On Dec. 17, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.

 Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no U.S. military forces were harmed.&nbsp;

<p>On Dec. 17, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters, according to a statement from the U.S. Southern Command.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On Dec. 17, at the direction of <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a> Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting along a known… <a href="https://t.co/Yhu3LSOyea">pic.twitter.com/Yhu3LSOyea</a></p>&mdash; U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Southcom/status/2001464448750621120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p> Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no U.S. military forces were harmed.&nbsp;</p>

U.S. military reports another deadly attack on a drug boat

The Powerball® jackpot has jumped to an estimated $1.5 billion for Saturday night’s drawing, extending the game’s holiday jackpot streak. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $686.5 million, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Saturday’s jackpot ranks as the fifth largest in the Powerball game and the seventh largest among U.S. lottery jackpots.

“This jackpot is set to deliver the ultimate windfall,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “The jackpot grows with every $2 ticket sold, and a portion of each ticket supports local public programs and services. We encourage everyone to have fun and play responsibly.”

The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 25, 33, 53, 62, 66 and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.

Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.

Nationwide, six tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in Connecticut, New York (3), Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Two tickets, sold in Arizona and Massachusetts, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.

The drawing also produced 72 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

In the Double Play® drawing, a ticket in Florida won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>following the main Powerball drawing.

Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be the 45th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.

This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has produced back-to-back jackpots exceeding $1 billion. The only other occurrence was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won in California.

If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.5 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $686.5 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

<p>The Powerball® jackpot has jumped to an estimated $1.5 billion for Saturday night’s drawing, extending the game’s holiday jackpot streak. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $686.5 million, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.</p><p>Saturday’s jackpot ranks as the fifth largest in the Powerball game and the seventh largest among U.S. lottery jackpots.</p><p>“This jackpot is set to deliver the ultimate windfall,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “The jackpot grows with every $2 ticket sold, and a portion of each ticket supports local public programs and services. We encourage everyone to have fun and play responsibly.”</p><p>The jackpot rolled last night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 25, 33, 53, 62, 66 and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 4.</p><p>Although there was no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as many tickets won cash prizes in last night’s drawing.</p><p>Nationwide, six tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The winning Match 5 tickets were sold in Connecticut, New York (3), Pennsylvania and Tennessee.</p><p>Two tickets, sold in Arizona and Massachusetts, matched all five white balls and, because the players added the Power Play® option for $1 more, the $1 million prize increased to $2 million for each ticket.</p><p>The drawing also produced 72 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 14 tickets that won $200,000 prizes. Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.</p><p>In the Double Play® drawing, a ticket in Florida won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to player their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>following the main Powerball drawing.</p><p>Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be the 45th in the current jackpot run – a game record for the most drawings in a jackpot cycle. The Powerball jackpot was last won on Sept. 6 by two tickets in Missouri and Texas that split a $1.787 billion prize.</p><p>This marks only the second time in Powerball history that the game has produced back-to-back jackpots exceeding $1 billion. The only other occurrence was in 2023, when a $1.08 billion jackpot was won on July 19, followed by a $1.765 billion jackpot on Oct. 11. Both jackpots were won in California.</p><p>If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.5 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $686.5 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.</p><p>Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $37 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.</p><p>Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.</p><p>The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.</p><p>Top U.S. Lottery Jackpots</p><ol>
                        <li>$2.04 Billion – Powerball – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.787 Billion – Powerball – Sept. 6, 2025 – MO, TX</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Powerball – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.602 Billion – Mega Millions – Aug. 8, 2023 - FL</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Powerball – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.537 Billion – Mega Millions – Oct. 23, 2018 – SC</li><li>$1.5 Billion est. – Powerball – Dec. 20, 2025</li><li>$1.348 Billion – Mega Millions – Jan. 13, 2023 – ME</li><li>$1.337 Billion – Mega Millions – July 29, 2022 – IL</li><li>$1.326 Billion – Powerball – April 6, 2024 – OR</li>
                    </ol>

Powerball jackpot climbs to fifth-largest in game’s history

WASHINGTON — President&nbsp;Donald Trump delivered a speech from the White House Wednesday night.

<p>WASHINGTON — President&nbsp;Donald Trump delivered a speech from the White House Wednesday night.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump Delivers an Address to the Nation <a href="https://t.co/MFdbVqP2Ty">https://t.co/MFdbVqP2Ty</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2001472912063074380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: Soon, we will host the World Cup, the Olympics, and most importantly, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. <br><br>When the world looks at us next year, let them see a nation that is LOYAL to its citizens, FAITHFUL to its workers,… <a href="https://t.co/Bz8XoaGwq4">pic.twitter.com/Bz8XoaGwq4</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001478813222338796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;When the world looks at us next year, let them see a nation that is loyal to its citizens, faithful to its workers, confidant to its identity, certain to its destiny and the envy of the entire globe. We are respected again like we have never been respected before.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/L8iSdMiUKD">pic.twitter.com/L8iSdMiUKD</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001479523619975433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump: &quot;I am also proud to announce that more than 1,450,000 military service members will receive a special Warrior Dividend before Christmas...We are sending every soldier $1,776...and the checks are already on the way.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Sb2cVv8AK2">pic.twitter.com/Sb2cVv8AK2</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001477122934673907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump: &quot;Do you remember when Joe Biden said that he needed Congress to pass legislation to help close the border? He was was always blaming Congress and everyone else. As it turned out we didn&#39;t need legislation. We just needed a new president.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3QkVoQ2Jys">pic.twitter.com/3QkVoQ2Jys</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001475575001633178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Tonight, after 11 months, our border is secure, inflation is stopped, wages are up, prices are down, our nation is strong, America is respected, and our country is back... <br><br>We&#39;re poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4VWkFR4159">pic.twitter.com/4VWkFR4159</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001478813063024686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The last administration and their allies in Congress brought in millions of migrants, and gave them taxpayer-funded housing, while your rent and housing costs skyrocketed... For the first time in 50 years, we are now seeing reverse migration... leaving more housing and… <a href="https://t.co/GKETu3mjby">pic.twitter.com/GKETu3mjby</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001478484552749428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: For so long, the vast majority of good and decent Americans were forced to watch as corrupt politicians plundered the halls of power, exploited our taxpayers, and pillaged every system that makes civilized society function.<br><br>NOT ANYMORE. We are putting AMERICA FIRST. <a href="https://t.co/Ioc4xMd3Du">pic.twitter.com/Ioc4xMd3Du</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001478358803296599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;The yearly cost of a typical new mortgage increased by $15,000 dollars under Democrat rule. In 11 months, I have already gotten that annual cost down by $3,000 dollars.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/2YWbxBIk8G">pic.twitter.com/2YWbxBIk8G</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001477956955443563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: For years, Radical Left Democrats exploited the Green Energy SCAM as an excuse to funnel billions into their own massive slush funds as their restrictions drastically drove up prices. Electricity costs surged 30 to 100% under Biden.<br><br>On Day One, I declared a National… <a href="https://t.co/bnGx547Mf1">pic.twitter.com/bnGx547Mf1</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001477919865213145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I&#39;m doing what no politician of either party has ever done—standing up to the special interests to dramatically reduce the price of prescription drugs...<br><br>The first of these unprecedented price reductions will be available starting in January through a new website:… <a href="https://t.co/G1AtlYCXu6">pic.twitter.com/G1AtlYCXu6</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001477670299681212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I&#39;m also taking on the gigantic health insurance companies that have gotten rich on billions of dollars of money that should go directly to the people... so they can buy their own health insurance, which will give far better benefits at much lower costs.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/TpKwqzCDzL">pic.twitter.com/TpKwqzCDzL</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001477172108611796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Next year, you will also see the results of the largest tax cuts in American history... many families will be saving between $11,000 and $20,000 dollars a year, and next spring is projected to be the largest tax refund season of all time.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MdzWRy3YMw">pic.twitter.com/MdzWRy3YMw</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001476724564070471?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Already, I&#39;ve secured a record-breaking $18 trillion dollars of investment into the United States—which means Jobs, wage increases, growth, factory openings, and far greater national security.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/tWiOGpm95y">pic.twitter.com/tWiOGpm95y</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001476352315429273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Under the Biden administration, Car prices rose 22%, and in many states 30% or more. Gasoline rose 30 to 50%. Hotel rates rose 37%. Airfares rose 31%. Now, under our leadership, they are all coming down and coming down fast.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/RYvdHkiDxt">pic.twitter.com/RYvdHkiDxt</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001475912643060084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Highlights of President Trump's address to the nation

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rest in Peace, Heroes. 🙏🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Gb73qEQyNl">pic.twitter.com/Gb73qEQyNl</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/2001385127511994405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Biden, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine and others participate in dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base of two Iowa National Guardsmen and an American civilian interpreter killed in Syria.<br><br>(Note: Video has no audio) <a href="https://t.co/i37jEAiLAF">pic.twitter.com/i37jEAiLAF</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/2001387339805835338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> witnesses the dignified transfer of the three American Patriots killed in Syria over the weekend.<br><br>May God bless their families, may God bless our military, and may God bless the United States of America. <a href="https://t.co/1DUJLF0Wna">pic.twitter.com/1DUJLF0Wna</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001380379098509806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">May God bless the memory of these fallen American Patriots and may God be with their loved ones.<br><br>Rest in Peace, Heroes.<br><br>🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Uks0MyVWqS">pic.twitter.com/Uks0MyVWqS</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001381519190003756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump pays respects to National Guardsmen, interpreter killed in Syria 

State lawmaker, also facing expulsion from Legislature, waives scheduled Wednesday arraignment

LINCOLN — After initially filing a plea of no contest that wasn’t accepted when he didn’t attend his hearing, State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst has changed course and now plans to fight the allegation against him.

On Tuesday, the day before his rescheduled arraignment on a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace, McKeon filed a new plea of not guilty and waived his formal arraignment. The court accepted the plea and set his next court date for Jan. 26, ordering him to show up.

A legislative staffer accused the state lawmaker of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/31/nebraska-state-senator-cited-for-public-indecency-during-session-ending-party/">groping her at an end-of-session party in May</a>. The Nebraska State Patrol received a report in September that McKeon had allegedly “made inappropriate contact with her buttocks with his hand, over the top of her clothing,” Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas said.

