<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/21/gov-pillen-recruits-retired-ne-national-guard-boss-to-take-over-embattled-state-historical-society/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen has called upon Daryl Bohac to direct the embattled Nebraska State Historical Society, drawing Bohac back into public service after he retired 18 months ago from leading the Nebraska National Guard.

Pillen said the decision to recruit and redeploy Bohac to fill a post that oversees collection, preservation and sharing of Nebraska history was based on his view of leadership.

“When you spend 45 years of your life in public service, when you’re the adjutant general of the Nebraska Air and Army National Guard, you develop extraordinary leadership characteristics and qualities,” he said of the Nebraska native.

Pillen said he needed someone to steer the&nbsp;<a href="https://history.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">146-year-old historical agency</a>&nbsp;he said had veered “off the tracks.”

Renamed History Nebraska by the previous director, the agency has been<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-to-move-history-nebraska-under-governors-office-is-prioritized-and-advanced/">&nbsp;scrutinized and restructured</a>. It recently became part of the governor’s cabinet following the arrest two years ago of the former executive director, who faces theft charges for allegedly improperly handling a private donation to the state agency.

Bohac will oversee more than 60 full-time employees, and start with a $175,000 salary.

Questioned about Bohac’s qualifications for the history-centric job, Pillen cited his track record in creating a “culture of team.”&nbsp;

During the past two years, turnover at the society was 22% and 31%, respectively, among the highest of state agencies, according to state personnel figures.

More than once, Pillen mentioned Bohac’s work with the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward, which preserves state militia history and educates about the guard’s role during peace and war.

Introduced in his new role at a Thursday news conference, Bohac said he had received a phone call from someone outside of the Governor’s Office inquiring about his interest in taking over the agency, which also publishes a quarterly magazine and operates a state history museum in Lincoln and six other historic sites across the state.

He said he talked to his wife and others and felt it was a “good fit — perhaps a good opportunity in that I could bring some leadership values to a complex organization.”

He said the past 18 months of retirement had been good for him and his family. “But it’s time to go back to work for the people of Nebraska.”

Among top priorities, Bohac said, is improving financial accountability. He referred to the past executive director.

Former director Trevor Jones is facing felony charges for allegedly misappropriating a private donation. He resigned in 2022, after serving six years as the top administrator,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/trevor-jones-head-of-history-nebraska-for-the-past-six-years-to-resign-july-1/">saying he planned to do some traveling</a>.

Shortly after Jones resigned, he was charged with theft by deception in connection with diverting two donations from a foundation that had been intended to over anticipated agency revenue losses due to COVID-19. He instead&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/08/15/former-head-of-history-nebraska-might-have-violated-state-law-state-auditors-probe-says/">deposited the funds in a foundation</a>&nbsp;he had set up.&nbsp;

Jones recently asked the court to dismiss the felony charge, saying he has been denied his right to a speedy trial. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Tuesday.

“It takes a lifetime of having a culture and it got tore down in a few simple years and it’s gonna take a lot of work to rebuild it to what Nebraskans expect.”

The governor said he expects Bohac to lessen the society’s reliance on taxpayer dollars and to build active public and private partnerships.

“It’s a $9 million a year budget but it doesn’t necessarily have to stand on the backs of taxpayers,” Pillen said.

Bohac said he is excited to dive into his new mission — noting what he described as one of the first decisions presented to him in 2013 when he became the state’s adjutant general. It had to do with relocation of the military museum from the old Nebraska State Fairgrounds.&nbsp;

He said the operations model relied on a combination of private, state and federal funding, a mix he plans to build upon at the state historical society.

Other priorities in his new post, Bohac told reporters, include rebuilding core history museum exhibits to create a more alluring place for tourists and Nebraskans. He also wants to improve public access to archives.

Bohac’s hire follows the passage earlier this year of Legislative Bill 1169, which made the historical society a code agency and part of the governor’s cabinet. That shift from independence status, and governance by a citizen Board of Trustees, worried many society employees who feared politics might enter into decisions about subject matter in museum displays, research projects and magazine articles.

State lawmakers who supported LB 1169 said it should increase financial oversight and restore trust in the agency. Others feared potential impact.&nbsp;

He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics.

– State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln put forth an amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/history-nebraska-bill-to-shift-agency-control-to-governor-is-amended-to-guard-academic-freedom/">intended to protect the</a>&nbsp;academic freedom of choosing museum displays and public outreach.

Thursday, upon hearing of Bohac’s appointment, Conrad she welcomed the “sound” choice.

She sees Bohac as an “adept leader” and a “nonpolitical person.”

“He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics,” she said.

Conrad, a Democrat, said she believes Bohac will be supported across the political spectrum to “stabilize the important work of this agency which has been mired in controversy for far too long.”

Founded in 1878 by people who saw a need to record stories of both the state’s indigenous and immigrant populations, the historical society was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the Legislature in 1883.&nbsp;

In July, Pillen appointed<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/16/new-interim-director-of-troubled-state-history-agency-making-changes-facing-some-pushback/">&nbsp;Cindy Drake to be interim executive</a>&nbsp;director. She had been at odds with the policies of the former director, Jones, and was dismissed after 45 years of serving as chief librarian at the society.

Drake and Pillen moved swiftly to make changes at the agency, restoring the name to the Nebraska State Historical Society, rescinding a Jones’ decision to rebrand as “History Nebraska” in 2018.

Employees also were reassigned. Public visiting hours were to be added at the society’s research room.

A diversity council established by Jones was disbanded.

During the media event Thursday, Bohac said he was eager to jump into his new job.

As adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Bohac was responsible for programs affecting more than 4,500 Army and Air National Guard personnel. He oversaw the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and&nbsp; served as the state’s official channel of communication with the National Guard Bureau to the Departments of the Army and Air Force.

Said Pillen: “The hardcore reality is Daryl and I see a lot of things alike. One is how important leadership is, how important culture

