EXPANDING INVESTMENT CHOICES FOR 401(K) PLANS:&nbsp;Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to allow 401(k) investors to access alternative assets for better returns and diversification, according to a statement from the White House.

PROMOTING RETIREMENT SECURITY THROUGH DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENTS:&nbsp;President Trump wants to give American workers more investment options in order to attain stronger and more financially secure retirement outcomes.

BUILDING WEALTH AND SECURING RETIREMENT FOR ALL AMERICANS:&nbsp;&nbsp;President Trump is delivering on his promise to enhance financial opportunities and retirement security for all Americans, ensuring they can build wealth and thrive.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620732850317.jpg" alt="Image Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>EXPANDING INVESTMENT CHOICES FOR 401(K) PLANS:&nbsp;Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to allow 401(k) investors to access alternative assets for better returns and diversification, according to a statement from the White House.<ul>
 <li>The Order directs the Secretary of Labor to reexamine the Department of Labor’s guidance on a fiduciary’s duties regarding alternative asset investments in ERISA-governed 401(k) and other defined-contribution plans.</li><li>The Order instructs the Secretary of Labor to clarify the Department of Labor’s position on alternative assets and the appropriate fiduciary process associated with offering asset allocation funds containing investments in alternative assets.</li><li>The Order directs the Secretary of Labor to consult with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal regulators to determine whether parallel regulatory changes should be made at those agencies to give effect to the purpose of the Order.</li><li>The Order directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to facilitate access to alternative assets for participant-directed defined-contribution retirement savings plans by revising applicable regulations and guidance.</li>
 </ul>PROMOTING RETIREMENT SECURITY THROUGH DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENTS:&nbsp;President Trump wants to give American workers more investment options in order to attain stronger and more financially secure retirement outcomes.<ul>
 <li>More than 90 million Americans participate in employer-sponsored defined-contribution plans, and most of those are currently restricted from investing in alternative assets, unlike wealthy investors and retirement plans for government workers.</li><li>Alternative assets, such as private equity, real estate, and digital assets, offer competitive returns and diversification benefits.</li><li>Regulatory overreach and litigation risks have limited ERISA-governed plan fiduciaries from including alternative assets in their investment portfolios, hindering workers’ retirement growth.</li><li>President Trump is expanding access to these assets to ensure a dignified and comfortable retirement for all Americans.</li>
 </ul>BUILDING WEALTH AND SECURING RETIREMENT FOR ALL AMERICANS:&nbsp;&nbsp;President Trump is delivering on his promise to enhance financial opportunities and retirement security for all Americans, ensuring they can build wealth and thrive.<ul>
 <li>President Trump’s Department of Labor has already rescinded guidance put place by the Biden Administration regarding digital assets.</li><li>President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill delivers on his promise to ensure retirees can keep more of their hard-earned benefits.</li><li>President Trump promised to make the United States the “crypto capital of the world,” emphasizing the need to embrace digital assets to drive economic growth and technological leadership.</li><li>Through tax cuts and deregulation, President Trump is delivering on his promise to Make America Wealthy Again, empowering workers to save and invest more for their retirement.</li>
 </ul>

Trump signs order providing amazing new options for your 401(k)

August 7, 2025 (Omaha, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an incident in which a subject died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing a traffic stop.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. today, a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 pickup on westbound I-80 near 96th&nbsp;Street in Omaha. During the traffic stop, the trooper observed the driver to be impaired and saw open alcohol containers in the vehicle. The driver, an adult male, then accelerated and fled westbound. The driver was the lone occupant of the pickup. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle fled northbound on Interstate 680. As the vehicle continued northbound, the Omaha Police Department’s Able 1 joined the pursuit from the air. Another trooper was able to successfully deploy stop sticks to slow the vehicle.

Just after the vehicle passed Blair High Road, still traveling on I-680, the driver began firing multiple shots out the driver’s side window and drove down the south embankment, crashing into a tree at the backyard of a residence near North 88th&nbsp;and Sunrise Streets. Able 1 advised that the driver did not exit the vehicle. Additional troopers and OPD officers arrived on scene to establish a perimeter.

After several attempts to communicate with the driver, a drone was deployed and observed the driver motionless inside the vehicle. An OPD K9 unit approached the pickup and found the driver with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The driver was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died a short time later. The driver’s name will be released following the family notification process.&nbsp;A rifle was located inside the vehicle.

No troopers or officers fired shots at any point during the incident. The incident remains under investigation, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Omaha Police Department. The pursuit lasted approximately ten minutes.&nbsp;

Story by Nebraska State PatrolAugust 7, 2025 (Omaha, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating an incident in which a subject died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after fleeing a traffic stop.At approximately 1:30 a.m. today, a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 pickup on westbound I-80 near 96th&nbsp;Street in Omaha. During the traffic stop, the trooper observed the driver to be impaired and saw open alcohol containers in the vehicle. The driver, an adult male, then accelerated and fled westbound. The driver was the lone occupant of the pickup. The trooper initiated a pursuit.The vehicle fled northbound on Interstate 680. As the vehicle continued northbound, the Omaha Police Department’s Able 1 joined the pursuit from the air. Another trooper was able to successfully deploy stop sticks to slow the vehicle.Just after the vehicle passed Blair High Road, still traveling on I-680, the driver began firing multiple shots out the driver’s side window and drove down the south embankment, crashing into a tree at the backyard of a residence near North 88th&nbsp;and Sunrise Streets. Able 1 advised that the driver did not exit the vehicle. Additional troopers and OPD officers arrived on scene to establish a perimeter.After several attempts to communicate with the driver, a drone was deployed and observed the driver motionless inside the vehicle. An OPD K9 unit approached the pickup and found the driver with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The driver was transported to the Nebraska Medical Center where he died a short time later. The driver’s name will be released following the family notification process.&nbsp;A rifle was located inside the vehicle.No troopers or officers fired shots at any point during the incident. The incident remains under investigation, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Omaha Police Department. The pursuit lasted approximately ten minutes.&nbsp;

Man deceased from self-inflicted gunshot wound following pursuit

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will waive age limits for new applicants so even more patriots will qualify to join ICE in its mission to arrest murderers, pedophiles, gang members, rapists, and other criminal illegal aliens from America’s streets, according to a media release from the agency.

All ICE law enforcement recruits will be required to go through medical screening, drug screening, and complete a physical fitness test.

“We are ENDING the age cap for ICE law enforcement,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Secretary Noem.&nbsp;“Qualified candidates can now apply with no age limit.&nbsp;<a href="https://join.ice.gov/">JOIN.ICE.GOV</a>.”

"In the wake of Biden’s open borders disaster, our country&nbsp;needs dedicated Americans to join ICE to remove&nbsp;the worst of the worst out of our country."

Backed by significant new funding through the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill,&nbsp;ICE is offering a robust package of federal law enforcement incentives, including:

ICE encourages Americans with a commitment to public safety, national service, and upholding the rule of law to apply today to jumpstart a fulfilling career in federal law enforcement.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will waive age limits for new applicants so even more patriots will qualify to join ICE in its mission to arrest murderers, pedophiles, gang members, rapists, and other criminal illegal aliens from America’s streets, according to a media release from the agency.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">You spoke, we listened and we took action – the age cap for joining ICE has now been REMOVED. We must Defend the Homeland.<a href="https://t.co/3c7b0Ry86A">https://t.co/3c7b0Ry86A</a> <a href="https://t.co/xEeCXwnjTR">pic.twitter.com/xEeCXwnjTR</a>&mdash; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICEgov/status/1953080223827705972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>All ICE law enforcement recruits will be required to go through medical screening, drug screening, and complete a physical fitness test.“We are ENDING the age cap for ICE law enforcement,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Secretary Noem.&nbsp;“Qualified candidates can now apply with no age limit.&nbsp;<a href="https://join.ice.gov/">JOIN.ICE.GOV</a>.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Protect. Serve. Deport. <a href="https://t.co/nZkBEj3GGi">https://t.co/nZkBEj3GGi</a> <a href="https://t.co/2nNr5nh3vx">pic.twitter.com/2nNr5nh3vx</a>&mdash; Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/1952771243112862206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"In the wake of Biden’s open borders disaster, our country&nbsp;needs dedicated Americans to join ICE to remove&nbsp;the worst of the worst out of our country."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/smcq5ynxLB">https://t.co/smcq5ynxLB</a> <a href="https://t.co/bpElwEIiou">pic.twitter.com/bpElwEIiou</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953263174087786644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Backed by significant new funding through the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill,&nbsp;ICE is offering a robust package of federal law enforcement incentives, including:<ul>
 <li>A maximum $50,000 signing bonus</li><li>Student loan repayment and forgiveness options</li><li>25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) for HSI Special Agents</li><li>Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUI) for Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Deportation Officers</li><li>Enhanced retirement benefits</li>
 </ul>ICE encourages Americans with a commitment to public safety, national service, and upholding the rule of law to apply today to jumpstart a fulfilling career in federal law enforcement.