McKeon’s second arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday morning after his arraignment was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-state-sen-dan-mckeons-arraignment-delayed-due-to-absence/">delayed when he tried to file a no contest plea by written waiver</a>. Lancaster County Court Judge Matthew Acton said a no contest plea must be submitted in person and postponed the arraignment one week.

A no contest plea would have allowed McKeon to accept any criminal penalties without formally admitting guilt and would waive his right to a trial.

McKeon’s attorney Perry Pirsch at one point called the disturbing the peace charge “a victory,” as the charge had been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/09/nebraska-lawmaker-charged-with-disturbing-the-peace-from-alleged-groping-incident/">downgraded from public indecency</a>, which the Patrol initially cited McKeon with.

Pirsch said disturbing the peace was more consistent with McKeon’s perspective of the incident and that he’d planned to plead no contest in hopes that he could put the matter behind him and focus on the upcoming legislative session.

Pirsch could not immediately be reached for comment about the changed plea.

McKeon has acknowledged that an exchange took place between him and a staffer after one of the Nebraska Legislature’s sine die parties this year, but argued his actions were not sexually charged. Pirsch has said McKeon “is guilty of nothing but a bad pun and pat on the back.”

The Examiner is aware of the alleged victim’s name but is not publishing it because it is the policy of States Newsroom and the Examiner not to identify people who say they have been abused unless they wish to talk publicly.

Her attorney, Kathleen Neary, declined to comment on McKeon’s new plea, but noted her client is preparing a civil lawsuit against the senator.

McKeon, a married father of four, is a registered Republican who was elected to the officially nonpartisan Legislature in 2024, replacing former State Sen. Fred Meyer of St. Paul.

Gov. Jim Pillen and other state officials have called for McKeon’s resignation, but McKeon has said he will not resign.

In the midst of his pending criminal trial, McKeon also faces possible expulsion from the Legislature.

The Legislature’s Executive Board, its group of 10 senators in charge of handling disciplinary procedures within the legislative branch,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/13/nebraska-lawmakers-recommend-sen-dan-mckeon-be-expelled-after-groping-allegations/">voted unanimously Saturday to recommend McKeon’s expulsion</a>.

Expulsion is the strongest disciplinary measure the board can recommend, but it requires a full vote of the Legislature to pass. This means the matter will likely come before lawmakers during the 60-day legislative session that begins in January. Expelling him would require the votes of 33 senators.

Executive Board Chair State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair has said the board concluded the expulsion recommendation was necessary “in light of a demonstrated pattern of behavior by Senator McKeon and not in response to a single isolated incident.”

<p><i>By Erin Bamer | Nebraska Examiner</i></p><h2>State lawmaker, also facing expulsion from Legislature, waives scheduled Wednesday arraignment</h2><figure>
                        <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/mckeon_ZJW_121324-01-1536x1213.jpg" alt="&nbsp;State Sen.-elect Dan McKeon of Amherst, center, talks with State Sen.-elect Dunixi Guereca at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
                        <figcaption>&nbsp;State Sen.-elect Dan McKeon of Amherst, center, talks with State Sen.-elect Dunixi Guereca at a legislative retreat in Kearney on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LINCOLN — After initially filing a plea of no contest that wasn’t accepted when he didn’t attend his hearing, State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst has changed course and now plans to fight the allegation against him.</p><p>On Tuesday, the day before his rescheduled arraignment on a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace, McKeon filed a new plea of not guilty and waived his formal arraignment. The court accepted the plea and set his next court date for Jan. 26, ordering him to show up.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mckeon-headshot-200x300.jpg" alt="State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst. (Courtesy of Nebraska Unicameral Information Office)" />
                        <figcaption>State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst. (Courtesy of Nebraska Unicameral Information Office)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>A legislative staffer accused the state lawmaker of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/31/nebraska-state-senator-cited-for-public-indecency-during-session-ending-party/">groping her at an end-of-session party in May</a>. The Nebraska State Patrol received a report in September that McKeon had allegedly “made inappropriate contact with her buttocks with his hand, over the top of her clothing,” Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas said.</p><p>McKeon’s second arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday morning after his arraignment was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-state-sen-dan-mckeons-arraignment-delayed-due-to-absence/">delayed when he tried to file a no contest plea by written waiver</a>. Lancaster County Court Judge Matthew Acton said a no contest plea must be submitted in person and postponed the arraignment one week.</p><p>A no contest plea would have allowed McKeon to accept any criminal penalties without formally admitting guilt and would waive his right to a trial.</p><p>McKeon’s attorney Perry Pirsch at one point called the disturbing the peace charge “a victory,” as the charge had been&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/09/nebraska-lawmaker-charged-with-disturbing-the-peace-from-alleged-groping-incident/">downgraded from public indecency</a>, which the Patrol initially cited McKeon with.</p><p>Pirsch said disturbing the peace was more consistent with McKeon’s perspective of the incident and that he’d planned to plead no contest in hopes that he could put the matter behind him and focus on the upcoming legislative session.</p><p>Pirsch could not immediately be reached for comment about the changed plea.</p><p>McKeon has acknowledged that an exchange took place between him and a staffer after one of the Nebraska Legislature’s sine die parties this year, but argued his actions were not sexually charged. Pirsch has said McKeon “is guilty of nothing but a bad pun and pat on the back.”</p><p>The Examiner is aware of the alleged victim’s name but is not publishing it because it is the policy of States Newsroom and the Examiner not to identify people who say they have been abused unless they wish to talk publicly.</p><p>Her attorney, Kathleen Neary, declined to comment on McKeon’s new plea, but noted her client is preparing a civil lawsuit against the senator.</p><p>McKeon, a married father of four, is a registered Republican who was elected to the officially nonpartisan Legislature in 2024, replacing former State Sen. Fred Meyer of St. Paul.</p><p>Gov. Jim Pillen and other state officials have called for McKeon’s resignation, but McKeon has said he will not resign.</p><p>In the midst of his pending criminal trial, McKeon also faces possible expulsion from the Legislature.</p><p>The Legislature’s Executive Board, its group of 10 senators in charge of handling disciplinary procedures within the legislative branch,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/13/nebraska-lawmakers-recommend-sen-dan-mckeon-be-expelled-after-groping-allegations/">voted unanimously Saturday to recommend McKeon’s expulsion</a>.</p><p>Expulsion is the strongest disciplinary measure the board can recommend, but it requires a full vote of the Legislature to pass. This means the matter will likely come before lawmakers during the 60-day legislative session that begins in January. Expelling him would require the votes of 33 senators.</p><p>Executive Board Chair State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair has said the board concluded the expulsion recommendation was necessary “in light of a demonstrated pattern of behavior by Senator McKeon and not in response to a single isolated incident.”</p>

State Sen. Dan McKeon changes plea to not guilty on misdemeanor disturbing the peace charge

<i>By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post</i>

Visitors looking for ideas and inspiration to explore the Cornhusker State can now get their hands on the official 2026 Nebraska State Travel Guide.

The new guide highlights events and festivals, attractions organized by region and city, and scenic byway road trips across the state. Designed for both first-time visitors and returning travelers, the publication features vivid photography, descriptive storytelling and light humor to appeal to a wide range of audiences, from families and solo travelers to history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, food lovers and shoppers.

This year’s edition also places a special emphasis on history in recognition of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. Readers will find Nebraska-focused trivia and a timeline highlighting notable events, influential figures and historic sites throughout the state, including references to well-known Nebraskans such as “Buffalo Bill” Cody and author Willa Cather.

The cover of the 2026 guide features original artwork by Lincoln artist Katie Nieland. The illustration showcases several iconic Nebraska attractions, including Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, the Lincoln Highway, Nebraska wildlife, dark night skies recognizing Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area as Nebraska’s first International Dark Sky Park, Carhenge, Chimney Rock and the Cowboy Trail.

“We’re thrilled to release the new travel guide each year, and this edition is especially fun to share,” said Jenn Gjerde, marketing manager for Visit Nebraska. “It’s full of new photos and an added focus on Nebraska’s rich history and heritage. Plus, we’re especially proud that this year’s cover showcases original artwork from a Nebraska creator, a real, human touch that reflects the spirit of the places and people that make our state unforgettable.”

According to Visit Nebraska, the travel guide has been distributed to all 50 states and numerous countries in recent years, helping support a tourism industry that contributes $5.6 billion to Nebraska’s gross domestic product, supports more than 41,000 jobs and generates more than $1.1 billion in annual wages.

The 2026 Nebraska State Travel Guide is available for free and can be requested online, with a digital version also available for download. Printed guides can also be found at visitor centers and tourism destinations throughout the state.

<p><i>By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post</i></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765906978528.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Visitors looking for ideas and inspiration to explore the Cornhusker State can now get their hands on the official 2026 Nebraska State Travel Guide.</p><p>The new guide highlights events and festivals, attractions organized by region and city, and scenic byway road trips across the state. Designed for both first-time visitors and returning travelers, the publication features vivid photography, descriptive storytelling and light humor to appeal to a wide range of audiences, from families and solo travelers to history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, food lovers and shoppers.</p><p>This year’s edition also places a special emphasis on history in recognition of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. Readers will find Nebraska-focused trivia and a timeline highlighting notable events, influential figures and historic sites throughout the state, including references to well-known Nebraskans such as “Buffalo Bill” Cody and author Willa Cather.</p><p>The cover of the 2026 guide features original artwork by Lincoln artist Katie Nieland. The illustration showcases several iconic Nebraska attractions, including Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, the Lincoln Highway, Nebraska wildlife, dark night skies recognizing Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area as Nebraska’s first International Dark Sky Park, Carhenge, Chimney Rock and the Cowboy Trail.</p><p>“We’re thrilled to release the new travel guide each year, and this edition is especially fun to share,” said Jenn Gjerde, marketing manager for Visit Nebraska. “It’s full of new photos and an added focus on Nebraska’s rich history and heritage. Plus, we’re especially proud that this year’s cover showcases original artwork from a Nebraska creator, a real, human touch that reflects the spirit of the places and people that make our state unforgettable.”</p><p>According to Visit Nebraska, the travel guide has been distributed to all 50 states and numerous countries in recent years, helping support a tourism industry that contributes $5.6 billion to Nebraska’s gross domestic product, supports more than 41,000 jobs and generates more than $1.1 billion in annual wages.</p><p>The 2026 Nebraska State Travel Guide is available for free and can be requested online, with a digital version also available for download. Printed guides can also be found at visitor centers and tourism destinations throughout the state.</p>

2026 Nebraska State Travel Guide now available

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department says it has upgraded its investigation into Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over a video where he and other members of Congress told members of the military they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.&nbsp;

“The Office of the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the Department of War’s Office of the General Counsel, is escalating the preliminary review of Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.), to an official Command Investigation,” a spokesperson for the department wrote in an email Monday night.&nbsp;

“Retired Captain Kelly is currently under investigation for serious allegations of misconduct,” the spokesperson continued. “Further official comments will be limited to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.”