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732295527785.jpeg" alt="Daryl Bohac, former adjutant general for Nebraska, takes the podium with Gov. Jim Pillen, right, after being appointed director of the Nebraska State Historical Society. Nov. 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Daryl Bohac, former adjutant general for Nebraska, takes the podium with Gov. Jim Pillen, right, after being appointed director of the Nebraska State Historical Society. Nov. 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/21/gov-pillen-recruits-retired-ne-national-guard-boss-to-take-over-embattled-state-historical-society/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen has called upon Daryl Bohac to direct the embattled Nebraska State Historical Society, drawing Bohac back into public service after he retired 18 months ago from leading the Nebraska National Guard.Pillen said the decision to recruit and redeploy Bohac to fill a post that oversees collection, preservation and sharing of Nebraska history was based on his view of leadership.“When you spend 45 years of your life in public service, when you’re the adjutant general of the Nebraska Air and Army National Guard, you develop extraordinary leadership characteristics and qualities,” he said of the Nebraska native.Pillen said he needed someone to steer the&nbsp;<a href="https://history.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">146-year-old historical agency</a>&nbsp;he said had veered “off the tracks.”<h2>Scrutinized, restructured</h2>Renamed History Nebraska by the previous director, the agency has been<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-to-move-history-nebraska-under-governors-office-is-prioritized-and-advanced/">&nbsp;scrutinized and restructured</a>. It recently became part of the governor’s cabinet following the arrest two years ago of the former executive director, who faces theft charges for allegedly improperly handling a private donation to the state agency.Bohac will oversee more than 60 full-time employees, and start with a $175,000 salary.Questioned about Bohac’s qualifications for the history-centric job, Pillen cited his track record in creating a “culture of team.”&nbsp;During the past two years, turnover at the society was 22% and 31%, respectively, among the highest of state agencies, according to state personnel figures.More than once, Pillen mentioned Bohac’s work with the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward, which preserves state militia history and educates about the guard’s role during peace and war.Introduced in his new role at a Thursday news conference, Bohac said he had received a phone call from someone outside of the Governor’s Office inquiring about his interest in taking over the agency, which also publishes a quarterly magazine and operates a state history museum in Lincoln and six other historic sites across the state.He said he talked to his wife and others and felt it was a “good fit — perhaps a good opportunity in that I could bring some leadership values to a complex organization.”He said the past 18 months of retirement had been good for him and his family. “But it’s time to go back to work for the people of Nebraska.”<h2>Bohac goals</h2>Among top priorities, Bohac said, is improving financial accountability. He referred to the past executive director.Former director Trevor Jones is facing felony charges for allegedly misappropriating a private donation. He resigned in 2022, after serving six years as the top administrator,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/trevor-jones-head-of-history-nebraska-for-the-past-six-years-to-resign-july-1/">saying he planned to do some traveling</a>.Shortly after Jones resigned, he was charged with theft by deception in connection with diverting two donations from a foundation that had been intended to over anticipated agency revenue losses due to COVID-19. He instead&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/08/15/former-head-of-history-nebraska-might-have-violated-state-law-state-auditors-probe-says/">deposited the funds in a foundation</a>&nbsp;he had set up.&nbsp;Jones recently asked the court to dismiss the felony charge, saying he has been denied his right to a speedy trial. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Tuesday.Pillen also pointed to the past.&nbsp;“It takes a lifetime of having a culture and it got tore down in a few simple years and it’s gonna take a lot of work to rebuild it to what Nebraskans expect.”The governor said he expects Bohac to lessen the society’s reliance on taxpayer dollars and to build active public and private partnerships.“It’s a $9 million a year budget but it doesn’t necessarily have to stand on the backs of taxpayers,” Pillen said.Bohac said he is excited to dive into his new mission — noting what he described as one of the first decisions presented to him in 2013 when he became the state’s adjutant general. It had to do with relocation of the military museum from the old Nebraska State Fairgrounds.&nbsp;He said the operations model relied on a combination of private, state and federal funding, a mix he plans to build upon at the state historical society.Other priorities in his new post, Bohac told reporters, include rebuilding core history museum exhibits to create a more alluring place for tourists and Nebraskans. He also wants to improve public access to archives.<h2>‘Nonpolitical, adept’</h2>Bohac’s hire follows the passage earlier this year of Legislative Bill 1169, which made the historical society a code agency and part of the governor’s cabinet. That shift from independence status, and governance by a citizen Board of Trustees, worried many society employees who feared politics might enter into decisions about subject matter in museum displays, research projects and magazine articles.State lawmakers who supported LB 1169 said it should increase financial oversight and restore trust in the agency. Others feared potential impact.&nbsp;He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics.– State Sen. Danielle Conrad of LincolnState Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln put forth an amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/history-nebraska-bill-to-shift-agency-control-to-governor-is-amended-to-guard-academic-freedom/">intended to protect the</a>&nbsp;academic freedom of choosing museum displays and public outreach.Thursday, upon hearing of Bohac’s appointment, Conrad she welcomed the “sound” choice.She sees Bohac as an “adept leader” and a “nonpolitical person.”“He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics,” she said.Conrad, a Democrat, said she believes Bohac will be supported across the political spectrum to “stabilize the important work of this agency which has been mired in controversy for far too long.”<h2>‘Hardcore reality’</h2>Founded in 1878 by people who saw a need to record stories of both the state’s indigenous and immigrant populations, the historical society was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the Legislature in 1883.&nbsp;In July, Pillen appointed<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/16/new-interim-director-of-troubled-state-history-agency-making-changes-facing-some-pushback/">&nbsp;Cindy Drake to be interim executive</a>&nbsp;director. She had been at odds with the policies of the former director, Jones, and was dismissed after 45 years of serving as chief librarian at the society.Drake and Pillen moved swiftly to make changes at the agency, restoring the name to the Nebraska State Historical Society, rescinding a Jones’ decision to rebrand as “History Nebraska” in 2018.Employees also were reassigned. Public visiting hours were to be added at the society’s research room.A diversity council established by Jones was disbanded.During the media event Thursday, Bohac said he was eager to jump into his new job.As adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Bohac was responsible for programs affecting more than 4,500 Army and Air National Guard personnel. He oversaw the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and&nbsp; served as the state’s official channel of communication with the National Guard Bureau to the Departments of the Army and Air Force.Said Pillen: “The hardcore reality is Daryl and I see a lot of things alike. One is how important leadership is, how important culture

Gov. Pillen recruits retired NE National Guard boss to take over embattled state historical society

November 22, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Saturday will be a busy day for Husker fans with two big games in Lincoln. The Nebraska State Patrol urges fans to be safe throughout both the Husker football and volleyball games Saturday.

“Gameday means thousands of extra vehicles in and around Lincoln,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “With a double-header for Husker football and Husker volleyball, traffic will be heavier throughout the entire day. Fans should be patient, watch for pedestrians, and make sure you have a sober driver.”

On this busy gameday in Lincoln, troopers will be on patrol in the surrounding area and partnering with local agencies in many aspects of gameday operations. Troopers team up with the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, UNL Police Department, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation to keep fans safe as they travel to and from the games, as well as in and around Memorial Stadium.

Troopers on patrol will be working to maintain safe travel on area roadways, with assistance from troopers in the NSP AirWing. Troopers will also escort the Husker football team from the team hotel to the stadium prior to the game and escort Coach Rhule on the field. Fans can hear radio traffic reports from Trooper Brett before and after the game on the Huskers Radio Network broadcasts.

“With a mid-afternoon football game and an evening volleyball match, there will be some overlap of traffic leaving the area after the football game and new traffic arriving before the volleyball match,” said Colonel Bolduc. “It’s critical for all fans to be mindful of pedestrian traffic and avoid distractions while driving.”

Anyone who observes a reckless driver or anyone in need of non-emergency roadside assistance can call *55 to reach the Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline. NSP’s portion of this effort is made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolNovember 22, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Saturday will be a busy day for Husker fans with two big games in Lincoln. The Nebraska State Patrol urges fans to be safe throughout both the Husker football and volleyball games Saturday.“Gameday means thousands of extra vehicles in and around Lincoln,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “With a double-header for Husker football and Husker volleyball, traffic will be heavier throughout the entire day. Fans should be patient, watch for pedestrians, and make sure you have a sober driver.”On this busy gameday in Lincoln, troopers will be on patrol in the surrounding area and partnering with local agencies in many aspects of gameday operations. Troopers team up with the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, UNL Police Department, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation to keep fans safe as they travel to and from the games, as well as in and around Memorial Stadium.Troopers on patrol will be working to maintain safe travel on area roadways, with assistance from troopers in the NSP AirWing. Troopers will also escort the Husker football team from the team hotel to the stadium prior to the game and escort Coach Rhule on the field. Fans can hear radio traffic reports from Trooper Brett before and after the game on the Huskers Radio Network broadcasts.“With a mid-afternoon football game and an evening volleyball match, there will be some overlap of traffic leaving the area after the football game and new traffic arriving before the volleyball match,” said Colonel Bolduc. “It’s critical for all fans to be mindful of pedestrian traffic and avoid distractions while driving.”Anyone who observes a reckless driver or anyone in need of non-emergency roadside assistance can call *55 to reach the Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline. NSP’s portion of this effort is made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Troopers Urge Safe Travel for Husker Saturday Double-Header

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/21/state-auditor-questions-role-of-nebraska-secretary-of-state-foundation-in-trade-missions/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska’s state auditor is cautioning the secretary of state that he might need some guardrails for a nonprofit he created to help with his international trade missions on behalf of the state.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/SA9-11202024-November_20_2024_Secretary_of_State_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">new audit</a>, released Wednesday by State Auditor Mike Foley, investigates the Nebraska Secretary of State Foundation, which Secretary of State Bob Evnen created in June 2022. Evnen serves as Nebraska’s “chief protocol officer,” the state’s “goodwill ambassador” to help promote Nebraska with other countries.

The report largely questions whether the secretary of state can share public resources with a private, nongovernmental entity, which isn’t subject to public records or open meetings laws.

“Without such segregation, there is an increased risk for questionable activities, including possible conflicts of interest, that could undermine the public trust or give rise to legal concerns,” the report states.

The audit notes partially blurred lines with invoices from the foundation sharing letterhead with the Secretary of State’s Office. Those documents were sent and negotiated by state employees via their state emails during normal business hours, according to documents Foley’s staff reviewed.

At least once, in December 2022, the foundation personally reimbursed Evnen $3,855.16 for a dinner with the ambassador from Kuwait at Omaha’s Mahogany Prime Steakhouse.

Foley, who is in his 10th year as auditor, told the Nebraska Examiner that government business must be done in public, and given the public nature of the trade missions, his office is recommending that Evnen coordinate with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, Attorney General’s Office or Legislature “so that everything’s on the up and up and out in the open.”

“As constitutional officers, we have to be even more vigilant than the typical state employee in making sure that we’re good stewards of public funds and pinching every penny and so forth,” said Foley, a former state senator and former lieutenant governor.

“Can I now start the ‘State Auditor’s Foundation’ and start soliciting money from folks and having them guide my auditing work?” he asked. “I don’t think so. I don’t think the public wants that.”

In a statement to the Examiner, Evnen said he appreciated the professionalism of Foley’s office. He said his office has clarified some information and has given serious consideration to other recommendations.

“International trade missions are very beneficial to our state,” Evnen said in a statement to the Nebraska Examiner. “We strive to comply with state acquisition requirements as they relate to international trade missions. We will continue to do so.”

Foley said former Secretary of State John Gale welcomed international visitors and offered gifts “but he wasn’t a big player on the international scene” as Evnen has been.

Between Jan. 1, 2022, and Sept. 28, 2024, Evnen’s office took the following trips:

The office also planned an Oct. 13-27, 2023, trip to Israel and Jordan, which was canceled after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.

Before the new foundation was formed, the secretary of state had occasionally used the NebraskaLand Foundation, which was established in 1962 as a nonprofit corporation to promote Nebraska, with the governor as the honorary chairperson. But on June 6, 2022, a new foundation was created, with five board members, to assist Evnen specifically with his chief protocol officer role.

