. “A major focus of my work is helping them develop skills to manage their feelings and have a voice in how their anxiety or depression impacts their lives.”The impact on students has been noticeable, school administrators said. Improved outcomes for a single student can have a ripple effect, positively influencing the overall classroom dynamic, said Courtney Maas, principal for kindergarten through second grade at Wayne Elementary.When a student’s behavioral health improves, that student is less likely to have issues that can distract others, which creates a better environment for everyone, Maas said.Increasing behavioral health care access in Nebraska’s rural areas through this project and others is one of the most rewarding aspects of the BHECN-ARPA Awards Program, said Marley Doyle, MD, director of BHECN, which is housed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.“Many behavioral health issues and conditions were exacerbated by the pandemic, and our state’s children certainly felt the impact,” Dr. Doyle said. “It’s great to see Heartland using ARPA dollars to directly address this and increase access for students in these rural communities where access has historically been very limited.”<a href="https://www.unmc.edu/bhecn/arpa/index.html" target="_blank">Learn more about the BHECN-ARPA Awards Program.</a>

 BHECN ARPA support helps bring therapists into rural schools

January 21, 2025 (Scottsbluff, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Scottsbluff Police Department and Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended two minors following a pursuit in Scottsbluff.

Monday evening, NSP was alerted that Scottsbluff PD officers were looking for a vehicle that had been reported stolen. At approximately 10:10 p.m. MT, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, a Mercury Mariner. The driver accelerated and fled on residential streets in Scottsbluff. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle continued to flee on residential streets, running through multiple stop signs. At the intersection of 14th&nbsp;Street and 4th&nbsp;Avenue, the vehicle failed to make a turn and struck a tree. Two occupants fled on foot, while a third occupant remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident. The driver of the vehicle was located a short time later and take into custody by the Scottsbluff Police Department.

The passenger was turned over to Scottsbluff PD officers in relation to their investigation. The driver was transported to Regional West Medical Center for medical clearance. Once cleared, the driver, a 15-year-old male, was cited for theft by receiving stolen property $5,000+, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, resisting arrest, minor in possession of alcohol, obstructing a peace officer, no operator’s license, and several traffic violations. He was turned over to juvenile probation.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716320706146.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolJanuary 21, 2025 (Scottsbluff, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Scottsbluff Police Department and Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended two minors following a pursuit in Scottsbluff.Monday evening, NSP was alerted that Scottsbluff PD officers were looking for a vehicle that had been reported stolen. At approximately 10:10 p.m. MT, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, a Mercury Mariner. The driver accelerated and fled on residential streets in Scottsbluff. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The vehicle continued to flee on residential streets, running through multiple stop signs. At the intersection of 14th&nbsp;Street and 4th&nbsp;Avenue, the vehicle failed to make a turn and struck a tree. Two occupants fled on foot, while a third occupant remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident. The driver of the vehicle was located a short time later and take into custody by the Scottsbluff Police Department.The passenger was turned over to Scottsbluff PD officers in relation to their investigation. The driver was transported to Regional West Medical Center for medical clearance. Once cleared, the driver, a 15-year-old male, was cited for theft by receiving stolen property $5,000+, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, resisting arrest, minor in possession of alcohol, obstructing a peace officer, no operator’s license, and several traffic violations. He was turned over to juvenile probation.&nbsp;

Two Apprehended After Pursuit in Western Nebraska

Winter weather conditions — colder temperatures, snow, ice and early darkness — can be potentially dangerous and even life-threatening for the nearly 36,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in Nebraska. For their 40,000 caregivers, the stress and challenges of keeping their loved ones safe during this time can be overwhelming. By preparing in advance, caregivers can make a big difference in keeping their loved one with Alzheimer’s and other dementia safe.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to keep people living with dementia safe during the winter months:

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Be prepared.&nbsp;Winter storms can be dangerous. Check weather conditions regularly and have emergency plans in place.

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bundle up.&nbsp;Help the person living with Alzheimer’s dress warmly for winter weather conditions by wearing dry, loose-fitting layers and covering exposed skin.

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prevent slips.&nbsp;Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Assume all surfaces are slick; assist the person by taking smaller steps and slowing down, so they can match gait and speed to a safer level.

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Take advantage of the daylight.&nbsp;Winter months bring decreased sunlight and shorter days. Visual perception can be a challenge for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and can cause increased confusion or disorientation in dark or shadowy environments both inside and out.

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prevent wandering.&nbsp;Wandering is one of the most frequent and challenging problems that caregivers face and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. Shorter days during winter months can also increase the risk of “sundowning.” Monitor closely for agitation or restlessness as day transitions into night. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-sleep-issues-sundowning.asp">combat sundowning</a>.

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Buddy up:&nbsp;An Alzheimer’s Association survey says 84 percent of caregivers said they would like more support in providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, especially from their family. It can be hard for caregivers to find time to complete simple tasks outside of the home. Don’t hesitate to ask others for help with errands, grocery shopping or with snow/ice removal.

<a></a>More safety tips can be found by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://alz.org/Nebraska">alz.org/Nebraska</a>. The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline also provides reliable information and support to all those who need assistance. Call the helpline toll-free anytime, even holidays, at 1.800.272.3900.

Jenna HynekWinter weather conditions — colder temperatures, snow, ice and early darkness — can be potentially dangerous and even life-threatening for the nearly 36,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia in Nebraska. For their 40,000 caregivers, the stress and challenges of keeping their loved ones safe during this time can be overwhelming. By preparing in advance, caregivers can make a big difference in keeping their loved one with Alzheimer’s and other dementia safe.The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to keep people living with dementia safe during the winter months:●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Be prepared.&nbsp;Winter storms can be dangerous. Check weather conditions regularly and have emergency plans in place.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bundle up.&nbsp;Help the person living with Alzheimer’s dress warmly for winter weather conditions by wearing dry, loose-fitting layers and covering exposed skin.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prevent slips.&nbsp;Balance and mobility can be a challenge for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Assume all surfaces are slick; assist the person by taking smaller steps and slowing down, so they can match gait and speed to a safer level.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Take advantage of the daylight.&nbsp;Winter months bring decreased sunlight and shorter days. Visual perception can be a challenge for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and can cause increased confusion or disorientation in dark or shadowy environments both inside and out.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prevent wandering.&nbsp;Wandering is one of the most frequent and challenging problems that caregivers face and can be extremely dangerous in colder conditions. Shorter days during winter months can also increase the risk of “sundowning.” Monitor closely for agitation or restlessness as day transitions into night. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-sleep-issues-sundowning.asp">combat sundowning</a>.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Buddy up:&nbsp;An Alzheimer’s Association survey says 84 percent of caregivers said they would like more support in providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, especially from their family. It can be hard for caregivers to find time to complete simple tasks outside of the home. Don’t hesitate to ask others for help with errands, grocery shopping or with snow/ice removal.<a></a>More safety tips can be found by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://alz.org/Nebraska">alz.org/Nebraska</a>. The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline also provides reliable information and support to all those who need assistance. Call the helpline toll-free anytime, even holidays, at 1.800.272.3900.