Paul J. Fishman, an attorney at the Arnold &amp; Porter law firm who is representing Kelly, wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26379142-ltr-to-secretary-phelan-dec-15-2025/#document/p1" target="_blank">a Monday letter</a>&nbsp;to the secretary of the Navy that “there is no legitimate basis for any type of proceeding against Senator Kelly, and any such effort would be unconstitutional and an extraordinary abuse of power.”

“If the Executive Branch were to move forward in any forum—criminal, disciplinary, or administrative—we will take all appropriate legal action on Senator Kelly’s behalf to halt the Administration’s unprecedented and dangerous overreach,” Fishman wrote.&nbsp;

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had set Dec. 10 as the deadline for the secretary of the Navy to recommend what to do about Kelly’s appearance in the video, but that came and went without any public announcements.

Hegseth also remained silent on the matter after rebuking Kelly weeks ago for posting the video where he and five other Democrats warned against illegal orders.

Kelly said on Dec. 9, one day before the deadline, he hadn’t received any information from the Navy or other administration officials.&nbsp;

“Forget about an update. I haven’t heard anything from the guy,” Kelly told reporters. “That’s a good question for you guys to ask the Navy.”

The secretary of the Navy’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from States Newsroom.&nbsp;

The Department of Defense posted in late November that officials were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pentagon-investigates-arizona-sen-mark-kelly-after-he-appears-video-blasted-trump" target="_blank">looking into</a>&nbsp;“serious allegations of misconduct” against Kelly for appearing in the video.&nbsp;

It didn’t detail how Kelly might have violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice but stated that “a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”&nbsp;

Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/1993436056008507865/photo/1" target="_blank">referred</a>&nbsp;the issue to Navy Secretary John Phelan for any “review, consideration, and disposition” he deemed appropriate. Hegseth then asked for a briefing on the outcome of the review “by no later than December 10.”

Kelly said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/arizonas-kelly-vows-stay-outspoken-despite-threats-over-illegal-order-video" target="_blank">during a press conference</a>&nbsp;in early December the military’s investigation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-threatened-trump-over-video-say-theyre-now-being-probed-fbi" target="_blank">a separate one</a>&nbsp;by the FBI were designed to intimidate the six lawmakers in the video from speaking out against President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The lawmakers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948" target="_blank">video</a>, who have backgrounds in the military or intelligence agencies, told members of those communities they “can” and “must refuse illegal orders.”

“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant,” they said. “But whether you’re serving in the CIA, in the Army, or Navy, or the Air Force, your vigilance is critical.”

The other Democrats in the video — Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, Pennsylvania Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander — are not subject to the military justice system.&nbsp;

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-accuses-6-democratic-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-punishable-death" target="_blank">railed against the video</a>&nbsp;a couple days after it posted, saying the statements represented “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1764097679232.png" alt="Image from the controversial video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from the controversial video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — The Defense Department says it has upgraded its investigation into Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over a video where he and other members of Congress told members of the military they didn’t need to follow illegal orders.&nbsp;</p><p>“The Office of the Secretary of War, in conjunction with the Department of War’s Office of the General Counsel, is escalating the preliminary review of Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.), to an official Command Investigation,” a spokesperson for the department wrote in an email Monday night.&nbsp;</p><p>“Retired Captain Kelly is currently under investigation for serious allegations of misconduct,” the spokesperson continued. “Further official comments will be limited to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.”</p><p>Paul J. Fishman, an attorney at the Arnold &amp; Porter law firm who is representing Kelly, wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26379142-ltr-to-secretary-phelan-dec-15-2025/#document/p1" target="_blank">a Monday letter</a>&nbsp;to the secretary of the Navy that “there is no legitimate basis for any type of proceeding against Senator Kelly, and any such effort would be unconstitutional and an extraordinary abuse of power.”</p><p>“If the Executive Branch were to move forward in any forum—criminal, disciplinary, or administrative—we will take all appropriate legal action on Senator Kelly’s behalf to halt the Administration’s unprecedented and dangerous overreach,” Fishman wrote.&nbsp;</p><p>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had set Dec. 10 as the deadline for the secretary of the Navy to recommend what to do about Kelly’s appearance in the video, but that came and went without any public announcements.</p><p>Hegseth also remained silent on the matter after rebuking Kelly weeks ago for posting the video where he and five other Democrats warned against illegal orders.</p><p>Kelly said on Dec. 9, one day before the deadline, he hadn’t received any information from the Navy or other administration officials.&nbsp;</p><p>“Forget about an update. I haven’t heard anything from the guy,” Kelly told reporters. “That’s a good question for you guys to ask the Navy.”</p><p>The secretary of the Navy’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from States Newsroom.&nbsp;</p><p>The Department of Defense posted in late November that officials were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pentagon-investigates-arizona-sen-mark-kelly-after-he-appears-video-blasted-trump" target="_blank">looking into</a>&nbsp;“serious allegations of misconduct” against Kelly for appearing in the video.&nbsp;</p><p>It didn’t detail how Kelly might have violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice but stated that “a thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures.”&nbsp;</p><p>Hegseth&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DeptofWar/status/1993436056008507865/photo/1" target="_blank">referred</a>&nbsp;the issue to Navy Secretary John Phelan for any “review, consideration, and disposition” he deemed appropriate. Hegseth then asked for a briefing on the outcome of the review “by no later than December 10.”</p><p>Kelly said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/arizonas-kelly-vows-stay-outspoken-despite-threats-over-illegal-order-video" target="_blank">during a press conference</a>&nbsp;in early December the military’s investigation and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-threatened-trump-over-video-say-theyre-now-being-probed-fbi" target="_blank">a separate one</a>&nbsp;by the FBI were designed to intimidate the six lawmakers in the video from speaking out against President Donald Trump.&nbsp;</p><p>The lawmakers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/1990774492356902948" target="_blank">video</a>, who have backgrounds in the military or intelligence agencies, told members of those communities they “can” and “must refuse illegal orders.”</p><p>“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it’s a difficult time to be a public servant,” they said. “But whether you’re serving in the CIA, in the Army, or Navy, or the Air Force, your vigilance is critical.”</p><p>The other Democrats in the video — Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Colorado Rep. Jason Crow, Pennsylvania Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan, and New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander — are not subject to the military justice system.&nbsp;</p><p>Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-accuses-6-democratic-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-punishable-death" target="_blank">railed against the video</a>&nbsp;a couple days after it posted, saying the statements represented “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”</p>

Pentagon ‘escalating’ investigation into Sen. Kelly for illegal-orders video

Letter to federal officials seeks answers on what happens to state’s remaining $360 million in federal funds

<i>By Aaron Sanderford | Nebraska Examiner</i><br>

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen might find some federal help in his efforts to steer about $360 million in unspent funds Congress earmarked for rural broadband development in Nebraska toward other uses that his administration argues will boost connectivity.

Chief among Pillen’s ideas is boosting wireless connectivity in rural areas where modern farming and ranching needs require the kinds of internet connections that power precision agriculture demands in a rising age of artificial intelligence and agricultural technology.

The letter asks federal broadband funding officials to allow the funds to be used in precision agriculture, including livestock monitors, remote field and cattle management systems, sensors and guidance systems for automated agricultural equipment.

All five members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation signed onto a letter Tuesday seeking agency help from Arielle Roth, assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The letter was organized by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee’s Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee. Among the Nebraskans in Congress, she and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., voted for the 2021 infrastructure bill. U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and U.S. Reps. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Adrian Smith, R-Neb., joined the letter this week.

Fischer, as part of the infrastructure bill that passed under the Biden administration, supported parts of the infrastructure law that focused on rural broadband, including the last mile between connection nodes and the people and businesses needing broadband. The letter cites language from the broader law to seek the funds.

The delegation letter calls for Roth and NTIA to clarify how states can use any funds not obligated under the state’s approved plan for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program, or BEAD. Some supporters of fiber broadband connections have questioned Nebraska’s approach.

“The statutory allocation framework assumes that funds are first applied toward deployment, and only after those priorities are satisfied do remaining resources become available for alternative, ‘non-deployment’ uses,” the delegation wrote.

“Given this structure and the express purpose of BEAD as a historic investment to close the digital divide, we request clarification on how NTIA intends to ensure that non-deployment funds are used appropriately to expand connectivity across the nation.”&nbsp;

The Pillen administration’s plan for the broadband funds, the broad outlines of which the federal government recently approved, would spend $44.5 million of the $405 million Nebraska was awarded through BEAD. The governor has said he would like the state to be able to spend the remaining funds on precision agriculture and other similar efforts. Doing so would require federal approval.

State officials have argued that rules for spending the broadband funds were tightened in the middle of the process, limiting which addresses they could help with built-out broadband, because some were served in other ways. Critics worry the state might lose the remaining funds.

Pillen and his team have argued the money should be made available for the last-mile connections that matter to farm and ranch families and people for whom traditional fiber broadband connections might be prohibitively expensive.

The plan’s critics have argued that his more reserved approach to spending the funds and his willingness to allow a mix of wireless and wireline broadband will leave some Nebraskans with second-class connections in a digital economy that demands access.

