Lawson told witness “If you talk, it’s your funeral”

U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Iowa - December 1, 2025

Two men with lengthy criminal histories were convicted by a jury on November 25, 2025, after a 11-day trial in federal court in Sioux City.

Floyd Clifford Coates, Jr., aka Cliff Coates, age 44, from St. Francis, Kansas, was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon and Drug User, Conspiracy to Conceal Objects with the Intent to Impair Their Availability for an Official Proceeding, and Concealing Objects with the Intent to Impair their Availability for an Official Proceeding. Coates was acquitted of other charges related to threats, and obstruction of justice.&nbsp;

Dennis Lawson, age 65, from Whiting, Iowa, was convicted of Using Threat of Physical Force Against Another with the Intent to Hinder, Delay, or Prevent the Communication to a Law Enforcement Officer and Judge of the United States of Information Relating to the Commission and Possible Commission of a Federal Offense. Lawson was acquitted of other charges relating to drugs, threats and obstruction.&nbsp;

The verdict was returned following about 2 hours of jury deliberations.

The evidence at trial showed that in Spring 2019, Coates was a member of a drug trafficking organization that funneled pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado to Strubel, Iowa, among other places, for redistribution, and that Coates possessed firearms to protect his illegal drug operation. Evidence also showed that on Easter weekend 2019, Coates had arranged a drug run to Kansas City, Missouri.

To execute the Easter weekend drug run, Coates had convinced an Iowa woman to drive from Sioux City, Iowa; meet him in Blair, Nebraska; and drive him to Kansas City, Missouri, and back. Coates decided to travel to Blair from Trenton, Nebraska, with another woman, 18-year-old Sunny Sramek. Coates and Sramek left Trenton in his wife’s white Ford Explorer to go on the trip. There is no evidence Ms. Sramek knew Coates was going to Kansas City; in fact, she told friends and family that she was going to be on a day trip to Omaha.&nbsp;

The pair made it to Blair, where Coates went into a home, but Ms. Sramek did not. Coates’s driver arrived from Sioux City and Coates said nothing of Ms. Sramek to the driver. As the driver and Coates left the home, the driver saw Ms. Sramek’s motionless body. The driver testified it looked as if Ms. Sramek had overdosed, and Coates said he had provided her methamphetamine. Coates cancelled his drug run to Kansas City and told his driver to go to the home of his brother-in-law Dennis Lawson near Whiting, Iowa, on the banks of the Missouri River. The driver testified that after they arrived at Lawson’s residence Lawson and Coates disappeared for a time, when they returned, Ms. Sramek’s body was gone. The driver also testified that she and Coates cleaned out the car, and that Lawson threatened her saying if she told anyone, “it would be her funeral.”

Later, Coates told confidants that Ms. Sramek had overdosed. He told other friends a more violent story. In both versions, however, he told people he had thrown Ms. Sramek’s body into the Missouri River to conceal evidence of his crimes. Coates was confident his efforts at concealing Ms. Sramek’s body would insulate him from accountability. He told one person “no body, no case” and asked another “you can’t get charged with murder if there is no body, can you?”

Coates’s confidence was misplaced. Law enforcement gathered a significant amount of physical evidence tying Coates to Ms. Sramek’s disappearance. Forensic analysis indicated Ms. Sramek’s DNA and a significant amount of blood were found in the white Ford Explorer. The forensic findings combined with other evidence provided the proof the jury used to convict Coates and Lawson.&nbsp;

“Sunny Sramek went missing more than six years ago,” said United States Attorney Leif Olson. “But the investigators’ dedication kept her case from going cold. Thanks to them, these two criminals now face judgment for Sunny’s disappearance. Those who believe they can escape justice through threats, cover-ups, or the passage of time will discover they are mistaken.”

“The convictions of Coates and Lawson represent years of tireless, unwavering efforts by a dedicated team of FBI personnel who never stopped looking for Sunny Sramek,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Despite the defendants’ best efforts to conceal involvement in her disappearance, the FBI persisted in our mission to hold these subjects accountable for their actions. We hope these convictions bring some measure of solace to Sunny’s family. The FBI will always use every tool and technique in our arsenal to seek justice for the missing and attempts to hinder those efforts will be aggressively investigated.”

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Coates and Lawson remain in custody of the United States Marshal.

