JULY 29, 2024 (YORK, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol located 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and arrested two people during a traffic stop Saturday on Interstate 80 near York.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday, a trooper stopped a Hyundai Sonata for speeding on I-80, near mile marker 355. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.&nbsp;

Prior to towing the vehicle, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.

The driver, Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and passenger, Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, both of Omaha, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both were lodged in York County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280995060.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolJULY 29, 2024 (YORK, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol located 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and arrested two people during a traffic stop Saturday on Interstate 80 near York.At approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday, a trooper stopped a Hyundai Sonata for speeding on I-80, near mile marker 355. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.&nbsp;Prior to towing the vehicle, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.The driver, Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and passenger, Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, both of Omaha, were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both were lodged in York County Jail.

Troopers Find 77 LBs of Meth in Traffic Stop Near York

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/nebraska-pitched-as-possible-destination-for-climate-migrants/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — For much of its history, Nebraska has been seen as a challenging place to set down roots.

From its early frontier description as “The Great American Desert” and a place only “bugeaters” could love, to now being lumped together with other “flyover” states of the Great Plains, the state has lacked the soaring mountains, sandy beaches and mild winters of other states.

The result? Many one-time Huskers have moved on, and it’s difficult to convince people from other states to move here.

But earlier this month, a group of 25 people gathered in a noisy corner of Morrill Hall to discuss what they see as an opportunity for revitalization and resettlement of the small towns and cities of Midwestern states including Nebraska.

The impetus? A predicted wave of “climate migrants” seeking new homes away from flooded coastal cities impacted by climate change.

“We need to be thinking ahead,” said Hillary Brown, a&nbsp;professor emeritus of architecture and former director of the Urban&nbsp;Sustainability&nbsp;Program at the City College of New York.

Brown and Daniel Brooks, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate and now&nbsp;professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology&nbsp;at the University of Toronto, were the featured speakers at the July 18 symposium.&nbsp;

They co-authored an article in 2021 entitled, “How managed retreat from climate change could revitalize rural America.”&nbsp;

Brown and Brooks pointed to examples of Midwestern towns that have taken steps to enhance their quality of life and attract new residents.

One was Ord, in central Nebraska, where Brooks said a strong commitment to economic development had increased a key demographic group — young people and families, ages 30-34 — by 54% between 2000 and 2010.

Norfolk was also mentioned, where a major downtown renovation project includes a “whitewater park” several blocks long, for kayaks, canoes and float tubes.

Clinton, Iowa, restoredits historic Main Street and enhanced its green infrastructure, such as bike trails,&nbsp; Brown said.

One of the participants, Bruce Johnson, a professor emeritus of agriculture economics at UNL, said the event was an appropriate “conversation starter” about something that could be “a regeneration of homesteading.”&nbsp;

“We have a very genuine opportunity to turn the corner on population decline in a majority of our counties,” said Johnson, who grew up in the northeast Nebraska farm town of Wausa.

Climate change is real, Brooks and Brown said, and rising sea levels, increased wildfires, drought and other extreme weather will force a mass migration of people that Nebraska’s small towns and cities could capitalize on.

By 2050, the United Nations’ refugee agency is projecting that 1.2 billion people worldwide will have been displaced by climate-related changes and disasters.

Brooks said a sudden collapse of the melting ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica could raise sea levels by as much as 10 feet, forcing a panicked wave of climate migrants, who may have lost everything and must seek emergency shelter.

He and Brown, however, said that a more managed and orderly retreat from the coasts and climate-impacted areas — by rebuilding in safer areas before disaster hits — is much preferable. Nebraska communities, they said, should begin planning and preparing for a possible new wave of homesteaders by providing amenities they will need.

Brown said between 4 million and 13 million people living in coastal cities will need to seek new homes in “climate havens” such as Nebraska.&nbsp;

Climate-related migration is already happening in the U.S., and Brooks said the rate of climate-related problems is expected to accelerate in coming years, increasing the migration.

Hurricane Katrina displaced 800,000 people from New Orleans in 2005 and 2006 who sought new homes elsewhere in the United States, Brown said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, natural disasters in 2022 displaced 3.2 million people, of whom 500,000 had not returned to their homes by the end of 2023.

Since most climate refugees find new homes within their own country, that provides a great opportunity for rural places, Brooks and Brown maintained, because they predict such refugees will want to live outside of “crowded and stressed urban areas.”

To be sure, not everyone agrees with their dire warnings of a mass migration.&nbsp;

And a map that predicted the top “receiver” counties in the U.S. that Brown displayed during her presentation didn’t list any in Nebraska. Instead, it showed areas of North and South Dakota, northwest Iowa and Minnesota as top destinations, along with portions of northern Michigan and Wisconsin, the Appalachians, northern New England and the Pacific Northwest.

Some authorities predict that while there will be climate migrants, they will more likely move within their own region — not across the country — so they can be near family members and continue to take advantage of the amenities and good jobs in coastal areas.

Others maintain that the prediction of 1.2 billion climate migrants by 2050 is inaccurate. Still others point to surveys that indicate economic factors, rather than climate, as the main drivers of migration.&nbsp;

The map that bypassed Nebraska as a top “receiver” area for climate migrants was developed as a project by the environmental group Proactive Leadership Advocating for Climate and Equity.

The map was based on whether an area had a low risk of such factors as extreme heat, reduced crop yields, wildfires and economic damages.

Nebraska had its second-worst wildfire season in recent history in 2022, and last month, 14 inches of rain caused devastating floods in northwest Iowa and along the Missouri River. By 2100, Brooks said, average temperatures in Nebraska are predicted to rise by 4 to 9 degrees, with up to 25 days with temperatures over 100, and heavy precipitation events increasing by 16%.

Brooks and Brown downplayed the map, saying that it is only one opinion and is not “the last word” on where such migration might occur.

Johnson, the UNL emeritus professor, also disputed the map. He said climate migrants fleeing drought and shortages of drinking water will be looking for places with abundant water resources such as Nebraska, which sits on top of two-thirds of the resources of the Ogallala Aquifer.&nbsp;

“It’s unmatched,” he said of the state’s abundance of water.

During the symposium, Chuck Hibberd, a board member at the Nebraska Community Foundation, asked those present to list what climate migrants might want in a new home and what might attract or deter them.

He pointed out that Nebraska has an estimated 72,000 unfilled jobs, so employers are looking for new workers. Amenities listed by those attending included good housing, schools and medical facilities, affordable homes and safe communities.

Brown said people also will be looking for places that have low risk for climate-related disasters, entrepreneurial opportunities and innovative leadership that has taken steps to address climate change. Migrants may also want access to cultural activities, such as an orchestra, ballet or music venue, she said.

Towns urged to get ‘more interesting’

Another participant, Chuck Hassebrook, the former longtime head of the Center for Rural Affairs, said it is important to make small towns “more interesting.” He mentioned development of historical and cultural assets, hike/bike and kayak trails and other local recreation opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Brooks, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNL, said communities seeking to capitalize on climate migration need to decide what steps are needed to make their area more attractive to new settlers.

“You need to make your town more interesting and with a quality of life that will help attract people,” he said.

The first-ever symposium celebrated the 100th birthday of Mary Louise Hanson Pritchard, the founding curator of the H.W. Manter Laboratory, Division of Parasitology at the State Museum. Brooks was a student of Pritchard’s.

Initiative creating ‘soil health hubs’

During the symposium, Bruce Johnson, the UNL emeritus professor, pitched a local organization, the Nebraska Elder Climate Legacy Initiative, which lobbies and promotes steps to deal with climate change.

One initiative already underway, he said, is to help create “soil health hubs” across the state to inform farmers about best practices to enhance soil health and protect water quality. The initiative is an outgrowth of Legislative Bill 925, a 2022 bill passed by the State Legislature to create a network of local producers/educators to spread and demonstrate best practices for soil health.

Johnson said the group is also promoting passage of a state constitutional amendment, similar to one adopted in Montana, that requires state agencies to consider greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts when reviewing proposed major projects.

