By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin next week to block nutrition assistance funding for states led by Democrats that have not provided data on fraud in the program, Secretary Brooke Rollins told President Donald Trump at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday.

USDA sought data from states earlier this year related to their administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, Rollins said Tuesday. She added the data was needed to address fraud that she called “rampant” in the program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.

Most states complied with the request, but 21, mostly run by Democrats, refused, she said. A USDA spokesperson later implied the department was missing data from 22 states.

“As of next week, we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply, and they tell us and allow us to partner with them to root out this fraud and to protect the American taxpayer,” Rollins said.

A USDA spokesperson in an email listed 28 states, plus one territory, from which they said the department has received data.

That would leave the following 22 states, all led by Democratic governors, that have not provided data: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.&nbsp;

The spokesperson provided some additional details of the initiative, including that the department was targeting administrative funds, and that the next step would be a formal warning.

Blue states sought to protect bad actors, including criminals and immigrants in the country without legal status, “over the American taxpayer,” the statement said.

“We have sent Democrat States yet another request for data, and if they fail to comply, they will be provided with formal warning that USDA will pull their administrative funds,” the spokesperson said.

Court&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.453513/gov.uscourts.cand.453513.109.0.pdf" target="_blank">records</a>&nbsp;show the department sent the states a new request for data on Nov. 28, and asked for a response within seven days, which would be Friday.&nbsp;

The letter was reproduced as part of a suit the 22 states have brought against the administration over the request for SNAP recipients’ data.

It’s unclear what authority Rollins would have to block funding, which Congress has appropriated.

The federal government pays for all benefits for SNAP, which was formerly known as food stamps. It splits the administrative costs with states.

The USDA spokesperson did not answer a direct question about the legal authority for withholding funds.

Democrats on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee said any effort to block SNAP funding would be illegal.

“Yet again, Trump and Rollins are illegally threatening to withhold federal dollars,” a social media post from an official account of committee Democrats read. “SNAP has one of the lowest fraud rates of any government program, but Trump continues to weaponize hunger.”

The committee’s lead Democrat, Angie Craig of Minnesota, issued her own statement that also accused the administration of “weaponizing hunger” and said Rollins “continues to spew propaganda.”

“Her disregard for the law and willingness to lie through her teeth comes from the very top – the Trump administration is as corrupt as it is lawless, and I will not sit silently as she carries out the president’s campaign against Americans struggling to afford food in part because of this president’s tariffs and disastrous economic policies.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The data USDA has sought from states includes verification of SNAP recipients’ eligibility, along with a host of personal information such as Social Security numbers.

An early USDA review of data provided by the 28 states and Guam “indicates an estimated average of $24 million dollars per day of federal funds is lost to fraud and errors undetected by States in their administration of SNAP,” the department said in the Nov. 28 letter.

Preventing those losses could save up to $9 billion per year, the letter added.

But the types of fraud cited in some of the public statements from Rollins and the department are rare, existing data show.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-sar-fy23.pdf" target="_blank">2023 USDA report</a>&nbsp;showed about 26,000 applications, roughly 0.1% of the households enrolled in SNAP, were referred for an administrative or criminal review.

People in the country illegally have never been authorized to receive SNAP benefits.

“The long-standing data sources indicate that intentional fraud by participants is rare,” Katie Bergh, a senior food assistance policy analyst for the left-leaning think tank Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, said in a November interview.

SNAP has been a consistent target for cuts during Trump’s second presidency.

The issue was a focal point during the six-week government shutdown, during which the administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-tug-war-over-snap-benefits-timeline" target="_blank">reversed itself often&nbsp;</a>but generally resisted calls — from states, advocates, lawmakers and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">federal judges</a>&nbsp;— to fund food assistance.

Shortly after the government reopened, Rollins in television interviews said she would force&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-wants-everyone-reapply-food-stamps-what-does-mean" target="_blank">all recipients to reapply for benefit</a>s, a proposal seen as logistically challenging by program experts.

And the Republican taxes and spending law passed by Congress and signed by Trump earlier this year included new work requirements and other restrictions on SNAP eligibility that advocates say will lead to major drops in benefits.&nbsp;

The law will also make states pay for some share of benefits and increase the share of administrative costs that states are responsible for, potentially leading some states to cut benefits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761944916334.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin next week to block nutrition assistance funding for states led by Democrats that have not provided data on fraud in the program, Secretary Brooke Rollins told President Donald Trump at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NO DATA, NO MONEY — it’s that simple. If a state won’t share data on criminal use of SNAP benefits, it won’t get a dollar of federal SNAP administrative funding. Let’s see which states stand for accountability and which are just protecting their bribery schemes. 🤔💸 <a href="https://t.co/Y1UXXDOoao">pic.twitter.com/Y1UXXDOoao</a>&mdash; Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins/status/1995933975211397454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>USDA sought data from states earlier this year related to their administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, Rollins said Tuesday. She added the data was needed to address fraud that she called “rampant” in the program that helps 42 million people afford groceries.Most states complied with the request, but 21, mostly run by Democrats, refused, she said. A USDA spokesperson later implied the department was missing data from 22 states.“As of next week, we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply, and they tell us and allow us to partner with them to root out this fraud and to protect the American taxpayer,” Rollins said.A USDA spokesperson in an email listed 28 states, plus one territory, from which they said the department has received data.That would leave the following 22 states, all led by Democratic governors, that have not provided data: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.&nbsp;The spokesperson provided some additional details of the initiative, including that the department was targeting administrative funds, and that the next step would be a formal warning.Blue states sought to protect bad actors, including criminals and immigrants in the country without legal status, “over the American taxpayer,” the statement said.“We have sent Democrat States yet another request for data, and if they fail to comply, they will be provided with formal warning that USDA will pull their administrative funds,” the spokesperson said.Court&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.453513/gov.uscourts.cand.453513.109.0.pdf" target="_blank">records</a>&nbsp;show the department sent the states a new request for data on Nov. 28, and asked for a response within seven days, which would be Friday.&nbsp;The letter was reproduced as part of a suit the 22 states have brought against the administration over the request for SNAP recipients’ data.<h2>Leading Dem calls threat illegal</h2>It’s unclear what authority Rollins would have to block funding, which Congress has appropriated.The federal government pays for all benefits for SNAP, which was formerly known as food stamps. It splits the administrative costs with states.The USDA spokesperson did not answer a direct question about the legal authority for withholding funds.Democrats on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee said any effort to block SNAP funding would be illegal.“Yet again, Trump and Rollins are illegally threatening to withhold federal dollars,” a social media post from an official account of committee Democrats read. “SNAP has one of the lowest fraud rates of any government program, but Trump continues to weaponize hunger.”The committee’s lead Democrat, Angie Craig of Minnesota, issued her own statement that also accused the administration of “weaponizing hunger” and said Rollins “continues to spew propaganda.”“Her disregard for the law and willingness to lie through her teeth comes from the very top – the Trump administration is as corrupt as it is lawless, and I will not sit silently as she carries out the president’s campaign against Americans struggling to afford food in part because of this president’s tariffs and disastrous economic policies.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>SNAP fraud</h2>The data USDA has sought from states includes verification of SNAP recipients’ eligibility, along with a host of personal information such as Social Security numbers.An early USDA review of data provided by the 28 states and Guam “indicates an estimated average of $24 million dollars per day of federal funds is lost to fraud and errors undetected by States in their administration of SNAP,” the department said in the Nov. 28 letter.Preventing those losses could save up to $9 billion per year, the letter added.But the types of fraud cited in some of the public statements from Rollins and the department are rare, existing data show.A&nbsp;<a href="https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/snap-sar-fy23.pdf" target="_blank">2023 USDA report</a>&nbsp;showed about 26,000 applications, roughly 0.1% of the households enrolled in SNAP, were referred for an administrative or criminal review.People in the country illegally have never been authorized to receive SNAP benefits.“The long-standing data sources indicate that intentional fraud by participants is rare,” Katie Bergh, a senior food assistance policy analyst for the left-leaning think tank Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, said in a November interview.<h2>Trump administration target</h2>SNAP has been a consistent target for cuts during Trump’s second presidency.The issue was a focal point during the six-week government shutdown, during which the administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-tug-war-over-snap-benefits-timeline" target="_blank">reversed itself often&nbsp;</a>but generally resisted calls — from states, advocates, lawmakers and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-ordered-pay-full-9b-november-snap-benefits-amid-shutdown" target="_blank">federal judges</a>&nbsp;— to fund food assistance.Shortly after the government reopened, Rollins in television interviews said she would force&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-administration-wants-everyone-reapply-food-stamps-what-does-mean" target="_blank">all recipients to reapply for benefit</a>s, a proposal seen as logistically challenging by program experts.And the Republican taxes and spending law passed by Congress and signed by Trump earlier this year included new work requirements and other restrictions on SNAP eligibility that advocates say will lead to major drops in benefits.&nbsp;The law will also make states pay for some share of benefits and increase the share of administrative costs that states are responsible for, potentially leading some states to cut benefits.