Coates faces a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

Lawson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

&nbsp;The case was investigated by Hitchcock County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office; the Nebraska State Patrol; the Iowa Department of Public Safety—Division of Criminal Investigation; the Plymouth County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the O’Brien County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office; the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner; the Goodland, Kansas, Police Department; and the&nbsp;<a></a>United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.&nbsp;

Men Linked to the Disappearance of an 18-Year-Old Nebraska Woman Found Guilty of Drug, Gun, and Obstruction-Related Charges

The Hot Sheets: December 2, 2025

The North Platte Water Department will conduct a 7-day Preventative Maintenance Chlorination period for the entire City of North Platte starting December 2, 2025 through December 8th&nbsp;2025.

&nbsp;Those with chlorine sensitivities or who have animals with sensitivities to chlorine should take the proper precautions. &nbsp;

&nbsp; If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the North Platte Water Department at (308)-535-6740 # 6

Water Department Preventative Maintenance Chlorination begins Dec. 2 in North Platte

The Hot Sheets: December 1, 2025

By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, December 1 at 9 a.m. at the county courthouse with a full slate of routine business, interlocal agreements, and a scheduled quarterly jail inspection. The meeting will be livestreamed on the county’s YouTube channel.

Commissioners will begin with approval of last week’s meeting minutes, followed by the public comment period. The board will then consider claims, treasurer’s receipts, and several administrative items, including authorizing the chair to sign the annual County Lottery Report for the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Two right-of-way permit requests from McCook Public Power District are also up for approval.

At 9:15 a.m., the board will recess and convene as the Lincoln County Board of Equalization. Equalization matters include approval of past minutes, public comment, certificates of correction and refund from the county assessor, and a motor vehicle tax exemption application.

The board will reconvene as the Board of Commissioners at 9:20 a.m. to discuss an interlocal agreement with the City of North Platte regarding Emergency Management Services.

A closed session may be held if necessary to discuss personnel matters, litigation strategies, real estate issues, or security planning.

Lincoln County Commissioners to Review Claims, Equalization Items and Emergency Management Agreement Monday

The Hot Sheets: November 30, 2025

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The North Platte City Council will meet Tuesday, December 2 at 5:30 p.m. with a full agenda that includes annexation votes, traffic changes, and multiple property actions. The meeting will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers and streamed live on the city’s YouTube page.

Council members will begin with routine business, including approval of the November 18 meeting minutes and several reappointments and administrative actions. The consent agenda also includes a series of trustee appointments and property reconveyances brought forward by City Attorney Bill Troshynski, along with planning items for the Chase Subdivision on East Walker Road and the Fritz Farm Second Subdivision near Andy and Gwyn Avenues.

On the regular agenda, the council will consider a three-year grazing lease for pastureland at the city landfill, valued at $9,250 per year.

Traffic changes on Francis Street and Bryan Avenue are also up for action. Council members will vote on a resolution to place new stop signs at Bryan and Francis, as well as adding new no-parking zones along Francis Street from Tabor Avenue to Devco Avenue near the U.S. Post Office.

The council will also take up a resolution supporting the county’s proposed vacation of Vieyra Avenue as a public road.

Three annexation ordinances are scheduled for third reading and final approval. They include approximately 3.55 acres in the Franzen Second Administrative Subdivision (Parcel #0054621.68), along with two areas along East 6th Street—identified as Study Area 2025-A in the 1600 block, and Study Area 2025-B in the 1700 block.

The meeting is open to the public, and viewers can watch live at northplattene.gov/watch.

North Platte City Council to Vote on Annexations, Traffic Changes and Landfill Grazing Lease Tuesday

The Hot Sheets: November 29, 2025

The Hot Sheets: November 28, 2025

Lexington, Neb. — The Lexington Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run that left one woman seriously injured Tuesday night.

Police were called around 7:35 p.m. on November 25 to the intersection of 11th Street and Washington Street for a pedestrian-vehicle crash. According to investigators, a 12-year-old boy and a 34-year-old woman were struck while crossing the roadway. The juvenile was not injured, but the woman was taken to Lexington Regional Health Center and later transferred to another medical facility due to the severity of her injuries.

During the investigation, officers received a report of a stolen vehicle that matched the description of the suspect vehicle. Police say the car had been taken from its owner just minutes before the crash by a known associate.

Several hours later, officers and firefighters responded to a vehicle fire just outside the city limits. Responding units identified the burned vehicle as the same one involved in both the theft and the pedestrian hit-and-run.

