A Nebraska lawmaker sheds tears, vows action after visiting jailed migrants in North Platte

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — After three months in ICE detention, legal fees mounting and no release in sight, Nuri Garibo Chona did what she called unimaginable. She left behind four daughters to return to the birthplace where she hadn’t lived for decades. The Omaha mom was here illegally. Her kids are all U.S. citizens, and younger ones now are in the care of her oldest daughter, who is 27.&nbsp;

Another woman ensnared in the Glenn Valley Foods immigration raid in Omaha also was removed to Mexico last week without her two children, who remained in Omaha with their dad. On her way out, Leydy Solis Factor said she still was confused about why the work permit she got through proper channels was no longer good

Meanwhile, one of the men still held from the raid in the Lincoln County Jail has hired a local lawyer to replace an out-of-state firm and prays he hasn’t lost a shot at being released on bond. He has a wife and children in Omaha and fears for their safety if he is forced back to Guatemala.

The number of Glenn Valley workers detained in this North Platte jail, which is paid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain migrants, has dwindled since the high-profile worksite raid executed June 10 by more than 80 federal and local agents.&nbsp;

Shortly after the Nebraska Examiner visited the facility last week, Garibo Chona and Solis Factor were removed from the country, and three other women were released on bond, leaving six from the Glenn Valley raid among those in custody there.&nbsp;

ICE officials did not provide specifics when asked this week for an update, but of the original group of roughly 80 arrested, a spokesperson previously said about a dozen were released early and 63 were sent to North Platte. Several of the detainees agreed to voluntarily deport themselves, and many have been released on bond as their lawyers build cases to prevent forced removal.

To State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, their journeys and circumstances have become even more relevant as the state prepares to repurpose a state prison into a&nbsp; 300-bed ICE detention center in McCook, a town of about 7,200 residents about an hour from North Platte.

Last week she became the first state lawmaker to sit down with Glenn Valley detainees. The discussion ranged from medical, legal and interpreter services to how their children were faring. After meeting with men and women garbed in black and white stripes, Juarez stepped into a nearby hall and cried.&nbsp;

She said she’s on a mission to ensure that federal ICE detainees in Nebraska have access to the same services offered to state inmates in state prisons.

“It was really difficult to see the reality, the human faces,” said Juarez, whose South Omaha district includes the Glenn Valley plant and other meatpackers that traditionally have attracted immigrant workers.

&nbsp;“These are people locked up away from family,” she said. “We have jailed innocent working people.”

The federal government has a different viewpoint.&nbsp;

Representatives of ICE and its Homeland Security Investigations arm have repeatedly referred to the Glenn Valley case as a targeted, federal criminal investigation aimed at stopping the widespread use of stolen identifications by foreign-born workers to gain jobs.

“These so-called ‘honest workers’ have caused an immeasurable amount of financial and emotional hardship for innocent Americans,” HSI’s Mark Zito has said. “If pretending to be someone you aren’t in order to steal their lives isn’t blatant criminal dishonesty, I don’t know what is.”

Court documents track the Omaha raid&nbsp; —&nbsp;the largest immigration enforcement action in Nebraska since 2018 —&nbsp;back to a March subpoena that sought company employment records tying 107 of 177 employees to fraudulent IDs or documents that didn’t authorize them to work in the country.

At least one defrauded U.S. citizen already had lodged identity theft complaints with the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration. During the raid, agents questioned a worker whose job application matched the name of that complainant — leading to the arrest of Guadalupe Cabrera Mejia.

To date, available federal court records show Cabrera Mejia as the only Glenn Valley employee criminally charged for the alleged use of a stolen ID. Asked how that reconciled with “widespread” criminal activity alleged earlier, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nebraska said ICE determines whether to pursue felony criminal charges.&nbsp;

With regard to the Glenn Valley probe, she said, ICE elected “overwhelmingly” to pursue administrative charges in immigration court, a venue and process independent of federal prosecutors.

ICE has said an administrative charge is often a more expedient option, a faster path to deportation. The raid came as federal agencies are under pressure from the Trump administration’s goal of making 3,000 related arrests per day and pursuing mass deportations.&nbsp;

In Nebraska, Gov. Jim Pillen, backed by many legislative Republicans, has pledged resources to help President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. Among state offerings: turning the McCook-based Work Ethic Camp into a Midwestern ICE detention center that federal officials dubbed the “Cornhusker Clink.”&nbsp;

That conversion plan requires the relocation of 186 state inmates elsewhere in a Nebraska correctional system already ranked as&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Agencies/Inspector_General_of_the_Nebraska_Correctional_System/600_20250915-155923.pdf" target="_blank">the most crowded</a>&nbsp;in the country, when measured by operational capacity. The decision to offer ICE state assistance sparked protests at the Governor’s Mansion and a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/12/conversion-of-mccook-facility-into-ice-detention-hub-draws-overflow-hearing-statewide-concerns/">four-hour public hearing</a>&nbsp;that drew dozens of opponent speakers and no proponents.

Scant details shared about the project is partly what Juarez said spurred her to make the trek west to the jail in North Platte and prison in McCook.&nbsp;

“This isn’t going away,” she said. “They’re amping up enforcement, and I really wanted to see and hear from these families for myself.”

On a day last week, Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer accompanied Juarez into separate cell blocs for men and women. The Examiner was allowed as well.

Women set aside Bibles and art materials and huddled around the silver table where the lawmaker sat. An interpreter from a local advocacy group called Hope Esperanza helped bridge any language gaps.

Kramer praised the nonprofit’s founder, North Platte native TinaMaria Fernandez, for having eased stress that came with the sudden swell of inmates whose first language was different from that of his staff.&nbsp;

The arrival of the Glenn Valley group increased the jail population by about 50% at a time the facility was short-staffed, Kramer said. He said the federal government pays the county $74 a day for each ICE detainee and covers transportation and medical expenses.

“If I remember it right, they called to see if we could take them and said they’d be here in three hours,” Kramer said.&nbsp;

Juarez viewed as a positive sign the rapport between Hope Esperanza, Kramer and his team and detainees. She wondered out loud if McCook has a similar community organization able to assist in that town’s future ICE detention operation.

Fernandez said that while McCook is about an hour’s drive away, she didn’t see her team being able to provide similar humanitarian outreach at that facility, since the oversight would be federal versus local county officials.

Most of the women, in response to Juarez’s queries, said they hadn’t visited with family members face-to-face but had been able to communicate via video conferencing.&nbsp;

Jail staff have been respectful and responsive, several said. Another added: “It’s ugly. We’re locked up.”&nbsp;

Isabel Ponce, a 34-year-old mother of three kids who are with their father in Omaha, said anxiety was “pushing my limits.”&nbsp;

For some, legal relief has been grinding or nonexistent.

In Garibo Chona’s case, for example, an immigration judge ordered her removal from the country. She was torn about appealing and leaving her daughters but said the judge told her he would not change his mind if her case came before him six months later. She was removed from the country last week.

Solis Factor said she had a government-issued permit to work while awaiting a court hearing, so she at first was not concerned she’d be detained. But many immigration programs and rules have changed since Trump took office for the second time in January. And a judge ordered her removal.

“I want my children to stay and continue their education and learning English,” she said of her kids, ages 5 and 10.

Indeed, the swiftly-evolving immigration landscape has been playing out in an Omaha courtroom.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Bataillon at least nine times has rejected attempts by the federal government to deny the release of Glenn Valley workers on bonds already granted by an immigration court judge.

The three most recent cases were decided Sept. 11 and involved women who had met with Juarez. Among them was Yurenia Genchi Palma, a single mother of three U.S. citizen children who had been in the country more than 20 years.&nbsp;

Though an immigration judge in mid-July granted Genchi Palma’s release on a $7,000 bond, federal attorneys blocked it by filing an “automatic stay.” The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, which represents her, called that a new practice driven by the “interim guidance” leaked in a July 8 internal memo from the Trump administration.&nbsp;

The new approach seeks to make nearly all detained immigrants facing removal proceedings ineligible for release on bond, with an aim of making more of them more likely to self deport, experts say.&nbsp;

ICE has said the changed direction “closes a loophole to our nation’s security” that the Biden administration and others had based on “inaccurate interpretation” of federal law. Such measures are needed, says Trump and other supporters of stepped-up immigration enforcement, to reverse past patterns.

Bataillon ruled the automatic stay provision and prolonged detention unconstitutional despite a Sept. 6 decision days before by the Board of Immigration Appeals, which had affirmed the “interim guidance.”&nbsp;

As a federal court judge, Bataillon is not required to follow the decision of the BIA, an administrative body in the executive branch. He questioned the legal rationale behind the analysis but said that wasn’t his concern.&nbsp;

He said his ruling was based only on the lawfulness of the automatic stay.&nbsp;

Grant Friedman of ACLU Nebraska foresees continued legal challenges and noted that the ICE no-bond practice already is being challenged in a separate national class action lawsuit. He said ACLU and other advocates are on heightened alert.

“The immigration landscape is rapidly changing,” Friedman said. “We are doing everything we can to make sure people are being treated fairly, that they have their rights respected.”

Anne Wurth, associate legal director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, which has assisted many Glenn Valley workers, called the current landscape “absolute chaos.”

&nbsp;“We have a system that is punishing individuals we rely on in our workforce and who are just humans who deserve to live their life with freedom,” she said.

Juarez said dealing with immigration-related matters was not something she expected as a state officeholder. She’s the first Latina in the Nebraska Legislature and is serving her first year as a state lawmaker.

