KANSAS CITY —A motocross instructor who mentored children was sentenced this week to 40 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and ordered to pay at least $193,500 in restitution for sexually exploiting numerous children, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Ryan Meyung, 33, of no fixed address, sexually exploited multiple young children that he met and befriended while traveling across the country as a motocross instructor between July 2019 and December 2021. 

As part of his predatory behavior, Meyung produced images and videos of six different minor victims engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including sex acts with him and with each other. The victims were between 6 and 13 years old at the time. Meyung also possessed and transported images and videos of child sexual abuse produced by other sex offenders and sexually abused and recorded other children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meyung pleaded guilty in April to six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor (producing child sexual abuse material) and has been in custody since his arrest in December 2021.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia, and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville made the announcement.

HSI Chattanooga investigated the case, with assistance from HSI Dalton, the Hamilton County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Police Department, and HSI field offices throughout the country.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725718046095.png" alt="Meyung- Photo Hamilton County Sheriff's Office&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Meyung- Photo Hamilton County Sheriff's Office&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A motocross instructor who mentored children was sentenced this week to 40 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and ordered to pay at least $193,500 in restitution for sexually exploiting numerous children, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Ryan Meyung, 33, of no fixed address, sexually exploited multiple young children that he met and befriended while traveling across the country as a motocross instructor between July 2019 and December 2021. As part of his predatory behavior, Meyung produced images and videos of six different minor victims engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including sex acts with him and with each other. The victims were between 6 and 13 years old at the time. Meyung also possessed and transported images and videos of child sexual abuse produced by other sex offenders and sexually abused and recorded other children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meyung pleaded guilty in April to six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor (producing child sexual abuse material) and has been in custody since his arrest in December 2021.Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia, and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville made the announcement.HSI Chattanooga investigated the case, with assistance from HSI Dalton, the Hamilton County, Tennessee, Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Police Department, and HSI field offices throughout the country.&nbsp;

Motocross coach sexually exploited multiple young children

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Hung Thuc Pham, age 38, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a meth mixture. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Pham to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Pham’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Pham also agreed to the forfeiture of $5,110 in cash to the United States of America.

On September 12, 2023, Pham was stopped on Interstate 80 for numerous traffic violations by a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy.&nbsp; She was the sole occupant of the car.&nbsp; The deputy saw a duffel bag on the front passenger seat which was partially open, and heat-sealed bags containing meth were visible inside.&nbsp; As a result, Pham’s car was searched.&nbsp; During the search, at total of more than 1.7 kilograms (approximately 3 ¾ pounds) of a meth mixture was found in the duffel bag.&nbsp;&nbsp; Purity testing on one of the heat-sealed bags showed at least 340 grams of actual methamphetamine. An additional bag containing a small amount of meth, a pipe and $5110 in cash was also found in the car.&nbsp;

Pham told investigators that at the time she was stopped, she was on her way to Lincoln to deliver the meth to another person. Pham said the meth found in her car was what remained of 20 pounds she transported to Nebraska from California about three weeks earlier.&nbsp; Pham said she made six other trips to California between late 2021 and August of 2023, and obtained a total of over 40 pounds of meth which she sold to persons in Lincoln and Grand Island.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force with assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department.

United States Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Hung Thuc Pham, age 38, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 5, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a meth mixture. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Pham to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Pham’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Pham also agreed to the forfeiture of $5,110 in cash to the United States of America.On September 12, 2023, Pham was stopped on Interstate 80 for numerous traffic violations by a Lancaster County Sheriff’s Deputy.&nbsp; She was the sole occupant of the car.&nbsp; The deputy saw a duffel bag on the front passenger seat which was partially open, and heat-sealed bags containing meth were visible inside.&nbsp; As a result, Pham’s car was searched.&nbsp; During the search, at total of more than 1.7 kilograms (approximately 3 ¾ pounds) of a meth mixture was found in the duffel bag.&nbsp;&nbsp; Purity testing on one of the heat-sealed bags showed at least 340 grams of actual methamphetamine. An additional bag containing a small amount of meth, a pipe and $5110 in cash was also found in the car.&nbsp;Pham told investigators that at the time she was stopped, she was on her way to Lincoln to deliver the meth to another person. Pham said the meth found in her car was what remained of 20 pounds she transported to Nebraska from California about three weeks earlier.&nbsp; Pham said she made six other trips to California between late 2021 and August of 2023, and obtained a total of over 40 pounds of meth which she sold to persons in Lincoln and Grand Island.This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force with assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department.

 Central Nebraska Woman Sentenced for Methamphetamine Possession

Lincoln, September 6, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) in conjunction with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is highlighting “Lifeline Awareness Week”, September 8-14.

The Lifeline Program helps make affordable voice and broadband services available toqualifying participants.

Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers" target="_blank">Federal Lifeline Program</a>, consumers who participate in certain public assistance andveterans’ programs or qualify based on income can receive a discount of up to $9.25 per monthoff an eligible phone, broadband, or bundled phone/broadband service.

The PSC supplements the federal program through the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/nebraska-telephone-assistance-programlifeline" target="_blank">Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program(NTAP)</a>, providing an additional monthly discount of $3.50 to qualified Nebraskans. Thissupport can be applied to one landline or wireless phone bill or used to provide minutes toeligible cellular phone services.

To receive the NTAP discount, consumers must participate in the federal Lifeline Program andmeet eligibility requirements. Learn more about the NTAP/Lifeline Program and how to applyby visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/nebraska-telephone-assistance-programlifeline" target="_blank">NTAP/Lifeline page</a>&nbsp;on the PSC website.

“We want folks to know support is available to help them get and stay connected,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier. “We encourage qualified recipients to take advantage of these important discount programs.”

Deb CollinsPSCLincoln, September 6, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) in conjunction with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is highlighting “Lifeline Awareness Week”, September 8-14.The Lifeline Program helps make affordable voice and broadband services available toqualifying participants.Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers" target="_blank">Federal Lifeline Program</a>, consumers who participate in certain public assistance andveterans’ programs or qualify based on income can receive a discount of up to $9.25 per monthoff an eligible phone, broadband, or bundled phone/broadband service.The PSC supplements the federal program through the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/nebraska-telephone-assistance-programlifeline" target="_blank">Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program(NTAP)</a>, providing an additional monthly discount of $3.50 to qualified Nebraskans. Thissupport can be applied to one landline or wireless phone bill or used to provide minutes toeligible cellular phone services.To receive the NTAP discount, consumers must participate in the federal Lifeline Program andmeet eligibility requirements. Learn more about the NTAP/Lifeline Program and how to applyby visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/nebraska-telephone-assistance-programlifeline" target="_blank">NTAP/Lifeline page</a>&nbsp;on the PSC website.“We want folks to know support is available to help them get and stay connected,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier. “We encourage qualified recipients to take advantage of these important discount programs.”

Connectivity Highlighted During Lifeline Awareness Week

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/05/odyssey-to-the-extraordinary-dr-gold-charts-new-path-as-university-of-nebraska-president/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold outlined his vision Thursday to take NU on an “odyssey to the extraordinary” to its next chapter, under his leadership.

More than a dozen federal, state and local stakeholders honored and endorsed Dr. Gold as NU’s ninth president in an honorific investiture ceremony. From faculty, staff, students and alumni to donors, elected officials and more, each promised to work with Gold and help improve NU. Gold ascended to the presidency July 1.&nbsp;

While the day was for Gold, he said it was NU’s celebration that he chose to have strategically in the Nebraska State Capitol —&nbsp;the “people’s house” — and as a call to action.

“A call for me and a call for all gathered here today. A call to steward this partnership with the people of Nebraska,” Gold said. “A call to action to steward this great university from, as the theme says, ‘<a href="https://nebraska.edu/news-and-events/news/2024/09/installation-of-jeffrey-p-gold-as-nu-president-is-thursday" target="_blank">From Excellent to Extraordinary</a>.’”

Gold said being “extraordinary” means more than clearly defined goals, strategies or tactics. NU needs lofty, aspirational goals, Gold said, as well as a “fundamentally aligned culture, a consciousness of purpose shared not by some but shared by all.”

“Our greatest mistake would be to rest on our laurels and say that ‘excellence is good enough,’” Gold said.

Some of the areas that Gold outlined included research, discovery, creative education, student achievement, workforce and economic development, public and private partnerships and the creation of a university-wide culture that supports and embraces all on the “odyssey to the extraordinary.”

“Our legacy of excellence is a solid foundation to build upon but is not adequate,” he continued. “Our legacy serves as an inspiration but not as a roadmap for the pathway ahead.”

Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who served as the 11th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was one of more than a dozen people to endorse the new president during the event.&nbsp;

As vice chairman, Hyten was the nation’s second highest ranking military officer. He also led the U.S. Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue from 2016 to 2019, as well as led the Air Force Space Command from 2014 to 2016.

Hyten met Gold while serving at Offutt and said the doctor made himself available to help Hyten or any soldier who needed help finding health care. At one point, one soldier did, Hyten recalled, seeking help finding a specialist in Omaha for his two children with special needs. The problem: The soldier couldn’t figure out the military’s health care system or insurance.

Taking Gold up on his promise to help, Hyten called, and Gold offered his personal number for the soldier’s family. The next day, the family was able to meet with the specialists they needed.