Winter weather tips for those with Alzheimer's

WASHINGTON —Vice President JD Vance has sworn in Rubio as Secretary of State. Rubio, a Senator from Florida becomes the first of Trump’s Cabinet nominees to get to work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The U.S. Senate confirmed Rubio by a unanimous 99-0 vote Monday evening.

WASHINGTON —Vice President JD Vance has sworn in Rubio as Secretary of State. Rubio, a Senator from Florida becomes the first of Trump’s Cabinet nominees to get to work.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Vice President Vance swears in Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Full video here: <a href="https://t.co/hzNSC919DE">https://t.co/hzNSC919DE</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cdh76lakDa">pic.twitter.com/Cdh76lakDa</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1881717644291653784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The U.S. Senate confirmed Rubio by a unanimous 99-0 vote Monday evening.

First Trump cabinet member sworn in to begin work

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — Just hours into his second term, President Donald Trump signed some of his first executive orders as an arena crowd of thousands cheered a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/return-to-in-person-work/" target="_blank">mandate</a>&nbsp;for federal workers to return to the office full-time.

Trump scrawled his signature on nearly 10 portfolio-bound documents at a desk on the floor of the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., following an indoor inauguration parade at the 20,000-seat venue. Monday’s ceremonies were moved indoors because of cold temperatures.

The orders included rescinding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/initial-rescissions-of-harmful-executive-orders-and-actions/" target="_blank">78</a>&nbsp;Biden administration actions, freezing federal hiring and new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/regulatory-freeze-pending-review/" target="_blank">regulations</a>, and “<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-freedom-of-speech-and-ending-federal-censorship/" target="_blank">restoring</a>&nbsp;freedom of speech,” among&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/" target="_blank">others</a>&nbsp;that the White House press office dubbed “<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25499090-americafirstpriorities/" target="_blank">America First Priorities</a>.”

“Could you imagine Biden doing this? I don’t think so,” Trump said to the crowd.

Trump threw his ceremonial pens into the seats after signing the orders.

In an Oval Office ceremony shortly afterward, Trump signed a slew of other orders ranging from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-officials-outline-planned-immigration-crackdown" target="_blank">declaring</a>&nbsp;a national emergency at the southern border to throwing TikTok a 75-day lifeline to find a new owner.

Earlier Monday, surrounded by lawmakers from both parties who bantered with him in the President’s Room at the U.S. Capitol, Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/flying-the-flag-of-the-united-states-at-full-staff-on-inauguration-day/" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;mandating all U.S. flags fly at full height during future presidential inaugurations. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flags-half-staff-trump-inauguration-johnson-a0c99a017e74b880df1c2eadfce25c28" target="_blank">ordered</a>&nbsp;flags at full staff for Trump’s inauguration despite the recent death of the late President Jimmy Carter.

During his first blitz, Trump erased Biden executive orders on “Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation” and “Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals.”

Trump’s team signaled hours before inauguration that the incoming president planned to sign an order mandating the use of the word “sex” instead of “gender” in federal policy language and documents, including passports and visas.

White House administration officials said on a call with reporters early Monday, speaking on background, that one of their first executive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/" target="_blank">orders</a>&nbsp;will focus on “defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government.”

Roughly 2 million transgender people live in the United States, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, which condemned Trump’s order Monday.

Kelley Robinson, the organization’s president, criticized Trump in a statement for “taking aim at the LGBTQ+ community instead of uniting our country and prioritizing the pressing issues the American people are facing.”

Among the dozens of previous Biden administration orders, Trump reversed Biden actions titled “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis” and “Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All.”

Environmental advocates denounced Trump’s executive orders. The Center for Biological Diversity said in a statement that Trump’s order for withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement “shows how threatened Trump is by the recent global compact to transition away from fossil fuels.”

“While Trump buries his head in the sand, it’s going to be up to state leaders to lock eyes on the climate crisis and lead us toward a livable future,” the statement said.

Incoming White House officials also teased orders taking down Biden-era environmental initiatives, including declaring an energy emergency, opening the Alaska wilderness for energy development and nixing energy standards for household appliances. They had not yet been released Monday night.

Later Monday evening in the Oval Office, Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/application-of-protecting-americans-from-foreign-adversary-controlled-applications-act-to-tiktok/" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;giving TikTok an extra 75 days to find a new owner. The order instructs the Department of Justice to ignore enforcing a federal law that required TikTok to separate from its China ties by Jan. 19.

“The unfortunate timing of (the law) — one day before I took office as the 47th President of the United States — interferes with my ability to assess the national security and foreign policy implications of the Act’s prohibitions before they take effect,” Trump’s order stated.

The popular video sharing app used by approximately 170 million Americans briefly went dark overnight Saturday into Sunday. A message to users read, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”

A federal law&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-sign-executive-order-monday-delaying-tiktok-ban" target="_blank">mandated</a>&nbsp;that TikTok’s parent company ByteDance divest from the video sharing platform by the deadline when it became illegal for U.S. companies to distribute or maintain the app. Companies that don’t comply face fines up $5,000 per user.

Trump’s position is a reversal of his support for a ban in 2020.&nbsp;

“I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok that I guess I didn’t have originally,” he told reporters in the Oval Office Monday night.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was among the attendees at Trump’s inauguration, and the company sponsored an inauguration eve party in downtown D.C., Reuters&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/conservative-influencers-celebrate-tiktok-sponsored-trump-inauguration-party-2025-01-20/" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Some lawmakers want to see the law enforced now. In a statement Sunday, Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska warned that companies who ignore the deadline could “face ruinous bankruptcy.”&nbsp;

“Now that the law has taken effect there’s no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension,’ of its effective date” they wrote.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-warns-sweeping-executive-orders-coming-monday-he-rallies-supporters" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;a packed arena in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the inauguration that they were “going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy, lots of them.”

Trump said he would “act with historic speed and strength and fix every single crisis facing our country.”