A Democrat in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, she recently clashed over immigration policy in an email exchange with former Nebraska governor and now U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Nebraska, and plans to urge the state’s all-GOP congressional delegation to push for immigration reform. She toured the&nbsp; McCook jail after leaving North Platte, and vows to monitor the conversion and amplify related budget discussions.&nbsp;

“There’s no doubt I’m going to stand up,” said Juarez. “My community expects that.”

ICE told the Examiner politicians should focus on encouraging their constituents to comply with federal law. It said all migrant detainees are treated humanely and given access to essential services and that any concerns regarding detainee care are taken seriously.

For Ramirez Jacinto, each day in detention brings worry. Is his daughter able to sleep yet? Are the house bills paid? Will his family in Omaha go with him if he’s deported? How will they escape the violence?

“I’d like my family to stay, but who would work?” said Ramirez Jacinto. “I’m the worker.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758481465874.png" alt=" State Sen. Margo Juarez of South Omaha visits with Glenn Valley Foods workers who were detained during a June 10 immigration raid in Omaha and held in the Lincoln County Jail in North Platte. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Margo Juarez of South Omaha visits with Glenn Valley Foods workers who were detained during a June 10 immigration raid in Omaha and held in the Lincoln County Jail in North Platte. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A Nebraska lawmaker sheds tears, vows action after visiting jailed migrants in North Platte</h2>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — After three months in ICE detention, legal fees mounting and no release in sight, Nuri Garibo Chona did what she called unimaginable. She left behind four daughters to return to the birthplace where she hadn’t lived for decades. The Omaha mom was here illegally. Her kids are all U.S. citizens, and younger ones now are in the care of her oldest daughter, who is 27.&nbsp;Another woman ensnared in the Glenn Valley Foods immigration raid in Omaha also was removed to Mexico last week without her two children, who remained in Omaha with their dad. On her way out, Leydy Solis Factor said she still was confused about why the work permit she got through proper channels was no longer goodMeanwhile, one of the men still held from the raid in the Lincoln County Jail has hired a local lawyer to replace an out-of-state firm and prays he hasn’t lost a shot at being released on bond. He has a wife and children in Omaha and fears for their safety if he is forced back to Guatemala.The number of Glenn Valley workers detained in this North Platte jail, which is paid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain migrants, has dwindled since the high-profile worksite raid executed June 10 by more than 80 federal and local agents.&nbsp;Shortly after the Nebraska Examiner visited the facility last week, Garibo Chona and Solis Factor were removed from the country, and three other women were released on bond, leaving six from the Glenn Valley raid among those in custody there.&nbsp;ICE officials did not provide specifics when asked this week for an update, but of the original group of roughly 80 arrested, a spokesperson previously said about a dozen were released early and 63 were sent to North Platte. Several of the detainees agreed to voluntarily deport themselves, and many have been released on bond as their lawyers build cases to prevent forced removal.To State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, their journeys and circumstances have become even more relevant as the state prepares to repurpose a state prison into a&nbsp; 300-bed ICE detention center in McCook, a town of about 7,200 residents about an hour from North Platte.Last week she became the first state lawmaker to sit down with Glenn Valley detainees. The discussion ranged from medical, legal and interpreter services to how their children were faring. After meeting with men and women garbed in black and white stripes, Juarez stepped into a nearby hall and cried.&nbsp;She said she’s on a mission to ensure that federal ICE detainees in Nebraska have access to the same services offered to state inmates in state prisons.“It was really difficult to see the reality, the human faces,” said Juarez, whose South Omaha district includes the Glenn Valley plant and other meatpackers that traditionally have attracted immigrant workers.&nbsp;“These are people locked up away from family,” she said. “We have jailed innocent working people.”* * *&nbsp;The federal government has a different viewpoint.&nbsp;Representatives of ICE and its Homeland Security Investigations arm have repeatedly referred to the Glenn Valley case as a targeted, federal criminal investigation aimed at stopping the widespread use of stolen identifications by foreign-born workers to gain jobs.“These so-called ‘honest workers’ have caused an immeasurable amount of financial and emotional hardship for innocent Americans,” HSI’s Mark Zito has said. “If pretending to be someone you aren’t in order to steal their lives isn’t blatant criminal dishonesty, I don’t know what is.”Court documents track the Omaha raid&nbsp; —&nbsp;the largest immigration enforcement action in Nebraska since 2018 —&nbsp;back to a March subpoena that sought company employment records tying 107 of 177 employees to fraudulent IDs or documents that didn’t authorize them to work in the country.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758481173388.png" alt="A worker gets apprehended at Glenn Valley Foods during the largest Nebraska immigration raid since President Donald Trump took office. (Courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)" />
 <figcaption>A worker gets apprehended at Glenn Valley Foods during the largest Nebraska immigration raid since President Donald Trump took office. (Courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)</figcaption>
 </figure>At least one defrauded U.S. citizen already had lodged identity theft complaints with the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration. During the raid, agents questioned a worker whose job application matched the name of that complainant — leading to the arrest of Guadalupe Cabrera Mejia.To date, available federal court records show Cabrera Mejia as the only Glenn Valley employee criminally charged for the alleged use of a stolen ID. Asked how that reconciled with “widespread” criminal activity alleged earlier, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nebraska said ICE determines whether to pursue felony criminal charges.&nbsp;With regard to the Glenn Valley probe, she said, ICE elected “overwhelmingly” to pursue administrative charges in immigration court, a venue and process independent of federal prosecutors.ICE has said an administrative charge is often a more expedient option, a faster path to deportation. The raid came as federal agencies are under pressure from the Trump administration’s goal of making 3,000 related arrests per day and pursuing mass deportations.&nbsp;In Nebraska, Gov. Jim Pillen, backed by many legislative Republicans, has pledged resources to help President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. Among state offerings: turning the McCook-based Work Ethic Camp into a Midwestern ICE detention center that federal officials dubbed the “Cornhusker Clink.”&nbsp;That conversion plan requires the relocation of 186 state inmates elsewhere in a Nebraska correctional system already ranked as&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/109/PDF/Agencies/Inspector_General_of_the_Nebraska_Correctional_System/600_20250915-155923.pdf" target="_blank">the most crowded</a>&nbsp;in the country, when measured by operational capacity. The decision to offer ICE state assistance sparked protests at the Governor’s Mansion and a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/09/12/conversion-of-mccook-facility-into-ice-detention-hub-draws-overflow-hearing-statewide-concerns/">four-hour public hearing</a>&nbsp;that drew dozens of opponent speakers and no proponents.Scant details shared about the project is partly what Juarez said spurred her to make the trek west to the jail in North Platte and prison in McCook.&nbsp;“This isn’t going away,” she said. “They’re amping up enforcement, and I really wanted to see and hear from these families for myself.”* * *&nbsp;On a day last week, Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer accompanied Juarez into separate cell blocs for men and women. The Examiner was allowed as well.Women set aside Bibles and art materials and huddled around the silver table where the lawmaker sat. An interpreter from a local advocacy group called Hope Esperanza helped bridge any language gaps.Kramer praised the nonprofit’s founder, North Platte native TinaMaria Fernandez, for having eased stress that came with the sudden swell of inmates whose first language was different from that of his staff.&nbsp;The arrival of the Glenn Valley group increased the jail population by about 50% at a time the facility was short-staffed, Kramer said. He said the federal government pays the county $74 a day for each ICE detainee and covers transportation and medical expenses.“If I remember it right, they called to see if we could take them and said they’d be here in three hours,” Kramer said.&nbsp;Juarez viewed as a positive sign the rapport between Hope Esperanza, Kramer and his team and detainees. She wondered out loud if McCook has a similar community organization able to assist in that town’s future ICE detention operation.Fernandez said that while McCook is about an hour’s drive away, she didn’t see her team being able to provide similar humanitarian outreach at that facility, since the oversight would be federal versus local county officials.Most of the women, in response to Juarez’s queries, said they hadn’t visited with family members face-to-face but had been able to communicate via video conferencing.&nbsp;Jail staff have been respectful and responsive, several said. Another added: “It’s ugly. We’re locked up.”&nbsp;Isabel Ponce, a 34-year-old mother of three kids who are with their father in Omaha, said anxiety was “pushing my limits.”&nbsp;For some, legal relief has been grinding or nonexistent.In Garibo Chona’s case, for example, an immigration judge ordered her removal from the country. She was torn about appealing and leaving her daughters but said the judge told her he would not change his mind if her case came before him six months later. She was removed from the country last week.Solis Factor said she had a government-issued permit to work while awaiting a court hearing, so she at first was not concerned she’d be detained. But many immigration programs and rules have changed since Trump took office for the second time in January. And a judge ordered her removal.“I want my children to stay and continue their education and learning English,” she said of her kids, ages 5 and 10.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758481326422.png" alt="State Sen. Margo Juarez of South Omaha visits with Glenn Valley Foods workers who were detained during a June 10 immigration raid in Omaha and held in the Lincoln County Jail in North Platte. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Margo Juarez of South Omaha visits with Glenn Valley Foods workers who were detained during a June 10 immigration raid in Omaha and held in the Lincoln County Jail in North Platte. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Indeed, the swiftly-evolving immigration landscape has been playing out in an Omaha courtroom.U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Bataillon at least nine times has rejected attempts by the federal government to deny the release of Glenn Valley workers on bonds already granted by an immigration court judge.The three most recent cases were decided Sept. 11 and involved women who had met with Juarez. Among them was Yurenia Genchi Palma, a single mother of three U.S. citizen children who had been in the country more than 20 years.&nbsp;Though an immigration judge in mid-July granted Genchi Palma’s release on a $7,000 bond, federal attorneys blocked it by filing an “automatic stay.” The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska, which represents her, called that a new practice driven by the “interim guidance” leaked in a July 8 internal memo from the Trump administration.&nbsp;The new approach seeks to make nearly all detained immigrants facing removal proceedings ineligible for release on bond, with an aim of making more of them more likely to self deport, experts say.&nbsp;ICE has said the changed direction “closes a loophole to our nation’s security” that the Biden administration and others had based on “inaccurate interpretation” of federal law. Such measures are needed, says Trump and other supporters of stepped-up immigration enforcement, to reverse past patterns.Bataillon ruled the automatic stay provision and prolonged detention unconstitutional despite a Sept. 6 decision days before by the Board of Immigration Appeals, which had affirmed the “interim guidance.”&nbsp;As a federal court judge, Bataillon is not required to follow the decision of the BIA, an administrative body in the executive branch. He questioned the legal rationale behind the analysis but said that wasn’t his concern.&nbsp;He said his ruling was based only on the lawfulness of the automatic stay.&nbsp;Grant Friedman of ACLU Nebraska foresees continued legal challenges and noted that the ICE no-bond practice already is being challenged in a separate national class action lawsuit. He said ACLU and other advocates are on heightened alert.“The immigration landscape is rapidly changing,” Friedman said. “We are doing everything we can to make sure people are being treated fairly, that they have their rights respected.”Anne Wurth, associate legal director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, which has assisted many Glenn Valley workers, called the current landscape “absolute chaos.”&nbsp;“We have a system that is punishing individuals we rely on in our workforce and who are just humans who deserve to live their life with freedom,” she said.* * *&nbsp;Juarez said dealing with immigration-related matters was not something she expected as a state officeholder. She’s the first Latina in the Nebraska Legislature and is serving her first year as a state lawmaker.A Democrat in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, she recently clashed over immigration policy in an email exchange with former Nebraska governor and now U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Nebraska, and plans to urge the state’s all-GOP congressional delegation to push for immigration reform. She toured the&nbsp; McCook jail after leaving North Platte, and vows to monitor the conversion and amplify related budget discussions.&nbsp;“There’s no doubt I’m going to stand up,” said Juarez. “My community expects that.”ICE told the Examiner politicians should focus on encouraging their constituents to comply with federal law. It said all migrant detainees are treated humanely and given access to essential services and that any concerns regarding detainee care are taken seriously.For Ramirez Jacinto, each day in detention brings worry. Is his daughter able to sleep yet? Are the house bills paid? Will his family in Omaha go with him if he’s deported? How will they escape the violence?“I’d like my family to stay, but who would work?” said Ramirez Jacinto. “I’m the worker.”