Hyten said the immediate switch meant everything to Hyten and the soldier, who was just trying to understand StratCom while worrying about his family’s health.

“One day he’s distracted, he’s confused,” Hyten said. “The next day, ‘I’m all in. Just tell me what I have to do, coach. Put me in.’”

“This is Jeff Gold,” Hyten said. “A great soul and an individual with the highest character.”

Gold served with NU for more than 10 years prior to becoming president, in roles including chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a brief stint in a dual role as chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

His investiture ceremonies at UNMC in 2014 and UNO in 2019 both came on Sept. 5, as did the latest ceremony, which Gold said was also purposeful in a new chapter.

Gold also served as NU’s executive vice president and provost the past couple of years, a key role as the chief academic liaison between campuses and the regents. He will continue to hold a faculty position at UNMC.

A packed house welcomed the new president in the Capitol Rotunda in addition to Hyten, ranging from current and former state senators and state agency officials to former Gov. Dave Heineman and former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson.

Former University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green and former University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen, who both retired in the past year, also showed support, along with dozens of faculty, staff and students across the NU system.

Among others who endorsed Gold’s presidency in invited speeches were U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb.; Gov. Jim Pillen; NU Board of Regents Chair Rob Schafer; UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett; Dr. Ann Anderson Berry, executive director at the Child Health Research Institute at UNMC; and UNK Student Regent Sam Schroeder.

Fischer, like Hyten and many speakers, said she was proud of the regents for selecting an “exceptional new president” and one of her friends. She said Gold has an impressive educational pedigree, with decades of specializing in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery.

Fischer said what sets Gold apart from others, and why the regents “rightfully”&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/26/the-future-is-bright-regents-confirm-dr-jeffrey-gold-for-next-university-of-nebraska-president/">selected him in a 7-1 vote</a>&nbsp;in April, is his dedication to NU and the care he has for anyone he encounters.

“He’s faced challenge after challenge with tenacity, and he’s led countless students and professors to success,” Fischer said. “Both the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska system at large have flourished under that leadership.”

Pillen, a former regent before becoming governor in 2023, promised to partner with Gold and improve education, as did Fischer.

Schafer said when the regents embarked to find the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nu-president-leadership-profile-released-applications-due-jan-1/">right leader in fall 2023</a>, after then-NU President Ted Carter announced he would be leaving the university, the regents sought not to hit the pause button and instead&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/20/unmcs-jeffrey-gold-priority-nu-presidential-candidate-seeks-to-pay-it-forward/">build on momentum</a>.

“I believe the University of Nebraska’s best days are still ahead of us, and I believe that Nebraskans share that conviction, and our most exciting chapters are still yet to be written,” Schafer said.

The doctor’s career has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/17/you-can-make-magic-happen-university-of-nebraska-presidential-finalist-makes-pitch-to-campuses/">stretched through multiple states</a>, including New York, where he volunteered for triage and search and rescue after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. and in Ohio, where as the dean of a medical university, he helped personally pay for a student’s textbooks so she could take classes, eventually graduating at the top of her class.

Gold, Hyten said, loves Nebraska, is “all in” and wants NU “to be the best in everything it touches.”

“He will put forth all the energy necessary to make that happen,” Hyten said. “Academics, research, leadership, everything. I am convinced the University of Nebraska is about to achieve new greatness under his leadership, because I have seen him do it.”

Quoting President Abraham Lincoln, Gold said the only way for NU to see its future is to build it, and it must move forward to its “true horizon: extraordinary excellence.”

“Just as our forefathers who crossed the oceans, rivers and plains in tightly knit family and community groups, we are on this odyssey together,” Gold said. “As a family, as well as a community. A family of Nebraskans.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725636167687.jpeg" alt="Dr. Jeffrey Gold, president of the University of Nebraska system. Sept. 5, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Jeffrey Gold, president of the University of Nebraska system. Sept. 5, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/05/odyssey-to-the-extraordinary-dr-gold-charts-new-path-as-university-of-nebraska-president/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold outlined his vision Thursday to take NU on an “odyssey to the extraordinary” to its next chapter, under his leadership.More than a dozen federal, state and local stakeholders honored and endorsed Dr. Gold as NU’s ninth president in an honorific investiture ceremony. From faculty, staff, students and alumni to donors, elected officials and more, each promised to work with Gold and help improve NU. Gold ascended to the presidency July 1.&nbsp;While the day was for Gold, he said it was NU’s celebration that he chose to have strategically in the Nebraska State Capitol —&nbsp;the “people’s house” — and as a call to action.“A call for me and a call for all gathered here today. A call to steward this partnership with the people of Nebraska,” Gold said. “A call to action to steward this great university from, as the theme says, ‘<a href="https://nebraska.edu/news-and-events/news/2024/09/installation-of-jeffrey-p-gold-as-nu-president-is-thursday" target="_blank">From Excellent to Extraordinary</a>.’”<h2>‘From Excellent to Extraordinary’</h2>Gold said being “extraordinary” means more than clearly defined goals, strategies or tactics. NU needs lofty, aspirational goals, Gold said, as well as a “fundamentally aligned culture, a consciousness of purpose shared not by some but shared by all.”“Our greatest mistake would be to rest on our laurels and say that ‘excellence is good enough,’” Gold said.Some of the areas that Gold outlined included research, discovery, creative education, student achievement, workforce and economic development, public and private partnerships and the creation of a university-wide culture that supports and embraces all on the “odyssey to the extraordinary.”“Our legacy of excellence is a solid foundation to build upon but is not adequate,” he continued. “Our legacy serves as an inspiration but not as a roadmap for the pathway ahead.”<h2>‘The highest character’</h2>Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who served as the 11th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was one of more than a dozen people to endorse the new president during the event.&nbsp;As vice chairman, Hyten was the nation’s second highest ranking military officer. He also led the U.S. Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue from 2016 to 2019, as well as led the Air Force Space Command from 2014 to 2016.Hyten met Gold while serving at Offutt and said the doctor made himself available to help Hyten or any soldier who needed help finding health care. At one point, one soldier did, Hyten recalled, seeking help finding a specialist in Omaha for his two children with special needs. The problem: The soldier couldn’t figure out the military’s health care system or insurance.Taking Gold up on his promise to help, Hyten called, and Gold offered his personal number for the soldier’s family. The next day, the family was able to meet with the specialists they needed.Hyten said the immediate switch meant everything to Hyten and the soldier, who was just trying to understand StratCom while worrying about his family’s health.“One day he’s distracted, he’s confused,” Hyten said. “The next day, ‘I’m all in. Just tell me what I have to do, coach. Put me in.’”“This is Jeff Gold,” Hyten said. “A great soul and an individual with the highest character.”<h2>Gold’s history with NU</h2>Gold served with NU for more than 10 years prior to becoming president, in roles including chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a brief stint in a dual role as chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.His investiture ceremonies at UNMC in 2014 and UNO in 2019 both came on Sept. 5, as did the latest ceremony, which Gold said was also purposeful in a new chapter.Gold also served as NU’s executive vice president and provost the past couple of years, a key role as the chief academic liaison between campuses and the regents. He will continue to hold a faculty position at UNMC.A packed house welcomed the new president in the Capitol Rotunda in addition to Hyten, ranging from current and former state senators and state agency officials to former Gov. Dave Heineman and former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson.Former University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green and former University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen, who both retired in the past year, also showed support, along with dozens of faculty, staff and students across the NU system.<h2>‘Best days are still ahead of us’</h2>Among others who endorsed Gold’s presidency in invited speeches were U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb.; Gov. Jim Pillen; NU Board of Regents Chair Rob Schafer; UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett; Dr. Ann Anderson Berry, executive director at the Child Health Research Institute at UNMC; and UNK Student Regent Sam Schroeder.Fischer, like Hyten and many speakers, said she was proud of the regents for selecting an “exceptional new president” and one of her friends. She said Gold has an impressive educational pedigree, with decades of specializing in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery.Fischer said what sets Gold apart from others, and why the regents “rightfully”&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/26/the-future-is-bright-regents-confirm-dr-jeffrey-gold-for-next-university-of-nebraska-president/">selected him in a 7-1 vote</a>&nbsp;in April, is his dedication to NU and the care he has for anyone he encounters.“He’s faced challenge after challenge with tenacity, and he’s led countless students and professors to success,” Fischer said. “Both the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska system at large have flourished under that leadership.”Pillen, a former regent before becoming governor in 2023, promised to partner with Gold and improve education, as did Fischer.Schafer said when the regents embarked to find the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nu-president-leadership-profile-released-applications-due-jan-1/">right leader in fall 2023</a>, after then-NU President Ted Carter announced he would be leaving the university, the regents sought not to hit the pause button and instead&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/20/unmcs-jeffrey-gold-priority-nu-presidential-candidate-seeks-to-pay-it-forward/">build on momentum</a>.“I believe the University of Nebraska’s best days are still ahead of us, and I believe that Nebraskans share that conviction, and our most exciting chapters are still yet to be written,” Schafer said.<h2>‘A family of Nebraskans’</h2>The doctor’s career has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/17/you-can-make-magic-happen-university-of-nebraska-presidential-finalist-makes-pitch-to-campuses/">stretched through multiple states</a>, including New York, where he volunteered for triage and search and rescue after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. and in Ohio, where as the dean of a medical university, he helped personally pay for a student’s textbooks so she could take classes, eventually graduating at the top of her class.Gold, Hyten said, loves Nebraska, is “all in” and wants NU “to be the best in everything it touches.”“He will put forth all the energy necessary to make that happen,” Hyten said. “Academics, research, leadership, everything. I am convinced the University of Nebraska is about to achieve new greatness under his leadership, because I have seen him do it.”Quoting President Abraham Lincoln, Gold said the only way for NU to see its future is to build it, and it must move forward to its “true horizon: extraordinary excellence.”“Just as our forefathers who crossed the oceans, rivers and plains in tightly knit family and community groups, we are on this odyssey together,” Gold said. “As a family, as well as a community. A family of Nebraskans.”

