LINCOLN, NE - Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters in November 2024, announced today that they have qualified 38 counties, to meet the state's&nbsp;requirement of collecting 5% of the voters' signatures in at least 38 Nebraska counties.

“We made the counties our main focus because they require a great deal of time and resources that cannot wait until the last minute. We have the counties, but we have an urgent need to collect bulk signatures. There is no doubt we are farther ahead than in past petition drives, but still have a tremendous push to gather over 30,000 signatures on each petition over the next 27 days to assure we are successful,” said Crista Eggers, NMM’s campaign manager.

Unlike most other campaigns, NMM has not had the millions of dollars in funding, and has driven this campaign mostly grassroots. They have until July 3, 2024 to gather 87,000 valid signatures on each petition, as well as additional overage they need.&nbsp;

“There is no doubt Nebraskans want to see this on the ballot, so we need them to step up and help make that happen. My personal ask, not as a campaign manager, but as a mother, is that people would react as if their child’s life depends on it and go sign; because for many of us, our child’s life really does depend on it,” said Eggers.

NMM is calling for voters to find a location to sign, which they can do in Omaha and Lincoln at Wine, Beer and Spirits weekdays from 4pm-close, and during open hours all weekend. For other signing locations and more information, go&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="http://nebraskamarijuana.org/wbs" target="_blank">nmm2024.org/</a>

Crista EggersLINCOLN, NE - Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters in November 2024, announced today that they have qualified 38 counties, to meet the state's&nbsp;requirement of collecting 5% of the voters' signatures in at least 38 Nebraska counties.“We made the counties our main focus because they require a great deal of time and resources that cannot wait until the last minute. We have the counties, but we have an urgent need to collect bulk signatures. There is no doubt we are farther ahead than in past petition drives, but still have a tremendous push to gather over 30,000 signatures on each petition over the next 27 days to assure we are successful,” said Crista Eggers, NMM’s campaign manager.Unlike most other campaigns, NMM has not had the millions of dollars in funding, and has driven this campaign mostly grassroots. They have until July 3, 2024 to gather 87,000 valid signatures on each petition, as well as additional overage they need.&nbsp;“There is no doubt Nebraskans want to see this on the ballot, so we need them to step up and help make that happen. My personal ask, not as a campaign manager, but as a mother, is that people would react as if their child’s life depends on it and go sign; because for many of us, our child’s life really does depend on it,” said Eggers.NMM is calling for voters to find a location to sign, which they can do in Omaha and Lincoln at Wine, Beer and Spirits weekdays from 4pm-close, and during open hours all weekend. For other signing locations and more information, go&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="http://nebraskamarijuana.org/wbs" target="_blank">nmm2024.org/</a>

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: We Urgently Need Nebraskans To Act Now

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/06/millions-of-dollars-unclaimed-in-last-years-child-food-aid-program-with-days-before-expiration/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska families have yet to claim as much as $6.6 million in grocery assistance that was issued last year in a child-focused food program — and only days remain to tap the funds before they revert to the federal government.

The amount left on the table is from a federal program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to help feed low-income youths during the time they were not in school.&nbsp;

Known as P-EBT, or Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, the program is a predecessor to the similar but separate Summer EBT program that has drawn<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/29/advocates-issue-final-plea-to-governor-to-participate-in-new-summer-lunch-program/">&nbsp;extensive attention</a>&nbsp;in Nebraska because Gov. Jim Pillen declined, at first, to accept the federal food aid for kids.&nbsp;

Here’s the status of last year’s funding, according to public records obtained from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: Nearly $17 million in federal food aid benefits were issued in September 2023 for the P-EBT program. About 140,000 eligible Nebraska youths were each to have received $120 loaded onto wallet-sized plastic “electronic benefit transfer” cards.

Such cards are used essentially like debit cards to pay for food at participating grocery stores.&nbsp;

As of the end of April, state records show that $6.6 million had yet to be accessed or spent. That equates to about 55,000 students not having used their cards.

If cards are not activated within 274 days from when they were issued, the benefits are expunged. The bulk of Nebraska’s 2023 summer P-EBT cards were issued on Sept. 12 and Sept. 14, DHHS said, so the funds expire on June 14 and June 16, respectively.

A small portion of cards were issued Sept. 28, and those expire June 30.

The 274-day count restarts whenever a family makes a purchase. So if a family made a purchase this week, they’d have more time to spend the remainder of the benefits issued to the card, DHHS said.

Reasons as to why the free grocery aid has been left unclaimed can range from families’ lack of awareness or understanding, to cards being sent to former addresses, to families choosing not to participate, say those familiar with the program.

“That is a pretty high percentage. It shows there is more work to be done to get the word out to the community.”

– Eric Savaiano, Nebraska Appleseed economic justice manager, food and nutrition access

Nebraska DHHS spokesman Jeff Powell said in a statement that the state agency can’t speculate as to why families haven’t used the funds issued to them. But he added: “The amount of unspent benefits is not out of the ordinary for federal benefits such as these.”

He said the department “is reaching out to households whose benefits are potentially being expunged.” The statement did not elaborate on the type of outreach, or what the results have been so far.&nbsp;

To bring awareness to the federal pandemic-era program, Powell said, DHHS had issued press releases and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/PEBT.aspx">created a page</a>&nbsp;on its website. Information included eligibility and frequently asked questions. He said schools also provided information to eligible families.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the program aimed to provide benefits to children eligible for free and reduced-price meals through their school who lost access to food due to school closures and adjusted schedules.

Kids who receive SNAP benefits or other public assistance were to see the pandemic grocery aid added to existing EBT cards. Other eligible households that don’t receive that kind of public assistance were to receive a card via the U.S. Postal Service.

The amount of unclaimed 2023 EBT benefits surprised even Eric Savaiano of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://neappleseed.org/">Nebraska Appleseed</a>, who works with food and nutrition initiatives. He and Appleseed helped lead an effort this year to bring awareness to Nebraskans about the Summer EBT program.

“That is a pretty high percentage,” Savaiano said of funds unclaimed from the pandemic grocery aid. “It shows there is more work to be done to get the word out to the community.”

Savaiano suspects the primary reason for not using the grocery aid is unawareness, though some might choose not to participate. He said a slice of families, for instance, might have received a card because they are in a “community eligibility provision” school site, where free and reduced lunches are based on community needs and not necessarily individual household income.

State Sen. Jen Day, who led a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/20/gov-pillen-decides-ne-wont-opt-into-new-18-million-child-nutrition-program/">letter-writing campaign</a>&nbsp;among lawmakers to urge Nebraska’s participation in the 2024 Summer EBT program, agreed with DHHS that unspent benefits are typical in public assistance programs.

But she hopes the state continues to seek better efficiency in reaching those in need, including families whose first language is not English.

“We have to work on streamlining and becoming more efficient with the application process,” she said.

Indeed, unclaimed funds in the previous youth-focused pandemic grocery aid program provides useful lessons for this summer’s EBT program, which was recently launched, says David Rubel, a New York City-based consultant&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/04/02/pandemic-food/">who has looked into pandemic EBT use</a>&nbsp;and unexpended funds in other states as well as Nebraska.

Rubel sought public records from several states, including Nebraska. His research also showed&nbsp; that in summer 2022, about 30% of the grocery aid cards issued to Nebraska residents expired, leaving millions of dollars unspent. That unused portion of cards was a higher share than in the five other states he looked into that year.

This year, Nebraska was among the first states to start issuing benefits for the Summer EBT 2024 program. Participating families in the current program have 122 days to spend the full amount of $120 per child. Any money not spent on Day 123 is to be automatically removed.

Given the large number of families that have not used previous benefits, Rubel recommends that states undertake publicity campaigns to ensure maximum usage and to underscore the 122-day spend-or-lose rule. He said school districts are key since they typically have text, email and most current family contact information.

Said Rubel: “Summer-EBT — with a potential $21 million for struggling Nebraska families — is an opportunity to right the ship.”

In the<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/06/once-controversial-summer-ebt-food-program-for-low-income-ne-kids-set-for-rollout/">&nbsp;current Summer EBT program</a>, DHHS estimates that 175,000 students or 80,000 households will be eligible to receive the grocery benefits.

Eligible families will receive $40 per child per month, or a total of $120 per child, for the summer period.

DHHS has created a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx">Summer EBT website</a>&nbsp;page that contains “a wealth of information,” said Powell. The outreach plan includes social media campaigns, press releases and information for additional resources as part of Pillen’s “Nebraska Solution” plan.

He said that eligible families should also receive a letter from the Nebraska Department of Education about participation. So far this summer, Powell said, DHHS has issued benefits to 130,148 eligible children.