State Sens. Jana Hughes of Seward and Wendy DeBoer of Omaha joined a bipartisan group of more than 160 state lawmakers nationwide last week in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benton.org/blog/states-dc-hands-our-bead-money" target="_blank">similar letter to Roth and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick</a>&nbsp;to release the non-deployed BEAD funds.

“We respectfully ask that the Department of Commerce act swiftly to release non-deployment funds so that states can complete the job of closing the digital divide,” the Dec. 9 letter said. “Bipartisan leaders at every level — governors, members of Congress and state legislators — support unlocking these funds.&nbsp;

“To do otherwise would ignore the law and leave rural and disconnected Americans behind.”

<i>Nebraska Examiner reporters Zach Wendling and Erin Bamer contributed to this report.</i>

<h2>Letter to federal officials seeks answers on what happens to state’s remaining $360 million in federal funds</h2><p><i>By Aaron Sanderford | Nebraska Examiner</i><br></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765906746062.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
                        <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen might find some federal help in his efforts to steer about $360 million in unspent funds Congress earmarked for rural broadband development in Nebraska toward other uses that his administration argues will boost connectivity.</p><p>Chief among Pillen’s ideas is boosting wireless connectivity in rural areas where modern farming and ranching needs require the kinds of internet connections that power precision agriculture demands in a rising age of artificial intelligence and agricultural technology.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GjERCFjbIAEBnch-300x225.jpeg" alt="Nebraska’s congressional delegation is shown in Washington. From left: U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. Feb. 5, 2025. (Courtesy of Nebraska Governor’s Office)" />
                        <figcaption>Nebraska’s congressional delegation is shown in Washington. From left: U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. Feb. 5, 2025. (Courtesy of Nebraska Governor’s Office)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The letter asks federal broadband funding officials to allow the funds to be used in precision agriculture, including livestock monitors, remote field and cattle management systems, sensors and guidance systems for automated agricultural equipment.</p><p>All five members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation signed onto a letter Tuesday seeking agency help from Arielle Roth, assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.</p><p>The letter was organized by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee’s Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee. Among the Nebraskans in Congress, she and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., voted for the 2021 infrastructure bill. U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and U.S. Reps. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Adrian Smith, R-Neb., joined the letter this week.</p><p>Fischer, as part of the infrastructure bill that passed under the Biden administration, supported parts of the infrastructure law that focused on rural broadband, including the last mile between connection nodes and the people and businesses needing broadband. The letter cites language from the broader law to seek the funds.</p><p>The delegation letter calls for Roth and NTIA to clarify how states can use any funds not obligated under the state’s approved plan for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program, or BEAD. Some supporters of fiber broadband connections have questioned Nebraska’s approach.</p><p>“The statutory allocation framework assumes that funds are first applied toward deployment, and only after those priorities are satisfied do remaining resources become available for alternative, ‘non-deployment’ uses,” the delegation wrote.</p><p>“Given this structure and the express purpose of BEAD as a historic investment to close the digital divide, we request clarification on how NTIA intends to ensure that non-deployment funds are used appropriately to expand connectivity across the nation.”&nbsp;</p><p>The Pillen administration’s plan for the broadband funds, the broad outlines of which the federal government recently approved, would spend $44.5 million of the $405 million Nebraska was awarded through BEAD. The governor has said he would like the state to be able to spend the remaining funds on precision agriculture and other similar efforts. Doing so would require federal approval.</p><p>State officials have argued that rules for spending the broadband funds were tightened in the middle of the process, limiting which addresses they could help with built-out broadband, because some were served in other ways. Critics worry the state might lose the remaining funds.</p><p>Pillen and his team have argued the money should be made available for the last-mile connections that matter to farm and ranch families and people for whom traditional fiber broadband connections might be prohibitively expensive.</p><p>The plan’s critics have argued that his more reserved approach to spending the funds and his willingness to allow a mix of wireless and wireline broadband will leave some Nebraskans with second-class connections in a digital economy that demands access.</p><p>State Sens. Jana Hughes of Seward and Wendy DeBoer of Omaha joined a bipartisan group of more than 160 state lawmakers nationwide last week in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benton.org/blog/states-dc-hands-our-bead-money" target="_blank">similar letter to Roth and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick</a>&nbsp;to release the non-deployed BEAD funds.</p><p>“We respectfully ask that the Department of Commerce act swiftly to release non-deployment funds so that states can complete the job of closing the digital divide,” the Dec. 9 letter said. “Bipartisan leaders at every level — governors, members of Congress and state legislators — support unlocking these funds.&nbsp;</p><p>“To do otherwise would ignore the law and leave rural and disconnected Americans behind.”</p><p><i>Nebraska Examiner reporters Zach Wendling and Erin Bamer contributed to this report.</i></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765906840832.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure>

Nebraskans in Congress seek clarity on broadband funds not used by Pillen plan

<i>By Emily Wolf | Flatwater Free Press</i>

Christon MacTaggart anxiously awaited the $3 million that the state had promised. It couldn’t come fast enough.&nbsp;

Nebraska had already seen more than 15 killings by intimate partners this year when October arrived. During that time, the number of domestic violence survivors seeking help from providers across the state had soared, even as some of those providers had to scale back their services. She knew the state money would go a long way to helping those people.&nbsp;

As October passed, MacTaggart, executive director of the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, reached out to the state to try to get an answer.&nbsp;

“It has been hard to get a lot of good information,” she said. “No one seems particularly forthcoming with it.”

The problem, according to interviews with lawmakers and a review of budget documents, is that the money was meant to come from the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=68-996" target="_blank">Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund</a>. And that fund is stretched too thin.&nbsp;

At the start of the 2026 fiscal year, the fund had&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/reports/fiscal/2025budget.pdf" target="_blank">around $20 million</a>&nbsp;in it — and $24.5 million in projected expenditures, including multiple programs and a $10 million general fund offset. Without clear legislative guidance on which programs to prioritize, the funding decision becomes an administrative one.

“Generally, when available, Excess Profit Fund dollars are used to support Medicaid-related health programs,” DHHS Director of Communications Jeff Powell said in a written statement.

MacTaggart is unsure if they ever will receive the money earmarked for domestic violence services. She’s not alone; multiple other projects and initiatives were slated to receive money from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund. Those include&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-advances-to-expand-postpartum-at-home-nurse-visits-for-nebraska-mothers-on-medicaid/" target="_blank">postpartum at-home nurse visits</a>&nbsp;for new mothers and babies; reimbursements to area agencies on aging; and a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59016&amp;docnum=LB48&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">juvenile justice pilot program</a>.&nbsp;

“There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the fund, and my goal is to make sure we get to the bottom of where that confusion lies and better understand what the future of the Excess Profit Fund looks like,” said State Sen. George Dungan, who has championed several programs supported by the fund.&nbsp;

The decision to pull money from the fund appeared to be an easy fix to a thorny problem. Two years ago, lawmakers appropriated $6 million over two years from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families reserve fund for domestic violence services — only to find out that the federal program’s strict reporting requirements ran afoul of the confidentiality requirements domestic violence service providers must follow.

By the start of the 2025 legislative session, advocates were desperate. They had been&nbsp;<a href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/gunned-down-in-broad-daylight-killings-spotlight-limitations-as-domestic-violence-spikes-in-nebraska/" target="_blank">unable to tap into</a>&nbsp;any of the $6 million, with dire results: organizations cut shelter capacity and laid off staff, and more cuts were on the horizon.&nbsp;

The state was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/19/nebraskas-projected-budget-deficit-grows-to-471-million-ahead-of-2026-legislative-session/" target="_blank">grappling with financial problems</a>&nbsp;of its own — a fluctuating budget deficit meant general fund dollars were more precious than ever, and senators were forced to get creative to fund their priorities. The Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund became the funding stream of choice for several initiatives during the 2025 legislative session, in addition to funding existing obligations from past legislative action.&nbsp;

But the excess profit fund is, by its nature, prone to revenue fluctuations. The money comes primarily from excess profits generated by Nebraska’s managed care organizations, Molina Healthcare, Nebraska Total Care and UnitedHealthcare. The fund had total revenue of around $67 million in fiscal year 2023, $32 million in fiscal year 2024 and $22 million in fiscal year 2025. The state initially anticipated some revenue this year, but that changed in late spring.

Powell said DHHS, which oversees the fund, has cautioned lawmakers about funding new initiatives through the fund given its volatility. One of those warnings came from DHHS’ chief financial officer during a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Transcripts/Health/2025-02-19.pdf" target="_blank">February legislative committee hearing</a>, where he warned overutilizing the fund could make it unviable for ongoing programming.

Despite those warnings, lawmakers have continued to use the fund to finance programs, Powell said. “For fiscal year 2026, the fund is over-obligated, so resources are not available to cover all legislative earmarks.”

Sen. Carolyn Bosn, who introduced the amendment earmarking money for domestic violence services, said she immediately reached out to the Governor’s Office for information when she heard that the money hadn’t been released. That’s when she learned there wasn’t enough money in the fund to go around.&nbsp;

“They informed us that the Governor’s office is prioritizing programs that would offset general fund dollars,” she wrote in an email. “We are still working to verify information and see what, if anything, can be done to secure any available funding for these programs.”&nbsp;

Sen. Terrell McKinney, whose juvenile justice pilot program is also supposed to be funded through the excess profit fund, said he was made aware of the over-obligation problem during the session. He attributed it, in part, to tapping money from the fund to help the state’s general fund budget crisis.&nbsp;

“The fund never had this issue until we ended up in this budget crisis,” he said.&nbsp;

McKinney said he probably will look to see what other funding sources are available, but it’s his understanding that because of the way his bill was written, DHHS is still obligated to find a way to fund it.

“I’m going to work to find ways to get my pilot program funded, and I think other senators as well are going to try to resolve the issue as much as possible,” he said. “It’s disappointing because we had very heated debates about juveniles and juvenile justice, and my pilot program is meant to try to address the issue by making sure juveniles get resources.”