A suspect found in the area of the fire was detained and later taken into custody.

Police arrested 38-year-old Alondra Solache of Lexington on multiple charges, including motor vehicle theft, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid, driving under suspension, driving under the influence, and child abuse.

The investigation remains ongoing. The Lexington Police Department was assisted by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol.

Lexington Woman Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Hits Pedestrians, Later Found Burning Outside City Limits

The Hot Sheets: November 27, 2025

On today's late episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss another tough loss this time against Frank Philips at home and what Coach Brandl is looking for from his team after the short Thanksgiving break.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #8 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

Listen to the full interview with Commissioner Kent Weems on the Kubota Podcast Page

Lincoln County&nbsp; - Lincoln County residents saw a busy month in county government, with the Board of Commissioners addressing key infrastructure projects, public safety initiatives, and community service recognitions during November’s meetings. Commissioner Kent Weems provides insight on the discussions and decisions from the past four meetings.

The month kicked off on November 3, when the board reviewed claims, treasurer’s receipts, and several resolutions. One of the highlights was recognizing county employees for long-term service. 

“We try to go out of our way to recognize those milestones in public service,” Weems said. “You need quality people to serve in the public sector… when we get a good employee that takes care of things for five years, 10, 30, we like to get those folks a certificate. It doesn’t—it’s not a lot, but it does let them know that we do appreciate what they do.”

The board also considered rules and regulations for meetings. Weems described these as procedural rather than transformative. 

“If you look at the rules and regs that they gnashed their teeth over for months… everything in there is verbatim from the state statute,” he said. “Transparency doesn’t change. We have transparency just to the fact that we do comply with the Open Meetings Act.”

On November 10, the board tackled interlocal agreements with the city of North Platte, covering road maintenance and IT collaboration. 

Weems explained the practical side of these arrangements: “From a practical standpoint… one or the other entities already has equipment in that area… so why not put the blade down and push that snow?” 

On IT, he emphasized security concerns: “There’s a lot of nasty players in the world… who try to hack into public computer systems. So it’s vital that we work hand in hand with the city on IT.”

That same day, the board approved a manager change at Fast Stop 1155 in Sutherland and authorized a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

On the MOU, Weems said, “Our Veterans Service Officer… works tirelessly to help veterans through all the loopholes and jump all the hurdles to get benefits… it will remain confidential and will be treated along the HIPAA guidelines.”

The board also purchased a tandem snowplow truck for the Department of Roads. 

Weems noted the importance of durability and value: “We want to see you get the best, maximize the value of these big pieces of equipment… if you can get 20 years out of it, then maybe it’s worth it.”

During the November 17 meeting, right-of-way applications and subdivision proposals were reviewed, including the Clemens and Prairie View Estates subdivisions. 

Weems described these as largely procedural, with planning and zoning doing most of the heavy lifting: “By the time they get to us, it’s just a formality that we kind of give them our blessing… and say thank you for doing all the hard work and due diligence.”

Public safety initiatives were also addressed. 

Regarding the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over grant, Weems said, “We give wholeheartedly our blessing to say, go after those monies… we don’t want drunk drivers harming others and crossing the center line.” 

Bridge inspections, a routine but essential responsibility, were also discussed to ensure public safety and compliance: “You have to have those inspected… by certified folks, engineers that know how to evaluate the load values and determine that bridge is safe for the public to traverse.”

Finally, at the November 24 meeting, the board approved right-of-way permits for NCORPE and CenturyLink, both largely procedural matters to ensure proper installation and liability protection. The board also authorized a study for Viera Avenue, an issue stemming from previous disagreements over road maintenance. 

Weems explained, “Since the city’s made it clear that they’re not going to… take care of it, the first thing that’s required by statute is to have the traffic study… the conclusion will likely be that it’s in the best interest of Mr. Vieira and the county to vacate the road.”

Police service agreements with the village of Maxwell were also discussed. Weems noted that Maxwell has historically opted out of interlocal agreements, but the board continues to explore solutions for consistent public safety coverage.

Reflecting on the county’s priorities, Weems said, “We have two primary requirements under the state statute and that is public safety and infrastructure. Anything else is to some degree just an add-on… County government… a lot of what we are required to do comes from Lincoln. And again, we only have the formula that we establish property values and from that derive the resources necessary to run all the local subdivisions.”