“Continued issuances are planned throughout the summer for additional children determined eligible for the program,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717697973355.jpeg" alt=" (Alyssa Schukar for Feeding America)" />
 <figcaption> (Alyssa Schukar for Feeding America)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/06/millions-of-dollars-unclaimed-in-last-years-child-food-aid-program-with-days-before-expiration/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska families have yet to claim as much as $6.6 million in grocery assistance that was issued last year in a child-focused food program — and only days remain to tap the funds before they revert to the federal government.The amount left on the table is from a federal program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to help feed low-income youths during the time they were not in school.&nbsp;Known as P-EBT, or Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, the program is a predecessor to the similar but separate Summer EBT program that has drawn<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/29/advocates-issue-final-plea-to-governor-to-participate-in-new-summer-lunch-program/">&nbsp;extensive attention</a>&nbsp;in Nebraska because Gov. Jim Pillen declined, at first, to accept the federal food aid for kids.&nbsp;<h2>Expiration looms</h2>Here’s the status of last year’s funding, according to public records obtained from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: Nearly $17 million in federal food aid benefits were issued in September 2023 for the P-EBT program. About 140,000 eligible Nebraska youths were each to have received $120 loaded onto wallet-sized plastic “electronic benefit transfer” cards.Such cards are used essentially like debit cards to pay for food at participating grocery stores.&nbsp;As of the end of April, state records show that $6.6 million had yet to be accessed or spent. That equates to about 55,000 students not having used their cards.An expiration date looms.&nbsp;If cards are not activated within 274 days from when they were issued, the benefits are expunged. The bulk of Nebraska’s 2023 summer P-EBT cards were issued on Sept. 12 and Sept. 14, DHHS said, so the funds expire on June 14 and June 16, respectively.A small portion of cards were issued Sept. 28, and those expire June 30.The 274-day count restarts whenever a family makes a purchase. So if a family made a purchase this week, they’d have more time to spend the remainder of the benefits issued to the card, DHHS said.<h2>Why not tapped?</h2>Reasons as to why the free grocery aid has been left unclaimed can range from families’ lack of awareness or understanding, to cards being sent to former addresses, to families choosing not to participate, say those familiar with the program.“That is a pretty high percentage. It shows there is more work to be done to get the word out to the community.”– Eric Savaiano, Nebraska Appleseed economic justice manager, food and nutrition accessNebraska DHHS spokesman Jeff Powell said in a statement that the state agency can’t speculate as to why families haven’t used the funds issued to them. But he added: “The amount of unspent benefits is not out of the ordinary for federal benefits such as these.”He said the department “is reaching out to households whose benefits are potentially being expunged.” The statement did not elaborate on the type of outreach, or what the results have been so far.&nbsp;To bring awareness to the federal pandemic-era program, Powell said, DHHS had issued press releases and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/PEBT.aspx">created a page</a>&nbsp;on its website. Information included eligibility and frequently asked questions. He said schools also provided information to eligible families.Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the program aimed to provide benefits to children eligible for free and reduced-price meals through their school who lost access to food due to school closures and adjusted schedules.Kids who receive SNAP benefits or other public assistance were to see the pandemic grocery aid added to existing EBT cards. Other eligible households that don’t receive that kind of public assistance were to receive a card via the U.S. Postal Service.<h2>Shocking</h2>The amount of unclaimed 2023 EBT benefits surprised even Eric Savaiano of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://neappleseed.org/">Nebraska Appleseed</a>, who works with food and nutrition initiatives. He and Appleseed helped lead an effort this year to bring awareness to Nebraskans about the Summer EBT program.“That is a pretty high percentage,” Savaiano said of funds unclaimed from the pandemic grocery aid. “It shows there is more work to be done to get the word out to the community.”Savaiano suspects the primary reason for not using the grocery aid is unawareness, though some might choose not to participate. He said a slice of families, for instance, might have received a card because they are in a “community eligibility provision” school site, where free and reduced lunches are based on community needs and not necessarily individual household income.State Sen. Jen Day, who led a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/20/gov-pillen-decides-ne-wont-opt-into-new-18-million-child-nutrition-program/">letter-writing campaign</a>&nbsp;among lawmakers to urge Nebraska’s participation in the 2024 Summer EBT program, agreed with DHHS that unspent benefits are typical in public assistance programs.But she hopes the state continues to seek better efficiency in reaching those in need, including families whose first language is not English.“We have to work on streamlining and becoming more efficient with the application process,” she said.<h2>Other states</h2>Indeed, unclaimed funds in the previous youth-focused pandemic grocery aid program provides useful lessons for this summer’s EBT program, which was recently launched, says David Rubel, a New York City-based consultant&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/04/02/pandemic-food/">who has looked into pandemic EBT use</a>&nbsp;and unexpended funds in other states as well as Nebraska.Rubel sought public records from several states, including Nebraska. His research also showed&nbsp; that in summer 2022, about 30% of the grocery aid cards issued to Nebraska residents expired, leaving millions of dollars unspent. That unused portion of cards was a higher share than in the five other states he looked into that year.This year, Nebraska was among the first states to start issuing benefits for the Summer EBT 2024 program. Participating families in the current program have 122 days to spend the full amount of $120 per child. Any money not spent on Day 123 is to be automatically removed.Given the large number of families that have not used previous benefits, Rubel recommends that states undertake publicity campaigns to ensure maximum usage and to underscore the 122-day spend-or-lose rule. He said school districts are key since they typically have text, email and most current family contact information.Said Rubel: “Summer-EBT — with a potential $21 million for struggling Nebraska families — is an opportunity to right the ship.”<h2>Current Summer EBT program</h2>In the<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/06/once-controversial-summer-ebt-food-program-for-low-income-ne-kids-set-for-rollout/">&nbsp;current Summer EBT program</a>, DHHS estimates that 175,000 students or 80,000 households will be eligible to receive the grocery benefits.Eligible families will receive $40 per child per month, or a total of $120 per child, for the summer period.DHHS has created a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx">Summer EBT website</a>&nbsp;page that contains “a wealth of information,” said Powell. The outreach plan includes social media campaigns, press releases and information for additional resources as part of Pillen’s “Nebraska Solution” plan.He said that eligible families should also receive a letter from the Nebraska Department of Education about participation. So far this summer, Powell said, DHHS has issued benefits to 130,148 eligible children.“Continued issuances are planned throughout the summer for additional children determined eligible for the program,” he said.

Millions of dollars unclaimed in last year’s child food aid program, with days before expiration

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-wins-case-against-ticket-scam-promising-access-to-former-huskers/">Nebraska Examine</a>r

LINCOLN — Some Nebraska football fans will pay handsomely to ramp up the game day experience at Memorial Stadium. But they don’t like paying big bucks for the promise of getting great seats and rubbing elbows with a former Husker and then sitting solo, getting bad seats or no seats at all.

That’s why the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-sues-private-husker-ticket-package-seller-on-behalf-of-wronged-donors/">last year sued</a>&nbsp;entertainment group Nfluence and Kenneth Jason McCants of Memphis, Neb., alleging that more than 50 people paid $1,000 or more and did not receive the experience they were sold.&nbsp;

This week, Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson ordered McCants, the owner of Nfluence and its only known representative, to pay $339,338.18 in fines, restitution and court costs for violating state consumer protection laws.

“For all 63 purchases, defendants failed to provide consumers with the Nebraska Game Day Experience as represented,” the judge wrote. “Defendants thus committed 63 separate violations of the Consumer Protection Act.”

The judge ruled that McCants and his group never gave the proceeds to charity as represented, adding 63 violations of Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices. It held McCants responsible, saying he had produced deceptive advertisements.

The group’s pitch, starting in 2022, was the opportunity to purchase luxury suite tickets, access to a former Husker football player and online validation from the player in the form of a social media photo or post.

For a time, the group got a promo boost from former Nebraska defensive lineman Adam Carriker. He later said online that he had been duped. Attorney General Mike Hilgers said such “scams” were tricking Nebraskans into buying fake tickets.

“Nebraska football plays an integral part in the lives of many Nebraskans,” Hilgers said in a statement. “This fraud preyed on Nebraskans’ love of the Cornhuskers and their passion to help others in need. We are grateful for the Court’s order, which will send a message to other would-be fraudsters. If any money is recovered, our office will prioritize returning funds to consumers harmed by the fraud.”

Nelson ruled that the evidence “indicates that Kenneth Jason McCants was the sole owner and only authorized person on the bank account,” and that he spent sales proceeds on Disneyland tickets, purchases in Hawaii and streaming services.

McCants owes a combined $87,000 in restitution to 63 victims. And he will pay $2,000 apiece for each violation of the two consumer protection laws, totaling $252,000 in fines.

He did not appear in court for the May 23 hearing on the state’s motion for a default judgment. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday by phone or email.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717687315312.jpeg" alt=" Fans cheer on the Huskers at Memorial Stadium. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Fans cheer on the Huskers at Memorial Stadium. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-wins-case-against-ticket-scam-promising-access-to-former-huskers/">Nebraska Examine</a>rLINCOLN — Some Nebraska football fans will pay handsomely to ramp up the game day experience at Memorial Stadium. But they don’t like paying big bucks for the promise of getting great seats and rubbing elbows with a former Husker and then sitting solo, getting bad seats or no seats at all.That’s why the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-ag-sues-private-husker-ticket-package-seller-on-behalf-of-wronged-donors/">last year sued</a>&nbsp;entertainment group Nfluence and Kenneth Jason McCants of Memphis, Neb., alleging that more than 50 people paid $1,000 or more and did not receive the experience they were sold.&nbsp;This week, Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson ordered McCants, the owner of Nfluence and its only known representative, to pay $339,338.18 in fines, restitution and court costs for violating state consumer protection laws.“For all 63 purchases, defendants failed to provide consumers with the Nebraska Game Day Experience as represented,” the judge wrote. “Defendants thus committed 63 separate violations of the Consumer Protection Act.”<h2>Charities didn’t get money</h2>The judge ruled that McCants and his group never gave the proceeds to charity as represented, adding 63 violations of Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices. It held McCants responsible, saying he had produced deceptive advertisements.The group’s pitch, starting in 2022, was the opportunity to purchase luxury suite tickets, access to a former Husker football player and online validation from the player in the form of a social media photo or post.For a time, the group got a promo boost from former Nebraska defensive lineman Adam Carriker. He later said online that he had been duped. Attorney General Mike Hilgers said such “scams” were tricking Nebraskans into buying fake tickets.“Nebraska football plays an integral part in the lives of many Nebraskans,” Hilgers said in a statement. “This fraud preyed on Nebraskans’ love of the Cornhuskers and their passion to help others in need. We are grateful for the Court’s order, which will send a message to other would-be fraudsters. If any money is recovered, our office will prioritize returning funds to consumers harmed by the fraud.”<h2>Much of the money was spent</h2>Nelson ruled that the evidence “indicates that Kenneth Jason McCants was the sole owner and only authorized person on the bank account,” and that he spent sales proceeds on Disneyland tickets, purchases in Hawaii and streaming services.McCants owes a combined $87,000 in restitution to 63 victims. And he will pay $2,000 apiece for each violation of the two consumer protection laws, totaling $252,000 in fines.He did not appear in court for the May 23 hearing on the state’s motion for a default judgment. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday by phone or email.