If the state continues to receive little to no excess profits from the managed care organizations over the next few years, the fund will quickly find itself millions of dollars in the red.&nbsp;

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://das-nebs.ne.gov/public/faces/drdIndex.jsp" target="_blank">updated budget request</a>&nbsp;submitted in October, DHHS requested an additional $4.9 million from the general fund to pay for medical services in 2027 — money that was initially supposed to come from the excess profit fund.&nbsp;

“The excess profit fund is projected to have a shortfall in state fiscal year 2027 and a general fund appropriation is needed to continue these services,” the request notes.&nbsp;

Domestic violence providers across the state will feel the impact of the funding crunch this year. They have seen a 6% increase in the number of survivors served annually. At the same time, inflation continues to rise, MacTaggart said, increasing the cost of providing services.&nbsp; Two providers have had to close satellite offices in the past 18 months, and the majority aren’t fully staffed.

“This funding was fully intended to allow them to maintain their capacity to serve survivors,” she said. “So it will mean that crucial services are cut, and it will also mean that staff will not be able to be rehired. And programs’ ability to fully serve survivors in their area could be impacted.”

In a statement, Powell said DHHS continues to support domestic violence services through stable federal and state funding.&nbsp;

MacTaggart worries that’s not enough. High-profile murder-suicides have captured public attention throughout the year, and by July, the state had&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/documents/452/2025_DADRT_Annual_Report.pdf" target="_blank">surpassed last year’s total number</a>&nbsp;of domestic violence deaths. MacTaggart said providers are seeing a spike in need and an increase in the lethality of cases.

“This money is crucial,” she said, “and so I think that without it, we are going to see more severe cases of domestic violence and potentially more people dying.”

<p><i>By Emily Wolf | Flatwater Free Press</i></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/nitropack_static/dkZhxQMeDOAdoYuSYcsWIJsFvxeTKCnZ/assets/images/optimized/rev-0e0ec99/flatwaterfreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FairburySupplyRoom-2240x1680.jpg" alt="Nebraska lawmakers earmarked $3 million for a statewide network of domestic violence service providers. But the fund lawmakers tapped doesn’t have enough money to cover all the priorities legislators approved. Photo by Emily Wolf / Flatwater Free Press" />
                        <figcaption>Nebraska lawmakers earmarked $3 million for a statewide network of domestic violence service providers. But the fund lawmakers tapped doesn’t have enough money to cover all the priorities legislators approved. Photo by Emily Wolf / Flatwater Free Press</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Christon MacTaggart anxiously awaited the $3 million that the state had promised. It couldn’t come fast enough.&nbsp;</p><p>Nebraska had already seen more than 15 killings by intimate partners this year when October arrived. During that time, the number of domestic violence survivors seeking help from providers across the state had soared, even as some of those providers had to scale back their services. She knew the state money would go a long way to helping those people.&nbsp;</p><p>But it never came.&nbsp;</p><p>As October passed, MacTaggart, executive director of the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, reached out to the state to try to get an answer.&nbsp;</p><p>“It has been hard to get a lot of good information,” she said. “No one seems particularly forthcoming with it.”</p><p>The problem, according to interviews with lawmakers and a review of budget documents, is that the money was meant to come from the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=68-996" target="_blank">Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund</a>. And that fund is stretched too thin.&nbsp;</p><p>At the start of the 2026 fiscal year, the fund had&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/reports/fiscal/2025budget.pdf" target="_blank">around $20 million</a>&nbsp;in it — and $24.5 million in projected expenditures, including multiple programs and a $10 million general fund offset. Without clear legislative guidance on which programs to prioritize, the funding decision becomes an administrative one.</p><p>“Generally, when available, Excess Profit Fund dollars are used to support Medicaid-related health programs,” DHHS Director of Communications Jeff Powell said in a written statement.</p><p>MacTaggart is unsure if they ever will receive the money earmarked for domestic violence services. She’s not alone; multiple other projects and initiatives were slated to receive money from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund. Those include&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/bill-advances-to-expand-postpartum-at-home-nurse-visits-for-nebraska-mothers-on-medicaid/" target="_blank">postpartum at-home nurse visits</a>&nbsp;for new mothers and babies; reimbursements to area agencies on aging; and a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59016&amp;docnum=LB48&amp;leg=109" target="_blank">juvenile justice pilot program</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>“There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the fund, and my goal is to make sure we get to the bottom of where that confusion lies and better understand what the future of the Excess Profit Fund looks like,” said State Sen. George Dungan, who has championed several programs supported by the fund.&nbsp;</p><p>***</p><p>The decision to pull money from the fund appeared to be an easy fix to a thorny problem. Two years ago, lawmakers appropriated $6 million over two years from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families reserve fund for domestic violence services — only to find out that the federal program’s strict reporting requirements ran afoul of the confidentiality requirements domestic violence service providers must follow.</p><p>By the start of the 2025 legislative session, advocates were desperate. They had been&nbsp;<a href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/gunned-down-in-broad-daylight-killings-spotlight-limitations-as-domestic-violence-spikes-in-nebraska/" target="_blank">unable to tap into</a>&nbsp;any of the $6 million, with dire results: organizations cut shelter capacity and laid off staff, and more cuts were on the horizon.&nbsp;</p><p>The state was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/19/nebraskas-projected-budget-deficit-grows-to-471-million-ahead-of-2026-legislative-session/" target="_blank">grappling with financial problems</a>&nbsp;of its own — a fluctuating budget deficit meant general fund dollars were more precious than ever, and senators were forced to get creative to fund their priorities. The Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund became the funding stream of choice for several initiatives during the 2025 legislative session, in addition to funding existing obligations from past legislative action.&nbsp;</p><p>But the excess profit fund is, by its nature, prone to revenue fluctuations. The money comes primarily from excess profits generated by Nebraska’s managed care organizations, Molina Healthcare, Nebraska Total Care and UnitedHealthcare. The fund had total revenue of around $67 million in fiscal year 2023, $32 million in fiscal year 2024 and $22 million in fiscal year 2025. The state initially anticipated some revenue this year, but that changed in late spring.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/nitropack_static/dkZhxQMeDOAdoYuSYcsWIJsFvxeTKCnZ/assets/images/optimized/rev-0e0ec99/flatwaterfreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Carolyn-Bosn-1024x683.jpg" alt="State Sen. Carolyn Bosn, who introduced a floor amendment earmarking money for domestic violence services, said she reached out to the Governor’s Office for information when she heard that the money hadn’t been released. That’s when she learned there wasn’t enough money in the fund to go around. Courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>State Sen. Carolyn Bosn, who introduced a floor amendment earmarking money for domestic violence services, said she reached out to the Governor’s Office for information when she heard that the money hadn’t been released. That’s when she learned there wasn’t enough money in the fund to go around. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Powell said DHHS, which oversees the fund, has cautioned lawmakers about funding new initiatives through the fund given its volatility. One of those warnings came from DHHS’ chief financial officer during a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Transcripts/Health/2025-02-19.pdf" target="_blank">February legislative committee hearing</a>, where he warned overutilizing the fund could make it unviable for ongoing programming.</p><p>Despite those warnings, lawmakers have continued to use the fund to finance programs, Powell said. “For fiscal year 2026, the fund is over-obligated, so resources are not available to cover all legislative earmarks.”</p><p>Sen. Carolyn Bosn, who introduced the amendment earmarking money for domestic violence services, said she immediately reached out to the Governor’s Office for information when she heard that the money hadn’t been released. That’s when she learned there wasn’t enough money in the fund to go around.&nbsp;</p><p>“They informed us that the Governor’s office is prioritizing programs that would offset general fund dollars,” she wrote in an email. “We are still working to verify information and see what, if anything, can be done to secure any available funding for these programs.”&nbsp;</p><p>***</p><p>Sen. Terrell McKinney, whose juvenile justice pilot program is also supposed to be funded through the excess profit fund, said he was made aware of the over-obligation problem during the session. He attributed it, in part, to tapping money from the fund to help the state’s general fund budget crisis.&nbsp;</p><p>“The fund never had this issue until we ended up in this budget crisis,” he said.&nbsp;</p><p>McKinney said he probably will look to see what other funding sources are available, but it’s his understanding that because of the way his bill was written, DHHS is still obligated to find a way to fund it.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/nitropack_static/dkZhxQMeDOAdoYuSYcsWIJsFvxeTKCnZ/assets/images/optimized/rev-0e0ec99/flatwaterfreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Terrell-McKinney-1024x683.jpg" alt="Sen. Terrell McKinney, whose juvenile justice pilot program was supposed to be funded through the excess profit fund, said he was made aware of the over-obligation problem during the legislative session. Courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Sen. Terrell McKinney, whose juvenile justice pilot program was supposed to be funded through the excess profit fund, said he was made aware of the over-obligation problem during the legislative session. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>“I’m going to work to find ways to get my pilot program funded, and I think other senators as well are going to try to resolve the issue as much as possible,” he said. “It’s disappointing because we had very heated debates about juveniles and juvenile justice, and my pilot program is meant to try to address the issue by making sure juveniles get resources.”</p><p>If the state continues to receive little to no excess profits from the managed care organizations over the next few years, the fund will quickly find itself millions of dollars in the red.&nbsp;</p><p>In an&nbsp;<a href="https://das-nebs.ne.gov/public/faces/drdIndex.jsp" target="_blank">updated budget request</a>&nbsp;submitted in October, DHHS requested an additional $4.9 million from the general fund to pay for medical services in 2027 — money that was initially supposed to come from the excess profit fund.&nbsp;</p><p>“The excess profit fund is projected to have a shortfall in state fiscal year 2027 and a general fund appropriation is needed to continue these services,” the request notes.&nbsp;</p><p>Domestic violence providers across the state will feel the impact of the funding crunch this year. They have seen a 6% increase in the number of survivors served annually. At the same time, inflation continues to rise, MacTaggart said, increasing the cost of providing services.&nbsp; Two providers have had to close satellite offices in the past 18 months, and the majority aren’t fully staffed.</p><p>“This funding was fully intended to allow them to maintain their capacity to serve survivors,” she said. “So it will mean that crucial services are cut, and it will also mean that staff will not be able to be rehired. And programs’ ability to fully serve survivors in their area could be impacted.”</p><p>In a statement, Powell said DHHS continues to support domestic violence services through stable federal and state funding.&nbsp;</p><p>MacTaggart worries that’s not enough. High-profile murder-suicides have captured public attention throughout the year, and by July, the state had&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/documents/452/2025_DADRT_Annual_Report.pdf" target="_blank">surpassed last year’s total number</a>&nbsp;of domestic violence deaths. MacTaggart said providers are seeing a spike in need and an increase in the lethality of cases.</p><p>“This money is crucial,” she said, “and so I think that without it, we are going to see more severe cases of domestic violence and potentially more people dying.”</p>

Nebraska lawmakers budgeted $3 million to help domestic violence survivors. The money may never come.