🎙️Lincoln County Board of Commissioners Discuss Projects, Public Safety, and Infrastructure in November Meetings

Listen to the full interview with Gary Person on the Kubota Podcast Page

North Platte, Neb. - North Platte’s skyline is changing — but local leaders warn that buildings alone won’t fuel the city’s next growth chapter. According to Gary Person of the North Platte Area Development Corporation (NPADC), one of the city’s biggest challenges isn’t construction or capital: it’s getting more people into the workforce.

Right now, NPADC estimates that just 62 percent of the traditional working-age population (ages 16–65) is actively in the labor force, leaving nearly two in five residents unengaged — a statistic that could become a bottleneck as economic activity surges.

“Our workforce participation rate is solid, but it’s not where it needs to be for the scale of growth that’s coming,” Person says. He points to booming sectors — hospitality is expanding rapidly, with about 25 new restaurants over the past three years — and says companies are already feeling the strain.

Beyond low unemployment, Person emphasizes the importance of making work appealing: “We want people to feel self-worth, to feel like they’re contributing — not just a paycheck,” he said. Strategic planning, he notes, isn’t just about building homes and roads — it’s also about training, ensuring competitive wages, and building a welcoming, inclusive community. Childcare is part of that equation, too: without reliable childcare, many potential workers can’t commit.

It’s a balancing act: build enough housing, attract enough business, but also ensure that people can and want to work. For leaders in North Platte, that’s the real test of long-term growth.

🎙️As North Platte Booms, Leaders Push to Bring More People Into the Workforce

Listen to the full interview with Mayor Brandon Kelliher on our Kubota Podcast Page.&nbsp;

North Platte, Neb. – The City Council convened Tuesday evening for its November 18 meeting, tackling a mix of routine items and major agenda points affecting the city’s development and services.&nbsp;

The meeting opened with standard procedures, including the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. Mayor Brandon Kelliher noted, “We always appreciate those folks that come and do the invocation for us…they do a really nice job for us, so we appreciate that.”

On the consent agenda, the council approved the termination of a real estate option agreement with 308 BMX, Inc., a group that had attempted to create a BMX track in North Platte. 

Kelliher said, “They really did a lot of work and really tried hard to get it going, but they weren’t able to raise enough money. The group may reform in the future and try again at some point.” The city will incorporate a mobile pump track purchased by the group into Curley Park near Madison Middle School, which Kelliher described as “a great feature…with a dedication sign for the folks that helped provide that park.”

The council also approved interlocal advanced life support (ALS) agreements with nearby communities, ensuring coordinated support for emergency services. 

“This is a great service that our local first responders provide," Kelliher explained, "they want to protect people not just in North Platte, but people in the whole area.”

Lease agreements for two cell tower sites were another discussion point. Kelliher noted the evolving nature of cell technology and what the future may look like, saying, “We’ve all really only been carrying around cell phones for about 20 years…so what will it look like 20 years from now?”

Annexation ordinances covering several parcels along East 6th Street and other areas also drew attention. 

Kelliher emphasized the city’s goal of community uniformity: “The main reason that we’re looking at annexing this area…is to have uniformity in our community. It allows us to push the edge of the influence out on the community and help to define what’s allowed in those areas.” 

Concerns about drainage and water tables were discussed, with the city planning to collaborate with Nebraska Park Roads and, potentially, Union Pacific Railroad to address potential issues. The annexations are on their second reading and will return for final consideration at the December 2 meeting.

In a public hearing, the council approved the purchase of property at 2001 East 2nd Street, a fire-damaged and long-vacant home. 

Kelliher explained, “The neighbors had begun to complain because there were things living in houses that shouldn’t be in houses when they get abandoned…she [the owner] was interested in selling, kind of relieved to have it resolved.”

Finally, the council discussed solar power generation. While solar remains popular, Kelliher said, “Connecting it to the city power supply…would increase the average citizen’s bill by about 5–6%. It’s very risky, and we just can’t make the numbers work. Adding that additional cost over the next couple of years isn’t a good move for the citizens of North Platte.” 

He added that the council would reconsider solar in the future if a larger opportunity arose, particularly if it involved significant job creation or economic development.

Kelliher also highlighted the upcoming dedication of the new skate park at Centennial Park on Friday, noting that the council president will stand in for him. “We’ll hopefully have some skaters out there showing us their stuff, and I’m sure they’re going to have a great time,” Kelliher said.

