WASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Department of Education executive order. He was invited to the White House and attended the signing ceremony.

“Our kids and grandkids must be a priority, because they are Nebraska’s future,” said Gov. Pillen. “Since the Department of Education was formed as a standalone entity in 1980, we’ve seen its budget and workforce bloat – but the U.S. has not seen improved outcomes for students, parents or classrooms. Our kids’ education and our teachers are too important for us to keep pursuing mediocre results that cost us billions. The best thing we can do to help families and schools is to increase local influence and restore decision making to those nearest our students -- because they care the most. This is a pro-kid, pro-parent, pro-teacher, pro-school position.”

Additionally, Gov. Pillen met with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and other Trump Administration officials to promote Nebraska agriculture and industry.

“Building these relationships is critical for our state,” continued Gov. Pillen. “The good folks in the Trump Administration are working hard to serve our country, and the state of Nebraska looks forward to partnering with them in many more ways.”

Office of Govenor Jim PillenWASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Department of Education executive order. He was invited to the White House and attended the signing ceremony.“Our kids and grandkids must be a priority, because they are Nebraska’s future,” said Gov. Pillen. “Since the Department of Education was formed as a standalone entity in 1980, we’ve seen its budget and workforce bloat – but the U.S. has not seen improved outcomes for students, parents or classrooms. Our kids’ education and our teachers are too important for us to keep pursuing mediocre results that cost us billions. The best thing we can do to help families and schools is to increase local influence and restore decision making to those nearest our students -- because they care the most. This is a pro-kid, pro-parent, pro-teacher, pro-school position.”Additionally, Gov. Pillen met with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and other Trump Administration officials to promote Nebraska agriculture and industry.“Building these relationships is critical for our state,” continued Gov. Pillen. “The good folks in the Trump Administration are working hard to serve our country, and the state of Nebraska looks forward to partnering with them in many more ways.”

Gov. Pillen Attends Trump Education EO Signing Ceremony

Nebraska State Education Association

Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska State Education Association&nbsp; announced that Trish Guinan has notified the Board of Directors of her intention to retire as NSEA Executive Director effective Dec. 31, 2025.&nbsp; Isau Metes, NSEA Associate Executive Director, has been named Executive Director effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Guinan has successfully served the Association and public education for almost 50 years. She taught mathematics at the secondary and college levels before beginning her association work as a field representative for members in 1996, becoming Director of Member Rights in 2000, Director of Advocacy in 2012, and Executive Director in 2021.

While teaching, Guinan also served as the Fremont Public Schools Staff Development Coordinator. She served as a building representative, negotiator, vice president, and president of the Fremont Education Association, vice president of NSEA’s Metro District Board of Directors, and as a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly and the NSEA Delegate Assembly. Guinan earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from Buena Vista College (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master of Arts for Teachers of Mathematics Degree from the University of&nbsp; Nebraska Omaha (Summa Cum Laude).

“On behalf of NSEA’s 26,000 members, I want to thank Trish for her many years of service to the Association and public education,” said Tim Royers, NSEA President. “Her contributions, leadership and the positive impact she has had on the Association is stellar and is very much appreciated.”

In announcing her decision to retire at the end of the year, Guinan said she wanted to ensure time for a smooth transition.

“Advocating for our members and our Nebraska public schools and students is an honor and privilege,” said Guinan. “My deep belief in servant leadership, proactive thinking and collaboration has guided me throughout my career. The support of the Board of Directors and our dedicated, talented NSEA members and staff have led to many rewarding accomplishments.”

Guinan said the Board’s appointment of Metes as her successor ensures “continuity for our members” and means the Association “won’t miss a beat” in supporting members and advocating for Nebraska public schools.

“Isau and I have worked together on a daily basis for more than six years,” said Guinan. “I have complete confidence in her leadership, and I am thrilled that the Board of Directors has selected her as my successor.”

Metes, a U.S. Army veteran, was a Lincoln Public Schools teacher for 10 years before joining the NSEA as an Organizational Specialist in 2019. She added Assistant Director of Advocacy work to her duties in January 2020, and assumed the Teaching and Learning position duties in the fall of 2020. She was named Director of Advocacy in November 2021, and became the&nbsp; Associate Executive Director in July 2023. Metes earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Language and Literature from Wayne State College and a Master of Education Degree from Doane University.

“Isau is ideally prepared to assume the duties as our next Executive Director,” said Royers. “In addition to being knowledgeable and collaborative, Isau possesses high personal integrity and character. She will continue to well serve the Association in her new role.”

“I am grateful for the Board’s confidence in me, and I am honored to succeed Trish as NSEA’s Executive Director,” said Metes. “Trish has been and continues to be a mentor to me. Her leadership has put the Association on solid footing – and she has done so with humility, exceptional character, and a servant mindset.”

Metes will be the 12th&nbsp;Executive Director in the Association’s 158-year history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742570813653.jpeg" alt="Trish Guinan (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>Trish Guinan (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska State Education AssociationLincoln, NE – The Nebraska State Education Association&nbsp; announced that Trish Guinan has notified the Board of Directors of her intention to retire as NSEA Executive Director effective Dec. 31, 2025.&nbsp; Isau Metes, NSEA Associate Executive Director, has been named Executive Director effective Jan. 1, 2026.Guinan has successfully served the Association and public education for almost 50 years. She taught mathematics at the secondary and college levels before beginning her association work as a field representative for members in 1996, becoming Director of Member Rights in 2000, Director of Advocacy in 2012, and Executive Director in 2021.While teaching, Guinan also served as the Fremont Public Schools Staff Development Coordinator. She served as a building representative, negotiator, vice president, and president of the Fremont Education Association, vice president of NSEA’s Metro District Board of Directors, and as a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly and the NSEA Delegate Assembly. Guinan earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from Buena Vista College (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master of Arts for Teachers of Mathematics Degree from the University of&nbsp; Nebraska Omaha (Summa Cum Laude).“On behalf of NSEA’s 26,000 members, I want to thank Trish for her many years of service to the Association and public education,” said Tim Royers, NSEA President. “Her contributions, leadership and the positive impact she has had on the Association is stellar and is very much appreciated.”In announcing her decision to retire at the end of the year, Guinan said she wanted to ensure time for a smooth transition.“Advocating for our members and our Nebraska public schools and students is an honor and privilege,” said Guinan. “My deep belief in servant leadership, proactive thinking and collaboration has guided me throughout my career. The support of the Board of Directors and our dedicated, talented NSEA members and staff have led to many rewarding accomplishments.”Guinan said the Board’s appointment of Metes as her successor ensures “continuity for our members” and means the Association “won’t miss a beat” in supporting members and advocating for Nebraska public schools.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742570848614.jpeg" alt="Isau Metes (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>Isau Metes (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Isau and I have worked together on a daily basis for more than six years,” said Guinan. “I have complete confidence in her leadership, and I am thrilled that the Board of Directors has selected her as my successor.”Metes, a U.S. Army veteran, was a Lincoln Public Schools teacher for 10 years before joining the NSEA as an Organizational Specialist in 2019. She added Assistant Director of Advocacy work to her duties in January 2020, and assumed the Teaching and Learning position duties in the fall of 2020. She was named Director of Advocacy in November 2021, and became the&nbsp; Associate Executive Director in July 2023. Metes earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Language and Literature from Wayne State College and a Master of Education Degree from Doane University.“Isau is ideally prepared to assume the duties as our next Executive Director,” said Royers. “In addition to being knowledgeable and collaborative, Isau possesses high personal integrity and character. She will continue to well serve the Association in her new role.”“I am grateful for the Board’s confidence in me, and I am honored to succeed Trish as NSEA’s Executive Director,” said Metes. “Trish has been and continues to be a mentor to me. Her leadership has put the Association on solid footing – and she has done so with humility, exceptional character, and a servant mindset.”Metes will be the 12th&nbsp;Executive Director in the Association’s 158-year history.

NSEA Executive Director Announces Upcoming Retirement

Office of Nebraska Attorney General Office

Lincoln— Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined 51 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in support of two military veterans and their families who were unlawfully denied their full G.I. Bill education benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

 In this case, U.S. Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and U.S. Air Force veteran Colonel Toby Doran were denied crucial education benefits to which they are clearly entitled.

The brief argues that the VA has taken a restrictive interpretation of the G.I. Bills that contradicts the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in&nbsp;Rudisill v. McDonough, which confirmed that veterans who qualify under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills are entitled to a full 48 months of education benefits. Despite the clear precedent, the VA has continued to limit benefits based on an erroneous reading of the ruling, depriving veterans and their families of critical educational opportunities.

“The dedicated service of our veterans establishes a special covenant between those brave men and women and our government. I am proud to join my fellow Attorneys General in the fight to ensure that our veterans receive the benefits they have been promised,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.