‘Odyssey to the extraordinary’: Dr. Gold charts new path as University of Nebraska president

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/05/lawsuit-filed-seeks-to-stop-vote-on-future-of-nebraskas-school-voucher-program/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A years-long fight over the future of Nebraska’s scholarship or voucher programs to offset the costs of a private K-12 education could be headed to court.

Latasha Collar, the parent of a Douglas County student receiving what the State of Nebraska called an Opportunity Scholarship to attend a school of her choosing, sued the state on Thursday.

Her filing asks the Nebraska Supreme Court to stop Secretary of State Bob Evnen from letting general election voters decide the future of a program Collar wants to help pay for her daughter’s schooling.

She told the Examiner in April that she needed to find a better fit for her daughter than her local public school. After getting an Opportunity Scholarship, Collar said, her daughter was “excited to go to school again.”

Her lawyer declined to comment Thursday, referring the Examiner to two filings asking the Court to skip the District Court step because of timing, with early voting starting next month.

Evnen must finalize the November ballot Sept. 13. The Nebraska Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to take up the lawsuit.&nbsp;

The lawyer and local school-choice advocates said Collar had no immediate comment. The lawsuit’s key argument echoes statements by the law’s author, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha.

Collar’s lawsuit argues that voters couldn’t revoke a law that appropriates funds for state expenses, saying that is prohibited by&nbsp; Article III, Section 3 of the Nebraska Constitution.&nbsp;

“It seeks to invoke the power of referendum to repeal an act, or a portion thereof, that makes an appropriation for the expense of state government or a state institution existing at the time of the passage of such act,” the lawsuit says.

Linehan’s Legislative Bill 1402, passed this spring, is the latest version of a law that shifted a tax credit program for private education into a direct appropriation, partly to nullify a previous ballot initiative.

Because of this change, Support Our Schools organized a second petition drive to get a referendum on LB 1402 onto the fall ballot.

Evnen announced Thursday that he had certified the measure for the ballot. &nbsp;

Linehan spent much of her eight years in the Legislature advocating for a scholarship program that in other states has often been the first step toward a broader school voucher program.

Linehan declined to comment Thursday. Other advocates said they were glad a parent had sued to protect an option thousands of families have sought.

Jeremy Ekeler, executive director of Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, recently said that “the momentum for school choice continues to grow in Nebraska and across the country.”

“OSN proudly serves hundreds of Nebraska parents like Latasha, who simply want the best educational setting for their children,” Ekeler said in a statement. “We applaud her courage.”

LB 1402 sets aside $10 million a year to fund scholarships or vouchers for private school students. Collar’s lawsuit argues this is a government appropriation for K-12 education.

Local advocates for public schools disagree, with Tim Royers, the new president of the Nebraska State Education Association saying this is the latest attempt to prevent voters from weighing in on LB 1402.

“This is very consistent for them. They have used every trick possible to try and stop a vote of the people on whether we should have public dollars going to private schools,” Royers said.

Royers said attorneys for public school defenders were prepared to argue that the petition they ran purposefully chose not to repeal the separate appropriation bill passed with LB 1402.

The former government and civics teacher said his read of the Nebraska Constitution’s limits on ballot initiatives is meant to keep people from defunding a state agency or state business.

Defenders of LB 1402 have argued that polling showing majority support for repealing the school choice law is fed by misinformation from public school advocates.

Some choice advocates say the families needing other options are worth the fight. Public school advocates say voucher programs eventually erode state funding available for public schools.

The Nebraska Supreme Court has already scheduled oral arguments Monday for three lawsuits on competing abortion-related initiatives, in the closing weeks of the window for pre-election changes.

Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/05/lawsuit-filed-seeks-to-stop-vote-on-future-of-nebraskas-school-voucher-program/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A years-long fight over the future of Nebraska’s scholarship or voucher programs to offset the costs of a private K-12 education could be headed to court.Latasha Collar, the parent of a Douglas County student receiving what the State of Nebraska called an Opportunity Scholarship to attend a school of her choosing, sued the state on Thursday.Her filing asks the Nebraska Supreme Court to stop Secretary of State Bob Evnen from letting general election voters decide the future of a program Collar wants to help pay for her daughter’s schooling.She told the Examiner in April that she needed to find a better fit for her daughter than her local public school. After getting an Opportunity Scholarship, Collar said, her daughter was “excited to go to school again.”<h2>No immediate comment</h2>Her lawyer declined to comment Thursday, referring the Examiner to two filings asking the Court to skip the District Court step because of timing, with early voting starting next month.Evnen must finalize the November ballot Sept. 13. The Nebraska Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to take up the lawsuit.&nbsp;The lawyer and local school-choice advocates said Collar had no immediate comment. The lawsuit’s key argument echoes statements by the law’s author, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha.Collar’s lawsuit argues that voters couldn’t revoke a law that appropriates funds for state expenses, saying that is prohibited by&nbsp; Article III, Section 3 of the Nebraska Constitution.&nbsp;“It seeks to invoke the power of referendum to repeal an act, or a portion thereof, that makes an appropriation for the expense of state government or a state institution existing at the time of the passage of such act,” the lawsuit says.<h2>LB 1402 created direct appropriation</h2>Linehan’s Legislative Bill 1402, passed this spring, is the latest version of a law that shifted a tax credit program for private education into a direct appropriation, partly to nullify a previous ballot initiative.Because of this change, Support Our Schools organized a second petition drive to get a referendum on LB 1402 onto the fall ballot.Evnen announced Thursday that he had certified the measure for the ballot. &nbsp;Linehan spent much of her eight years in the Legislature advocating for a scholarship program that in other states has often been the first step toward a broader school voucher program.Linehan declined to comment Thursday. Other advocates said they were glad a parent had sued to protect an option thousands of families have sought.Jeremy Ekeler, executive director of Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, recently said that “the momentum for school choice continues to grow in Nebraska and across the country.”“OSN proudly serves hundreds of Nebraska parents like Latasha, who simply want the best educational setting for their children,” Ekeler said in a statement. “We applaud her courage.”LB 1402 sets aside $10 million a year to fund scholarships or vouchers for private school students. Collar’s lawsuit argues this is a government appropriation for K-12 education.<h2>Another attempt to avoid a vote</h2>Local advocates for public schools disagree, with Tim Royers, the new president of the Nebraska State Education Association saying this is the latest attempt to prevent voters from weighing in on LB 1402.“This is very consistent for them. They have used every trick possible to try and stop a vote of the people on whether we should have public dollars going to private schools,” Royers said.Royers said attorneys for public school defenders were prepared to argue that the petition they ran purposefully chose not to repeal the separate appropriation bill passed with LB 1402.The former government and civics teacher said his read of the Nebraska Constitution’s limits on ballot initiatives is meant to keep people from defunding a state agency or state business.Defenders of LB 1402 have argued that polling showing majority support for repealing the school choice law is fed by misinformation from public school advocates.Some choice advocates say the families needing other options are worth the fight. Public school advocates say voucher programs eventually erode state funding available for public schools.The Nebraska Supreme Court has already scheduled oral arguments Monday for three lawsuits on competing abortion-related initiatives, in the closing weeks of the window for pre-election changes.

Lawsuit filed seeks to stop vote on future of Nebraska’s school voucher program

Cody Thomas&nbsp; Nebraska State Patrol

September 5, 2024 (Norfolk, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol, working with the SNARE Drug Task Force, have arrested a Norfolk man as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.

This morning at approximately 7:00 a.m., the NSP SWAT Team made contact with residents of a home in the 1300 block of West Park Avenue in Norfolk. All residents of the home exited voluntarily.

Investigators then performed a search warrant at the residence and located suspected cocaine and a handgun. One of the residents, James Woodall, 33, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Woodall was lodged in Madison County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

Cody Thomas&nbsp; Nebraska State PatrolSeptember 5, 2024 (Norfolk, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol, working with the SNARE Drug Task Force, have arrested a Norfolk man as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.This morning at approximately 7:00 a.m., the NSP SWAT Team made contact with residents of a home in the 1300 block of West Park Avenue in Norfolk. All residents of the home exited voluntarily.Investigators then performed a search warrant at the residence and located suspected cocaine and a handgun. One of the residents, James Woodall, 33, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.Woodall was lodged in Madison County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

Norfolk Man Arrested in Narcotics Investigation

&nbsp;(Lincoln, Nebraska)&nbsp;On September 5, 2024, Thomas More Society attorneys filed a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63d954d4e4ad424df7819d46/66d9c13c989a843f08f8b83a_Brief%2C%20Relator%20LaGreca%209-5-24%20(1).pdf">brief</a>&nbsp;with the&nbsp;Nebraska Supreme Court challenging the state’s “Protect the Right to Abortion” ballot initiative. On August 30, 2024, the Nebraska Supreme Court allowed the constitutional challenge against the state’s abortion expansion ballot initiative to move forward,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63d954d4e4ad424df7819d46/66d65e5edc3e6c9c4d909026_Order%2C%20Leave%20for%20Original%20Action%2C%208-30-24.pdf">agreeing to hear</a>&nbsp;a request for a relatively rare proceeding known as an “original action.” Oral argument before the Nebraska Supreme Court is scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. (Central).