Three months after Omaha raid: One ICE detention chapter winds down, another heats up

President Trump will speak at the memorial for conservative icon Charlie Kirk on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/white-house-event/pres-trump-others-attend-memorial-service-for-late-charlie-kirk/436577">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the service.

The 31-year-old Kirk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">was fatally shot on Sept. 10</a>&nbsp;while speaking with students at Utah Valley University.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758379567134.png" alt="Charlie Kirk -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Charlie Kirk -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>President Trump will speak at the memorial for conservative icon Charlie Kirk on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LIVE NOW: Building A Legacy, Remembering Charlie Kirk <a href="https://t.co/AAuFzwObpi">https://t.co/AAuFzwObpi</a>&mdash; Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TPUSA/status/1969789899307090080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/white-house-event/pres-trump-others-attend-memorial-service-for-late-charlie-kirk/436577">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the service.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From everyday Americans to Cabinet Members—Charlie Kirk’s voice shaped a movement. Watch the message that inspired them all. ❤️⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/LlL88j53xq">pic.twitter.com/LlL88j53xq</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1969601349642764750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Every seat in this giant arena that isn’t roped off for security is packed to the ceiling. Honored to be here. All for Charlie Kirk. <a href="https://t.co/NDK6sDuqLa">pic.twitter.com/NDK6sDuqLa</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1969820370988658701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The 31-year-old Kirk&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">was fatally shot on Sept. 10</a>&nbsp;while speaking with students at Utah Valley University.&nbsp;

🎥President Trump, others honor Charlie Kirk at memorial service

On Friday, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation to restrict the entry into the United States of certain H-1B aliens as nonimmigrant workers, requiring a $100,000 payment to accompany or supplement H-1B petitions for new applications to curb abuses that displace U.S. workers and undermine national security.

American workers are being replaced with lower-paid foreign labor, creating an economic and national security threat to the nation.

Voters gave President Trump a resounding mandate to put American workers first, and he has worked every day to deliver on that commitment.

On Friday, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation to restrict the entry into the United States of certain H-1B aliens as nonimmigrant workers, requiring a $100,000 payment to accompany or supplement H-1B petitions for new applications to curb abuses that displace U.S. workers and undermine national security.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> signs an Executive Order to create the Gold Card visa program, facilitating expedited immigration for aliens who make significant financial gifts to the United States. <a href="https://t.co/l0kMUdQh3f">pic.twitter.com/l0kMUdQh3f</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969153811705946467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><ul>
 <li>The Proclamation restricts entry for aliens as nonimmigrants to perform services in specialty occupations in the H-1B program unless their petition is accompanied by a $100,000 payment.</li><li>It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to restrict approvals for petitions from aliens that are currently outside the United States that are not accompanied by the payment, and allows case-by-case exemptions if in the national interest.</li><li>The Proclamation requires employers to retain documentation of payment remittance, with the Secretary of State verifying payment during the petition process and the Departments of State and Homeland Security denying entry for non-payment for the relevant aliens and taking other relevant steps needed to implement the Proclamation.</li><li>It requires the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security to issue joint guidance for verification, enforcement, audits, and penalties.</li><li>The Proclamation directs the Secretary of Labor to initiative rulemaking to revise the prevailing wage levels for the H-1B program and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to initiate rulemaking to prioritize high-skilled, high-paid H-1B workers.</li>
 </ul><h2>Combating H-1B Abuses</h2>American workers are being replaced with lower-paid foreign labor, creating an economic and national security threat to the nation.<ul>
 <li>The share of IT workers with H-1B visas has risen from 32% in FY 2003 to over 65% in recent years.</li><li>Unemployment among recent computer science graduates has reached 6.1% and 7.5% for computer engineering graduates — more than double the rates for biology or art history majors. The number of foreign STEM workers in the United States has more than doubled between 2000 and 2019, while overall STEM employment only increased 44.5% during that time.</li><li>American companies are laying off their American technology workers and seemingly replacing them with H-1B workers:One company was approved for 5,189 H-1B workers in FY 2025, while laying off roughly 16,000 U.S. employees this year.Another company was approved for 1,698 H-1B workers in FY 2025, yet announced it was laying off 2,400 U.S. workers in Oregon in July.A third company has reduced its U.S. workforce by 27,000 since 2022 while receiving 25,075 H-1B approvals.Yet another company reportedly cut 1,000 American jobs in February despite receiving 1,137 H-1B approvals for FY 2025.</li><li>One company was approved for 5,189 H-1B workers in FY 2025, while laying off roughly 16,000 U.S. employees this year.</li><li>Another company was approved for 1,698 H-1B workers in FY 2025, yet announced it was laying off 2,400 U.S. workers in Oregon in July.</li><li>A third company has reduced its U.S. workforce by 27,000 since 2022 while receiving 25,075 H-1B approvals.</li><li>Yet another company reportedly cut 1,000 American jobs in February despite receiving 1,137 H-1B approvals for FY 2025.</li><li>American IT workers have even been reportedly forced to train their foreign replacements under nondisclosure agreements.</li><li>The H-1B program is creating disincentives for future American workers to choose STEM careers, which threatens our national security.</li><li>President Trump is imposing higher costs on companies seeking to use the H-1B program in order to address the abuse of the program, stop the undercutting of wages, and protect our national security.</li>
 </ul><h2>Prioritizing American Workers</h2>Voters gave President Trump a resounding mandate to put American workers first, and he has worked every day to deliver on that commitment.<ul>
 <li>President Trump has aggressively and successfully negotiated new trade deals to bring manufacturing jobs back home and attract new investments to the U.S.</li><li>President Trump is using tariffs as a strategic tool to rebuild American manufacturing, secure our supply chains, and protect U.S. national security.President Trump has implemented several Section 232 tariffs to protect manufacturing that has been undermined by unfair trade practices and global excess capacity.</li><li>President Trump has implemented several Section 232 tariffs to protect manufacturing that has been undermined by unfair trade practices and global excess capacity.</li><li>Since President Trump returned to office, all employment gains have gone to American-born workers—unlike last year during the same period under President Biden, when all employment gains went to foreign-born workers.</li><li>The Trump Administration issued new guidance to ensure illegal aliens are not allowed access to federal workforce development resources and related grants, protecting job trainings for American workers.</li>
 </ul>

🎥Dramatic new changes Trump made on H-1B visas program

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/HqmUByvzgD">pic.twitter.com/HqmUByvzgD</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969184320288878719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥US carries out another fatal strike targeting alleged drug-smuggling boat

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is putting railroad safety front and center this week, reminding drivers and pedestrians that when it comes to trains, caution can save lives.

On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Pillen signed a proclamation officially recognizing See Tracks? Think Train Week in Nebraska. The campaign, supported by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), is all about raising awareness of the dangers around railroad crossings and encouraging safer decisions near the tracks.

“Raising awareness is vital as we continue working toward the goal of making every railroad crossing safe and eliminating fatalities,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. She added that the department values partnerships with Operation Lifesaver, local safety districts, and law enforcement in spreading the message statewide.