USDA threatens to yank food stamps funding from Democratic-led states

&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;on Tuesday said he did not want Somali immigrants in the U.S.

&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;on Tuesday said he did not want Somali immigrants in the U.S.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> tells it like it is about ungrateful Somali refugees amid the Minnesota fraud scandal: &quot;When they come from hell and they complain and do nothing but bitch — we don&#39;t want them in our country. Let &#39;em go back to where they came from and fix it.&quot; 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/fuaAKP8VsW">pic.twitter.com/fuaAKP8VsW</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995933974171189565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 HOLY CRAP! President Trump calls Somalians and 3rd worlders &quot;GARBAGE&quot; who do &quot;nothing but B*TCH&quot; &quot;We keep taking in GARBAGE to our country. Ilhan Omar is GARBAGE. Her friends are garbage...these people come from hell, complain, and do nothing but B*TCH.&quot; &quot;WE DON&#39;T WANT &#39;EM!… <a href="https://t.co/TCIoEOFLoS">pic.twitter.com/TCIoEOFLoS</a>&mdash; Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1995934758073667785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥What President Trump said about Somali immigrants in the U.S.

House Speaker Mike Johnson lit the Capitol Christmas Tree on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;A fourth grade Nevada student who won an essay contest joined Johnson in lighting the tree.

This year's tree is a 53-foot red fir from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada.

The tree lights will be on each evening from dusk until 11 p.m. now through early January 2026.&nbsp;

House Speaker Mike Johnson lit the Capitol Christmas Tree on Tuesday evening.&nbsp;A fourth grade Nevada student who won an essay contest joined Johnson in lighting the tree.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a> (R-LA) lit the Capitol Christmas Tree on Tuesday evening. This year&#39;s tree is a 53-foot red fir from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. <a href="https://t.co/HFd0n12YuS">pic.twitter.com/HFd0n12YuS</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1995994486623871294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>This year's tree is a 53-foot red fir from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada.The tree lights will be on each evening from dusk until 11 p.m. now through early January 2026.&nbsp;

4th grader joins House speaker in lighting U.S. Capitol Christmas tree

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/LpRHm2TYhK">pic.twitter.com/LpRHm2TYhK</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1995955384201195680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Makes an Announcement, Dec. 2, 2025 <a href="https://t.co/p39M5Ke4LV">https://t.co/p39M5Ke4LV</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1995945069031960820?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">$6.25 billion. 25 million children. $250 each. Susan and I believe the smartest investment we can make is in children. That’s why we’re so excited to contribute $6.25 billion from our charitable funds to help 25 million children start building a strong financial foundation… <a href="https://t.co/4Bcv3RKp0q">pic.twitter.com/4Bcv3RKp0q</a>&mdash; Michael Dell 🇺🇸 (@MichaelDell) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelDell/status/1995835745806786973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/FKL1oV3EGC">https://t.co/FKL1oV3EGC</a> <a href="https://t.co/YT9J2eA4XQ">pic.twitter.com/YT9J2eA4XQ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995946698129252834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/FKL1oV3EGC">https://t.co/FKL1oV3EGC</a><a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpAccounts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TrumpAccounts</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wsym6SuigS">pic.twitter.com/Wsym6SuigS</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995952304688955888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Dells donate $6 billion to fund ‘Trump Accounts’ for millions of kids

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764640848301.png" alt="U.S. attack on an alleged drug boat Sept. 2-image from Department of War" />
 <figcaption>U.S. attack on an alleged drug boat Sept. 2-image from Department of War</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a>: &quot;This is called the fog of war. This is what you in the press don&#39;t understand. You sit in you air conditioned offices or up on Capitol hill, and you nit-pick and you plant fake stories...and then you want to throw out really irresponsible terms about American heroes.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/TNAUjTd4ag">pic.twitter.com/TNAUjTd4ag</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995931807674773554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">For your Christmas wish list… <a href="https://t.co/pLXzg20SaL">pic.twitter.com/pLXzg20SaL</a>&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1995291042346852861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Secretary Hegseth: &quot;We&#39;ve only just begun striking narco boats...We&#39;ve had a bit of a pause, because it&#39;s hard to find boats to strike right now.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/YwKbVuuHMy">pic.twitter.com/YwKbVuuHMy</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1995908101862486021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump: &quot;As far as the attack is concerned, I still haven&#39;t gotten a lot of information because I rely on Pete...I didn&#39;t know about the second strike...&quot; Secretary Hegseth on Admiral Bradley: &quot;It was the right call. We have his back.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ClTUtAY7mb">pic.twitter.com/ClTUtAY7mb</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1995932265239425224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Hegseth defends, Trump distances himself from second boat strike

Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska State Patrol reports that troopers took 24 impaired drivers off the road during the Thanksgiving travel period.

Between Wednesday, November 26, and Sunday, November 30, troopers arrested 24 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence as part of the agency’s holiday enforcement efforts.

“Last weekend’s winter weather created an additional challenge for many families traveling across the state,” said Colonel Bryan Waugh, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As the holiday season continues, our troopers will remain on the road ready to keep families safe as they travel to and from their holiday destinations.”

Along with the DUI arrests, troopers issued 363 citations for speeding, 11 for seat belt violations, 5 for improper child restraints, and 6 for minor-in-possession violations. Troopers also helped 303 motorists in need of roadside assistance during the long weekend.

With winter weather now affecting travel across the state, NSP encourages drivers to prepare for changing road conditions. Motorists can check conditions before and during their trips at 511.Nebraska.gov or through the Nebraska 511 smartphone app. Passengers are encouraged to monitor updates during travel for any closures or crash-related delays.

Anyone who becomes stranded or needs help on the road can contact the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 or 800-525-5555. Dispatchers are available 24/7 to send the nearest trooper to assist.

Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574730582704.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska State Patrol reports that troopers took 24 impaired drivers off the road during the Thanksgiving travel period.Between Wednesday, November 26, and Sunday, November 30, troopers arrested 24 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence as part of the agency’s holiday enforcement efforts.“Last weekend’s winter weather created an additional challenge for many families traveling across the state,” said Colonel Bryan Waugh, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As the holiday season continues, our troopers will remain on the road ready to keep families safe as they travel to and from their holiday destinations.”Along with the DUI arrests, troopers issued 363 citations for speeding, 11 for seat belt violations, 5 for improper child restraints, and 6 for minor-in-possession violations. Troopers also helped 303 motorists in need of roadside assistance during the long weekend.With winter weather now affecting travel across the state, NSP encourages drivers to prepare for changing road conditions. Motorists can check conditions before and during their trips at 511.Nebraska.gov or through the Nebraska 511 smartphone app. Passengers are encouraged to monitor updates during travel for any closures or crash-related delays.Anyone who becomes stranded or needs help on the road can contact the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 or 800-525-5555. Dispatchers are available 24/7 to send the nearest trooper to assist.

NSP Removes 24 Impaired Drivers Over Thanksgiving Weekend

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026, according to a media release from the TSA.

Travelers will be able to pay $45 to use TSA Confirm.ID for a 10-day travel period. TSA urges travelers who do not have a REAL ID to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.

All travelers without an acceptable ID, including those who present a non-REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or ID, will be referred to the optional TSA Confirm.ID process for identity verification upon TSA check-in and prior to entering the security line. This process will differ airport to airport, and TSA is working with private industry to proactively offer online payment options prior to arrival at the airport.

The REAL ID law was signed more than 20 years ago, but previous presidential administrations failed to properly implement it. Under President Trump’s leadership, the law was finally implemented and enforced by Secretary Kristi Noem as of May 7, 2025.