The brief was joined by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Office of Nebraska Attorney General OfficeLincoln— Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined 51 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in support of two military veterans and their families who were unlawfully denied their full G.I. Bill education benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this case, U.S. Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and U.S. Air Force veteran Colonel Toby Doran were denied crucial education benefits to which they are clearly entitled.The brief argues that the VA has taken a restrictive interpretation of the G.I. Bills that contradicts the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in&nbsp;Rudisill v. McDonough, which confirmed that veterans who qualify under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills are entitled to a full 48 months of education benefits. Despite the clear precedent, the VA has continued to limit benefits based on an erroneous reading of the ruling, depriving veterans and their families of critical educational opportunities.“The dedicated service of our veterans establishes a special covenant between those brave men and women and our government. I am proud to join my fellow Attorneys General in the fight to ensure that our veterans receive the benefits they have been promised,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.The brief was joined by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

52 Attorneys General Join Amicus Brief in Support of Military Veterans

Many of us have heard the sobering facts about China’s growing military might. Beyond its rapidly advancing military, China is also becoming increasingly aggressive in the Indo-Pacific region. In the South China Sea, for example, Chinese military ships continue to harass Filipino vessels to bully the Philippines into submission; and in the Taiwan Strait, China regularly sends military aircraft to intimidate Taiwan.&nbsp;

At some point, China could miscalculate and provoke an all-out war or intentionally initiate military action, potentially drawing the United States into a conflict. A war against a technologically advanced adversary like China would almost certainly result in massive numbers of casualties, unlike anything we’ve seen this century. If deterrence fails, we cannot be caught unprepared, and we must have plans to quickly transport and treat injured servicemembers.

Today, the Military Health System is not prepared to respond to casualties resulting from conflict against a military power such as China. It’s something we must address now—both to fulfill our sacred obligation to those who risk their lives for our country and because our adversaries are becoming increasingly aggressive.

This includes modernizing the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), which would be called upon to plan, coordinate, and execute our medical response to a mass casualty event like a war. The NDMS is comprised of multiple federal agencies that partner with civilian health care organizations to create a network to care for civilian or military casualties in crises. For this reason, for the past several years I have authorized and funded a pilot program to improve the NDMS, making it easier for different entities to work together and expanding NDMS’s surge capacity to care for more patients.

Last week, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, I questioned experts on how we can continue to strengthen NDMS and prepare our nation for an attack that could quickly overwhelm our health system. At the hearing, the experts urged Congress to find a way to take the lessons learned from the pilot program and apply them going forward.

The experts also underscored the importance of the military partnering with civilian entities such as academic institutions. One institution that works closely with the Military Health System is our own University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Specifically, UNMC has a leading program for treating patients with highly contagious infectious diseases and on-site training built in partnership with the U.S. Air Force. Military-civilian partnerships like these strengthen the NDMS, while also improving care for both military and civilian patients, by accelerating the exchange of ideas between institutions that would need to collaborate closely if a major war erupted. These partnerships build up future leaders to specialize in medical areas that are relevant to combat.

We all hope that we will never see war against a major military power, but we must live in reality and recognize the growing aggression and capabilities of our adversaries. I’ll be working with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to strengthen our national security, which includes improving our Military Health System.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb FischerMany of us have heard the sobering facts about China’s growing military might. Beyond its rapidly advancing military, China is also becoming increasingly aggressive in the Indo-Pacific region. In the South China Sea, for example, Chinese military ships continue to harass Filipino vessels to bully the Philippines into submission; and in the Taiwan Strait, China regularly sends military aircraft to intimidate Taiwan.&nbsp;At some point, China could miscalculate and provoke an all-out war or intentionally initiate military action, potentially drawing the United States into a conflict. A war against a technologically advanced adversary like China would almost certainly result in massive numbers of casualties, unlike anything we’ve seen this century. If deterrence fails, we cannot be caught unprepared, and we must have plans to quickly transport and treat injured servicemembers.Today, the Military Health System is not prepared to respond to casualties resulting from conflict against a military power such as China. It’s something we must address now—both to fulfill our sacred obligation to those who risk their lives for our country and because our adversaries are becoming increasingly aggressive.This includes modernizing the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), which would be called upon to plan, coordinate, and execute our medical response to a mass casualty event like a war. The NDMS is comprised of multiple federal agencies that partner with civilian health care organizations to create a network to care for civilian or military casualties in crises. For this reason, for the past several years I have authorized and funded a pilot program to improve the NDMS, making it easier for different entities to work together and expanding NDMS’s surge capacity to care for more patients.Last week, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, I questioned experts on how we can continue to strengthen NDMS and prepare our nation for an attack that could quickly overwhelm our health system. At the hearing, the experts urged Congress to find a way to take the lessons learned from the pilot program and apply them going forward.The experts also underscored the importance of the military partnering with civilian entities such as academic institutions. One institution that works closely with the Military Health System is our own University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Specifically, UNMC has a leading program for treating patients with highly contagious infectious diseases and on-site training built in partnership with the U.S. Air Force. Military-civilian partnerships like these strengthen the NDMS, while also improving care for both military and civilian patients, by accelerating the exchange of ideas between institutions that would need to collaborate closely if a major war erupted. These partnerships build up future leaders to specialize in medical areas that are relevant to combat.We all hope that we will never see war against a major military power, but we must live in reality and recognize the growing aggression and capabilities of our adversaries. I’ll be working with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to strengthen our national security, which includes improving our Military Health System.Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

 Stabilizing the Military Health System

On 03/20/25 (9:43PM), the Scottsbluff Police Department and Scottsbluff Fire Department, were dispatched to 1022 11th&nbsp;Ave. regarding a fire.

Upon arrival it was determined that an adult male, Anthony Cervantes (74), had been doused with an accelerant and set on fire.Cervantes was found to be deceased at the scene.

The suspect was identified as Anthony’s son, Elijah Cervantes (44). Both men reside at the home at 1022 11th&nbsp;Ave.

Elijah Cervantes was located and subsequently arrested for 2nd&nbsp;Degree Murder and 1st&nbsp;Degree Arson.

The Scottsbluff Police Department was assisted by the Scotts Bluff Sherrif’s Office, Gering Police Department, and the State of Nebraska Fire Marshal’s Office.

By Scottsbluff Police DepartmentOn 03/20/25 (9:43PM), the Scottsbluff Police Department and Scottsbluff Fire Department, were dispatched to 1022 11th&nbsp;Ave. regarding a fire.Upon arrival it was determined that an adult male, Anthony Cervantes (74), had been doused with an accelerant and set on fire.Cervantes was found to be deceased at the scene.The suspect was identified as Anthony’s son, Elijah Cervantes (44). Both men reside at the home at 1022 11th&nbsp;Ave.Elijah Cervantes was located and subsequently arrested for 2nd&nbsp;Degree Murder and 1st&nbsp;Degree Arson.The Scottsbluff Police Department was assisted by the Scotts Bluff Sherrif’s Office, Gering Police Department, and the State of Nebraska Fire Marshal’s Office.

Scottsbluff police investigate homicide, man set on fire, one man arrested

<a>March 21, 2024 (Lincoln, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp;&nbsp;Nebraska State Troopers&nbsp;removed 18 impaired drivers from the road as part of a special enforcement effort around St. Patrick’s Day.

“For many, St. Patrick’s Day marks the beginning of the spring travel season,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We want to remind all motorists to help keep Nebraska roads safe. Remember to always drive sober, follow posted speed limits, put your phone down, and wear your seatbelt.”

In total, troopers arrested 18 motorists for driving under the influence. Troopers also issued citations for speeding (323), open alcohol container (7), minor in possession of alcohol (6), driving under suspension (15), no seat belt (9), and improper child restraint (6). Troopers also performed 97 motorists assists during the grant period.

The campaign ran from Saturday, March 15, through Monday, March 17, as part of this operation. This effort is made possible thanks in part to a grant for $20,172 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office

Cody ThomasNebraska State Patrol<a>March 21, 2024 (Lincoln, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp;&nbsp;Nebraska State Troopers&nbsp;removed 18 impaired drivers from the road as part of a special enforcement effort around St. Patrick’s Day.“For many, St. Patrick’s Day marks the beginning of the spring travel season,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We want to remind all motorists to help keep Nebraska roads safe. Remember to always drive sober, follow posted speed limits, put your phone down, and wear your seatbelt.”In total, troopers arrested 18 motorists for driving under the influence. Troopers also issued citations for speeding (323), open alcohol container (7), minor in possession of alcohol (6), driving under suspension (15), no seat belt (9), and improper child restraint (6). Troopers also performed 97 motorists assists during the grant period.The campaign ran from Saturday, March 15, through Monday, March 17, as part of this operation. This effort is made possible thanks in part to a grant for $20,172 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office

   Troopers Arrest 18 Drivers During St. Patrick’s Day Campaign

Acting United States Attorney Matt Molsen announced that Jolene Armentrout, 50, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced March 20, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.&nbsp; United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Armentrout to 94 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Armentrout is released from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On January 30, 2024, Armentrout and co-conspirator Lonnie Mason flew from Omaha to Los Angeles, California, and purchased 25 pounds of methamphetamine. Meanwhile, co-conspirator Robert Burkhardt drove Mason’s car from Omaha to Las Vegas, Nevada, with co-conspirator Stephanie Cummings. Burkhardt and Cummings met Armentrout and Mason in Las Vegas.