In the brief, Thomas More Society attorneys demonstrate how the abortion expansion initiative contains “remarkably misleading terms” and is “unconstitutionally riddled with separate subjects”—in violation of the Nebraska Constitution’s Single Subject Rule. For example, in addition to proposing a fundamental right to abortion before viability, the abortion initiative would also establish a right to abortion after viability—until birth—for undefined “health” reasons. “Allowing virtually unlimited abortion after ‘viability,’ for ‘health’ reasons,” the Thomas More Society brief argues, “is a different subject than the right to abortion before ‘viability.’”

In another instance of what the brief labels as misleading language, the abortion expansion initiative provides for a “fundamental right” to abortion, “without interference from the state of its political subdivisions.” The brief argues that “‘fundamental rights’ have long been understood to allow&nbsp;some&nbsp;regulation of the underlying right, including the right to abortion under&nbsp;Roe v. Wade.” Additionally, the brief lays out how the abortion expansion initiative “effectively will abolish nearly 50 years of legislative enactments” and may potentially have further ramifications on all existing medical regulations.

These existing laws include the state’s dismemberment abortion ban and the parental notification requirement for abortions on minors. Laws requiring physician involvement, physician availability for postoperative care, care of born-alive aborted infants, care of post-viability aborted infants, and detailed informed consent requirements, will effectively be repealed if the abortion expansion ballot initiative is accepted by voters.

The brief further argues that the abortion initiative opens the determination of viability to a large number of non-physician “health care practitioners.” Under current Nebraska law, “health care practitioners” include not only physicians, but also psychiatrists, pharmacists, nurses of varying degrees, and many others. This is one way in which this clause of the abortion expansion ballot initiative touches on a separate subject than the question of a “fundamental right” to pre- or post-viability abortion, in violation of the Single Subject Rule.

Thomas More Society attorneys seek a court order requiring Secretary of State Evnen to deny certification of the ballot initiative and withhold it from the ballot, or in the alternative, issue an order declaring the measure invalid.

Read the Brief of Relator, LeGreca, filed on September 5, 2024, by Thomas More Society attorneys on behalf of Carolyn LaGreca, in&nbsp;State ex rel.&nbsp;LaGreca v. Evnen, with the Nebraska Supreme Court,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63d954d4e4ad424df7819d46/66d9c13c989a843f08f8b83a_Brief%2C%20Relator%20LaGreca%209-5-24%20(1).pdf">here</a>.

Tom Ciesielka&nbsp;(Lincoln, Nebraska)&nbsp;On September 5, 2024, Thomas More Society attorneys filed a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63d954d4e4ad424df7819d46/66d9c13c989a843f08f8b83a_Brief%2C%20Relator%20LaGreca%209-5-24%20(1).pdf">brief</a>&nbsp;with the&nbsp;Nebraska Supreme Court challenging the state’s “Protect the Right to Abortion” ballot initiative. On August 30, 2024, the Nebraska Supreme Court allowed the constitutional challenge against the state’s abortion expansion ballot initiative to move forward,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63d954d4e4ad424df7819d46/66d65e5edc3e6c9c4d909026_Order%2C%20Leave%20for%20Original%20Action%2C%208-30-24.pdf">agreeing to hear</a>&nbsp;a request for a relatively rare proceeding known as an “original action.” Oral argument before the Nebraska Supreme Court is scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10 a.m. (Central).In the brief, Thomas More Society attorneys demonstrate how the abortion expansion initiative contains “remarkably misleading terms” and is “unconstitutionally riddled with separate subjects”—in violation of the Nebraska Constitution’s Single Subject Rule. For example, in addition to proposing a fundamental right to abortion before viability, the abortion initiative would also establish a right to abortion after viability—until birth—for undefined “health” reasons. “Allowing virtually unlimited abortion after ‘viability,’ for ‘health’ reasons,” the Thomas More Society brief argues, “is a different subject than the right to abortion before ‘viability.’”In another instance of what the brief labels as misleading language, the abortion expansion initiative provides for a “fundamental right” to abortion, “without interference from the state of its political subdivisions.” The brief argues that “‘fundamental rights’ have long been understood to allow&nbsp;some&nbsp;regulation of the underlying right, including the right to abortion under&nbsp;Roe v. Wade.” Additionally, the brief lays out how the abortion expansion initiative “effectively will abolish nearly 50 years of legislative enactments” and may potentially have further ramifications on all existing medical regulations.These existing laws include the state’s dismemberment abortion ban and the parental notification requirement for abortions on minors. Laws requiring physician involvement, physician availability for postoperative care, care of born-alive aborted infants, care of post-viability aborted infants, and detailed informed consent requirements, will effectively be repealed if the abortion expansion ballot initiative is accepted by voters.The brief further argues that the abortion initiative opens the determination of viability to a large number of non-physician “health care practitioners.” Under current Nebraska law, “health care practitioners” include not only physicians, but also psychiatrists, pharmacists, nurses of varying degrees, and many others. This is one way in which this clause of the abortion expansion ballot initiative touches on a separate subject than the question of a “fundamental right” to pre- or post-viability abortion, in violation of the Single Subject Rule.Thomas More Society attorneys seek a court order requiring Secretary of State Evnen to deny certification of the ballot initiative and withhold it from the ballot, or in the alternative, issue an order declaring the measure invalid.Read the Brief of Relator, LeGreca, filed on September 5, 2024, by Thomas More Society attorneys on behalf of Carolyn LaGreca, in&nbsp;State ex rel.&nbsp;LaGreca v. Evnen, with the Nebraska Supreme Court,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/63d954d4e4ad424df7819d46/66d9c13c989a843f08f8b83a_Brief%2C%20Relator%20LaGreca%209-5-24%20(1).pdf">here</a>.

Thomas More Society Files Nebraska Supreme Court Brief Challenging State Abortion Ballot Initiative

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Nebraska voters will decide if they want to repeal legislation that diverts millions of public tax dollars to pay for private and religious schools. The Secretary of State’s Office today announced it has verified enough petition signatures submitted from the Support Our Schools Nebraska referendum effort and has certified the issue for the November ballot. The coalition of public school supporters seeks to repeal LB1402, which was passed by the legislature in April.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Nebraskans have sent a clear message that they want their voices heard,”&nbsp;said Jenni Benson, president of Support Our Schools Nebraska.&nbsp;“Voting to repeal LB1402 will ensure public funds are used to support public schools, not to pay for private schools. Nebraskans cannot afford to pay for two school systems.”

This is the second time in as many years that Support Our Schools Nebraska has collected enough signatures to ensure voters have a say on legislation that diverts public tax dollars to pay for private schools. In 2023, the group gathered more than enough signatures to put the repeal of an earlier voucher bill, LB753, on the ballot. Knowing Nebraskans have voted three times previously to reject using public tax dollars for private schools, the bill’s sponsor introduced LB1402 as an end-run around the petition process. Many Nebraskans were appalled that LB1402 was passed to block citizens from voting on the issue while imposing a new, costly voucher scheme on taxpayers.

“OpenSky Policy Institute is proud to stand with our dedicated public school educators and partners in defending the right of Nebraskans to determine whether their hard-earned taxpayer dollars should fund private school tuition,” said Dr. Rebecca Firestone, Executive Director of the OpenSky Policy Institute.

“We are confident that heading into this election,&nbsp;Nebraska voters will look at examples like Iowa, where private schools increased their tuition rates more than 20% in grades that were eligible for scholarships, or Arizona, where lawmakers are trying to fill a $1.4 billion budget deficit caused in part by a ballooning scholarship program, and vote to repeal Section 1 of LB 1402, Firestone said. “Nebraskans want meaningful work on our shared goals, like property tax relief, workforce development, and public safety. They want well-funded public education that ensures a bright future for our state. LB 1402 achieves none of these goals. We’re pleased Nebraskans will have a chance to let their voices be heard in November.”

“Time and again, voters across the country have rejected private school voucher schemes, which have proven to be expensive, unaccountable, and ineffective,” said Tim Royers, Support Our Schools Nebraska sponsor and president of the NSEA. “Taxpayers in states with vouchers are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of these programs, as well as with the lack of transparency and accountability. Iowa’s new voucher program costs are far exceeding initial estimates, growing to more than $200 million this year. Arizona’s voucher program is a fiasco with the governor there saying it will likely bankrupt the state – and that it does not provide a better education for students.&nbsp;Nebraskans can avoid those problems by voting to repeal LB1402’s voucher scheme at the ballot box this November.”

“Nebraska public schools consistently rank in the Top 10 in the nation – and are the heart of our communities,” Benson&nbsp; said. “Ninety percent of all children in Nebraska attend our public schools. Taxpayer dollars should be invested in strengthening our public schools. Now we redoubled our efforts to inform Nebraskans of the harm LB1402 will cause if it is not repealed.”