Currently, more than 94% of passengers already use their REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.&nbsp;TSA expects increased wait times for passengers who do not provide an acceptable ID.

“Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl. “The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are. Beginning February 1, travelers who do not present an acceptable form of ID at our security checkpoints and still want to fly can pay a $45 fee and undergo the TSA Confirm.ID process. This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer. The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”

TSA urges all travelers who do not have a REAL ID to pay the fee online before traveling. For passengers who arrive at the airport without paying the fee, information about how to pay for the TSA Confirm.ID option will be available at marked locations at or near the checkpoint in most airports. Travelers who undergo TSA Confirm.ID processing at an airport should expect delays. &nbsp;&nbsp;

TSA’s list of acceptable forms of ID can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Ftravel%2Fsecurity-screening%2Fidentification/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/OolXH2EJrqwNHp8pKwLnzpPoLnVSLa90uiGmDJ_m-Hs=433" target="_blank">TSA.gov/travel/security-screening/identification</a>.

For more information on REAL ID, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Freal-id/2/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/rlIgRwnDC3uSOyUcWNwGNdpedz0TxGUsS1KTWjAvEcY=433" target="_blank">TSA.gov/real-id</a>&nbsp;or text 275-872 (“AskTSA”) or&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fx.com%2FAskTSA/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/XvKffNzS8IXJ4xe-y1peIboZCAJl7_cg6SQCb5jM5n8=433">@AskTSA</a>&nbsp;with questions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764636170272.png" alt="Real ID -photo KCI" />
 <figcaption>Real ID -photo KCI</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026, according to a media release from the TSA.Travelers will be able to pay $45 to use TSA Confirm.ID for a 10-day travel period. TSA urges travelers who do not have a REAL ID to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.Acceptable forms of ID include:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Freal-id/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/WDYagsF_q2ZnJz9Pg_z9jbEWD0vyCJOgUmyJ0lY23lM=433">REAL ID</a>-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)</li><li>If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles.</li><li>A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.</li><li>State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)</li><li><a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Ftravel.state.gov%2Fcontent%2Ftravel%2Fen%2Fpassports.html/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/DcixX7IgNLMrahll1IM8m7IKRalC57koKuBiR1HFe3s=433">U.S. passport</a></li><li><a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Ftravel.state.gov%2Fcontent%2Ftravel%2Fen%2Fpassports%2Fneed-passport%2Fcard.html/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/2rqVGIsFCRyG_7doKiIekytKvboeVp86mbnum1hsHRM=433">U.S. passport card</a></li><li>DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)</li><li>U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents</li><li>Permanent resident card</li><li>Border crossing card</li><li>An acceptable photo ID issued by a&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2021%2F01%2F29%2F2021-01606%2Findian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/_tboMwFfofecM3DEMNqmD_nDIMATmi8_XCjI1NPoteo=433">federally recognized</a>&nbsp;Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)</li><li>HSPD-12 PIV card</li><li>Foreign government-issued passport</li><li>Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card</li><li>Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)</li><li>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)</li><li>U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential</li><li>Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)</li>
 </ul>All travelers without an acceptable ID, including those who present a non-REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or ID, will be referred to the optional TSA Confirm.ID process for identity verification upon TSA check-in and prior to entering the security line. This process will differ airport to airport, and TSA is working with private industry to proactively offer online payment options prior to arrival at the airport.The REAL ID law was signed more than 20 years ago, but previous presidential administrations failed to properly implement it. Under President Trump’s leadership, the law was finally implemented and enforced by Secretary Kristi Noem as of May 7, 2025.Currently, more than 94% of passengers already use their REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.&nbsp;TSA expects increased wait times for passengers who do not provide an acceptable ID.“Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl. “The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are. Beginning February 1, travelers who do not present an acceptable form of ID at our security checkpoints and still want to fly can pay a $45 fee and undergo the TSA Confirm.ID process. This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer. The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”TSA urges all travelers who do not have a REAL ID to pay the fee online before traveling. For passengers who arrive at the airport without paying the fee, information about how to pay for the TSA Confirm.ID option will be available at marked locations at or near the checkpoint in most airports. Travelers who undergo TSA Confirm.ID processing at an airport should expect delays. &nbsp;&nbsp;TSA’s list of acceptable forms of ID can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Ftravel%2Fsecurity-screening%2Fidentification/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/OolXH2EJrqwNHp8pKwLnzpPoLnVSLa90uiGmDJ_m-Hs=433" target="_blank">TSA.gov/travel/security-screening/identification</a>.For more information on REAL ID, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Freal-id/2/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/rlIgRwnDC3uSOyUcWNwGNdpedz0TxGUsS1KTWjAvEcY=433" target="_blank">TSA.gov/real-id</a>&nbsp;or text 275-872 (“AskTSA”) or&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fx.com%2FAskTSA/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/XvKffNzS8IXJ4xe-y1peIboZCAJl7_cg6SQCb5jM5n8=433">@AskTSA</a>&nbsp;with questions.

US air travelers without REAL IDs will soon be charged a hefty fee

Foley questions state handling of publicly funded program aiding people with disabilities

By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN — Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley has called out a state agency for allowing “outrageous” dysfunction in a publicly funded program that provides personal assistance to people with disabilities.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/SA25-12012025-July_1_2024_through_June_30_2025_Medicaid_Single_Early_Management_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">11-page letter</a>&nbsp;Monday to Steve Corsi, chief executive of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Foley’s team alleged “ongoing financial abuse” in the personal assistance services (PAS) program that helps Medicaid-eligible Nebraskans with mobility, hygiene and housekeeping.

“Numerous PAS caregivers continue to milk the program with false, inflated and duplicate billings,” Foley said, adding that the alarm to DHHS was his office’s third since February 2024.

He said DHHS “oversight failures may, in fact, be feeding the problem — effectively setting the stage for some truly mind boggling improprieties, financial and otherwise.”

Information uncovered by the audit team was forwarded to law enforcement for review of possible legal violations.

In one case, the auditors said, a caregiver had been authorized to deliver 66 hours of personal assistance services a week despite holding down a full-time job as a school bus driver. Auditors identified 28 days during which the caregiver billed DHHS for performing client services at the exact times she was documented to have been driving students.

(DHHS) oversight failures may, in fact, be feeding the problem — effectively setting the stage for some truly mind boggling improprieties, financial and otherwise.

– Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley

In another example, Foley described a personal caregiver who billed DHHS for 70 days of client services while working full-time for a family counseling business. He said that created an “impossible scenario” of the caregiver working more than 24 hours in each of 45 days during a three-month period reviewed.&nbsp;

“Some of these caregivers claim to be performing work schedules that would make the Energizer Bunny look like a slacker,” said Foley.&nbsp;

That caregiver had tapped into other public programs as well, including the larger personal care services (PCS) budget and foster care. Particularly troubling to the auditor was that the caregiver in that case provided help to two adult clients who lived in her home. And one, a relative, was on the sex offender registry for having been convicted of felony sex trafficking of children in 2014.&nbsp;Living in the home as well, said Foley, was a 14-year-old girl in the state foster care system.

He said the caregiver appeared to have been purposefully deceitful in failing to disclose to foster care agencies that the past offender lived in the house. In seeking personal care aid, the provider reportedly claimed the relative lived in a backyard “cabin,” for which cleaning was authorized.

“When the audit team reported this bizarre and unsafe domestic arrangement, DHHS removed the foster child from the home,” Foley said.

The findings surfaced during the ongoing statewide annual audit and were reported to Corsi early due to “urgent need for corrective action,” the letter said.

For fiscal year 2025, PAS expenses totaled $10.5 million, of which the federal government covers 60% of costs and the state pays 40%. The PCS program has the same federal-state split for a much larger budget. Foley said the Monday letter aimed mostly at the PAS program.

Revelations outlined in the Monday letter were based on a review of four care providers and one 10-client agency that deals with high dollar amounts. Of the fraction reviewed, the auditing team found about $19,300 in questionable spending.

Another of the examples cited by Foley was a caregiver authorized by DHHS to be paid for 118 hours of service per week, split across three separate clients. Two were her parents, who did not live with her.

“This would require the provider to perform services for more than 16 hours every day of the week,” the team noted in the report, calling that authorization unreasonable.