Mason and Cummings then flew back to Nebraska while Armentrout and Burkhardt drove to California from Las Vegas and picked up the 25 pounds of methamphetamine purchased by Armentrout and Mason. Armentrout and Burkhardt then drove the 25 pounds of methamphetamine back to Nebraska and arrived on February 4, 2024. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and located the 25 pounds of methamphetamine contained in a hidden compartment.

Burkhardt has been sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment.&nbsp; Cummings pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and sentencing is scheduled for April 9, 2025. Mason pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and is scheduled for sentencing on May 7, 2025.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Grand Island Police Department.&nbsp; This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF" target="_blank">https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF</a>.

United States Attorney's OfficeActing United States Attorney Matt Molsen announced that Jolene Armentrout, 50, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced March 20, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.&nbsp; United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Armentrout to 94 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Armentrout is released from prison, she will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.On January 30, 2024, Armentrout and co-conspirator Lonnie Mason flew from Omaha to Los Angeles, California, and purchased 25 pounds of methamphetamine. Meanwhile, co-conspirator Robert Burkhardt drove Mason’s car from Omaha to Las Vegas, Nevada, with co-conspirator Stephanie Cummings. Burkhardt and Cummings met Armentrout and Mason in Las Vegas.Mason and Cummings then flew back to Nebraska while Armentrout and Burkhardt drove to California from Las Vegas and picked up the 25 pounds of methamphetamine purchased by Armentrout and Mason. Armentrout and Burkhardt then drove the 25 pounds of methamphetamine back to Nebraska and arrived on February 4, 2024. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and located the 25 pounds of methamphetamine contained in a hidden compartment.Burkhardt has been sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment.&nbsp; Cummings pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and sentencing is scheduled for April 9, 2025. Mason pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and is scheduled for sentencing on May 7, 2025.This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Grand Island Police Department.&nbsp; This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF" target="_blank">https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF</a>.

Central Nebraska Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine   

LINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen is providing an update on the statewide damage assessment in the aftermath of Wednesday’s blizzard. Emergency managers continue to collect information to determine any local needs. Additionally, the Governor’s office has been in constant contact with leadership&nbsp; from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and continues to receive updates on needs and progress made toward storm restoration.

Numerous crews from other states have provided personnel to assist in repairing downed powerlines and restoring power, through mutual aid agreements. Gov. Pillen expressed his gratitude for their quick response and support. He continues to receive updates from utility companies as progress is made in restoring electricity.&nbsp;

If any additional resources are required to help manage impacts from the storm, the Governor will &nbsp;ensure they are acted&nbsp; upon quickly. Gov. Pillen plans to issue an emergency declaration upon NEMA's recommendation, after initial damage assessments are completed.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Governor Jim Pillen is providing an update on the statewide damage assessment in the aftermath of Wednesday’s blizzard. Emergency managers continue to collect information to determine any local needs. Additionally, the Governor’s office has been in constant contact with leadership&nbsp; from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and continues to receive updates on needs and progress made toward storm restoration.Numerous crews from other states have provided personnel to assist in repairing downed powerlines and restoring power, through mutual aid agreements. Gov. Pillen expressed his gratitude for their quick response and support. He continues to receive updates from utility companies as progress is made in restoring electricity.&nbsp;If any additional resources are required to help manage impacts from the storm, the Governor will &nbsp;ensure they are acted&nbsp; upon quickly. Gov. Pillen plans to issue an emergency declaration upon NEMA's recommendation, after initial damage assessments are completed.

Gov. Pillen Provides Update on Statewide Damage Assessment Following Blizzard

Tanner Blomenkamp, who was the subject of an APD investigation involving inappropriate contact with a minor has entered a guilty plea on two charges. 

Blomencamp, who managed the Alliance Runza, was originally charged with multiple felonies after an investigation by the Alliance Police Department. This investigation included evidence resulting from a forensic search of Mr. Blomencamp’s cell phone based on a search warrant obtained by the APD.

Blomenkamp chose to enter a plea of “no contest” on one count of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Enticement by Electronic Communication. Both of these charges are felonies and could result in a sentence of 20+ years in prison. Blomenkamp is currently out on a bond of $10,000.00. He is due back in court for sentencing On May 28th at 11:00am.

The officers who worked on this case should be commended for their training, dedication and diligence in pursuing this investigation. These types of cases depend on meticulous collection and preservation of evidence in order to have a strong case to present. Sergeant David LaDuke and SRO Tyler Sherlock worked tirelessly to gather the evidence needed, including forensic evidence from the suspect’s cell phone. 

We are the only law enforcement agency in the area with the technology to perform this type of analysis. In this case, technology was crucial in putting together a successful prosecution which resulted in the suspect entering a guilty plea after seeing the evidence that would be used against him. Without this technology, the outcome may have been different. We are thankful that we were able to get justice for this victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742478536995.jpeg" alt="Tanner Blomenkamp (Allinace Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Tanner Blomenkamp (Allinace Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Alliance Police DepartmentTanner Blomenkamp, who was the subject of an APD investigation involving inappropriate contact with a minor has entered a guilty plea on two charges. Blomencamp, who managed the Alliance Runza, was originally charged with multiple felonies after an investigation by the Alliance Police Department. This investigation included evidence resulting from a forensic search of Mr. Blomencamp’s cell phone based on a search warrant obtained by the APD.Blomenkamp chose to enter a plea of “no contest” on one count of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Enticement by Electronic Communication. Both of these charges are felonies and could result in a sentence of 20+ years in prison. Blomenkamp is currently out on a bond of $10,000.00. He is due back in court for sentencing On May 28th at 11:00am.The officers who worked on this case should be commended for their training, dedication and diligence in pursuing this investigation. These types of cases depend on meticulous collection and preservation of evidence in order to have a strong case to present. Sergeant David LaDuke and SRO Tyler Sherlock worked tirelessly to gather the evidence needed, including forensic evidence from the suspect’s cell phone. We are the only law enforcement agency in the area with the technology to perform this type of analysis. In this case, technology was crucial in putting together a successful prosecution which resulted in the suspect entering a guilty plea after seeing the evidence that would be used against him. Without this technology, the outcome may have been different. We are thankful that we were able to get justice for this victim.

Alliance Police Department updates info on child pornography, enticement case

Acting United States Attorney Matt R. Molsen announced that Elicia Grigsby, 54, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced March 20, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Grigsby to 170 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Grigsby’s release from prison, she will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On October 26, 2023, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration personnel received information from the Omaha United States Postal Inspection Service regarding an inbound mail parcel destined for an Omaha residence. Investigators served a court-authorized search warrant on the parcel, opened it, and discovered it contained approximately 119 grams of fentanyl pills and approximately 464 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators then repackaged some of methamphetamine into the parcel for the purposes of a controlled delivery operation at the intended delivery residence.

On the same date, investigators delivered the subject parcel to the residence where it was accepted by codefendant Shawn Robbins. Thereafter, investigators served a court-authorized search warrant on the residence, found the package, and arrested Robbins and Grigsby who were both found inside the residence.

In a post-Miranda interview Grigsby admitted to her involvement in the delivery of the parcel and knew it contained approximately (2) pounds of methamphetamine. Grigsby also admitted to previously accepting multiple packages containing narcotics. Robbins is scheduled to plead guilty at a later date.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Omaha Police Department.

United States Attorney's OfficeActing United States Attorney Matt R. Molsen announced that Elicia Grigsby, 54, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced March 20, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Grigsby to 170 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Grigsby’s release from prison, she will begin a five-year term of supervised release.On October 26, 2023, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration personnel received information from the Omaha United States Postal Inspection Service regarding an inbound mail parcel destined for an Omaha residence. Investigators served a court-authorized search warrant on the parcel, opened it, and discovered it contained approximately 119 grams of fentanyl pills and approximately 464 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators then repackaged some of methamphetamine into the parcel for the purposes of a controlled delivery operation at the intended delivery residence.On the same date, investigators delivered the subject parcel to the residence where it was accepted by codefendant Shawn Robbins. Thereafter, investigators served a court-authorized search warrant on the residence, found the package, and arrested Robbins and Grigsby who were both found inside the residence.In a post-Miranda interview Grigsby admitted to her involvement in the delivery of the parcel and knew it contained approximately (2) pounds of methamphetamine. Grigsby also admitted to previously accepting multiple packages containing narcotics. Robbins is scheduled to plead guilty at a later date.This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Omaha Police Department.