The Secretary of State’s certification means election officials have confirmed petition circulators met all constitutional requirements. In July, public school supporters submitted more than 86,000 signatures – far surpassing the&nbsp; 61,621 signatures needed. The group gathered signatures from voters in every one of&nbsp; Nebraska’s 93 counties, and&nbsp;handily exceeded&nbsp;the 38-county requirement with 5% of voters signing the petition in more than 60 counties.

Since last summer, the Support Our Schools Nebraska coalition has collected more than 200,000 signatures from Nebraskans who believe voters should decide whether public funds should be used to pay for private schools.

Several Nebraska organizations are advocating for the Repeal of LB1402, including the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, the Nebraska PTA, Nebraska Farmers Union, OpenSky Policy Institute, Holland Children’s Movement, Stand For Schools, the ARC of Nebraska, the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, the Nebraska State Education Association and more.

Support Our SchoolsLINCOLN –&nbsp;Nebraska voters will decide if they want to repeal legislation that diverts millions of public tax dollars to pay for private and religious schools. The Secretary of State’s Office today announced it has verified enough petition signatures submitted from the Support Our Schools Nebraska referendum effort and has certified the issue for the November ballot. The coalition of public school supporters seeks to repeal LB1402, which was passed by the legislature in April.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Nebraskans have sent a clear message that they want their voices heard,”&nbsp;said Jenni Benson, president of Support Our Schools Nebraska.&nbsp;“Voting to repeal LB1402 will ensure public funds are used to support public schools, not to pay for private schools. Nebraskans cannot afford to pay for two school systems.”This is the second time in as many years that Support Our Schools Nebraska has collected enough signatures to ensure voters have a say on legislation that diverts public tax dollars to pay for private schools. In 2023, the group gathered more than enough signatures to put the repeal of an earlier voucher bill, LB753, on the ballot. Knowing Nebraskans have voted three times previously to reject using public tax dollars for private schools, the bill’s sponsor introduced LB1402 as an end-run around the petition process. Many Nebraskans were appalled that LB1402 was passed to block citizens from voting on the issue while imposing a new, costly voucher scheme on taxpayers.“OpenSky Policy Institute is proud to stand with our dedicated public school educators and partners in defending the right of Nebraskans to determine whether their hard-earned taxpayer dollars should fund private school tuition,” said Dr. Rebecca Firestone, Executive Director of the OpenSky Policy Institute.“We are confident that heading into this election,&nbsp;Nebraska voters will look at examples like Iowa, where private schools increased their tuition rates more than 20% in grades that were eligible for scholarships, or Arizona, where lawmakers are trying to fill a $1.4 billion budget deficit caused in part by a ballooning scholarship program, and vote to repeal Section 1 of LB 1402, Firestone said. “Nebraskans want meaningful work on our shared goals, like property tax relief, workforce development, and public safety. They want well-funded public education that ensures a bright future for our state. LB 1402 achieves none of these goals. We’re pleased Nebraskans will have a chance to let their voices be heard in November.”“Time and again, voters across the country have rejected private school voucher schemes, which have proven to be expensive, unaccountable, and ineffective,” said Tim Royers, Support Our Schools Nebraska sponsor and president of the NSEA. “Taxpayers in states with vouchers are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of these programs, as well as with the lack of transparency and accountability. Iowa’s new voucher program costs are far exceeding initial estimates, growing to more than $200 million this year. Arizona’s voucher program is a fiasco with the governor there saying it will likely bankrupt the state – and that it does not provide a better education for students.&nbsp;Nebraskans can avoid those problems by voting to repeal LB1402’s voucher scheme at the ballot box this November.”“Nebraska public schools consistently rank in the Top 10 in the nation – and are the heart of our communities,” Benson&nbsp; said. “Ninety percent of all children in Nebraska attend our public schools. Taxpayer dollars should be invested in strengthening our public schools. Now we redoubled our efforts to inform Nebraskans of the harm LB1402 will cause if it is not repealed.”The Secretary of State’s certification means election officials have confirmed petition circulators met all constitutional requirements. In July, public school supporters submitted more than 86,000 signatures – far surpassing the&nbsp; 61,621 signatures needed. The group gathered signatures from voters in every one of&nbsp; Nebraska’s 93 counties, and&nbsp;handily exceeded&nbsp;the 38-county requirement with 5% of voters signing the petition in more than 60 counties.Since last summer, the Support Our Schools Nebraska coalition has collected more than 200,000 signatures from Nebraskans who believe voters should decide whether public funds should be used to pay for private schools.Several Nebraska organizations are advocating for the Repeal of LB1402, including the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, the Nebraska PTA, Nebraska Farmers Union, OpenSky Policy Institute, Holland Children’s Movement, Stand For Schools, the ARC of Nebraska, the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, the Nebraska State Education Association and more.

It’s Official: Petition to Repeal Public Funding for Private Schools Certified for Ballot

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

WASHINGTON — Exactly two months out from the presidential election, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan plans to move ahead with the case accusing former President Donald Trump of subverting the 2020 presidential election results, telling Trump’s attorneys that she is “not concerned with the electoral schedule.”

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, did not appear in federal court for Thursday’s hearing in Washington, D.C., but his lawyers pleaded not guilty on his behalf to the four charges that remained unchanged in U.S. special counsel Jack Smith’s new indictment, filed last week.

The case had been in a holding pattern for eight months as Trump appealed his claim of presidential immunity all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Chutkan’s anticipated new timeline for the case — which she could release as early as Thursday — is still expected to assure Trump will not face trial before Election Day in November.

U.S. prosecutors say they are ready to restart the case in the coming weeks, while Trump’s team has argued for more time to review evidence and dismiss the superseding indictment.

The Supreme Court returned Trump’s case to the trial court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/presidential-immunity-covers-some-official-acts-supreme-court-rules-trump-case" target="_blank">after ruling</a>&nbsp;that former presidents are immune from criminal charges for official “core constitutional” acts while in office and hold at least presumptive immunity for “outer perimeter” activities, but not for personal actions.

This gave Chutkan, an Obama administration appointee, the major task of parsing Smith’s indictment, deciding which allegations against Trump fall under the umbrella of official acts and which relate to actions taken in a personal capacity.

Chutkan did not issue any decisions on immunity at the Thursday hearing but rather spent significant time grilling Trump’s attorney John Lauro on why he believes it is “unseemly” for Smith’s office to lay out its case this month in an opening brief. Thomas Windom, a federal prosecutor in Smith’s office, said the government would be ready to file the brief by the end of September.

Lauro argued that Smith wanting to file “at breakneck speed” is “incredibly unfair that they are able to put in the public record (evidence) at this sensitive time in our nation’s history.”

“I understand there’s an election impending,” Chutkan snapped back, reminding him that it “is not relevant here.”

“Three weeks is not exactly breakneck speed,” Chutkan added.

Lauro argues that Chutkan should examine parts of the indictment that accuse Trump of pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to accept false slates of electors leading up to Pence’s ceremonial role in certifying the election results on Jan. 6, 2021.

“The problem with that issue is if in fact the communications are immune, then the entire indictment fails,” Lauro argued.

“I’m not sure that’s my reading of the case,” Chutkan replied.

The government maintains that all actions and communications by Trump described in the new indictment were “private in nature,” Windom argued.

Chutkan also spent time during the roughly 75-minute hearing questioning Lauro on the Trump legal team’s numerous plans to request the case’s dismissal. One anticipated plan is to try its successful play in Florida, where a Trump-appointed federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-dismisses-trump-classified-documents-criminal-case" target="_blank">tossed</a>&nbsp;his classified documents case after Trump argued Smith was illegally appointed as special counsel.

Chutkan said she will allow the defense to file that motion but warned that attorneys must provide convincing arguments on why “binding precedent doesn’t hold” for the time-tested position of special prosecutor.

Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67656595/226/united-states-v-trump/" target="_blank">charged</a>&nbsp;with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights for his alleged role in conspiring to create false electors from seven states and spreading knowingly false information that whipped his supporters into a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

A federal grand jury handed up a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/special-counsel-smith-files-new-indictment-trumps-jan-6-case" target="_blank">revised indictment</a>&nbsp;Aug. 27 in an effort to tailor the charges to the Supreme Court’s July 1 immunity&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf" target="_blank">ruling</a>. The fresh indictment omitted any references to Trump’s alleged pressure campaign on Justice Department officials to meddle in state election results.

But the document added emphasis on Trump’s personal use of social media outside of his actions as president, and said he and several co-conspirators schemed outside of his official duties. The new indictment also stressed Trump’s pressure on Pence to accept the fake electors in his role outside of the executive branch as president of the Senate.

If Trump wins the Oval Office in November, he would have the power to hinder or altogether shut down the Department of Justice’s election interference case against him.

If he loses to Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, the case is sure to be set back by further delays, as the Trump team plans numerous challenges and will almost certainly appeal — likely to the Supreme Court again — Chutkan’s decisions on which allegations against Trump are or are not subject to immunity.

According to Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.229.0_4.pdf" target="_blank">joint filing</a>&nbsp;in which each side laid out plans for the case going forward, Trump’s team also warned they will challenge that Trump’s tweets and communication about the 2020 presidential results should be considered all official acts.