Foley said he is convinced that a more thorough combing would lead to “a whole lot more” problems. His concern was heightened by an ongoing pattern, he said. Monday’s letter is the latest in a series of communications to DHHS over the past decade alleging potential fraud and other issues that, according to Foley, “appear to have grown increasingly egregious.”

DHHS leadership saw the findings before the public release, and included a response in the letter.

In it, agency managers said they agree with the auditor team’s recommendations to implement procedures that ensure proper payments. They also said DHHS already has taken “significant” steps to implement controls that should mitigate most of the conditions observed by auditors.

In February, for example, the Medicaid and Long-Term Care team started requiring GPS/IVR visit verification and recipient signatures to support a claim payment.

Among other actions, the Child and Family Services will work with the Nebraska State Patrol to develop an automated process that compares addresses of foster parents with the Sex Offender Registry on a quarterly basis. The system is to help ensure no offender resides at the same address as a ward of the state.&nbsp;

DHHS contacts were listed as Jeremy Brussen of Medicaid and Long-Term Care and Kathleen Stolz of Child Family Services.

Contacted Monday, a DHHS spokesman referred to the agency’s response in the auditor’s report, reiterating that the department agreed with recommendations and was actively implementing procedures and controls to ensure proper payment for services.&nbsp;

Foley said that with “all the attention” the personal assistance program has gotten, he would have expected more progress. However, he said, he is optimistic in the ability of Corsi’s DHHS, adding that his predecessor “used to fight us on everything.”

“We’re not getting any pushback,” Foley said of the agency.

<h2>Foley questions state handling of publicly funded program aiding people with disabilities</h2>By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner <figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_6470-scaled-e1685984799495-1536x1021.jpg" alt="&nbsp;The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office in the State Capitol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office in the State Capitol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN — Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley has called out a state agency for allowing “outrageous” dysfunction in a publicly funded program that provides personal assistance to people with disabilities.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/SA25-12012025-July_1_2024_through_June_30_2025_Medicaid_Single_Early_Management_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">11-page letter</a>&nbsp;Monday to Steve Corsi, chief executive of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Foley’s team alleged “ongoing financial abuse” in the personal assistance services (PAS) program that helps Medicaid-eligible Nebraskans with mobility, hygiene and housekeeping.“Numerous PAS caregivers continue to milk the program with false, inflated and duplicate billings,” Foley said, adding that the alarm to DHHS was his office’s third since February 2024.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-300x162.png" alt="Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley. (Courtesy of State Auditor’s Office)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley. (Courtesy of State Auditor’s Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>He said DHHS “oversight failures may, in fact, be feeding the problem — effectively setting the stage for some truly mind boggling improprieties, financial and otherwise.”Information uncovered by the audit team was forwarded to law enforcement for review of possible legal violations.<h2>Energizer bunny?</h2>In one case, the auditors said, a caregiver had been authorized to deliver 66 hours of personal assistance services a week despite holding down a full-time job as a school bus driver. Auditors identified 28 days during which the caregiver billed DHHS for performing client services at the exact times she was documented to have been driving students.(DHHS) oversight failures may, in fact, be feeding the problem — effectively setting the stage for some truly mind boggling improprieties, financial and otherwise.– Nebraska State Auditor Mike FoleyIn another example, Foley described a personal caregiver who billed DHHS for 70 days of client services while working full-time for a family counseling business. He said that created an “impossible scenario” of the caregiver working more than 24 hours in each of 45 days during a three-month period reviewed.&nbsp;“Some of these caregivers claim to be performing work schedules that would make the Energizer Bunny look like a slacker,” said Foley.&nbsp;That caregiver had tapped into other public programs as well, including the larger personal care services (PCS) budget and foster care. Particularly troubling to the auditor was that the caregiver in that case provided help to two adult clients who lived in her home. And one, a relative, was on the sex offender registry for having been convicted of felony sex trafficking of children in 2014.&nbsp;Living in the home as well, said Foley, was a 14-year-old girl in the state foster care system.He said the caregiver appeared to have been purposefully deceitful in failing to disclose to foster care agencies that the past offender lived in the house. In seeking personal care aid, the provider reportedly claimed the relative lived in a backyard “cabin,” for which cleaning was authorized.“When the audit team reported this bizarre and unsafe domestic arrangement, DHHS removed the foster child from the home,” Foley said.The findings surfaced during the ongoing statewide annual audit and were reported to Corsi early due to “urgent need for corrective action,” the letter said.For fiscal year 2025, PAS expenses totaled $10.5 million, of which the federal government covers 60% of costs and the state pays 40%. The PCS program has the same federal-state split for a much larger budget. Foley said the Monday letter aimed mostly at the PAS program.Revelations outlined in the Monday letter were based on a review of four care providers and one 10-client agency that deals with high dollar amounts. Of the fraction reviewed, the auditing team found about $19,300 in questionable spending.<h2>‘Increasingly egregious’</h2>Another of the examples cited by Foley was a caregiver authorized by DHHS to be paid for 118 hours of service per week, split across three separate clients. Two were her parents, who did not live with her.“This would require the provider to perform services for more than 16 hours every day of the week,” the team noted in the report, calling that authorization unreasonable.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Leadership-Corsi-Large-276x300.jpg" alt="Steve Corsi, CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. (Courtesy of Nebraska DHHS)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Corsi, CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. (Courtesy of Nebraska DHHS)</figcaption>
 </figure>Foley said he is convinced that a more thorough combing would lead to “a whole lot more” problems. His concern was heightened by an ongoing pattern, he said. Monday’s letter is the latest in a series of communications to DHHS over the past decade alleging potential fraud and other issues that, according to Foley, “appear to have grown increasingly egregious.”DHHS leadership saw the findings before the public release, and included a response in the letter.In it, agency managers said they agree with the auditor team’s recommendations to implement procedures that ensure proper payments. They also said DHHS already has taken “significant” steps to implement controls that should mitigate most of the conditions observed by auditors.In February, for example, the Medicaid and Long-Term Care team started requiring GPS/IVR visit verification and recipient signatures to support a claim payment.Among other actions, the Child and Family Services will work with the Nebraska State Patrol to develop an automated process that compares addresses of foster parents with the Sex Offender Registry on a quarterly basis. The system is to help ensure no offender resides at the same address as a ward of the state.&nbsp;DHHS contacts were listed as Jeremy Brussen of Medicaid and Long-Term Care and Kathleen Stolz of Child Family Services.<h2>No pushback</h2>Contacted Monday, a DHHS spokesman referred to the agency’s response in the auditor’s report, reiterating that the department agreed with recommendations and was actively implementing procedures and controls to ensure proper payment for services.&nbsp;Foley said that with “all the attention” the personal assistance program has gotten, he would have expected more progress. However, he said, he is optimistic in the ability of Corsi’s DHHS, adding that his predecessor “used to fight us on everything.”“We’re not getting any pushback,” Foley said of the agency.

Nebraska auditor fears DHHS oversight failures risk ‘mind boggling improprieties’

Lawson told witness “If you talk, it’s your funeral”

U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Iowa - December 1, 2025

Two men with lengthy criminal histories were convicted by a jury on November 25, 2025, after a 11-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

Floyd Clifford Coates, Jr., aka Cliff Coates, age 44, from St. Francis, Kansas, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and Drug User, Conspiracy to Conceal Objects with the Intent to Impair Their Availability for an Official Proceeding, and Concealing Objects with the Intent to Impair their Availability for an Official Proceeding. Coates was acquitted of other charges related to threats, and obstruction of justice.&nbsp;

Dennis Lawson, age 65, from Whiting, Iowa, was convicted of Using Threat of Physical Force Against Another with the Intent to Hinder, Delay, or Prevent the Communication to a Law Enforcement Officer and Judge of the United States of Information Relating to the Commission and Possible Commission of a Federal Offense. Lawson was acquitted of other charges relating to drugs, threats and obstruction.&nbsp;

The verdict was returned following about 2 hours of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that in Spring 2019, Coates was a member of a drug trafficking organization that funneled pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado to Strubel, Iowa, among other places, for redistribution, and that Coates possessed firearms to protect his illegal drug operation. Evidence also showed that on Easter weekend 2019, Coates had arranged a drug run to Kansas City, Missouri.