The new foundation started with about $9,400 in excess funds used on the Dubai-Jordan mission, though it’s unclear how much was state funds.&nbsp;

The audit notes that four agencies donated to the NebraskaLand Foundation for the mission so it is likely that at least a portion was public monies: the Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Dry Bean Commission.

The report outlines other questionable uses of state or foundation funds, including:

Also for the Kenya trip, the auditor’s office questioned leaving hotel rooms vacant for two days while many attendees attended a “personal safari.” The office concluded that airline tickets for that trip cost almost $16,000 more than if the group had traveled coach instead of business.

Evnen’s office responded that the hotel costs couldn’t have been saved during the safari and that the flights were booked months in advance with a consultant. His office said nearly all expenses for the Kenya trip were reimbursed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which also covered fees for the Corn Board members.

Evnen’s staff said they are working on formal written procedures for international trade missions, including making better estimates for registration fees and ensuring that purchases are reasonable and necessary.

Both Evnen and Foley said the trade missions are important, but the report questioned whether the direct hand in mission trips was congruent with the “spirit of open and transparent government, a vital pillar of Nebraska’s core civic values.”

Foley said the point about being reimbursed from federal funds is an argument frequently made during audits. But both sources are taxpayer funded, he pointed out.

“It really isn’t monopoly money,” Foley said. “Real people pay that.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732294810057.jpeg" alt="Secretary of State Bob Evnen listens to testimony about the May 2024 primary election as part of the Board of State Canvassers on June 10, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Bob Evnen listens to testimony about the May 2024 primary election as part of the Board of State Canvassers on June 10, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/21/state-auditor-questions-role-of-nebraska-secretary-of-state-foundation-in-trade-missions/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska’s state auditor is cautioning the secretary of state that he might need some guardrails for a nonprofit he created to help with his international trade missions on behalf of the state.The&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/SA9-11202024-November_20_2024_Secretary_of_State_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">new audit</a>, released Wednesday by State Auditor Mike Foley, investigates the Nebraska Secretary of State Foundation, which Secretary of State Bob Evnen created in June 2022. Evnen serves as Nebraska’s “chief protocol officer,” the state’s “goodwill ambassador” to help promote Nebraska with other countries.The report largely questions whether the secretary of state can share public resources with a private, nongovernmental entity, which isn’t subject to public records or open meetings laws.“Without such segregation, there is an increased risk for questionable activities, including possible conflicts of interest, that could undermine the public trust or give rise to legal concerns,” the report states.<h2>‘Pinching every penny’</h2>The audit notes partially blurred lines with invoices from the foundation sharing letterhead with the Secretary of State’s Office. Those documents were sent and negotiated by state employees via their state emails during normal business hours, according to documents Foley’s staff reviewed.At least once, in December 2022, the foundation personally reimbursed Evnen $3,855.16 for a dinner with the ambassador from Kuwait at Omaha’s Mahogany Prime Steakhouse.Foley, who is in his 10th year as auditor, told the Nebraska Examiner that government business must be done in public, and given the public nature of the trade missions, his office is recommending that Evnen coordinate with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, Attorney General’s Office or Legislature “so that everything’s on the up and up and out in the open.”“As constitutional officers, we have to be even more vigilant than the typical state employee in making sure that we’re good stewards of public funds and pinching every penny and so forth,” said Foley, a former state senator and former lieutenant governor.“Can I now start the ‘State Auditor’s Foundation’ and start soliciting money from folks and having them guide my auditing work?” he asked. “I don’t think so. I don’t think the public wants that.”In a statement to the Examiner, Evnen said he appreciated the professionalism of Foley’s office. He said his office has clarified some information and has given serious consideration to other recommendations.“International trade missions are very beneficial to our state,” Evnen said in a statement to the Nebraska Examiner. “We strive to comply with state acquisition requirements as they relate to international trade missions. We will continue to do so.”<h2>Timeline of trade missions</h2>Foley said former Secretary of State John Gale welcomed international visitors and offered gifts “but he wasn’t a big player on the international scene” as Evnen has been.Between Jan. 1, 2022, and Sept. 28, 2024, Evnen’s office took the following trips:<ul>
 <li>Feb. 8-18, 2022 — Dubai and Jordan in the Middle East and North African region.</li><li>June 26-July 2, 2022 —&nbsp;Bulgaria, as a follow-up mission.</li><li>Oct. 31-Nov. 4, 2022 —&nbsp;U.S. Department of Agriculture mission to East Africa, with stops in Nairobi, Kenya and Tanzania.</li><li>Feb. 12-22, 2024 —&nbsp;Kenya, as a follow-up mission to the country.</li><li>Sept. 21-28, 2024 —&nbsp;Taiwan.</li>
 </ul>The office also planned an Oct. 13-27, 2023, trip to Israel and Jordan, which was canceled after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.Before the new foundation was formed, the secretary of state had occasionally used the NebraskaLand Foundation, which was established in 1962 as a nonprofit corporation to promote Nebraska, with the governor as the honorary chairperson. But on June 6, 2022, a new foundation was created, with five board members, to assist Evnen specifically with his chief protocol officer role.The new foundation started with about $9,400 in excess funds used on the Dubai-Jordan mission, though it’s unclear how much was state funds.&nbsp;The audit notes that four agencies donated to the NebraskaLand Foundation for the mission so it is likely that at least a portion was public monies: the Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Dry Bean Commission.<h2>‘It really isn’t monopoly money’</h2>The report outlines other questionable uses of state or foundation funds, including:<ul>
 <li>A $500 check from the Nebraska Corn Board for food in February, which ended up being used to purchase different items.&nbsp;</li><li>Differences in who paid registration fees for the Kenya trip earlier this year. Two Corn Board members did not pay while four staff from the University of Nebraska did.</li>
 </ul>Also for the Kenya trip, the auditor’s office questioned leaving hotel rooms vacant for two days while many attendees attended a “personal safari.” The office concluded that airline tickets for that trip cost almost $16,000 more than if the group had traveled coach instead of business.Evnen’s office responded that the hotel costs couldn’t have been saved during the safari and that the flights were booked months in advance with a consultant. His office said nearly all expenses for the Kenya trip were reimbursed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which also covered fees for the Corn Board members.Evnen’s staff said they are working on formal written procedures for international trade missions, including making better estimates for registration fees and ensuring that purchases are reasonable and necessary.Both Evnen and Foley said the trade missions are important, but the report questioned whether the direct hand in mission trips was congruent with the “spirit of open and transparent government, a vital pillar of Nebraska’s core civic values.”Foley said the point about being reimbursed from federal funds is an argument frequently made during audits. But both sources are taxpayer funded, he pointed out.“It really isn’t monopoly money,” Foley said. “Real people pay that.”

State auditor questions role of Nebraska Secretary of State Foundation in trade missions

Hastings, Neb. -&nbsp;On 11/21/2024 at approximately 8:00 p.m. the Hastings Police Department was notified that a skid loader was traveling south on North Elm Ave.  Law enforcement located this skid loader near East 13th St and North Pine Ave. 

 Law enforcement attempted contact with the subject in the skid loader, but the subject began using the skid loader to ram the police patrol units.  The subject in the skid loader damaged three occupied patrol units before continuing to travel west bound on 14th St.  During this encounter, one law enforcement officer discharged their weapon, and the driver of the skid loader was not struck.

The subject continued to evade law enforcement until coming to a stop in the 1600 block of North Lincoln Ave. At that time law enforcement utilized chemical munitions to subdue the subject. The subject was then taken into custody without further incident.  The subject was taken to Mary Lanning Healthcare for medical clearance and then released into police custody.

The subject in this incident is a juvenile and no names will be released at this time.  No significant injuries occurred in this event and the investigation is ongoing.

The Hastings Police Department would like to thank the public for their cooperation during this incident and their understanding as this investigation continues.  We also thank Hastings Fire and Rescue, the Adams County Sherriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Hastings Street Department for their assistance in this incident.

Due to the circumstances of this event, the Hastings Police Department and the Adams County Attorney’s Office have requested the Nebraska State Patrol complete an investigation of this incident. 