Nebraska AG wins case against ticket scam promising access to former Huskers

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lankford.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GOE24385.pdf" target="_blank">resolution</a>&nbsp;to keep nursing homes open.

Their resolution of disapproval would overturn a Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) rule mandating unrealistic staffing standards for long-term care facilities. If the rule is not stopped, it could force thousands of nursing homes to shut their doors.

Senator Fischer has fought against this rule since it was proposed in September 2023. That month, Senator Fischer and the Nebraska congressional delegation sent a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1a09e69b-4995-4d6b-be4f-735c046161f5/09.15.23-letter-to-cms-on-ltc-proposed-rule.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to the CMS administrator opposing the rule. In December, Senator Fischer introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/12/fischer-legislation-to-protect-rural-seniors-access-to-care-halt-damaging-medicare-staffing-rule" target="_blank">Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act</a>&nbsp;to stop the CMS rule from being finalized.

“This mandate will force nursing homes to turn away patients or shut down for good if they don’t hire more registered nurses. But hiring more nurses simply isn’t possible in many areas of the country, including Nebraska’s rural communities. Our bill would reverse this rule and protect seniors’ access to care,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.

“Oklahomans shouldn’t lose access to health care because of overly broad&nbsp;and unrealistic&nbsp;rules from Washington, D.C. The Biden administration’s staffing requirements won’t fix workforce shortage problems&nbsp;or solve care quality problems, but they will make it even harder for seniors in rural areas to get care&nbsp;in their own communities.&nbsp;Our seniors deserve high-quality care. Instead of expecting a vague blanket policy to solve nuanced problems, CMS should work with Congress to ensure quality care while also ensuring patients are not displaced due to arbitrary mandates.&nbsp;I am leading the fight to prevent&nbsp;one-size-fits-all&nbsp;requirements from forcing rural nursing homes in Oklahoma to close,”&nbsp;said Senator Lankford.

“LeadingAge and our nonprofit and mission-driven members — many of whom have served their communities for decades and even centuries — share the goal of ensuring quality care. Mandates, as we’ve said repeatedly to Congress, to the administration, and to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are not the right approach to achieving it. We need real policy solutions and investments, not mandates. As part of our aggressive, multi-faceted approach, drawing on every available tool — legislative, legal, and regulatory — to both address the fundamental issue of building the long-term care workforce and halt the regulation’s implementation, we support the CRA resolution’s introduction in the Senate. We thank Senators Lankford and Manchin for their leadership on it,”&nbsp;said President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan of LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit aging services providers.

Senators Fischer and Lankford introduced today’s resolution with a bipartisan group of 29 colleagues: U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Jim&nbsp;Risch&nbsp;(R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Bill Hagerty&nbsp;(R-Tenn.), John&nbsp;Boozman&nbsp;(R-Ark.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve&nbsp;Daines&nbsp;(R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John&nbsp;Barrasso&nbsp;(R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John&nbsp;Hoeven&nbsp;(R-N.D.).Background&nbsp;

On September 1, 2023, CMS proposed a rule mandating new minimum staffing standards for long-term care (LTC) facilities. According to CMS, 75 percent of nursing homes will have to increase staffing to comply with these standards. The standards will be even harder to meet in the rural areas of states like Nebraska, which already face historic staffing shortages.

In September, Senator Fischer and the Nebraska congressional delegation sent a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure opposing the staffing rule.

In December, Senator Fischer introduced the Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act to stop the rule from being finalized.

Despite bipartisan opposition, the CMS staffing rule was finalized last month. It will go into effect this summer if it is not overturned.

Office of U.S. Senator Deb FischerWASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lankford.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GOE24385.pdf" target="_blank">resolution</a>&nbsp;to keep nursing homes open.Their resolution of disapproval would overturn a Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) rule mandating unrealistic staffing standards for long-term care facilities. If the rule is not stopped, it could force thousands of nursing homes to shut their doors.Senator Fischer has fought against this rule since it was proposed in September 2023. That month, Senator Fischer and the Nebraska congressional delegation sent a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1a09e69b-4995-4d6b-be4f-735c046161f5/09.15.23-letter-to-cms-on-ltc-proposed-rule.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a>&nbsp;to the CMS administrator opposing the rule. In December, Senator Fischer introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/12/fischer-legislation-to-protect-rural-seniors-access-to-care-halt-damaging-medicare-staffing-rule" target="_blank">Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act</a>&nbsp;to stop the CMS rule from being finalized.“This mandate will force nursing homes to turn away patients or shut down for good if they don’t hire more registered nurses. But hiring more nurses simply isn’t possible in many areas of the country, including Nebraska’s rural communities. Our bill would reverse this rule and protect seniors’ access to care,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.“Oklahomans shouldn’t lose access to health care because of overly broad&nbsp;and unrealistic&nbsp;rules from Washington, D.C. The Biden administration’s staffing requirements won’t fix workforce shortage problems&nbsp;or solve care quality problems, but they will make it even harder for seniors in rural areas to get care&nbsp;in their own communities.&nbsp;Our seniors deserve high-quality care. Instead of expecting a vague blanket policy to solve nuanced problems, CMS should work with Congress to ensure quality care while also ensuring patients are not displaced due to arbitrary mandates.&nbsp;I am leading the fight to prevent&nbsp;one-size-fits-all&nbsp;requirements from forcing rural nursing homes in Oklahoma to close,”&nbsp;said Senator Lankford.“LeadingAge and our nonprofit and mission-driven members — many of whom have served their communities for decades and even centuries — share the goal of ensuring quality care. Mandates, as we’ve said repeatedly to Congress, to the administration, and to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are not the right approach to achieving it. We need real policy solutions and investments, not mandates. As part of our aggressive, multi-faceted approach, drawing on every available tool — legislative, legal, and regulatory — to both address the fundamental issue of building the long-term care workforce and halt the regulation’s implementation, we support the CRA resolution’s introduction in the Senate. We thank Senators Lankford and Manchin for their leadership on it,”&nbsp;said President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan of LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit aging services providers.Senators Fischer and Lankford introduced today’s resolution with a bipartisan group of 29 colleagues: U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Jim&nbsp;Risch&nbsp;(R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Bill Hagerty&nbsp;(R-Tenn.), John&nbsp;Boozman&nbsp;(R-Ark.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve&nbsp;Daines&nbsp;(R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John&nbsp;Barrasso&nbsp;(R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John&nbsp;Hoeven&nbsp;(R-N.D.).Background&nbsp;On September 1, 2023, CMS proposed a rule mandating new minimum staffing standards for long-term care (LTC) facilities. According to CMS, 75 percent of nursing homes will have to increase staffing to comply with these standards. The standards will be even harder to meet in the rural areas of states like Nebraska, which already face historic staffing shortages.In September, Senator Fischer and the Nebraska congressional delegation sent a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure opposing the staffing rule.In December, Senator Fischer introduced the Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act to stop the rule from being finalized.Despite bipartisan opposition, the CMS staffing rule was finalized last month. It will go into effect this summer if it is not overturned.

   Fischer Bill Would Overturn Rule Endangering Rural Nursing Homes

Eighty years ago, on the shores of Normandy, the course of history was forever changed. D-Day is the turning point of the Second World War, and thus, a major turning point in both world and human history.

The events of June 6, 1944, set in motion a series of actions that resulted in the Allied victory in Europe just under a year later, in May of 1945.

Eighty years ago, on the shores of Normandy, the course of history was forever changed. D-Day is the turning point of the Second World War, and thus, a major turning point in both world and human history.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IoXxto2ZLS4?si=vKbORkvJUdpuM3XB&amp;start=2743" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The events of June 6, 1944, set in motion a series of actions that resulted in the Allied victory in Europe just under a year later, in May of 1945.

🎥 Ceremonies Commemorating 80th Anniversary of D-Day

On June 4 at approximately 12:30 p.m. the Dawes County Sheriff's Office and the Dawes County Attorney/Coroner were dispatched to rural Dawes County to investigate the unattended death of 24-year-old Charles Rath.&nbsp;

"After a review of the scene, the evidence recovered on the scene, interviews with witnesses and a review of testing results; death by self-inflicted gunshot wound is the preliminary determination for cause of death," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said.&nbsp;

By Panhandle PostOn June 4 at approximately 12:30 p.m. the Dawes County Sheriff's Office and the Dawes County Attorney/Coroner were dispatched to rural Dawes County to investigate the unattended death of 24-year-old Charles Rath.&nbsp;"After a review of the scene, the evidence recovered on the scene, interviews with witnesses and a review of testing results; death by self-inflicted gunshot wound is the preliminary determination for cause of death," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said.&nbsp;

Dawes County authorities investigate unattended death

JUNE 5, 2024 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol removed from the road 47 impaired drivers during a statewide campaign to begin the summer travel season.

The&nbsp;Make It Click&nbsp;campaign ran from May 20 through June 2. During the effort, troopers and dispatchers worked overtime to keep Nebraska roadways safe as summer travel ramped up around Memorial Day Weekend.