For more information, access the website&nbsp;<a href="http://elderclimatelegacy.org/" target="_blank">elderclimatelegacy.org</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722282597358.jpeg" alt="Daniel Brooks, left, and Hillary Brown told an audience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that climate change will present an opportunity to repopulate and revive rural towns. (Paul Hammel for the Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Daniel Brooks, left, and Hillary Brown told an audience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that climate change will present an opportunity to repopulate and revive rural towns. (Paul Hammel for the Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/29/nebraska-pitched-as-possible-destination-for-climate-migrants/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — For much of its history, Nebraska has been seen as a challenging place to set down roots.From its early frontier description as “The Great American Desert” and a place only “bugeaters” could love, to now being lumped together with other “flyover” states of the Great Plains, the state has lacked the soaring mountains, sandy beaches and mild winters of other states.The result? Many one-time Huskers have moved on, and it’s difficult to convince people from other states to move here.But earlier this month, a group of 25 people gathered in a noisy corner of Morrill Hall to discuss what they see as an opportunity for revitalization and resettlement of the small towns and cities of Midwestern states including Nebraska.The impetus? A predicted wave of “climate migrants” seeking new homes away from flooded coastal cities impacted by climate change.“We need to be thinking ahead,” said Hillary Brown, a&nbsp;professor emeritus of architecture and former director of the Urban&nbsp;Sustainability&nbsp;Program at the City College of New York.<h2>‘Managed retreat’</h2>Brown and Daniel Brooks, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate and now&nbsp;professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology&nbsp;at the University of Toronto, were the featured speakers at the July 18 symposium.&nbsp;They co-authored an article in 2021 entitled, “How managed retreat from climate change could revitalize rural America.”&nbsp;<h2>Quality of life</h2>Brown and Brooks pointed to examples of Midwestern towns that have taken steps to enhance their quality of life and attract new residents.One was Ord, in central Nebraska, where Brooks said a strong commitment to economic development had increased a key demographic group — young people and families, ages 30-34 — by 54% between 2000 and 2010.Norfolk was also mentioned, where a major downtown renovation project includes a “whitewater park” several blocks long, for kayaks, canoes and float tubes.Clinton, Iowa, restoredits historic Main Street and enhanced its green infrastructure, such as bike trails,&nbsp; Brown said.One of the participants, Bruce Johnson, a professor emeritus of agriculture economics at UNL, said the event was an appropriate “conversation starter” about something that could be “a regeneration of homesteading.”&nbsp;“We have a very genuine opportunity to turn the corner on population decline in a majority of our counties,” said Johnson, who grew up in the northeast Nebraska farm town of Wausa.Climate change is real, Brooks and Brown said, and rising sea levels, increased wildfires, drought and other extreme weather will force a mass migration of people that Nebraska’s small towns and cities could capitalize on.<h2>A projected 1.2 billion displaced</h2>By 2050, the United Nations’ refugee agency is projecting that 1.2 billion people worldwide will have been displaced by climate-related changes and disasters.Brooks said a sudden collapse of the melting ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica could raise sea levels by as much as 10 feet, forcing a panicked wave of climate migrants, who may have lost everything and must seek emergency shelter.He and Brown, however, said that a more managed and orderly retreat from the coasts and climate-impacted areas — by rebuilding in safer areas before disaster hits — is much preferable. Nebraska communities, they said, should begin planning and preparing for a possible new wave of homesteaders by providing amenities they will need.Brown said between 4 million and 13 million people living in coastal cities will need to seek new homes in “climate havens” such as Nebraska.&nbsp;Climate-related migration is already happening in the U.S., and Brooks said the rate of climate-related problems is expected to accelerate in coming years, increasing the migration.Hurricane Katrina displaced 800,000 people from New Orleans in 2005 and 2006 who sought new homes elsewhere in the United States, Brown said.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, natural disasters in 2022 displaced 3.2 million people, of whom 500,000 had not returned to their homes by the end of 2023.Since most climate refugees find new homes within their own country, that provides a great opportunity for rural places, Brooks and Brown maintained, because they predict such refugees will want to live outside of “crowded and stressed urban areas.”<h2>Not all agree</h2>To be sure, not everyone agrees with their dire warnings of a mass migration.&nbsp;And a map that predicted the top “receiver” counties in the U.S. that Brown displayed during her presentation didn’t list any in Nebraska. Instead, it showed areas of North and South Dakota, northwest Iowa and Minnesota as top destinations, along with portions of northern Michigan and Wisconsin, the Appalachians, northern New England and the Pacific Northwest.Some authorities predict that while there will be climate migrants, they will more likely move within their own region — not across the country — so they can be near family members and continue to take advantage of the amenities and good jobs in coastal areas.Others maintain that the prediction of 1.2 billion climate migrants by 2050 is inaccurate. Still others point to surveys that indicate economic factors, rather than climate, as the main drivers of migration.&nbsp;The map that bypassed Nebraska as a top “receiver” area for climate migrants was developed as a project by the environmental group Proactive Leadership Advocating for Climate and Equity.The map was based on whether an area had a low risk of such factors as extreme heat, reduced crop yields, wildfires and economic damages.Nebraska had its second-worst wildfire season in recent history in 2022, and last month, 14 inches of rain caused devastating floods in northwest Iowa and along the Missouri River. By 2100, Brooks said, average temperatures in Nebraska are predicted to rise by 4 to 9 degrees, with up to 25 days with temperatures over 100, and heavy precipitation events increasing by 16%.Brooks and Brown downplayed the map, saying that it is only one opinion and is not “the last word” on where such migration might occur.Johnson, the UNL emeritus professor, also disputed the map. He said climate migrants fleeing drought and shortages of drinking water will be looking for places with abundant water resources such as Nebraska, which sits on top of two-thirds of the resources of the Ogallala Aquifer.&nbsp;“It’s unmatched,” he said of the state’s abundance of water.During the symposium, Chuck Hibberd, a board member at the Nebraska Community Foundation, asked those present to list what climate migrants might want in a new home and what might attract or deter them.He pointed out that Nebraska has an estimated 72,000 unfilled jobs, so employers are looking for new workers. Amenities listed by those attending included good housing, schools and medical facilities, affordable homes and safe communities.Brown said people also will be looking for places that have low risk for climate-related disasters, entrepreneurial opportunities and innovative leadership that has taken steps to address climate change. Migrants may also want access to cultural activities, such as an orchestra, ballet or music venue, she said.<h2>Towns urged to get ‘more interesting’</h2>Another participant, Chuck Hassebrook, the former longtime head of the Center for Rural Affairs, said it is important to make small towns “more interesting.” He mentioned development of historical and cultural assets, hike/bike and kayak trails and other local recreation opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Brooks, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNL, said communities seeking to capitalize on climate migration need to decide what steps are needed to make their area more attractive to new settlers.“You need to make your town more interesting and with a quality of life that will help attract people,” he said.The first-ever symposium celebrated the 100th birthday of Mary Louise Hanson Pritchard, the founding curator of the H.W. Manter Laboratory, Division of Parasitology at the State Museum. Brooks was a student of Pritchard’s.<h2>Initiative creating ‘soil health hubs’</h2>During the symposium, Bruce Johnson, the UNL emeritus professor, pitched a local organization, the Nebraska Elder Climate Legacy Initiative, which lobbies and promotes steps to deal with climate change.One initiative already underway, he said, is to help create “soil health hubs” across the state to inform farmers about best practices to enhance soil health and protect water quality. The initiative is an outgrowth of Legislative Bill 925, a 2022 bill passed by the State Legislature to create a network of local producers/educators to spread and demonstrate best practices for soil health.Johnson said the group is also promoting passage of a state constitutional amendment, similar to one adopted in Montana, that requires state agencies to consider greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts when reviewing proposed major projects.For more information, access the website&nbsp;<a href="http://elderclimatelegacy.org/" target="_blank">elderclimatelegacy.org</a>

Nebraska pitched as possible destination for ‘climate migrants’

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/ne-lawmaker-calls-proposed-homestead-exemption-universal-relief-for-husker-homeowners/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — An alternative tax relief measure to be considered by state lawmakers would exempt from property taxes the first $100,000 of a Nebraskan’s home value.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha described his homestead exemption proposal as targeted tax relief to Nebraska homeowners and not, as he said, “big out-of-state property owners” such as Ted Turner and Bill Gates.

“If we are serious about giving relief to homeowners, and not large wealthy landowners, this is a possible solution,” Cavanaugh said on social media.

He introduced Legislative Bill 22 Friday, the second day of the special legislative session called by Gov. Jim Pillen to try to alleviate property tax burden for Nebraskans. The Legislature will be entertaining and debating various ways to achieve that goal.

Cavanaugh told the Nebraska Examiner that he sought to focus on the problem people are talking about: Nebraskans, including older people on fixed incomes, who are getting priced out of their own homes because property taxes are rising so high.

He said state funding would cover the loss resulting from the exemption laid out in LB 22, which he estimated might cost roughly $900 million the first year. He estimated that it would offer an individual household in Omaha a $2,200 annual break.

Possible ways to cover the cost, Cavanaugh said, could include pausing income tax cuts or repealing the Perkins County Canal project and directing funds toward property tax relief. The Legislature appropriated $574 million in 2023 toward the controversial canal initiative, still in its planning phase, that would ensure Colorado sends water Nebraska is owed based on a century-old South Platte River Compact.

LB 22, Cavanaugh said, is aimed at owner-occupied homes. (Separate legislation, he noted, has been introduced already that aims to provide relief to renters.)