<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732300344176.jpeg" alt="Damaged Hastings police department cruiser (Hastings Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Damaged Hastings police department cruiser (Hastings Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hastings Police DepartmentHastings, Neb. -&nbsp;On 11/21/2024 at approximately 8:00 p.m. the Hastings Police Department was notified that a skid loader was traveling south on North Elm Ave. Law enforcement located this skid loader near East 13th St and North Pine Ave. Law enforcement attempted contact with the subject in the skid loader, but the subject began using the skid loader to ram the police patrol units. The subject in the skid loader damaged three occupied patrol units before continuing to travel west bound on 14th St. During this encounter, one law enforcement officer discharged their weapon, and the driver of the skid loader was not struck.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732300292476.jpeg" alt="Hastings police cruiser (Hasings Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Hastings police cruiser (Hasings Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>The subject continued to evade law enforcement until coming to a stop in the 1600 block of North Lincoln Ave. At that time law enforcement utilized chemical munitions to subdue the subject. The subject was then taken into custody without further incident. The subject was taken to Mary Lanning Healthcare for medical clearance and then released into police custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732300430923.jpeg" alt="Hastings police crusier damaged (Hastings Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Hastings police crusier damaged (Hastings Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>The subject in this incident is a juvenile and no names will be released at this time. No significant injuries occurred in this event and the investigation is ongoing.The Hastings Police Department would like to thank the public for their cooperation during this incident and their understanding as this investigation continues. We also thank Hastings Fire and Rescue, the Adams County Sherriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Hastings Street Department for their assistance in this incident.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732300469914.jpeg" alt="Hastings police cruiser that was struck during Thursday night's pursuit (Hastings Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Hastings police cruiser that was struck during Thursday night's pursuit (Hastings Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>Due to the circumstances of this event, the Hastings Police Department and the Adams County Attorney’s Office have requested the Nebraska State Patrol complete an investigation of this incident.

Juvenile arrested in Central Nebraska after going on a joy ride in a skid loader, damaging police vehicles during pursuit

OMAHA, NOVEMBER 22, 2024&nbsp;— Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in this country for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone’s home.&nbsp;Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States.&nbsp;The American Red Cross offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast.

“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths,” said Emily Holley, Regional Communications Manager, Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross. “Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable holiday, so don’t leave the kitchen while you’re cooking.”

COOKING SAFETY TIPS&nbsp;Follow these safety tips and visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdQDUSRTVVNhCpuFViEAZkUysulehxI60UorhHGlVUwVxWlib_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjc0CHOAigZQGSpPOHe-2FXMjQmRAr0R3f7EQGhPHZWTimipOGY5feRhlRvTJlgwK8YDKgBsH6iLRErLb88kMfmGMwP-2BQNzL6oCSvgfNxc320px4I8WVZX3jB-2BmVWaSreDbAPb9JPGy1KO2wiTspb1xSFM-3D">redcross.org/fire</a>&nbsp;for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family.

Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC8E4-2FIqwtiZ3BHZgUNGrdijOEm4kuUwDkkHyRL3g5qAN7zptCVp-2BQfb3jYP0ynrzig-3D-3DUCtX_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjc-2FekDdcGMnntsToIOP1VVLLJ267gFcbbiSsW5MMRitGWoLYwphixJTLMSF8fKbDYr03QGKkbPg3Q1v8ZRlx-2B0Eq0OC50JcIvATosOK5XPji6iUsWokOP2205DGi3C1f-2BUTDwE2-2F0vNEgk-2B4l2yx5uk-3D">local Red Cross</a>&nbsp;for more information.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES&nbsp;Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,196 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdQDUSRTVVNhCpuFViEAZkUyTikC899JonVspXy7p8NavBJiL_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjdUwBe6QnRDpTU4MJW5csdEIP0q5sz41QfxqJxwfYLJ1zQSUsPlAAIZbjQFy9WaWWEWg5wzUxn-2Bv9k-2Br50jIkbAMyFQ2a7KrUNWk-2FKk5ycbD-2B1IrncrZWNIPGDcCcX-2F0jLDS5W6HyqeJ-2BeC-2BeHlva-2FA-3D">redcross.org/homefires</a>.&nbsp;

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdTqaAJlt5LOCznNLmLfPjMA-3DBpPN_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjUB-2BoLAJGwr2d-2F8mDqovEPRFOyXxEIg7UEP-2Fd9D-2F-2FglmCvSMCMwF7I-2BCRj3K8OqtdNDpsp0F-2FMlKUulbNhS-2Bd7tkf01MWmT4vgOVRHNzhVvLmc1P-2BKuA-2BhYFH85p0z8qMHsMCFKL070KzTg9hPHrGnQ-3D">redcross.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdZCpBS8hc66RWakFg9GcSpVk3u-2BevSeOtR5S8POS15xyYjwG_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjZF3Fpzbi0YRJ9oW3DXLRjP-2FWA2DKjpOy8CTxKj25V16fOvBgnysauKt10zTLAJXyZV2d9pl0cTm-2Bm8UobeTrG0NUNPnVuIA4JgpF5QSA1A-2BFnBcE-2BxuUlCrkAGDwFM8DoCyDraRAKCyDD3S2PugiX0-3D">CruzRojaAmericana.org</a>, or visit us on Twitter at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC4HOZy-2BNe4USGkgkvJemOlEON48AGIWN9WxEfQlydjvyxQ9k_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjWpeAe1A72TP7UlbuoKuqo5CtrpY-2BmHTibkyb7BTZhFp9vHjbm0gK5xcKY-2BxgGad9Q-2BKKMxFu7YKTuixce8IPBfjKe6FbFDKa4WWx4LvW-2FLeekuGgBgdPZQxPNGJNQSlSBNC2RYF1mi6wrz-2F3iO0-2BT4-3D">@RedCross</a>.

American Red CrossOMAHA, NOVEMBER 22, 2024&nbsp;— Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days in this country for the chance of a cooking fire to happen in someone’s home.&nbsp;Cooking causes an average of 158,400 home fires per year, which is 44% of all home fires in the United States.&nbsp;The American Red Cross offers safety steps everyone can follow if they will be preparing their family’s Thanksgiving feast.“Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths,” said Emily Holley, Regional Communications Manager, Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross. “Most happen because people leave cooking food unattended. We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable holiday, so don’t leave the kitchen while you’re cooking.”COOKING SAFETY TIPS&nbsp;Follow these safety tips and visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdQDUSRTVVNhCpuFViEAZkUysulehxI60UorhHGlVUwVxWlib_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjc0CHOAigZQGSpPOHe-2FXMjQmRAr0R3f7EQGhPHZWTimipOGY5feRhlRvTJlgwK8YDKgBsH6iLRErLb88kMfmGMwP-2BQNzL6oCSvgfNxc320px4I8WVZX3jB-2BmVWaSreDbAPb9JPGy1KO2wiTspb1xSFM-3D">redcross.org/fire</a>&nbsp;for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family.<ul>
 <li>Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling,&nbsp;or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.</li><li>Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.</li><li>Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.</li><li>Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.</li><li>Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.</li><li>Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.</li><li>Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.</li><li>Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.</li>
 </ul>Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC8E4-2FIqwtiZ3BHZgUNGrdijOEm4kuUwDkkHyRL3g5qAN7zptCVp-2BQfb3jYP0ynrzig-3D-3DUCtX_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjc-2FekDdcGMnntsToIOP1VVLLJ267gFcbbiSsW5MMRitGWoLYwphixJTLMSF8fKbDYr03QGKkbPg3Q1v8ZRlx-2B0Eq0OC50JcIvATosOK5XPji6iUsWokOP2205DGi3C1f-2BUTDwE2-2F0vNEgk-2B4l2yx5uk-3D">local Red Cross</a>&nbsp;for more information.HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES&nbsp;Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,196 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdQDUSRTVVNhCpuFViEAZkUyTikC899JonVspXy7p8NavBJiL_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjdUwBe6QnRDpTU4MJW5csdEIP0q5sz41QfxqJxwfYLJ1zQSUsPlAAIZbjQFy9WaWWEWg5wzUxn-2Bv9k-2Br50jIkbAMyFQ2a7KrUNWk-2FKk5ycbD-2B1IrncrZWNIPGDcCcX-2F0jLDS5W6HyqeJ-2BeC-2BeHlva-2FA-3D">redcross.org/homefires</a>.&nbsp;About the American Red Cross:The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdTqaAJlt5LOCznNLmLfPjMA-3DBpPN_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjUB-2BoLAJGwr2d-2F8mDqovEPRFOyXxEIg7UEP-2Fd9D-2F-2FglmCvSMCMwF7I-2BCRj3K8OqtdNDpsp0F-2FMlKUulbNhS-2Bd7tkf01MWmT4vgOVRHNzhVvLmc1P-2BKuA-2BhYFH85p0z8qMHsMCFKL070KzTg9hPHrGnQ-3D">redcross.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.b00YhNV2Nr0-2BaZn7eVNAdZCpBS8hc66RWakFg9GcSpVk3u-2BevSeOtR5S8POS15xyYjwG_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjZF3Fpzbi0YRJ9oW3DXLRjP-2FWA2DKjpOy8CTxKj25V16fOvBgnysauKt10zTLAJXyZV2d9pl0cTm-2Bm8UobeTrG0NUNPnVuIA4JgpF5QSA1A-2BFnBcE-2BxuUlCrkAGDwFM8DoCyDraRAKCyDD3S2PugiX0-3D">CruzRojaAmericana.org</a>, or visit us on Twitter at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC4HOZy-2BNe4USGkgkvJemOlEON48AGIWN9WxEfQlydjvyxQ9k_zEOLHw6mHPpUboszb4lxzn-2FWfgiGZZljUWwyilPPfcrXXfmVBzHnavjtNkTOYjqEx5eOh2mcWHIGY492PIfsWsyGWhoO2mGEzQUR6nhbB8CykBOZZWoxvATOmu6Yp5P5gxzUzuYffupE2c5zWF3e5mvVIYX9LCpmujUhow0W-2BYWOr-2BdpV-2BzNQFdkw-2BJQTUEwQ-2FR7QHCVeH2lmzqsfjBCjWpeAe1A72TP7UlbuoKuqo5CtrpY-2BmHTibkyb7BTZhFp9vHjbm0gK5xcKY-2BxgGad9Q-2BKKMxFu7YKTuixce8IPBfjKe6FbFDKa4WWx4LvW-2FLeekuGgBgdPZQxPNGJNQSlSBNC2RYF1mi6wrz-2F3iO0-2BT4-3D">@RedCross</a>.