Now teenagers and seniors can be ICE agents

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Today, <a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apple</a> is announcing that it will invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years — that&#39;s $100 billion more than they were originally going to invest.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Xzjjek0Qwd">pic.twitter.com/Xzjjek0Qwd</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953203962795962563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apple</a> CEO <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tim_cook</a> presents <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> with a gift made with the glass that Apple will be manufacturing in Kentucky 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/N2doBsPNEa">pic.twitter.com/N2doBsPNEa</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953206264298954857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: <a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apple</a> CEO <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tim_cook</a>&#39;s full remarks from the Oval Office: &quot;I&#39;m very proud to say that today, we&#39;re committing an additional $100 billion to the United States, bringing our total U.S. investment to $600 billion... We believe deeply in the promise of this great nation.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/XZgY250nJk">pic.twitter.com/XZgY250nJk</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953210002359107907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Apple is expanding our US commitment to $600 billion over the next four years. And our new American Manufacturing Program will bring even more jobs and advanced manufacturing to the US. <a href="https://t.co/6KWkTGJN3O">pic.twitter.com/6KWkTGJN3O</a>&mdash; Tim Cook (@tim_cook) <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cook/status/1953196912410345798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 $100 billion investment: Apple CEO brings gift to White House

Five soldiers were shot but are in stable condition

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/ross-williams/">Ross Williams</a> <a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/">Georgia Recorder</a>

An Army sergeant who is accused of opening fire on five of his fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia Wednesday used his personal weapon in the shooting, according to the installation’s commanding general.

Sgt. Quornelius Radford, who was assigned to a unit within the second Brigade Combat Team, allegedly shot five soldiers late Wednesday morning, according to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, the installation’s commanding general. All five victims were in stable condition.

Lubas, the installation’s commanding general, said other soldiers were able to physically subdue Radford until law enforcement officers arrived and took Radford into custody nearly 40 minutes later.

“The shooting occurred at the soldier’s place of work. It did involve his co-workers,” Lubas told reporters Wednesday afternoon. “We’re still not certain about the motivations, but again, he’s been interviewed by Army investigators, and we believe we’ll gain more information here shortly.”

Lubas said the weapon used in the shooting is believed to be a personal handgun, but he said how the firearm ended up at the workplace is still under investigation.

“I’m very confident in the security of this installation. We’ve got a great partnership with local law enforcement,” Lubas said. “As you can see here at our gates, we have armed guards in protective equipment.

“This one’s a bit difficult, and we’re going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of place of duty,” he said.

Law enforcement was dispatched for a possible shooting at 10:56 a.m., the base was placed on lock down at 11:04, medical personnel were dispatched at 11:09 and a suspect was apprehended at 11:35 a.m.

Fort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and is home to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and about 10,000 troops and family members. It is located in Hinesville about 40 miles southwest of Savannah.

Georgia leaders including Gov. Brian Kemp denounced the shooter and offered thanks for the law enforcement and emergency personnel.

“As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by today’s tragedy at Ft. Stewart,” Kemp said in a statement on social media. “We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same.”

The base is represented by Republican Congressman Buddy Carter, who offered a statement in support of the victims and first responders.

Georgia Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop said the effects of the attack will reverberate beyond Georgia.

“The events today will not only be felt at Fort Stewart but across our entire military,” Bishop said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the casualties and all those impacted by this unfortunate occurrence.”

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal law enforcement agents are providing support.

Georgia Recorder Editor Jill Nolin contributed to this report.&nbsp;

FORT STEWART, Georgia– Five Soldiers were shot Wednesday in an active shooter incident in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, according to a media release from the base. All Soldiers were treated on-site and moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment. There was no active threat to the community.

Law enforcement was dispatched for a possible shooting in the 2nd ABCT complex at 10:56 a.m. The shooter was apprehended at 11:35 a.m.

The installation was locked down at 11:04 a.m. and Fort Stewart lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m. 2nd ABCT complex is still locked down.

 Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to treat the wounded Soldiers at 11:09 a.m.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754497102931.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Five soldiers were shot but are in stable condition</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/ross-williams/">Ross Williams</a> <a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/">Georgia Recorder</a>An Army sergeant who is accused of opening fire on five of his fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia Wednesday used his personal weapon in the shooting, according to the installation’s commanding general.Sgt. Quornelius Radford, who was assigned to a unit within the second Brigade Combat Team, allegedly shot five soldiers late Wednesday morning, according to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, the installation’s commanding general. All five victims were in stable condition.Lubas, the installation’s commanding general, said other soldiers were able to physically subdue Radford until law enforcement officers arrived and took Radford into custody nearly 40 minutes later.“The shooting occurred at the soldier’s place of work. It did involve his co-workers,” Lubas told reporters Wednesday afternoon. “We’re still not certain about the motivations, but again, he’s been interviewed by Army investigators, and we believe we’ll gain more information here shortly.”Lubas said the weapon used in the shooting is believed to be a personal handgun, but he said how the firearm ended up at the workplace is still under investigation.“I’m very confident in the security of this installation. We’ve got a great partnership with local law enforcement,” Lubas said. “As you can see here at our gates, we have armed guards in protective equipment.“This one’s a bit difficult, and we’re going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of place of duty,” he said.Law enforcement was dispatched for a possible shooting at 10:56 a.m., the base was placed on lock down at 11:04, medical personnel were dispatched at 11:09 and a suspect was apprehended at 11:35 a.m.Fort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and is home to the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division and about 10,000 troops and family members. It is located in Hinesville about 40 miles southwest of Savannah.Georgia leaders including Gov. Brian Kemp denounced the shooter and offered thanks for the law enforcement and emergency personnel.“As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by today’s tragedy at Ft. Stewart,” Kemp said in a statement on social media. “We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same.”The base is represented by Republican Congressman Buddy Carter, who offered a statement in support of the victims and first responders.Georgia Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop said the effects of the attack will reverberate beyond Georgia.“The events today will not only be felt at Fort Stewart but across our entire military,” Bishop said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the casualties and all those impacted by this unfortunate occurrence.”President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal law enforcement agents are providing support.Georgia Recorder Editor Jill Nolin contributed to this report.&nbsp;-----------------FORT STEWART, Georgia– Five Soldiers were shot Wednesday in an active shooter incident in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, according to a media release from the base. All Soldiers were treated on-site and moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment. There was no active threat to the community.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The President has been briefed on the shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia. The White House is monitoring the situation.&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1953135134665802048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our federal law enforcement agents in Georgia are coordinating to provide support as the situation at Fort Stewart develops. I am praying for all the victims and for our troops at the base.&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1953137964168405387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFortStewartHunterArmyAirfield%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0696cnEND7m9ujYRCsx5nonjp4fmurusZBqGcSzKdntmdhoWDX67gD57gysUrbLCLl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="679" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Law enforcement was dispatched for a possible shooting in the 2nd ABCT complex at 10:56 a.m. The shooter was apprehended at 11:35 a.m.The installation was locked down at 11:04 a.m. and Fort Stewart lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m. 2nd ABCT complex is still locked down. Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to treat the wounded Soldiers at 11:09 a.m.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Army sergeant accused of using personal handgun in shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/08/state-approved-use-of-pesticide-coated-seed-corn-for-ethanol-plant-a-decade-ago/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Nebraska reportedly is being considered as a home to one of the state-run, federally funded migrant detention centers that U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hopes to launch across the country in the likeness of “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Noem, in an interview with CBS News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alligator-alcatraz-model-kristi-noem-homeland-security/" target="_blank">published Monday</a>, said she hopes to establish a handful of similar detention centers near airports and jails in other states in the coming months, using Florida’s so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades as a model. She said she had already appealed to governors and state leaders.&nbsp;

And CBS said potential sites already under consideration include Nebraska, Arizona and Louisiana.

Many states that support President Donald Trump’s mission of securing the border have empty or underused prison-like facilities, Noem noted. She said locations Homeland Security is considering are by airports and runways, which she said would help cut costs through “quick turnarounds.” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates under the umbrella of Homeland Security.

State-owned property that could fit her site preferences could include land near the Omaha Correctional Center by Eppley Airfield and the Nebraska National Guard base near the Lincoln airport.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s office shared a statement Tuesday, saying that his team “continues to be in communication with federal partners on how Nebraska can best assist in these efforts.”

Pillen spokeswoman Laura Strimple said the governor is “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/24/pillen-orders-nebraska-agencies-to-fall-in-line-with-trump-immigration-crackdown/">staunchly committed&nbsp;</a>to keeping Americans safe, our nation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-visits-nebraska-national-guard-on-texas-mexico-border-with-speaker-arch-sen-tom-brewer/">borders secure”</a>&nbsp;and getting criminals “off our streets.”

She said it was premature to comment on potential detention operations, adding: “Gov. Pillen will make details public at the appropriate time.”