He described his proposal as a more “universal” homestead exemption that would not replace, but rather add to the current Nebraska homestead exemption program. The existing program is a property tax relief program only for certain categories of homeowners, including income-eligible people over 65 years of age, qualified disabled individuals and qualified totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.

“This would be meaningful tax relief to most Nebraskans,” Cavanaugh said.

State Sen. Jen Day of the Omaha area on Friday also introduced a proposal related to homestead exemptions. Her Legislative Bill 30 focuses on expanding benefits to certain other levels of disabled veterans and surviving spouses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722270554192.jpeg" alt="State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha talks with attendees of a listening session on property taxes in Omaha on July 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha talks with attendees of a listening session on property taxes in Omaha on July 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/ne-lawmaker-calls-proposed-homestead-exemption-universal-relief-for-husker-homeowners/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — An alternative tax relief measure to be considered by state lawmakers would exempt from property taxes the first $100,000 of a Nebraskan’s home value.State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha described his homestead exemption proposal as targeted tax relief to Nebraska homeowners and not, as he said, “big out-of-state property owners” such as Ted Turner and Bill Gates.“If we are serious about giving relief to homeowners, and not large wealthy landowners, this is a possible solution,” Cavanaugh said on social media.He introduced Legislative Bill 22 Friday, the second day of the special legislative session called by Gov. Jim Pillen to try to alleviate property tax burden for Nebraskans. The Legislature will be entertaining and debating various ways to achieve that goal.Cavanaugh told the Nebraska Examiner that he sought to focus on the problem people are talking about: Nebraskans, including older people on fixed incomes, who are getting priced out of their own homes because property taxes are rising so high.He said state funding would cover the loss resulting from the exemption laid out in LB 22, which he estimated might cost roughly $900 million the first year. He estimated that it would offer an individual household in Omaha a $2,200 annual break.Possible ways to cover the cost, Cavanaugh said, could include pausing income tax cuts or repealing the Perkins County Canal project and directing funds toward property tax relief. The Legislature appropriated $574 million in 2023 toward the controversial canal initiative, still in its planning phase, that would ensure Colorado sends water Nebraska is owed based on a century-old South Platte River Compact.LB 22, Cavanaugh said, is aimed at owner-occupied homes. (Separate legislation, he noted, has been introduced already that aims to provide relief to renters.)He described his proposal as a more “universal” homestead exemption that would not replace, but rather add to the current Nebraska homestead exemption program. The existing program is a property tax relief program only for certain categories of homeowners, including income-eligible people over 65 years of age, qualified disabled individuals and qualified totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.“This would be meaningful tax relief to most Nebraskans,” Cavanaugh said.State Sen. Jen Day of the Omaha area on Friday also introduced a proposal related to homestead exemptions. Her Legislative Bill 30 focuses on expanding benefits to certain other levels of disabled veterans and surviving spouses.

NE lawmaker calls proposed homestead exemption ‘universal’ relief for Husker homeowners

Nebraska National Forest and Grassland

Chadron, NE July 29, 2024&nbsp;- Due to rapidly drying wildland fuels and predicted hot and dry weather, the Nebraska National Forests &amp; Grasslands, plan to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, beginning Tuesday, July 30 at 1:00 a.m.  Restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have improved sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.&nbsp;

 Stage I fire restrictions prohibit the following:&nbsp;

Exemptions to restrictions include the following:&nbsp;

Fire Restrictions will apply to all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the NNFG with the exception of designated developed recreation sites.&nbsp;Fires are only allowed in metal fire rings and/or metal pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service in developed recreation sites. For further information, persons can call the Pine Ridge Ranger District at 308-432-0300; the Fall River Ranger District at 605-745-4107 or the Wall Ranger District at 605-279-2126.

It is important to note that all the Black Hills National Forest and the Ft. Pierre Ranger District of the NNFG remain in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions year-round.

Nebraska National Forest and GrasslandChadron, NE July 29, 2024&nbsp;- Due to rapidly drying wildland fuels and predicted hot and dry weather, the Nebraska National Forests &amp; Grasslands, plan to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, beginning Tuesday, July 30 at 1:00 a.m.  Restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have improved sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280677645.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Stage I fire restrictions prohibit the following:&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) except if it is in:</li><li>A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);</li><li>A&nbsp;device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or</li><li>A&nbsp;fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less&nbsp;used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.</li>
 </ol><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280701420.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;36 CFR § 261.52(a)<ol>
 <li>Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 36 CFR § 261.52(d)</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). For chainsaw use a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) must be kept with the operator, and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. 36 CFR § 261.52(h), (j)</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 CFR § 261.52(i)</li><li>Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition. 36 CFR § 261.52(b)</li>
 </ol><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280726868.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Exemptions to restrictions include the following:&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Persons with a Forest Service Permit specifically exempting them from restrictions or a written determination by a Forest Service officer that a permit is not required.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Persons engaged in legal hunting activity pursuant to State, Federal, or Tribal laws and regulations are allowed to discharge a firearm while taking wildlife.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off.&nbsp; Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Persons using a stove fire in a designated area.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Fire Restrictions will apply to all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the NNFG with the exception of designated developed recreation sites.&nbsp;Fires are only allowed in metal fire rings and/or metal pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service in developed recreation sites. For further information, persons can call the Pine Ridge Ranger District at 308-432-0300; the Fall River Ranger District at 605-745-4107 or the Wall Ranger District at 605-279-2126.It is important to note that all the Black Hills National Forest and the Ft. Pierre Ranger District of the NNFG remain in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions year-round.

Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands Announces  Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/26/legislative-maneuvering-could-complicate-the-path-for-gov-pillens-tax-proposal/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Some lawmakers sent a warning to Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday by voting to send the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-introduce-gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-which-would-require-legislation-in-2025/">core of his property tax relief proposal</a>&nbsp;to a more unfavorable committee than anticipated.

The Revenue Committee is usually the destination for bills dealing with&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/committees/landing_pages/index.php?cid=12&amp;subjects=true" target="_blank">taxation and property taxes</a>. All introduced bills and policy resolutions must get a public hearing and must be sent to the “<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php" target="_blank">appropriate committee</a>,” per the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Rules/RuleBook.pdf" target="_blank">Legislature’s internal rules</a>.

When it came to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1</a>, introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn on Pillen’s behalf, the internally selected, 10-member Executive Board took a different approach. Five of the nine voting members determined the best destination for the 139-page proposal would be the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Their reasoning: It touches various aspects of government overall, not just taxes.

“Logically, it could have been sent to 10 different committees,” State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, an Executive Board member, told the Nebraska Examiner. “The key for me was that the overarching theme is the authority of government.”

During debate on a previous Pillen-led tax package this spring, the Government Committee chair, State Sen. Tom Brewer of north-central Nebraska, was the only committee member who voted for the bill. Seven other members&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10906" target="_blank">opposed or otherwise did not vote for the bill</a>.

State Sens. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island and John Lowe of Kearney are members of both the Government Committee and the Executive Board, where they serve as chair and vice chair.

The committee shift is likely to be short-lived as Aguilar and Lowe both said they’d reverse their votes come Monday. Still, it sends a strong message to the first-term governor, who already faces an uphill climb to get enough votes for the property tax relief ideas he’s worked on all summer.

In addition to Aguilar and Lowe, State Sens. Merv Riepe of Ralston, Tony Vargas of Omaha and Slama agreed to the Government Committee pick. State Sens. John Arch of La Vista, Beau Ballard of Lincoln, Eliot Bostar of Lincoln and Mike Jacobson of North Platte voted against.

Arch, the Legislature’s speaker, who sets the daily agenda, noted that there would likely be a committee amendment before LB 1, or any other major tax proposal this special session, makes it to the floor.

He encouraged his colleagues to consider which committee would be the most qualified to craft that compromise to deal with Nebraska’s tax issue.

Linehan &nbsp;joined Brewer on Friday in requesting that the Executive Board’s vote be reconsidered.

“The subject matter of this bill —&nbsp;pertaining to the assessment and collection of taxes —&nbsp;is best heard in the Revenue Committee,” Brewer and Linehan wrote in a joint letter.

Linehan has the option to force a floor vote to send the bill to her committee if the Executive Board members do not reconsider. She said she is “not the least concerned.”

“Everybody in the whole state knows this is about taxes,” Linehan told reporters, referring to&nbsp;LB 1.

“I don’t think Nebraskans would be very happy when they find out that a handful of senators have decided that we should go home, enjoy the rest of our summer and not worry about the crisis of property taxes in the State of Nebraska.”

Lowe, asked how he would vote Monday, said he has “always honored the chairmen.”&nbsp;

Slama said even if an introducer has a preferred committee, she and the top-ranking board must “look at the text of the bill and not the personalities involved.”