During the two-week campaign, troopers made 47 arrests for driving under the influence. Troopers also issued citations for speeding (955, including 43 for 100 MPH or more), no seat belt (40), improper child restraint (12), driving under suspension (87), open alcohol container (24), and minor in possession of alcohol (21). Troopers also assisted 439 motorists in need of help during the campaign.

Throughout the summer months, NSP encourages all travelers to practice safe driving on Nebraska roadways. Always drive sober, follow posted speed limits, eliminate distractions, and make your seat belt click. Any motorists in need of help can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 to reach an NSP dispatcher.

The&nbsp;Make It Click&nbsp;campaign was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolJUNE 5, 2024 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol removed from the road 47 impaired drivers during a statewide campaign to begin the summer travel season.The&nbsp;Make It Click&nbsp;campaign ran from May 20 through June 2. During the effort, troopers and dispatchers worked overtime to keep Nebraska roadways safe as summer travel ramped up around Memorial Day Weekend.During the two-week campaign, troopers made 47 arrests for driving under the influence. Troopers also issued citations for speeding (955, including 43 for 100 MPH or more), no seat belt (40), improper child restraint (12), driving under suspension (87), open alcohol container (24), and minor in possession of alcohol (21). Troopers also assisted 439 motorists in need of help during the campaign.Throughout the summer months, NSP encourages all travelers to practice safe driving on Nebraska roadways. Always drive sober, follow posted speed limits, eliminate distractions, and make your seat belt click. Any motorists in need of help can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 to reach an NSP dispatcher.The&nbsp;Make It Click&nbsp;campaign was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Troopers Arrest 47 Impaired Drivers as Summer Travel Season Begins

The Sheriff's Office has placed several trail cameras around Beaver City near reported sightings and will have personnel randomly using thermal imaging in and around town to monitor as well as have a deputy posted in town for a few days for a quick response. 

We must remind residents that only Law Enforcement (Sheriff's Office or Game &amp; Parks) are authorized to dispatch the animal with certain criteria being met.  Anybody that believes they have relevant information  or a sighting needs to contact the Sheriff's Office immediately. 

We encourage residents to continue with normal activities but be a little more observant of their surroundings for the time being.  Our agency and others will continue to monitor the situation and provide information as it becomes available. 

    Sheriff’s office has received credible reports of sightings of an adult mountain lion with cubs in the North West part of Beaver City.  Sheriff’s office is taking measures with game and parks and the area federal trapper to ensure the safety of the Beaver City residents.

    If you see this animal in Beaver City, do not approach, but please do with most detail possible call the Sheriff’s office or 911 to report it’s exact location and activity.  

    Residents are encouraged to keep pets and children in view and be aware of your surroundings if you are out walking or other outdoor activities.  As information becomes available, we will share it with you as soon as possible.

Furnas County Sheriff's OfficeThe Sheriff's Office has placed several trail cameras around Beaver City near reported sightings and will have personnel randomly using thermal imaging in and around town to monitor as well as have a deputy posted in town for a few days for a quick response. We must remind residents that only Law Enforcement (Sheriff's Office or Game &amp; Parks) are authorized to dispatch the animal with certain criteria being met. Anybody that believes they have relevant information or a sighting needs to contact the Sheriff's Office immediately. We encourage residents to continue with normal activities but be a little more observant of their surroundings for the time being. Our agency and others will continue to monitor the situation and provide information as it becomes available. June 4,2024 Sheriff’s office has received credible reports of sightings of an adult mountain lion with cubs in the North West part of Beaver City. Sheriff’s office is taking measures with game and parks and the area federal trapper to ensure the safety of the Beaver City residents. If you see this animal in Beaver City, do not approach, but please do with most detail possible call the Sheriff’s office or 911 to report it’s exact location and activity. Residents are encouraged to keep pets and children in view and be aware of your surroundings if you are out walking or other outdoor activities. As information becomes available, we will share it with you as soon as possible.

Adult mountain lion and cubs have been spotted in Beaver City

KEARNEY – Tom and Sonja Kropp came from different worlds.

He’s a Nebraska sports legend, an Aurora native who’s widely considered one of the greatest athletes in state history.

“I grew up in an athletic family. My dad was a coach, so sports were everything for us,” said Tom, a member of the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, National High School Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame and University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sonja was born and raised in Leuven, Belgium, a city about 20 miles east of Brussels. She speaks four different languages and prefers a good book over the big game.

“She never got too involved with basketball, and I never got too involved with her job,” Tom said with a smile.

“He probably still doesn’t know what my dissertation was about,” Sonja quickly added with a laugh.

Despite their differences, the Kropps are soulmates and best friends. “I can’t imagine life without him,” Sonja said.

They’ve been married for nearly 41 years, with most of that time spent at UNK.

The 1971 Nebraska State High School Athlete of the Year, Tom came to campus later that year to play basketball and football at UNK, known then as Kearney State College. He earned All-American honors in both sports and was twice named Nebraska State College Athlete of the Year.

Tom led the Lopers to a pair of NAIA national basketball tournaments while averaging 20.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game during his UNK career. He still holds the single-game scoring record with 51 points against Central Missouri in 1974.

A fullback and linebacker on the football team, Tom was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League, Washington Bullets of the National Basketball Association and Denver Nuggets of the American Basketball Association. He spent two seasons in the NBA before returning to UNK to earn his master’s degree, then played professionally in Belgium for four years.

She was working for a travel agency owned by the same person who owned the professional basketball team there. He invited Sonja and a friend to come watch a game and, as she puts it, “We didn’t have anything better to do.”

Sonja and Tom met that night and started dating.

When his playing career ended a few years later, they had a decision to make.

“It was either get married or we weren’t going to see each other,” Tom explained.

Obviously, they chose the first option and tied the knot in July 1983. Sonja agreed to relocate to the U.S. and the couple moved to Kearney in August of that year.

“Because we were so much in love, that was an easy decision for me,” she said.

Back at UNK, Tom became an assistant men’s basketball and track coach and accepted a part-time teaching position in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences.

Sonja enrolled as a student at UNK and completed her bachelor’s degree before continuing her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned a master’s degree and doctorate from UNL, and Tom received his doctorate there.

In 1990, Tom was elevated to co-head coach with fellow UNK Hall of Famer Jerry Hueser and Sonja started her teaching career in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/modern-languages/index.php">UNK Department of Modern Languages</a>.

Tom’s time with UNK men’s basketball covered more than 30 seasons, including 25 as a co-head coach or head coach. His 482 wins rank second in school history, and he took the Lopers to 11 NCAA Division II national tournaments.

When he retired from coaching in June 2015, Tom transitioned into a full-time faculty position in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/hperls/index.php">Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences</a>, where he taught courses such as Introduction to Sports Management, Basketball Theory and Sports Psychology and reached the rank of assistant professor.

“My teaching has meant as much to me as my coaching did. I look at them as equal,” he said. “I have as much pride in myself as a teacher as I did as a coach. My students meant as much to me as my athletes. It was an easy transition for me from coaching to teaching because I loved the relationships with my athletes but then I had the same relationships with my students.”

Sonja looks at her career the same way. As an associate professor, she taught students about the French language, literature, culture and history, using her own background to create close connections and help them view the world differently.

“In anything I teach, it’s not about remembering that person, that writer or that text,” she said. “It’s about what I’ve been able to share with them that is universal and that they can take with them in the rest of their life. That, to me, is the most important thing, that I’ve somehow been able to contribute to their future in some way.”

Although the Kropps had opportunities to leave UNK, nothing ever beat what they had here.

“We’d look at the other job, then we’d come back and compare that to Kearney, and Kearney always seemed to win out,” Tom said.

“We were always happy here,” Sonja added.

They both use words like fulfilling and rewarding to describe their careers.

“The people are what kept us here,” Tom said. “The relationships I had with the people I worked with, my students and my athletes stood out more than anything else by far.”

Sonja agreed, calling Thomas Hall her “home.”

“The relationships with my colleagues and students made it so much fun that you wouldn’t want to do anything else,” the former department chair said.

One of those students was their daughter Dominique, who graduated from UNK in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and sports administration. She’s currently a faculty member in the Department of Sport Science and Management at Xavier University.

As for Tom and Sonja, they both retired at the end of the spring semester after more than 70 years of combined service to UNK. The couple recently moved to Lincoln to be closer to family and a larger airport that makes those trips back to Belgium much easier.

“As much as I will miss the beginning of the semester and the new books and the new faces and the new notes and all that, we don’t have to live that routine anymore,” Sonja said. “We can travel when we want, and we’re still young enough for a new chapter in our lives.”

Since they’ll only be two hours from Kearney, it won’t be difficult to drive back for Loper athletic events.