An ICE spokesperson told the Examiner in a statement Tuesday that the agency could not confirm “individual pre-decisional conversations” but said it would “confirm that ICE is exploring all options to meet its current and future detention requirements.”

The agency blamed the Biden administration’s border policies, and added: “ICE is proud to say we have enhanced enforcement and routine daily operations that have resulted in a significant number of arrests” necessitating greater detention capacity.

Noem’s strategy reportedly builds upon the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center that opened last month at a jetport in the South Florida marshlands. It was built in just days and has the capacity to house at least 3,000 migrants.

The effort would be assisted by the $45 billion set aside for ICE in President Donald Trump’s recently adopted “big beautiful bill.”

Nebraska State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha, a legislative watchdog on criminal justice issues, criticized the notion of Nebraska as a host site.&nbsp;

“The idea of Nebraska operating a state-run detention facility is crazy and should not move forward,” he said. “Our focus should be on addressing the current budget deficit and reversing the decline of our state’s economy, both of which will only worsen with proposals like this.”

McKinney said that under the Trump administration, “enforcement efforts have expanded far beyond individuals labeled as criminals.”

“Many law-abiding immigrants are being unjustly detained and torn away from their families,” he said.

Nebraska State Sen. Margo Juarez was terse in her reaction. Her South Omaha area district includes the worksite where a June 10 high-profile immigration raid took place, the largest enforcement operation in Nebraska since Trump took office the second time.

“There is no way we will welcome an Alcatraz,” Juarez said. “Look elsewhere.”

More than 70 undocumented immigrants were apprehended during the ICE-led raid at Glenn Valley Foods. Roughly 25 of the workers are still being detained at a North Platte jail, hours from where their families live. That jail contracts with the federal government to hold ICE detainees who are in removal proceedings.

Douglas County officials had previously opted not to renew a federal contract under which it was paid to hold ICE detainees at its Omaha jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751400984359.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/08/state-approved-use-of-pesticide-coated-seed-corn-for-ethanol-plant-a-decade-ago/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Nebraska reportedly is being considered as a home to one of the state-run, federally funded migrant detention centers that U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hopes to launch across the country in the likeness of “Alligator Alcatraz.”Noem, in an interview with CBS News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alligator-alcatraz-model-kristi-noem-homeland-security/" target="_blank">published Monday</a>, said she hopes to establish a handful of similar detention centers near airports and jails in other states in the coming months, using Florida’s so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades as a model. She said she had already appealed to governors and state leaders.&nbsp;And CBS said potential sites already under consideration include Nebraska, Arizona and Louisiana.Many states that support President Donald Trump’s mission of securing the border have empty or underused prison-like facilities, Noem noted. She said locations Homeland Security is considering are by airports and runways, which she said would help cut costs through “quick turnarounds.” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates under the umbrella of Homeland Security.State-owned property that could fit her site preferences could include land near the Omaha Correctional Center by Eppley Airfield and the Nebraska National Guard base near the Lincoln airport.Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s office shared a statement Tuesday, saying that his team “continues to be in communication with federal partners on how Nebraska can best assist in these efforts.”Pillen spokeswoman Laura Strimple said the governor is “<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/24/pillen-orders-nebraska-agencies-to-fall-in-line-with-trump-immigration-crackdown/">staunchly committed&nbsp;</a>to keeping Americans safe, our nation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-visits-nebraska-national-guard-on-texas-mexico-border-with-speaker-arch-sen-tom-brewer/">borders secure”</a>&nbsp;and getting criminals “off our streets.”She said it was premature to comment on potential detention operations, adding: “Gov. Pillen will make details public at the appropriate time.”An ICE spokesperson told the Examiner in a statement Tuesday that the agency could not confirm “individual pre-decisional conversations” but said it would “confirm that ICE is exploring all options to meet its current and future detention requirements.”The agency blamed the Biden administration’s border policies, and added: “ICE is proud to say we have enhanced enforcement and routine daily operations that have resulted in a significant number of arrests” necessitating greater detention capacity.Noem’s strategy reportedly builds upon the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center that opened last month at a jetport in the South Florida marshlands. It was built in just days and has the capacity to house at least 3,000 migrants.The effort would be assisted by the $45 billion set aside for ICE in President Donald Trump’s recently adopted “big beautiful bill.”Nebraska State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha, a legislative watchdog on criminal justice issues, criticized the notion of Nebraska as a host site.&nbsp;“The idea of Nebraska operating a state-run detention facility is crazy and should not move forward,” he said. “Our focus should be on addressing the current budget deficit and reversing the decline of our state’s economy, both of which will only worsen with proposals like this.”McKinney said that under the Trump administration, “enforcement efforts have expanded far beyond individuals labeled as criminals.”“Many law-abiding immigrants are being unjustly detained and torn away from their families,” he said.Nebraska State Sen. Margo Juarez was terse in her reaction. Her South Omaha area district includes the worksite where a June 10 high-profile immigration raid took place, the largest enforcement operation in Nebraska since Trump took office the second time.“There is no way we will welcome an Alcatraz,” Juarez said. “Look elsewhere.”More than 70 undocumented immigrants were apprehended during the ICE-led raid at Glenn Valley Foods. Roughly 25 of the workers are still being detained at a North Platte jail, hours from where their families live. That jail contracts with the federal government to hold ICE detainees who are in removal proceedings.Douglas County officials had previously opted not to renew a federal contract under which it was paid to hold ICE detainees at its Omaha jail.

Will Nebraska be home to the next ‘Alligator Alcatraz?’

NEW YORK and BURBANK, Calif. —&nbsp;ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), and the National Football League (NFL) on Tuesday announced a non-binding agreement under which ESPN will acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL – including NFL’s linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy – &nbsp;in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN. In addition to the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN are also entering into a second non-binding agreement, under which the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets, according to a media release from the league.

These transactions between America’s most popular sporting league and the world’s most innovative sports media leader are designed to set a new standard for how professional football is delivered, experienced and celebrated by fans.&nbsp;

“Today’s announcement paves the way for&nbsp;the world's leading sports media brand&nbsp;and America’s most popular sport to deliver an&nbsp;even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” said Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets,&nbsp;and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide&nbsp;viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth&nbsp;and value&nbsp;proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem."

“Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Whether it was debuting Thursday Night Football, televising the Combine, or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network has delivered. The Network’s sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.”

“This is an exciting day for sports fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game—anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”

This new relationship brings together some of the NFL’s premier media brands and fan-engagement platforms with ESPN’s deep experience in producing and distributing high-quality and innovative sports programming. ESPN intends to deploy its resources and expertise in the development of NFL Network, distribution of the RedZone Channel and fantasy, to expand audience reach, increase accessibility and flexibility for consumers, drive innovation, and offer even more high-quality content to fans at highly competitive prices. As a result of this sale, NFL programming will be available on more platforms than ever before, including ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) service, while remaining on cable, satellite and leading streaming providers. ESPN’s DTC offering will deliver an array of NFL content to subscribers.

The transactions are subject to the parties’ negotiation of definitive agreements, various approvals including by the NFL team owners, and customary closing conditions.

ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The terms “Company,” “we,” and “our” below and “Disney” above are used to refer collectively to The Walt Disney Company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs and business plans; transactions for which conditions to close have not been satisfied, including entering into definitive agreements, regulatory or other approvals or other conditions; content, benefits and timing of future product offerings; consumer sentiment; and other statements that are not historical in nature. Any information that is not historical in nature is subject to change. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.&nbsp; Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company or the discovery of additional information, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including: failure to enter into definitive agreements, obtain regulatory or other approvals or satisfy other conditions; other regulatory and legal developments; the availability of, and competition for, as applicable, programming, subscribers, talent and distribution channels; and consumer preferences and product acceptance. Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NEW YORK and BURBANK, Calif. —&nbsp;ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), and the National Football League (NFL) on Tuesday announced a non-binding agreement under which ESPN will acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL – including NFL’s linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy – &nbsp;in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN. In addition to the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN are also entering into a second non-binding agreement, under which the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets, according to a media release from the league.These transactions between America’s most popular sporting league and the world’s most innovative sports media leader are designed to set a new standard for how professional football is delivered, experienced and celebrated by fans.&nbsp;“Today’s announcement paves the way for&nbsp;the world's leading sports media brand&nbsp;and America’s most popular sport to deliver an&nbsp;even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” said Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets,&nbsp;and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide&nbsp;viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth&nbsp;and value&nbsp;proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem."“Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Whether it was debuting Thursday Night Football, televising the Combine, or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network has delivered. The Network’s sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.”“This is an exciting day for sports fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game—anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.”Additional DetailsThis new relationship brings together some of the NFL’s premier media brands and fan-engagement platforms with ESPN’s deep experience in producing and distributing high-quality and innovative sports programming. ESPN intends to deploy its resources and expertise in the development of NFL Network, distribution of the RedZone Channel and fantasy, to expand audience reach, increase accessibility and flexibility for consumers, drive innovation, and offer even more high-quality content to fans at highly competitive prices. As a result of this sale, NFL programming will be available on more platforms than ever before, including ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) service, while remaining on cable, satellite and leading streaming providers. ESPN’s DTC offering will deliver an array of NFL content to subscribers.Under the terms of these agreements:<ul>
 <li>NFL Network, including both linear and digital rights, would be owned and operated by ESPN and fully integrated into ESPN DTC, alongside traditional pay television distribution, increasing accessibility and flexibility for consumers and promoting innovation in sports programming.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>ESPN would own broad rights to the RedZone brand and distribute the NFL RedZone Channel to pay TV operators for continued inclusion into their sports packages.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>NFL Fantasy Football&nbsp;would merge with&nbsp;ESPN Fantasy Football, creating the official Fantasy season-long game of the NFL and one best-in-class digital experience, driving innovation and enabling broader reach to meet global demand.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>In total, ESPN’s platforms will license an additional three NFL games per season to air on NFL Network as a result of today’s news. In addition, ESPN will adjust its overall NFL game schedule, with four games (including some from overlapping windows) shifting to NFL Network, which will continue to present seven games per season.</li><li>The NFL will continue to own and operate its retained media businesses including properties such as NFL Films and key fan-facing platforms such as NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST Channel and the official sites for the league’s 32 clubs. It will also continue to own, operate, and produce NFL RedZone, and retain the rights to distribute NFL RedZone digitally.</li>
 </ul>The transactions are subject to the parties’ negotiation of definitive agreements, various approvals including by the NFL team owners, and customary closing conditions.ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.&nbsp;&nbsp;Forward-Looking StatementsThe terms “Company,” “we,” and “our” below and “Disney” above are used to refer collectively to The Walt Disney Company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs and business plans; transactions for which conditions to close have not been satisfied, including entering into definitive agreements, regulatory or other approvals or other conditions; content, benefits and timing of future product offerings; consumer sentiment; and other statements that are not historical in nature. Any information that is not historical in nature is subject to change. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.&nbsp; Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company or the discovery of additional information, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including: failure to enter into definitive agreements, obtain regulatory or other approvals or satisfy other conditions; other regulatory and legal developments; the availability of, and competition for, as applicable, programming, subscribers, talent and distribution channels; and consumer preferences and product acceptance. Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ESPN agrees to buy NFL Network, RedZone Channel

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the Justice Department published a list of states, cities, and counties identified as having policies, laws, or regulations that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws, according to a media release from the agency.

“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.”

On April 28, 2025, President Trump signed&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2025%2F05%2F02%2F2025-07789%2Fprotecting-american-communities-from-criminal-aliens%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001987a7f581e-e7ba96f7-3157-46ed-b636-9a18a633f11b-000000/KqcWxCq5txkjLj4FN3wILy9JnLN0UPfYHgFEmGFB8jg=416" target="_blank">Executive Order 14287</a>: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens. The Executive Order recognized that “some State and local officials .&nbsp;.&nbsp;. continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws” and “[i]t is imperative that the Federal Government restore the enforcement of United States law.” The Executive Order directed the Justice Department, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, to publish a list of such jurisdictions. Accordingly, the following states, cities, and counties have been identified as sanctuary jurisdictions:

In recent months, the Justice Department has filed several lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions seeking to compel compliance with federal law, including one against&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-doj-sues-new-york-city-long-standing-sanctuary-immigration-policies%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001987a7f581e-e7ba96f7-3157-46ed-b636-9a18a633f11b-000000/J_vdm5wT7ACLngM1BP_E4yGI1aPj55iPtx9Xz4ZFeOc=416" target="_blank">New York City</a>&nbsp;on July 24th. Recently, the Mayor of Louisville agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fspectrumnews1.com%2Fky%2Flouisville%2Fnews%2F2025%2F07%2F22%2Flouisville-removed-sanctuary-city%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001987a7f581e-e7ba96f7-3157-46ed-b636-9a18a633f11b-000000/rdsDrqtgQU1MJpmKMMWuPdGGClU33IubYdGyRG92SLw=416" target="_blank">revoke their sanctuary policies</a>&nbsp;following a letter from the Justice Department threatening legal action.

Read more about the sanctuary jurisdiction list and the criteria for inclusion&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fag%2Fus-sanctuary-jurisdiction-list-following-executive-order-14287-protecting-american-communities%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001987a7f581e-e7ba96f7-3157-46ed-b636-9a18a633f11b-000000/oBy4iz3avRksViU27GTgcrYPIC4Rivpct3fYWGaxmDU=416" target="_blank">here</a>. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated as federal authorities gather further information. The federal government will assist any jurisdiction that desires to be taken off this list to identify and eliminate their sanctuary policies, so they no longer stand in opposition to federal immigration enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754485085876.png" alt="U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi-courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi-courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, the Justice Department published a list of states, cities, and counties identified as having policies, laws, or regulations that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws, according to a media release from the agency.“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.”On April 28, 2025, President Trump signed&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2025%2F05%2F02%2F2025-07789%2Fprotecting-american-communities-from-criminal-aliens%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001987a7f581e-e7ba96f7-3157-46ed-b636-9a18a633f11b-000000/KqcWxCq5txkjLj4FN3wILy9JnLN0UPfYHgFEmGFB8jg=416" target="_blank">Executive Order 14287</a>: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens. The Executive Order recognized that “some State and local officials .&nbsp;.&nbsp;. continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws” and “[i]t is imperative that the Federal Government restore the enforcement of United States law.” The Executive Order directed the Justice Department, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, to publish a list of such jurisdictions. Accordingly, the following states, cities, and counties have been identified as sanctuary jurisdictions:STATES:<ul>
 <li>California</li><li>Colorado</li><li>Connecticut</li><li>Delaware</li><li>District of Columbia</li><li>Illinois</li><li>Minnesota</li><li>Nevada</li><li>New York</li><li>Oregon</li><li>Rhode Island</li><li>Vermont</li><li>Washington</li>
 </ul>COUNTIES:<ul>
 <li>Baltimore County, MD</li><li>Cook County, IL</li><li>San Diego County, CA</li><li>San Francisco County, CA</li>
 </ul>CITIES:<ul>
 <li>Albuquerque, NM</li><li>Berkeley, CA</li><li>Boston, MA</li><li>Chicago, IL</li><li>Denver, CO</li><li>East Lansing, MI</li><li>Hoboken, NJ</li><li>Jersey City, NJ</li><li>Los Angeles, CA</li><li>New Orleans, LA</li><li>New York City, NY</li><li>Newark, NJ</li><li>Paterson, NJ</li><li>Philadelphia, PA</li><li>Portland, OR</li><li>Rochester, NY</li><li>Seattle, WA</li><li>San Francisco City, CA</li>
 </ul>In recent months, the Justice Department has filed several lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions seeking to compel compliance with federal law, including one against&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-doj-sues-new-york-city-long-standing-sanctuary-immigration-policies%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001987a7f581e-e7ba96f7-3157-46ed-b636-9a18a633f11b-000000/J_vdm5wT7ACLngM1BP_E4yGI1aPj55iPtx9Xz4ZFeOc=416" target="_blank">New York City</a>&nbsp;on July 24th. Recently, the Mayor of Louisville agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fspectrumnews1.com%2Fky%2Flouisville%2Fnews%2F2025%2F07%2F22%2Flouisville-removed-sanctuary-city%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001987a7f581e-e7ba96f7-3157-46ed-b636-9a18a633f11b-000000/rdsDrqtgQU1MJpmKMMWuPdGGClU33IubYdGyRG92SLw=416" target="_blank">revoke their sanctuary policies</a>&nbsp;following a letter from the Justice Department threatening legal action.Read more about the sanctuary jurisdiction list and the criteria for inclusion&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Fag%2Fus-sanctuary-jurisdiction-list-following-executive-order-14287-protecting-american-communities%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001987a7f581e-e7ba96f7-3157-46ed-b636-9a18a633f11b-000000/oBy4iz3avRksViU27GTgcrYPIC4Rivpct3fYWGaxmDU=416" target="_blank">here</a>. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated as federal authorities gather further information. The federal government will assist any jurisdiction that desires to be taken off this list to identify and eliminate their sanctuary policies, so they no longer stand in opposition to federal immigration enforcement.

Justice Department publishes new list of "sanctuary" jurisdictions

COMANCHE COUNTY —A suspect wanted in North Dakota is in custody in Kansas after a traffic stop in Comanche County.

On Monday afternoon, Sheriff's Deputy Stetsen Underwood conducted a traffic stop for a speeding violation, according to a social media report from the&nbsp;Comanche County Sheriff’s Office.

 During the stop, Deputy Underwood identified the driver as a wanted fugitive with an active warrant out of North Dakota for Rape, Kidnapping, and Aggravated Assault. 