Another bill had been suggested, based on its content, to be sent to the Education Committee but ultimately found a home in the Revenue Committee:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58052" target="_blank">LB 9</a>, from State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward.

Hughes’ bill, the bipartisan product of work with four other lawmakers, is an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-propose-decade-long-plan-to-reduce-nebraska-k-12-property-tax-rates/">alternative K-12 school funding model</a>&nbsp;to reduce general fund property tax rates for districts over 10 years. It also addresses the main state aid funding formula for the state’s 244 school districts.

Lawmakers voted 5-3 to send the bill to the Revenue Committee, rather than to the Education Committee.

LB 9 is one of the first bills up for&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar/hearings.php?day=2024-07-29" target="_blank">legislative hearings this Monday</a>, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. That will also be the final day of bill introductions for the special session. As of Friday, 35 bills and six constitutional amendments had been&nbsp;introduced so far. The Legislature will not meet Saturday as initially scheduled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722276853312.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee. July 26, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/26/legislative-maneuvering-could-complicate-the-path-for-gov-pillens-tax-proposal/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Some lawmakers sent a warning to Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday by voting to send the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-introduce-gov-pillens-property-tax-plan-which-would-require-legislation-in-2025/">core of his property tax relief proposal</a>&nbsp;to a more unfavorable committee than anticipated.The Revenue Committee is usually the destination for bills dealing with&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/committees/landing_pages/index.php?cid=12&amp;subjects=true" target="_blank">taxation and property taxes</a>. All introduced bills and policy resolutions must get a public hearing and must be sent to the “<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/committees/standing-committees.php" target="_blank">appropriate committee</a>,” per the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/Rules/RuleBook.pdf" target="_blank">Legislature’s internal rules</a>.When it came to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 1</a>, introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn on Pillen’s behalf, the internally selected, 10-member Executive Board took a different approach. Five of the nine voting members determined the best destination for the 139-page proposal would be the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.Their reasoning: It touches various aspects of government overall, not just taxes.“Logically, it could have been sent to 10 different committees,” State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, an Executive Board member, told the Nebraska Examiner. “The key for me was that the overarching theme is the authority of government.”<h2>Possibly less friendly committee</h2>During debate on a previous Pillen-led tax package this spring, the Government Committee chair, State Sen. Tom Brewer of north-central Nebraska, was the only committee member who voted for the bill. Seven other members&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=10906" target="_blank">opposed or otherwise did not vote for the bill</a>.State Sens. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island and John Lowe of Kearney are members of both the Government Committee and the Executive Board, where they serve as chair and vice chair.The committee shift is likely to be short-lived as Aguilar and Lowe both said they’d reverse their votes come Monday. Still, it sends a strong message to the first-term governor, who already faces an uphill climb to get enough votes for the property tax relief ideas he’s worked on all summer.In addition to Aguilar and Lowe, State Sens. Merv Riepe of Ralston, Tony Vargas of Omaha and Slama agreed to the Government Committee pick. State Sens. John Arch of La Vista, Beau Ballard of Lincoln, Eliot Bostar of Lincoln and Mike Jacobson of North Platte voted against.<h2>‘This is about taxes’</h2>Arch, the Legislature’s speaker, who sets the daily agenda, noted that there would likely be a committee amendment before LB 1, or any other major tax proposal this special session, makes it to the floor.He encouraged his colleagues to consider which committee would be the most qualified to craft that compromise to deal with Nebraska’s tax issue.Linehan &nbsp;joined Brewer on Friday in requesting that the Executive Board’s vote be reconsidered.“The subject matter of this bill —&nbsp;pertaining to the assessment and collection of taxes —&nbsp;is best heard in the Revenue Committee,” Brewer and Linehan wrote in a joint letter.Linehan has the option to force a floor vote to send the bill to her committee if the Executive Board members do not reconsider. She said she is “not the least concerned.”“Everybody in the whole state knows this is about taxes,” Linehan told reporters, referring to&nbsp;LB 1.“I don’t think Nebraskans would be very happy when they find out that a handful of senators have decided that we should go home, enjoy the rest of our summer and not worry about the crisis of property taxes in the State of Nebraska.”Lowe, asked how he would vote Monday, said he has “always honored the chairmen.”&nbsp;Slama said even if an introducer has a preferred committee, she and the top-ranking board must “look at the text of the bill and not the personalities involved.”<h2>Another bucks committee suggestion</h2>Another bill had been suggested, based on its content, to be sent to the Education Committee but ultimately found a home in the Revenue Committee:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58052" target="_blank">LB 9</a>, from State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward.Hughes’ bill, the bipartisan product of work with four other lawmakers, is an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-propose-decade-long-plan-to-reduce-nebraska-k-12-property-tax-rates/">alternative K-12 school funding model</a>&nbsp;to reduce general fund property tax rates for districts over 10 years. It also addresses the main state aid funding formula for the state’s 244 school districts.Lawmakers voted 5-3 to send the bill to the Revenue Committee, rather than to the Education Committee.LB 9 is one of the first bills up for&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar/hearings.php?day=2024-07-29" target="_blank">legislative hearings this Monday</a>, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. That will also be the final day of bill introductions for the special session. As of Friday, 35 bills and six constitutional amendments had been&nbsp;introduced so far. The Legislature will not meet Saturday as initially scheduled.

Legislative maneuvering could complicate the path for Gov. Pillen’s tax proposal

OMAHA, NE — Today the Platte Institute is providing testimony on four bills being considered during the Special Legislative Session. Attached are the testimonies in their entirety. &nbsp;


Jim Vokal, CEO of the Platte Institute, added some additional context to this testimony, “As Governor Pillen and the legislature ambitiously seek to reform Nebraska’s property tax system the Platte Institute seeks to be a constructive and reasonable partner,
 helping to achieve the strongest reform possible for our citizens.” &nbsp;


“Delaying the income tax reforms made in 2023, adding new tax brackets which would further burden Nebraskans with higher taxes, and increasing taxes on cigarettes should all be avoided to ensure that Nebraska’s tax code is both competitive and fair,” added
 Vokal. &nbsp;


The Platte Institute remains dedicated to promoting sustainable and effective tax reform that supports long-term fiscal responsibility and economic growth.&nbsp;
For further information, or to request an interview, please contact Ryan Kopsa at
<a href="mailto:rkopsa@platteinstitute.org" target="_blank">rkopsa@platteinstitute.org</a>.&nbsp;

For more insights into our policy recommendations, visit PlatteInstitute.org.&nbsp;

Platte InstituteOMAHA, NE — Today the Platte Institute is providing testimony on four bills being considered during the Special Legislative Session. Attached are the testimonies in their entirety. &nbsp;
Jim Vokal, CEO of the Platte Institute, added some additional context to this testimony, “As Governor Pillen and the legislature ambitiously seek to reform Nebraska’s property tax system the Platte Institute seeks to be a constructive and reasonable partner,
 helping to achieve the strongest reform possible for our citizens.” &nbsp;
“Delaying the income tax reforms made in 2023, adding new tax brackets which would further burden Nebraskans with higher taxes, and increasing taxes on cigarettes should all be avoided to ensure that Nebraska’s tax code is both competitive and fair,” added
 Vokal. &nbsp;
The Platte Institute remains dedicated to promoting sustainable and effective tax reform that supports long-term fiscal responsibility and economic growth.&nbsp;
For further information, or to request an interview, please contact Ryan Kopsa at
<a href="mailto:rkopsa@platteinstitute.org" target="_blank">rkopsa@platteinstitute.org</a>.&nbsp;
For more insights into our policy recommendations, visit PlatteInstitute.org.&nbsp;

Platte Institute Testifies on LB 7, LB 9, LB 10, and LB 11 as Special Session Committee Hearings Begin 

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tope Gbenga Opaogun, 43, of Nigeria, was sentenced on July 26, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for wire fraud conspiracy. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Opaogun to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. 

After Opaogun’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Opaogun to pay restitution in the amount of $193,458.21. Opaogun will be deported to Nigeria after serving his sentence.

Between October 21, 2013, and November 5, 2013,&nbsp;Opaogun and a&nbsp;co-defendant, both who were located outside of the United States, compromised the email account of an individual who had a personal bank account at a bank located in the District of Nebraska.&nbsp; Opaogun used the compromised email account to fraudulently induce employees at the bank&nbsp;to wire funds from the individual’s personal bank account to a third-party bank account controlled by&nbsp;Opaogun and a&nbsp;co-defendant.&nbsp;&nbsp;Opaogun’s use of the compromised email account&nbsp;induced bank employees to make six unauthorized wire transfers totaling $234,990 to the third-party bank account. Opaogun attempted three additional unauthorized wire transfers totaling $182,000, but those attempts were unsuccessful.