“Now we’re retired, so we can go to games together,” a smirking Sonja said to Tom. “You’ll have to start explaining them to me.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717599151023.jpeg" alt="Tom and Sonja Kropp both retired from UNK at the end of the spring semester. He was an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences and she was an associate professor in the Department of Modern Languages." />
 <figcaption>Tom and Sonja Kropp both retired from UNK at the end of the spring semester. He was an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences and she was an associate professor in the Department of Modern Languages.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER ELLYSONUNK CommunicationsKEARNEY – Tom and Sonja Kropp came from different worlds.He’s a Nebraska sports legend, an Aurora native who’s widely considered one of the greatest athletes in state history.“I grew up in an athletic family. My dad was a coach, so sports were everything for us,” said Tom, a member of the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, National High School Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame and University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame.Sonja was born and raised in Leuven, Belgium, a city about 20 miles east of Brussels. She speaks four different languages and prefers a good book over the big game.“She never got too involved with basketball, and I never got too involved with her job,” Tom said with a smile.“He probably still doesn’t know what my dissertation was about,” Sonja quickly added with a laugh.Despite their differences, the Kropps are soulmates and best friends. “I can’t imagine life without him,” Sonja said.They’ve been married for nearly 41 years, with most of that time spent at UNK.<h2>CAMPUS CONNECTIONS</h2>The 1971 Nebraska State High School Athlete of the Year, Tom came to campus later that year to play basketball and football at UNK, known then as Kearney State College. He earned All-American honors in both sports and was twice named Nebraska State College Athlete of the Year.Tom led the Lopers to a pair of NAIA national basketball tournaments while averaging 20.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game during his UNK career. He still holds the single-game scoring record with 51 points against Central Missouri in 1974.A fullback and linebacker on the football team, Tom was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League, Washington Bullets of the National Basketball Association and Denver Nuggets of the American Basketball Association. He spent two seasons in the NBA before returning to UNK to earn his master’s degree, then played professionally in Belgium for four years.That’s where he met Sonja.She was working for a travel agency owned by the same person who owned the professional basketball team there. He invited Sonja and a friend to come watch a game and, as she puts it, “We didn’t have anything better to do.”Sonja and Tom met that night and started dating.When his playing career ended a few years later, they had a decision to make.“It was either get married or we weren’t going to see each other,” Tom explained.Obviously, they chose the first option and tied the knot in July 1983. Sonja agreed to relocate to the U.S. and the couple moved to Kearney in August of that year.“Because we were so much in love, that was an easy decision for me,” she said.Back at UNK, Tom became an assistant men’s basketball and track coach and accepted a part-time teaching position in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences.Sonja enrolled as a student at UNK and completed her bachelor’s degree before continuing her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned a master’s degree and doctorate from UNL, and Tom received his doctorate there.In 1990, Tom was elevated to co-head coach with fellow UNK Hall of Famer Jerry Hueser and Sonja started her teaching career in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/modern-languages/index.php">UNK Department of Modern Languages</a>.Tom’s time with UNK men’s basketball covered more than 30 seasons, including 25 as a co-head coach or head coach. His 482 wins rank second in school history, and he took the Lopers to 11 NCAA Division II national tournaments.When he retired from coaching in June 2015, Tom transitioned into a full-time faculty position in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/hperls/index.php">Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences</a>, where he taught courses such as Introduction to Sports Management, Basketball Theory and Sports Psychology and reached the rank of assistant professor.“My teaching has meant as much to me as my coaching did. I look at them as equal,” he said. “I have as much pride in myself as a teacher as I did as a coach. My students meant as much to me as my athletes. It was an easy transition for me from coaching to teaching because I loved the relationships with my athletes but then I had the same relationships with my students.”Sonja looks at her career the same way. As an associate professor, she taught students about the French language, literature, culture and history, using her own background to create close connections and help them view the world differently.“In anything I teach, it’s not about remembering that person, that writer or that text,” she said. “It’s about what I’ve been able to share with them that is universal and that they can take with them in the rest of their life. That, to me, is the most important thing, that I’ve somehow been able to contribute to their future in some way.”<h2>NEW CHAPTER</h2>Although the Kropps had opportunities to leave UNK, nothing ever beat what they had here.“We’d look at the other job, then we’d come back and compare that to Kearney, and Kearney always seemed to win out,” Tom said.“We were always happy here,” Sonja added.They both use words like fulfilling and rewarding to describe their careers.“The people are what kept us here,” Tom said. “The relationships I had with the people I worked with, my students and my athletes stood out more than anything else by far.”Sonja agreed, calling Thomas Hall her “home.”“The relationships with my colleagues and students made it so much fun that you wouldn’t want to do anything else,” the former department chair said.One of those students was their daughter Dominique, who graduated from UNK in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and sports administration. She’s currently a faculty member in the Department of Sport Science and Management at Xavier University.As for Tom and Sonja, they both retired at the end of the spring semester after more than 70 years of combined service to UNK. The couple recently moved to Lincoln to be closer to family and a larger airport that makes those trips back to Belgium much easier.“As much as I will miss the beginning of the semester and the new books and the new faces and the new notes and all that, we don’t have to live that routine anymore,” Sonja said. “We can travel when we want, and we’re still young enough for a new chapter in our lives.”Since they’ll only be two hours from Kearney, it won’t be difficult to drive back for Loper athletic events.“Now we’re retired, so we can go to games together,” a smirking Sonja said to Tom. “You’ll have to start explaining them to me.”

‘We were always happy here’: Tom and Sonja Kropp built their life together as Lopers

On Wednesday (June 5), UNMC Chancellor and incoming University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, will highlight – in a national conversation – the ingenuity shown during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Gold will join the&nbsp;<a href="https://pandemics.sph.brown.edu/" target="_blank">Brown University School of Public Health Pandemic Center</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covidcollaborative.us/" target="_blank">COVID Collaborative</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csis.org/programs/global-health-policy-center/csis-bipartisan-alliance-global-health-security" target="_blank">CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security</a>&nbsp;for the launch of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csis.org/events/american-democracy-and-health-security-initiative-lighting-path-amid-pandemic-polarization" target="_blank">American Democracy and Health Security Initiative</a>.

On the webcast, Dr. Gold will join national leaders – from governors, advisors and health leaders to community organizations, educators, businesses and crisis managers – to discuss how to make the country more resilient against future health security threats. Participants also will identify national and local innovations to reinvigorate leadership, bipartisanship and equitable access in the face of the next health emergency in America.

“UNMC played an important role in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m looking forward to sharing our story, as well as speaking with other national leaders about the future of pandemic response,” Dr. Gold said. “Our experience with COVID, always building new partnerships with federal and local partners as a trusted source of information, has defined our approach.”

The story of how America fared under the COVID-19 pandemic is two&nbsp;stories. While the more well-known story is one of failure, confusion and polarization, the other story is one of American ingenuity amidst profound uncertainty. State and local leaders were at the center of this untold story – in serving their communities they innovated, bridged divides and illuminated America’s path during the COVID-19 pandemic’s darkest days. The American Democracy and Health Security Initiative&nbsp;spotlights these lamplighters&nbsp;and harvests their hard-won lessons to ensure the most successful strategies can be sustained or replicated in future crises. On June 5, the American Democracy and Health Security Initiative also will publish its findings on what actionable steps are needed to advance health security for the future.

To register for the webcast, or view the itinerary, which runs from 1-4:30 p.m. CT, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csis.org/events/american-democracy-and-health-security-initiative-lighting-path-amid-pandemic-polarization" target="_blank">American Democracy and Health Security Initiative</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717527131947.jpeg" alt=" UNMC Chancellor and incoming University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD" />
 <figcaption> UNMC Chancellor and incoming University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCOn Wednesday (June 5), UNMC Chancellor and incoming University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, will highlight – in a national conversation – the ingenuity shown during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.Dr. Gold will join the&nbsp;<a href="https://pandemics.sph.brown.edu/" target="_blank">Brown University School of Public Health Pandemic Center</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covidcollaborative.us/" target="_blank">COVID Collaborative</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csis.org/programs/global-health-policy-center/csis-bipartisan-alliance-global-health-security" target="_blank">CSIS Bipartisan Alliance for Global Health Security</a>&nbsp;for the launch of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csis.org/events/american-democracy-and-health-security-initiative-lighting-path-amid-pandemic-polarization" target="_blank">American Democracy and Health Security Initiative</a>.On the webcast, Dr. Gold will join national leaders – from governors, advisors and health leaders to community organizations, educators, businesses and crisis managers – to discuss how to make the country more resilient against future health security threats. Participants also will identify national and local innovations to reinvigorate leadership, bipartisanship and equitable access in the face of the next health emergency in America.“UNMC played an important role in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m looking forward to sharing our story, as well as speaking with other national leaders about the future of pandemic response,” Dr. Gold said. “Our experience with COVID, always building new partnerships with federal and local partners as a trusted source of information, has defined our approach.”The story of how America fared under the COVID-19 pandemic is two&nbsp;stories. While the more well-known story is one of failure, confusion and polarization, the other story is one of American ingenuity amidst profound uncertainty. State and local leaders were at the center of this untold story – in serving their communities they innovated, bridged divides and illuminated America’s path during the COVID-19 pandemic’s darkest days. The American Democracy and Health Security Initiative&nbsp;spotlights these lamplighters&nbsp;and harvests their hard-won lessons to ensure the most successful strategies can be sustained or replicated in future crises. On June 5, the American Democracy and Health Security Initiative also will publish its findings on what actionable steps are needed to advance health security for the future.To register for the webcast, or view the itinerary, which runs from 1-4:30 p.m. CT, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csis.org/events/american-democracy-and-health-security-initiative-lighting-path-amid-pandemic-polarization" target="_blank">American Democracy and Health Security Initiative</a>.

Dr. Gold to participate in national health security conversation

<a>(GRAND ISLAND, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp; Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) secured first and second place in this year’s Nebraska Inspector Championships. Carrier Enforcement Sergeant Matt Ramsey has won first place in the Nebraska Inspector Championships. The competition was held jointly with the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships in Grand Island this weekend.

Sergeant Matt Ramsey is a 24-year veteran of NSP and is assigned to the Carrier Enforcement Division. Investigator Kris Hunzeker placed second in the competition. Hunzeker is a 21-year veteran of NSP.

The competition consists of various hands-on inspections, a table-top exercise, and a personal interview. Carrier Enforcement commanders also assist with the truck driving competition.

Sergeant Ramsey will now represent Nebraska at the North American Inspector Championships (NAIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana this August. During the competition, the best inspectors from jurisdictions across North America are tested in a series of timed events, in which they demonstrate their knowledge of the North American Standard Inspection Program.

In addition to the competition, each inspector receives training on the latest commercial motor vehicle safety trends, technology, standards, and inspection procedures. The NAIC is held in conjunction with the American Trucking Association National Truck Driving Championships.