The suspect, identified from online jail records as 24-year-old Fredi Barrientos Garcia was taken into custody without incident

He is currently being held without bond pending extradition.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754420720068.png" alt="Garcia-photo Kiowa Co." />
 <figcaption>Garcia-photo Kiowa Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COMANCHE COUNTY —A suspect wanted in North Dakota is in custody in Kansas after a traffic stop in Comanche County.On Monday afternoon, Sheriff's Deputy Stetsen Underwood conducted a traffic stop for a speeding violation, according to a social media report from the&nbsp;Comanche County Sheriff’s Office. During the stop, Deputy Underwood identified the driver as a wanted fugitive with an active warrant out of North Dakota for Rape, Kidnapping, and Aggravated Assault. The suspect, identified from online jail records as 24-year-old Fredi Barrientos Garcia was taken into custody without incidentHe is currently being held without bond pending extradition.&nbsp;

North Dakota man wanted for alleged rape, kidnapping captured in Kansas

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward… <a href="https://t.co/GPKbuU7ywN">pic.twitter.com/GPKbuU7ywN</a>&mdash; Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy/status/1952851097019633766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Why RFK Jr. pulled $500 million in funding for vaccine development

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>&nbsp;-

WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Oversight issued subpoenas Tuesday for testimony from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among other ex-government officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations, regarding knowledge of Florida sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Committee Chair James Comer of Kentucky also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26040557-20250805-subpoena-and-schedule-to-doj/" target="_blank">subpoenaed</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Department of Justice for records of Epstein’s federal sex trafficking investigation. Comer gave the department until Aug. 19 to turn over the files.

Comer issued the subpoenas following bipartisan committee support in late July to compel the release of records after President Donald Trump backtracked on his promise to open the files.

Epstein, who pleaded guilty to sex crimes in Florida in 2008, died in a New York City jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting federal trial on sex trafficking charges. Epstein’s co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of a wealthy media mogul, is serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison for her role in the sex trafficking scheme.

The former financier had surrounded himself with wealthy and powerful figures, including Trump and the Clintons, among many other influential people.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26040555-20250805-subpoena-cover-letters/" target="_blank">letters</a>&nbsp;to several former government officials, Comer wrote that congressional oversight of the government’s investigation of Epstein is “imperative.”

“The Committee may use the results of this investigation to inform legislative solutions to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements in sex-crime investigations. Given your past relationships with Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell, the Committee believes that you have information regarding their activities that is relevant to the Committee’s investigation,” according to the letters.

In addition to the Clintons, Comer also subpoenaed testimony from:

Comer outlined a span of deadlines for the depositions into early October.

Comer previously subpoenaed Maxwell for an Aug. 11 deposition. The Kentucky lawmaker denied Maxwell’s request for immunity but agreed to delay her testimony to the committee, according to multiple media&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/08/01/congress/maxwell-hearing-postponed-00489019" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Attention on the federal case against Epstein swelled after the Justice Department, under current Attorney General Pam Bondi, declined to publicly release case files, as Trump had promised on the campaign trail.

According to an unsigned July 7 Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1407001/dl?inline" target="_blank">memo</a>, “a systemic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list,’” and department and FBI officials concluded that “no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.”

The declaration sparked an uproar among lawmakers and Trump’s voter base, including some in his own administration. The president’s supporters, and Trump himself, have long been fixated on what they describe as the “Epstein files,” with some perpetuating conspiracy theories.

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana sent lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-scatter-early-august-break-amid-pressure-epstein-files" target="_blank">home early</a>&nbsp;for August break to avoid votes compelling the release of material.&nbsp;

Details of the president’s past relationship with Epstein also surfaced, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-birthday-letter-we-have-certain-things-in-common-f918d796?mod=Searchresults_pos1&amp;page=1" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Wall Street Journal that Trump gave the financier a 50th birthday note featuring a cryptic message and the outline of a naked woman with Trump’s signature mimicking pubic hair. The president denied making the note and swiftly sued the Journal.

The outlet also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/justice-department-told-trump-name-in-epstein-files-727a8038?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that Bondi briefed Trump in May that his name appeared in the Epstein materials. The context in which Trump appeared in the files is unknown.

Trump has since called for the release of grand jury testimony in the case, which a Florida judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/07/23/nx-s1-5477567/jeffrey-epstein-transcripts-florida" target="_blank">denied</a>.

Trump also dispatched Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former criminal defense lawyer, to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/tumult-over-epstein-files-dogs-trump-both-dc-and-florida" target="_blank">interview</a>&nbsp;Maxwell in Florida where she was being held.

The administration has since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd049y2qymo" target="_blank">moved</a>&nbsp;Maxwell to a Texas facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704330351229.png" alt="Jeffrey Epstein photo NY Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Epstein photo NY Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>&nbsp;-WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Oversight issued subpoenas Tuesday for testimony from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among other ex-government officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations, regarding knowledge of Florida sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754412751686.png" alt="File image Hillary Clinton from the Aug. 2024 funeral for Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee-courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File image Hillary Clinton from the Aug. 2024 funeral for Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee-courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Committee Chair James Comer of Kentucky also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26040557-20250805-subpoena-and-schedule-to-doj/" target="_blank">subpoenaed</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Department of Justice for records of Epstein’s federal sex trafficking investigation. Comer gave the department until Aug. 19 to turn over the files.Comer issued the subpoenas following bipartisan committee support in late July to compel the release of records after President Donald Trump backtracked on his promise to open the files.Epstein, who pleaded guilty to sex crimes in Florida in 2008, died in a New York City jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting federal trial on sex trafficking charges. Epstein’s co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of a wealthy media mogul, is serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison for her role in the sex trafficking scheme.The former financier had surrounded himself with wealthy and powerful figures, including Trump and the Clintons, among many other influential people.<h2>Subpoena list</h2>In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26040555-20250805-subpoena-cover-letters/" target="_blank">letters</a>&nbsp;to several former government officials, Comer wrote that congressional oversight of the government’s investigation of Epstein is “imperative.”“The Committee may use the results of this investigation to inform legislative solutions to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements in sex-crime investigations. Given your past relationships with Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell, the Committee believes that you have information regarding their activities that is relevant to the Committee’s investigation,” according to the letters.In addition to the Clintons, Comer also subpoenaed testimony from:<ul>
 <li>Former U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland</li><li>Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr</li><li>Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions</li><li>Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch</li><li>Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder</li><li>Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales</li><li>Former FBI Director James Comey</li><li>Former FBI Director Robert Mueller</li>
 </ul>Comer outlined a span of deadlines for the depositions into early October.Comer previously subpoenaed Maxwell for an Aug. 11 deposition. The Kentucky lawmaker denied Maxwell’s request for immunity but agreed to delay her testimony to the committee, according to multiple media&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/08/01/congress/maxwell-hearing-postponed-00489019" target="_blank">reports</a>.<h2>Bondi won’t release Epstein files</h2>Attention on the federal case against Epstein swelled after the Justice Department, under current Attorney General Pam Bondi, declined to publicly release case files, as Trump had promised on the campaign trail.According to an unsigned July 7 Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1407001/dl?inline" target="_blank">memo</a>, “a systemic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list,’” and department and FBI officials concluded that “no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.”The declaration sparked an uproar among lawmakers and Trump’s voter base, including some in his own administration. The president’s supporters, and Trump himself, have long been fixated on what they describe as the “Epstein files,” with some perpetuating conspiracy theories.House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana sent lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-scatter-early-august-break-amid-pressure-epstein-files" target="_blank">home early</a>&nbsp;for August break to avoid votes compelling the release of material.&nbsp;Details of the president’s past relationship with Epstein also surfaced, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/trump-jeffrey-epstein-birthday-letter-we-have-certain-things-in-common-f918d796?mod=Searchresults_pos1&amp;page=1" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the Wall Street Journal that Trump gave the financier a 50th birthday note featuring a cryptic message and the outline of a naked woman with Trump’s signature mimicking pubic hair. The president denied making the note and swiftly sued the Journal.The outlet also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/justice-department-told-trump-name-in-epstein-files-727a8038?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that Bondi briefed Trump in May that his name appeared in the Epstein materials. The context in which Trump appeared in the files is unknown.Trump has since called for the release of grand jury testimony in the case, which a Florida judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/07/23/nx-s1-5477567/jeffrey-epstein-transcripts-florida" target="_blank">denied</a>.Trump also dispatched Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former criminal defense lawyer, to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/tumult-over-epstein-files-dogs-trump-both-dc-and-florida" target="_blank">interview</a>&nbsp;Maxwell in Florida where she was being held.The administration has since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd049y2qymo" target="_blank">moved</a>&nbsp;Maxwell to a Texas facility.