 Red Cross offers steps to help you avoid a cooking fire on Thanksgiving

Washington, D.C.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help reduce the prevalence and severity of drug shortages. Drug shortages can adversely affect clinical care and patient outcomes—and in the&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.fda.gov/media/179156/download__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaABpxhCadw$" target="_blank">most severe of&nbsp;cases</a>, can lead to delayed care, inferior treatment, and medication errors. As of September 2024, there were over&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.ashp.org/-/media/assets/drug-shortages/docs/2024/2024-Drug-Shortages-Survey.pdf__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaACcPWBXbA$" target="_blank">275 active drug&nbsp;shortages</a>&nbsp;listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA)&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaAAIGoWG4A$" target="_blank">drug shortage&nbsp;list</a>.

The members released the following statements:

“Timely information sharing is critical to addressing our drug shortage crisis and empowering providers to connect patients with the treatments they need, thereby improving health outcomes,”&nbsp;said Rep. Smith.&nbsp;“This bill would enhance access to critical medicines Americans depend on by streamlining communication among providers and the FDA when supply chain needs are anticipated. I thank my Senate colleagues, Sens. Cotton and Kaine, and Rep. Spanberger for working with me to introduce this legislation.”

“When Americans are consistently unable to fill a prescription at their local pharmacy or when hospitals are rationing lifesaving medications, it’s clear that there is a breakdown along our pharmaceutical supply chain. By requiring drug manufacturers to notify FDA when demand for a drug is surging, pharmacies and health systems can more quickly prepare for a potential shortage,”&nbsp;said Rep. Spanberger.&nbsp;“Improved communication between patients, healthcare professionals, and drug manufacturers can shore up our supply chains and help prevent Americans from going without their medications. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation alongside my friend and fellow Virginian, Senator Kaine, as well as Representative Smith and Senator Cotton — because Congress must do more to make sure Virginians and Americans across our country can access the medications on which they rely.”

“Shortages in the medical supply chain are a matter of life and death. Our bill will enhance communication processes, support hospitals, and strengthen health systems to ensure that Americans have access to the medicines that they need,”&nbsp;said Sen. Cotton.&nbsp;

“Drug shortages can have tragic consequences for patients and force providers to ration life-saving medications,”&nbsp;said Sen. Kaine.&nbsp;“We must do more to ensure that Americans have access to the treatment they need. That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan legislation to help prevent and limit the impacts of these dangerous shortages.”

Specifically, the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act&nbsp;would:&nbsp;

The legislation is supported by: American Hospital Association, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, Angels for Change, Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, Association of American Medical Colleges, Children's Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Inova, Kaiser Permanente, National Community Pharmacists Association, UVA Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Vizient.&nbsp;

“Angels for Change applauds Senator Kaine, Senator Cotton, Representative Spanberger, and Representative Smith for their bipartisan leadership in taking on the drug shortage crisis and advancing this vital work. We are proud to support the End Drug Shortages Act, which will implement critical transparency measures and flexibility for compounding pharmacies to help fill the gaps in times of shortage. Nearly 50% of all shortages in 2023 came from an increase in demand, so it is vital that we have the tools to give patients access to lifesaving medications during shortages, whether they are caused by decreases in manufacturing supply or surges in demand,”&nbsp;said Laura Bray, Founder and Chief Change Maker, Angels for Change.&nbsp;

“ASHP strongly supports the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act.&nbsp;By expanding criteria for reporting drug shortages, and reporting interruptions and discontinuances, this legislation can help ensure Americans have continuous access to essential medicines,”&nbsp;said Tom Kraus, Vice President of ASHP Government Relations.&nbsp;

“By improving communication between drug manufacturers, the FDA, and healthcare providers, the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act&nbsp;will significantly mitigate the frequency and impact of drug shortages, including those caused by a surge,”&nbsp;said Shoshana Krilow, senior vice president of public policy and government relations for Vizient. “We deeply appreciate the leadership of Sens. Tim Kaine and Tom Cotton and Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Adrian Smith for their decisive action in addressing drug shortages through the bipartisan&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act.”&nbsp;

Full text of the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act&nbsp;is&nbsp;available&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.kaine.senate.gov/download/end-drug-shortages-act__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaABTTUpuVA$" target="_blank">here</a>

Office of Rep. Adrian SmithWashington, D.C.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Today, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help reduce the prevalence and severity of drug shortages. Drug shortages can adversely affect clinical care and patient outcomes—and in the&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.fda.gov/media/179156/download__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaABpxhCadw$" target="_blank">most severe of&nbsp;cases</a>, can lead to delayed care, inferior treatment, and medication errors. As of September 2024, there were over&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.ashp.org/-/media/assets/drug-shortages/docs/2024/2024-Drug-Shortages-Survey.pdf__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaACcPWBXbA$" target="_blank">275 active drug&nbsp;shortages</a>&nbsp;listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA)&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaAAIGoWG4A$" target="_blank">drug shortage&nbsp;list</a>.The members released the following statements:“Timely information sharing is critical to addressing our drug shortage crisis and empowering providers to connect patients with the treatments they need, thereby improving health outcomes,”&nbsp;said Rep. Smith.&nbsp;“This bill would enhance access to critical medicines Americans depend on by streamlining communication among providers and the FDA when supply chain needs are anticipated. I thank my Senate colleagues, Sens. Cotton and Kaine, and Rep. Spanberger for working with me to introduce this legislation.”“When Americans are consistently unable to fill a prescription at their local pharmacy or when hospitals are rationing lifesaving medications, it’s clear that there is a breakdown along our pharmaceutical supply chain. By requiring drug manufacturers to notify FDA when demand for a drug is surging, pharmacies and health systems can more quickly prepare for a potential shortage,”&nbsp;said Rep. Spanberger.&nbsp;“Improved communication between patients, healthcare professionals, and drug manufacturers can shore up our supply chains and help prevent Americans from going without their medications. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation alongside my friend and fellow Virginian, Senator Kaine, as well as Representative Smith and Senator Cotton — because Congress must do more to make sure Virginians and Americans across our country can access the medications on which they rely.”“Shortages in the medical supply chain are a matter of life and death. Our bill will enhance communication processes, support hospitals, and strengthen health systems to ensure that Americans have access to the medicines that they need,”&nbsp;said Sen. Cotton.&nbsp;“Drug shortages can have tragic consequences for patients and force providers to ration life-saving medications,”&nbsp;said Sen. Kaine.&nbsp;“We must do more to ensure that Americans have access to the treatment they need. That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan legislation to help prevent and limit the impacts of these dangerous shortages.”Specifically, the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act&nbsp;would:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Improve communication between drug manufacturers, the FDA, and pharmacies that support hospitals and health systems to ensure more accurate and timely information regarding the supply of prescription drugs by:</li><li>Requiring drug manufacturers to notify the FDA when there is a surge in demand of a drug that is likely to lead to a disruption in the supply of the drug.</li><li>Establishing a definition of the term “surge.”</li><li>Ensuring that the FDA considers information reported by patients, health care professionals, and manufacturers when designating a drug shortage.</li><li>Instruct the FDA to finalize October 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-revises-hospital-and-health-system-compounding-guidance-help-preserve-patient-access-compounded__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaAAB0-EG7w$" target="_blank">guidance</a>&nbsp;for hospital and health system pharmacies and ensure that such guidance is consistent with the most current research and best clinical practices.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>The legislation is supported by: American Hospital Association, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, Angels for Change, Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, Association of American Medical Colleges, Children's Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Inova, Kaiser Permanente, National Community Pharmacists Association, UVA Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Vizient.&nbsp;“Angels for Change applauds Senator Kaine, Senator Cotton, Representative Spanberger, and Representative Smith for their bipartisan leadership in taking on the drug shortage crisis and advancing this vital work. We are proud to support the End Drug Shortages Act, which will implement critical transparency measures and flexibility for compounding pharmacies to help fill the gaps in times of shortage. Nearly 50% of all shortages in 2023 came from an increase in demand, so it is vital that we have the tools to give patients access to lifesaving medications during shortages, whether they are caused by decreases in manufacturing supply or surges in demand,”&nbsp;said Laura Bray, Founder and Chief Change Maker, Angels for Change.&nbsp;“ASHP strongly supports the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act.&nbsp;By expanding criteria for reporting drug shortages, and reporting interruptions and discontinuances, this legislation can help ensure Americans have continuous access to essential medicines,”&nbsp;said Tom Kraus, Vice President of ASHP Government Relations.&nbsp;“By improving communication between drug manufacturers, the FDA, and healthcare providers, the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act&nbsp;will significantly mitigate the frequency and impact of drug shortages, including those caused by a surge,”&nbsp;said Shoshana Krilow, senior vice president of public policy and government relations for Vizient. “We deeply appreciate the leadership of Sens. Tim Kaine and Tom Cotton and Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Adrian Smith for their decisive action in addressing drug shortages through the bipartisan&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act.”&nbsp;Full text of the&nbsp;End Drug Shortages Act&nbsp;is&nbsp;available&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.kaine.senate.gov/download/end-drug-shortages-act__;!!Bg5easoyC-OII2vlEqY8mTBrtW-N4OJKAQ!Ml7hIB4sihAuGjSxU9EeCZj9C0v15iY0e6rlUEkB6vvctDd8vnFnRxDHjDe0uS7uBhXwtDGDO9GfN4vjloQK4ZTP4ItyjBVRWoCKaABTTUpuVA$" target="_blank">here</a>