The council’s next meeting is scheduled for December 2, when annexations and other ongoing matters will be discussed.

🎙️Mayor Kelliher highlights BMX, EMS agreements, annexations, and solar discussions

Listen to the full interview with Lenny Hassel on our Kubota Podcast Page.&nbsp;

North Platte, Neb. - North Platte families, get ready to lace up your sneakers! The North Platte Elks Lodge is hosting its annual Hoop Shoot contest, giving local kids a chance to show off their basketball skills in a fun and friendly competition.

Lenny Hassel of the Elks Lodge shared the details on the upcoming event. The Hoop Shoot is a free throw contest open to students ages 8 to 13, with age determined as of April 1, 2026. Participants will shoot 25 free throws each, and both the winner and runner-up in each division will receive a medal.

The contest will be held Sunday, December 7, at Adams Middle School Gym, 1200 McDonald Rd. Girls will take the court at 1:00 PM, followed by the boys at 2:00 PM. Hassel explained that the event typically lasts about an hour per division but could run slightly longer if more kids show up.

Hassel emphasized the Elks Lodge’s commitment to youth programs, saying the contest is free to ensure all children can participate. 

“We’ve been doing this for over 40 years,” he said. “The Elks Lodge has various youth programs, from scholarships to dictionary distributions for third graders in Lincoln County. We want to get kids involved and active.”

Nationwide, over 2.5 million students participate in Hoop Shoot contests every year. Locally, last year’s event welcomed roughly 30 to 35 children, though Hassel hopes to see even more this year. With multiple baskets set up, organizers are ready to accommodate as many participants as possible.

No pre-registration is required—kids can simply show up and sign in, making it easy for families to join. Every participant will leave with a memorable experience, and winners will receive recognition for their efforts.

The North Platte Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot hopes to keep kids active, having fun, and wants to celebrate community spirit heading into the holiday season.

🎙️North Platte Kids Invited to Free Annual Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot on December 7

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss an exciting victory over Garden City Community College and what he feels his team needs to focus on for the upcoming games.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #6 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

By: Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post

Listen to the full interview with Terri Burchell on our Kubota Podcast Page.

North Platte, Neb. — The North Platte Public Schools Foundation continues to make a meaningful impact on students, providing support that extends far beyond the classroom. From scholarships and classroom grants to arts programs and food assistance, the foundation is helping students succeed in school and in life.

Terri Burchell, representing the foundation, highlighted the upcoming Scholarship Day for the Class of 2026, set for Thursday. 

“We noticed fewer students are applying for scholarships... We decided to have kind of a scholarship day and create that awareness and have the students come in if they’ve got questions on how to fill things out,” Burchell said. “A lot of times I do think it’s the parents that help them quite a bit... we try to be there as another adult in their life helping them get their reference letters and see which scholarships are applicable for them.”

This year, the foundation alone is awarding more than $23,000 in scholarships, ranging from $100 to $2,000. 

“At least it buys a book or something to help with their education... That’s why the donors started that and why they wanted to do that,” Burchell said. The scholarships help students pursue higher education at institutions such as Mid-Plains Community College, WyoTech, the University of Nebraska, and Creighton University.

Beyond scholarships, the foundation supports a variety of programs that enhance student learning and engagement. The student council is running a contest to collect items for school and local food pantries, encouraging participation from all grade levels. Donations contribute to local pantries as well as the school’s own food program, helping to address food insecurity among students.

The foundation also awards Teacher Reach Grants, funding creative classroom projects that enrich the curriculum. Past grants have supported theater programs, homework incentive programs, and field trips such as a high school visit to see the Philadelphia Orchestra in Lincoln.

Burchell noted the importance of community partnerships in expanding the foundation’s reach. Local businesses such as Fat Dogs and Quick Stuff have helped double the number of grants awarded, providing students with more opportunities to explore the arts and other hands-on experiences.

One particularly exciting project was the refurbishment of a grand piano at North Platte High School, funded by donations from alumni and local supporters. “It’s amazing to see something come full circle—from alumni who played on it to students who will now enjoy it for years to come,” Burchell said.

The North Platte Public Schools Foundation remains committed to helping students thrive academically, creatively, and socially. Through scholarships, classroom grants, arts programs, and essential support services, the foundation is shaping opportunities for students while strengthening ties within the community.