California Woman Sentenced to more than 14 Years’ Imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl

Acting United States Attorney Matthew Molsen announced that Robert Blessing, 28, of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 20, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distribution of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Blessing to 97 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Blessing’s release from prison, he will begin a six-year term of supervised release. Blessing was also ordered to pay restitution of $3,500 to each of four identified victims.&nbsp;

On August 14, 2023, Medialab/KIK (KIK) made a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating a KIK user uploaded a video depicting child pornography on or about June 29, 2023. The IP address associated with the CyberTip resolved to a Fremont, Nebraska, residence belonging to Robert Blessing. A Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) investigator obtained a search warrant for Blessing’s KIK account and, in reviewing the KIK account’s contents, learned Blessing sent the child pornography video reported in the CyberTip to another KIK user on June 29, 2023.&nbsp;

On October 5, 2023, NSP served a search warrant at Blessing’s residence and seized his electronic devices for forensic examination. Investigators forensically extracted and analyzed Blessing’s electronic devices. The content of Blessing’s KIK account and his device extractions revealed he possessed at least 1,917 child pornography image files and 26 child pornography video files. The files included pornographic images and videos involving prepubescent children, including infants and toddlers, adults having sex with children, and depictions of sadomasochism.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.

This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Nebraska State Patrol.

United States Attorney's OfficeActing United States Attorney Matthew Molsen announced that Robert Blessing, 28, of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 20, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distribution of child pornography. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced Blessing to 97 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Blessing’s release from prison, he will begin a six-year term of supervised release. Blessing was also ordered to pay restitution of $3,500 to each of four identified victims.&nbsp;On August 14, 2023, Medialab/KIK (KIK) made a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) indicating a KIK user uploaded a video depicting child pornography on or about June 29, 2023. The IP address associated with the CyberTip resolved to a Fremont, Nebraska, residence belonging to Robert Blessing. A Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) investigator obtained a search warrant for Blessing’s KIK account and, in reviewing the KIK account’s contents, learned Blessing sent the child pornography video reported in the CyberTip to another KIK user on June 29, 2023.&nbsp;On October 5, 2023, NSP served a search warrant at Blessing’s residence and seized his electronic devices for forensic examination. Investigators forensically extracted and analyzed Blessing’s electronic devices. The content of Blessing’s KIK account and his device extractions revealed he possessed at least 1,917 child pornography image files and 26 child pornography video files. The files included pornographic images and videos involving prepubescent children, including infants and toddlers, adults having sex with children, and depictions of sadomasochism.&nbsp;&nbsp;This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Nebraska State Patrol.

Eastern Nebraska Man Sentenced to 97 months’ for Distribution of Child Pornography

WASHINGTON —The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in Middle East, pursue its nuclear program, and support its terrorist proxies.&nbsp; Iran’s oil exports are enabled by a network of illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State.

On Thursday, the United States announced it is taking action under National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2, President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran.&nbsp; This action marks the fourth round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales to stop the flow of revenue the regime uses to fund their destabilizing activities.&nbsp; The Department of State is imposing sanctions on one entity engaged in the acquisition of Iranian petroleum.&nbsp; This target is being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes and reimposes certain sanctions with respect to Iran.&nbsp; In a separate action, the Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on 19 entities and vessels pursuant to E.O. 13902, which targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors.

Specifically, the Department of State is taking action against a crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal in the port of Huizhou in China.&nbsp; The terminal received and stored Iranian-origin crude oil onboard a blocked tanker.&nbsp; Crude oil and petroleum products terminals based in China serve as the gateway for Iranian petroleum products to enter the Chinese market.&nbsp; As China is the largest importer of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, terminals in China play a critical role in supporting Iran’s efforts to maintain revenues from its energy exports and fuel its destabilizing activities.

The Department is designating the following entity pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran:

As a result of today’s sanctions-related actions, and in accordance with E.O. 13846, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).&nbsp; Additionally, all entities and individuals that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.

All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt.&nbsp; These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of U.S. government sanctions derive not only from the U.S. government’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.

WASHINGTON —The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in Middle East, pursue its nuclear program, and support its terrorist proxies.&nbsp; Iran’s oil exports are enabled by a network of illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State.On Thursday, the United States announced it is taking action under National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2, President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran.&nbsp; This action marks the fourth round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales to stop the flow of revenue the regime uses to fund their destabilizing activities.&nbsp; The Department of State is imposing sanctions on one entity engaged in the acquisition of Iranian petroleum.&nbsp; This target is being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846, which authorizes and reimposes certain sanctions with respect to Iran.&nbsp; In a separate action, the Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on 19 entities and vessels pursuant to E.O. 13902, which targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors.Specifically, the Department of State is taking action against a crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal in the port of Huizhou in China.&nbsp; The terminal received and stored Iranian-origin crude oil onboard a blocked tanker.&nbsp; Crude oil and petroleum products terminals based in China serve as the gateway for Iranian petroleum products to enter the Chinese market.&nbsp; As China is the largest importer of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, terminals in China play a critical role in supporting Iran’s efforts to maintain revenues from its energy exports and fuel its destabilizing activities.The Department is designating the following entity pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran:<ul>
 <li>HUAYING HUIZHOU DAYA BAY PETROCHEMICAL TERMINAL STORAGE CO., LTD (HUAYING PETROCHEMICAL)&nbsp;knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the acquisition of crude oil from Iran in late January 2025, when the U.S.-designated tanker, formerly SPIRIT OF CASPER, also known as NICHOLA, offloaded approximately one million barrels of Iranian-origin crude oil at the Huaying Daya Bay terminal, a China-based petroleum products storage terminal that is owned and operated by HUAYING PETROCHEMICAL.</li><li>NICHOLA, which was added to the SDN List in October 2024 in connection with transporting multiple shipments of Iranian oil to China-based refineries, loaded Iranian-origin petroleum in December 2024, when it engaged in a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer in the eastern outer port limits near Singapore with U.S.-designated SALINA, an Iran-flagged tanker associated with the U.S.-designated NATIONAL IRANIAN TANKER COMPANY (NITC). At the time of the transfer, SALINA was laden with petroleum from Kharg Island, Iran, which it had loaded a month earlier in November 2024.</li><li>Several days before the NICHOLA arrived at the Huaying terminal, multiple sources reported that the vessel was laden with Iranian-origin petroleum. On January 22, 2025, HUAYING PETROCHEMICAL received NICHOLA at its petroleum products berth, where the vessel subsequently discharged approximately one million barrels of Iranian crude oil.&nbsp; Since March 2021, HUAYING PETROCHEMICAL has received at least nine shipments of Iranian petroleum at its terminal facility, seven of which came from the U.S.-designated NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL COMPANY).</li>
 </ul>SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONSAs a result of today’s sanctions-related actions, and in accordance with E.O. 13846, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).&nbsp; Additionally, all entities and individuals that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt.&nbsp; These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.The power and integrity of U.S. government sanctions derive not only from the U.S. government’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.

U.S. sanctions additional entities that trade in Iran’s oil exports

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

WASHINGTON — In a sweeping executive order signed Thursday, President Donald Trump called on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/protesters-rally-against-sweeping-cuts-us-education-department" target="_blank">Education Department</a>.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/improving-education-outcomes-by-empowering-parents-states-and-communities/" target="_blank">signed the order</a>&nbsp;at a major White House ceremony, flanked by children seated at desks. It directs McMahon to “return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”

Trump spoke to an audience packed with top GOP state officials, and he cited Republican Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas, Mike Braun of Indiana, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Brad Little of Idaho, Jim Pillen of Nebraska and Mike DeWine of Ohio.

Deena Bishop, commissioner of Alaska’s&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-board-of-education-and-early-development-selects-new-commissioner/" target="_blank">Department of Education and Early Development</a>, was slated to attend, though she was not cited by Trump.

“After 45 years, the United States spends more money in education by far than any other country and spends, likewise, by far, more money per pupil than any country, and it’s not even close, but yet we rank near the bottom of the list in terms of success,” Trump said at the brief ceremony.&nbsp;

GOP Reps. Tim Walberg of Michigan and Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the respective current and former chairs of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, were also in attendance.&nbsp;

The children each signed their own individual executive orders, proudly displaying them alongside Trump.&nbsp;

The order, which is sure to draw legal challenges, “also directs that programs or activities receiving any remaining Department of Education funds will not advance DEI or gender ideology,” referring to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Widespread reports ahead of the signing drew intense blowback from leading education groups, labor unions and congressional Democrats.

Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, noted that the department “was founded in part to guarantee the enforcement of students’ civil rights” in a statement Thursday.

“Legality aside, dismantling (the department) will exacerbate existing disparities, reduce accountability, and put low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, rural students, and English as a Second Language (ESL) students at risk,” the Virginia Democrat added.&nbsp;

The department’s many responsibilities include administering federal student aid, carrying out civil rights investigations, providing Title I funding for low-income school districts and guaranteeing a free public education for children with disabilities via the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.