Smith, Cotton, Kaine, and Spanberger Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral End Drug Shortages Act

WASHINGTON— Tons of ground beef have been recalled due to possible E. coli contamination,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/wolverine-packing-co--recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>&nbsp;(USDA).

Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Thursday. The product was shipped to restaurants across the nation.

The fresh products have a “use by” date of 11/14/2024 and the frozen products are labeled with production date 10 22 24. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/Recall-031-2024-Product-List.pdf">here to view full product list</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/food_label_pdf/2024-11/Recall-031-2024-Labels.pdf">Click here to view labels</a>.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide.&nbsp;

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of ill persons who had reported that they consumed ground beef prior to their illness.

FSIS was notified of illnesses on November 13, 2024, and working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, FSIS determined that there was a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster. On November 20, 2024, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157. To date, 15 case-patients have been identified in one state with illness onset dates ranging from November 2, 2024, to November 10, 2024. FSIS continues to work with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health on this investigation.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their&nbsp;customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart</a>.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Don Tanner, company representative at 248-762-1533.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732280999875.png" alt="USDA image" />
 <figcaption>USDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— Tons of ground beef have been recalled due to possible E. coli contamination,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/wolverine-packing-co--recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>&nbsp;(USDA).Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Thursday. The product was shipped to restaurants across the nation.The fresh products have a “use by” date of 11/14/2024 and the frozen products are labeled with production date 10 22 24. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/Recall-031-2024-Product-List.pdf">here to view full product list</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/food_label_pdf/2024-11/Recall-031-2024-Labels.pdf">Click here to view labels</a>.The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide.&nbsp;The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of ill persons who had reported that they consumed ground beef prior to their illness.FSIS was notified of illnesses on November 13, 2024, and working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, FSIS determined that there was a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster. On November 20, 2024, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157. To date, 15 case-patients have been identified in one state with illness onset dates ranging from November 2, 2024, to November 10, 2024. FSIS continues to work with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health on this investigation.Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.FSIS is concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their&nbsp;customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart</a>.Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Don Tanner, company representative at 248-762-1533.

USDA: 160,000 pounds of ground beef recalled due to E. coli risk

Nebraska's Natural Resources District&nbsp;

NORFOLK, Nebraska&nbsp;– Farmers and ranchers in Northeast Nebraska and beyond are invited to the Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at the Lifelong Learning Center on the Northeast Community College campus in Norfolk.

This new event, co-hosted by the Bow Creek Watershed Project and the Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA), replaces the BGMA Winter Meeting traditionally held in January or February.

The conference provides a platform for producers to exchange ideas about conservation practices that boost profitability while safeguarding water quality. Attendees will hear directly from other farmers and ranchers about their experiences, gaining practical insights into conservation production techniques.

Keynote speaker Rick Clark, a farmer from Williamsport, Indiana, will open the day with an inspiring address focused on regenerative soil health management systems. Clark’s innovative approach uses natural processes to reduce farm input costs. He will share his journey into organic no-till farming, including valuable lessons learned along the way.

Other featured speakers include Jason Mauck, Mitch Hora, Paul Jasa, Roy Thompson, and more, covering topics such as:

With 15 breakout sessions, attendees can customize their schedule to match their specific interests and operational needs. The day will conclude with a local farmer panel sharing firsthand how they’ve successfully implemented conservation practices in Northeast Nebraska.

“In addition to great speakers, this is a chance to network with like-minded farmers and ranchers,” said Becky Ravenkamp, Bow Creek Watershed coordinator. “Whether you’ve been practicing conservation for decades or are just starting to explore the possibilities, you’ll find peers and resources to guide you. Plus, attendees could win fantastic door prizes at the end of the day!”

The Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference is produced by the Lewis &amp; Clark, Lower Elkhorn, Lower Niobrara, and Upper Elkhorn NRDs along with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.

The&nbsp;Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA)&nbsp;is an ongoing joint effort of the Lewis and Clark, Lower Niobrara, Lower Elkhorn and Upper Elkhorn NRDs along with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. The mission is to address and reduce nitrate in groundwater through education, demonstration sites, and cost-sharing programs for select Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs empower producers to optimize input efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The project aims to encourage widespread adoption of these practices across the region, promoting sustainable agriculture and improved water quality.

Nebraska's Natural Resources District&nbsp;NORFOLK, Nebraska&nbsp;– Farmers and ranchers in Northeast Nebraska and beyond are invited to the Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at the Lifelong Learning Center on the Northeast Community College campus in Norfolk.This new event, co-hosted by the Bow Creek Watershed Project and the Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA), replaces the BGMA Winter Meeting traditionally held in January or February.The conference provides a platform for producers to exchange ideas about conservation practices that boost profitability while safeguarding water quality. Attendees will hear directly from other farmers and ranchers about their experiences, gaining practical insights into conservation production techniques.Keynote speaker Rick Clark, a farmer from Williamsport, Indiana, will open the day with an inspiring address focused on regenerative soil health management systems. Clark’s innovative approach uses natural processes to reduce farm input costs. He will share his journey into organic no-till farming, including valuable lessons learned along the way.Other featured speakers include Jason Mauck, Mitch Hora, Paul Jasa, Roy Thompson, and more, covering topics such as:<ul>
 <li>Equipment setup for conservation practices</li><li>Cropping strategies and grazing techniques</li><li>Cutting-edge agricultural technology</li><li>Value-added products</li><li>Incentives for conservation</li>
 </ul>With 15 breakout sessions, attendees can customize their schedule to match their specific interests and operational needs. The day will conclude with a local farmer panel sharing firsthand how they’ve successfully implemented conservation practices in Northeast Nebraska.“In addition to great speakers, this is a chance to network with like-minded farmers and ranchers,” said Becky Ravenkamp, Bow Creek Watershed coordinator. “Whether you’ve been practicing conservation for decades or are just starting to explore the possibilities, you’ll find peers and resources to guide you. Plus, attendees could win fantastic door prizes at the end of the day!”Registration Details:<ul>
 <li>FREE registration is available through December 6, 2024.</li><li>Late and at-the-door registrations are $20.</li><li>Register online at:&nbsp;<a href="https://lcnrd.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">https://lcnrd.nebraska.gov/</a></li>
 </ul>The Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference is produced by the Lewis &amp; Clark, Lower Elkhorn, Lower Niobrara, and Upper Elkhorn NRDs along with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.The&nbsp;Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA)&nbsp;is an ongoing joint effort of the Lewis and Clark, Lower Niobrara, Lower Elkhorn and Upper Elkhorn NRDs along with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. The mission is to address and reduce nitrate in groundwater through education, demonstration sites, and cost-sharing programs for select Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs empower producers to optimize input efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The project aims to encourage widespread adoption of these practices across the region, promoting sustainable agriculture and improved water quality.

   Inaugural Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference Dec. 17

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) issued the statement below following news that the United Nations’ International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&nbsp;and his former defense chief, Yoav Gallant:

“The ICC has no credibility. Issuing arrest warrants for leaders defending their nation against terrorist attacks is absurd. The United States stands with Israel.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

U.S. Senator Deb FischerWASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) issued the statement below following news that the United Nations’ International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&nbsp;and his former defense chief, Yoav Gallant:“The ICC has no credibility. Issuing arrest warrants for leaders defending their nation against terrorist attacks is absurd. The United States stands with Israel.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fischer Statement on ICC’s Arrest Warrant for Israeli Leaders

November 21, 2024 (Scottsbluff, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol, Scottsbluff Police Department, Gering Police Department, and Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office conducted alcohol compliance checks in Scotts Bluff County last weekend.

In total, 83 businesses were checked. One of the businesses sold alcohol to a minor. The checks throughout the county had a 99% compliance rate.

The business that sold alcohol to a minor was:

Businesses that sell alcohol to a minor are referred to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Clerks who sell alcohol to a minor are cited for procuring alcohol for a minor.

This effort was made possible thanks to funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health.