Nebraska State Patrol<a>(GRAND ISLAND, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>—&nbsp; Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) secured first and second place in this year’s Nebraska Inspector Championships. Carrier Enforcement Sergeant Matt Ramsey has won first place in the Nebraska Inspector Championships. The competition was held jointly with the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships in Grand Island this weekend.Sergeant Matt Ramsey is a 24-year veteran of NSP and is assigned to the Carrier Enforcement Division. Investigator Kris Hunzeker placed second in the competition. Hunzeker is a 21-year veteran of NSP.The competition consists of various hands-on inspections, a table-top exercise, and a personal interview. Carrier Enforcement commanders also assist with the truck driving competition.Sergeant Ramsey will now represent Nebraska at the North American Inspector Championships (NAIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana this August. During the competition, the best inspectors from jurisdictions across North America are tested in a series of timed events, in which they demonstrate their knowledge of the North American Standard Inspection Program.In addition to the competition, each inspector receives training on the latest commercial motor vehicle safety trends, technology, standards, and inspection procedures. The NAIC is held in conjunction with the American Trucking Association National Truck Driving Championships.

NSP Sgt. Ramsey Wins Nebraska Inspector Championships

NEW YORK —Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that following investigations by its Department of Investigations, disciplinary action has been taken against Major League players Tucupita Marcano (San Diego Padres infielder/outfielder) and Michael Kelly (Oakland Athletics pitcher); and Minor League players Jay Groome (Padres pitcher), José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies infielder) and Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher) for unrelated violations of MLB’s sports betting rules and policies. MLB’s investigations included interviews, thorough review of the available information in each matter, and significant cooperation from MLB’s legal sportsbook partners, according to a media release.

In March 2024, MLB learned from a legal sports betting operator that it had identified past baseball betting activity from accounts connected to multiple Major and Minor League players. MLB obtained data from that operator and other sportsbooks, including authentication data for bets. None of these players played in any game on which they placed a bet. Further, all of the players denied that they had any inside information relevant to the bets or that any of the baseball games they bet on were compromised or manipulated, and the betting data does not suggest that any outcomes in the baseball games on which they placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way. None of the players are appealing their discipline.

Under Major League Rule 21, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year.” Whereas, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans. The longstanding prohibition against betting on Major League Baseball games by those in the sport has been a bedrock principle for over a century. We have been clear that the privilege of playing in baseball comes with a responsibility to refrain from engaging in certain types of behavior that are legal for other people. Since the Supreme Court decision opened the door to legalized sports betting, we have worked with licensed sports betting operators and other third parties to put ourselves in a better position from an integrity perspective through the transparency that a regulated sports betting system can provide. MLB will continue to invest heavily in integrity monitoring, educational programming and awareness initiatives with the goal of ensuring strict adherence to this fundamental rule of our game.”

The following players have been disciplined for violating Major League Rule 21 and the Major League or Minor League sports betting policy applicable to them at the time of their bets:

San Diego Padres Major League infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano&nbsp;has been declared permanently ineligible for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(2).

Oakland Athletics Major League pitcher Michael Kelly has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).

Padres Minor League pitcher Jay Groome&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).

Philadelphia Phillies Minor League infielder José Rodríguez&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).

Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League pitcher Andrew Saalfrank&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717513899838.png" alt="Marcano photo courtesy San Diego Padres" />
 <figcaption>Marcano photo courtesy San Diego Padres</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK —Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that following investigations by its Department of Investigations, disciplinary action has been taken against Major League players Tucupita Marcano (San Diego Padres infielder/outfielder) and Michael Kelly (Oakland Athletics pitcher); and Minor League players Jay Groome (Padres pitcher), José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies infielder) and Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher) for unrelated violations of MLB’s sports betting rules and policies. MLB’s investigations included interviews, thorough review of the available information in each matter, and significant cooperation from MLB’s legal sportsbook partners, according to a media release.In March 2024, MLB learned from a legal sports betting operator that it had identified past baseball betting activity from accounts connected to multiple Major and Minor League players. MLB obtained data from that operator and other sportsbooks, including authentication data for bets. None of these players played in any game on which they placed a bet. Further, all of the players denied that they had any inside information relevant to the bets or that any of the baseball games they bet on were compromised or manipulated, and the betting data does not suggest that any outcomes in the baseball games on which they placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way. None of the players are appealing their discipline.Under Major League Rule 21, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year.” Whereas, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules and policies governing gambling conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans. The longstanding prohibition against betting on Major League Baseball games by those in the sport has been a bedrock principle for over a century. We have been clear that the privilege of playing in baseball comes with a responsibility to refrain from engaging in certain types of behavior that are legal for other people. Since the Supreme Court decision opened the door to legalized sports betting, we have worked with licensed sports betting operators and other third parties to put ourselves in a better position from an integrity perspective through the transparency that a regulated sports betting system can provide. MLB will continue to invest heavily in integrity monitoring, educational programming and awareness initiatives with the goal of ensuring strict adherence to this fundamental rule of our game.”The following players have been disciplined for violating Major League Rule 21 and the Major League or Minor League sports betting policy applicable to them at the time of their bets:San Diego Padres Major League infielder/outfielder Tucupita Marcano&nbsp;has been declared permanently ineligible for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(2).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that from October 16, 2022 through October 23, 2022, and from July 12, 2023 through November 1, 2023, Marcano placed 387 baseball bets, including 231 MLB-related bets among other bets on international baseball games through a legal sportsbook. Marcano’s MLB bets were generally parlays, which would sometimes include multiple MLB-related legs, and they would sometimes include MLB-related legs and non-MLB legs.</li><li>In total, Marcano bet more than $150,000 on baseball, with $87,319 of that on MLB-related bets (an average of approximately $378 per bet). Of the over 200 MLB bets Marcano placed over this period, 25 of those bets included Pirates games while he was assigned to the Pirates’ Major League Club. Marcano did not appear in any of the games on which he placed bets, however, because all of Marcano’s Pirates-related bets, and the vast majority of his bets overall, occurred during the period after he suffered a season-ending knee injury on July 24, 2023 and was receiving medical treatment at PNC Park.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Consistent with Marcano’s overall baseball betting activity, almost all of Marcano’s Pirates bets were on which Club (the Pirates or their opponent) would win the game or whether there would be more or less than a certain number of runs scored in the game. Ultimately, Marcano lost all of his parlays involving the Pirates and only won 4.3% of all of his MLB-related bets overall.</li><li>There is no evidence to suggest — and Marcano denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>Oakland Athletics Major League pitcher Michael Kelly has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that from October 5, 2021 through October 17, 2021, Kelly, who at the time was a Minor League player assigned to the Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land, Texas, placed 10 bets involving nine MLB games, including bets on the outcomes, over/under bets on the number of runs scored, and on an individual pitcher’s strikeout total. Three of the nine games on which Kelly placed bets involved the Houston Astros Major League Club.</li><li>Kelly’s account bet $99.22 on MLB games (an average of $9.92 per bet). Overall, Kelly won five of the MLB game bets and had a net win of $28.30 on the bets.</li><li>Kelly did not appear in any of the games on which he bet, and he did not make any bets involving his assigned team. There is no evidence to suggest — and Kelly denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>Padres Minor League pitcher Jay Groome&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that from July 22, 2020 through July 24, 2021, Groome placed 32 MLB-related bets. Of those, 24 bets involved the Red Sox Major League Club, all of which Groome placed while he was assigned to the Red Sox’ High-A affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina. All 24 of Groome’s Red Sox bets were on the final outcome.</li><li>In total, Groome bet $453.74 on 30 MLB game-related bets (an average of approximately $15.12 per bet) and had a net loss of $433.54 on these bets. Ultimately, Groome only received payouts on two of his MLB bets.</li><li>Groome’s MLB bets included parlays, which sometimes included multiple MLB-related legs and would sometimes include MLB-related legs and non-MLB legs.</li><li>Groome did not appear in any of the games on which he bet, and he did not make any bets involving his assigned team. There is no evidence to suggest — and Groome denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>Philadelphia Phillies Minor League infielder José Rodríguez&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that on September 30, 2021, and from June 5, 2022 through July 30, 2022, Rodríguez placed 31 baseball bets, comprised of three bets on college baseball games and 28 MLB-related bets while he was on a Minor League contract with the Chicago White Sox. His MLB bets included seven bets involving the White Sox’ Major League team while he was assigned to the White Sox’ Double-A affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama. Two Club-related bets involved the outcomes and his other Club-related bets were on whether there would be more or less than a certain number of runs scored in the game.</li><li>In total, Rodríguez bet $749.09 on baseball, with $724.09 of that on MLB-related bets (an average of approximately $25.86 per bet). His MLB bets included parlays, which sometimes included multiple MLB-related legs and would sometimes include MLB-related legs and non-MLB legs.</li><li>Rodríguez did not appear in any of the games on which he bet, and he did not make any bets involving his assigned team. There is no evidence to suggest — and Rodríguez denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League pitcher Andrew Saalfrank&nbsp;has been declared ineligible for one year for violating MLB’s sports betting rules and policies, including Rule 21(d)(1).<ul>
 <li>Betting data shows that from September 9, 2021 through October 29, 2021, and on March 9, 2022, Saalfrank placed 29 baseball bets, including 28 MLB-related bets and one parlay bet on college baseball games, while he was on a Minor League contract with the Diamondbacks. Saalfrank placed all of his MLB-related bets, including four bets involving the Diamondbacks’ Major League team, while he was assigned to and on the Injured List of the Diamondbacks’ Low-A affiliate.</li><li>In total, Saalfrank bet $445.87 on baseball, with $444.07 of that on MLB-related bets (an average of approximately $15.86 per bet) and with a net loss of $272.64 on MLB bets. Ultimately, Saalfrank only won five of his 28 MLB-related bets and lost his $1.80 college bet.</li><li>Saalfrank’s MLB bets included parlays, which sometimes included multiple MLB-related legs and would sometimes include MLB-related legs and non-MLB legs. Saalfrank’s bets varied, including who would win the game, the over/under of strikeouts by a pitcher, or whether there would be more or less than a certain number of runs scored in the game.</li><li>Saalfrank did not appear in any of the games on which he bet, and he did not make any bets involving his assigned team. There is no evidence to suggest — and Saalfrank denies — that any outcomes in the baseball games on which he placed bets were compromised, influenced, or manipulated in any way.</li>
 </ul>

MLB gambling scandal: Padres infielder banned for life

 (Ainsworth, Neb.) — Roadway paint striping is complete in the Merriman and Valentine areas. Paint striping is progressing to the Ainsworth, Springview, Bassett and Atkinson areas, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. 