As a candidate and Republican presidential nominee, Trump promised his supporters that on day one he would launch a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/immigration-advocates-prep-trump-mass-deportations-vow-legal-challenges" target="_blank">mass deportation</a>&nbsp;of immigrants, end Russia’s war on Ukraine, and pardon those convicted and who pleaded guilty to crimes committed during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

In one of his last actions in office, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-issues-preemptive-pardons-fauci-milley-and-jan-6-committee-members-staff" target="_blank">issued</a>&nbsp;preemptive pardons for lawmakers and staff who served on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, as well as the police officers who testified before the panel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737424030648.png" alt="Photo by Taylor Budowich, Assistant to the President" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Taylor Budowich, Assistant to the President</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — Just hours into his second term, President Donald Trump signed some of his first executive orders as an arena crowd of thousands cheered a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/return-to-in-person-work/" target="_blank">mandate</a>&nbsp;for federal workers to return to the office full-time.Trump scrawled his signature on nearly 10 portfolio-bound documents at a desk on the floor of the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., following an indoor inauguration parade at the 20,000-seat venue. Monday’s ceremonies were moved indoors because of cold temperatures.The orders included rescinding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/initial-rescissions-of-harmful-executive-orders-and-actions/" target="_blank">78</a>&nbsp;Biden administration actions, freezing federal hiring and new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/regulatory-freeze-pending-review/" target="_blank">regulations</a>, and “<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-freedom-of-speech-and-ending-federal-censorship/" target="_blank">restoring</a>&nbsp;freedom of speech,” among&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/" target="_blank">others</a>&nbsp;that the White House press office dubbed “<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25499090-americafirstpriorities/" target="_blank">America First Priorities</a>.”“Could you imagine Biden doing this? I don’t think so,” Trump said to the crowd.Trump threw his ceremonial pens into the seats after signing the orders.In an Oval Office ceremony shortly afterward, Trump signed a slew of other orders ranging from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-officials-outline-planned-immigration-crackdown" target="_blank">declaring</a>&nbsp;a national emergency at the southern border to throwing TikTok a 75-day lifeline to find a new owner.Earlier Monday, surrounded by lawmakers from both parties who bantered with him in the President’s Room at the U.S. Capitol, Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/flying-the-flag-of-the-united-states-at-full-staff-on-inauguration-day/" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;mandating all U.S. flags fly at full height during future presidential inaugurations. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flags-half-staff-trump-inauguration-johnson-a0c99a017e74b880df1c2eadfce25c28" target="_blank">ordered</a>&nbsp;flags at full staff for Trump’s inauguration despite the recent death of the late President Jimmy Carter.<h2>The first blitz</h2>During his first blitz, Trump erased Biden executive orders on “Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation” and “Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals.”Trump’s team signaled hours before inauguration that the incoming president planned to sign an order mandating the use of the word “sex” instead of “gender” in federal policy language and documents, including passports and visas.White House administration officials said on a call with reporters early Monday, speaking on background, that one of their first executive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/" target="_blank">orders</a>&nbsp;will focus on “defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government.”Roughly 2 million transgender people live in the United States, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, which condemned Trump’s order Monday.Kelley Robinson, the organization’s president, criticized Trump in a statement for “taking aim at the LGBTQ+ community instead of uniting our country and prioritizing the pressing issues the American people are facing.”Among the dozens of previous Biden administration orders, Trump reversed Biden actions titled “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis” and “Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All.”Environmental advocates denounced Trump’s executive orders. The Center for Biological Diversity said in a statement that Trump’s order for withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement “shows how threatened Trump is by the recent global compact to transition away from fossil fuels.”“While Trump buries his head in the sand, it’s going to be up to state leaders to lock eyes on the climate crisis and lead us toward a livable future,” the statement said.Incoming White House officials also teased orders taking down Biden-era environmental initiatives, including declaring an energy emergency, opening the Alaska wilderness for energy development and nixing energy standards for household appliances. They had not yet been released Monday night.<h2>TikTok</h2>Later Monday evening in the Oval Office, Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/application-of-protecting-americans-from-foreign-adversary-controlled-applications-act-to-tiktok/" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;giving TikTok an extra 75 days to find a new owner. The order instructs the Department of Justice to ignore enforcing a federal law that required TikTok to separate from its China ties by Jan. 19.“The unfortunate timing of (the law) — one day before I took office as the 47th President of the United States — interferes with my ability to assess the national security and foreign policy implications of the Act’s prohibitions before they take effect,” Trump’s order stated.The popular video sharing app used by approximately 170 million Americans briefly went dark overnight Saturday into Sunday. A message to users read, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”A federal law&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-sign-executive-order-monday-delaying-tiktok-ban" target="_blank">mandated</a>&nbsp;that TikTok’s parent company ByteDance divest from the video sharing platform by the deadline when it became illegal for U.S. companies to distribute or maintain the app. Companies that don’t comply face fines up $5,000 per user.Trump’s position is a reversal of his support for a ban in 2020.&nbsp;“I guess I have a warm spot for TikTok that I guess I didn’t have originally,” he told reporters in the Oval Office Monday night.TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was among the attendees at Trump’s inauguration, and the company sponsored an inauguration eve party in downtown D.C., Reuters&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/conservative-influencers-celebrate-tiktok-sponsored-trump-inauguration-party-2025-01-20/" target="_blank">reported</a>.Some lawmakers want to see the law enforced now. In a statement Sunday, Republican Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska warned that companies who ignore the deadline could “face ruinous bankruptcy.”&nbsp;“Now that the law has taken effect there’s no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension,’ of its effective date” they wrote.<h2>A long campaign of promises</h2>Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-warns-sweeping-executive-orders-coming-monday-he-rallies-supporters" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;a packed arena in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the inauguration that they were “going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy, lots of them.”Trump said he would “act with historic speed and strength and fix every single crisis facing our country.”As a candidate and Republican presidential nominee, Trump promised his supporters that on day one he would launch a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/immigration-advocates-prep-trump-mass-deportations-vow-legal-challenges" target="_blank">mass deportation</a>&nbsp;of immigrants, end Russia’s war on Ukraine, and pardon those convicted and who pleaded guilty to crimes committed during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.In one of his last actions in office, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-issues-preemptive-pardons-fauci-milley-and-jan-6-committee-members-staff" target="_blank">issued</a>&nbsp;preemptive pardons for lawmakers and staff who served on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, as well as the police officers who testified before the panel.

Trump Orders Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement, Erases Actions on LGBTQ Equality

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/21/all-nebraska-teachers-would-receive-retention-bonus-under-legislative-proposal/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — All Nebraska teachers could receive an annual bonus under a proposed expansion of an existing grant program to recruit and retain teachers through 2028.

<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59493" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 411</a>, from State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, would amend the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=79-8,111" target="_blank">Nebraska Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act</a>, adopted in 2023, to automatically apply to all K-12 school teachers. The current law allows grants of $2,500 a year once teachers reach their second, fourth and sixth years of teaching in the state, with retention bonuses as well for teachers in high-need subject areas.