US House panel subpoenas DOJ’s Epstein files, Bill and Hillary Clinton

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is bringing back a physical fitness test to public schools after over a decade, but details of the new test, including timing and implementation, remain to be seen.

Trump signed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reesetablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/" target="_blank">an executive order</a>&nbsp;July 31 that reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test — a source of both fear and achievement among youth — and committed to revitalizing the “President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition,” which would develop the test.

“Rates of obesity, chronic disease, inactivity, and poor nutrition are at crisis levels, particularly among our children,” the executive order notes. “These trends weaken our economy, military readiness, academic performance, and national morale.”

The president designated Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to administer the test.

The council is tasked with creating “school-based programs that reward excellence in physical education and develop criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award,” according to a White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reestablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/" target="_blank">fact sheet</a>.

The order did not provide any details on what the test will look like or how or when it will roll out.

Laura Richardson, a clinical associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan, said she hoped to see an updated version of the test that focused more on level of activity than on a student’s performance.

“I’m hopeful that maybe it will be reevaluated and revised and really have some tools that don’t just look at how fast you are or how strong you are, but more holistic in the tools we need to get our children to be active in childhood that should then continue through the trajectory into adulthood,” Richardson told States Newsroom.

Richardson added that testing alone would not be sufficient to see improvement in kids’ physical fitness, and called for increasing resources to schools to help students be more active.

“Sedentary behavior is really widespread — we’re seeing increasing obesity among all ages,” Richardson told States Newsroom. “We can test … but if we’re not giving the tools to the teachers and the students and the parents, we may continue to see the same data.”

Rep. Jeff Van Drew&nbsp;<a href="https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1887" target="_blank">announced last week</a>&nbsp;that he will introduce a bill to codify Trump’s executive order.

In a statement, the New Jersey Republican said he coordinated with the administration, including Kennedy, when writing the bill.

“Every parent wants their kid to grow up strong and healthy,” he added. “This bill is about making sure they are given the tools to do just that.”

The Presidential Fitness Test dates back to President Dwight Eisenhower, who set up the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-10673-fitness-american-youth" target="_blank">President’s Council on Youth Fitness</a>&nbsp;in 1956 following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8489501/presidential-fitness-test" target="_blank">alarming findings</a>&nbsp;on the state of youth fitness in the United States compared to youth in European nations.

The test initially included sit-ups, a mile run, a shuttle run, pull-ups or push-ups and a sit-and-reach, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/taking-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test" target="_blank">Harvard Health</a>.

Since then, the test has seen several versions. The most recent major revamp was in 2012, when President Barack Obama’s administration replaced the Presidential Fitness Test with the&nbsp;<a href="https://fitness.foundation/presidential-youth-fitness-program-2" target="_blank">Presidential Youth Fitness Program</a>, which aimed for a more individualized and health-focused approach.

The program, which came after criticism of the Presidential Fitness Test and concerns about its psychological effects on youth, aimed to minimize “comparisons between children and instead supports students as they pursue personal fitness goals for lifelong health,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/programs-awards/presidential-youth-fitness-program" target="_blank">Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a>&nbsp;within the Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;

President John F. Kennedy, an uncle of the current HHS secretary, expanded on Eisenhower’s efforts. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://archive.org/stream/the-soft-american-kennedy/The%20Soft%20American%20-%20Kennedy_djvu.txt" target="_blank">1960 essay</a>, “The Soft American,” the president-elect at the time described physical fitness as a “vital prerequisite to America’s realization of its full potential as a nation.”

According to HHS’&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/history-council" target="_blank">Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a>, President Kennedy also promoted “taking the 50 mile hikes previously required of U.S. Marine officers” in a national public service advertising campaign.

President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Presidential Physical Fitness Award Program in 1966 for “exceptional achievement by 10- to 17-year-old boys and girls,” per HHS.&nbsp;

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is bringing back a physical fitness test to public schools after over a decade, but details of the new test, including timing and implementation, remain to be seen.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecKennedy</a> on the Presidential Fitness Test: &quot;We need to re-instill that spirit of competition and that commitment to nutrition and physical fitness — and I&#39;m so grateful to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> for your leadership in bringing this back for our country.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/f0KOxlwsdJ">pic.twitter.com/f0KOxlwsdJ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1951020726292545607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump signed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reesetablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/" target="_blank">an executive order</a>&nbsp;July 31 that reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test — a source of both fear and achievement among youth — and committed to revitalizing the “President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition,” which would develop the test.“Rates of obesity, chronic disease, inactivity, and poor nutrition are at crisis levels, particularly among our children,” the executive order notes. “These trends weaken our economy, military readiness, academic performance, and national morale.”The president designated Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to administer the test.The council is tasked with creating “school-based programs that reward excellence in physical education and develop criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award,” according to a White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-presidents-council-on-sports-fitness-and-nutrition-and-the-reestablishment-of-the-presidential-fitness-test/" target="_blank">fact sheet</a>.<h2>Expert hopes for ‘holistic’ revamp</h2>The order did not provide any details on what the test will look like or how or when it will roll out.Laura Richardson, a clinical associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan, said she hoped to see an updated version of the test that focused more on level of activity than on a student’s performance.“I’m hopeful that maybe it will be reevaluated and revised and really have some tools that don’t just look at how fast you are or how strong you are, but more holistic in the tools we need to get our children to be active in childhood that should then continue through the trajectory into adulthood,” Richardson told States Newsroom.Richardson added that testing alone would not be sufficient to see improvement in kids’ physical fitness, and called for increasing resources to schools to help students be more active.“Sedentary behavior is really widespread — we’re seeing increasing obesity among all ages,” Richardson told States Newsroom. “We can test … but if we’re not giving the tools to the teachers and the students and the parents, we may continue to see the same data.”<h2>Bill would codify test</h2>Rep. Jeff Van Drew&nbsp;<a href="https://vandrew.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1887" target="_blank">announced last week</a>&nbsp;that he will introduce a bill to codify Trump’s executive order.In a statement, the New Jersey Republican said he coordinated with the administration, including Kennedy, when writing the bill.“Every parent wants their kid to grow up strong and healthy,” he added. “This bill is about making sure they are given the tools to do just that.”<h2>Latest version of test</h2>The Presidential Fitness Test dates back to President Dwight Eisenhower, who set up the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-10673-fitness-american-youth" target="_blank">President’s Council on Youth Fitness</a>&nbsp;in 1956 following&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vox.com/2015/4/24/8489501/presidential-fitness-test" target="_blank">alarming findings</a>&nbsp;on the state of youth fitness in the United States compared to youth in European nations.The test initially included sit-ups, a mile run, a shuttle run, pull-ups or push-ups and a sit-and-reach, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/taking-the-presidential-physical-fitness-test" target="_blank">Harvard Health</a>.Since then, the test has seen several versions. The most recent major revamp was in 2012, when President Barack Obama’s administration replaced the Presidential Fitness Test with the&nbsp;<a href="https://fitness.foundation/presidential-youth-fitness-program-2" target="_blank">Presidential Youth Fitness Program</a>, which aimed for a more individualized and health-focused approach.The program, which came after criticism of the Presidential Fitness Test and concerns about its psychological effects on youth, aimed to minimize “comparisons between children and instead supports students as they pursue personal fitness goals for lifelong health,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/programs-awards/presidential-youth-fitness-program" target="_blank">Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a>&nbsp;within the Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;President John F. Kennedy, an uncle of the current HHS secretary, expanded on Eisenhower’s efforts. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://archive.org/stream/the-soft-american-kennedy/The%20Soft%20American%20-%20Kennedy_djvu.txt" target="_blank">1960 essay</a>, “The Soft American,” the president-elect at the time described physical fitness as a “vital prerequisite to America’s realization of its full potential as a nation.”According to HHS’&nbsp;<a href="https://odphp.health.gov/pcsfn/history-council" target="_blank">Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a>, President Kennedy also promoted “taking the 50 mile hikes previously required of U.S. Marine officers” in a national public service advertising campaign.President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Presidential Physical Fitness Award Program in 1966 for “exceptional achievement by 10- to 17-year-old boys and girls,” per HHS.&nbsp;

President Trump pledges overhaul of school fitness tests

Leader of UnidosUS decries the humanitarian and economic damage of Trump administration’s immigration raids. ‘This is about our civil rights being destroyed’

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>&nbsp;

The economic power of the Latino population in the United States is as massive as it is misunderstood.

Latinos contribute more than&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/us-latino-gdp-skyrockets-to-record-37-trillion-dollars" target="_blank">$3.7 trillion</a>&nbsp;annually to the economy, more than the gross domestic product of all but four countries in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/" target="_blank">the world</a>.

Latinos are the nation’s largest minority group with 64 million people.

The vast majority, eight out of 10, are U.S. citizens.

By 2030, one out of every three people entering the workforce will be Latino.

But acknowledgement of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">those facts</a>&nbsp;is lacking,&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/publications/analyzing-inclusion-of-latino-contributions-in-us-history-curricula-for-high-school/" target="_blank">studies show</a>, especially among policymakers and politicians.