Every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is struck by a train. Last year alone, more than 1,000 people were killed or injured in vehicle-train collisions nationwide, including 18 incidents right here in Nebraska. Another 1,438 people across the country were hurt or killed walking on or near tracks, with seven incidents reported in the state.

Those numbers show why campaigns like this are so important. Rail Safety Week — which Nebraska’s effort is part of — has one clear goal: to reduce deaths and injuries by reminding everyone to be alert, patient, and cautious around railroad tracks.

Beyond public awareness, Nebraska is also investing in major projects to improve safety at crossings. Earlier this year, the state received nearly $68 million in federal grants to eliminate dangerous crossings and study problem areas.

In Lincoln, $66.7 million will fund the 33rd and Cornhusker Viaduct Project, building a bridge over a busy rail corridor and removing two at-grade crossings. Grand Island received $600,000 to study 17 crossings and create an improvement plan, while another $600,000 will help study 73 crossings between Omaha and Lincoln.

These projects, combined with public education, aim to make Nebraska’s rail system safer for both drivers and pedestrians.

Nebraska’s message this week is simple: if you see tracks, think train. Trains can’t stop quickly, and taking chances at crossings can have deadly consequences.

By focusing on awareness and investing in safer infrastructure, officials hope to bring the number of rail-related deaths and injuries down to zero.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758019675130.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is putting railroad safety front and center this week, reminding drivers and pedestrians that when it comes to trains, caution can save lives.On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Pillen signed a proclamation officially recognizing See Tracks? Think Train Week in Nebraska. The campaign, supported by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), is all about raising awareness of the dangers around railroad crossings and encouraging safer decisions near the tracks.“Raising awareness is vital as we continue working toward the goal of making every railroad crossing safe and eliminating fatalities,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. She added that the department values partnerships with Operation Lifesaver, local safety districts, and law enforcement in spreading the message statewide.<h2>Why It Matters</h2>Every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is struck by a train. Last year alone, more than 1,000 people were killed or injured in vehicle-train collisions nationwide, including 18 incidents right here in Nebraska. Another 1,438 people across the country were hurt or killed walking on or near tracks, with seven incidents reported in the state.Those numbers show why campaigns like this are so important. Rail Safety Week — which Nebraska’s effort is part of — has one clear goal: to reduce deaths and injuries by reminding everyone to be alert, patient, and cautious around railroad tracks.<h2>What Nebraska Is Doing</h2>Beyond public awareness, Nebraska is also investing in major projects to improve safety at crossings. Earlier this year, the state received nearly $68 million in federal grants to eliminate dangerous crossings and study problem areas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This is Rail Safety Week across North America. With many railroad crossings in rural areas across Nebraska, it&#39;s critical to always look and listen before crossing. <a href="https://t.co/XYveZqbrTl">pic.twitter.com/XYveZqbrTl</a>&mdash; Nebraska State Patrol (@NEStatePatrol) <a href="https://twitter.com/NEStatePatrol/status/1968003673403035891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In Lincoln, $66.7 million will fund the 33rd and Cornhusker Viaduct Project, building a bridge over a busy rail corridor and removing two at-grade crossings. Grand Island received $600,000 to study 17 crossings and create an improvement plan, while another $600,000 will help study 73 crossings between Omaha and Lincoln.These projects, combined with public education, aim to make Nebraska’s rail system safer for both drivers and pedestrians.<h2>The Bottom Line</h2>Nebraska’s message this week is simple: if you see tracks, think train. Trains can’t stop quickly, and taking chances at crossings can have deadly consequences.By focusing on awareness and investing in safer infrastructure, officials hope to bring the number of rail-related deaths and injuries down to zero.

Nebraska Shines a Spotlight on Railroad Safety During "See Tracks? Think Train Week"

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska could be on the verge of a major shift in its gambling landscape as state leaders and citizen groups push to let voters decide on mobile sports betting in the 2026 election.

After a legislative proposal stalled earlier this year, advocates have turned to a citizen-led initiative to bypass the roadblocks in the Nebraska Legislature. The effort would allow licensed racetracks to offer sports betting through mobile platforms, giving residents a legal way to place wagers from anywhere in the state.

State Senator Eliot Bostar, who introduced the original resolution, emphasized that Nebraskans’ interest in sports wagering is growing. “The landscape is changing. If residents want to bet legally and safely here in Nebraska, we need to give them that option,” he said.

Supporters of the ballot initiative include gaming organizations such as the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and WarHorse Gaming. They are collecting thousands of signatures required to qualify the measure for the ballot. If successful, the move could bring a new revenue stream to the state, potentially funding property tax relief or other public programs.

Opponents, however, warn about the potential social and economic impacts of expanding gambling. Critics cite concerns ranging from addiction risks to the effect on local communities. Lawmakers have also expressed hesitation about how online sports betting could be regulated effectively.

If Nebraskans vote in favor, mobile sports betting could launch as early as 2027, marking a significant expansion from the current in-person wagering allowed at racetracks. With this initiative, Nebraska joins a growing number of states reconsidering how to adapt gambling laws to modern technology and consumer habits.

As signature collection continues and debates unfold, Nebraska residents may soon face a historic decision about the future of sports betting in their state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758220817544.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska could be on the verge of a major shift in its gambling landscape as state leaders and citizen groups push to let voters decide on mobile sports betting in the 2026 election.After a legislative proposal stalled earlier this year, advocates have turned to a citizen-led initiative to bypass the roadblocks in the Nebraska Legislature. The effort would allow licensed racetracks to offer sports betting through mobile platforms, giving residents a legal way to place wagers from anywhere in the state.State Senator Eliot Bostar, who introduced the original resolution, emphasized that Nebraskans’ interest in sports wagering is growing. “The landscape is changing. If residents want to bet legally and safely here in Nebraska, we need to give them that option,” he said.Supporters of the ballot initiative include gaming organizations such as the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and WarHorse Gaming. They are collecting thousands of signatures required to qualify the measure for the ballot. If successful, the move could bring a new revenue stream to the state, potentially funding property tax relief or other public programs.Opponents, however, warn about the potential social and economic impacts of expanding gambling. Critics cite concerns ranging from addiction risks to the effect on local communities. Lawmakers have also expressed hesitation about how online sports betting could be regulated effectively.If Nebraskans vote in favor, mobile sports betting could launch as early as 2027, marking a significant expansion from the current in-person wagering allowed at racetracks. With this initiative, Nebraska joins a growing number of states reconsidering how to adapt gambling laws to modern technology and consumer habits.As signature collection continues and debates unfold, Nebraska residents may soon face a historic decision about the future of sports betting in their state.

Nebraska Eyes 2026 Ballot for Mobile Sports Betting Debate

‘Fly Together’ project expects to strengthen Creighton athletics and engage broader Omaha

OMAHA — A roughly $300 million donor-funded plan is poised to reshape a 12-block recreational and athletic corridor on the east side of Creighton University — further meshing the private institution into the downtown of Nebraska’s largest city.

Creighton calls the initiative “Fly Together” and says it involves&nbsp;<a href="https://alumni.creighton.edu/fly-together/galleries" target="_blank">11 new or upgraded facilities</a>&nbsp;and outdoor spaces covering about 700,000 square feet of the Bluejays’ east campus.

Planned additions and improvements include a new Student Fitness Center, upgrades to the Rasmussen Fitness &amp; Sports Center and the creation of the Jaywalk, a new pedestrian passageway linking Creighton to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.noddlecompanies.com/developments/builders-district/" target="_blank">Builder’s District,&nbsp;</a>which is a separate office, entertainment and housing site under development by Noddle Companies.

<a href="https://alumni.creighton.edu/fly-together/galleries" target="_blank">Fly Together</a>&nbsp;also includes a new Sports Performance Center for Creighton’s 300 student athletes, improvements to current athletics buildings and a team facility to complement new baseball and softball fields.

Construction on some elements, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://alumni.creighton.edu/fly-together/galleries#ballfields" target="_blank">softball competition field</a>, baseball practice field and Sports Performance Center, have already started.

Leading the initiative’s private contributions is a $100 million gift from the Heider Family Foundation, which Creighton described as the largest in its history. Other funders include Don Scott, CL and Rachel Werner and Larry and Linda Pearson.

The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, Creighton’s president, highlighted what he hopes to be a stronger student body&nbsp;<a href="https://alumni.creighton.edu/fly-together/project-map" target="_blank">connection to downtown a</a>nd broader Omaha

“This gift, and our campus master planning, is comprehensive of our people and programs,” he said. “It benefits everyone. It enhances student life, intramurals, premier club sports and intercollegiate athletics.”

Creighton, which this year welcomed the largest freshman class in history, touts a rigorous academic environment for its 8,914-member student body. But Hendrickson noted a recent focus on building that enhances “the experience” of the Creighton community.

Scott Heider, a trustee of the family foundation and a member of Creighton’s board, said the improved corridor ties Creighton’s east campus with the Builder’s District, providing a “front door” to the university.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/28/another-park-proposed-for-downtown-omaha-is-seen-as-a-selling-point-for-growing-builders-district/">Builder’s District</a>&nbsp;is a multimillion-dollar, mixed-use district southeast of 17th and Cuming Streets designed to include an urban park and community space, hotel, retail, restaurants, entertainment and 600 apartments. Its anchor is the new seven-story Kiewit Corp. headquarters completed in 2021.

Noddle, whose company also was master developer of Aksarben Village, said the goal is a seamless connection that blurs the line between Creighton and downtown Omaha.

“These developments are an innovative partnership,” Hendrickson said. “They bring the life of the university and the life of the city closer together than ever, continuing to build on Creighton’s investment in the urban core.”