For more information on scholarships, donations, or community partnerships, contact the foundation at 696-3325 or visit the high school.

🎙️North Platte Public Schools Foundation Empowers Students Through Scholarships, Grants, and Community Programs

Listen the full interview with Russ Jones on our Kubota Podcast Page.

North Platte, NE – Midwest Championship Fighting (MCF) is set to bring a night of intense MMA action and community celebration to North Platte with its upcoming “Salute to Veterans V” event at the D&amp;N Event Center.&nbsp;

Russ Jones, MCF President, says the event offers a mix of fight levels rarely seen in one night. “We start with street fights—guys literally off the streets—then move to amateur matches, amateur title fights, and finally professional bouts,” he explained. “The lower-level fights are just as important as the high-level fights because that’s how fighters get to the top.” Some street fighters even receive free training if they want to continue competing, giving local athletes an opportunity to develop skills and find a constructive outlet.

Veterans Honored
The “Salute to Veterans” program, now in its fifth year, invites over 200 veterans to attend free of charge with VIP seating. The event includes a flag salute at the start and a special parade of veterans during intermission. “We started this program to give veterans a place to gather, celebrate, and be recognized for their service,” Jones said. The initiative also creates a space where veterans of all ages can connect, fostering camaraderie and community.

Tickets remain available at <a href="https://www.midwestchampionshipfighting.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">midwestchampionshipfighting.com</a>, including a pay-per-view option for $35. Jones encouraged fans to arrive early to see the veterans parade, expected around 7:30 p.m..

He also highlighted several fights fans are eagerly anticipating, including local favorites Bristol vs. Seamann, Chris Burbine, Jareb Huerta, Oliver Nutter, and Madison McCord. 

“Bristol vs. Seamann is a heated street fight that fans have been waiting for,” he said. “And we also have a title fight that promises to be one of the standout bouts of the evening.”

Beyond entertainment, MCF provides a safe, structured environment where fighters—many on the "fringe" of society—can channel their energy positively. 

“These kids are looking for an outlet, a brotherhood,” Jones said. “Seeing fighters step into the cage is a moment you can’t put a value on.”

MCF events also draw a significant audience, boosting the local economy while providing a unique entertainment option in Western Nebraska. For North Platte residents, MCF Salute to Veterans offers a rare combination of high-level MMA action, veteran recognition, and community engagement.

🎙️Midwest Championship Fighting Returns to North Platte with “Salute to Veterans V”

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed the opening weekend of basketball and what he observed from the games. Coach Thurman also discussed how important culture is to a young team and how he sees its effects early on.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #4 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss the opening weekend of action vs Laramie County Community College and Eastern Wyoming Community College and what he saw from his team. And what transpired on the Knights' first two road games earlier this week.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #5 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026, according to a media release from the TSA.

Travelers will be able to pay $45 to use TSA Confirm.ID for a 10-day travel period. TSA urges travelers who do not have a REAL ID to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.

All travelers without an acceptable ID, including those who present a non-REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license or ID, will be referred to the optional TSA Confirm.ID process for identity verification upon TSA check-in and prior to entering the security line. This process will differ airport to airport, and TSA is working with private industry to proactively offer online payment options prior to arrival at the airport.

The REAL ID law was signed more than 20 years ago, but previous presidential administrations failed to properly implement it. Under President Trump’s leadership, the law was finally implemented and enforced by Secretary Kristi Noem as of May 7, 2025.

Currently, more than 94% of passengers already use their REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.&nbsp;TSA expects increased wait times for passengers who do not provide an acceptable ID.

“Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl. “The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are. Beginning February 1, travelers who do not present an acceptable form of ID at our security checkpoints and still want to fly can pay a $45 fee and undergo the TSA Confirm.ID process. This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer. The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”

TSA urges all travelers who do not have a REAL ID to pay the fee online before traveling. For passengers who arrive at the airport without paying the fee, information about how to pay for the TSA Confirm.ID option will be available at marked locations at or near the checkpoint in most airports. Travelers who undergo TSA Confirm.ID processing at an airport should expect delays. &nbsp;&nbsp;

TSA’s list of acceptable forms of ID can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Ftravel%2Fsecurity-screening%2Fidentification/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/OolXH2EJrqwNHp8pKwLnzpPoLnVSLa90uiGmDJ_m-Hs=433" target="_blank">TSA.gov/travel/security-screening/identification</a>.