The expanded grant amount would grow, depending on a person’s years of teaching experience.

“We continue to talk about the need for public school teachers and the fact that we are woefully understaffed, and one of the things that we all agree on that would help with that is just to give them more money,” Dungan said Friday.

Under LB 411, all full-time teachers after July 1 would annually receive a retention grant:

Teachers who obtain an endorsement in special education, math, science, technology or dual-credit and who sign a contract to complete a full year of teaching that endorsement in Nebraska would be eligible for one $5,000 “high-need retention grant.” Teachers who received a high-need grant prior to July 1, 2025, would be ineligible to receive another.

The current recruitment and retention program, led by former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Lincoln,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.education.ne.gov/csds/resources/teacher-recruitment-and-retention-act/#1730218329232-0b48ca1d-39a3" target="_blank">requires teachers to apply for the grants</a>. The law is set to end Jan. 1, 2028.

Dungan said that some long-time teachers have felt left behind from a lack of financial or administrative support and are leaving the teaching field at higher rates. His bill would ensure those teachers “who have committed their life to teaching and continue to work in the career” also get a bonus.

In the 2023-24 school year, there were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Statsfacts_20232024.pdf" target="_blank">nearly 27,000 teachers statewide</a>&nbsp;in public and private K-12 schools, according to the Nebraska Department of Education.&nbsp;

Dungan said he’s unsure of the annual cost of his proposal. However, excluding high-need retention grants, it could annually cost between $66 million (if all teachers were in their first to sixth year of teaching) and $106 million (if all teachers were in their 16th year of teaching or beyond).

If all teachers received one high-need retention grant before 2028, that would cost more than $132 million.

School boards would retain local control over employee salaries, but Dungan said the proposed teacher bonuses signal support from the state “with what tools we have in our toolbox.”

“It may cost some money, but when we’re talking about finances, especially this year with the budget conversation being what it is, we have to figure out what our priorities are,” Dungan said. “I think one thing we all agree on is we have to prioritize schools.”

Other legislative bills introduced between Jan. 15 and Jan. 17

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737476932347.jpeg" alt="Brian Maher, Nebraska's education commissioner, reads a book to a group of mostly 3-year-olds as he and others launch a statewide project to boost reading skills of pre-kindergarteners. Oct. 30, 2023. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Brian Maher, Nebraska's education commissioner, reads a book to a group of mostly 3-year-olds as he and others launch a statewide project to boost reading skills of pre-kindergarteners. Oct. 30, 2023. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/21/all-nebraska-teachers-would-receive-retention-bonus-under-legislative-proposal/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — All Nebraska teachers could receive an annual bonus under a proposed expansion of an existing grant program to recruit and retain teachers through 2028.<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59493" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 411</a>, from State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, would amend the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=79-8,111" target="_blank">Nebraska Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act</a>, adopted in 2023, to automatically apply to all K-12 school teachers. The current law allows grants of $2,500 a year once teachers reach their second, fourth and sixth years of teaching in the state, with retention bonuses as well for teachers in high-need subject areas.The expanded grant amount would grow, depending on a person’s years of teaching experience.“We continue to talk about the need for public school teachers and the fact that we are woefully understaffed, and one of the things that we all agree on that would help with that is just to give them more money,” Dungan said Friday.Under LB 411, all full-time teachers after July 1 would annually receive a retention grant:<ul>
 <li>For teachers in their first through sixth year of teaching, $2,500 each school year.</li><li>For teachers in their seventh through 15th year of teaching, $3,000 each school year.</li><li>For teachers in their 16th year or more of teaching, $4,000 each school year.</li>
 </ul>Teachers who obtain an endorsement in special education, math, science, technology or dual-credit and who sign a contract to complete a full year of teaching that endorsement in Nebraska would be eligible for one $5,000 “high-need retention grant.” Teachers who received a high-need grant prior to July 1, 2025, would be ineligible to receive another.The current recruitment and retention program, led by former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Lincoln,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.education.ne.gov/csds/resources/teacher-recruitment-and-retention-act/#1730218329232-0b48ca1d-39a3" target="_blank">requires teachers to apply for the grants</a>. The law is set to end Jan. 1, 2028.Dungan said that some long-time teachers have felt left behind from a lack of financial or administrative support and are leaving the teaching field at higher rates. His bill would ensure those teachers “who have committed their life to teaching and continue to work in the career” also get a bonus.In the 2023-24 school year, there were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Statsfacts_20232024.pdf" target="_blank">nearly 27,000 teachers statewide</a>&nbsp;in public and private K-12 schools, according to the Nebraska Department of Education.&nbsp;Dungan said he’s unsure of the annual cost of his proposal. However, excluding high-need retention grants, it could annually cost between $66 million (if all teachers were in their first to sixth year of teaching) and $106 million (if all teachers were in their 16th year of teaching or beyond).If all teachers received one high-need retention grant before 2028, that would cost more than $132 million.School boards would retain local control over employee salaries, but Dungan said the proposed teacher bonuses signal support from the state “with what tools we have in our toolbox.”“It may cost some money, but when we’re talking about finances, especially this year with the budget conversation being what it is, we have to figure out what our priorities are,” Dungan said. “I think one thing we all agree on is we have to prioritize schools.”<h2>Other legislative bills introduced between Jan. 15 and Jan. 17</h2><ul>
 <li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59521" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 282</a>, by State Sen. Jason Prokop of Lincoln, would allow K-12 school teachers to apply for up to $300 in reimbursement from the Nebraska Department of Education for school supplies.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59026" target="_blank">LB 285</a>, by State Sen. Dan Lonowski of Hastings, would outlaw the sale of flavored vape products.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59034" target="_blank">LB 312</a>, by State Sen. Paul Strommen of Sidney and 19 other senators, would expand student loans and repayments under the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act to include nurse anesthetists.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59562" target="_blank">LB 371</a>, by State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, would expand a 2019 law from DeBoer authorizing civil remedies for the nonconsensual disclosure or threat of disclosure of private intimate images to include computer-generated or digitally manipulated photos.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59561" target="_blank">LB 384</a>, by State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman, would require a majority of elected members on property tax asking governing bodies to attend joint public hearings related to property tax requests above the allowable growth percentage.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59140" target="_blank">LB 389</a>, by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, would replace the property tax authority of educational service units with state funding, similar to how the state took over most funding of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/26/questions-remain-as-gov-pillen-doubles-down-on-taking-over-k-12-public-school-funding/">community colleges</a>&nbsp;in 2023.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59643" target="_blank">LB 417</a>, by State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, would codify the University of Nebraska’s “Nebraska Promise” scholarship program in state law. It guarantees free undergraduate tuition for Nebraska residents with family incomes of less than $65,000, or who are Pell Grant eligible. Bostar’s bill would also create the “College Promise Act,” extending the same program to community colleges and state colleges, with state reimbursement.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59486" target="_blank">LB 424</a>, by State Sen. Bob Andersen of Omaha, would prohibit total property tax bills from increasing by whichever is less between 3% or inflation, excluding property improvements.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58812" target="_blank">LB 432</a>, by State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, would allow the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services to carry out the death penalty by the inhalation of pure nitrogen (nitrogen hypoxia), in addition to lethal injection.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59505" target="_blank">Legislative Resolution 15CA</a>, by State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, would prohibit the death penalty.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59000" target="_blank">LR 16CA</a>, by the Urban Affairs Committee, and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59105" target="_blank">LR 18CA</a>, by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, would prohibit the Legislature from imposing increased financial burdens on local political subdivisions unless lawmakers attached funding. Similar efforts to crack down on unfunded mandates, by former State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, stalled multiple times.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59458" target="_blank">LR 19CA</a>, by State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk and 23 other senators, would extend legislative term limits, allowing senators to serve&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/03/03/proposal-to-increase-nebraska-legislative-term-limits-to-three-terms-gains-momentum/">three four-year terms</a>, instead of two terms.</li><li><a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58877" target="_blank">LR 20CA</a>, also by Bostar, would allow authorized gaming operators already conducting sports wagering at licensed racetracks in the state to allow online sports betting if the wager is placed on a mobile or electronic device within Nebraska.</li>
 </ul>