Sir Lines-A-Lot LLC of Edina, Minn. is the contractor for this project. Work includes repainting the yellow and white stripes on the roadways. This is a slow speed mobile operation. Be aware of wet paint when approaching the striping equipment. After striping is completed in the Ainsworth to Atkinson area, work will progress into the O’Neill, Spencer and Burwell areas. Anticipated completion is July 2024. 

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down. 

(Ainsworth, Neb.) — Roadway paint striping is complete in the Merriman and Valentine areas. Paint striping is progressing to the Ainsworth, Springview, Bassett and Atkinson areas, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Sir Lines-A-Lot LLC of Edina, Minn. is the contractor for this project. Work includes repainting the yellow and white stripes on the roadways. This is a slow speed mobile operation. Be aware of wet paint when approaching the striping equipment. After striping is completed in the Ainsworth to Atkinson area, work will progress into the O’Neill, Spencer and Burwell areas. Anticipated completion is July 2024. Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Work Continuing East in District 8

WASHINGTON — Following a successful filing season pilot and feedback from a variety of partners, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that it will make Direct File a permanent option for filing federal tax returns starting in the 2025 tax season.

The agency is exploring ways to expand Direct File to make more taxpayers eligible in the 2025 filing season and beyond by examining options to broaden Direct File’s availability across the nation, including covering more tax situations and inviting all states to partner with Direct File next year.

The IRS plans to announce additional details on the 2025 expansion in the coming months.

The decision follows a highly successful, limited pilot during the 2024 filing season, where 140,803 taxpayers in 12 states filed their taxes using Direct File. The IRS closely analyzed data collected during the pilot, held numerous meetings with diverse groups of stakeholders and gathered feedback from individual Direct File users, state officials and representatives across the tax landscape. The IRS heard directly from hundreds of organizations across the country, more than a hundred members of Congress and from those interested in using Direct File in the future. The IRS has also heard from a limited number of stakeholders who believe the current free electronic filing options provided by third party vendors are adequate.

The IRS will continue data analysis and stakeholder engagement to identify improvements to Direct File; however, initial post-pilot analysis yielded enough information for the decision to make Direct File a permanent filing option. The IRS noted that an early decision on 2025 was critical for planning and programming both for the IRS and for additional states to join the program. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel recommended to Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen to make Direct File permanent. He cited overwhelming satisfaction from users and improved ease of tax filing among the reasons for his recommendation, which Secretary Yellen has accepted.

“The clear message is that many taxpayers across the nation want the IRS to provide more than one no-cost option for filing electronically,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “So, starting with the 2025 filing season, the IRS will make Direct File a permanent option for filing federal tax returns. Giving taxpayers additional options strengthens the tax filing system. And adding Direct File to the menu of filing options fits squarely into our effort to make taxes as easy as possible for Americans, including saving time and money.”

Building on the success of the limited pilot – where taxpayers with relatively simple tax situations in 12 states were eligible to use Direct File – the IRS is examining ways to expand eligibility to more taxpayers across the country. For the 2025 filing season, the IRS will work with all states that want to partner with Direct File, and there will be no limit to the number of states that can participate in the coming year. The agency expects several new states will choose to participate.

The IRS is also exploring ways to gradually expand the scope of tax situations supported by Direct File. Over the coming years, the agency’s goal is to expand Direct File to support most common tax situations, with a particular focus on those situations that impact working families. Announcements about new state partners and expanded eligibility are expected in the coming months.

“User experience – both within the product and integration with state tax systems – will continue to be the foundation for Direct File moving forward,” Werfel said. “We will focus, first and foremost, on continuing to get it right. Accuracy and comprehensive tax credit uptake will be paramount concerns to ensure taxpayers file a correct return and get the refund they’re entitled to. And our North Star will be improving the experience of tax filing itself and helping taxpayers meet their obligations as easily and quickly as possible.”

During the agency’s review, many taxpayers told the IRS they want no-cost filing options. Millions of taxpayers who did not live in one of the 12 pilot states visited the Direct File website to learn more about this option or asked live chat assistors to make Direct File available in their state.

As a permanent filing option, Direct File will continue to be one option among many from which taxpayers can choose. It is not meant to replace other important options by tax professionals or commercial software providers, who are critical partners with the IRS in delivering a successful tax system for the nation. The IRS also remains committed to the ongoing relationship with Free File Inc., which has served taxpayers for two decades in the joint effort to provide free commercial software. Earlier this month, the IRS signed a five-year extension with industry to continue Free File.

As the IRS works to expand Direct File, it will also work to strengthen all free filing options for taxpayers, including Free File, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program (TCE).

In the six weeks following the close of the Direct File pilot, the IRS closely analyzed pilot data and gathered feedback from diverse groups of stakeholders, including Direct File users, state officials and representatives across the country’s tax community.

While data analysis and partner engagement are ongoing, the IRS’ post-pilot analysis has yielded three conclusions that support making Direct File a permanent tax filing solution:

1. Taxpayers overwhelmingly liked using Direct File

As detailed in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5969.pdf" target="_blank">IRS Direct File Pilot: Filing Season 2024 After Action Report</a>PDF, more than 15,000 Direct File users participated in the General Services Administration’s Touchpoints survey, which collects comprehensive user feedback about government systems:

For the primary quantitative measure of taxpayer opinions of Direct File, the IRS selected the Net Promoter Score (NPS) customer sentiment metric, which asks users, “On a scale from 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend Direct File to a friend or family member?” NPS scores range from -100-+100. Direct File has a NPS of +74. If compared to benchmark scores from financial services companies, Direct File would lead in eight of nine categories.

2. Direct File made the tax filing experience easier

Direct File’s users reported saving time: Filing taxes with Direct File generally took less than an hour, and many reported filing in as little as 30 minutes. Nearly half of Direct File users reported paying for tax preparation the previous year, and the Treasury Department estimates that Direct File users saved $5.6 million in tax preparation fees this filing season.

3. Direct File helps catalyze the IRS’s digital transformation

To build Direct File, the IRS assembled a team of experienced tax experts, digital product specialists, engineers and data scientists from across the federal government. The agency partnered with the U.S. Digital Service and GSA’s 18F, as well as private sector partners, who all brought critical agile technology expertise. Working side by side at IRS headquarters and collaborating with remote team members across the country, the Direct File team developed and delivered a strong technology product.

The Direct File pilot also gave the IRS the chance to test customer service innovations on a large scale.

Live Chat served as Direct File’s primary customer support channel because it could be integrated directly into the product. This allowed customer support to gradually expand in concert with the overall number of users in each phase of the pilot. The IRS is exploring how this approach could impact taxpayer service overall as the agency works to provide taxpayers with more choices in how they can interact with the IRS.

“We’re mindful that the most important decision we made during the pilot was to focus on executional certainty,” Werfel said. “We took the time to get it right. We found the right first step to test the demand and the user experience and build a strong product. We will apply that same critical lesson for next year as we take a strategic approach to expanding Direct File’s availability and capabilities.”