For more information on REAL ID, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.tsa.gov%2Freal-id/2/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/rlIgRwnDC3uSOyUcWNwGNdpedz0TxGUsS1KTWjAvEcY=433" target="_blank">TSA.gov/real-id</a>&nbsp;or text 275-872 (“AskTSA”) or&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fx.com%2FAskTSA/1/0101019adaed595c-96865191-bcc2-43a1-965f-d5ac642ae099-000000/XvKffNzS8IXJ4xe-y1peIboZCAJl7_cg6SQCb5jM5n8=433">@AskTSA</a>&nbsp;with questions.

US air travelers without REAL IDs will soon be charged a hefty fee

Foley questions state handling of publicly funded program aiding people with disabilities

By Cindy Gonzalez | Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN — Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley has called out a state agency for allowing “outrageous” dysfunction in a publicly funded program that provides personal assistance to people with disabilities.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/SA25-12012025-July_1_2024_through_June_30_2025_Medicaid_Single_Early_Management_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">11-page letter</a>&nbsp;Monday to Steve Corsi, chief executive of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Foley’s team alleged “ongoing financial abuse” in the personal assistance services (PAS) program that helps Medicaid-eligible Nebraskans with mobility, hygiene and housekeeping.

“Numerous PAS caregivers continue to milk the program with false, inflated and duplicate billings,” Foley said, adding that the alarm to DHHS was his office’s third since February 2024.

He said DHHS “oversight failures may, in fact, be feeding the problem — effectively setting the stage for some truly mind boggling improprieties, financial and otherwise.”

Information uncovered by the audit team was forwarded to law enforcement for review of possible legal violations.

In one case, the auditors said, a caregiver had been authorized to deliver 66 hours of personal assistance services a week despite holding down a full-time job as a school bus driver. Auditors identified 28 days during which the caregiver billed DHHS for performing client services at the exact times she was documented to have been driving students.

(DHHS) oversight failures may, in fact, be feeding the problem — effectively setting the stage for some truly mind boggling improprieties, financial and otherwise.

– Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley

In another example, Foley described a personal caregiver who billed DHHS for 70 days of client services while working full-time for a family counseling business. He said that created an “impossible scenario” of the caregiver working more than 24 hours in each of 45 days during a three-month period reviewed.&nbsp;

“Some of these caregivers claim to be performing work schedules that would make the Energizer Bunny look like a slacker,” said Foley.&nbsp;

That caregiver had tapped into other public programs as well, including the larger personal care services (PCS) budget and foster care. Particularly troubling to the auditor was that the caregiver in that case provided help to two adult clients who lived in her home. And one, a relative, was on the sex offender registry for having been convicted of felony sex trafficking of children in 2014.&nbsp;Living in the home as well, said Foley, was a 14-year-old girl in the state foster care system.

He said the caregiver appeared to have been purposefully deceitful in failing to disclose to foster care agencies that the past offender lived in the house. In seeking personal care aid, the provider reportedly claimed the relative lived in a backyard “cabin,” for which cleaning was authorized.

“When the audit team reported this bizarre and unsafe domestic arrangement, DHHS removed the foster child from the home,” Foley said.

The findings surfaced during the ongoing statewide annual audit and were reported to Corsi early due to “urgent need for corrective action,” the letter said.

For fiscal year 2025, PAS expenses totaled $10.5 million, of which the federal government covers 60% of costs and the state pays 40%. The PCS program has the same federal-state split for a much larger budget. Foley said the Monday letter aimed mostly at the PAS program.

Revelations outlined in the Monday letter were based on a review of four care providers and one 10-client agency that deals with high dollar amounts. Of the fraction reviewed, the auditing team found about $19,300 in questionable spending.

Another of the examples cited by Foley was a caregiver authorized by DHHS to be paid for 118 hours of service per week, split across three separate clients. Two were her parents, who did not live with her.

“This would require the provider to perform services for more than 16 hours every day of the week,” the team noted in the report, calling that authorization unreasonable.

Foley said he is convinced that a more thorough combing would lead to “a whole lot more” problems. His concern was heightened by an ongoing pattern, he said. Monday’s letter is the latest in a series of communications to DHHS over the past decade alleging potential fraud and other issues that, according to Foley, “appear to have grown increasingly egregious.”

DHHS leadership saw the findings before the public release, and included a response in the letter.