Following the signing, McMahon clarified in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/statement-president-trumps-executive-order-return-power-over-education-states-and-local-communities" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that “closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them — we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs.”

“We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition,” McMahon said.&nbsp;

Trump’s long-held campaign promise to move education “back to the states” comes despite much of the funding and oversight of schools already occurring at the state and local levels. The department also legally cannot dictate the curriculum of schools across the country.

Congress has the sole authority to shut down the department, and any bill to completely close the agency would face extreme difficulties getting through the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, with at least 60 senators needed to advance past the filibuster.

However, it could be possible for the administration to take significant actions short of closure, such as moving some Education Department functions to other agencies.

The agency has an annual budget of $79 billion in discretionary spending, or funds appropriated yearly by Congress.&nbsp;

The department has already witnessed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/advocates-brace-trump-cuts-education-department-step-toward-elimination" target="_blank">mass layoffs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/elon-musks-doge-targets-us-department-education-millions-funding-cuts" target="_blank">contract cuts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/28/education-department-quit-00206765" target="_blank">staff buyouts</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-threatens-yanking-funds-schools-use-race-decisions" target="_blank">major policy changes</a>&nbsp;in the weeks since Trump took office.

Earlier in March, the department announced that more than 1,300 employees&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-cut-hundreds-staff-members" target="_blank">would be cut</a>&nbsp;through a “<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force-rif/" target="_blank">reduction in force</a>” process — sparking concerns across the country over how the mass layoffs would impact the agency’s abilities to carry out its core functions.

The department had 4,133 employees when Trump took office, but the cuts brought the total number of workers remaining down to roughly 2,183.

A group of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-attorneys-general-sue-trump-over-us-education-department-layoffs" target="_blank">21 Democratic attorneys general</a>&nbsp;quickly sued over that effort and asked a federal court in Massachusetts to block the department from implementing the “reduction in force” action and Trump’s “directive to dismantle the Department of Education.”

Opponents of the closure said it’s one more example of how Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, head of the temporary U.S. DOGE Service, are seeking to destroy the federal government as they reduce the workforce and spending.

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have aimed their wrecking ball at public schools and the futures of the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across America, by dismantling public education to pay for tax handouts for billionaires,” said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, in a Wednesday night&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/nea-president-trumps-continued-actions-will-hurt-all-students" target="_blank">statement</a>.

“Now, Trump is at it again with his latest effort to gut the Department of Education programs that support every student across the nation,” added Pringle, who leads the largest labor union in the country.

“If successful, Trump’s continued actions will hurt all students by sending class sizes soaring, cutting job training programs, making higher education more expensive and out of reach for middle class families, taking away special education services for students with disabilities, and gutting student civil rights protections,” she said.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, one of the largest teachers unions in the country, kept her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aft.org/press-release/afts-weingarten-responds-trumps-attempt-eliminate-federal-role-education" target="_blank">response</a>&nbsp;to reports of the forthcoming order succinct.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742504343223.png" alt="Image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — In a sweeping executive order signed Thursday, President Donald Trump called on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/protesters-rally-against-sweeping-cuts-us-education-department" target="_blank">Education Department</a>.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/improving-education-outcomes-by-empowering-parents-states-and-communities/" target="_blank">signed the order</a>&nbsp;at a major White House ceremony, flanked by children seated at desks. It directs McMahon to “return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”Trump spoke to an audience packed with top GOP state officials, and he cited Republican Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas, Mike Braun of Indiana, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Brad Little of Idaho, Jim Pillen of Nebraska and Mike DeWine of Ohio.Deena Bishop, commissioner of Alaska’s&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-board-of-education-and-early-development-selects-new-commissioner/" target="_blank">Department of Education and Early Development</a>, was slated to attend, though she was not cited by Trump.“After 45 years, the United States spends more money in education by far than any other country and spends, likewise, by far, more money per pupil than any country, and it’s not even close, but yet we rank near the bottom of the list in terms of success,” Trump said at the brief ceremony.&nbsp;GOP Reps. Tim Walberg of Michigan and Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the respective current and former chairs of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, were also in attendance.&nbsp;The children each signed their own individual executive orders, proudly displaying them alongside Trump.&nbsp;The order, which is sure to draw legal challenges, “also directs that programs or activities receiving any remaining Department of Education funds will not advance DEI or gender ideology,” referring to diversity, equity and inclusion.Widespread reports ahead of the signing drew intense blowback from leading education groups, labor unions and congressional Democrats.Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, noted that the department “was founded in part to guarantee the enforcement of students’ civil rights” in a statement Thursday.“Legality aside, dismantling (the department) will exacerbate existing disparities, reduce accountability, and put low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, rural students, and English as a Second Language (ESL) students at risk,” the Virginia Democrat added.&nbsp;<h2>Title I, IDEA funds&nbsp;</h2>The department’s many responsibilities include administering federal student aid, carrying out civil rights investigations, providing Title I funding for low-income school districts and guaranteeing a free public education for children with disabilities via the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.Following the signing, McMahon clarified in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/statement-president-trumps-executive-order-return-power-over-education-states-and-local-communities" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;that “closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them — we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs.”“We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition,” McMahon said.&nbsp;Trump’s long-held campaign promise to move education “back to the states” comes despite much of the funding and oversight of schools already occurring at the state and local levels. The department also legally cannot dictate the curriculum of schools across the country.Congress has the sole authority to shut down the department, and any bill to completely close the agency would face extreme difficulties getting through the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, with at least 60 senators needed to advance past the filibuster.However, it could be possible for the administration to take significant actions short of closure, such as moving some Education Department functions to other agencies.The agency has an annual budget of $79 billion in discretionary spending, or funds appropriated yearly by Congress.&nbsp;<h2>Layoffs, buyouts</h2>The department has already witnessed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/advocates-brace-trump-cuts-education-department-step-toward-elimination" target="_blank">mass layoffs</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/elon-musks-doge-targets-us-department-education-millions-funding-cuts" target="_blank">contract cuts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/28/education-department-quit-00206765" target="_blank">staff buyouts</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-threatens-yanking-funds-schools-use-race-decisions" target="_blank">major policy changes</a>&nbsp;in the weeks since Trump took office.Earlier in March, the department announced that more than 1,300 employees&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-cut-hundreds-staff-members" target="_blank">would be cut</a>&nbsp;through a “<a href="https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/reductions-in-force-rif/" target="_blank">reduction in force</a>” process — sparking concerns across the country over how the mass layoffs would impact the agency’s abilities to carry out its core functions.The department had 4,133 employees when Trump took office, but the cuts brought the total number of workers remaining down to roughly 2,183.A group of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-attorneys-general-sue-trump-over-us-education-department-layoffs" target="_blank">21 Democratic attorneys general</a>&nbsp;quickly sued over that effort and asked a federal court in Massachusetts to block the department from implementing the “reduction in force” action and Trump’s “directive to dismantle the Department of Education.”<h2>Lawsuit incoming</h2>Opponents of the closure said it’s one more example of how Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, head of the temporary U.S. DOGE Service, are seeking to destroy the federal government as they reduce the workforce and spending.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742508632556.png" alt="From left, Olivia Sawyer and Jeremy Bauer-Wolf protest the U.S. Education Department’s mass layoffs during a “honk-a-thon” and rally March 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>From left, Olivia Sawyer and Jeremy Bauer-Wolf protest the U.S. Education Department’s mass layoffs during a “honk-a-thon” and rally March 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>“Donald Trump and Elon Musk have aimed their wrecking ball at public schools and the futures of the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across America, by dismantling public education to pay for tax handouts for billionaires,” said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, in a Wednesday night&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nea.org/about-nea/media-center/press-releases/nea-president-trumps-continued-actions-will-hurt-all-students" target="_blank">statement</a>.“Now, Trump is at it again with his latest effort to gut the Department of Education programs that support every student across the nation,” added Pringle, who leads the largest labor union in the country.“If successful, Trump’s continued actions will hurt all students by sending class sizes soaring, cutting job training programs, making higher education more expensive and out of reach for middle class families, taking away special education services for students with disabilities, and gutting student civil rights protections,” she said.Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, one of the largest teachers unions in the country, kept her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aft.org/press-release/afts-weingarten-responds-trumps-attempt-eliminate-federal-role-education" target="_blank">response</a>&nbsp;to reports of the forthcoming order succinct.“See you in court,” she said.&nbsp;

Trump signs order directing Education secretary to shut down her own department

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. – From March 31 – April 4, Offutt Air Force Base will conduct its largest and most intensive military exercise in base history, resulting in extremely limited access to and from the installation.

Throughout the week, there will be extended periods when inbound and outbound traffic will be completely restricted. Individuals needing access to Offutt AFB, including veterans, retirees, and other visitors, are strongly encouraged to complete any necessary visits before March 31, as entry and exit may not be possible at certain times.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Base access will be severely restricted throughout the week, with multiple extended periods when entry and exit will not be permitted.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Increased noise and activity levels both on and off base.