Creighton also recently announced a nearly 6-acre&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/09/creighton-university-embarks-on-25m-project-changing-landscape-of-urban-campus-downtown-omaha/">“Creighton Quad”&nbsp;</a>project, a 252,500-square foot quadrangle gathering space with a stage, amphitheater near 22nd and Burt Streets.

Cindy Heider, the foundation’s president, mentioned her family’s generational ties to Creighton. “That’s one of the biggest reasons we’re supporting Fly Together. Creighton is an amazing community, and we want to invite more people to be a part of it.”

Marcus Blossom, CU’s athletic director, said in a statement that he expects the investment to “help us win and help us compete with some of the best programs in the country.”

Creighton athletics has put the university in a national spotlight, supporters said, noting that it was the only school in the country to advance to the Elite Eight in men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball in the last four years.

But men’s basketball head coach Greg McDermott said Creighton competes with institutions and conferences “that have astronomical TV contracts providing support for their students.”

He said the Fly Together investment helps keep the university competitive.&nbsp;

Creighton leaders expect the new Student Fitness Center and upgrades to the Rasmussen Center to further build fitness, intramurals and club sports programs. This year, Creighton added six premier club sports, women’s and men’s programs for ice hockey, golf and lacrosse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758283589100.png" alt=" The planned Jaywalk is a passageway that would link Creighton University’s east campus to the Builder’s District, a multimillion-dollar campus where the anchor is the Kiewit Corp. headquarters and is being developed by Noddle Companies. The Jaywalk is one element of a roughly $300 million “Fly Together” initiative announced Thursday expected to better blend Creighton into Omaha’s core. (Courtesy of Creighton University)" />
 <figcaption> The planned Jaywalk is a passageway that would link Creighton University’s east campus to the Builder’s District, a multimillion-dollar campus where the anchor is the Kiewit Corp. headquarters and is being developed by Noddle Companies. The Jaywalk is one element of a roughly $300 million “Fly Together” initiative announced Thursday expected to better blend Creighton into Omaha’s core. (Courtesy of Creighton University)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘Fly Together’ project expects to strengthen Creighton athletics and engage broader Omaha</h2>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">Cindy Gonzalez</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — A roughly $300 million donor-funded plan is poised to reshape a 12-block recreational and athletic corridor on the east side of Creighton University — further meshing the private institution into the downtown of Nebraska’s largest city.Creighton calls the initiative “Fly Together” and says it involves&nbsp;<a href="https://alumni.creighton.edu/fly-together/galleries" target="_blank">11 new or upgraded facilities</a>&nbsp;and outdoor spaces covering about 700,000 square feet of the Bluejays’ east campus.Planned additions and improvements include a new Student Fitness Center, upgrades to the Rasmussen Fitness &amp; Sports Center and the creation of the Jaywalk, a new pedestrian passageway linking Creighton to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.noddlecompanies.com/developments/builders-district/" target="_blank">Builder’s District,&nbsp;</a>which is a separate office, entertainment and housing site under development by Noddle Companies.<a href="https://alumni.creighton.edu/fly-together/galleries" target="_blank">Fly Together</a>&nbsp;also includes a new Sports Performance Center for Creighton’s 300 student athletes, improvements to current athletics buildings and a team facility to complement new baseball and softball fields.Construction on some elements, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://alumni.creighton.edu/fly-together/galleries#ballfields" target="_blank">softball competition field</a>, baseball practice field and Sports Performance Center, have already started.<h2>$100 million lead gift</h2>Leading the initiative’s private contributions is a $100 million gift from the Heider Family Foundation, which Creighton described as the largest in its history. Other funders include Don Scott, CL and Rachel Werner and Larry and Linda Pearson.The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, Creighton’s president, highlighted what he hopes to be a stronger student body&nbsp;<a href="https://alumni.creighton.edu/fly-together/project-map" target="_blank">connection to downtown a</a>nd broader Omaha“This gift, and our campus master planning, is comprehensive of our people and programs,” he said. “It benefits everyone. It enhances student life, intramurals, premier club sports and intercollegiate athletics.”Creighton, which this year welcomed the largest freshman class in history, touts a rigorous academic environment for its 8,914-member student body. But Hendrickson noted a recent focus on building that enhances “the experience” of the Creighton community.Scott Heider, a trustee of the family foundation and a member of Creighton’s board, said the improved corridor ties Creighton’s east campus with the Builder’s District, providing a “front door” to the university.The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/28/another-park-proposed-for-downtown-omaha-is-seen-as-a-selling-point-for-growing-builders-district/">Builder’s District</a>&nbsp;is a multimillion-dollar, mixed-use district southeast of 17th and Cuming Streets designed to include an urban park and community space, hotel, retail, restaurants, entertainment and 600 apartments. Its anchor is the new seven-story Kiewit Corp. headquarters completed in 2021.Noddle, whose company also was master developer of Aksarben Village, said the goal is a seamless connection that blurs the line between Creighton and downtown Omaha.“These developments are an innovative partnership,” Hendrickson said. “They bring the life of the university and the life of the city closer together than ever, continuing to build on Creighton’s investment in the urban core.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758283696550.png" alt="Rendering of fountain area of future Creighton University “Quad” space. (Courtesy of OJB)" />
 <figcaption>Rendering of fountain area of future Creighton University “Quad” space. (Courtesy of OJB)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘The Quad’</h2>Creighton also recently announced a nearly 6-acre&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/09/creighton-university-embarks-on-25m-project-changing-landscape-of-urban-campus-downtown-omaha/">“Creighton Quad”&nbsp;</a>project, a 252,500-square foot quadrangle gathering space with a stage, amphitheater near 22nd and Burt Streets.Cindy Heider, the foundation’s president, mentioned her family’s generational ties to Creighton. “That’s one of the biggest reasons we’re supporting Fly Together. Creighton is an amazing community, and we want to invite more people to be a part of it.”Marcus Blossom, CU’s athletic director, said in a statement that he expects the investment to “help us win and help us compete with some of the best programs in the country.”Creighton athletics has put the university in a national spotlight, supporters said, noting that it was the only school in the country to advance to the Elite Eight in men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball in the last four years.But men’s basketball head coach Greg McDermott said Creighton competes with institutions and conferences “that have astronomical TV contracts providing support for their students.”He said the Fly Together investment helps keep the university competitive.&nbsp;Creighton leaders expect the new Student Fitness Center and upgrades to the Rasmussen Center to further build fitness, intramurals and club sports programs. This year, Creighton added six premier club sports, women’s and men’s programs for ice hockey, golf and lacrosse.

$300M Creighton donor-funded plan aims to reshape part of downtown Omaha

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– Today, Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott on the Senate floor called for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/services/files/55A19212-1EC1-4868-A72B-8E271E2D81B2">passage of&nbsp;his resolution</a>&nbsp;honoring the legacy of Charlie Kirk by designating October 14, 2025 as a&nbsp;National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.

By voice vote Senators agreed to S. Res. 403 to express support for the resolution.

The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tommy Tuberville, Jim Risch, Bill Cassidy, Mike Crapo, Dan Sullivan, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Bernie Moreno, Pete Ricketts, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, John Kennedy, Marsha Blackburn, Tim Sheehy, Ted Cruz, James Lankford, Steve Daines, Ashley Moody, Markwayne Mullin, and Deb Fischer. 

Congressman Jimmy Patronis is leading the companion resolution in the House of Representatives.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757551583450.png" alt="Charlie Kirk photo White House" />
 <figcaption>Charlie Kirk photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– Today, Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott on the Senate floor called for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/services/files/55A19212-1EC1-4868-A72B-8E271E2D81B2">passage of&nbsp;his resolution</a>&nbsp;honoring the legacy of Charlie Kirk by designating October 14, 2025 as a&nbsp;National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.By voice vote Senators agreed to S. Res. 403 to express support for the resolution.The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tommy Tuberville, Jim Risch, Bill Cassidy, Mike Crapo, Dan Sullivan, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Bernie Moreno, Pete Ricketts, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, John Kennedy, Marsha Blackburn, Tim Sheehy, Ted Cruz, James Lankford, Steve Daines, Ashley Moody, Markwayne Mullin, and Deb Fischer. Congressman Jimmy Patronis is leading the companion resolution in the House of Representatives.

Charlie Kirk Day: U.S. Senate passes resolution for "National Day of Remembrance" 

LINCOLN, NE - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally requested that Nebraska provide its complete, unredacted voter registration data, including names, addresses, dates of birth, driver's license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. This request, issued under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), has raised significant privacy and security concerns among state officials and advocacy groups.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen received the request on September 8, 2025, with a compliance deadline of September 22. The state has forwarded the matter to the Nebraska Attorney General's office for legal review. Nebraska law already provides public access to a redacted version of the voter list, excluding sensitive personal information.

Advocacy organizations, such as Civic Nebraska, have expressed alarm over the potential risks associated with releasing unredacted voter data. They warn that such information could be exploited for identity theft and may violate federal privacy protections.

The DOJ's request is part of a broader initiative to obtain detailed voter information from multiple states, including Oregon and Maine. The department has filed lawsuits against these states for failing to provide electronic copies of their voter registration rolls, citing violations of federal laws designed to ensure fair access to elections. Critics argue that the DOJ's actions represent federal overreach and raise concerns about the misuse of sensitive voter data.