Additionally, Trump plans to file a motion to dismiss the case based on the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-ruling-obstruction-law-helps-cases-jan-6-defendants" target="_blank">June ruling</a>&nbsp;that a Jan. 6 rioter could not be charged with obstructing an official proceeding — a charge that Trump also faces.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725589977937.png" alt="Former President Trump at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former President Trump at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Exactly two months out from the presidential election, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan plans to move ahead with the case accusing former President Donald Trump of subverting the 2020 presidential election results, telling Trump’s attorneys that she is “not concerned with the electoral schedule.”Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, did not appear in federal court for Thursday’s hearing in Washington, D.C., but his lawyers pleaded not guilty on his behalf to the four charges that remained unchanged in U.S. special counsel Jack Smith’s new indictment, filed last week.The case had been in a holding pattern for eight months as Trump appealed his claim of presidential immunity all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Chutkan’s anticipated new timeline for the case — which she could release as early as Thursday — is still expected to assure Trump will not face trial before Election Day in November.U.S. prosecutors say they are ready to restart the case in the coming weeks, while Trump’s team has argued for more time to review evidence and dismiss the superseding indictment.The Supreme Court returned Trump’s case to the trial court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/presidential-immunity-covers-some-official-acts-supreme-court-rules-trump-case" target="_blank">after ruling</a>&nbsp;that former presidents are immune from criminal charges for official “core constitutional” acts while in office and hold at least presumptive immunity for “outer perimeter” activities, but not for personal actions.This gave Chutkan, an Obama administration appointee, the major task of parsing Smith’s indictment, deciding which allegations against Trump fall under the umbrella of official acts and which relate to actions taken in a personal capacity.<h2>Chutkan skeptical&nbsp;</h2>Chutkan did not issue any decisions on immunity at the Thursday hearing but rather spent significant time grilling Trump’s attorney John Lauro on why he believes it is “unseemly” for Smith’s office to lay out its case this month in an opening brief. Thomas Windom, a federal prosecutor in Smith’s office, said the government would be ready to file the brief by the end of September.Lauro argued that Smith wanting to file “at breakneck speed” is “incredibly unfair that they are able to put in the public record (evidence) at this sensitive time in our nation’s history.”“I understand there’s an election impending,” Chutkan snapped back, reminding him that it “is not relevant here.”“Three weeks is not exactly breakneck speed,” Chutkan added.Lauro argues that Chutkan should examine parts of the indictment that accuse Trump of pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to accept false slates of electors leading up to Pence’s ceremonial role in certifying the election results on Jan. 6, 2021.“The problem with that issue is if in fact the communications are immune, then the entire indictment fails,” Lauro argued.“I’m not sure that’s my reading of the case,” Chutkan replied.The government maintains that all actions and communications by Trump described in the new indictment were “private in nature,” Windom argued.Chutkan also spent time during the roughly 75-minute hearing questioning Lauro on the Trump legal team’s numerous plans to request the case’s dismissal. One anticipated plan is to try its successful play in Florida, where a Trump-appointed federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-dismisses-trump-classified-documents-criminal-case" target="_blank">tossed</a>&nbsp;his classified documents case after Trump argued Smith was illegally appointed as special counsel.Chutkan said she will allow the defense to file that motion but warned that attorneys must provide convincing arguments on why “binding precedent doesn’t hold” for the time-tested position of special prosecutor.<h2>New indictment, same charges</h2>Trump is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67656595/226/united-states-v-trump/" target="_blank">charged</a>&nbsp;with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights for his alleged role in conspiring to create false electors from seven states and spreading knowingly false information that whipped his supporters into a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.A federal grand jury handed up a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/special-counsel-smith-files-new-indictment-trumps-jan-6-case" target="_blank">revised indictment</a>&nbsp;Aug. 27 in an effort to tailor the charges to the Supreme Court’s July 1 immunity&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf" target="_blank">ruling</a>. The fresh indictment omitted any references to Trump’s alleged pressure campaign on Justice Department officials to meddle in state election results.But the document added emphasis on Trump’s personal use of social media outside of his actions as president, and said he and several co-conspirators schemed outside of his official duties. The new indictment also stressed Trump’s pressure on Pence to accept the fake electors in his role outside of the executive branch as president of the Senate.If Trump wins the Oval Office in November, he would have the power to hinder or altogether shut down the Department of Justice’s election interference case against him.If he loses to Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, the case is sure to be set back by further delays, as the Trump team plans numerous challenges and will almost certainly appeal — likely to the Supreme Court again — Chutkan’s decisions on which allegations against Trump are or are not subject to immunity.According to Friday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.229.0_4.pdf" target="_blank">joint filing</a>&nbsp;in which each side laid out plans for the case going forward, Trump’s team also warned they will challenge that Trump’s tweets and communication about the 2020 presidential results should be considered all official acts.Additionally, Trump plans to file a motion to dismiss the case based on the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-ruling-obstruction-law-helps-cases-jan-6-defendants" target="_blank">June ruling</a>&nbsp;that a Jan. 6 rioter could not be charged with obstructing an official proceeding — a charge that Trump also faces.

Judge: Trump’s Jan. 6 case won’t be delayed by upcoming election

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/usda-announces-7-3-billion-energy-investments-for-16-rural-cooperatives-including-one-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

The federal government announced $7.3 billion in investments Thursday for 16 rural electric cooperatives around the country, including one in Nebraska, that seek to expand clean energy.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a news release the funds come through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program that is part of other investments in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Private investments of more than $29 billion will aid the 16 cooperatives across 23 states in building more than 10 gigawatts of clean energy for rural communities.

The USDA said the investments will reduce or avoid at least 43.7 million tons of greenhouse gasses annually, the equivalent of removing more than 10 million cars from the road each year.

“Put simply, this is rural power, for rural America,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

One of the selectees is the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. that serves Nebraska in addition to Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. It is based in Colorado.

USDA states that investment will support retiring 1,100 megawatts of coal-fired generation in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico while procuring 1,480 megawatts of renewable energy through solar, wind and battery storage in the rural portions of its four service states.

The news release adds that the “transformative shift in resources” is estimated to create nearly 2,200 short- and long-term jobs, cut member costs by $422 million over 20 years, reduce climate pollution by nearly 5.8 million tons annually and lower greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of 1.4 million gas-powered cars annually.

Tri-State CEO Duane Highley said the New ERA program is the largest investment in rural electric cooperatives and their communities since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 passed under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

“We couldn’t be more excited by this opportunity to leverage New ERA to serve our cooperative’s members and support our communities through unparalleled investments that achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions while maintaining the reliable, affordable electricity rural communities count on,” Highley said in a statement.

The total list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/empowering-rural-america-program-project-announcements" target="_blank">first round selectees</a>&nbsp;under the New ERA program and the states they serve are:

Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/usda-announces-7-3-billion-energy-investments-for-16-rural-cooperatives-including-one-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>The federal government announced $7.3 billion in investments Thursday for 16 rural electric cooperatives around the country, including one in Nebraska, that seek to expand clean energy.The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a news release the funds come through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program that is part of other investments in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Private investments of more than $29 billion will aid the 16 cooperatives across 23 states in building more than 10 gigawatts of clean energy for rural communities.The USDA said the investments will reduce or avoid at least 43.7 million tons of greenhouse gasses annually, the equivalent of removing more than 10 million cars from the road each year.“Put simply, this is rural power, for rural America,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.Other purposes of the funds are to:<ul>
 <li>Deliver cleaner, more affordable and more resilient electricity to approximately 5 million households across 23 states, or about 20% of the nation’s rural households, farms, businesses and schools.</li><li>Support more than 4,500 permanent jobs and 16,000 construction jobs.</li><li>Reduce pollution by 2.9 billion tons over the course of the projects.</li><li>Build 1,892 megawatt hours of battery storage.</li>
 </ul>One of the selectees is the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. that serves Nebraska in addition to Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. It is based in Colorado.USDA states that investment will support retiring 1,100 megawatts of coal-fired generation in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico while procuring 1,480 megawatts of renewable energy through solar, wind and battery storage in the rural portions of its four service states.The news release adds that the “transformative shift in resources” is estimated to create nearly 2,200 short- and long-term jobs, cut member costs by $422 million over 20 years, reduce climate pollution by nearly 5.8 million tons annually and lower greenhouse gas pollution by the equivalent of 1.4 million gas-powered cars annually.Tri-State CEO Duane Highley said the New ERA program is the largest investment in rural electric cooperatives and their communities since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 passed under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.“We couldn’t be more excited by this opportunity to leverage New ERA to serve our cooperative’s members and support our communities through unparalleled investments that achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions while maintaining the reliable, affordable electricity rural communities count on,” Highley said in a statement.The total list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/empowering-rural-america-program-project-announcements" target="_blank">first round selectees</a>&nbsp;under the New ERA program and the states they serve are:<ul>
 <li>Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc.; Pennsylvania and New Jersey.</li><li>Arizona Electric Power Cooperative Inc.; Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico.</li><li>Basin Electric Power Cooperative; Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.</li><li>Buckeye Power Inc.; Ohio.</li><li>CORE Electric Cooperative; Colorado.</li><li>Dairyland Power Cooperative; Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.</li><li>East Kentucky Power Cooperative; Kentucky.</li><li>Golden Valley Electric Association; Alaska.</li><li>Great River Energy; Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.</li><li>Hoosier Energy; Indiana and Michigan.</li><li>Minnkota Power Cooperative; North Dakota and Minnesota.</li><li>San Miguel Electric Cooperative Inc.; Texas.</li><li>Seminole Electric Cooperative Inc.; Florida.</li><li>Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc.; Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska and Wyoming.</li><li>United Power; Colorado.</li><li>Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative; Michigan.</li>
 </ul>

USDA Announces $7.3 Billion Energy Investments for 16 Rural Cooperatives, Including one in Nebraska

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/04/legal-marijuana-now-party-wont-offer-a-nominee-for-nebraskas-u-s-senate-ballot/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The Legal Marijuana Now Party has decided it will put no name on the November ballot against Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn.