Terence “Bud” Crawford, the undefeated boxing champion from Omaha, Nebraska, has announced his retirement from professional boxing at age 38, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the sport’s modern era.

Crawford’s decision comes amid recent controversy involving a world title and a dispute over sanctioning fees, but his retirement announcement focused less on belts and business and more on legacy, family, and walking away on his own terms.

Earlier this month, the World Boxing Council (WBC) stripped Omaha native Terence “Bud” Crawford of its super-middleweight world title, citing unpaid sanctioning fees tied to his recent fights. The organization said it made multiple attempts to contact Crawford and his representatives before taking action.

Crawford responded forcefully in a video posted to Instagram, using strong language to criticize the WBC and its leadership. In the video, Crawford rejected the fee demand outright, saying, “I ain’t paying your ass s**t.”

He questioned why the WBC’s fees differed from those of other sanctioning bodies, saying, “What makes you so [better] than any of the other sanctioning bodies? … everybody accepted what I was giving them — but you.”

Crawford also downplayed the importance of the title itself, stating, “You can take the f**king belt. It’s a trophy anyway.”

In the same video, Crawford challenged the broader financial structure of boxing’s sanctioning system, saying, “I'm paying you every time I step foot in the [ring]? I’m [putting] my life on the line — not you.”

He additionally took aim at WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, suggesting favoritism and frustration with the organization’s response following his most recent fight. “Mauricio, everybody in the world know you was going for Canelo… Say congratulations instead of having that little smirk on your face,” Crawford said.

While the comments fueled widespread debate within the boxing world, the dispute did not affect the outcome of Crawford’s fights or his undefeated professional record. The controversy marked a rare public rift between one of boxing’s most accomplished champions and a major sanctioning body — and became a notable moment in the closing chapter of Crawford’s career.

In a video announcement shared publicly, Crawford confirmed he is stepping away from the sport, saying, “Every fighter know this moment will come. We just never know when.”

Crawford reflected on his journey, emphasizing that his motivation was never about titles or money. “I spent my whole life chasing something — not belts, not money, not headlines — but that feeling… when the world doubts you but you keep showing up,” he said.

Throughout the message, Crawford repeatedly tied his career to his roots. “This sport gave me everything. I fought for my family. I fought for my city. I fought for the kid I used to be — the one who had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves,” he said.

Crawford said he is leaving with peace, stating, “I’ve made peace with what’s next. And now it’s time.”

He made clear that his retirement was not due to decline, saying, “I’m stepping away from competition not because I’m done fighting, but because I’ve won a different kind of battle — the one where you walk away on your own terms.”

Crawford added, “This isn’t goodbye. It’s just the end of one fight and the beginning of another.”

For Omaha and the state of Nebraska, Crawford’s retirement marks the end of a career that brought international attention to the city he proudly represented throughout his rise.

From local gyms to championship bouts on the world stage, Crawford consistently credited Omaha as part of his identity. His journey from a kid with “nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves” to an undefeated, multi-division champion has made him one of the most accomplished athletes Nebraska has ever produced.

While the recent title dispute adds a complicated final chapter, Crawford’s legacy — in boxing and in Omaha — remains firmly intact.

<p><i>By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post</i></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765979419694.png" alt="Terance "Bud" Crawford stands with his title belts from his career, shared in an Instagram post that turned out to tease his retirement. (Courtesy Terrance Crawford Instagram)" />
                        <figcaption>Terance "Bud" Crawford stands with his title belts from his career, shared in an Instagram post that turned out to tease his retirement. (Courtesy Terrance Crawford Instagram)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Terence “Bud” Crawford, the undefeated boxing champion from Omaha, Nebraska, has announced his retirement from professional boxing at age 38, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in the sport’s modern era.</p><p>Crawford’s decision comes amid recent controversy involving a world title and a dispute over sanctioning fees, but his retirement announcement focused less on belts and business and more on legacy, family, and walking away on his own terms.</p><h2>Title Dispute Draws National Attention</h2><p>Earlier this month, the World Boxing Council (WBC) stripped Omaha native Terence “Bud” Crawford of its super-middleweight world title, citing unpaid sanctioning fees tied to his recent fights. The organization said it made multiple attempts to contact Crawford and his representatives before taking action.</p><p>Crawford responded forcefully in a video posted to Instagram, using strong language to criticize the WBC and its leadership. In the video, Crawford rejected the fee demand outright, saying, “I ain’t paying your ass s**t.”</p><p>He questioned why the WBC’s fees differed from those of other sanctioning bodies, saying, “What makes you so [better] than any of the other sanctioning bodies? … everybody accepted what I was giving them — but you.”</p><p>Crawford also downplayed the importance of the title itself, stating, “You can take the f**king belt. It’s a trophy anyway.”</p><p>In the same video, Crawford challenged the broader financial structure of boxing’s sanctioning system, saying, “I'm paying you every time I step foot in the [ring]? I’m [putting] my life on the line — not you.”</p><p>He additionally took aim at WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, suggesting favoritism and frustration with the organization’s response following his most recent fight. “Mauricio, everybody in the world know you was going for Canelo… Say congratulations instead of having that little smirk on your face,” Crawford said.</p><p>While the comments fueled widespread debate within the boxing world, the dispute did not affect the outcome of Crawford’s fights or his undefeated professional record. The controversy marked a rare public rift between one of boxing’s most accomplished champions and a major sanctioning body — and became a notable moment in the closing chapter of Crawford’s career.</p><h2>Crawford Announces Retirement at 38</h2><p>In a video announcement shared publicly, Crawford confirmed he is stepping away from the sport, saying, “Every fighter know this moment will come. We just never know when.”</p><p>Crawford reflected on his journey, emphasizing that his motivation was never about titles or money. “I spent my whole life chasing something — not belts, not money, not headlines — but that feeling… when the world doubts you but you keep showing up,” he said.</p><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSWAzX-D3vQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSWAzX-D3vQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSWAzX-D3vQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Terence Bud Crawford (@tbudcrawford)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div><p>Throughout the message, Crawford repeatedly tied his career to his roots. “This sport gave me everything. I fought for my family. I fought for my city. I fought for the kid I used to be — the one who had nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves,” he said.</p><p>Crawford said he is leaving with peace, stating, “I’ve made peace with what’s next. And now it’s time.”</p><p>He made clear that his retirement was not due to decline, saying, “I’m stepping away from competition not because I’m done fighting, but because I’ve won a different kind of battle — the one where you walk away on your own terms.”</p><p>Crawford added, “This isn’t goodbye. It’s just the end of one fight and the beginning of another.”</p><h2>A Nebraska Legacy</h2><p>For Omaha and the state of Nebraska, Crawford’s retirement marks the end of a career that brought international attention to the city he proudly represented throughout his rise.</p><p>From local gyms to championship bouts on the world stage, Crawford consistently credited Omaha as part of his identity. His journey from a kid with “nothing but a dream and a pair of gloves” to an undefeated, multi-division champion has made him one of the most accomplished athletes Nebraska has ever produced.</p><p>While the recent title dispute adds a complicated final chapter, Crawford’s legacy — in boxing and in Omaha — remains firmly intact.</p>

Omaha’s Terence Crawford Announces Retirement Amid WBC Sanctioning Fee Controversy

By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a><br><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a>

Newly released,&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/BYzr71Vlqz4" target="_blank">enhanced video footage&nbsp;</a>and photos build out the description of suspected Brown University mass shooter: his gait, his pacing, appearance.

But the identity of the man seen pacing the residential neighborhood as early as 10:30 a.m. the day of the shooting remains unknown. Local and federal investigators continue to ask for information, including photo and video evidence, as the search for the person responsible for<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">&nbsp;killing two students</a>&nbsp;and injuring nine people stretches into a fourth day.&nbsp;

“We’re looking for a moment that is short, shorter than a person taking a breath,” Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, said during a press conference late Tuesday afternoon. “It’s incredibly hard work to do that and so we’re asking the public to assist with that.”

More than 200 “credible” tips have poured into city and federal tip lines, along with terabytes of video and photo footage from residential properties surrounding the Ivy League campus. Yet there is no video from inside the Barus and Holley engineering building that shows the gunman.

“The only video of that presumed, anticipated, suspected however you want to define it person of interest — you have it,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Tuesday.&nbsp;

Nor have investigators been able to trace the person of interest’s movements a few blocks beyond Governor Street, a few blocks east of the engineering building.

“What’s really critical first, is that we identify who the person is,” Neronha said. “Once we identify who the person is, I believe we’ll be able to locate them. It’s very hard to hide in this country.”

Neronha continued, “Once we’ve identified him, we’ll know more information about where he’s from, and who his friends are, and where he might have gone.”&nbsp;

The FBI is offering a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/new-videos-show-suspect-casing-brown-campus-and-neighborhood-before-mass-shooting/">$50,000 reward</a>&nbsp;to anyone with information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible.&nbsp;

Besides a rough description of a 5-foot-8, stocky man wearing various shades of dark clothing, a satchel strapped across his body in some of the video segments, officials were reluctant to comment on any more facets of his identity, including an age, motive or connection to the university.&nbsp;

Perez said he appears to be casing the area in preparation for the shooting, noting it was a common practice among criminals who take days, sometimes weeks, to ready themselves before committing a crime.