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Frequent Giant Voice announcements will occur during the exercise.

This exercise is critical to ensuring the warfighting readiness of Offutt AFB personnel and their ability to generate and present ready forces anytime, anywhere.

For additional information or media inquiries, please contact the 55th Wing Public Affairs Office at (402) 294-3663 or 55WG.PA@us.af.mil.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742487622266.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Kris PierceOFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. – From March 31 – April 4, Offutt Air Force Base will conduct its largest and most intensive military exercise in base history, resulting in extremely limited access to and from the installation.Throughout the week, there will be extended periods when inbound and outbound traffic will be completely restricted. Individuals needing access to Offutt AFB, including veterans, retirees, and other visitors, are strongly encouraged to complete any necessary visits before March 31, as entry and exit may not be possible at certain times.Exercise Impacts•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Base access will be severely restricted throughout the week, with multiple extended periods when entry and exit will not be permitted.•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Increased noise and activity levels both on and off base.•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Frequent Giant Voice announcements will occur during the exercise.This exercise is critical to ensuring the warfighting readiness of Offutt AFB personnel and their ability to generate and present ready forces anytime, anywhere.For additional information or media inquiries, please contact the 55th Wing Public Affairs Office at (402) 294-3663 or 55WG.PA@us.af.mil.

Significant Base Access Restrictions as Offutt AFB Conducts Largest Military Exercise in Base History March 31 – April 4

March 20, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Nebraska State Troopers were busy as blizzard conditions moved across much of the state. Troopers responded to approximately 500 weather-related incidents on Wednesday.

From the early morning to the evening hours of Wednesday, troopers performed 448 motorist assists and responded to 27 crashes. Troopers also helped other agencies with 32 responses.

Two troopers’ patrol vehicles were also struck while responding to incidents in the blizzard. One cruiser suffered significant damage and the other suffered minor damage. Neither trooper, nor other drivers, were injured in these incidents.

As roadways continue to open today, NSP urges drivers to reduce their speed and keep their focus on the road. Slick spots may still exist in areas that received snow on Wednesday.

Motorists should check Nebraska’s 511 system for updates on road closures and road conditions. Any motorist in need of assistance can call *55 to reach an NSP dispatcher with the NSP Highway Helpline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742487052429.jpeg" alt="Nebraska State Troopers pushing traffic of I-80 near Gretna due to the road being closed (Nebraska State Patrol)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska State Troopers pushing traffic of I-80 near Gretna due to the road being closed (Nebraska State Patrol)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolMarch 20, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Nebraska State Troopers were busy as blizzard conditions moved across much of the state. Troopers responded to approximately 500 weather-related incidents on Wednesday.From the early morning to the evening hours of Wednesday, troopers performed 448 motorist assists and responded to 27 crashes. Troopers also helped other agencies with 32 responses.Two troopers’ patrol vehicles were also struck while responding to incidents in the blizzard. One cruiser suffered significant damage and the other suffered minor damage. Neither trooper, nor other drivers, were injured in these incidents.As roadways continue to open today, NSP urges drivers to reduce their speed and keep their focus on the road. Slick spots may still exist in areas that received snow on Wednesday.Motorists should check Nebraska’s 511 system for updates on road closures and road conditions. Any motorist in need of assistance can call *55 to reach an NSP dispatcher with the NSP Highway Helpline.

Troopers Respond to Hundreds of Weather-Related Roadway Incidents

Lincoln--Today, Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced his office’s expansion of its fight against illegal or unlawful synthetic THC, by issuing cease &amp; desist letters relating to 104 retail locations and franchised stores in Omaha, Nebraska, that are selling illegal or unlawful THC-containing products.

In 2025, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska Attorney General’s Office investigators&nbsp;made purchases of products from stores owned by 35 different companies. Each store investigated had at least one product marketed as hemp, which actually had a delta-9 concentration over the legal limit, making it marijuana, and had labels that incorrectly identified the content of the products.

The letters issued to the Omaha stores communicate that many&nbsp;of the THC-containing products their company sells misrepresent the concentrations and types of THC contained within those products. This lack of proper labeling means that the stores are engaging in deceptive, unfair, and unsafe trade practices, and also engaging in illegal conduct.

The Attorney General’s Office is sending formal letters to each of the stores, requesting they immediately cease all sales of THC-containing products to Nebraska Consumers to avoid litigation.&nbsp;The Attorney General’s Office is demanding that each store return a signed document indicating their Assurance of Voluntary Compliance. If they do not return a signed settlement, then the office will initiate litigation and will seek penalties and fees to the fullest extent allowed by law.

“We promised that we would escalate our fight, and today are fulfilling that promise. Operating in Nebraska’s largest city does not immunize you from the law. These stores are selling harmful and unlawful products despite being on notice. Because of that, once litigation ensues, we will seek penalties to the fullest extent of the law, and will refer for criminal prosecution when necessary,”&nbsp;stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.

"I am proud to join Attorney General Hilgers in his efforts. Synthetic THC products are putting a strain on our law enforcement resources and efforts statewide and hurting innocent people who&nbsp;think they are buying a safe and legal&nbsp;product. It is time for the Legislature to step up and clarify that synthetic THC products are not legal in Nebraska,” stated Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson.

Many of the stores have tobacco licenses and also sell synthetically produced THC-containing products, which may put their tobacco licenses at risk.

In addition, as part of the investigation, the Attorney General’s Office uncovered the sale of marijuana. Sale of marijuana is a felony, and the Attorney General’s Office will provide the evidence to the Douglas County Attorney for consideration of criminal charges. Names of products include: Kushy Exotic THCA Flower, Flying Horse Vape-9G, and Road Trip Gummies.

Attorney General Hilgers was also joined by Senators Kauth and Storm at the press conference. He indicated: “We appreciate Senator Kauth and Senator Storm leading the way in helping provide protections for Nebraskans with their support of&nbsp;LB316."

Senator Kauth introduced LB316, and it was prioritized by Senator Storm. It is designed to stop the influx of dangerous products masquerading as hemp and clean up the illegal marketplace that has developed in Nebraska.

To date, the Attorney General’s Office has filed 15 lawsuits alleging violations of the Consumer Protection Act (Unfairness), Consumer Protection Act (Deception), and Nebraska Pure Food Act. The Attorney General reported that 12 out of 15 of the lawsuits have been settled. The remaining three are being actively litigated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731528536578.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Attorney General Mike HilgersLincoln--Today, Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced his office’s expansion of its fight against illegal or unlawful synthetic THC, by issuing cease &amp; desist letters relating to 104 retail locations and franchised stores in Omaha, Nebraska, that are selling illegal or unlawful THC-containing products.In 2025, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska Attorney General’s Office investigators&nbsp;made purchases of products from stores owned by 35 different companies. Each store investigated had at least one product marketed as hemp, which actually had a delta-9 concentration over the legal limit, making it marijuana, and had labels that incorrectly identified the content of the products.The letters issued to the Omaha stores communicate that many&nbsp;of the THC-containing products their company sells misrepresent the concentrations and types of THC contained within those products. This lack of proper labeling means that the stores are engaging in deceptive, unfair, and unsafe trade practices, and also engaging in illegal conduct.The Attorney General’s Office is sending formal letters to each of the stores, requesting they immediately cease all sales of THC-containing products to Nebraska Consumers to avoid litigation.&nbsp;The Attorney General’s Office is demanding that each store return a signed document indicating their Assurance of Voluntary Compliance. If they do not return a signed settlement, then the office will initiate litigation and will seek penalties and fees to the fullest extent allowed by law.“We promised that we would escalate our fight, and today are fulfilling that promise. Operating in Nebraska’s largest city does not immunize you from the law. These stores are selling harmful and unlawful products despite being on notice. Because of that, once litigation ensues, we will seek penalties to the fullest extent of the law, and will refer for criminal prosecution when necessary,”&nbsp;stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers."I am proud to join Attorney General Hilgers in his efforts. Synthetic THC products are putting a strain on our law enforcement resources and efforts statewide and hurting innocent people who&nbsp;think they are buying a safe and legal&nbsp;product. It is time for the Legislature to step up and clarify that synthetic THC products are not legal in Nebraska,” stated Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson.Many of the stores have tobacco licenses and also sell synthetically produced THC-containing products, which may put their tobacco licenses at risk.In addition, as part of the investigation, the Attorney General’s Office uncovered the sale of marijuana. Sale of marijuana is a felony, and the Attorney General’s Office will provide the evidence to the Douglas County Attorney for consideration of criminal charges. Names of products include: Kushy Exotic THCA Flower, Flying Horse Vape-9G, and Road Trip Gummies.Attorney General Hilgers was also joined by Senators Kauth and Storm at the press conference. He indicated: “We appreciate Senator Kauth and Senator Storm leading the way in helping provide protections for Nebraskans with their support of&nbsp;LB316."Senator Kauth introduced LB316, and it was prioritized by Senator Storm. It is designed to stop the influx of dangerous products masquerading as hemp and clean up the illegal marketplace that has developed in Nebraska.To date, the Attorney General’s Office has filed 15 lawsuits alleging violations of the Consumer Protection Act (Unfairness), Consumer Protection Act (Deception), and Nebraska Pure Food Act. The Attorney General reported that 12 out of 15 of the lawsuits have been settled. The remaining three are being actively litigated.