To execute the Easter weekend drug run, Coates had convinced an Iowa woman to drive from Sioux City, Iowa; meet him in Blair, Nebraska; and drive him to Kansas City, Missouri, and back. Coates decided to travel to Blair from Trenton, Nebraska, with another woman, 18-year-old Sunny Sramek. Coates and Sramek left Trenton in his wife’s white Ford Explorer to go on the trip. There is no evidence Ms. Sramek knew Coates was going to Kansas City; in fact, she told friends and family that she was going to be on a day trip to Omaha.&nbsp;

The pair made it to Blair, where Coates went into a home, but Ms. Sramek did not. Coates’s driver arrived from Sioux City and Coates said nothing of Ms. Sramek to the driver. As the driver and Coates left the home, the driver saw Ms. Sramek’s motionless body. The driver testified it looked as if Ms. Sramek had overdosed, and Coates said he had provided her methamphetamine. Coates cancelled his drug run to Kansas City and told his driver to go to the home of his brother-in-law Dennis Lawson near Whiting, Iowa, on the banks of the Missouri River. The driver testified that after they arrived at Lawson’s residence Lawson and Coates disappeared for a time, when they returned, Ms. Sramek’s body was gone. The driver also testified that she and Coates cleaned out the car, and that Lawson threatened her saying if she told anyone, “it would be her funeral.”

Later, Coates told confidants that Ms. Sramek had overdosed. He told other friends a more violent story. In both versions, however, he told people he had thrown Ms. Sramek’s body into the Missouri River to conceal evidence of his crimes. Coates was confident his efforts at concealing Ms. Sramek’s body would insulate him from accountability. He told one person “no body, no case” and asked another “you can’t get charged with murder if there is no body, can you?”

Coates’s confidence was misplaced. Law enforcement gathered a significant amount of physical evidence tying Coates to Ms. Sramek’s disappearance. Forensic analysis indicated Ms. Sramek’s DNA and a significant amount of blood were found in the white Ford Explorer. The forensic findings combined with other evidence provided the proof the jury used to convict Coates and Lawson.&nbsp;

“Sunny Sramek went missing more than six years ago,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson. “But the investigators’ dedication kept her case from going cold. Thanks to them, these two criminals now face judgment for Sunny’s disappearance. Those who believe they can escape justice through threats, cover-ups, or the passage of time will discover they are mistaken.”

“The convictions of Coates and Lawson represent years of tireless, unwavering efforts by a dedicated team of FBI personnel who never stopped looking for Sunny Sramek,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Despite the defendants’ best efforts to conceal involvement in her disappearance, the FBI persisted in our mission to hold these subjects accountable for their actions. We hope these convictions bring some measure of solace to Sunny’s family. The FBI will always use every tool and technique in our arsenal to seek justice for the missing and attempts to hinder those efforts will be aggressively investigated.”

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Coates and Lawson remain in custody of the United States Marshal.

Coates faces a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

Lawson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

&nbsp;The case was investigated by Hitchcock County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office; the Nebraska State Patrol; the Iowa Department of Public Safety—Division of Criminal Investigation; the Plymouth County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the O’Brien County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner; the Goodland, Kansas, Police Department; and the&nbsp;<a></a>United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.&nbsp;

For Immediate Release<h2>Lawson told witness “If you talk, it’s your funeral”</h2>U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Iowa - December 1, 2025<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764644350839.jpeg" alt="Sunny Sramek, of Trenton, Ne, has been missing since April 20 of 2019 when she was 18 years-old. Two men linked to the disappearance were found guilty on drug, gun and obstruction-related charges December 1, 2025. (Find Sunny Sramek Facebook Page)" />
 <figcaption>Sunny Sramek, of Trenton, Ne, has been missing since April 20 of 2019 when she was 18 years-old. Two men linked to the disappearance were found guilty on drug, gun and obstruction-related charges December 1, 2025. (Find Sunny Sramek Facebook Page)</figcaption>
 </figure>Two men with lengthy criminal histories were convicted by a jury on November 25, 2025, after a 11-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764644790644.png" alt="Coates (Woodbury County Sheriff's Office)" />
 <figcaption>Coates (Woodbury County Sheriff's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Floyd Clifford Coates, Jr., aka Cliff Coates, age 44, from St. Francis, Kansas, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and Drug User, Conspiracy to Conceal Objects with the Intent to Impair Their Availability for an Official Proceeding, and Concealing Objects with the Intent to Impair their Availability for an Official Proceeding. Coates was acquitted of other charges related to threats, and obstruction of justice.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1764645071823.png" alt="Lawson (Woodbury County Sheriff's Office)" />
 <figcaption>Lawson (Woodbury County Sheriff's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Dennis Lawson, age 65, from Whiting, Iowa, was convicted of Using Threat of Physical Force Against Another with the Intent to Hinder, Delay, or Prevent the Communication to a Law Enforcement Officer and Judge of the United States of Information Relating to the Commission and Possible Commission of a Federal Offense. Lawson was acquitted of other charges relating to drugs, threats and obstruction.&nbsp;The verdict was returned following about 2 hours of jury deliberations.The evidence at trial showed that in Spring 2019, Coates was a member of a drug trafficking organization that funneled pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado to Strubel, Iowa, among other places, for redistribution, and that Coates possessed firearms to protect his illegal drug operation. Evidence also showed that on Easter weekend 2019, Coates had arranged a drug run to Kansas City, Missouri.To execute the Easter weekend drug run, Coates had convinced an Iowa woman to drive from Sioux City, Iowa; meet him in Blair, Nebraska; and drive him to Kansas City, Missouri, and back. Coates decided to travel to Blair from Trenton, Nebraska, with another woman, 18-year-old Sunny Sramek. Coates and Sramek left Trenton in his wife’s white Ford Explorer to go on the trip. There is no evidence Ms. Sramek knew Coates was going to Kansas City; in fact, she told friends and family that she was going to be on a day trip to Omaha.&nbsp;The pair made it to Blair, where Coates went into a home, but Ms. Sramek did not. Coates’s driver arrived from Sioux City and Coates said nothing of Ms. Sramek to the driver. As the driver and Coates left the home, the driver saw Ms. Sramek’s motionless body. The driver testified it looked as if Ms. Sramek had overdosed, and Coates said he had provided her methamphetamine. Coates cancelled his drug run to Kansas City and told his driver to go to the home of his brother-in-law Dennis Lawson near Whiting, Iowa, on the banks of the Missouri River. The driver testified that after they arrived at Lawson’s residence Lawson and Coates disappeared for a time, when they returned, Ms. Sramek’s body was gone. The driver also testified that she and Coates cleaned out the car, and that Lawson threatened her saying if she told anyone, “it would be her funeral.”Later, Coates told confidants that Ms. Sramek had overdosed. He told other friends a more violent story. In both versions, however, he told people he had thrown Ms. Sramek’s body into the Missouri River to conceal evidence of his crimes. Coates was confident his efforts at concealing Ms. Sramek’s body would insulate him from accountability. He told one person “no body, no case” and asked another “you can’t get charged with murder if there is no body, can you?”Coates’s confidence was misplaced. Law enforcement gathered a significant amount of physical evidence tying Coates to Ms. Sramek’s disappearance. Forensic analysis indicated Ms. Sramek’s DNA and a significant amount of blood were found in the white Ford Explorer. The forensic findings combined with other evidence provided the proof the jury used to convict Coates and Lawson.&nbsp;“Sunny Sramek went missing more than six years ago,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson. “But the investigators’ dedication kept her case from going cold. Thanks to them, these two criminals now face judgment for Sunny’s disappearance. Those who believe they can escape justice through threats, cover-ups, or the passage of time will discover they are mistaken.”“The convictions of Coates and Lawson represent years of tireless, unwavering efforts by a dedicated team of FBI personnel who never stopped looking for Sunny Sramek,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Despite the defendants’ best efforts to conceal involvement in her disappearance, the FBI persisted in our mission to hold these subjects accountable for their actions. We hope these convictions bring some measure of solace to Sunny’s family. The FBI will always use every tool and technique in our arsenal to seek justice for the missing and attempts to hinder those efforts will be aggressively investigated.”Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Coates and Lawson remain in custody of the United States Marshal.Coates faces a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.Lawson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.&nbsp;The case was investigated by Hitchcock County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office; the Nebraska State Patrol; the Iowa Department of Public Safety—Division of Criminal Investigation; the Plymouth County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the O’Brien County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner; the Goodland, Kansas, Police Department; and the&nbsp;<a></a>United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.&nbsp;