On May 22, 2018, an Indictment charging Opaogun and a co-defendant was filed in the United States District Court in the District of Nebraska.&nbsp; On August 11, 2022, Opaogun was arrested in Senegal on the District of Nebraska warrant. He was extradited from Senegal, where Opaogun was vacationing at the time, to the United States under the supervision of the FBI.&nbsp;

The FBI continues to seek the co-defendant for arrest and prosecution.

This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Office of United State AttorneyUnited States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Tope Gbenga Opaogun, 43, of Nigeria, was sentenced on July 26, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for wire fraud conspiracy. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Opaogun to 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Opaogun’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release. Chief Judge Rossiter ordered Opaogun to pay restitution in the amount of $193,458.21. Opaogun will be deported to Nigeria after serving his sentence.Between October 21, 2013, and November 5, 2013,&nbsp;Opaogun and a&nbsp;co-defendant, both who were located outside of the United States, compromised the email account of an individual who had a personal bank account at a bank located in the District of Nebraska.&nbsp; Opaogun used the compromised email account to fraudulently induce employees at the bank&nbsp;to wire funds from the individual’s personal bank account to a third-party bank account controlled by&nbsp;Opaogun and a&nbsp;co-defendant.&nbsp;&nbsp;Opaogun’s use of the compromised email account&nbsp;induced bank employees to make six unauthorized wire transfers totaling $234,990 to the third-party bank account. Opaogun attempted three additional unauthorized wire transfers totaling $182,000, but those attempts were unsuccessful.On May 22, 2018, an Indictment charging Opaogun and a co-defendant was filed in the United States District Court in the District of Nebraska.&nbsp; On August 11, 2022, Opaogun was arrested in Senegal on the District of Nebraska warrant. He was extradited from Senegal, where Opaogun was vacationing at the time, to the United States under the supervision of the FBI.&nbsp;The FBI continues to seek the co-defendant for arrest and prosecution.This case was investigated by&nbsp;the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 Nigerian Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud Conspiracy

Buffalo County - Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is investigating a two-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of an adult male driver. The crash occurred at approximately 1:26 AM on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

According to the preliminary investigation, a 2024 ambulance was traveling southbound on US Highway 10, north of Pleasanton, NE, transporting a patient to Kearney. The ambulance was followed by a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by a male. The ambulance slowed to meet up with another dispatched ambulance, and the motorcycle collided with the rear of the ambulance. The driver of the motorcycle, identified as Jacob A. Kimberly, 29, of Holdrege, Nebraska, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by members of the Kearney/Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation Team (FAIT), Loup City Volunteer Fire Department, Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department, CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Paramedics, Nebraska State Department of Roads, and the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.

Next of kin have been notified. The investigation is ongoing.

Buffalo County Sheriff's OfficeBuffalo County - Buffalo County Sheriff's Office is investigating a two-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of an adult male driver. The crash occurred at approximately 1:26 AM on Saturday, July 27, 2024.According to the preliminary investigation, a 2024 ambulance was traveling southbound on US Highway 10, north of Pleasanton, NE, transporting a patient to Kearney. The ambulance was followed by a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by a male. The ambulance slowed to meet up with another dispatched ambulance, and the motorcycle collided with the rear of the ambulance. The driver of the motorcycle, identified as Jacob A. Kimberly, 29, of Holdrege, Nebraska, was pronounced deceased at the scene.Deputies were assisted at the scene by members of the Kearney/Buffalo County Fatality Accident Investigation Team (FAIT), Loup City Volunteer Fire Department, Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department, CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Paramedics, Nebraska State Department of Roads, and the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office.Next of kin have been notified. The investigation is ongoing.

Motorcyclist killed after colliding with an ambulance in Central Nebraska over the weekend

JERUSALEM — U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea and the surrounding area.

Over the past week U.S. forces successfully destroyed 11 Iranian-backed Houthi drones including six on Friday in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command.

They also destroyed two surface-to-air missiles and five missile launchers and on Thursday destoyed a drone launcher. All of these were in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.


It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

JERUSALEM — U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea and the surrounding area.Over the past week U.S. forces successfully destroyed 11 Iranian-backed Houthi drones including six on Friday in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command.They also destroyed two surface-to-air missiles and five missile launchers and on Thursday destoyed a drone launcher. All of these were in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/caseyquinlan/">CASEY QUINLAN</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/19/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">States Newsroom</a>

U.S. median home prices hit a record high for the second month in a row as sales continued to fall, according to a report released this week, as potential buyers continue to lie in wait for lower mortgage rates.

Existing home sales fell 5.4% in June and median home sales reached its highest level on record since prices were first tracked by the National Association of Realtors in 1999. The median price rose the most in the northeast region at 9.7%. In June, existing home sales plummeted 8% in the Midwest, the greatest fall among the regions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-slipped-5-4-in-june-median-sales-price-jumps-to-record-high-of-426900" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;the report released on Tuesday.

New home sales,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/construction/nrs/pdf/newressales.pdf" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau, fell 0.6% in June and is 7.4% lower than new home sales a year ago. The median sales price of a new home was $417,300, lower than the existing home sales median price of $426,900. Housing experts say that this closeness in price is unusual, since new homes have usually sold for much more in the past 10 years and may be reflective of changing demands for smaller and more affordable homes.

Despite that change, these two measures have shown that home prices still remain out of reach for many and that in response, sales have been slow. What is driving these prices and when will they abate? Housing economists say there are many factors at play, including Fed policy and an aging population.

Why are home sales low and home prices high?

High demand for homes and lower inventory levels have contributed to higher home prices in recent years. These expensive home prices and high mortgage rates have resulted in this housing market shift.

Matthew Walsh, economist at Moody’s Analytics, said low housing affordability and the “persistently high” mortgage rate is contributing to cooling housing activity. Unless housing becomes more affordable soon, he said he expects to continue to see lower existing home sales. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.78% as of July 25,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC-2BuhLU-a1GBcy8DJWMM3or13Ye&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3qjHufAfDjdczZrYqFAv10PYk67LRMDASSjtafgA0lUfDZLu84IenRoCU6sQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;Freddie Mac.

“Buyers are very responsive to mortgage rates and with the information being so readily available and the anticipation that mortgage rates are going to come down, I think that’s keeping people on the sidelines,” said Selma Hepp, chief economist at CoreLogic.

But she said homebuyers face a double-edged sword. When mortgage rates do come down, there will be a lot of pent-up demand that will also put pressure on home prices. A rise in cash buyers could also be pushing prices higher, Hepp said. All cash buyers were 28% of home transactions in June.

“A lot of these cash buyers are actually baby boomers who maybe cashed out on their existing home. We do know that home equity is at an all-time high and if you’re moving from a very expensive home price area to a lower-priced area, you obviously will have a lot of cash,” she added.

Housing inventory is changing but is it enough?

One bright spot for homebuyers is that total housing inventory has been rising. Inventory increased 3.1% from May and was up 23.4% from a year ago according to the June existing home sales report. Walsh said some households may be deciding they can’t wait to make a life change and are moving out of homes for larger or smaller options.

“It’s a lot of households that can no longer postpone plans to sell, whether that’s because their household is expanding because they’re having children or it’s shrinking and they need to sell their larger home in the Northeast and move to a smaller home to retire in the South,” Walsh&nbsp; said. “They can no longer put up with the homes that they’re in and sacrifice their low mortgage rate for a higher rate.”

Still, Hepp said the inventory is far lower than pre-pandemic levels and where demand has picked up — in Boston, New York, and Chicago, for example — there’s not a proportionate increase in the supply of housing.

Some homebuyers may be watching the Fed’s plans to cut interest rates, which affect mortgage rates, for some financial relief. A majority of economists say they believe the Fed will cut rates in September and December,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/fed-cut-rates-twice-this-year-with-first-move-september-economists-say-2024-07-23/" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;a recent Reuters poll. Cutting rates may help bring some buyers back into the market and pump up inventory, but the effect will likely not be strong enough to bring home sales back to where they were before the pandemic, Walsh added.

The Biden administration announced a flurry of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/16/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-major-new-actions-to-lower-housing-costs-by-limiting-rent-increases-and-building-more-homes/#:~:text=The%20Biden%2DHarris%20Administration%20is,for%20tens%20of%20millions%20of" target="_blank">proposals</a>&nbsp;this month to make housing more affordable, some of which would impact homebuyers as well as the&nbsp;<a href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2024/07/17/biden-proposes-5-rent-increase-cap-for-corporate-owned-apartments/" target="_blank">repurposing</a>&nbsp;of public lands in Nevada to bring at least 15,000 affordable rental and homeownership units to the area. In February, the White House also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/29/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-to-boost-housing-supply-and-lower-housing-costs/" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the opening of grant applications for assistance to homeowners to replace dilapidated homes.

Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/how-donald-trump-plans-fix-housing-market-1811663" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;at a July rally in Iowa that he would address problems in the housing market through cutting interest rates, according to Newsweek. Although presidents nominate the chair of the Fed for a four-year term, they do not have power over whether the Fed cuts rates.