All Nebraska teachers would receive retention bonus under legislative proposal

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball and the Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington on Monday night. (Click below to watch)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737458384752.png" alt="Images from video provided by the Presidential Inaugural Committee" />
 <figcaption>Images from video provided by the Presidential Inaugural Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball and the Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington on Monday night. (Click below to watch)<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball. <a href="https://t.co/1TM8TxkJsh">pic.twitter.com/1TM8TxkJsh</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1881547485585293680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737458926595.png" alt="Vance" />
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🎥 President, First Lady attend Commander-in-Chief, Liberty Inaugural Balls

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday night issued sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/granting-pardons-and-commutation-of-sentences-for-certain-offenses-relating-to-the-events-at-or-near-the-united-states-capitol-on-january-6-2021/" target="_blank">pardons</a>&nbsp;for nearly all Jan. 6 defendants, erasing accountability for those who violently tried to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results on that date in 2021.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/granting-pardons-and-commutation-of-sentences-for-certain-offenses-relating-to-the-events-at-or-near-the-united-states-capitol-on-january-6-2021/">Click here to see the full list</a>&nbsp;of pardons and commutations

Behind the desk of the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he signed a pardon for nearly 1,500 defendants who participated in the attack and commuted the sentences for several others whose punishments require “further research,” he said.

“We hope they come out tonight. They’re expecting it,” Trump said about the defendants.

Journalists&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/awaiting-trump-pardons-families-jan-6-rioters-gather-outside-dc-jail" target="_blank">outside</a>&nbsp;the D.C. Central Detention Facility, where many Jan. 6 defendants are being held, reported families began gathering there Monday in anticipation of the pardons.&nbsp;

The White House released the names of 13 defendants whose sentences Trump commuted. They include numerous right-wing militia&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/court-sentences-two-oath-keepers-leaders-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges-related-us" target="_blank">leaders</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-four-leaders-proud-boys-seditious-conspiracy-related-us-capitol-breach#:~:text=A%20jury%20in%20the%20District,6%2C%202021." target="_blank">convicted</a>&nbsp;of seditious conspiracy.

Among them are Stewart Rhodes of Texas and Kelly Meggs of Florida, the founder and current leader of the Oath Keepers, as well as members of the Proud Boys, including Joseph Biggs of Florida, Ethan Nordean of Washington, Zachary Rehl of Pennsylvania, and Dominic Pezzola of New York.&nbsp;&nbsp;

All remaining Jan. 6 defendants convicted of crimes related to the Capitol attack received a “full, complete and unconditional pardon,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/granting-pardons-and-commutation-of-sentences-for-certain-offenses-relating-to-the-events-at-or-near-the-united-states-capitol-on-january-6-2021/" target="_blank">order</a>.&nbsp;

Trump praised the defendants on the campaign trail as “hostages,” “patriots” and “warriors,” and pardoning them became a major theme of Trump’s rallies.

Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn said the pardons marked a “dark day in American history.”

“This decision is a betrayal to the officers who were severely injured — and died — as a result of the insurrection. This decision puts Americans at risk as these violent criminals return to their communities. These pardons are a reflection of what abuse of power looks like and what we the people are bound to witness over the next four years,” Dunn said in statement released by the anti-Trump group Courage for America.

The U.S. Department of Justice launched its largest-ever investigation following the attack that left over 140 police officers injured and upwards of $2.8 million in damage to the Capitol.

As of early January the department had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/48-months-jan-6-attack-us-capitol" target="_blank">charged</a>&nbsp;just over 1,580 people for crimes related to the riot, 608 of whom were charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement, including nearly a third who used a dangerous or deadly weapon, according to the department’s latest figures.

Weapons, and objects used as weapons, brought on the Capitol grounds ranged from firearms and tasers to chemical sprays and sharp-edged weapons, including knives, axes and even a sword, according to the department.

Approximately 1,000 have pleaded guilty — 682 to misdemeanors and 327 to felonies. Just over 200 defendants were found guilty at contested trials, including 10 who were convicted of seditious conspiracy.

Earlier Monday, Trump promised an overflow inauguration crowd in the Capitol Visitors Center that would deliver “action” for the Jan. 6 “hostages.”

He slammed Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-pardons-his-family-members-fauci-milley-and-jan-6-committee-members-and-staff" target="_blank">preemptive pardoning</a>&nbsp;of the “unselect committee of political thugs,” referring to the former president’s Monday morning action for members and staff who served on the House select committee that probed the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Biden also preemptively pardoned police officers who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8WU8MRC2M8" target="_blank">testified</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/07/27/1020822066/4-officers-who-responded-to-capitol-riot-will-deliver-1st-testimonies-to-new-pan" target="_blank">before</a>&nbsp;the committee. The officers have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-dem-former-police-officers-lambast-trumps-jan-6-pardon-pledge" target="_blank">lambasted</a>&nbsp;Trump’s promise to pardon the rioters.