In it, agency managers said they agree with the auditor team’s recommendations to implement procedures that ensure proper payments. They also said DHHS already has taken “significant” steps to implement controls that should mitigate most of the conditions observed by auditors.

In February, for example, the Medicaid and Long-Term Care team started requiring GPS/IVR visit verification and recipient signatures to support a claim payment.

Among other actions, the Child and Family Services will work with the Nebraska State Patrol to develop an automated process that compares addresses of foster parents with the Sex Offender Registry on a quarterly basis. The system is to help ensure no offender resides at the same address as a ward of the state.&nbsp;

DHHS contacts were listed as Jeremy Brussen of Medicaid and Long-Term Care and Kathleen Stolz of Child Family Services.

Contacted Monday, a DHHS spokesman referred to the agency’s response in the auditor’s report, reiterating that the department agreed with recommendations and was actively implementing procedures and controls to ensure proper payment for services.&nbsp;

Foley said that with “all the attention” the personal assistance program has gotten, he would have expected more progress. However, he said, he is optimistic in the ability of Corsi’s DHHS, adding that his predecessor “used to fight us on everything.”

“We’re not getting any pushback,” Foley said of the agency.

Nebraska auditor fears DHHS oversight failures risk ‘mind boggling improprieties’

Read the report: President Trump shares his MRI results

🎥Trump responds to Democrats’ demands to release his MRI results

WASHINGTON — Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s upcoming resignation from Congress set off a series of questions and misinformation about what health care and pension benefits lawmakers receive once they leave public service.&nbsp;

The system is a bit complex and determined by when a lawmaker entered Congress as well as how long they stayed. Members must serve at least five years, putting Greene just over the eligibility line&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/11/21/georgia-congresswoman-marjorie-taylor-greene-says-she-will-resign-in-january/" target="_blank">when she officially steps aside</a>&nbsp;in January.&nbsp;

Members of Congress elected after 1984 are covered under the Federal Employees’ Retirement System. The four House lawmakers and one senator elected before then may be under the Civil Service Retirement System, so their benefit may be calculated differently than that of their colleagues.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service explains in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/RL/PDF/RL30631/RL30631.39.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;about lawmakers’ retirement benefits that “pensions, like those of other federal employees, are financed through a combination of employee and employer contributions.”&nbsp;

“Under both CSRS and FERS, Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at the age of 62 if they have completed at least 5 years of service,” the report states. “Members are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on length of service (as measured in months) and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.”

All members also must pay into Social Security, and how much in taxes they pay and benefits they receive are the same as for all beneficiaries.

Members of Congress, except for leadership, are paid $174,000 a year.

Greene, who began her congressional career on Jan. 3, 2021, will be just over the five-year requirement when she formally resigns on Jan. 5.&nbsp;

Greene will receive about $8,700 in pension benefits per year for the rest of her life, after she turns 62. She is now 51.

Former U.S. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who was first sworn in on June 2, 1987, after winning a special election, will receive considerably more in pension benefits given that she was a member for decades longer than Greene and had a higher salary during her time in leadership.&nbsp;

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntu.org/foundation/detail/pelosi-to-exit-congress-with-one-of-the-largest-pensions-on-record" target="_blank">expects</a>&nbsp;Pelosi will receive an annual pension of $107,860 after she retires in January 2027.&nbsp;

Members of Congress who retire or resign are eligible to purchase health insurance from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program as long as they had health insurance from the District of Columbia’s Affordable Care Act marketplace “for the five years of service immediately prior to retirement,” according to a different CRS&nbsp;<a href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R43194.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>.&nbsp;

While in Congress, lawmakers are eligible to have some of their health coverage offset by their employer — the federal government — as long as they purchase it through the D.C. marketplace, known as DC Health Link. Like others in the states, it was created by the Affordable Care Act.

As with group health insurance plans, the amount subsidized by the federal government depends on whether a lawmaker selects a health plan that covers themselves or themselves plus eligible family members.&nbsp;

Rep. MTG's retirement launches speculation about congressional pensions

President Donald Trump said Friday he will try to reverse any law, pardon or still-in-effect executive order that former President Joe Biden signed with an autopen, though it wasn’t immediately clear how that would work or whether it would be legal.&nbsp;

Trump declared in&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115629010097815862" target="_blank">a social media post</a>&nbsp;that any documents Biden signed with the autopen are “hereby terminated, and of no further force or effect.”

Local

Region

Sports

Podcasts