As the September 22 deadline approaches, Nebraska officials are considering their response to the DOJ's request, balancing federal mandates with state privacy laws and the potential risks to voter security.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758139657655.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, NE - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally requested that Nebraska provide its complete, unredacted voter registration data, including names, addresses, dates of birth, driver's license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. This request, issued under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), has raised significant privacy and security concerns among state officials and advocacy groups.Secretary of State Bob Evnen received the request on September 8, 2025, with a compliance deadline of September 22. The state has forwarded the matter to the Nebraska Attorney General's office for legal review. Nebraska law already provides public access to a redacted version of the voter list, excluding sensitive personal information.Advocacy organizations, such as Civic Nebraska, have expressed alarm over the potential risks associated with releasing unredacted voter data. They warn that such information could be exploited for identity theft and may violate federal privacy protections.The DOJ's request is part of a broader initiative to obtain detailed voter information from multiple states, including Oregon and Maine. The department has filed lawsuits against these states for failing to provide electronic copies of their voter registration rolls, citing violations of federal laws designed to ensure fair access to elections. Critics argue that the DOJ's actions represent federal overreach and raise concerns about the misuse of sensitive voter data.As the September 22 deadline approaches, Nebraska officials are considering their response to the DOJ's request, balancing federal mandates with state privacy laws and the potential risks to voter security.

Justice Department Requests Nebraska’s Full Voter Registration Data

PHOENIX — Erika Kirk has been named the new chief executive officer and chair of the board of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), succeeding her late husband, Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

The TPUSA board announced the unanimous appointment on September 18, 2025, honoring Charlie Kirk's expressed wish for his wife to lead the organization in the event of his death. The board stated that Charlie had previously communicated to multiple executives that Erika should take over, ensuring continuity and stability for the organization.

Erika Kirk, 36, has been actively involved with TPUSA since marrying Charlie in 2021. A former Miss Arizona USA and graduate of Liberty University, she has a background in media, fashion, and nonprofit work. In addition to her role at TPUSA, Erika is the CEO of Proclaim Streetwear and Bible in 365, and works as a real estate agent at the Corcoran Group in New York City.

Following her appointment, Erika Kirk pledged to continue her husband's mission of mobilizing young Americans for conservative causes. In an emotional statement, she expressed her determination to honor Charlie's legacy and expand TPUSA's influence, stating, "You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry".

The organization has reported a surge in interest following Charlie Kirk's death, with over 54,000 inquiries to start new chapters and an increase in student sign-ups. The upcoming American Comeback Tour is expected to play a pivotal role in TPUSA's efforts to engage young voters in the 2026 midterm elections.

A public memorial service for Charlie Kirk is scheduled for September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with expected attendance from prominent political figures, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Erika Kirk's leadership marks a new chapter for TPUSA as the organization navigates the challenges ahead and strives to continue its mission of promoting conservative values among young Americans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758220388264.jpeg" alt="Erika Kirk delivers first public statement following the fatal shooting of her husband Charlie Kirk. She stands next to his chair in the studio where "The Charlie Kirk Show" was recorded.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Erika Kirk delivers first public statement following the fatal shooting of her husband Charlie Kirk. She stands next to his chair in the studio where "The Charlie Kirk Show" was recorded.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX — Erika Kirk has been named the new chief executive officer and chair of the board of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), succeeding her late husband, Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.The TPUSA board announced the unanimous appointment on September 18, 2025, honoring Charlie Kirk's expressed wish for his wife to lead the organization in the event of his death. The board stated that Charlie had previously communicated to multiple executives that Erika should take over, ensuring continuity and stability for the organization.Erika Kirk, 36, has been actively involved with TPUSA since marrying Charlie in 2021. A former Miss Arizona USA and graduate of Liberty University, she has a background in media, fashion, and nonprofit work. In addition to her role at TPUSA, Erika is the CEO of Proclaim Streetwear and Bible in 365, and works as a real estate agent at the Corcoran Group in New York City.Following her appointment, Erika Kirk pledged to continue her husband's mission of mobilizing young Americans for conservative causes. In an emotional statement, she expressed her determination to honor Charlie's legacy and expand TPUSA's influence, stating, "You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry".The organization has reported a surge in interest following Charlie Kirk's death, with over 54,000 inquiries to start new chapters and an increase in student sign-ups. The upcoming American Comeback Tour is expected to play a pivotal role in TPUSA's efforts to engage young voters in the 2026 midterm elections.A public memorial service for Charlie Kirk is scheduled for September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with expected attendance from prominent political figures, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.Erika Kirk's leadership marks a new chapter for TPUSA as the organization navigates the challenges ahead and strives to continue its mission of promoting conservative values among young Americans.

Erika Kirk Appointed CEO of Turning Point USA Following Husband's Death

Beyond his social media comment, President Trump on Thursday made his first public comments about the ABC television network's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late night show.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758149830141.png" alt="Image courtesy ABC" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy ABC</figcaption>
 </figure>Beyond his social media comment, President Trump on Thursday made his first public comments about the ABC television network's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late night show.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump: &quot;Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk and Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person. He had very bad ratings and they should have fired him a long time… <a href="https://t.co/GOgpw9UW5m">pic.twitter.com/GOgpw9UW5m</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1968692081590767948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ABC</a> for finally having the courage to do what had to be done...&quot; - President Donald J. Trump <a href="https://t.co/Vhj6DQSssu">pic.twitter.com/Vhj6DQSssu</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1968468758533451910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥President Trump on why Jimmy Kimmel's show was pulled 

Legislation reauthorizes the Child Care and Development Block Grant for the first time in over a decade

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/a7e131e9-33a5-4f1a-861e-fc8f8e8655be/senator-fischer-s-child-care-modernization-act-2025-final-.pdf">Child Care Modernization Act</a>&nbsp;which will reauthorize and improve the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to help provide quality, affordable child care to America’s working families.

For over three decades, the CCDBG has been the primary federal program to help provide families with access to quality child care. Despite bipartisan support, the program has not been reauthorized since 2014.“Affordable, quality&nbsp;child care&nbsp;is a necessity – not a luxury. Unfortunately, that is not the reality, especially in rural areas. With the&nbsp;Child Care Modernization Act,&nbsp;we will reauthorize and improve the Child Care and Development Block Grant to provide significant, positive change in&nbsp;child care&nbsp;access and quality. The CCDBG has provided working families with&nbsp;child care&nbsp;services for 30 years;&nbsp;we will continue to work to fund the program to ensure these changes can be implemented and continue to serve families who need&nbsp;child care&nbsp;assistance.&nbsp;It’s time to reauthorize this important program to extend&nbsp;child care&nbsp;to more hardworking American families,”&nbsp;said Fischer, Gillibrand, Collins, and Hickenlooper.

The&nbsp;Child Care Modernization Act&nbsp;will:

Strengthen child care services&nbsp;by moving states to use cost estimation models for setting provider rates, which will adequately compensate child care providers.

Ensure parental choice&nbsp;by allowing states to develop a mixed delivery system of child care and preschool for children up to age 5 and before-school, after-school, and summer care for school-age children.

Increase child care supply&nbsp;by introducing a new grant program within the CCDBG framework to assist providers in creating and expanding the supply.

Improve state child care plans&nbsp;by improving support for families and communities, reducing barriers to the program, and increasing access and affordability to serve more families.

Assist in-home and rural child care providers&nbsp;by providing technical assistance, including strategies to support best business practices, and the development and use of shared services initiatives such as family child care home provider networks.

Reduce duplicative regulatory burdens on child care providers&nbsp;by ensuring states review their State and local health and safety requirements to determine redundancies and oversights that may exist.

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/198b1dfe-2008-4566-81b7-f201c481510c/fischer-child-care-modernization-act-of-2025.pdf">here</a>&nbsp;to see the full list of provisions included in the&nbsp;Child Care Modernization Act.

Stakeholder Support and Endorsements:&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/593910e6-fc01-42b7-a450-4dd745509de1/statements-of-support-for-fischer-s-child-care-modernization-act.pdf">here</a>&nbsp;to view stakeholder statements of support for the&nbsp;Child Care Modernization Act.List of Endorsements:&nbsp;Afterschool Alliance, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, Child Care Aware of America, Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC), Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), First Five Years Fund, Independent Restaurant Coalition, KinderCare Learning Companies (KLIC), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LSIC), Low Income Investment Fund, Moms First, National Association of Counties (NACo), National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Children’s Facilities Network, Save the Children, Start Early, National Child Care Association, TOOTRis, and YMCA of the USA.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746551115882.png" alt="Deb Fischer" />
 <figcaption>Deb Fischer</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Legislation reauthorizes the Child Care and Development Block Grant for the first time in over a decade</h2>WASHINGTON –&nbsp;Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/a7e131e9-33a5-4f1a-861e-fc8f8e8655be/senator-fischer-s-child-care-modernization-act-2025-final-.pdf">Child Care Modernization Act</a>&nbsp;which will reauthorize and improve the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to help provide quality, affordable child care to America’s working families.For over three decades, the CCDBG has been the primary federal program to help provide families with access to quality child care. Despite bipartisan support, the program has not been reauthorized since 2014.“Affordable, quality&nbsp;child care&nbsp;is a necessity – not a luxury. Unfortunately, that is not the reality, especially in rural areas. With the&nbsp;Child Care Modernization Act,&nbsp;we will reauthorize and improve the Child Care and Development Block Grant to provide significant, positive change in&nbsp;child care&nbsp;access and quality. The CCDBG has provided working families with&nbsp;child care&nbsp;services for 30 years;&nbsp;we will continue to work to fund the program to ensure these changes can be implemented and continue to serve families who need&nbsp;child care&nbsp;assistance.&nbsp;It’s time to reauthorize this important program to extend&nbsp;child care&nbsp;to more hardworking American families,”&nbsp;said Fischer, Gillibrand, Collins, and Hickenlooper.The&nbsp;Child Care Modernization Act&nbsp;will:Strengthen child care services&nbsp;by moving states to use cost estimation models for setting provider rates, which will adequately compensate child care providers.Ensure parental choice&nbsp;by allowing states to develop a mixed delivery system of child care and preschool for children up to age 5 and before-school, after-school, and summer care for school-age children.Increase child care supply&nbsp;by introducing a new grant program within the CCDBG framework to assist providers in creating and expanding the supply.Improve state child care plans&nbsp;by improving support for families and communities, reducing barriers to the program, and increasing access and affordability to serve more families.Assist in-home and rural child care providers&nbsp;by providing technical assistance, including strategies to support best business practices, and the development and use of shared services initiatives such as family child care home provider networks.Reduce duplicative regulatory burdens on child care providers&nbsp;by ensuring states review their State and local health and safety requirements to determine redundancies and oversights that may exist.Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/198b1dfe-2008-4566-81b7-f201c481510c/fischer-child-care-modernization-act-of-2025.pdf">here</a>&nbsp;to see the full list of provisions included in the&nbsp;Child Care Modernization Act.Stakeholder Support and Endorsements:&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/593910e6-fc01-42b7-a450-4dd745509de1/statements-of-support-for-fischer-s-child-care-modernization-act.pdf">here</a>&nbsp;to view stakeholder statements of support for the&nbsp;Child Care Modernization Act.List of Endorsements:&nbsp;Afterschool Alliance, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, Child Care Aware of America, Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC), Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), First Five Years Fund, Independent Restaurant Coalition, KinderCare Learning Companies (KLIC), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LSIC), Low Income Investment Fund, Moms First, National Association of Counties (NACo), National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Children’s Facilities Network, Save the Children, Start Early, National Child Care Association, TOOTRis, and YMCA of the USA.&nbsp;