Former U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, one of the officers to receive the pardon, said in a statement Monday that he “was just doing my job and fulfilling my oath” when “American citizens attacked the U.S. Capitol, injuring me and my colleagues.”

“Thank you President Biden for upholding our nation’s democracy, for your years of service to this country, and — in your final moments as Commander-in-Chief — issuing preemptive pardons for me and other loyal Americans. I did not seek a pardon, and I did nothing wrong. My family and I are grateful for your empathy and leadership.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737422102211.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday night issued sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/granting-pardons-and-commutation-of-sentences-for-certain-offenses-relating-to-the-events-at-or-near-the-united-states-capitol-on-january-6-2021/" target="_blank">pardons</a>&nbsp;for nearly all Jan. 6 defendants, erasing accountability for those who violently tried to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results on that date in 2021.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/granting-pardons-and-commutation-of-sentences-for-certain-offenses-relating-to-the-events-at-or-near-the-united-states-capitol-on-january-6-2021/">Click here to see the full list</a>&nbsp;of pardons and commutationsBehind the desk of the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he signed a pardon for nearly 1,500 defendants who participated in the attack and commuted the sentences for several others whose punishments require “further research,” he said.“We hope they come out tonight. They’re expecting it,” Trump said about the defendants.Journalists&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fox5dc.com/news/awaiting-trump-pardons-families-jan-6-rioters-gather-outside-dc-jail" target="_blank">outside</a>&nbsp;the D.C. Central Detention Facility, where many Jan. 6 defendants are being held, reported families began gathering there Monday in anticipation of the pardons.&nbsp;The White House released the names of 13 defendants whose sentences Trump commuted. They include numerous right-wing militia&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/court-sentences-two-oath-keepers-leaders-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges-related-us" target="_blank">leaders</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-four-leaders-proud-boys-seditious-conspiracy-related-us-capitol-breach#:~:text=A%20jury%20in%20the%20District,6%2C%202021." target="_blank">convicted</a>&nbsp;of seditious conspiracy.Among them are Stewart Rhodes of Texas and Kelly Meggs of Florida, the founder and current leader of the Oath Keepers, as well as members of the Proud Boys, including Joseph Biggs of Florida, Ethan Nordean of Washington, Zachary Rehl of Pennsylvania, and Dominic Pezzola of New York.&nbsp;&nbsp;All remaining Jan. 6 defendants convicted of crimes related to the Capitol attack received a “full, complete and unconditional pardon,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/granting-pardons-and-commutation-of-sentences-for-certain-offenses-relating-to-the-events-at-or-near-the-united-states-capitol-on-january-6-2021/" target="_blank">order</a>.&nbsp;Trump praised the defendants on the campaign trail as “hostages,” “patriots” and “warriors,” and pardoning them became a major theme of Trump’s rallies.Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn said the pardons marked a “dark day in American history.”“This decision is a betrayal to the officers who were severely injured — and died — as a result of the insurrection. This decision puts Americans at risk as these violent criminals return to their communities. These pardons are a reflection of what abuse of power looks like and what we the people are bound to witness over the next four years,” Dunn said in statement released by the anti-Trump group Courage for America.The U.S. Department of Justice launched its largest-ever investigation following the attack that left over 140 police officers injured and upwards of $2.8 million in damage to the Capitol.As of early January the department had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/48-months-jan-6-attack-us-capitol" target="_blank">charged</a>&nbsp;just over 1,580 people for crimes related to the riot, 608 of whom were charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement, including nearly a third who used a dangerous or deadly weapon, according to the department’s latest figures.Weapons, and objects used as weapons, brought on the Capitol grounds ranged from firearms and tasers to chemical sprays and sharp-edged weapons, including knives, axes and even a sword, according to the department.Approximately 1,000 have pleaded guilty — 682 to misdemeanors and 327 to felonies. Just over 200 defendants were found guilty at contested trials, including 10 who were convicted of seditious conspiracy.Earlier Monday, Trump promised an overflow inauguration crowd in the Capitol Visitors Center that would deliver “action” for the Jan. 6 “hostages.”He slammed Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-pardons-his-family-members-fauci-milley-and-jan-6-committee-members-and-staff" target="_blank">preemptive pardoning</a>&nbsp;of the “unselect committee of political thugs,” referring to the former president’s Monday morning action for members and staff who served on the House select committee that probed the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.Biden also preemptively pardoned police officers who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8WU8MRC2M8" target="_blank">testified</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/07/27/1020822066/4-officers-who-responded-to-capitol-riot-will-deliver-1st-testimonies-to-new-pan" target="_blank">before</a>&nbsp;the committee. The officers have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-dem-former-police-officers-lambast-trumps-jan-6-pardon-pledge" target="_blank">lambasted</a>&nbsp;Trump’s promise to pardon the rioters.Former U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, one of the officers to receive the pardon, said in a statement Monday that he “was just doing my job and fulfilling my oath” when “American citizens attacked the U.S. Capitol, injuring me and my colleagues.”“Thank you President Biden for upholding our nation’s democracy, for your years of service to this country, and — in your final moments as Commander-in-Chief — issuing preemptive pardons for me and other loyal Americans. I did not seek a pardon, and I did nothing wrong. My family and I are grateful for your empathy and leadership.”

Trump Pardons Members of Jan. 6 Mob who Stormed U.S. Capitol to Overturn 2020 Election

WASHINGTON — On the first day of Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. Senate Monday passed a bill that would require the expansion of mass detention for immigrants charged or arrested for property crimes.

In a 64-35 vote,&nbsp;12 Democrats joined Republicans to send the bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5" target="_blank">S. 5</a>, known as the Laken Riley Act, back to the House for final passage&nbsp;due to two amendments that were agreed to by senators.

One<a href="https://www.congress.gov/amendment/119th-congress/senate-amendment/14" target="_blank">&nbsp;amendment</a>&nbsp;from Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn would add the assault of a law enforcement officer as an offense requiring mandatory detention.

Another&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/amendment/119th-congress/senate-amendment/8?s=a&amp;r=87" target="_blank">amendment</a>, from Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, would also require mandatory detention requirements for “any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.”

When the measure is passed by the House, it’ll likely be one of the first bills signed into law by Trump, an early victory after he ran a presidential campaign promising mass deportations of immigrants in the country without proper legal authorization.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-officials-outline-planned-immigration-crackdown" target="_blank">Trump is set to sign 10 executive orders</a>&nbsp;to put in motion his immigration crackdown at the southern border.&nbsp;

The bill is named after 22-year-old Laken Riley, a&nbsp;nursing student who was murdered by a man who immigration authorities say entered the country illegally and was previously charged with shoplifting.