 Announcement of New Developments in Delta-8 Enforcement Efforts

Paul Hammel <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/20/legal-battle-erupts-over-whether-ags-office-failed-to-properly-file-appeal-in-trevor-jones-case/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A legal battle has erupted over whether a felony theft charge against the former director of History Nebraska, Trevor Jones, should finally be dismissed.

The issue is whether the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office failed to promptly file an appeal over the dismissal of a theft by deception charge that had been filed against Jones.

If the appeal was filed too late, the prosecution of Jones, who resigned the $164,800-a-year director’s job in 2022, could be over before any arguments are heard by the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

In January, Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong tossed out the felony charge Jones faced, ruling that prosecutors had failed to bring him to trial within the state’s speedy trial deadline.

On March 5, Nebraska Court of Appeals Judge Frankie Moore asked state lawyers to demonstrate whether they had properly complied with a statute that requires appeals be applied within 20 days of such a dismissal, and whether the fee to appeal had been paid.

“The record now before us does not indicate that the State (Attorney General’s Office) has followed the requirements,” the judge wrote.

In a March 12 response, the AG’s office said the clerk of the Appeals Court had filed their appeal under the incorrect statute, and that prosecutors had complied with another statute that allows 30 days to appeal a final order by a district court judge.

A notice of appeal was filed on Feb. 20 to the Jan. 21 dismissal of the charge, according to a brief listing Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Assistant Attorney General Erin Tangeman, and that the docket fee was intended to be paid via an AG’s account kept by the court system.

That give and take was followed Monday by a request from Jones’ lawyers to sustain a “summary dismissal” of the charge against Jones because prosecutors had cited the wrong state statute and had failed to properly file their appeal.

The Appeals Court had not issued a ruling on the purported errors as of Wednesday afternoon.

Jones, now 52, was a controversial figure during the six years he headed the Nebraska State Historical Society. He changed the agency’s name to “History Nebraska” during his tenure and won praise for seeking to modernize and digitize the agency’s collections.

But he earned scorn from some employees — and high turnover — for a heavy-handed management system he imposed requiring workers to, for instance, frequently document how many files they had scanned.

He resigned shortly before a critical state audit was released in 2022. The audit raised concerns about his handling of $270,000 in donations from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation to cover the agency’s financial losses expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead of depositing the donations with the State Treasurer, as legally required, Jones funneled the money into a new private foundation he had set up to replace the State Historical Society Foundation. He had quarreled with its leaders. The money was never used to cover COVID losses.

Ultimately, the Attorney General’s office filed the felony charge against Jones, which carried a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Jones had pleaded not guilty and maintained that he could manage the donations how he saw fit.

Prosecutors have maintained that the speed trial clock had been “halted” for a time due to a change in Jones’ legal defense team and that he should still stand trial for the theft offense.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742480386914.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska State Historical Society is located just off the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus at 1500 R St. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska State Historical Society is located just off the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus at 1500 R St. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/20/legal-battle-erupts-over-whether-ags-office-failed-to-properly-file-appeal-in-trevor-jones-case/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A legal battle has erupted over whether a felony theft charge against the former director of History Nebraska, Trevor Jones, should finally be dismissed.The issue is whether the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office failed to promptly file an appeal over the dismissal of a theft by deception charge that had been filed against Jones.If the appeal was filed too late, the prosecution of Jones, who resigned the $164,800-a-year director’s job in 2022, could be over before any arguments are heard by the Nebraska Court of Appeals.In January, Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong tossed out the felony charge Jones faced, ruling that prosecutors had failed to bring him to trial within the state’s speedy trial deadline.On March 5, Nebraska Court of Appeals Judge Frankie Moore asked state lawyers to demonstrate whether they had properly complied with a statute that requires appeals be applied within 20 days of such a dismissal, and whether the fee to appeal had been paid.“The record now before us does not indicate that the State (Attorney General’s Office) has followed the requirements,” the judge wrote.In a March 12 response, the AG’s office said the clerk of the Appeals Court had filed their appeal under the incorrect statute, and that prosecutors had complied with another statute that allows 30 days to appeal a final order by a district court judge.A notice of appeal was filed on Feb. 20 to the Jan. 21 dismissal of the charge, according to a brief listing Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Assistant Attorney General Erin Tangeman, and that the docket fee was intended to be paid via an AG’s account kept by the court system.That give and take was followed Monday by a request from Jones’ lawyers to sustain a “summary dismissal” of the charge against Jones because prosecutors had cited the wrong state statute and had failed to properly file their appeal.The Appeals Court had not issued a ruling on the purported errors as of Wednesday afternoon.Jones, now 52, was a controversial figure during the six years he headed the Nebraska State Historical Society. He changed the agency’s name to “History Nebraska” during his tenure and won praise for seeking to modernize and digitize the agency’s collections.But he earned scorn from some employees — and high turnover — for a heavy-handed management system he imposed requiring workers to, for instance, frequently document how many files they had scanned.He resigned shortly before a critical state audit was released in 2022. The audit raised concerns about his handling of $270,000 in donations from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation to cover the agency’s financial losses expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Instead of depositing the donations with the State Treasurer, as legally required, Jones funneled the money into a new private foundation he had set up to replace the State Historical Society Foundation. He had quarreled with its leaders. The money was never used to cover COVID losses.Ultimately, the Attorney General’s office filed the felony charge against Jones, which carried a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years.Jones had pleaded not guilty and maintained that he could manage the donations how he saw fit.Prosecutors have maintained that the speed trial clock had been “halted” for a time due to a change in Jones’ legal defense team and that he should still stand trial for the theft offense.

Legal Battle Erupts Over Whether AG’s Office Failed to Properly File Appeal in Trevor Jones Case

A Gering man who managed an Alliance restaurant has entered a plea agreement in his child pornography case.

31-year-old Tanner Blomencamp was recently charged with several felonies.

Blomencamp has entered a plea of “no contest” on one count of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Enticement by Electronic Communication.&nbsp;&nbsp; Both are felonies.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Child Pornography Possession conviction carries a possible punishment that is up to 20 years imprisonment.&nbsp; &nbsp;

According to Box Butte County District Court records, the crimes were committed between December 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025.

Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th at 11:00 am.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742478536995.jpeg" alt="Tanner Blomencamp (Alliance Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Tanner Blomencamp (Alliance Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>A Gering man who managed an Alliance restaurant has entered a plea agreement in his child pornography case.31-year-old Tanner Blomencamp was recently charged with several felonies.Blomencamp has entered a plea of “no contest” on one count of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Enticement by Electronic Communication.&nbsp;&nbsp; Both are felonies.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Child Pornography Possession conviction carries a possible punishment that is up to 20 years imprisonment.&nbsp; &nbsp;According to Box Butte County District Court records, the crimes were committed between December 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025.Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th at 11:00 am.

Panhandle Man Enters "No Contest" Plea On Two Felony Counts

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/19/lawmakers-advance-bill-to-tax-nicotine-like-products-in-nebraska-such-as-zyn-pouches/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — State lawmakers took another step Wednesday toward cracking down on nicotine and “nicotine-like” products in Nebraska, advancing a bill to add a 20% wholesale excise tax on alternative products.

The Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=11846" target="_blank">voted 41-0</a>&nbsp;to advance&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59013" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 9</a>, from State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward. It would define “alternative nicotine products” and “nicotine analogues” in state law. Hughes’ goal is to target all future products rather than requiring specific legislation each time.

“Next year, when the new product comes out, we don’t have to bring back a bill to grab on to that new product,” Hughes said during debate. “It’ll automatically fall under our regulation.”

The change would capture nicotine pouches like the brand Zyn, creating an “umbrella” for enforcement that Hughes said is needed to help curb youth usage of the drugs, while generating revenue.

Currently, such new products are taxed the same as other taxable products —&nbsp;a generic statewide 5.5-cent sales tax rate, plus local sales taxes.

If passed, Hughes’ latest bill would take effect Jan. 1. It is estimated to bring in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/FN/LB125_20250221-114731.pdf" target="_blank">$3.4 million</a>&nbsp;in the first two fiscal years, by June 30, 2027.