Men Linked to the Disappearance of an 18-Year-Old Nebraska Woman Found Guilty of Drug, Gun, and Obstruction-Related Charges

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Donald J. Trump&#39;s Advanced Imaging Results: &quot;His cardiovascular system shows excellent health... and confirms that he remains at excellent overall health.&quot; — Capt Sean P. Barbabella, D.O. Physician to the President <a href="https://t.co/WJxdZEBUFS">pic.twitter.com/WJxdZEBUFS</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1995569253748211743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
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Read the report: President Trump shares his MRI results

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> nukes the Fake News on his MRI: &quot;It&#39;s perfect. It&#39;s like my phone call where I got impeached, it&#39;s absolutely perfect... It wasn&#39;t the brain because I took a cognitive test and I aced it. I got a perfect mark, which you would be incapable of doing.&quot; 😂🤣 <a href="https://t.co/gK6FLfkKr8">pic.twitter.com/gK6FLfkKr8</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1995270338826076313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump responds to Democrats’ demands to release his MRI results

WASHINGTON — Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s upcoming resignation from Congress set off a series of questions and misinformation about what health care and pension benefits lawmakers receive once they leave public service.&nbsp;

The system is a bit complex and determined by when a lawmaker entered Congress as well as how long they stayed. Members must serve at least five years, putting Greene just over the eligibility line&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/11/21/georgia-congresswoman-marjorie-taylor-greene-says-she-will-resign-in-january/" target="_blank">when she officially steps aside</a>&nbsp;in January.&nbsp;

Members of Congress elected after 1984 are covered under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System. The four House lawmakers and one senator elected before then may be under the Civil Service Retirement System, so their benefit may be calculated differently than that of their colleagues.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service explains in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/RL/PDF/RL30631/RL30631.39.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;about lawmakers’ retirement benefits that “pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination of employee and employer contributions.”&nbsp;

“Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at the age of 62 if they have completed at least 5 years of service,” the report states. “Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on length of service (as measured in months) and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.”

All members also must pay into Social Security, and how much in taxes they pay and benefits they receive are the same as for all beneficiaries.

Members of Congress, except for leadership, are paid $174,000 a year.

Greene, who began her congressional career on Jan. 3, 2021, will be just over the five-year requirement when she formally resigns on Jan. 5.&nbsp;

Greene will receive about $8,700 in pension benefits per year for the rest of her life, after she turns 62. She is now 51.

Former U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who was first sworn in on June 2, 1987, after winning a special election, will receive considerably more in pension benefits given that she was a member for decades longer than Greene and had a higher salary during her time in leadership.&nbsp;

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntu.org/foundation/detail/pelosi-to-exit-congress-with-one-of-the-largest-pensions-on-record" target="_blank">expects</a>&nbsp;Pelosi will receive an annual pension of $107,860 after she retires in January 2027.&nbsp;

Members of Congress who retire or resign are eligible to purchase health insurance from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program as long as they had health insurance from the District of Columbia’s Affordable Care Act marketplace “for the five years of service immediately prior to retirement,” according to a different CRS&nbsp;<a href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R43194.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>.&nbsp;

While in Congress, lawmakers are eligible to have some of their health coverage offset by their employer — the federal government — as long as they purchase it through the D.C. marketplace, known as DC Health Link. Like others in the states, it was created by the Affordable Care Act.

As with group health insurance plans, the amount subsidized by the federal government depends on whether a lawmaker selects a health plan that covers themselves or themselves plus eligible family members.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714577209426.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By Jennifer ShuttWASHINGTON — Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s upcoming resignation from Congress set off a series of questions and misinformation about what health care and pension benefits lawmakers receive once they leave public service.&nbsp;The system is a bit complex and determined by when a lawmaker entered Congress as well as how long they stayed. Members must serve at least five years, putting Greene just over the eligibility line&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/11/21/georgia-congresswoman-marjorie-taylor-greene-says-she-will-resign-in-january/" target="_blank">when she officially steps aside</a>&nbsp;in January.&nbsp;Members of Congress elected after 1984 are covered under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System. The four House lawmakers and one senator elected before then may be under the Civil Service Retirement System, so their benefit may be calculated differently than that of their colleagues.&nbsp;&nbsp;The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service explains in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/RL/PDF/RL30631/RL30631.39.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;about lawmakers’ retirement benefits that “pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination of employee and employer contributions.”&nbsp;“Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at the age of 62 if they have completed at least 5 years of service,” the report states. “Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on length of service (as measured in months) and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.”All members also must pay into Social Security, and how much in taxes they pay and benefits they receive are the same as for all beneficiaries.Members of Congress, except for leadership, are paid $174,000 a year.Greene, who began her congressional career on Jan. 3, 2021, will be just over the five-year requirement when she formally resigns on Jan. 5.&nbsp;Greene will receive about $8,700 in pension benefits per year for the rest of her life, after she turns 62. She is now 51.Former U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who was first sworn in on June 2, 1987, after winning a special election, will receive considerably more in pension benefits given that she was a member for decades longer than Greene and had a higher salary during her time in leadership.&nbsp;The National Taxpayers Union Foundation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntu.org/foundation/detail/pelosi-to-exit-congress-with-one-of-the-largest-pensions-on-record" target="_blank">expects</a>&nbsp;Pelosi will receive an annual pension of $107,860 after she retires in January 2027.&nbsp;<h2>Health insurance benefits</h2>Members of Congress who retire or resign are eligible to purchase health insurance from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program as long as they had health insurance from the District of Columbia’s Affordable Care Act marketplace “for the five years of service immediately prior to retirement,” according to a different CRS&nbsp;<a href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R43194.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>.&nbsp;While in Congress, lawmakers are eligible to have some of their health coverage offset by their employer — the federal government — as long as they purchase it through the D.C. marketplace, known as DC Health Link. Like others in the states, it was created by the Affordable Care Act.As with group health insurance plans, the amount subsidized by the federal government depends on whether a lawmaker selects a health plan that covers themselves or themselves plus eligible family members.&nbsp;

Rep. MTG's retirement launches speculation about congressional pensions

President Donald Trump said Friday he will try to reverse any law, pardon or still-in-effect executive order that former President Joe Biden signed with an autopen, though it wasn’t immediately clear how that would work or whether it would be legal.&nbsp;

Trump declared in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115629010097815862" target="_blank">a social media post</a>&nbsp;that any documents Biden signed with the autopen are “hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect.”

“I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally,” Trump alleged. “Joe Biden was not involved in the Autopen process and, if he says he was, he will be brought up on charges of perjury. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The White House press office didn’t immediately respond to a request for the list of documents Trump believes he has the ability to rescind based on the manner they were signed.

States Newsroom also asked the Trump administration if officials believe the president would need to sign an executive order in order to implement his social media post.&nbsp;

Experts dismissed earlier autopen challenge&nbsp;

The post was similar to one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/legal-experts-quash-trump-argument-biden-pardons-signed-autopen-are-void" target="_blank">Trump published in March</a>&nbsp;when he claimed any pardons Biden signed with the autopen were void, something legal experts said at the time was “absurd” and a “red herring.”

Trump brought up his frustration with autopen use again in June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-opens-investigation-biden-autopen-use" target="_blank">when he ordered</a>&nbsp;the White House legal counsel and U.S. attorney general to investigate when and why Biden administration staff used an autopen.&nbsp;

Trump said during an Oval Office appearance at the time he hadn’t found any evidence Biden aides violated the law.

“No, but I’ve uncovered the human mind,” Trump said. “I was in a debate with the human mind and I didn’t think he knew what the hell he was doing. So it’s one of those things, one of those problems. We can’t ever allow that to happen to our country.”

Biden and spokespeople working for him have repeatedly said he knew what official documents were being signed in his name and rejected claims that White House staff used the autopen without his authorization or knowledge.&nbsp;

Biden released a statement in June following the Trump memorandum, saying the investigation “is nothing more than a distraction by Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans who are working to push disastrous legislation that would cut essential programs like Medicaid and raise costs on American families, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.”