The measure would not only greatly expand the detention of immigrants arrested or charged with crimes outlined in the measure, but would give state attorneys general broad discretion to challenge federal immigration policy if enacted into law.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/immigration-lawyers-fear-laken-riley-bill-could-have-broad-impact-trump-takes-office" target="_blank">Immigration attorneys and experts have warned</a>&nbsp;the measure could have far-reaching ramifications, such as subjecting some migrants — including children and teens — to rapid detention and deportation.

WASHINGTON — On the first day of Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. Senate Monday passed a bill that would require the expansion of mass detention for immigrants charged or arrested for property crimes.In a 64-35 vote,&nbsp;12 Democrats joined Republicans to send the bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5" target="_blank">S. 5</a>, known as the Laken Riley Act, back to the House for final passage&nbsp;due to two amendments that were agreed to by senators.One<a href="https://www.congress.gov/amendment/119th-congress/senate-amendment/14" target="_blank">&nbsp;amendment</a>&nbsp;from Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn would add the assault of a law enforcement officer as an offense requiring mandatory detention.Another&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/amendment/119th-congress/senate-amendment/8?s=a&amp;r=87" target="_blank">amendment</a>, from Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, would also require mandatory detention requirements for “any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.”When the measure is passed by the House, it’ll likely be one of the first bills signed into law by Trump, an early victory after he ran a presidential campaign promising mass deportations of immigrants in the country without proper legal authorization.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-officials-outline-planned-immigration-crackdown" target="_blank">Trump is set to sign 10 executive orders</a>&nbsp;to put in motion his immigration crackdown at the southern border.&nbsp;The bill is named after 22-year-old Laken Riley, a&nbsp;nursing student who was murdered by a man who immigration authorities say entered the country illegally and was previously charged with shoplifting.The measure would not only greatly expand the detention of immigrants arrested or charged with crimes outlined in the measure, but would give state attorneys general broad discretion to challenge federal immigration policy if enacted into law.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/immigration-lawyers-fear-laken-riley-bill-could-have-broad-impact-trump-takes-office" target="_blank">Immigration attorneys and experts have warned</a>&nbsp;the measure could have far-reaching ramifications, such as subjecting some migrants — including children and teens — to rapid detention and deportation.

Major GOP-led Immigration Measure Passed by U.S. Senate, Heads to House

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/lawmaker-john-cavanaugh-offers-carrot-and-stick-plan-for-nebraskas-youngest-criminal-offenders/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A Nebraska lawmaker Friday said he has a “compromise” of sorts for those wanting adult consequences for younger kids involved in serious crimes and those who favor a more rehabilitative approach.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced a bill that lowers to 13 the age at which a youth could face adult penalties for felony charges.&nbsp;

However, under<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB407.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;Legislative Bill 407,</a>&nbsp;cases for kids accused of major crimes — as young as 13 and up to 15 — first would have to be handled in juvenile court, which Cavanaugh said is more focused on rehabilitation.

LB 407 provides that court officials could later transfer those child felony offenders to adult court to face adult penalties if they fail to complete the juvenile court program.

“It’s like a carrot and stick,” Cavanaugh said. “The idea is to give an opportunity to get rehabilitated, and if you don’t take it then you still are subjected to the punishment.”

Also to be considered this legislative session is a separate proposed law change urged by Gov. Jim Pillen, which would lower the age at which a child could be detained for an alleged crime from 13 to 11. It also would drop the age, from 14 to 12, at which a minor can be charged as an adult for the most serious felonies.

State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston said he<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/16/nebraska-kids-could-be-detained-for-serious-crimes-younger-at-age-11-charged-as-adults-at-12/">&nbsp;soon will introduce that Pillen-backed bill,</a>&nbsp;which he said was driven also by Omaha-area crime and Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine.

Of that proposal, Cavanaugh said, “I think it’s really dangerous when we’re getting into a situation where we’re attempting to lock up very young kids for the rest of their lives.”

He said young brains are underdeveloped. “We need to try to help them understand the gravity of what they’re doing and how it’s going to affect the people around them and themselves.”

Each legislative proposal would be subject to a public hearing and legislative debate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737399848259.jpeg" alt=" State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/lawmaker-john-cavanaugh-offers-carrot-and-stick-plan-for-nebraskas-youngest-criminal-offenders/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;A Nebraska lawmaker Friday said he has a “compromise” of sorts for those wanting adult consequences for younger kids involved in serious crimes and those who favor a more rehabilitative approach.State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha introduced a bill that lowers to 13 the age at which a youth could face adult penalties for felony charges.&nbsp;However, under<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Intro/LB407.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;Legislative Bill 407,</a>&nbsp;cases for kids accused of major crimes — as young as 13 and up to 15 — first would have to be handled in juvenile court, which Cavanaugh said is more focused on rehabilitation.LB 407 provides that court officials could later transfer those child felony offenders to adult court to face adult penalties if they fail to complete the juvenile court program.“It’s like a carrot and stick,” Cavanaugh said. “The idea is to give an opportunity to get rehabilitated, and if you don’t take it then you still are subjected to the punishment.”Also to be considered this legislative session is a separate proposed law change urged by Gov. Jim Pillen, which would lower the age at which a child could be detained for an alleged crime from 13 to 11. It also would drop the age, from 14 to 12, at which a minor can be charged as an adult for the most serious felonies.State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston said he<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/16/nebraska-kids-could-be-detained-for-serious-crimes-younger-at-age-11-charged-as-adults-at-12/">&nbsp;soon will introduce that Pillen-backed bill,</a>&nbsp;which he said was driven also by Omaha-area crime and Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine.Of that proposal, Cavanaugh said, “I think it’s really dangerous when we’re getting into a situation where we’re attempting to lock up very young kids for the rest of their lives.”He said young brains are underdeveloped. “We need to try to help them understand the gravity of what they’re doing and how it’s going to affect the people around them and themselves.”Each legislative proposal would be subject to a public hearing and legislative debate.

Lawmaker John Cavanaugh Offers ‘Carrot and Stick’ plan for Nebraska’s Youngest Criminal Offenders

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommended community outdoor projects when it meets Jan. 24 in Lincoln.

Commissioners will consider staff recommendations to approve grants for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program and outdoor trail projects for federal funding through the Recreational Trails Program.

The meeting will start at 8 a.m. at Commission headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St.

The commission also will consider approval of the Nebraska’s Third Aquatic Habitat Plan: 2025-2040. The plan identifies and outlines 71 anticipated aquatic habitat restoration and angler access projects on water bodies across the state. It also provides the flexibility to add projects that align with the goals of the Aquatic Habitat Program.

Also on the agenda are staff recommendations to:

The commissioners will elect their officers for 2025.