States have been pursuing their own policies to improve housing inventory and affordability, including&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2024/03/19/utah-housing-market-experiment-legislature-2024/" target="_blank">Utah</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/03/04/oregon-house-passes-gov-tina-koteks-housing-bill-approves-369-million/" target="_blank">Oregon</a>, which passed legislation to use funds for loans to developers who plan to build more affordable homes. A Maryland bill&nbsp;<a href="https://marylandmatters.org/2024/05/02/moores-signature-on-bill-will-enable-local-governments-to-impose-higher-taxes-on-vacant-properties/" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;into law by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore in May would push property owners to make plans for vacant properties by letting cities raise taxes on those properties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659001075252.jpeg" alt="A sign advertising a home for sale is displayed outside of a Brooklyn brownstone on April 11, 2024, in New York City. U.S. house sales continued to fall in June as median home prices hit a record high for the second month&nbsp; photo AP" />
 <figcaption>A sign advertising a home for sale is displayed outside of a Brooklyn brownstone on April 11, 2024, in New York City. U.S. house sales continued to fall in June as median home prices hit a record high for the second month&nbsp; photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/caseyquinlan/">CASEY QUINLAN</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/19/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">States Newsroom</a>U.S. median home prices hit a record high for the second month in a row as sales continued to fall, according to a report released this week, as potential buyers continue to lie in wait for lower mortgage rates.Existing home sales fell 5.4% in June and median home sales reached its highest level on record since prices were first tracked by the National Association of Realtors in 1999. The median price rose the most in the northeast region at 9.7%. In June, existing home sales plummeted 8% in the Midwest, the greatest fall among the regions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-slipped-5-4-in-june-median-sales-price-jumps-to-record-high-of-426900" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;the report released on Tuesday.New home sales,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/construction/nrs/pdf/newressales.pdf" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau, fell 0.6% in June and is 7.4% lower than new home sales a year ago. The median sales price of a new home was $417,300, lower than the existing home sales median price of $426,900. Housing experts say that this closeness in price is unusual, since new homes have usually sold for much more in the past 10 years and may be reflective of changing demands for smaller and more affordable homes.Despite that change, these two measures have shown that home prices still remain out of reach for many and that in response, sales have been slow. What is driving these prices and when will they abate? Housing economists say there are many factors at play, including Fed policy and an aging population.<h2>Why are home sales low and home prices high?</h2>High demand for homes and lower inventory levels have contributed to higher home prices in recent years. These expensive home prices and high mortgage rates have resulted in this housing market shift.Matthew Walsh, economist at Moody’s Analytics, said low housing affordability and the “persistently high” mortgage rate is contributing to cooling housing activity. Unless housing becomes more affordable soon, he said he expects to continue to see lower existing home sales. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.78% as of July 25,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC-2BuhLU-a1GBcy8DJWMM3or13Ye&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3qjHufAfDjdczZrYqFAv10PYk67LRMDASSjtafgA0lUfDZLu84IenRoCU6sQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;Freddie Mac.“Buyers are very responsive to mortgage rates and with the information being so readily available and the anticipation that mortgage rates are going to come down, I think that’s keeping people on the sidelines,” said Selma Hepp, chief economist at CoreLogic.But she said homebuyers face a double-edged sword. When mortgage rates do come down, there will be a lot of pent-up demand that will also put pressure on home prices. A rise in cash buyers could also be pushing prices higher, Hepp said. All cash buyers were 28% of home transactions in June.“A lot of these cash buyers are actually baby boomers who maybe cashed out on their existing home. We do know that home equity is at an all-time high and if you’re moving from a very expensive home price area to a lower-priced area, you obviously will have a lot of cash,” she added.<h2>Housing inventory is changing but is it enough?</h2>One bright spot for homebuyers is that total housing inventory has been rising. Inventory increased 3.1% from May and was up 23.4% from a year ago according to the June existing home sales report. Walsh said some households may be deciding they can’t wait to make a life change and are moving out of homes for larger or smaller options.“It’s a lot of households that can no longer postpone plans to sell, whether that’s because their household is expanding because they’re having children or it’s shrinking and they need to sell their larger home in the Northeast and move to a smaller home to retire in the South,” Walsh&nbsp; said. “They can no longer put up with the homes that they’re in and sacrifice their low mortgage rate for a higher rate.”Still, Hepp said the inventory is far lower than pre-pandemic levels and where demand has picked up — in Boston, New York, and Chicago, for example — there’s not a proportionate increase in the supply of housing.Some homebuyers may be watching the Fed’s plans to cut interest rates, which affect mortgage rates, for some financial relief. A majority of economists say they believe the Fed will cut rates in September and December,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/fed-cut-rates-twice-this-year-with-first-move-september-economists-say-2024-07-23/" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;a recent Reuters poll. Cutting rates may help bring some buyers back into the market and pump up inventory, but the effect will likely not be strong enough to bring home sales back to where they were before the pandemic, Walsh added.<h2>What is the government doing?</h2>The Biden administration announced a flurry of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/16/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-major-new-actions-to-lower-housing-costs-by-limiting-rent-increases-and-building-more-homes/#:~:text=The%20Biden%2DHarris%20Administration%20is,for%20tens%20of%20millions%20of" target="_blank">proposals</a>&nbsp;this month to make housing more affordable, some of which would impact homebuyers as well as the&nbsp;<a href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2024/07/17/biden-proposes-5-rent-increase-cap-for-corporate-owned-apartments/" target="_blank">repurposing</a>&nbsp;of public lands in Nevada to bring at least 15,000 affordable rental and homeownership units to the area. In February, the White House also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/29/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-to-boost-housing-supply-and-lower-housing-costs/" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the opening of grant applications for assistance to homeowners to replace dilapidated homes.Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/how-donald-trump-plans-fix-housing-market-1811663" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;at a July rally in Iowa that he would address problems in the housing market through cutting interest rates, according to Newsweek. Although presidents nominate the chair of the Fed for a four-year term, they do not have power over whether the Fed cuts rates.States have been pursuing their own policies to improve housing inventory and affordability, including&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2024/03/19/utah-housing-market-experiment-legislature-2024/" target="_blank">Utah</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/03/04/oregon-house-passes-gov-tina-koteks-housing-bill-approves-369-million/" target="_blank">Oregon</a>, which passed legislation to use funds for loans to developers who plan to build more affordable homes. A Maryland bill&nbsp;<a href="https://marylandmatters.org/2024/05/02/moores-signature-on-bill-will-enable-local-governments-to-impose-higher-taxes-on-vacant-properties/" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;into law by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore in May would push property owners to make plans for vacant properties by letting cities raise taxes on those properties.

U.S. home prices hit a record high as sales fell. Here’s how housing experts explain the trends

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/renters-would-get-some-relief-too-under-a-pair-of-legislative-proposals/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska renters would get some financial relief in the form of an income tax credit under a pair of proposals to be considered by the Legislature.

State Sens. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha and Eliot Bostar of Lincoln each introduced a bill Thursday seeking to compensate renters who otherwise would not automatically reap any direct benefit from property tax reforms being pushed by Gov. Jim Pillen.

McKinney said that while landlords would achieve property tax relief, it is not a given they would pass that relief on to their renters.

With about 60% of his constituents in rental homes, McKinney said, “we have to think about renters and how property tax and property tax relief affects them.”

McKinney’s Legislative Bill 20 calls for a refundable credit against income tax to renters of 4% of total annual rent, or $200, whichever is greater, not to exceed $1,000.

Under Bostar’s Legislative Bill 14, renters would get a credit of 5% of their lease expenses during the taxable year.

Bostar said relief to renters, especially in the short term, has been an ongoing conversation during the discussions about property tax reform.

Of his proposal, he said: “It’s a means of ensuring that renters as well as property owners could see relief this session,” if the Legislature indeed passes property tax reform.

Housing in Bostar’s legislative district is about 37% renter occupied, according to the Legislative Research Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Consideration of renters also came up in in “listening sessions” hosted last weekend by several lawmakers in the urban centers of Omaha and Lincoln.

State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston told the Omaha audience that his district includes a lot of apartments (about 49% of homes are renter-occupied) and that “the belief” is that the owners would pass down property tax relief savings to tenants.

“And I say baha,” Riepe told the group. “I don’t believe that for a day.”

Of all Nebraska legislative districts, the highest percentage of renter-occupied homes is in the southeast and downtown Omaha District 7, represented by Sen. Tony Vargas, and the lowest percentage of rental units in Sarpy County’s District 36, represented by Sen. Rick Holdcroft.

U.S. Census data shows Nebraska has about 66% homeowners and about 34% renters.

The median rent in the state is about $1,360, according to Zillow rental market research, which looked at median rent for all property types and number of bedrooms.