Nebraska State PatrolNovember 21, 2024 (Scottsbluff, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol, Scottsbluff Police Department, Gering Police Department, and Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office conducted alcohol compliance checks in Scotts Bluff County last weekend.In total, 83 businesses were checked. One of the businesses sold alcohol to a minor. The checks throughout the county had a 99% compliance rate.The business that sold alcohol to a minor was:East O Watering Hole – ScottsbluffBusinesses that sell alcohol to a minor are referred to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Clerks who sell alcohol to a minor are cited for procuring alcohol for a minor.This effort was made possible thanks to funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health.

Alcohol Compliance Checks Held in Scotts Bluff County

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

WASHINGTON — Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz announced Thursday he’s withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump’s planned nominee for attorney general days after securing the appointment.

Gaetz’s path to Senate confirmation was highly unlikely following years of investigations about alleged drug usage and payments for sex, including with an underage girl. He submitted his resignation to Congress last week.

“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/mattgaetz/status/1859649045553402285" target="_blank">a social media post.</a>&nbsp;“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”&nbsp;

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113522181118234752" target="_blank">posted on social media</a>&nbsp;afterward that he “greatly” appreciated “the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General.”

“He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”

The House Ethics Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-ethics-panel-republicans-vote-against-disclosure-gaetz-report" target="_blank">voted along party lines</a>&nbsp;Wednesday not to release its report on Gaetz, following more than three years of investigation. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, including the allegations that he had sex with a minor.

Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, spent Wednesday shuffling Gaetz between meetings with Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would have held his confirmation hearing. Republicans will control the Senate in the new session of Congress beginning in January.

Gaetz’s future is unclear, given that he resigned from the U.S. House last week and notified the chamber he didn’t plan to take the oath of office for the upcoming 119th Congress.&nbsp;

He first joined the House in January 2017 and led efforts to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from that role last year, setting off a month-long stalemate within the House Republican Conference over who should lead the party.

This is a developing report that will be updated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731531518225.png" alt="Matt Gaetz-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Matt Gaetz-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz announced Thursday he’s withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump’s planned nominee for attorney general days after securing the appointment.Gaetz’s path to Senate confirmation was highly unlikely following years of investigations about alleged drug usage and payments for sex, including with an underage girl. He submitted his resignation to Congress last week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732211535033.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/mattgaetz/status/1859649045553402285" target="_blank">a social media post.</a>&nbsp;“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113522181118234752" target="_blank">posted on social media</a>&nbsp;afterward that he “greatly” appreciated “the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General.”“He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”The House Ethics Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-ethics-panel-republicans-vote-against-disclosure-gaetz-report" target="_blank">voted along party lines</a>&nbsp;Wednesday not to release its report on Gaetz, following more than three years of investigation. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, including the allegations that he had sex with a minor.Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, spent Wednesday shuffling Gaetz between meetings with Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would have held his confirmation hearing. Republicans will control the Senate in the new session of Congress beginning in January.Gaetz’s future is unclear, given that he resigned from the U.S. House last week and notified the chamber he didn’t plan to take the oath of office for the upcoming 119th Congress.&nbsp;He first joined the House in January 2017 and led efforts to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from that role last year, setting off a month-long stalemate within the House Republican Conference over who should lead the party.This is a developing report that will be updated.

Matt Gaetz bows out as Trump’s pick for attorney general

Nebraska Department of Transportation

 (Lincoln, Neb.) — Nebraska football returns to Lincoln this weekend for its final home game of the 2024 season. With the last gameday of the year, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) encourages drivers to plan for an increase of traffic on roadways this Saturday. 

Additionally, NDOT reminds drivers if their game festivities including consuming alcohol, plan to find a sober ride. For fans traveling to Lincoln, be prepared for heavier traffic and road construction along the way. Drivers should allow more time to get to their destination and be alert in work zones. 

Travelers need to be aware that construction is active for the following areas: 

• Hwy 77 and Hwy 109 Junction near Wahoo. This is a one lane, head-to-head traffic pattern with a reduced speed limit.  

• I-80 from the Pleasant Dale interchange (MM 388) to NW 48th Street interchange (MM 395) in Lincoln. The speed limit is 65 miles per hour in this construction zone. 

• I-80 from the Elm Creek interchange (MM 252) to the Odessa interchange (MM 264). This is a one lane, head-to-head traffic pattern with a 65 miles per hour speed limit, zipper merge when necessary. 

• I-80 from the Lexington interchange (MM 237) to the Overton interchange (MM 248). This is reduced to one lane, each direction, with a 65 miles per hour speed limit, zipper merge when necessary. 

When driving on Interstate 180 (I-180) use caution near Memorial Stadium, I-180 will have lane restrictions to accommodate pedestrian traffic due to hotel construction in downtown Lincoln. Before leaving to enjoy the game, add your destination into your favorite navigation app, this is a great resource for traffic updates along route. The best way to start your gameday travel is to always buckle up and put the phone down. 

For more information about construction projects and lane closures, check 511 Nebraska and the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities website, Facebook or X. For gameday information, visit the Husker’s website.

Nebraska Department of Transportation (Lincoln, Neb.) — Nebraska football returns to Lincoln this weekend for its final home game of the 2024 season. With the last gameday of the year, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) encourages drivers to plan for an increase of traffic on roadways this Saturday. Additionally, NDOT reminds drivers if their game festivities including consuming alcohol, plan to find a sober ride. For fans traveling to Lincoln, be prepared for heavier traffic and road construction along the way. Drivers should allow more time to get to their destination and be alert in work zones. Travelers need to be aware that construction is active for the following areas: • Hwy 77 and Hwy 109 Junction near Wahoo. This is a one lane, head-to-head traffic pattern with a reduced speed limit. • I-80 from the Pleasant Dale interchange (MM 388) to NW 48th Street interchange (MM 395) in Lincoln. The speed limit is 65 miles per hour in this construction zone. • I-80 from the Elm Creek interchange (MM 252) to the Odessa interchange (MM 264). This is a one lane, head-to-head traffic pattern with a 65 miles per hour speed limit, zipper merge when necessary. • I-80 from the Lexington interchange (MM 237) to the Overton interchange (MM 248). This is reduced to one lane, each direction, with a 65 miles per hour speed limit, zipper merge when necessary. When driving on Interstate 180 (I-180) use caution near Memorial Stadium, I-180 will have lane restrictions to accommodate pedestrian traffic due to hotel construction in downtown Lincoln. Before leaving to enjoy the game, add your destination into your favorite navigation app, this is a great resource for traffic updates along route. The best way to start your gameday travel is to always buckle up and put the phone down. For more information about construction projects and lane closures, check 511 Nebraska and the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities website, Facebook or X. For gameday information, visit the Husker’s website.

Final Husker Gameday Brings Reminder to Plan Ahead for Traffic

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-wont-fill-vacancy-on-nebraska-state-board-of-education/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen will not fill a vacancy on the Nebraska State Board of Education through the end of year, before a new member elected two weeks ago takes the post in January.

Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner on Tuesday that Pillen would not make the appointment to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/about/boe_map.php" target="_blank">District 4 seat</a>, which opened Oct. 4 when the board accepted the&nbsp;<a href="https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/152?meeting=645522" target="_blank">resignation</a>&nbsp;of Jacquelyn Morrison of Omaha. Strimple said there are more than enough members on the eight-member board to close out the year, with no “controversial items” anticipated for its Dec. 6 meeting.

“It would require significant resources to recruit and vet potential successors to serve, even for such a short period of time,” Strimple said in an email. “It is unnecessary to do so, particularly when the new board members elected November 5 will take office in early January.”

The member-elect is Liz Renner, who received&nbsp;<a href="https://electionresults.nebraska.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&amp;type=SE&amp;map=DIST" target="_blank">about 63% of the vote</a>. Renner is a writer and producer with a background in communications strategy who has volunteered as a library assistant, room parent and school yearbook committee chair for her daughter, who is currently a student in Omaha Public Schools.

Renner told the Examiner on Nov. 12, one week after the election, that she had checked the governor’s website a few times after Morrison’s resignation but the vacant seat was not listed. Two days later, she formally tossed her application into the ring anyway.

“I’m looking forward to beginning my duties as a member of the State Board of Education and if there had been a chance, through an appointment, to begin earlier I would have gladly accepted,” Renner said in a Tuesday text.

Strimple previously said that after the board formally accepted Morrison’s resignation, Pillen’s office would begin soliciting applications and fill the vacancy “as promptly as possible.”

David Jespersen, a spokesperson for the Nebraska Department of Education, which the board oversees, said Nov. 12 that the department hadn’t heard from the Governor’s Office after the department notified Pillen’s staff in early September that Morrison intended to resign.

Jespersen said there was a possibility there would not be an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=32-567" target="_blank">appointment</a>&nbsp;within the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=32-574" target="_blank">45-day limit</a>&nbsp;as Pillen could indicate, as he now has, that the requirement would impose an “undue burden.”