Even the behavior exhibited in the video, strolling down the sidewalk, then later standing with hands clasped behind his back, looking out the street, was not enough to draw firm conclusions from, said Ted Docks, special agent in charge for the FBI’s Boston field office.

“To get into the mind of an individual that would commit such a heinous act, that’s a place I don’t want to go right now,” Docks said.&nbsp;

Perez said the mid-morning walk Saturday suggests the suspect was casing the neighborhood, familiarizing himself with the setting in preparation for the crime.

Several reporters asked questions about student and faculty pages that have allegedly been taken down since the shooting, along with conflicting reports that the gunman shouted something before opening fire.

But Perez and Christina Paxson, Brown University president, denied any knowledge of university pages being scrubbed. The words spoken, if any, remain unknown, Perez said.

The ever-outspoken Neronha again jumped in with another word of caution.

“It’s easy to jump from words that were spoken to what those words are, to a name that reflects a motive, targeting a particular person,” he said. “That’s a really dangerous road to go down.”

Investigators already ran into one dead end after detaining a person found at a Coventry hotel&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/police-withhold-details-on-brown-mass-shooting-suspect-investigators-search-coventry-hotel/">early Sunday morning</a>, only to&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/we-have-not-yet-solved-this-case-officials-say-person-of-interest-to-be-released/">release him</a>&nbsp;less&nbsp;than 24 hours later because there was no evidence tying him to the crime. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley described the initial, incorrect suspect as a “setback” in an interview with the Boston Globe’s Rhode Island Report podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/15/metro/providence-mayor-brown-university-shooting-setback-ri/" target="_blank">released Monday.</a>

Neronha, however, said Tuesday that while disappointing, it was not unusual for investigations to generate multiple leads that don’t always result in an arrest. Investigators&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/16/providence-police-prepare-to-release-more-surveillance-video-of-suspect/">continue to canvass</a>&nbsp;the East Side neighborhood around the scene of the shooting Tuesday in search of additional clues, but the search may expand beyond the neighborhood, or the city limits, in the coming days, Neronha said.

Providence police are also working with law enforcement across the state, and in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Perez said.

<p>By:<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/author/nancy-lavin/">Nancy Lavin</a><br><a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/">Rhode Island Current</a></p><p>Newly released,&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/BYzr71Vlqz4" target="_blank">enhanced video footage&nbsp;</a>and photos build out the description of suspected Brown University mass shooter: his gait, his pacing, appearance.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=420&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F872134025201536%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="420" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><p>But the identity of the man seen pacing the residential neighborhood as early as 10:30 a.m. the day of the shooting remains unknown. Local and federal investigators continue to ask for information, including photo and video evidence, as the search for the person responsible for<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/two-brown-university-students-who-lost-their-lives-in-campus-shooting-identified/">&nbsp;killing two students</a>&nbsp;and injuring nine people stretches into a fourth day.&nbsp;</p><p>“We’re looking for a moment that is short, shorter than a person taking a breath,” Col. Oscar Perez, Providence Police chief, said during a press conference late Tuesday afternoon. “It’s incredibly hard work to do that and so we’re asking the public to assist with that.”</p><p>More than 200 “credible” tips have poured into city and federal tip lines, along with terabytes of video and photo footage from residential properties surrounding the Ivy League campus. Yet there is no video from inside the Barus and Holley engineering building that shows the gunman.</p><p>“The only video of that presumed, anticipated, suspected however you want to define it person of interest — you have it,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Tuesday.&nbsp;</p><p>Nor have investigators been able to trace the person of interest’s movements a few blocks beyond Governor Street, a few blocks east of the engineering building.</p><p>“What’s really critical first, is that we identify who the person is,” Neronha said. “Once we identify who the person is, I believe we’ll be able to locate them. It’s very hard to hide in this country.”</p><p>Neronha continued, “Once we’ve identified him, we’ll know more information about where he’s from, and who his friends are, and where he might have gone.”&nbsp;</p><p>The FBI is offering a&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/15/new-videos-show-suspect-casing-brown-campus-and-neighborhood-before-mass-shooting/">$50,000 reward</a>&nbsp;to anyone with information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible.&nbsp;</p><h2>Casing the area</h2><p>Besides a rough description of a 5-foot-8, stocky man wearing various shades of dark clothing, a satchel strapped across his body in some of the video segments, officials were reluctant to comment on any more facets of his identity, including an age, motive or connection to the university.&nbsp;</p><p>Perez said he appears to be casing the area in preparation for the shooting, noting it was a common practice among criminals who take days, sometimes weeks, to ready themselves before committing a crime.</p><p>Even the behavior exhibited in the video, strolling down the sidewalk, then later standing with hands clasped behind his back, looking out the street, was not enough to draw firm conclusions from, said Ted Docks, special agent in charge for the FBI’s Boston field office.</p><p>“To get into the mind of an individual that would commit such a heinous act, that’s a place I don’t want to go right now,” Docks said.&nbsp;</p><p>Perez said the mid-morning walk Saturday suggests the suspect was casing the neighborhood, familiarizing himself with the setting in preparation for the crime.</p><p>Several reporters asked questions about student and faculty pages that have allegedly been taken down since the shooting, along with conflicting reports that the gunman shouted something before opening fire.</p><p>But Perez and Christina Paxson, Brown University president, denied any knowledge of university pages being scrubbed. The words spoken, if any, remain unknown, Perez said.</p><p>The ever-outspoken Neronha again jumped in with another word of caution.</p><p>“It’s easy to jump from words that were spoken to what those words are, to a name that reflects a motive, targeting a particular person,” he said. “That’s a really dangerous road to go down.”</p><p>Investigators already ran into one dead end after detaining a person found at a Coventry hotel&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/police-withhold-details-on-brown-mass-shooting-suspect-investigators-search-coventry-hotel/">early Sunday morning</a>, only to&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/14/we-have-not-yet-solved-this-case-officials-say-person-of-interest-to-be-released/">release him</a>&nbsp;less&nbsp;than 24 hours later because there was no evidence tying him to the crime. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley described the initial, incorrect suspect as a “setback” in an interview with the Boston Globe’s Rhode Island Report podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/15/metro/providence-mayor-brown-university-shooting-setback-ri/" target="_blank">released Monday.</a></p><p>Neronha, however, said Tuesday that while disappointing, it was not unusual for investigations to generate multiple leads that don’t always result in an arrest. Investigators&nbsp;<a href="https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/12/16/providence-police-prepare-to-release-more-surveillance-video-of-suspect/">continue to canvass</a>&nbsp;the East Side neighborhood around the scene of the shooting Tuesday in search of additional clues, but the search may expand beyond the neighborhood, or the city limits, in the coming days, Neronha said.</p><p>Providence police are also working with law enforcement across the state, and in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Perez said.</p>

Enhanced video released: Brown University gunman still at large

(On Dec. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755651756653.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/QS8Whosuml">pic.twitter.com/QS8Whosuml</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001076955395797252?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765968665337.png" alt="Image from Dept. of Justice video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from Dept. of Justice video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>(On Dec. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. </p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple… <a href="https://t.co/dNr0oAGl5x">pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x</a></p>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1998875795151024337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump orders 'blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers leaving, entering Venezuela

<i>By Jacob Fischler | Nebraska Examiner</i>

President Donald Trump’s administration is looking “very strongly” at reclassifying cannabis from the strictest category of controlled substances, Trump said Monday.

In a brief affirmative response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, the president confirmed he is considering a reclassification of marijuana to unlock research funding.

“A lot of people want to see it — the reclassification — because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” Trump said. “So we are looking at that very strongly.”

Marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug under the Food and Drug Administration’s classification of controlled substances. The FDA defines drugs on the list, such as heroin and cocaine, as lacking any medicinal value and carrying a high likelihood of abuse.

The designation carries a host of consequences, including a virtual ban on funding research for medicinal or other uses of the drug.

While marijuana use, both medicinal and recreational, is legal in many states, it remains illegal to possess or use in any amount for any reason under federal law.

Advocates have sought for decades to legalize or decriminalize the drug, which many see as less harmful than other Schedule I substances.

The growing split in recent years among many states and federal law has ramped up pressure on federal policymakers to alter the drug’s legal status.

Marijuana businesses in states where it is legal lack access to financial institutions, which cannot lend to businesses considered illegal by federal authorities.

States, meanwhile, have had&nbsp;<a href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/" target="_blank">difficulty regulating</a>&nbsp;the environmental and health aspects of their industries.

And lawmakers, especially Democrats, have increasingly highlighted the frequent injustice of marijuana prosecutions that disproportionately affect communities of color and poor communities, though the drug is widely used across race and economic status.

<p><i>By Jacob Fischler | Nebraska Examiner</i></p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/12/1765906634956.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
                        <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>President Donald Trump’s administration is looking “very strongly” at reclassifying cannabis from the strictest category of controlled substances, Trump said Monday.</p><p>In a brief affirmative response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, the president confirmed he is considering a reclassification of marijuana to unlock research funding.</p><p>“A lot of people want to see it — the reclassification — because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” Trump said. “So we are looking at that very strongly.”</p><p>Marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug under the Food and Drug Administration’s classification of controlled substances. The FDA defines drugs on the list, such as heroin and cocaine, as lacking any medicinal value and carrying a high likelihood of abuse.</p><p>The designation carries a host of consequences, including a virtual ban on funding research for medicinal or other uses of the drug.</p><p>While marijuana use, both medicinal and recreational, is legal in many states, it remains illegal to possess or use in any amount for any reason under federal law.</p><p>Advocates have sought for decades to legalize or decriminalize the drug, which many see as less harmful than other Schedule I substances.</p><p>The growing split in recent years among many states and federal law has ramped up pressure on federal policymakers to alter the drug’s legal status.</p><p>Marijuana businesses in states where it is legal lack access to financial institutions, which cannot lend to businesses considered illegal by federal authorities.</p><p>States, meanwhile, have had&nbsp;<a href="https://rollcall.com/2019/09/16/as-states-legalize-marijuana-pesticides-may-be-a-blind-spot/" target="_blank">difficulty regulating</a>&nbsp;the environmental and health aspects of their industries.</p><p>And lawmakers, especially Democrats, have increasingly highlighted the frequent injustice of marijuana prosecutions that disproportionately affect communities of color and poor communities, though the drug is widely used across race and economic status.</p>

Trump ‘very strongly’ considering loosening federal marijuana regulations

<i>By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner</i>

Five state senators took Pillen administration offer to tour state prison converted to federal migrant detention center Monday

LINCOLN — Five of Nebraska’s 49 state lawmakers Monday toured the controversial ICE migrant detention center in McCook, taking the Pillen administration up on a group invite to walk through the converted prison.&nbsp;

The lone Democrat participating, State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, estimated that between 100 and 150 migrants, all of them men, were being held at what state and federal officials call the “Cornhusker Clink.”&nbsp;

State prison officials have declined to provide a detainee population count or daily average, citing security concerns.