Fischer, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Working Families’ Access to Child Care

ABC affiliates owned by Sinclair suspend the late-night show indefinitely, joining other networks amid public backlash.

HUNT VALLEY, MD — Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced it will suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliates indefinitely following controversial comments made by the late-night host about Charlie Kirk. The remarks, delivered during Kimmel’s monologue on September 15, 2025, criticized those responding to Kirk’s death, drawing swift condemnation from affiliates and political figures.

During the monologue, Kimmel said that “the MAGA gang” was trying to portray the person who murdered Kirk “as anything other than one of them … doing everything they can to score political points.” He characterized the response from some conservative circles as an attempt to politicize a tragedy, remarks that many deemed insensitive given the nature of the crime and the family’s grief.

“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” Sinclair stated in a press release. The broadcast group emphasized that it “will not lift the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our stations until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”

Sinclair also called for Kimmel to issue a direct apology to Kirk’s family and make a “meaningful personal donation” to the family and to Turning Point USA. The network group plans to air a special in remembrance of Kirk during the show’s usual timeslot and is offering it to other ABC affiliates nationwide.

ABC, which produces Jimmy Kimmel Live!, also announced the show will be pre-empted indefinitely, with many affiliates filling the slot with reruns of Celebrity Family Feud while the network evaluates next steps.

The controversy has sparked a national conversation about the responsibilities of late-night hosts and networks. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr weighed in, emphasizing that broadcasters have a duty to maintain respectful and constructive dialogue on-air. Nexstar Media Group, another large ABC affiliate owner, joined Sinclair in suspending the show, citing the remarks as “offensive and insensitive.”

The incident highlights the growing influence of local affiliates over national programming, as well as the pressures faced by networks in a highly polarized media environment. Critics argue that hosts like Kimmel use late-night comedy to push political commentary, while supporters insist free speech must be protected even in controversial circumstances.

While ABC and Disney have not released a detailed internal memo explaining the suspension, the move represents one of the more visible instances of affiliate networks asserting control over content following public and political backlash.

Observers note that this situation could set a precedent for how broadcasters handle politically charged content in the future, raising questions about censorship, accountability, and the role of entertainment platforms in shaping public discourse.

The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s remarks also reignites a longstanding debate over the boundaries of the First Amendment. While the Constitution protects freedom of speech from government censorship, it does not shield individuals from all consequences.

Statements made on television are subject to both public scrutiny and legal standards. Defamation, for example — false statements of fact that harm another person’s reputation — is not protected speech. Broadcasters also face oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which requires that licensed stations operate in the “public interest.” Affiliates can decide to pull programming they deem inappropriate or harmful without violating constitutional protections.

In short, Kimmel’s right to speak his mind does not guarantee his show a platform on every network. ABC and its affiliates, as private entities, retain the authority to suspend or replace programming in response to public pressure, legal concerns, or business considerations. The case underscores the delicate balance between protecting open dialogue and ensuring accountability when speech crosses ethical or legal lines.

<h2>ABC affiliates owned by Sinclair suspend the late-night show indefinitely, joining other networks amid public backlash.</h2>HUNT VALLEY, MD — Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced it will suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliates indefinitely following controversial comments made by the late-night host about Charlie Kirk. The remarks, delivered during Kimmel’s monologue on September 15, 2025, criticized those responding to Kirk’s death, drawing swift condemnation from affiliates and political figures.During the monologue, Kimmel said that “the MAGA gang” was trying to portray the person who murdered Kirk “as anything other than one of them … doing everything they can to score political points.” He characterized the response from some conservative circles as an attempt to politicize a tragedy, remarks that many deemed insensitive given the nature of the crime and the family’s grief.<div>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-j3YdxNSzTk?si=IanBbKnCbekHq6TN&amp;start=124" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” Sinclair stated in a press release. The broadcast group emphasized that it “will not lift the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our stations until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758208768389.jpeg" alt="Sinclair Broadcast Group Press Release announcing the indefinite cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Sinclair Broadcast Group Press Release announcing the indefinite cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Sinclair also called for Kimmel to issue a direct apology to Kirk’s family and make a “meaningful personal donation” to the family and to Turning Point USA. The network group plans to air a special in remembrance of Kirk during the show’s usual timeslot and is offering it to other ABC affiliates nationwide.ABC, which produces Jimmy Kimmel Live!, also announced the show will be pre-empted indefinitely, with many affiliates filling the slot with reruns of Celebrity Family Feud while the network evaluates next steps.The controversy has sparked a national conversation about the responsibilities of late-night hosts and networks. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr weighed in, emphasizing that broadcasters have a duty to maintain respectful and constructive dialogue on-air. Nexstar Media Group, another large ABC affiliate owner, joined Sinclair in suspending the show, citing the remarks as “offensive and insensitive.”The incident highlights the growing influence of local affiliates over national programming, as well as the pressures faced by networks in a highly polarized media environment. Critics argue that hosts like Kimmel use late-night comedy to push political commentary, while supporters insist free speech must be protected even in controversial circumstances.While ABC and Disney have not released a detailed internal memo explaining the suspension, the move represents one of the more visible instances of affiliate networks asserting control over content following public and political backlash.Observers note that this situation could set a precedent for how broadcasters handle politically charged content in the future, raising questions about censorship, accountability, and the role of entertainment platforms in shaping public discourse.<h2>Free Speech and It's Limits</h2>The controversy surrounding Kimmel’s remarks also reignites a longstanding debate over the boundaries of the First Amendment. While the Constitution protects freedom of speech from government censorship, it does not shield individuals from all consequences.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758219000947.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Statements made on television are subject to both public scrutiny and legal standards. Defamation, for example — false statements of fact that harm another person’s reputation — is not protected speech. Broadcasters also face oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which requires that licensed stations operate in the “public interest.” Affiliates can decide to pull programming they deem inappropriate or harmful without violating constitutional protections.In short, Kimmel’s right to speak his mind does not guarantee his show a platform on every network. ABC and its affiliates, as private entities, retain the authority to suspend or replace programming in response to public pressure, legal concerns, or business considerations. The case underscores the delicate balance between protecting open dialogue and ensuring accountability when speech crosses ethical or legal lines.

Sinclair Pulls Jimmy Kimmel Live! Following Controversial Remarks About Charlie Kirk

Registration is free and open to the public

LINCOLN, Neb. — University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists will play a key role in a national webinar series this October highlighting innovation and application of decision support tools for the beef industry. The webinars are scheduled for Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at noon Central time.

Sessions will be delivered via Zoom and will feature leading beef genetics and animal science experts from across the country. Nebraska faculty will host and present in two of the four sessions, underscoring UNL’s leadership in beef systems research and Extension.

On Oct. 8, Matt Spangler, UNL professor of animal science, will discuss iGENDEC, a tool for both beef × beef and beef × dairy index construction. Spangler will also host the Oct. 15 session, which features USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists presenting on germplasm evaluation research at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center, Nebraska.

“Nebraska is at the forefront of research that directly benefits beef producers,” Spangler said. “This series provides an opportunity to connect producers with tools they can use to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability.”

Oct. 1 — Beef Industry Selection Tool UpdatesHost: Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky

Oct. 8 — iGENDEC: Innovation in Selection Index Development ToolsHost: Dr. Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee

Oct. 15 — Application of US-Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation ResearchHost: Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Oct. 22 — Beef Industry Sustainability and EfficiencyHost: Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University

Registration is free and open to the public. Participants may register at&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDIKnWeEHGtyd24heJx~3Eov_9zleswZ5k4JaXK65_7yky.0eFw2X7ziNTxlvY0X6HGIFmh62" target="_blank">https://ksu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xK9SJR8cR6mxtzYjhbpU3w</a>. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email with details for joining the webinars.