At its Dec. 6 meeting the board is set to consider an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/12/education-commissioner-outlines-priorities-at-nebraska-legislative-briefing/">updated state literacy plan</a>&nbsp;and a model policy for the state’s smallest school districts, those with fewer than 5,000 total residents, to authorize select school personnel to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/04/ne-state-board-of-education-previews-literacy-and-firearms-policies/">carry firearms on school property</a>.

Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-wont-fill-vacancy-on-nebraska-state-board-of-education/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen will not fill a vacancy on the Nebraska State Board of Education through the end of year, before a new member elected two weeks ago takes the post in January.Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner on Tuesday that Pillen would not make the appointment to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/about/boe_map.php" target="_blank">District 4 seat</a>, which opened Oct. 4 when the board accepted the&nbsp;<a href="https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/152?meeting=645522" target="_blank">resignation</a>&nbsp;of Jacquelyn Morrison of Omaha. Strimple said there are more than enough members on the eight-member board to close out the year, with no “controversial items” anticipated for its Dec. 6 meeting.“It would require significant resources to recruit and vet potential successors to serve, even for such a short period of time,” Strimple said in an email. “It is unnecessary to do so, particularly when the new board members elected November 5 will take office in early January.”The member-elect is Liz Renner, who received&nbsp;<a href="https://electionresults.nebraska.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&amp;type=SE&amp;map=DIST" target="_blank">about 63% of the vote</a>. Renner is a writer and producer with a background in communications strategy who has volunteered as a library assistant, room parent and school yearbook committee chair for her daughter, who is currently a student in Omaha Public Schools.Renner told the Examiner on Nov. 12, one week after the election, that she had checked the governor’s website a few times after Morrison’s resignation but the vacant seat was not listed. Two days later, she formally tossed her application into the ring anyway.“I’m looking forward to beginning my duties as a member of the State Board of Education and if there had been a chance, through an appointment, to begin earlier I would have gladly accepted,” Renner said in a Tuesday text.Strimple previously said that after the board formally accepted Morrison’s resignation, Pillen’s office would begin soliciting applications and fill the vacancy “as promptly as possible.”David Jespersen, a spokesperson for the Nebraska Department of Education, which the board oversees, said Nov. 12 that the department hadn’t heard from the Governor’s Office after the department notified Pillen’s staff in early September that Morrison intended to resign.Jespersen said there was a possibility there would not be an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=32-567" target="_blank">appointment</a>&nbsp;within the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=32-574" target="_blank">45-day limit</a>&nbsp;as Pillen could indicate, as he now has, that the requirement would impose an “undue burden.”At its Dec. 6 meeting the board is set to consider an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/12/education-commissioner-outlines-priorities-at-nebraska-legislative-briefing/">updated state literacy plan</a>&nbsp;and a model policy for the state’s smallest school districts, those with fewer than 5,000 total residents, to authorize select school personnel to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/10/04/ne-state-board-of-education-previews-literacy-and-firearms-policies/">carry firearms on school property</a>.

Gov. Pillen won’t fill vacancy on Nebraska State Board of Education

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

WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina led a charge Monday to try to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings, following the election of a transgender lawmaker.

The move, which the House Democratic leader characterized as attempting to “bully” another member, came as Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware will soon be sworn in as the&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/08/21/transgender-congress/" target="_blank">first openly transgender member&nbsp;</a>of Congress. Republicans also have undertaken broader efforts to bar transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.

“Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces,” Mace wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;alongside the resolution she is pushing. “Period. Full stop. End of story.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hres1579/BILLS-118hres1579ih.pdf" target="_blank">resolution would prohibit</a>&nbsp;members of Congress, officers and employees of the House from using “single-sex facilities” other than those corresponding to their “biological sex.”

It reads: “A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not use a single-sex facility (including a restroom, changing&nbsp; room, or locker room) in the Capitol or House Office Buildings, other than those corresponding to the biological sex of such individual.”

The House sergeant-at-arms would be tasked with enforcement, according to the resolution, so it appears it would apply only to bathrooms on the House side of the Capitol and not the Senate.

Mace told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/1403136/exclusive-rep-nancy-mace-on-why-she-supports-lgbt-rights-religious-liberty-compromise-legislation/" target="_blank">Washington Examiner</a>&nbsp;in 2021 that she strongly supports LGBTQ rights and equality and said “no one should be discriminated against.”

The South Carolina Republican co-sponsored a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1440/text" target="_blank">Republican alternative</a>&nbsp;to the&nbsp; Democratic-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5/cosponsors" target="_blank">Equality Act</a>&nbsp;in 2021. The GOP effort sought to “prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and to protect the free exercise of religion.”&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SarahEMcBride/status/1858671704718868652" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;Monday appearing to respond to Mace’s push, McBride said “every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.”

“This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride added.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Mace’s resolution “doesn’t go far enough” and “we need something more binding” while speaking to reporters Tuesday.

The Georgia Republican, who referred to McBride as a “biological man,” said “America’s fed up with the trans ideology being shoved into our face.”

Greene said she asked U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson at the House GOP conference meeting Tuesday “what the men in our leadership are going to do about this, because this has to be stopped.”

According to Greene, the Louisiana Republican committed to her that McBride “will not be using our restrooms.”

However, at a Tuesday press conference following that GOP meeting, Johnson would not specify how he would respond to Mace’s resolution.

“This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before,” Johnson said, while also noting that “it’s a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect.”

“We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress,” he added.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned House Republicans’ priorities Tuesday regarding Mace’s effort.

“This is your priority — that you want to bully a member of Congress as opposed to welcoming her to join this body so that all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?” said the New York Democrat at a Tuesday news conference.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732047919198.png" alt="Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Delaware will become the first openly transgender member of Congress-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Delaware will become the first openly transgender member of Congress-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina led a charge Monday to try to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings, following the election of a transgender lawmaker.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I never thought we would need a sign for this, but women&#39;s restrooms are for BIOLOGICAL women. Not men. <a href="https://t.co/42lOMhqHFT">pic.twitter.com/42lOMhqHFT</a>&mdash; Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858997448418496978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The move, which the House Democratic leader characterized as attempting to “bully” another member, came as Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware will soon be sworn in as the&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/08/21/transgender-congress/" target="_blank">first openly transgender member&nbsp;</a>of Congress. Republicans also have undertaken broader efforts to bar transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces. Period. Full stop. End of story. <a href="https://t.co/IhR7kExkBU">pic.twitter.com/IhR7kExkBU</a>&mdash; Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces,” Mace wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;alongside the resolution she is pushing. “Period. Full stop. End of story.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Is freshman-elect Sarah McBride a man or a woman?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a>: &quot;Look, I’m not going to get into this...We treat all persons with dignity and respect. We will. I&#39;m not going to engage is silly debates about this. There&#39;s a concern about uses of restroom facilities...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/fMtlV3hYxW">pic.twitter.com/fMtlV3hYxW</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1858904341718958328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hres1579/BILLS-118hres1579ih.pdf" target="_blank">resolution would prohibit</a>&nbsp;members of Congress, officers and employees of the House from using “single-sex facilities” other than those corresponding to their “biological sex.”It reads: “A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not use a single-sex facility (including a restroom, changing&nbsp; room, or locker room) in the Capitol or House Office Buildings, other than those corresponding to the biological sex of such individual.”The House sergeant-at-arms would be tasked with enforcement, according to the resolution, so it appears it would apply only to bathrooms on the House side of the Capitol and not the Senate.Mace told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/1403136/exclusive-rep-nancy-mace-on-why-she-supports-lgbt-rights-religious-liberty-compromise-legislation/" target="_blank">Washington Examiner</a>&nbsp;in 2021 that she strongly supports LGBTQ rights and equality and said “no one should be discriminated against.”The South Carolina Republican co-sponsored a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1440/text" target="_blank">Republican alternative</a>&nbsp;to the&nbsp; Democratic-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5/cosponsors" target="_blank">Equality Act</a>&nbsp;in 2021. The GOP effort sought to “prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and to protect the free exercise of religion.”&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SarahEMcBride/status/1858671704718868652" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;Monday appearing to respond to Mace’s push, McBride said “every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.”“This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride added.Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Mace’s resolution “doesn’t go far enough” and “we need something more binding” while speaking to reporters Tuesday.The Georgia Republican, who referred to McBride as a “biological man,” said “America’s fed up with the trans ideology being shoved into our face.”Greene said she asked U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson at the House GOP conference meeting Tuesday “what the men in our leadership are going to do about this, because this has to be stopped.”According to Greene, the Louisiana Republican committed to her that McBride “will not be using our restrooms.”However, at a Tuesday press conference following that GOP meeting, Johnson would not specify how he would respond to Mace’s resolution.“This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before,” Johnson said, while also noting that “it’s a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect.”“We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress,” he added.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned House Republicans’ priorities Tuesday regarding Mace’s effort.“This is your priority — that you want to bully a member of Congress as opposed to welcoming her to join this body so that all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?” said the New York Democrat at a Tuesday news conference.&nbsp;