The close of business Tuesday was the party’s deadline to offer a name after its original nominee resigned. No replacement form was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office.

Mark Elworth Jr., who chairs the party, said Tuesday that the group chose not to run someone because supporters of Osborn and Kerry Eddy, the former nominee, threatened to sue.&nbsp;

“We don’t want to deal with it,” Elworth said. “We don’t fundraise. We have every right to run a candidate. We think Dan Osborn is dishonest.”

The party considered backing Ed Williams after Eddy, who won the party nomination in May, followed through on her pledge to quit the race and back Osborn if she thought he could win.

Some party members knew Williams from his work gathering signatures for the medical marijuana ballot initiatives.

Some longer-tenured members of the Legal Marijuana Now Party argued that Eddy and a group of Osborn supporters took over their party to clear the ballot for him in his run against Fischer.

Fewer names on the ballot consolidate protest votes against incumbents, giving challengers a better chance to secure more votes.

Eddy has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/30/kerry-eddy-leaves-nebraskas-u-s-senate-race-endorses-osborn-over-fischer/">denied she ran for that reason</a>. But she posted online during the primary that she might step aside for Osborn. She cited July polling as her reason for resigning.

Dustin Wahl, an Osborn campaign spokesman, said the campaign made no threats. He said the person who advised the party it couldn’t run another candidate was Eddy’s campaign treasurer.

In a letter Elworth shared with the Examiner, Eddy treasurer John Cartier argued the party had flubbed how it handled a convention Aug. 14 to weigh whether to replace Eddy.

He wrote that the party had illegally kicked out 19 people who voted against adding a new candidate. Elworth said the party had adopted a rule disallowing Osborn and Eddy supporters to participate in the convention, sharing a party Facebook post from before the gathering as evidence.

Cartier wrote that the party or its members could face a lawsuit and possible prosecution for potentially falsifying election-related documents if it replaced Eddy on the ballot. In a follow-up call, Cartier said he was not threatening the group.

“Due to not receiving the proper amount of votes and illegally kicking off multiple party members … filing for Mr. Williams to replace Kerry Eddy would be invalid,” Cartier wrote.

The party’s decision leaves only Fischer and Osborn on the ballot, since the Nebraska Democratic Party also decided not to run a write-in candidate.

Fischer criticized Osborn during an interview Tuesday for “playing games” with the Legal Marijuana Now Party and the Democratic Party.

Elworth, in a follow-up text, said he is so angry at Osborn and his supporters for what happened to his party that he plans to vote for Fischer, who opposes legalizing marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725542970081.jpeg" alt=" Signs in the bowels of the Nebraska State Capitol advocate for legalization of marijuana. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Signs in the bowels of the Nebraska State Capitol advocate for legalization of marijuana. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/04/legal-marijuana-now-party-wont-offer-a-nominee-for-nebraskas-u-s-senate-ballot/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The Legal Marijuana Now Party has decided it will put no name on the November ballot against Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn.The close of business Tuesday was the party’s deadline to offer a name after its original nominee resigned. No replacement form was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office.Mark Elworth Jr., who chairs the party, said Tuesday that the group chose not to run someone because supporters of Osborn and Kerry Eddy, the former nominee, threatened to sue.&nbsp;“We don’t want to deal with it,” Elworth said. “We don’t fundraise. We have every right to run a candidate. We think Dan Osborn is dishonest.”The party considered backing Ed Williams after Eddy, who won the party nomination in May, followed through on her pledge to quit the race and back Osborn if she thought he could win.Some party members knew Williams from his work gathering signatures for the medical marijuana ballot initiatives.<h2>Questions about party involvement</h2>Some longer-tenured members of the Legal Marijuana Now Party argued that Eddy and a group of Osborn supporters took over their party to clear the ballot for him in his run against Fischer.Fewer names on the ballot consolidate protest votes against incumbents, giving challengers a better chance to secure more votes.Eddy has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/30/kerry-eddy-leaves-nebraskas-u-s-senate-race-endorses-osborn-over-fischer/">denied she ran for that reason</a>. But she posted online during the primary that she might step aside for Osborn. She cited July polling as her reason for resigning.Dustin Wahl, an Osborn campaign spokesman, said the campaign made no threats. He said the person who advised the party it couldn’t run another candidate was Eddy’s campaign treasurer.<h2>Focus on letter</h2>In a letter Elworth shared with the Examiner, Eddy treasurer John Cartier argued the party had flubbed how it handled a convention Aug. 14 to weigh whether to replace Eddy.He wrote that the party had illegally kicked out 19 people who voted against adding a new candidate. Elworth said the party had adopted a rule disallowing Osborn and Eddy supporters to participate in the convention, sharing a party Facebook post from before the gathering as evidence.Cartier wrote that the party or its members could face a lawsuit and possible prosecution for potentially falsifying election-related documents if it replaced Eddy on the ballot. In a follow-up call, Cartier said he was not threatening the group.“Due to not receiving the proper amount of votes and illegally kicking off multiple party members … filing for Mr. Williams to replace Kerry Eddy would be invalid,” Cartier wrote.The party’s decision leaves only Fischer and Osborn on the ballot, since the Nebraska Democratic Party also decided not to run a write-in candidate.Fischer criticized Osborn during an interview Tuesday for “playing games” with the Legal Marijuana Now Party and the Democratic Party.Elworth, in a follow-up text, said he is so angry at Osborn and his supporters for what happened to his party that he plans to vote for Fischer, who opposes legalizing marijuana.

Legal Marijuana Now Party won’t offer a nominee for Nebraska’s U.S. Senate ballot

JERUSALEM —Salvage efforts continue in the Red Sea after&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers, the Panama flagged/owned, Greek operated MV BLUE LAGOON I and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV AMJAD, with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack drone hitting both vessels, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

 Both vessels are laden with crude oil. The MV AMJAD is carrying approximately two million barrels of oil, almost twice the amount onboard the Greek-owned MV DELTA SOUNION, which the Houthis attacked on Aug. 21. 

The disabled MV DELTA SOUNION was on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.

These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk.. 

In addition U.S. forces this week successfully destroyed three terrorist missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708804229711.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —Salvage efforts continue in the Red Sea after&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers, the Panama flagged/owned, Greek operated MV BLUE LAGOON I and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV AMJAD, with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack drone hitting both vessels, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. Both vessels are laden with crude oil. The MV AMJAD is carrying approximately two million barrels of oil, almost twice the amount onboard the Greek-owned MV DELTA SOUNION, which the Houthis attacked on Aug. 21. The disabled MV DELTA SOUNION was on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk.. In addition U.S. forces this week successfully destroyed three terrorist missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

US military: Terrorists attack more oil tankers in the Red Sea

Nebraska Department of Transportation

Sept. 4, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) — As Nebraska football welcomes an old rival back to Lincoln on Saturday evening, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) reminds drivers to be ready for an increase in traffic, especially along Interstate 80.

When traveling to Lincoln, plan for heavier traffic and road construction along the way. Drivers should allow more time to get to their destination and prepare for heavier than normal traffic coming from and toward Colorado. 

NDOT reminds travelers that construction is active for the following areas:

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

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

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

• Hwy 77 and Hwy 109 Junction near Wahoo. This is a one lane, head-to-head traffic pattern with a reduced speed limit. Additionally, use caution when coming into Lincoln on Interstate 180 (I-180).

 Due to hotel construction near Memorial Stadium, I-180 will have lane restrictions to accommodate pedestrian traffic as you arrive in downtown Lincoln. Watch for pedestrians and expect traffic to travel slower in this area.

With an evening kickoff, NDOT suggests people designate a sober driver or ride if their gameday festivities includes drinking. Just as importantly, remember to put the phone down and buckle up before you leave. Before hitting the road, set your favorite navigation app with your destination, this is a beneficial resource for traffic updates.