The vacuum leaves space for false narratives to flourish.

One example for the leader of the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization is the Trump administration’s inaccurate labeling of Latinos as criminals and outsiders who don’t contribute to the nation.

“If we’re going to have an economy that really moves the country forward and sustains all of us, it has to include the Latino community from a demographics perspective,” said Janet Murguía.

Murguía, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, is president and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">UnidosUS,</a>&nbsp;which is holding its annual conference in Kansas City Aug. 4-7.

The conference opens days after nearly a dozen people were taken from their jobs at two Kansas El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill locations in morning raids by Homeland Security Investigations, a unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The detentions of the employees were filmed and witnessed by community members and sparked a protest later in the day.

Videos show the employees as they were being taken from the restaurants in handcuffs and with chains around their waists. Food was left cooking at the Lenexa location and a handwritten note “Closed” was taped to the front door, which was left unlocked.

Murguía is critical of some tactics that Homeland Security is using in its efforts to meet the administration’s goal of removing 3,000 undocumented immigrants daily.

Increasingly, she said, what’s happening is unlawful and unconstitutional.

“This is not about immigration,” Murguía said. “It’s about civil rights.”

Negative narratives about Latinos that are unsubstantiated by data are being used to justify the actions, including some actions that shred due process, she said.

UnidosUS is the umbrella organization for more than 300 affiliates spread across virtually every state. Three are in the Greater Kansas City area:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elcentroinc.com/" target="_blank">El Centro</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://guadalupecenters.org/" target="_blank">Guadalupe Centers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://mattierhodes.org/" target="_blank">Mattie Rhodes Center</a>.

The nearly 60-year-old organization’s current strategy is three-pronged — to protect, defend and advance the Latino community.

Murguía served in former President Bill Clinton’s administration and also once served as an executive vice chancellor at the University of Kansas.

She said abuse of power and government overreach in immigration enforcement must be challenged.

“We intend to do everything we can to provide the advocacy to push back against this and demand accountability in the courts and through the administration and in Congress,” Murguia said.

Partnerships with&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/press-releases/national-latino-and-civil-rights-groups-denounce-federal-overreach-in-los-angeles-raids/" target="_blank">other civil rights organizations</a>&nbsp;will be key, she said, noting deep connections with the leadership of the National Urban League, the National Action Network and the Legal Defense Fund.

“This is about our civil rights being destroyed,” she said. “Partners and allies can be really critically important in communicating that to the broader public and understanding that we’re all threatened in this country when actions happen.”

‘There is no American agenda without a Latino agenda’&nbsp;

UnidosUS is linking with some of the leading researchers in the nation.

Documenting the social and economic impact of mass deportation will be crucial.

<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/04/03/kansas-man-deported-after-visiting-grandfathers-grave-in-mexico/" target="_blank">Some immigrant families are of mixed status</a>, with at least one family member who might be undocumented and others who are not.

Approximately&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/233150241700500101" target="_blank">6.6 million American citizens</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fwd.us/news/mixed-status-families-1/" target="_blank">5.5 million U.S. children</a>&nbsp;— over 8% of all children in the U.S. — live in a household with at least one undocumented family member.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/233150241700500101" target="_blank">2017 study</a>&nbsp;predicted that removing one family member from every mixed-status household through deportation would drop the median income of those households by nearly 50%.

The report was written with data compiled by the Center for Migration Studies of New York and published by the Journal on Migration and Human Security.

“Removing undocumented residents from mixed-status households would reduce median household income from $41,300 to $22,000, a drop of $19,300, or 47%, which would plunge millions of US families into poverty,” the report noted.

The ramifications on homeownership, businesses and taxes paid could be dramatic.

If the U.S. removed all of its undocumented residents, “gross domestic product (GDP) would be reduced by 1.4% in the first year, and cumulative GDP would be reduced by $4.7 trillion over 10 years,” the report said.

Updated data will be key to track not only the outcomes of current immigration policy but also the Trump administration’s recently approved budget bill. UnidosUS called it&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/press-releases/unidosus-statement-on-us-house-passage-of-harmful-federal-budget-bill/" target="_blank">“a stunning betrayal to working families, vulnerable communities and the American electorate who entrusted them with their votes”</a>&nbsp;due to its cuts to health programs and food assistance.

Studies can also inform&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/events/understanding-systemic-racism-and-resulting-inequity-in-latino-communities/" target="_blank">a wide range of initiatives</a>&nbsp;that have long been the focus of UnidosUS: homeownership, educational attainment, health, voting rights and political empowerment.

Data to support policy, based on understanding Latino history

UnidosUS has partnered with the&nbsp;<a href="https://latino.ucla.edu/about/" target="_blank">Latino Politics &amp; Policy Institute</a>) at the University of California Los Angeles.

The institute’s motto is “there is no American agenda without a Latino agenda,” a statement that underscores the relevance of Latinos historically, by population, economic output and future projections as a young demographic.

Latinos are contributing nearly $4 trillion annually to the economy, said Rodrigo Domínguez-Villegas, director of research at the UCLA institute.

Yet Latinos hold only 12% of the nation’s household wealth while comprising nearly 20% of the population, he said.

“There’s a disconnect that reveals a system where Latino labor and entrepreneurship are fueling economic growth in the country, but the wealth that’s generated through Latino labor and entrepreneurship is held elsewhere,” he said.

Domínguez-Villegas is leading a project to find out why.

In a partnership with UnidosUS, the institute is completing an analysis of how public policy has shaped Latino wealth.

The economic mobility study will be released in October.

“We are telling the story of Latino communities across the country and what Latinos contribute, and also how Latinos struggle because of systemic and historical disadvantages,” he said.

Mattie Rhodes, one of the Kansas City-based UnidosUS affiliates, will release the Hispanic/Latino Equity Index for the Kansas City area’s Latino population during the convention on Aug. 4.

The report was developed with the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Center for Economic Information and the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.

It will highlight disparities in economic opportunity, health, education, social justice and civic engagement.

Similar local reports can be aided by another initiative at the UCLA institute, the&nbsp;<a href="https://latinodatahub.org/" target="_blank">Latino Data Hub.</a>

It’s an interactive platform to analyze conditions affecting Latinos nationwide, drawing from the 2023 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census.

An updated hub was released in mid-July. And tutorials on how to use the hub are ongoing.

“We have tried to build it in a way that is as intuitive as possible,” said Domínguez-Villegas, who will be attending the UnidosUs conference. “Our target audiences are, of course, policymakers, but also community-based organizations and the media.”

Information can be broken down nationally, by state or county and soon, by congressional districts.