“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations,” Biden wrote at the time. “Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”

While presidents have regularly rescinded their predecessors executive orders, usually within their first few days or weeks in office, Congress would very likely need to act in order to alter or eliminate any laws that Biden signed with an autopen. Trump seeking to overturn a law, or part of a law, unilaterally would likely lead to a lawsuit over whether he holds that power.&nbsp;

It also wasn’t immediately clear what legal authority Trump believes he has as president to undo pardons if Biden used an autopen to sign the documents.&nbsp;

David Super, a constitutional and administrative law professor at Georgetown University, told States Newsroom in March that “the Constitution does not require signatures for pardons. It simply says the president has the power to pardon.”

“So if President Biden wanted to simply verbally tell someone they’re pardoned, he could do that. It wouldn’t have to be in writing at all,” he said. “Administratively, of course, we want things in writing. It makes things a lot simpler, but there’s no constitutional requirement.”

Ashley Murray contributed to this report.&nbsp;

By Jennifer ShuttPresident Donald Trump said Friday he will try to reverse any law, pardon or still-in-effect executive order that former President Joe Biden signed with an autopen, though it wasn’t immediately clear how that would work or whether it would be legal.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally.&quot; - President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/D5mzIl1Cai">pic.twitter.com/D5mzIl1Cai</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1994494769566028142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump declared in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115629010097815862" target="_blank">a social media post</a>&nbsp;that any documents Biden signed with the autopen are “hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect.”“I am hereby cancelling all Executive Orders, and anything else that was not directly signed by Crooked Joe Biden, because the people who operated the Autopen did so illegally,” Trump alleged. “Joe Biden was not involved in the Autopen process and, if he says he was, he will be brought up on charges of perjury. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”The White House press office didn’t immediately respond to a request for the list of documents Trump believes he has the ability to rescind based on the manner they were signed.States Newsroom also asked the Trump administration if officials believe the president would need to sign an executive order in order to implement his social media post.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749205481205.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Experts dismissed earlier autopen challenge&nbsp;</h2>The post was similar to one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/legal-experts-quash-trump-argument-biden-pardons-signed-autopen-are-void" target="_blank">Trump published in March</a>&nbsp;when he claimed any pardons Biden signed with the autopen were void, something legal experts said at the time was “absurd” and a “red herring.”Trump brought up his frustration with autopen use again in June&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-opens-investigation-biden-autopen-use" target="_blank">when he ordered</a>&nbsp;the White House legal counsel and U.S. attorney general to investigate when and why Biden administration staff used an autopen.&nbsp;Trump said during an Oval Office appearance at the time he hadn’t found any evidence Biden aides violated the law.“No, but I’ve uncovered the human mind,” Trump said. “I was in a debate with the human mind and I didn’t think he knew what the hell he was doing. So it’s one of those things, one of those problems. We can’t ever allow that to happen to our country.”Biden and spokespeople working for him have repeatedly said he knew what official documents were being signed in his name and rejected claims that White House staff used the autopen without his authorization or knowledge.&nbsp;Biden released a statement in June following the Trump memorandum, saying the investigation “is nothing more than a distraction by Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans who are working to push disastrous legislation that would cut essential programs like Medicaid and raise costs on American families, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.”“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations,” Biden wrote at the time. “Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”While presidents have regularly rescinded their predecessors executive orders, usually within their first few days or weeks in office, Congress would very likely need to act in order to alter or eliminate any laws that Biden signed with an autopen. Trump seeking to overturn a law, or part of a law, unilaterally would likely lead to a lawsuit over whether he holds that power.&nbsp;<h2>Trump doesn’t cite legal authority</h2>It also wasn’t immediately clear what legal authority Trump believes he has as president to undo pardons if Biden used an autopen to sign the documents.&nbsp;David Super, a constitutional and administrative law professor at Georgetown University, told States Newsroom in March that “the Constitution does not require signatures for pardons. It simply says the president has the power to pardon.”“So if President Biden wanted to simply verbally tell someone they’re pardoned, he could do that. It wouldn’t have to be in writing at all,” he said. “Administratively, of course, we want things in writing. It makes things a lot simpler, but there’s no constitutional requirement.”Ashley Murray contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Trump social media post claims to void Biden orders

State Treasurer urges Nebraskans to check for missing money.

Lincoln, Neb. – Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg is urging Nebraskans to check for unclaimed property as the state prepares to close out another year of returning millions of dollars to residents.

“The unclaimed property overseen by the Treasurer’s Office doesn’t belong to the state — it belongs to our state’s residents,” Spellerberg said. “Our mission is to reconnect Nebraskans with their unclaimed assets and to make the process as easy as possible.”

As of late November, the Nebraska Unclaimed Property Program had returned approximately $260 million to rightful owners since the program’s inception. Recent returns have ranged from small utility refunds to five-figure stock accounts.

State law requires companies to turn over dormant assets to the Treasurer’s Office, which safeguards them until the rightful owner or heirs make a valid claim. 

The Unclaimed Property Program handles a variety of financial assets, including but not limited to:

- Stock certificates, dividends, and mutual funds; 

Safe deposit box contents are inventoried and kept secure. Some items may be auctioned if unclaimed following the statutory holding period, with proceeds credited to the owner’s claim. Real estate, vehicles, and state tax refunds are not part of the program.

Year to date, the Unclaimed Property Division has returned $16,277,186 across 16,487 claims. 

“Checking the Unclaimed Property website should be a year-end priority for Nebraskans,” said Unclaimed Property Director Meaghan Aguirre. “Search your name and names of your family members. It only takes a minute — and you may find money you were missing.”

How to Check for Unclaimed Property

Nebraska residents should visit the state’s official unclaimed property website at NebraskaLostCash.nebraska.gov. There’s never a fee to search or claim your property. Just enter your name or business name to search. If there’s a match, you can begin the free claim process online.

Individuals who have lived in multiple states should use the multi-state search portal managed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA): MissingMoney.com. This site allows users to search participating states simultaneously.

For questions, call (877) 572-9688 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT).

The Nebraska State Treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping and supervision of Nebraska's public funds, and mandated to receive, keep, and disburse all state money. Beyond these core duties, the office administers the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) and Enable Savings Plan; manages and returns unclaimed property; collects and disperses child support payments; and ensures public transparency regarding state spending. 

<h2>State Treasurer urges Nebraskans to check for missing money.</h2>For Immediate Release<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737475505087.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Lincoln, Neb. – Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg is urging Nebraskans to check for unclaimed property as the state prepares to close out another year of returning millions of dollars to residents.“The unclaimed property overseen by the Treasurer’s Office doesn’t belong to the state — it belongs to our state’s residents,” Spellerberg said. “Our mission is to reconnect Nebraskans with their unclaimed assets and to make the process as easy as possible.”As of late November, the Nebraska Unclaimed Property Program had returned approximately $260 million to rightful owners since the program’s inception. Recent returns have ranged from small utility refunds to five-figure stock accounts.History and PurposeState law requires companies to turn over dormant assets to the Treasurer’s Office, which safeguards them until the rightful owner or heirs make a valid claim. The Unclaimed Property Program handles a variety of financial assets, including but not limited to:- Dormant checking and savings accounts;- Uncashed payroll or vendor checks; - Stock certificates, dividends, and mutual funds; - Contents of safe deposit boxes; - Utility and rent deposits; and - Life insurance payments.Safe deposit box contents are inventoried and kept secure. Some items may be auctioned if unclaimed following the statutory holding period, with proceeds credited to the owner’s claim. Real estate, vehicles, and state tax refunds are not part of the program.#MORE#Recent Activity &amp; ImpactYear to date, the Unclaimed Property Division has returned $16,277,186 across 16,487 claims. “Checking the Unclaimed Property website should be a year-end priority for Nebraskans,” said Unclaimed Property Director Meaghan Aguirre. “Search your name and names of your family members. It only takes a minute — and you may find money you were missing.”How to Check for Unclaimed PropertyNebraska residents should visit the state’s official unclaimed property website at NebraskaLostCash.nebraska.gov. There’s never a fee to search or claim your property. Just enter your name or business name to search. If there’s a match, you can begin the free claim process online.Individuals who have lived in multiple states should use the multi-state search portal managed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA): MissingMoney.com. This site allows users to search participating states simultaneously.For questions, call (877) 572-9688 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT).###The Nebraska State Treasurer is responsible for the safekeeping and supervision of Nebraska's public funds, and mandated to receive, keep, and disburse all state money. Beyond these core duties, the office administers the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) and Enable Savings Plan; manages and returns unclaimed property; collects and disperses child support payments; and ensures public transparency regarding state spending. Learn more at treasurer.nebraska.gov.