Those unable to attend live will have access to recordings of each session following the event.

UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758201931193.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Registration is free and open to the public</h2>LINCOLN, Neb. — University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists will play a key role in a national webinar series this October highlighting innovation and application of decision support tools for the beef industry. The webinars are scheduled for Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at noon Central time.Sessions will be delivered via Zoom and will feature leading beef genetics and animal science experts from across the country. Nebraska faculty will host and present in two of the four sessions, underscoring UNL’s leadership in beef systems research and Extension.On Oct. 8, Matt Spangler, UNL professor of animal science, will discuss iGENDEC, a tool for both beef × beef and beef × dairy index construction. Spangler will also host the Oct. 15 session, which features USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists presenting on germplasm evaluation research at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center, Nebraska.“Nebraska is at the forefront of research that directly benefits beef producers,” Spangler said. “This series provides an opportunity to connect producers with tools they can use to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability.”Webinar Schedule:Oct. 1 — Beef Industry Selection Tool UpdatesHost: Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky<ul>
 <li>New opportunities for maternal trait selection in Angus cattle — Dr. Esther Tarpoff</li><li>iGENDEC-based selection indexes at the North American Limousin Foundation and American Gelbvieh Association — Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University</li>
 </ul>Oct. 8 — iGENDEC: Innovation in Selection Index Development ToolsHost: Dr. Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee<ul>
 <li>iGENDEC: A tool for both beef × beef and beef × dairy index construction — Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska–Lincoln</li><li>Educating producers and students using iGENDEC — Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky</li>
 </ul>Oct. 15 — Application of US-Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation ResearchHost: Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska–Lincoln<ul>
 <li>Producing across-breed EPD adjustment factors from the USMARC GPE program — Dr. Larry Kuehn, USDA-ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (Clay Center, Nebraska)</li><li>Using the across-breed EPD annual reports for making commercial breeding decisions — Dr. Bailey Engle, USDA-ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center</li>
 </ul>Oct. 22 — Beef Industry Sustainability and EfficiencyHost: Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University<ul>
 <li>Why producers should care about methane — Dr. Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee, and Dr. Megan Rolf, Kansas State University</li><li>2026 Beef Improvement Federation Annual Symposium invitation — Dr. John Hall and Dr. Benton Glaze, University of Idaho</li>
 </ul>Registration is free and open to the public. Participants may register at&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDIKnWeEHGtyd24heJx~3Eov_9zleswZ5k4JaXK65_7yky.0eFw2X7ziNTxlvY0X6HGIFmh62" target="_blank">https://ksu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xK9SJR8cR6mxtzYjhbpU3w</a>. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email with details for joining the webinars.Those unable to attend live will have access to recordings of each session following the event.— Natalie JonesUNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Webinar Series to Highlight Decision Support Tools for the Beef Industry

Yellowstone National Park, WY—A hiker is recovering after an encounter with a bear that sent him to the hospital.&nbsp; Yellowstone National Park released details.

Be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountrysafety.htm">bear aware</a>&nbsp;to help avoid surprise bear encounters

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758205106024.jpeg" alt="Turbid Lake photo by Jacob W. Frank National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Turbid Lake photo by Jacob W. Frank National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Yellowstone National Park, WY—A hiker is recovering after an encounter with a bear that sent him to the hospital.&nbsp; Yellowstone National Park released details.<ul>
 <li>On the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 16, a male, age 29, sustained injuries from a bear while hiking on the Turbid Lake Trail, located northeast of Mary Bay in Yellowstone Lake.</li><li>The incident occurred approximately 2.5 miles from the Pelican Valley Trailhead in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/bear.htm">Pelican Valley Bear Management Area</a>.</li><li>The male was hiking alone when he encountered the bear near Turbid Lake. The hiker began to deploy bear spray when the bear made contact, and he sustained significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm. National Park Service medics responded to the incident and walked out with the hiker.</li><li>Once arriving to the trailhead, NPS transported the hiker in a park ambulance to the Lake Medical Clinic. He was then flown to a nearby hospital for treatment.</li><li>The hiker thought the bear was a black bear; however, the location, size, and behavior of the described bear suggest&nbsp;it might have been a grizzly bear. Bear management staff will attempt to confirm the species through DNA analysis, if possible.</li><li>The Turbid Lake Trail is closed until further notice.&nbsp;Bear management staff are sweeping the trail to ensure no other hikers are on the trail. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm">Backcountry Conditions</a>&nbsp;for status and conditions of park trails.</li><li>Because this incident was a defensive reaction by the bear during a surprise encounter, the park will not be taking any management action against the bear.</li><li>This incident remains under investigation and there are no further details to share at this time.</li><li>This is the first incident of a bear injuring a person in Yellowstone in 2025. The last incident was in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/210528.htm">May 2021</a>&nbsp;when a grizzly bear injured a solo hiker on the Beaver Ponds Trail in Mammoth Hot Springs.</li>
 </ul>Be&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountrysafety.htm">bear aware</a>&nbsp;to help avoid surprise bear encounters<ul>
 <li>Carry bear spray and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=F7EC7B4D-1DD8-B71B-0BA8E72257EBE39A">know how to use it</a>.</li><li>Be alert. See the bear before you surprise it. Watch for fresh tracks, scat, and feeding sites (signs of digging, rolled rocks, torn up logs, ripped open ant hills).</li><li>Make noise.</li><li>Hike in groups of three or more people.</li><li>Stay 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears at all times.</li><li>Stay on trail and don't hike at dawn, dusk, or at night, when grizzlies are most active.</li><li>Don’t run from a bear.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Hiker hospitalized after bear attack at Yellowstone National Park

LINCOLN, Neb. — Twenty-two people were killed in traffic crashes on Nebraska roadways during August, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The fatalities occurred in 19 separate crashes. Thirteen of the 15 vehicle occupants who died were not wearing seatbelts, while only two were buckled in.

Fifteen of the deaths happened in rural areas. Two fatalities occurred on the interstate, 11 on other highways, and nine on local roads. The victims included three pedestrians and four motorcyclists.

Through the first eight months of 2025, the state has recorded 140 fatalities in 127 crashes. That is down 19 percent compared to 166 deaths during the same period in 2024, but higher than the 134 deaths reported in 2023.

NDOT data show only 38 of the 110 vehicle occupants killed so far in 2025 were using seatbelts.

There were 19 fatalities reported in August 2024.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation compiles crash data from across the state and updates daily fatality counts online at <a href="https://ndot.info/tollcompare">ndot.info/tollcompare</a>.

For more information, residents may contact NDOT’s Communications and Public Policy Division at 402-479-4316.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744057818260.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. — Twenty-two people were killed in traffic crashes on Nebraska roadways during August, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.The fatalities occurred in 19 separate crashes. Thirteen of the 15 vehicle occupants who died were not wearing seatbelts, while only two were buckled in.Fifteen of the deaths happened in rural areas. Two fatalities occurred on the interstate, 11 on other highways, and nine on local roads. The victims included three pedestrians and four motorcyclists.Through the first eight months of 2025, the state has recorded 140 fatalities in 127 crashes. That is down 19 percent compared to 166 deaths during the same period in 2024, but higher than the 134 deaths reported in 2023.NDOT data show only 38 of the 110 vehicle occupants killed so far in 2025 were using seatbelts.There were 19 fatalities reported in August 2024.The Nebraska Department of Transportation compiles crash data from across the state and updates daily fatality counts online at <a href="https://ndot.info/tollcompare">ndot.info/tollcompare</a>.For more information, residents may contact NDOT’s Communications and Public Policy Division at 402-479-4316.

Nebraska Traffic Deaths Down for 2025, But 22 Killed in August

SEWARD COUNTY, Kansas– The U.S. Marshals are seeking the public’s help and offering a reward of up to&nbsp;$5,000&nbsp;for information leading to the arrest of a Guatemalan man wanted in Seward County on multiple counts of crimes against children, according to a media release.

Juan Ralios-Batz, (estimated age) 30, is wanted on three counts of rape of a child, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated human trafficking, and one count of abuse of a child.

Batz and his sister are alleged to have sponsored a 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child and, over a two-year-period, Batz allegedly raped the child and forced the child to do manual labor. &nbsp;The child eventually became pregnant and has a child with Batz. When Batz became aware of his wanted status, his family allegedly helped him escape to Fremont, Nebraska, to evade the charges against him. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758163504048.png" alt="Batz photo Seward Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Batz photo Seward Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEWARD COUNTY, Kansas– The U.S. Marshals are seeking the public’s help and offering a reward of up to&nbsp;$5,000&nbsp;for information leading to the arrest of a Guatemalan man wanted in Seward County on multiple counts of crimes against children, according to a media release.Juan Ralios-Batz, (estimated age) 30, is wanted on three counts of rape of a child, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated human trafficking, and one count of abuse of a child.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758163443530.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Batz and his sister are alleged to have sponsored a 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child and, over a two-year-period, Batz allegedly raped the child and forced the child to do manual labor. &nbsp;The child eventually became pregnant and has a child with Batz. When Batz became aware of his wanted status, his family allegedly helped him escape to Fremont, Nebraska, to evade the charges against him. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Batz is a white or Hispanic man, stands 5-feet-1 inch and weighs approximately 115 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter J on his right arm.&nbsp;Batz, who is in the U.S. illegally, is known to use multiple aliases, including Juan Ralios, Juan Batz, Randy Guerro, Juan Ramos-Batz, Juan Ramos and Omar Gonzalez.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding his location is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at&nbsp;1-877-WANTED-2&nbsp;or send tip information via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip">USMS Tips App</a>.