Built into the platform are 130 indicators, with filters for people to search for detailed information such as homeownership, health care access and educational attainment. The information can be searched in English or Spanish.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754330127440.png" alt="Kansas state Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat, addressed a crowd that gathered outside the Lenexa El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill on July 30 after some of the employees were arrested earlier in the day by agents with Homeland Security (Mary Sanchez/The Beacon)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas state Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat, addressed a crowd that gathered outside the Lenexa El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill on July 30 after some of the employees were arrested earlier in the day by agents with Homeland Security (Mary Sanchez/The Beacon).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Leader of UnidosUS decries the humanitarian and economic damage of Trump administration’s immigration raids. ‘This is about our civil rights being destroyed’</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/marysanchez/">Mary Sanchez</a>&nbsp;The economic power of the Latino population in the United States is as massive as it is misunderstood.Latinos contribute more than&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/us-latino-gdp-skyrockets-to-record-37-trillion-dollars" target="_blank">$3.7 trillion</a>&nbsp;annually to the economy, more than the gross domestic product of all but four countries in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldometers.info/gdp/gdp-by-country/" target="_blank">the world</a>.Latinos are the nation’s largest minority group with 64 million people.The vast majority, eight out of 10, are U.S. citizens.By 2030, one out of every three people entering the workforce will be Latino.But acknowledgement of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">those facts</a>&nbsp;is lacking,&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/publications/analyzing-inclusion-of-latino-contributions-in-us-history-curricula-for-high-school/" target="_blank">studies show</a>, especially among policymakers and politicians.The vacuum leaves space for false narratives to flourish.One example for the leader of the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization is the Trump administration’s inaccurate labeling of Latinos as criminals and outsiders who don’t contribute to the nation.“If we’re going to have an economy that really moves the country forward and sustains all of us, it has to include the Latino community from a demographics perspective,” said Janet Murguía.Murguía, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, is president and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/" target="_blank">UnidosUS,</a>&nbsp;which is holding its annual conference in Kansas City Aug. 4-7.The conference opens days after nearly a dozen people were taken from their jobs at two Kansas El Toro Loco Mexican Bar and Grill locations in morning raids by Homeland Security Investigations, a unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.The detentions of the employees were filmed and witnessed by community members and sparked a protest later in the day.Videos show the employees as they were being taken from the restaurants in handcuffs and with chains around their waists. Food was left cooking at the Lenexa location and a handwritten note “Closed” was taped to the front door, which was left unlocked.Murguía is critical of some tactics that Homeland Security is using in its efforts to meet the administration’s goal of removing 3,000 undocumented immigrants daily.Increasingly, she said, what’s happening is unlawful and unconstitutional.“This is not about immigration,” Murguía said. “It’s about civil rights.”Negative narratives about Latinos that are unsubstantiated by data are being used to justify the actions, including some actions that shred due process, she said.UnidosUS is the umbrella organization for more than 300 affiliates spread across virtually every state. Three are in the Greater Kansas City area:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elcentroinc.com/" target="_blank">El Centro</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://guadalupecenters.org/" target="_blank">Guadalupe Centers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://mattierhodes.org/" target="_blank">Mattie Rhodes Center</a>.The nearly 60-year-old organization’s current strategy is three-pronged — to protect, defend and advance the Latino community.Murguía served in former President Bill Clinton’s administration and also once served as an executive vice chancellor at the University of Kansas.She said abuse of power and government overreach in immigration enforcement must be challenged.“We intend to do everything we can to provide the advocacy to push back against this and demand accountability in the courts and through the administration and in Congress,” Murguia said.Partnerships with&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/press-releases/national-latino-and-civil-rights-groups-denounce-federal-overreach-in-los-angeles-raids/" target="_blank">other civil rights organizations</a>&nbsp;will be key, she said, noting deep connections with the leadership of the National Urban League, the National Action Network and the Legal Defense Fund.“This is about our civil rights being destroyed,” she said. “Partners and allies can be really critically important in communicating that to the broader public and understanding that we’re all threatened in this country when actions happen.”<h2>‘There is no American agenda without a Latino agenda’&nbsp;</h2>UnidosUS is linking with some of the leading researchers in the nation.Documenting the social and economic impact of mass deportation will be crucial.<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/04/03/kansas-man-deported-after-visiting-grandfathers-grave-in-mexico/" target="_blank">Some immigrant families are of mixed status</a>, with at least one family member who might be undocumented and others who are not.Approximately&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/233150241700500101" target="_blank">6.6 million American citizens</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fwd.us/news/mixed-status-families-1/" target="_blank">5.5 million U.S. children</a>&nbsp;— over 8% of all children in the U.S. — live in a household with at least one undocumented family member.A&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/233150241700500101" target="_blank">2017 study</a>&nbsp;predicted that removing one family member from every mixed-status household through deportation would drop the median income of those households by nearly 50%.The report was written with data compiled by the Center for Migration Studies of New York and published by the Journal on Migration and Human Security.“Removing undocumented residents from mixed-status households would reduce median household income from $41,300 to $22,000, a drop of $19,300, or 47%, which would plunge millions of US families into poverty,” the report noted.The ramifications on homeownership, businesses and taxes paid could be dramatic.If the U.S. removed all of its undocumented residents, “gross domestic product (GDP) would be reduced by 1.4% in the first year, and cumulative GDP would be reduced by $4.7 trillion over 10 years,” the report said.Updated data will be key to track not only the outcomes of current immigration policy but also the Trump administration’s recently approved budget bill. UnidosUS called it&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/press-releases/unidosus-statement-on-us-house-passage-of-harmful-federal-budget-bill/" target="_blank">“a stunning betrayal to working families, vulnerable communities and the American electorate who entrusted them with their votes”</a>&nbsp;due to its cuts to health programs and food assistance.Studies can also inform&nbsp;<a href="https://unidosus.org/events/understanding-systemic-racism-and-resulting-inequity-in-latino-communities/" target="_blank">a wide range of initiatives</a>&nbsp;that have long been the focus of UnidosUS: homeownership, educational attainment, health, voting rights and political empowerment.<h2>Data to support policy, based on understanding Latino history</h2>UnidosUS has partnered with the&nbsp;<a href="https://latino.ucla.edu/about/" target="_blank">Latino Politics &amp; Policy Institute</a>) at the University of California Los Angeles.The institute’s motto is “there is no American agenda without a Latino agenda,” a statement that underscores the relevance of Latinos historically, by population, economic output and future projections as a young demographic.Latinos are contributing nearly $4 trillion annually to the economy, said Rodrigo Domínguez-Villegas, director of research at the UCLA institute.Yet Latinos hold only 12% of the nation’s household wealth while comprising nearly 20% of the population, he said.“There’s a disconnect that reveals a system where Latino labor and entrepreneurship are fueling economic growth in the country, but the wealth that’s generated through Latino labor and entrepreneurship is held elsewhere,” he said.Domínguez-Villegas is leading a project to find out why.In a partnership with UnidosUS, the institute is completing an analysis of how public policy has shaped Latino wealth.The economic mobility study will be released in October.“We are telling the story of Latino communities across the country and what Latinos contribute, and also how Latinos struggle because of systemic and historical disadvantages,” he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754330083724.png" alt="A map of 304 UnidosUS affiliates in the United States. (Courtesy/UnidosUS)" />
 <figcaption>A map of 304 UnidosUS affiliates in the United States. (Courtesy/UnidosUS)</figcaption>
 </figure>Mattie Rhodes, one of the Kansas City-based UnidosUS affiliates, will release the Hispanic/Latino Equity Index for the Kansas City area’s Latino population during the convention on Aug. 4.The report was developed with the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Center for Economic Information and the Urban League of Greater Kansas City.It will highlight disparities in economic opportunity, health, education, social justice and civic engagement.Similar local reports can be aided by another initiative at the UCLA institute, the&nbsp;<a href="https://latinodatahub.org/" target="_blank">Latino Data Hub.</a>It’s an interactive platform to analyze conditions affecting Latinos nationwide, drawing from the 2023 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census.An updated hub was released in mid-July. And tutorials on how to use the hub are ongoing.“We have tried to build it in a way that is as intuitive as possible,” said Domínguez-Villegas, who will be attending the UnidosUs conference. “Our target audiences are, of course, policymakers, but also community-based organizations and the media.”Information can be broken down nationally, by state or county and soon, by congressional districts.Built into the platform are 130 indicators, with filters for people to search for detailed information such as homeownership, health care access and educational attainment. The information can be searched in English or Spanish.The Latino Data Hub grew out of the COVID pandemic, when Latino communities were disproportionately impacted in terms of hospitalizations and deaths.Policymakers were surprised and slow to react, said Domínguez-Villegas, because they hadn’t understood Latino health disparities and access to health care that predated the pandemic.“Policymakers were like, ‘Oh, we didn’t have this data, so we didn’t understand really, how to incorporate that into the response,’” said Domínguez-Villegas.Researchers, he said, vowed “never again.”Strong data can help tell the stories of Latinos and build understanding of past struggles that have led to current inequities, while also addressing the demographic’s contributions. The goal is a more nuanced telling of the nation’s extremely diverse Latino communities.<h2>Sharing the American Dream</h2>Previous work between UnidosUS and the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy found deep gaps in the inclusion of Latinos in U.S. history curriculum.The lack of accurate information undercuts awareness.The buying power of the Hispanic market can be shown in telling stories of entrepreneurship and those who find prosperity by catering to the demographic, in all of its vast diversity.A prime local example is the success of the El Mercado Fresco supermarkets, which began catering primarily to the Latino immigrant communities in northeast Kansas City about a decade ago.The company’s ninth store opened July 17 in a former Big Lots at 7533 State Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas.Hundreds of people, many of them Latino, gathered in the parking lot for the ribbon cutting and then formed a long line, patiently waiting to file into the store to shop as a mariachi band serenaded.Carlos Gomez, president/CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, helped with the honors.Gomez said the El Mercado groceries are successful, in part, because of the owner’s respectful relationship with the Latino community, giving back philanthropically and through hiring.The owner, Eddie Musallet, said he sources products through a wide range of vendors to cater to the culinary preferences of many ethnicities, including Asian and African people.Musallet said he’s conscientious of people’s budgets and tries to use local farmers for some products.Packages of 30 eggs, locally sourced, were marked $6.99 at the State Avenue opening.Soon, a group of leaders gathered outside the store, chatting as friends found one another&nbsp; in the crowd.David Carranza, economic development director for the city of Grandview, Missouri, said that Latinos know how to “make something from nothing,” guided by entrepreneurial efforts and often working not only one, but two jobs.“We’re survivors,” Carranza said.Murguia echoed the sentiments of local leadership in her resolve to advocate and organize through current political and policy challenges.Latinos, she said, are known for optimism and resilience, holding a deep belief in the promise of the nation and its ability to allow people to carve out their American Dream.“If you fundamentally believe that about this country, you’re not going to give up, even in the most daunting times,” Murguia said. “We’re leaning into every bit of resilience and optimism in this moment.”This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/08/04/mass-deportation-latino-civil-rights-kansas-city-unidosus/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.