Whether workers earning a median wage in Nebraska are seeking a house or an apartment, recent research by the Nebraska Legislative Research Office said they often are unable to find a home, especially in light of rising property values.

The researchers said that the median annual income of an owner-occupied household in Nebraska was more than $91,000, while renter households earned about $44,200.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722008053065.jpeg" alt="Nebraskans who lease their homes would get some financial relief under a couple of legislative proposals introduced Thursday during the special session. Shown here is Westline at Flanagan Lake Apartments , which was one of the larger housing complexes issued building permits in the City of Omaha in 2021. (Courtesy of Simonson &amp; Associates Inc.)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraskans who lease their homes would get some financial relief under a couple of legislative proposals introduced Thursday during the special session. Shown here is Westline at Flanagan Lake Apartments , which was one of the larger housing complexes issued building permits in the City of Omaha in 2021. (Courtesy of Simonson &amp; Associates Inc.)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/renters-would-get-some-relief-too-under-a-pair-of-legislative-proposals/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska renters would get some financial relief in the form of an income tax credit under a pair of proposals to be considered by the Legislature.State Sens. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha and Eliot Bostar of Lincoln each introduced a bill Thursday seeking to compensate renters who otherwise would not automatically reap any direct benefit from property tax reforms being pushed by Gov. Jim Pillen.McKinney said that while landlords would achieve property tax relief, it is not a given they would pass that relief on to their renters.“It’s not fair,” he said.&nbsp;With about 60% of his constituents in rental homes, McKinney said, “we have to think about renters and how property tax and property tax relief affects them.”McKinney’s Legislative Bill 20 calls for a refundable credit against income tax to renters of 4% of total annual rent, or $200, whichever is greater, not to exceed $1,000.Under Bostar’s Legislative Bill 14, renters would get a credit of 5% of their lease expenses during the taxable year.Bostar said relief to renters, especially in the short term, has been an ongoing conversation during the discussions about property tax reform.Of his proposal, he said: “It’s a means of ensuring that renters as well as property owners could see relief this session,” if the Legislature indeed passes property tax reform.Housing in Bostar’s legislative district is about 37% renter occupied, according to the Legislative Research Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;Consideration of renters also came up in in “listening sessions” hosted last weekend by several lawmakers in the urban centers of Omaha and Lincoln.State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston told the Omaha audience that his district includes a lot of apartments (about 49% of homes are renter-occupied) and that “the belief” is that the owners would pass down property tax relief savings to tenants.“And I say baha,” Riepe told the group. “I don’t believe that for a day.”Of all Nebraska legislative districts, the highest percentage of renter-occupied homes is in the southeast and downtown Omaha District 7, represented by Sen. Tony Vargas, and the lowest percentage of rental units in Sarpy County’s District 36, represented by Sen. Rick Holdcroft.U.S. Census data shows Nebraska has about 66% homeowners and about 34% renters.The median rent in the state is about $1,360, according to Zillow rental market research, which looked at median rent for all property types and number of bedrooms.Whether workers earning a median wage in Nebraska are seeking a house or an apartment, recent research by the Nebraska Legislative Research Office said they often are unable to find a home, especially in light of rising property values.The researchers said that the median annual income of an owner-occupied household in Nebraska was more than $91,000, while renter households earned about $44,200.

Renters would get some relief, too, under a pair of legislative proposals

ORONO, Maine, July 25, 2024&nbsp;— Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is making $190 million available to help private forest landowners adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and retain working forestlands.

This new investment, announced today at the University of Maine's&nbsp;Investing in America Town Hall, was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act – part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda and the largest climate investment in history.

“Climate change threatens people, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources across the country,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Healthy, resilient forests can better withstand climate change impacts, and contribute to climate solutions by storing additional carbon. Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, we are partnering with states and nonprofits to reduce financial barriers for landowners interested in adopting climate-smart forestry practices and making their lands more resilient to climate change. These strategic investments represent our commitment to an all-lands, all-hands approach to investing in rural communities and mitigating the climate crisis.”

Of the total,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355249">$140 million is available</a>&nbsp;to support state-endorsed cost-share programs for landowners. Cost-share payments lower the financial barriers for landowners to adapt to climate change by making forests more resilient to changing climate conditions, and to store more carbon on the landscape. For example, a landowner may decide to work with states and non-profits to strategically thin their private forestland, removing small-diameter trees that compete for scarce resources, allowing large trees to grow larger and sequester more carbon.

Additionally,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355252">$50 million is available</a>&nbsp;to programs that issue payments directly to landowners to adopt practices that increase carbon sequestration and storage of their forests. Forest management impacts the amount of carbon stored and sequestered, and this funding opportunity incentivizes carbon stewardship. Among other things, payments to landowners also provide financial incentive to maintain their land as forests rather than convert it to other uses. Eligible applicants include state forestry agencies or their equivalents and nonprofit organizations.

Privately owned forests and private forest landowners are key to tackling the climate crisis. Private landowners manage more than 60% of forests in the United States; in Maine, they manage more than 90% of all forests. These vast swaths of privately managed forests are key to the carbon cycle and are an important climate solution, absorbing vast quantities of carbon and storing it for decades.

The Forest Service is committed to supporting landowners as they manage their forests in a changing climate. In addition to these investments, the agency&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/releases/usda-announces-145m-investing-america-agenda-help-landowners-access">recently announced</a>&nbsp;$145 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for projects that connect private forest landowners with emerging climate markets.

This funding advances environmental justice and President Biden’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/">Justice40 Initiative</a>, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

For more information about the available funding opportunity, including eligibility and how to apply, visit the Forest Service’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/state-private-tribal-forestry/coop-forestry/ira-forest-landowner-support">Forest Landowner Support webpage</a>.

ORONO, Maine, July 25, 2024&nbsp;— Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is making $190 million available to help private forest landowners adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and retain working forestlands.This new investment, announced today at the University of Maine's&nbsp;Investing in America Town Hall, was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act – part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda and the largest climate investment in history.“Climate change threatens people, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources across the country,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Healthy, resilient forests can better withstand climate change impacts, and contribute to climate solutions by storing additional carbon. Thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, we are partnering with states and nonprofits to reduce financial barriers for landowners interested in adopting climate-smart forestry practices and making their lands more resilient to climate change. These strategic investments represent our commitment to an all-lands, all-hands approach to investing in rural communities and mitigating the climate crisis.”Of the total,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355249">$140 million is available</a>&nbsp;to support state-endorsed cost-share programs for landowners. Cost-share payments lower the financial barriers for landowners to adapt to climate change by making forests more resilient to changing climate conditions, and to store more carbon on the landscape. For example, a landowner may decide to work with states and non-profits to strategically thin their private forestland, removing small-diameter trees that compete for scarce resources, allowing large trees to grow larger and sequester more carbon.Additionally,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355252">$50 million is available</a>&nbsp;to programs that issue payments directly to landowners to adopt practices that increase carbon sequestration and storage of their forests. Forest management impacts the amount of carbon stored and sequestered, and this funding opportunity incentivizes carbon stewardship. Among other things, payments to landowners also provide financial incentive to maintain their land as forests rather than convert it to other uses. Eligible applicants include state forestry agencies or their equivalents and nonprofit organizations.Privately owned forests and private forest landowners are key to tackling the climate crisis. Private landowners manage more than 60% of forests in the United States; in Maine, they manage more than 90% of all forests. These vast swaths of privately managed forests are key to the carbon cycle and are an important climate solution, absorbing vast quantities of carbon and storing it for decades.The Forest Service is committed to supporting landowners as they manage their forests in a changing climate. In addition to these investments, the agency&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/releases/usda-announces-145m-investing-america-agenda-help-landowners-access">recently announced</a>&nbsp;$145 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for projects that connect private forest landowners with emerging climate markets.This funding advances environmental justice and President Biden’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/">Justice40 Initiative</a>, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.For more information about the available funding opportunity, including eligibility and how to apply, visit the Forest Service’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/state-private-tribal-forestry/coop-forestry/ira-forest-landowner-support">Forest Landowner Support webpage</a>.

Biden-Harris Administration announces $190M grant opportunity for payment programs that help private forest landowners address climate change

By Scottsbluff County Sheriff, Mark Overman

On Wednesday, July 25, at 6:37 a.m., law enforcement responded to a call at a rural residence approximately one mile east of Mitchell, NE.

The reporting party, a female at home with her children, reported that a male was knocking at her back door, that he had a handgun, that he might be on drugs, and she thought he was trying to get into the house. &nbsp;She then reported hearing multiple shots fired, although none were fired into the house.&nbsp; A Scotts Bluff County Deputy was first to arrive on scene.&nbsp; He located the male nearby and took him into custody without incident. &nbsp;The male had a handgun in his possession but did not threaten the Deputy with it.