To view a complete agenda, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://outdoornebraska.gov/" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;and search for&nbsp;<a href="https://outdoornebraska.gov/about/notices/public-notices/">Public Notices</a>.

Shawna Richter-RyersonNebraska Game and Parks CommissionThe Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommended community outdoor projects when it meets Jan. 24 in Lincoln.Commissioners will consider staff recommendations to approve grants for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program and outdoor trail projects for federal funding through the Recreational Trails Program.The meeting will start at 8 a.m. at Commission headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St.The commission also will consider approval of the Nebraska’s Third Aquatic Habitat Plan: 2025-2040. The plan identifies and outlines 71 anticipated aquatic habitat restoration and angler access projects on water bodies across the state. It also provides the flexibility to add projects that align with the goals of the Aquatic Habitat Program.Also on the agenda are staff recommendations to:<ul>
 <li>Approve the Nebraska Game and Parks Employee Recognition Program.</li><li>For Commission designation of 593 acres of Bureau of Education Land and Funds property as an addition to the Williams Gap Wildlife Management Area in Banner County.</li><li>Approve to relinquish irrigation water rights on the Chet and Jane Fliesbach WMA.</li>
 </ul>Commissions also will hear reports on:<ul>
 <li>Game and Parks’ depredation work with landowners in 2024.</li><li>Fisheries Human Dimensions research and how to apply it.</li><li>Agriculture Program update about the Farm Bill and other projects.</li><li>Cowboy Trail 30th anniversary events planned in 2025.</li>
 </ul>The commissioners will elect their officers for 2025.To view a complete agenda, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://outdoornebraska.gov/" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;and search for&nbsp;<a href="https://outdoornebraska.gov/about/notices/public-notices/">Public Notices</a>.

Commissioners to consider community outdoor recreation project grantees

WASHINGTON — Due to technical difficulty with the military band audio during the Inauguration, country music star Carrie Underwood was forced to sing 'America the Beautiful' a cappella.&nbsp;

She calmly looked around the room and said, "if you know the words, help me out here."&nbsp; &nbsp;Those fortunate to get inside the Capitol Rotunda joined her.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737400620201.png" alt="Image courtesy Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Lankford" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Lankford</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — Due to technical difficulty with the military band audio during the Inauguration, country music star Carrie Underwood was forced to sing 'America the Beautiful' a cappella.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/carrieunderwood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@carrieunderwood</a> performs &quot;America the Beautiful&quot; at the Presidential Inauguration. <a href="https://t.co/rIJqcLK2uV">pic.twitter.com/rIJqcLK2uV</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1881400704180376022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>She calmly looked around the room and said, "if you know the words, help me out here."&nbsp; &nbsp;Those fortunate to get inside the Capitol Rotunda joined her.

🎥Inauguration: Carrie Underwood Sings Despite Music Malfunction

The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Northern Division in Norfolk and West Nebraska Division in Scottsbluff have been approved as instructional sites by the Student Exchange Visitor Program to accept international students into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, beginning with the fall 2025 semester.

Previously, those students would have to get an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. They now can satisfy their prerequisites and consider the UNMC College of Nursing divisions in Norfolk and Scottsbluff for their bachelor’s degree without having to complete the associate degree in nursing first.

Haley Hays, DNP, interim assistant dean of the West Nebraska Division, said this will benefit both divisions because many international students already are on the campuses of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff and Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Hays said in her tenure, the UNMC College of Nursing has had to turn away several international students, all of whom attended Western Nebraska Community College and wanted to remain in Scottsbluff.

“This initiative not only diversifies our student body but also strengthens the pipeline of highly skilled, culturally competent nurses in rural Nebraska,” she said. “By expanding opportunities for international students, we are fostering a richer educational environment and helping to address the critical need for health care professionals in our communities.”

Maegen Graham, student services coordinator at the West Nebraska Division, added that it will help bolster health care in the area, especially for international populations.

“It is important to be able to serve the international community in the rural areas and the Panhandle of Scottsbluff,” she said.

UNMCThe University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Northern Division in Norfolk and West Nebraska Division in Scottsbluff have been approved as instructional sites by the Student Exchange Visitor Program to accept international students into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, beginning with the fall 2025 semester.Previously, those students would have to get an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. They now can satisfy their prerequisites and consider the UNMC College of Nursing divisions in Norfolk and Scottsbluff for their bachelor’s degree without having to complete the associate degree in nursing first.Haley Hays, DNP, interim assistant dean of the West Nebraska Division, said this will benefit both divisions because many international students already are on the campuses of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff and Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Hays said in her tenure, the UNMC College of Nursing has had to turn away several international students, all of whom attended Western Nebraska Community College and wanted to remain in Scottsbluff.“This initiative not only diversifies our student body but also strengthens the pipeline of highly skilled, culturally competent nurses in rural Nebraska,” she said. “By expanding opportunities for international students, we are fostering a richer educational environment and helping to address the critical need for health care professionals in our communities.”Maegen Graham, student services coordinator at the West Nebraska Division, added that it will help bolster health care in the area, especially for international populations.“It is important to be able to serve the international community in the rural areas and the Panhandle of Scottsbluff,” she said.Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, said the ability to bring international students into the programs at Norfolk and Scottsbluff will be an asset to their respective communities.“We are excited to have achieved this milestone and now be able to accept international students into our BSN program at the Northern and West Nebraska Divisions,” she said.&nbsp;“This is an opportunity to bolster the nursing&nbsp;workforce by retaining these students in our rural communities.”Jane Meza, PhD, UNMC interim chancellor for academic affairs, said the interactions between students at UNMC campuses lead to a robust, collaborative environment. Students learn from one another and can take those lessons into their careers. Agreements to accept international students already are in place at Omaha, Lincoln and Kearney.“We like to have international students at UNMC because it leads to a richer educational opportunity for all students,” she said. “It helps us to work and to learn with people from other countries and other cultures.”Angela Johnson, EdD, assistant dean of the Northern Division, echoed Meza’s comments, stating that international students will encourage cross-cultural learning and collaboration in the classroom, which will prepare all students for life after school.“Their presence enriches classroom discussions, fosters a broader understanding of healthcare practices, and contributes to the cultural competence of our future nursing professionals,” she said. “By welcoming international students, we strengthen our commitment to being a welcoming university that reflects the world we aim to serve.”Prospective students seeking more information can see the college’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unmc.edu/nursing/divisions/scottsbluff-campus.html" target="_blank">West Nebraska Division webpage</a>&nbsp;or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unmc.edu/nursing/academic-programs/traditional-bsn/index.html" target="_blank">BSN webpage</a>.Caption:Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean of the UNM College of Nursing