Except for new fencing, Juarez said much of the physical facility looked similar to what she had seen when she arrived unannounced in September, when the McCook prison still operated as the state’s Work Ethic Camp, aimed at stepping people toward lives outside of prison.&nbsp;

Several detainees of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday were outside exercising, she said. A TV, a small library and a medical office were visible.&nbsp;

Some detainees inside played cards, according to observations by other senators on the tour, a group that included State Sens. Myron Dorn of Adams, Tom Brandt of Plymouth, Rob Clements of Elmwood and Dan Lonowski of Hastings.

Some key differences this time,&nbsp; Juarez said, were the backgrounds, languages and cultures of those being held at the center, which previously held Nebraska inmates nearing release.&nbsp;

The lawmakers told the Examiner the current detainees represented multiple countries, including Russia, India, Somalia, Mexico and Guatemala.&nbsp;

<p><i>By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner</i></p><h2>Five state senators took Pillen administration offer to tour state prison converted to federal migrant detention center Monday</h2><figure>
                        <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WEC-immigration-walkthrough_CTSY-e1765846592973.jpg" alt="&nbsp;All 49 Nebraska lawmakers were invited to a group “walkthrough” of the McCook ICE detention center on Monday. Five attended. Some had other commitments by the time they were notified. A few Democrats said they declined in part because they believe state senators have legal right to tour state prison facilities “at any time” and they want legislative leadership to defend the oversight authority. Dec. 15, 2025. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services)" />
                        <figcaption>&nbsp;All 49 Nebraska lawmakers were invited to a group “walkthrough” of the McCook ICE detention center on Monday. Five attended. Some had other commitments by the time they were notified. A few Democrats said they declined in part because they believe state senators have legal right to tour state prison facilities “at any time” and they want legislative leadership to defend the oversight authority. Dec. 15, 2025. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LINCOLN — Five of Nebraska’s 49 state lawmakers Monday toured the controversial ICE migrant detention center in McCook, taking the Pillen administration up on a group invite to walk through the converted prison.&nbsp;</p><p>The lone Democrat participating, State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, estimated that between 100 and 150 migrants, all of them men, were being held at what state and federal officials call the “Cornhusker Clink.”&nbsp;</p><p>State prison officials have declined to provide a detainee population count or daily average, citing security concerns.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/juarez_ZJW_121324-01-300x200.jpg" alt="State Sen.-elect Margo Juarez of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
                        <figcaption>State Sen.-elect Margo Juarez of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Except for new fencing, Juarez said much of the physical facility looked similar to what she had seen when she arrived unannounced in September, when the McCook prison still operated as the state’s Work Ethic Camp, aimed at stepping people toward lives outside of prison.&nbsp;</p><p>Several detainees of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday were outside exercising, she said. A TV, a small library and a medical office were visible.&nbsp;</p><p>Some detainees inside played cards, according to observations by other senators on the tour, a group that included State Sens. Myron Dorn of Adams, Tom Brandt of Plymouth, Rob Clements of Elmwood and Dan Lonowski of Hastings.</p><p>Some key differences this time,&nbsp; Juarez said, were the backgrounds, languages and cultures of those being held at the center, which previously held Nebraska inmates nearing release.&nbsp;</p><p>The lawmakers told the Examiner the current detainees represented multiple countries, including Russia, India, Somalia, Mexico and Guatemala.&nbsp;</p><p>“I still think that how this is being done is wrong, and I’m not happy the place exists,” Juarez said after the visit, which lasted more than an hour.&nbsp;</p><h2>Frustrated</h2><p>But she and the other participating senators said the facility appeared clean, orderly and that detainees had access to visitors and a list of pro bono lawyers.</p><p>Juarez said she remains frustrated with federal immigration laws and enforcement tactics and said that pressure for change should be placed on Congress and at the ballot box.</p><p>“That change is what is needed so we’re not wasting our federal tax dollars,” she said, citing studies that immigration arrests under the Trump administration continued to increase but that an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/12/repub/a-larger-share-of-ices-arrested-immigrants-have-no-criminal-record/">ever-lager share of arrests&nbsp;</a>were solely for immigration violations and not for crimes the administration said would be its focus.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Resized_20251215_142352-300x169.jpeg" alt="Four of the five Nebraska lawmakers take a photo prior to their tour of the McCook ICE detention facility Monday. Included are State Sens. Rob Clements of Elmwood, Tom Brandt of Plymouth, Myron Dorn of Adams and Dan Lonowski of Hastings. (Courtesy of State Sen. Rob Clements)" />
                        <figcaption>Four of the five Nebraska lawmakers take a photo prior to their tour of the McCook ICE detention facility Monday. Included are State Sens. Rob Clements of Elmwood, Tom Brandt of Plymouth, Myron Dorn of Adams and Dan Lonowski of Hastings. (Courtesy of State Sen. Rob Clements)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The tour of the McCook facility was offered to all 49 senators in the officially nonpartisan Legislature&nbsp; two days after State Sen. Michaela Cavanaugh of Omaha publicly criticized Gov. Jim Pillen’s administration for twice denying her entry on Nov. 12 and 13 to the McCook facility.</p><p>Cavanaugh initially arrived unannounced to the McCook facility Nov. 12, citing a state law that says members of the Legislature can enter such a state facility “at any time.” She was rejected and tried again the next morning, on Nov. 13, after alerting the Department of Correctional Services the prior evening.</p><p>Pillen on Monday said in a statement that the McCook facility has been up and running in its new role since November and said Monday was “a good opportunity for senators to come and see first-hand the operational aspects of the detention facility.”</p><p>Legislators were required to fill out a form by the end of the work day Friday to attend, which was sent to federal officials prior to the visit.</p><p>A Pillen spokesperson said reporters were not allowed on the Monday tour, which was led by Rob Jeffreys, the state’s director of Correctional Services. The Examiner spoke to the five lawmakers afterward.</p><h2>Time in McCook varies</h2><p>Jeffreys had told Cavanaugh that her alert in November was problematic, as it came with notice that was too short. Furthermore, he and a spokesperson for the Pillen administration said they interpret state law differently as it relates to entry to the McCook facility.&nbsp;</p><p>The state contracts with and is paid by the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to house the federal detainees at the McCook center while the detainees await deportation to other countries.</p><p>Cavanaugh declined to participate in the tour, saying she had previous commitments and also that it was unclear last week whether lawmakers would be allowed to bring a pen and paper into the facility, “let alone a phone” to perhaps record observations. She said one of her main goals was to ask questions of detainees and gather information in the event they needed services.</p><p>Lawmakers on the tour said they did not bring phones on the tour, but had access to staff members to answer questions. Some questions, including the average number of detainees each day, were not answered.</p><p>Senators said they were told that the range of time behind bars at the McCook facility ranged from a day for some, while others have been there since it pivoted to federal use.&nbsp;</p><p>Pillen said earlier that detainees started to arrive in early November and that he had expected 200 by Thanksgiving and up to 300 when other facility modifications were completed. The Republican state senators on the tour agreed with Juarez’s estimate that between 100 and 150 detainees were being held at the center on Monday.</p><p>A spokesperson for the Corrections Department said the number of detainees housed at the McCook facility “fluctuates regularly,” and that federal officials asked the state not to disclose numbers.</p><p>Brandt said the group was told many of the detainees are transported to McCook from the Omaha and North Platte airports, but that senators were not told the cities or states where the ICE detainees were originally arrested.&nbsp;</p><p>The five senators said they didn’t personally talk to detainees but said they were not prohibited from doing so.&nbsp;</p><p>They said at least some detainees had access to electronic tablets.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_6016-scaled-e1756847222745-259x300.jpeg" alt="McCook Mayor Linda Taylor speaks during a previous press conference with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen at McCook’s Ben Nelson Regional Airport on Tuesday. (Brigham Larington/McCook Gazette)" />
                        <figcaption>McCook Mayor Linda Taylor speaks during a previous press conference with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen at McCook’s Ben Nelson Regional Airport on Tuesday. (Brigham Larington/McCook Gazette)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>“It was very clean, well kept, very well run,” Dorn said of the former Work Ethic Camp facility.&nbsp;</p><p>“It seemed very peaceful, the dining room where they eat was nice,” said Clements. He said phone numbers for various foreign consulates were posted on a wall, and he could see a bank of phones available for detainee use.</p><p>The senators saw technology that allows detainees to attend immigration court hearings remotely.&nbsp;</p><p>Lonowski said he was impressed with the professionalism of staff, who appeared to be from the local area.</p><h2>More construction this week</h2><p>Dorn said he would have liked to see more lawmakers, but he said some had other commitments.&nbsp;</p><p>“I definitely expected a few more,” he said, saying he thought up to 15. “I’m glad five showed.”</p><p>Prior to the state senator visits, McCook Mayor Linda Taylor and McCook Police Chief Kevin Hodgson had their own tour of the facility.&nbsp;</p><p>Pillen’s statement said construction begins this week to expand the facility’s capacity from 200 to 300 detainees.&nbsp;</p><p>He said that as a federal detention center, compensation to Correctional Services,&nbsp; based on the expected use of the facility and costs associated with providing services to ICE, will be $2.45 million per month.&nbsp;</p><p>The arrangement with ICE should clear the state about $14.25 million annually, Pillen said. The current contact expires Sept. 29, 2027.</p>