WASHINGTON — Following a successful filing season pilot and feedback from a variety of partners, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that it will make Direct File a permanent option for filing federal tax returns starting in the 2025 tax season.The agency is exploring ways to expand Direct File to make more taxpayers eligible in the 2025 filing season and beyond by examining options to broaden Direct File’s availability across the nation, including covering more tax situations and inviting all states to partner with Direct File next year.The IRS plans to announce additional details on the 2025 expansion in the coming months.The decision follows a highly successful, limited pilot during the 2024 filing season, where 140,803 taxpayers in 12 states filed their taxes using Direct File. The IRS closely analyzed data collected during the pilot, held numerous meetings with diverse groups of stakeholders and gathered feedback from individual Direct File users, state officials and representatives across the tax landscape. The IRS heard directly from hundreds of organizations across the country, more than a hundred members of Congress and from those interested in using Direct File in the future. The IRS has also heard from a limited number of stakeholders who believe the current free electronic filing options provided by third party vendors are adequate.The IRS will continue data analysis and stakeholder engagement to identify improvements to Direct File; however, initial post-pilot analysis yielded enough information for the decision to make Direct File a permanent filing option. The IRS noted that an early decision on 2025 was critical for planning and programming both for the IRS and for additional states to join the program. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel recommended to Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen to make Direct File permanent. He cited overwhelming satisfaction from users and improved ease of tax filing among the reasons for his recommendation, which Secretary Yellen has accepted.“The clear message is that many taxpayers across the nation want the IRS to provide more than one no-cost option for filing electronically,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “So, starting with the 2025 filing season, the IRS will make Direct File a permanent option for filing federal tax returns. Giving taxpayers additional options strengthens the tax filing system. And adding Direct File to the menu of filing options fits squarely into our effort to make taxes as easy as possible for Americans, including saving time and money.”<h2>State and eligibility expansion</h2>Building on the success of the limited pilot – where taxpayers with relatively simple tax situations in 12 states were eligible to use Direct File – the IRS is examining ways to expand eligibility to more taxpayers across the country. For the 2025 filing season, the IRS will work with all states that want to partner with Direct File, and there will be no limit to the number of states that can participate in the coming year. The agency expects several new states will choose to participate.The IRS is also exploring ways to gradually expand the scope of tax situations supported by Direct File. Over the coming years, the agency’s goal is to expand Direct File to support most common tax situations, with a particular focus on those situations that impact working families. Announcements about new state partners and expanded eligibility are expected in the coming months.“User experience – both within the product and integration with state tax systems – will continue to be the foundation for Direct File moving forward,” Werfel said. “We will focus, first and foremost, on continuing to get it right. Accuracy and comprehensive tax credit uptake will be paramount concerns to ensure taxpayers file a correct return and get the refund they’re entitled to. And our North Star will be improving the experience of tax filing itself and helping taxpayers meet their obligations as easily and quickly as possible.”<h2>Direct File’s role in the tax system</h2>During the agency’s review, many taxpayers told the IRS they want no-cost filing options. Millions of taxpayers who did not live in one of the 12 pilot states visited the Direct File website to learn more about this option or asked live chat assistors to make Direct File available in their state.As a permanent filing option, Direct File will continue to be one option among many from which taxpayers can choose. It is not meant to replace other important options by tax professionals or commercial software providers, who are critical partners with the IRS in delivering a successful tax system for the nation. The IRS also remains committed to the ongoing relationship with Free File Inc., which has served taxpayers for two decades in the joint effort to provide free commercial software. Earlier this month, the IRS signed a five-year extension with industry to continue Free File.As the IRS works to expand Direct File, it will also work to strengthen all free filing options for taxpayers, including Free File, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program (TCE).<h2>Pilot analysis and feedback</h2>In the six weeks following the close of the Direct File pilot, the IRS closely analyzed pilot data and gathered feedback from diverse groups of stakeholders, including Direct File users, state officials and representatives across the country’s tax community.While data analysis and partner engagement are ongoing, the IRS’ post-pilot analysis has yielded three conclusions that support making Direct File a permanent tax filing solution:<h2>1. Taxpayers overwhelmingly liked using Direct File</h2>As detailed in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5969.pdf" target="_blank">IRS Direct File Pilot: Filing Season 2024 After Action Report</a>PDF, more than 15,000 Direct File users participated in the General Services Administration’s Touchpoints survey, which collects comprehensive user feedback about government systems:<ul>
 <li>90% of respondents&nbsp;ranked their experience as Excellent or Above Average.</li><li>When asked what they particularly liked, respondents most commonly cited Direct File’s ease of use, trustworthiness and that it was free.</li><li>Additionally,&nbsp;86% of respondents&nbsp;said that their experience with Direct File increased their trust in the IRS.</li><li>90% of survey respondents&nbsp;who used customer support rated that experience as Excellent or Above Average.</li>
 </ul>For the primary quantitative measure of taxpayer opinions of Direct File, the IRS selected the Net Promoter Score (NPS) customer sentiment metric, which asks users, “On a scale from 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend Direct File to a friend or family member?” NPS scores range from -100-+100. Direct File has a NPS of +74. If compared to benchmark scores from financial services companies, Direct File would lead in eight of nine categories.<h2>2. Direct File made the tax filing experience easier</h2>Direct File’s users reported saving time: Filing taxes with Direct File generally took less than an hour, and many reported filing in as little as 30 minutes. Nearly half of Direct File users reported paying for tax preparation the previous year, and the Treasury Department estimates that Direct File users saved $5.6 million in tax preparation fees this filing season.<h2>3. Direct File helps catalyze the IRS’s digital transformation</h2>To build Direct File, the IRS assembled a team of experienced tax experts, digital product specialists, engineers and data scientists from across the federal government. The agency partnered with the U.S. Digital Service and GSA’s 18F, as well as private sector partners, who all brought critical agile technology expertise. Working side by side at IRS headquarters and collaborating with remote team members across the country, the Direct File team developed and delivered a strong technology product.The Direct File pilot also gave the IRS the chance to test customer service innovations on a large scale.Live Chat served as Direct File’s primary customer support channel because it could be integrated directly into the product. This allowed customer support to gradually expand in concert with the overall number of users in each phase of the pilot. The IRS is exploring how this approach could impact taxpayer service overall as the agency works to provide taxpayers with more choices in how they can interact with the IRS.“We’re mindful that the most important decision we made during the pilot was to focus on executional certainty,” Werfel said. “We took the time to get it right. We found the right first step to test the demand and the user experience and build a strong product. We will apply that same critical lesson for next year as we take a strategic approach to expanding Direct File’s availability and capabilities.”

IRS makes Direct File a permanent option to file federal tax returns; expanded access for more taxpayers planned for the 2025 filing season

Nance County - At approximately 10:45 pm Nance County Dispatch received a report of a large party taking place at an AirBnB rental property in rural, southwestern Nance County. The reporting party stated there was loud music and several minors consuming alcohol at the property. When Nance County Deputies arrived on scene they found over 100 individuals and over 20 vehicles on the property. 

As soon as the party goers saw the Deputies several of them fled on foot and into vehicles. Deputies attempted to make contact with and contain the party goers, who began driving vehicles erratically attempting to flee. 8 vehicles were driven in a reckless manner and crashed into the ditch along Valley Road near the property, or became stuck on the property itself. 

Two Nance County Deputies suffered minor injuries when they were struck by fleeing vehicles. Deputies were able to contact several of the party goers who were all identified as being under 21 years of age. It was discovered that the property was rented out by an 18 year old on the AirBnB app. Deputies estimated the damage to the inside of the property including graffiti on the interior walls, damage to furniture and damage to the floors to be in excess of $3,000.

Vehicles also damaged several headstones in a neighboring cemetery as they attempted to flee. Deputies issued over 30 citations for Minors in Possession of Alcohol and recovered hundreds of alcoholic beverages from the property. Other charges are currently pending and under investigation. Please be aware that recovery of the disabled and abandon vehicles was stopped due to poor visibility and concern for the safety of the recovery crew and officers on scene.&nbsp;

Thank you to the Merrick County Sheriff's Office, Howard County Sheriff's Office and Smith &amp; Sons Repair LLC for their assistance on this call.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717428420589.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Nance County Sheriff's Office)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Nance County Sheriff's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nance County Sheriff's OfficeNance County - At approximately 10:45 pm Nance County Dispatch received a report of a large party taking place at an AirBnB rental property in rural, southwestern Nance County. The reporting party stated there was loud music and several minors consuming alcohol at the property. When Nance County Deputies arrived on scene they found over 100 individuals and over 20 vehicles on the property. As soon as the party goers saw the Deputies several of them fled on foot and into vehicles. Deputies attempted to make contact with and contain the party goers, who began driving vehicles erratically attempting to flee. 8 vehicles were driven in a reckless manner and crashed into the ditch along Valley Road near the property, or became stuck on the property itself. Two Nance County Deputies suffered minor injuries when they were struck by fleeing vehicles. Deputies were able to contact several of the party goers who were all identified as being under 21 years of age. It was discovered that the property was rented out by an 18 year old on the AirBnB app. Deputies estimated the damage to the inside of the property including graffiti on the interior walls, damage to furniture and damage to the floors to be in excess of $3,000.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717428452861.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Nance County Sheriff's Office)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Nance County Sheriff's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Vehicles also damaged several headstones in a neighboring cemetery as they attempted to flee. Deputies issued over 30 citations for Minors in Possession of Alcohol and recovered hundreds of alcoholic beverages from the property. Other charges are currently pending and under investigation. Please be aware that recovery of the disabled and abandon vehicles was stopped due to poor visibility and concern for the safety of the recovery crew and officers on scene.&nbsp;Thank you to the Merrick County Sheriff's Office, Howard County Sheriff's Office and Smith &amp; Sons Repair LLC for their assistance on this call.&nbsp;

Two deputies sustained minor injuries while breaking up a party in Eastern Nebraska

By Scottsbluff Police Sgt. Philip Eckerberg

On Sunday 06/02/2024 at 11:35 AM the Scottsbluff Police Dept responded to a traffic crash with injuries at the intersection of Ave I and West 20th Street.

Investigation showed that a red 2018 Range Rover driven by Gerald Kilthau, age 73 of Gering, was south bound on Ave I. There was a silver Chevrolet pickup east bound on West 20th Street driven by Robin Hubbard, age 70 of Morrill. The two vehicles crashed in the intersection of Ave I and West 20th Street.

A passenger in the Land Rover, Jean Kilthau age 72 of Gering, was transported by ambulance to Regional West Medical Center.

By Scottsbluff Police Sgt. Philip EckerbergOn Sunday 06/02/2024 at 11:35 AM the Scottsbluff Police Dept responded to a traffic crash with injuries at the intersection of Ave I and West 20th Street.Investigation showed that a red 2018 Range Rover driven by Gerald Kilthau, age 73 of Gering, was south bound on Ave I. There was a silver Chevrolet pickup east bound on West 20th Street driven by Robin Hubbard, age 70 of Morrill. The two vehicles crashed in the intersection of Ave I and West 20th Street.A passenger in the Land Rover, Jean Kilthau age 72 of Gering, was transported by ambulance to Regional West Medical Center.Gerald Kilthau was giving a citation for a traffic light violation.Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to damages.Assisting at the scene was the Scottsbluff Fire Department and Regional West Ambulance.