Hughes has pushed multiple bills in her first two years to increase or add taxes and regulations to nicotine products, namely vaping. She has a separate bill this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58761" target="_blank">LB 712</a>, to change the state excise tax on vapes to 40% wholesale effective Oct. 1, rather than a lower two-tiered rate.&nbsp;

That proposal is estimated to bring in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/FN/LB712_20250227-121304.pdf" target="_blank">$56.4 million</a>&nbsp;by the middle of 2027.

Both efforts could be key in helping plug the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/decrease-in-federal-share-of-nebraska-medicaid-costs-increases-state-budget-shortfall/">state’s projected budget shortfall</a>&nbsp;or help cover some costs of Hughes’ 2025 priority bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58984" target="_blank">LB 303</a>, to help&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/10/school-ag-advocates-largely-endorse-nebraska-school-finance-reform-proposal/">lower property taxes</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/15/gov-pillen-proposes-his-answer-to-432-million-projected-budget-shortfall/">directing more state dollars to K-12 schools</a>.

Former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Elkhorn area proposed an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/12/revenue-committee-advances-ne-property-tax-relief-package-with-debate-to-start-tuesday/">alternative nicotine products tax</a>&nbsp;at 10 cents per ounce during last year’s summer special session, but it ultimately wasn’t adopted.

Hughes at the time said she&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Transcripts/Revenue/2024-08-07.pdf" target="_blank">planned to look at such a tax</a>&nbsp;in the interim. As she repeated Wednesday, the proposal shifted toward a wholesale tax as a more “fair and equitable” approach. She said a weight-based tax could incentivize companies to concentrate nicotine, which could hurt children the most.

“This would be short-sighted and potentially dangerous to the customer,” Hughes said. “We don’t want to do it by weight, because it is a chemical substance.”

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln proposed an amendment to move to the weight-based tax anyway, echoing concerns of some tobacco lobbyists that the 20% wholesale tax could equate to a 700% tax increase on some products, which she said would be “regressive.”

Raybould’s amendment sought the same tax rate as snuff: 44 cents per ounce. Raybould said it didn’t make sense that the bill went to the General Affairs Committee and not the Revenue Committee, or that alternative nicotine products shouldn’t be taxed more than snuff or cigarettes. General Affairs has general jurisdiction over topics such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and gambling.

“Imposing taxes on products designed to reduce smoking-related harm really might even deter harm-reduction efforts and drive consumers to riskier behaviors,” Raybould said. “I know Senator Hughes and I are not fans of vaping, either. But I just want to make sure that we’re looking at this fairly.”

State Sen. Brad von Gillern of the Elkhorn area, Revenue Committee chair, said the committee destination critique was a “red herring” intended to distract. He said nothing would have changed and argued the lobby had “shopped” the amendment as early as Wednesday morning.

“Clearly, it’s nothing that Senator Raybould has been working on or considering for some time,” von Gillern said.

Hughes pushed Raybould on where she got her amendment. Raybould said she brought it “on behalf of one of our industries that advocate the lobby for these issues.” Pressed further, Raybould added it was “one that deals with tobacco products.”

Hughes specifically asked whether the change came from Philip Morris International, a multinational tobacco company with products sold in over 180 countries, including Marlboro cigarettes. The company is represented in the statehouse by&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskastrategies.com/" target="_blank">Nebraska Strategies</a>, a local lobbying firm.

Raybould told Hughes: “Perhaps … but I don’t feel comfortable sharing the name with you, if that’s OK.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742414395517.jpeg" alt=" A Nebraska bill seeks to add a 20% wholesale tax to “alternative nicotine products” such as the ones shown here. State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, who is leading the legislation, brought these items during debate on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, to show to her colleagues what they are and why a weight-based tax for the light items would not be a proper approach. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> A Nebraska bill seeks to add a 20% wholesale tax to “alternative nicotine products” such as the ones shown here. State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, who is leading the legislation, brought these items during debate on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, to show to her colleagues what they are and why a weight-based tax for the light items would not be a proper approach. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/19/lawmakers-advance-bill-to-tax-nicotine-like-products-in-nebraska-such-as-zyn-pouches/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — State lawmakers took another step Wednesday toward cracking down on nicotine and “nicotine-like” products in Nebraska, advancing a bill to add a 20% wholesale excise tax on alternative products.The Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=11846" target="_blank">voted 41-0</a>&nbsp;to advance&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59013" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 9</a>, from State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward. It would define “alternative nicotine products” and “nicotine analogues” in state law. Hughes’ goal is to target all future products rather than requiring specific legislation each time.“Next year, when the new product comes out, we don’t have to bring back a bill to grab on to that new product,” Hughes said during debate. “It’ll automatically fall under our regulation.”<h2>An ‘umbrella’ approach</h2>The change would capture nicotine pouches like the brand Zyn, creating an “umbrella” for enforcement that Hughes said is needed to help curb youth usage of the drugs, while generating revenue.Currently, such new products are taxed the same as other taxable products —&nbsp;a generic statewide 5.5-cent sales tax rate, plus local sales taxes.If passed, Hughes’ latest bill would take effect Jan. 1. It is estimated to bring in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/FN/LB125_20250221-114731.pdf" target="_blank">$3.4 million</a>&nbsp;in the first two fiscal years, by June 30, 2027.Hughes has pushed multiple bills in her first two years to increase or add taxes and regulations to nicotine products, namely vaping. She has a separate bill this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58761" target="_blank">LB 712</a>, to change the state excise tax on vapes to 40% wholesale effective Oct. 1, rather than a lower two-tiered rate.&nbsp;That proposal is estimated to bring in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/FN/LB712_20250227-121304.pdf" target="_blank">$56.4 million</a>&nbsp;by the middle of 2027.Both efforts could be key in helping plug the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/decrease-in-federal-share-of-nebraska-medicaid-costs-increases-state-budget-shortfall/">state’s projected budget shortfall</a>&nbsp;or help cover some costs of Hughes’ 2025 priority bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58984" target="_blank">LB 303</a>, to help&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/02/10/school-ag-advocates-largely-endorse-nebraska-school-finance-reform-proposal/">lower property taxes</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/15/gov-pillen-proposes-his-answer-to-432-million-projected-budget-shortfall/">directing more state dollars to K-12 schools</a>.Former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Elkhorn area proposed an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/12/revenue-committee-advances-ne-property-tax-relief-package-with-debate-to-start-tuesday/">alternative nicotine products tax</a>&nbsp;at 10 cents per ounce during last year’s summer special session, but it ultimately wasn’t adopted.Hughes at the time said she&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Transcripts/Revenue/2024-08-07.pdf" target="_blank">planned to look at such a tax</a>&nbsp;in the interim. As she repeated Wednesday, the proposal shifted toward a wholesale tax as a more “fair and equitable” approach. She said a weight-based tax could incentivize companies to concentrate nicotine, which could hurt children the most.“This would be short-sighted and potentially dangerous to the customer,” Hughes said. “We don’t want to do it by weight, because it is a chemical substance.”<h2>Rejected lobbyist push</h2>State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln proposed an amendment to move to the weight-based tax anyway, echoing concerns of some tobacco lobbyists that the 20% wholesale tax could equate to a 700% tax increase on some products, which she said would be “regressive.”Raybould’s amendment sought the same tax rate as snuff: 44 cents per ounce. Raybould said it didn’t make sense that the bill went to the General Affairs Committee and not the Revenue Committee, or that alternative nicotine products shouldn’t be taxed more than snuff or cigarettes. General Affairs has general jurisdiction over topics such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and gambling.“Imposing taxes on products designed to reduce smoking-related harm really might even deter harm-reduction efforts and drive consumers to riskier behaviors,” Raybould said. “I know Senator Hughes and I are not fans of vaping, either. But I just want to make sure that we’re looking at this fairly.”State Sen. Brad von Gillern of the Elkhorn area, Revenue Committee chair, said the committee destination critique was a “red herring” intended to distract. He said nothing would have changed and argued the lobby had “shopped” the amendment as early as Wednesday morning.“Clearly, it’s nothing that Senator Raybould has been working on or considering for some time,” von Gillern said.Hughes pushed Raybould on where she got her amendment. Raybould said she brought it “on behalf of one of our industries that advocate the lobby for these issues.” Pressed further, Raybould added it was “one that deals with tobacco products.”Hughes specifically asked whether the change came from Philip Morris International, a multinational tobacco company with products sold in over 180 countries, including Marlboro cigarettes. The company is represented in the statehouse by&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskastrategies.com/" target="_blank">Nebraska Strategies</a>, a local lobbying firm.Raybould told Hughes: “Perhaps … but I don’t feel comfortable sharing the name with you, if that’s OK.”Raybould similarly declined to answer a reporter’s question on the lobbyist’s identity.Her amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=11846" target="_blank">failed 24-5</a>, with just Raybould and State Sens. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, Mike Jacobson of North Platte and Dave Murman of Glenvil in support.LB 9, one of this year’s two&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/session/priority.php" target="_blank">General Affairs Committee priority bills</a>, will have two more rounds of debate.