For more information about construction projects and lane closures, check <a href="https://511.nebraska.gov/@-101.38885,41.73038,7?show=roadReports,constructionReports,winterDriving,weatherWarningsAreaEvents,weatherRadar">511 Nebraska</a> and the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities <a href="https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/LTU/LTU-Projects">website</a>, Facebook or X. For gameday information, visit the Husker’s <a href="https://huskers.com/football-game-day-information">website</a><a href="https://huskers.com/football-game-day-information"></a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725480551595.jpeg" alt="I-80 near Lincoln (NE 511)" />
 <figcaption>I-80 near Lincoln (NE 511)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska Department of TransportationSept. 4, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) — As Nebraska football welcomes an old rival back to Lincoln on Saturday evening, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) reminds drivers to be ready for an increase in traffic, especially along Interstate 80.When traveling to Lincoln, plan for heavier traffic and road construction along the way. Drivers should allow more time to get to their destination and prepare for heavier than normal traffic coming from and toward Colorado. NDOT reminds travelers that construction is active for the following areas:• I-80 from the Lexington interchange (MM 237) to the Overton interchange (MM 248). This is reduced to one lane, each direction, with a 65 miles per hour speed limit, zipper merge when necessary.• I-80 from the Elm Creek interchange (MM 252) to the Odessa interchange (MM 264). This is a one lane, head-to-head traffic pattern with a 65 miles per hour speed limit, zipper merge when necessary.• I-80 from the Pleasant Dale interchange (MM 388) to NW 48th Street interchange (MM 395) in Lincoln. The speed limit is 65 miles per hour in this construction zone.• Hwy 77 and Hwy 109 Junction near Wahoo. This is a one lane, head-to-head traffic pattern with a reduced speed limit. Additionally, use caution when coming into Lincoln on Interstate 180 (I-180). Due to hotel construction near Memorial Stadium, I-180 will have lane restrictions to accommodate pedestrian traffic as you arrive in downtown Lincoln. Watch for pedestrians and expect traffic to travel slower in this area.With an evening kickoff, NDOT suggests people designate a sober driver or ride if their gameday festivities includes drinking. Just as importantly, remember to put the phone down and buckle up before you leave. Before hitting the road, set your favorite navigation app with your destination, this is a beneficial resource for traffic updates.For more information about construction projects and lane closures, check <a href="https://511.nebraska.gov/@-101.38885,41.73038,7?show=roadReports,constructionReports,winterDriving,weatherWarningsAreaEvents,weatherRadar">511 Nebraska</a> and the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities <a href="https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/LTU/LTU-Projects">website</a>, Facebook or X. For gameday information, visit the Husker’s <a href="https://huskers.com/football-game-day-information">website</a><a href="https://huskers.com/football-game-day-information"></a>.

Rivalry Increases Game Day Traffic

The Justice Department Wednesday announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as “Doppelganger,” in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws, according to the United State's Department of Justice.

 As alleged in an unsealed affidavit, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, and in particular First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/doppelganger_affidavit_9.4.24.pdf">Click here to read the</a> affidavit

In conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2559" target="_blank">designation&nbsp;</a>of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This announcement follows the designation of actors involved in Doppelganger&nbsp;<a href="https://vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fhome.treasury.gov%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2Fjy2195%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000191be104440-359d8f36-c9ed-4091-98ab-d28ec7dc8a9b-000000/TTf56XNwl_FEn5At6qVT5zUK1KI=390" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;by the Treasury Department in March.

“The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As alleged in our court filings, President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, including Sergei Kiriyenko, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives as part of a campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. 

An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that a goal of the campaign is to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election. The sites we are seizing today were filled with Russian government propaganda that had been created by the Kremlin to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies and interests, and influence voters in the United States and other countries. Our actions today make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by the Russian government, or any other malign actor, to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy.”

“The Department’s seizure of 32 internet domains secretly deployed to spread foreign malign influence demonstrates once again that Russia remains a predominant foreign threat to our elections,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “At Putin’s direction, Russian companies SDA, Structura, and ANO Dialog used cybersquatting, fabricated influencers, and fake profiles to covertly promote AI-generated false narratives on social media. 

Those narratives targeted specific American demographics and regions in a calculated effort to subvert our election. Our republic depends on elections that are free from foreign interference, and we will not rest in our efforts to expose foreign malign influence operations and protect our democracy, without fear or favor.”

“Today’s announcement exposes the scope of the Russian government’s influence operations and their reliance on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Companies operating at the direction of the Russian government created websites to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda.&nbsp; By seizing these websites, the FBI is making clear to the world what they are, Russian attempts to interfere in our elections and influence our society.&nbsp; The FBI will continue to work with our partners to expose and shutdown these covert influence campaigns.”

“This seizure illustrates vividly what the U.S. government and private sector partners have warned for months: the Russian government and its proxies are aggressively accelerating the Kremlin’s covert efforts to seed false stories and amplify disinformation directed at the American public,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s announcement reveals Russia is willing to impersonate our free and open press in its egregious schemes."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725475035602.png" alt="The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations.-image U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations.-image U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>The Justice Department Wednesday announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as “Doppelganger,” in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws, according to the United State's Department of Justice.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Attorney General Merrick Garland details two law enforcement actions to crack down on a Russian influence campaign intended to spread propaganda and sway U.S. elections. <a href="https://t.co/IsvStfYlgK">pic.twitter.com/IsvStfYlgK</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1831437967283437581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> As alleged in an unsealed affidavit, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, and in particular First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/doppelganger_affidavit_9.4.24.pdf">Click here to read the</a> affidavitIn conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2559" target="_blank">designation&nbsp;</a>of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This announcement follows the designation of actors involved in Doppelganger&nbsp;<a href="https://vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fhome.treasury.gov%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2Fjy2195%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000191be104440-359d8f36-c9ed-4091-98ab-d28ec7dc8a9b-000000/TTf56XNwl_FEn5At6qVT5zUK1KI=390" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;by the Treasury Department in March.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725475113269.png" alt="The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations -image U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations -image U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>“The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As alleged in our court filings, President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, including Sergei Kiriyenko, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives as part of a campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that a goal of the campaign is to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election. The sites we are seizing today were filled with Russian government propaganda that had been created by the Kremlin to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies and interests, and influence voters in the United States and other countries. Our actions today make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by the Russian government, or any other malign actor, to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy.”“The Department’s seizure of 32 internet domains secretly deployed to spread foreign malign influence demonstrates once again that Russia remains a predominant foreign threat to our elections,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “At Putin’s direction, Russian companies SDA, Structura, and ANO Dialog used cybersquatting, fabricated influencers, and fake profiles to covertly promote AI-generated false narratives on social media. Those narratives targeted specific American demographics and regions in a calculated effort to subvert our election. Our republic depends on elections that are free from foreign interference, and we will not rest in our efforts to expose foreign malign influence operations and protect our democracy, without fear or favor.”“Today’s announcement exposes the scope of the Russian government’s influence operations and their reliance on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Companies operating at the direction of the Russian government created websites to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda.&nbsp; By seizing these websites, the FBI is making clear to the world what they are, Russian attempts to interfere in our elections and influence our society.&nbsp; The FBI will continue to work with our partners to expose and shutdown these covert influence campaigns.”“This seizure illustrates vividly what the U.S. government and private sector partners have warned for months: the Russian government and its proxies are aggressively accelerating the Kremlin’s covert efforts to seed false stories and amplify disinformation directed at the American public,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s announcement reveals Russia is willing to impersonate our free and open press in its egregious schemes.""This is our third disruption of Russian foreign malign influence operations in two months, and the Justice Department remains relentless in protecting Americans from such unacceptable conduct. To Russia, and any other government seeking to stoke discord in our society: know that we will spare no effort and use every available tool to disrupt and expose this malign activity and defend our democratic institutions.”“Protecting our democratic processes from foreign malign influence is paramount to ensure enduring public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “As America’s adversaries continue to spew propaganda and disinformation towards the American electorate, we’ll use every tool at our disposal to expose and dismantle their insidious foreign influence campaigns.”The propaganda did not identify, and in fact purposefully obfuscated, the Russian government or its agents as the source of the content. The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibit_1_washingtonpost.pm__1.pdf">registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com</a>), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations. In other instances, the perpetrators sought to create their own unique media brands to promote Doppelganger content (e.g., Recent Reliable News). Among the methods Doppelganger used to drive viewership to the cybersquatted and unique media domains was the deployment of “influencers” worldwide, paid social media advertisements (in some cases created using artificial intelligence tools), and the creation of social media profiles posing as U.S. (or other non-Russian) citizens to post comments on social media platforms with links to the cybersquatted domains, all of which attempted to trick viewers into believing they were being directed to a legitimate news media outlet’s website.OverviewThe affidavit describes the perpetrators’ own internal strategy meeting notes, project proposals, and other records obtained during the course of the investigation. Several notable propaganda project proposals directed against the United States included:<ul>
 <li>Good Old USA Project: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_8a_and_8b.pdf">8A, 8B</a></li><li>The Guerilla Media Campaign: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_9a_and_9b.pdf">9A, 9B</a></li><li>U.S. Social Media Influencers Network Project: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_10a_and_10b.pdf">10A, 10B</a></li>
 </ul>Doppelganger’s foreign malign influence efforts were not directed solely against audiences in the United States. Other targets of the perpetrators’ propaganda included Germany, Mexico, and Israel, among others. Doppelganger’s influence campaigns sought to influence the citizenry of those countries to support Russian government objectives, including by undermining the United States’ relationship with those countries.Doppelganger’s use of the U.S.-based domain names at the direction and control of, and for the benefit of, sanctioned persons, including Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, SDA, and Structura, violates the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). As a result, the accompanying payments for Doppelganger’s online infrastructure violate federal money laundering laws. In addition, Doppelganger’s publication of content on cybersquatted domains with names and content that mimic legitimate media outlets violates federal criminal trademark laws because those domains feature trademarks registered on the Principal Register maintained by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is investigating the case.The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.