The male was identified as Brandon Brown, age 24, of rural Mitchell.

Officers later discovered bullet holes in a fence and a vehicle.&nbsp; Officers have also recovered suspected controlled substances and paraphernalia.&nbsp; It is likely that drug possession charges will follow upon analysis of what was seized.&nbsp;

Brandon Brown was lodged at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center under the following charges:

By Scottsbluff County Sheriff, Mark OvermanOn Wednesday, July 25, at 6:37 a.m., law enforcement responded to a call at a rural residence approximately one mile east of Mitchell, NE.The reporting party, a female at home with her children, reported that a male was knocking at her back door, that he had a handgun, that he might be on drugs, and she thought he was trying to get into the house. &nbsp;She then reported hearing multiple shots fired, although none were fired into the house.&nbsp; A Scotts Bluff County Deputy was first to arrive on scene.&nbsp; He located the male nearby and took him into custody without incident. &nbsp;The male had a handgun in his possession but did not threaten the Deputy with it.The male was identified as Brandon Brown, age 24, of rural Mitchell.Officers later discovered bullet holes in a fence and a vehicle.&nbsp; Officers have also recovered suspected controlled substances and paraphernalia.&nbsp; It is likely that drug possession charges will follow upon analysis of what was seized.&nbsp;Brandon Brown was lodged at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center under the following charges:Unlawful Discharge of a FirearmUse of a Firearm to Commit a Felony2nd&nbsp;Degree Criminal Trespass

Panhandle man arrested after shots fired

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator from Missouri Josh Hawley reported Thursday in a letter to Homeland Security Director Alejando Mayorkas,&nbsp; the night before the Butler, Pennsylvania Trump campaign rally, U.S. Secret Service repeatedly denied offers from a local law enforcement partner to utilize drone technology to secure the rally.

As Homeland Security Secretary, Mayorkas is responsible for the Secret Service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720972888448.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator from Missouri Josh Hawley reported Thursday in a letter to Homeland Security Director Alejando Mayorkas,&nbsp; the night before the Butler, Pennsylvania Trump campaign rally, U.S. Secret Service repeatedly denied offers from a local law enforcement partner to utilize drone technology to secure the rally.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721930168996.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As Homeland Security Secretary, Mayorkas is responsible for the Secret Service.

U.S. Senator: Secret Service declined use of drones before Trump rally

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-propose-decade-long-plan-to-reduce-nebraska-k-12-property-tax-rates/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A new K-12 school funding proposal from a bipartisan segment of five urban and rural Nebraska lawmakers is being pitched as an alternative approach to provide tax relief.

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, a former school board member, introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58052" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 9</a>&nbsp;on Thursday. She has nicknamed the proposal “Lower the Levy Cap” because, over the course of 10 years, maximum general fund property tax rates for local K-12 school districts would fall to 25 cents per $100 of taxable valuation.

In the first year, maximum tax rates would fall from $1.05 per $100 of taxable valuation to 65 cents. The state would fill in the gap to cover the local portion of the school funding. Every two years after, lawmakers would have to find more state funding to lower the tax rate cap by an additional 10 cents, until the 2033-34 fiscal year when the cap would be reduced to 25 cents.

“Lower the Levy Cap” would require about $444 million additional funds in its first year, according to estimates from Hughes and her office. She said her proposal is not “anti” the governor’s plan but is simply another approach to property tax relief.

“It’s just another way to do it, and I think it’s reasonable and can actually get accomplished because it’s just not quite so much money and we time it out over 10 years,” Hughes said.

Hughes began working on the concept this spring shortly after a prior proposal that she had backed didn’t pass.

Pillen, similarly, has suggested lowering the levy cap to 0 cents by the middle of 2027. That shift would require upwards of $2.6 billion, including nearly $1 million in current tax relief programs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722007530234.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward meets with State Sens. Tom Brandt of Plymouth and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln during the first day of the Legislture’s special session on property taxes on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward meets with State Sens. Tom Brandt of Plymouth and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln during the first day of the Legislture’s special session on property taxes on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/25/lawmakers-propose-decade-long-plan-to-reduce-nebraska-k-12-property-tax-rates/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;A new K-12 school funding proposal from a bipartisan segment of five urban and rural Nebraska lawmakers is being pitched as an alternative approach to provide tax relief.State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, a former school board member, introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58052" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 9</a>&nbsp;on Thursday. She has nicknamed the proposal “Lower the Levy Cap” because, over the course of 10 years, maximum general fund property tax rates for local K-12 school districts would fall to 25 cents per $100 of taxable valuation.In the first year, maximum tax rates would fall from $1.05 per $100 of taxable valuation to 65 cents. The state would fill in the gap to cover the local portion of the school funding. Every two years after, lawmakers would have to find more state funding to lower the tax rate cap by an additional 10 cents, until the 2033-34 fiscal year when the cap would be reduced to 25 cents.<h2>‘Lower the Levy Cap’ concept</h2>“Lower the Levy Cap” would require about $444 million additional funds in its first year, according to estimates from Hughes and her office. She said her proposal is not “anti” the governor’s plan but is simply another approach to property tax relief.“It’s just another way to do it, and I think it’s reasonable and can actually get accomplished because it’s just not quite so much money and we time it out over 10 years,” Hughes said.Hughes began working on the concept this spring shortly after a prior proposal that she had backed didn’t pass.Pillen, similarly, has suggested lowering the levy cap to 0 cents by the middle of 2027. That shift would require upwards of $2.6 billion, including nearly $1 million in current tax relief programs.“We cannot go away with nothing,” Hughes told the Nebraska Examiner last week. “I’m worried we might be running into a buzz saw of nothing, and that’s not acceptable to me.”State Sens. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, Myron Dorn of Adams, Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Lynne Walz of Fremont were part of the bipartisan group working with Hughes.<h2>An alternative option</h2>Brandt said the group set out to find a practical solution and offer an alternative for the state’s 49 lawmakers to consider. In anticipation of the session, the group decided to divide and conquer, Brandt said, with each of them reaching out to about 10 other senators to explain the impact.&nbsp;“Today, I could easily say 40 of them are absolutely aware of this, and like it,” Brandt said.Hughes and the team shared the plan with local stakeholders and public school leaders, as well as Pillen and his staff, and asked for feedback.According to estimates from Hughes’ staff, the proposal would lower property taxes for a home valued at $250,000 by an average of nearly $800. For a business property valued at $500,000, the savings would be more than $1,500. And for 80 acres of irrigated farmland, it would be more than $3,700 in savings, on average.Conrad said that stood “in sharp contrast” to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/22/gov-pillen-clarifies-property-tax-relief-plan-as-special-session-nears/">Pillen’s plan</a>, which State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn introduced on his behalf Thursday. Contrary to past statements that the governor’s plan would reduce&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/07/09/k-12-funding-shift-from-property-taxes-would-be-multiyear-effort-nebraska-lawmakers-say/">property tax rates to 0 in three years</a>, Linehan’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58119" target="_blank">LB 1</a>&nbsp;included no direct reductions.At a news conference announcing his ideas last week, Pillen said the state needed to act now and “couldn’t have a 10-year incremental plan.”“My job as governor is to make sure we have a plan so we can grow the State of Nebraska, and we have to do it now,” Pillen said. “If we don’t do it now, the party’s over and this place shrinks. I don’t want to be any part of that.”Hughes said she is in favor of removing some sales tax exemptions and has herself in the past proposed increasing the tax on e-cigarettes, or vapes, to 20% wholesale. The Pillen-led plan suggests a 30% tax on vaping products.A second Hughes bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58085" target="_blank">LB 19</a>, calls for a 2% excise tax on taxable personal property that is sold, given or furnished via mail, delivery service, online sales, telephone or other electronic method. If enacted, the change would take effect July 1, 2025.That tax rate would add 2 cents to a statewide sales tax rate of 5.5 cents per dollar purchase, as well as any other local sales tax rates (those range from 0.5 to 2 cents).<h2>‘Grandest challenge’ for lawmakers</h2>Conrad, who along with Walz is a member of the Legislature’s Education Committee, said “Lower the Levy Cap” provides more resources and tax relief statewide.&nbsp;In the face of Pillen’s “misguided and radical plan,” Conrad said, their alternative is “gaining support at every moment.” She said it’s more fiscally sustainable and doesn’t rely upon huge tax increases.“We are well positioned to use this measure as a centerpiece to move forward this session, which is thrilling,” Conrad said.Brandt said he believes that the Legislature faces the “grandest challenge” that he’s seen in his six years in the Legislature, but he sees a chance to rise to the occasion.“I’m not being facetious when I say that,” Brandt said. “We’ve talked about property tax, we’ve picked at the edges. We have an opportunity to focus on meaningful property tax relief for all the people in the state.”