Spellerberg Highlights Year-End Progress on Returning Unclaimed Property to Nebraskans

 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol, Governor Jim Pillen, and a grateful Nebraska family were pleased to present the NSP Life Saver Award to Trooper Braden Heidbrink.

“Most of you that enter this profession are very humble. You don’t do this job for moments like this,” said Colonel Bryan Waugh. “We sign up to do this job because we genuinely have a passion to serve, to protect, to be there at the most horrible, horrific moment in somebody’s life, that we can hopefully make a difference in that moment.”

On May 10, 2025, Lancaster County 911 received a call of a medical emergency in which a 4-year-old child was severely injured in a lawnmower accident in Hallam. Trooper Heidbrink was the closest first responder and arrived within minutes. Upon arrival, Trooper Heidbrink found the child’s father attempting to care for the child, who had serious injuries to both legs. Trooper Heidbrink quickly applied a tourniquet to the child’s right leg and then bandaged the child’s left leg. Hallam EMS arrived on scene and transported the child, Percy, to the hospital.

The injuries eventually required amputation of Percy’s right leg, but the quick actions of Trooper Heidbrink were credited with saving Percy’s life.

Tuesday, Percy and his family joined NSP, Governor Pillen, Trooper Heidbrink’s family, and several members of Trooper Heidbrink’s National Guard unit for the presentation of the NSP Life Saver Award. Percy also got to show off his prosthetic leg.

“You responded, took care of this little guy in an incredible moment,” Governor Jim Pillen told Trooper Heidbrink. “Amazing stuff. He’s going to have a great life because of what you did in that moment.”

The Nebraska State Patrol salutes Trooper Heidbrink for his exceptional work in a chaotic situation to save Percy’s life and care for the mental wellbeing of Percy’s family after the accident.

For Immediate Release<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564017172814.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure> (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol, Governor Jim Pillen, and a grateful Nebraska family were pleased to present the NSP Life Saver Award to Trooper Braden Heidbrink.“Most of you that enter this profession are very humble. You don’t do this job for moments like this,” said Colonel Bryan Waugh. “We sign up to do this job because we genuinely have a passion to serve, to protect, to be there at the most horrible, horrific moment in somebody’s life, that we can hopefully make a difference in that moment.”On May 10, 2025, Lancaster County 911 received a call of a medical emergency in which a 4-year-old child was severely injured in a lawnmower accident in Hallam. Trooper Heidbrink was the closest first responder and arrived within minutes. Upon arrival, Trooper Heidbrink found the child’s father attempting to care for the child, who had serious injuries to both legs. Trooper Heidbrink quickly applied a tourniquet to the child’s right leg and then bandaged the child’s left leg. Hallam EMS arrived on scene and transported the child, Percy, to the hospital.The injuries eventually required amputation of Percy’s right leg, but the quick actions of Trooper Heidbrink were credited with saving Percy’s life.Tuesday, Percy and his family joined NSP, Governor Pillen, Trooper Heidbrink’s family, and several members of Trooper Heidbrink’s National Guard unit for the presentation of the NSP Life Saver Award. Percy also got to show off his prosthetic leg.“You responded, took care of this little guy in an incredible moment,” Governor Jim Pillen told Trooper Heidbrink. “Amazing stuff. He’s going to have a great life because of what you did in that moment.”The Nebraska State Patrol salutes Trooper Heidbrink for his exceptional work in a chaotic situation to save Percy’s life and care for the mental wellbeing of Percy’s family after the accident.

NSP Presents Life Saver Award to Trooper Braden Heidbrink

Lincoln, Neb. — The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program is pleased to announce the launch of a new online course, Tax Strategies for Farms and Ranches, available beginning Dec. 1.

This is a self-paced course designed specifically for farmers and ranchers seeking to take control of their tax planning. Whether you’re new to tax management or looking to refine your approach, this course provides practical strategies tailored to agricultural producers.

In this course, you will: Strengthen your collaboration with your tax professional to ensure clear communication and effective planning.

Develop a reliable, organized record-keeping system that not only meets tax requirements but also helps you maximize eligible deductions and credits.

Shift your perspective on taxes from simply minimizing what you owe to strategically&nbsp;optimizing your after-tax income for greater financial success.

The course includes curated materials from trusted agricultural tax resources, including USDA, RuralTax.org, and the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln.

“Taxes shouldn’t be something producers only think about once a year,” said Jessica Groskopf, Director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Program. “By taking a more strategic approach, producers can work more effectively with their tax professionals and make decisions that support the long-term success of their farm or ranch.”

Tax Strategies for Farms and Ranches is offered at no cost, but will only be available from Dec. 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026. To enroll, visit: https://go.unl.edu/ae

This course is part of the Agri-Essentials program, supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2024-70027-42470. All participants are welcome regardless of race, gender, or any other protected status.

For Immediate Release<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1764178642784.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Lincoln, Neb. — The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program is pleased to announce the launch of a new online course, Tax Strategies for Farms and Ranches, available beginning Dec. 1.This is a self-paced course designed specifically for farmers and ranchers seeking to take control of their tax planning. Whether you’re new to tax management or looking to refine your approach, this course provides practical strategies tailored to agricultural producers.In this course, you will: Strengthen your collaboration with your tax professional to ensure clear communication and effective planning.Develop a reliable, organized record-keeping system that not only meets tax requirements but also helps you maximize eligible deductions and credits.Shift your perspective on taxes from simply minimizing what you owe to strategically&nbsp;optimizing your after-tax income for greater financial success.The course includes curated materials from trusted agricultural tax resources, including USDA, RuralTax.org, and the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln.“Taxes shouldn’t be something producers only think about once a year,” said Jessica Groskopf, Director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Program. “By taking a more strategic approach, producers can work more effectively with their tax professionals and make decisions that support the long-term success of their farm or ranch.”Tax Strategies for Farms and Ranches is offered at no cost, but will only be available from Dec. 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026. To enroll, visit: https://go.unl.edu/aeThis course is part of the Agri-Essentials program, supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2024-70027-42470. All participants are welcome regardless of race, gender, or any other protected status.

New Online Course, “Tax Strategies for Farms and Ranches,” Launches December 1

Multi-draws will be reduced starting Nov. 30

Lincoln, NE – The multi-state Lucky for Life® game will end on February 21, 2026, to make way for a new game.

The Nebraska Lottery joined Lucky for Life in August 2017 via a licensing agreement with the New England lotteries that created the game. The $2 Lotto game offers a top prize of $1,000 a day for life.

To prepare for the end of the game, the Nebraska Lottery is reducing the number of drawings that can be purchased in advance on a ticket. Currently, up to 84 Lucky for Life drawings can be purchased with the multi-draw feature. Beginning with the November 30 drawing, the maximum number of drawings that can be purchased will decrease by one after each drawing.

A new multi-state game, Millionaire for Life™, will launch on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Thirty-three lotteries including the Nebraska Lottery will offer the game. More details about Millionaire for Life will be available soon on&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. $1.051 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.

<h2>Multi-draws will be reduced starting Nov. 30</h2>For Immediate Release<figure>
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 </figure>Lincoln, NE – The multi-state Lucky for Life® game will end on February 21, 2026, to make way for a new game.The Nebraska Lottery joined Lucky for Life in August 2017 via a licensing agreement with the New England lotteries that created the game. The $2 Lotto game offers a top prize of $1,000 a day for life.To prepare for the end of the game, the Nebraska Lottery is reducing the number of drawings that can be purchased in advance on a ticket. Currently, up to 84 Lucky for Life drawings can be purchased with the multi-draw feature. Beginning with the November 30 drawing, the maximum number of drawings that can be purchased will decrease by one after each drawing.A new multi-state game, Millionaire for Life™, will launch on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Thirty-three lotteries including the Nebraska Lottery will offer the game. More details about Millionaire for Life will be available soon on&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. $1.051 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.

Lucky for Life® Lotto Game Ending February 21, 2026

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1764331131237.png" alt="President Trump spoke about immigration to reporters after he announced National Guardsmen Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia has died on Thanksgiving night-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>President Trump spoke about immigration to reporters after he announced National Guardsmen Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia has died on Thanksgiving night-image from White House video</figcaption>
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