WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second time this month the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination covering a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased function.

“Given the urgency of Israel’s defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer,” the department said.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces,” it said.

The emergency determination means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers’ approval.

Blinken made a similar decision on Dec. 9, to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million.

Both moves have come as President Joe Biden’s request for a nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">$106 billion aid package</a>&nbsp;for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-israel-gaza-aid-sanders-a760c44986e5381b146d370cada95b52">contingent on concrete steps</a>&nbsp;by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

The State Department sought to counter potential criticism of the sale on human rights grounds by saying it was in constant touch with Israel to emphasize the importance of minimizing civilian casualties, which have soared since Israel began its response to the Hamas attacks in Israel on Oct. 7.

“We continue to strongly emphasize to the government of Israel that they must not only comply with international humanitarian law, but also take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians,” it said.

“Hamas hides behind civilians and has embedded itself among the civilian population, but that does not lessen Israel’s responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists as it conducts its military operations,” the department said. “This type of campaign can only be won by protecting civilians.”

Bypassing Congress with emergency determinations for arms sales is an unusual step that has in the past met resistance from lawmakers, who normally have a period of time to weigh in on proposed weapons transfers and, in some cases, block them.

In May 2019, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an emergency determination for an $8.1 billion sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan after it became clear that the Trump administration would have trouble overcoming lawmakers’ concerns about the Saudi and UAE-led war in Yemen.

Pompeo came under heavy criticism for the move, which some believed may have violated the law because many of the weapons involved had yet to be built and could not be delivered urgently. But he was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation.

At least four administrations have used the authority since 1979. President George H.W. Bush’s administration used it during the Gulf War to get arms quickly to Saudi Arabia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702300715756.png" alt="Blinken with Israel President&nbsp;Isaac Herzog earlier this month-file photo" />
 <figcaption>Blinken with Israel President&nbsp;Isaac Herzog earlier this month-file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second time this month the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination covering a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased function.“Given the urgency of Israel’s defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer,” the department said.“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces,” it said.The emergency determination means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers’ approval.Blinken made a similar decision on Dec. 9, to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million.Both moves have come as President Joe Biden’s request for a nearly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">$106 billion aid package</a>&nbsp;for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-israel-gaza-aid-sanders-a760c44986e5381b146d370cada95b52">contingent on concrete steps</a>&nbsp;by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.The State Department sought to counter potential criticism of the sale on human rights grounds by saying it was in constant touch with Israel to emphasize the importance of minimizing civilian casualties, which have soared since Israel began its response to the Hamas attacks in Israel on Oct. 7.“We continue to strongly emphasize to the government of Israel that they must not only comply with international humanitarian law, but also take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians,” it said.“Hamas hides behind civilians and has embedded itself among the civilian population, but that does not lessen Israel’s responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists as it conducts its military operations,” the department said. “This type of campaign can only be won by protecting civilians.”Bypassing Congress with emergency determinations for arms sales is an unusual step that has in the past met resistance from lawmakers, who normally have a period of time to weigh in on proposed weapons transfers and, in some cases, block them.In May 2019, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an emergency determination for an $8.1 billion sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan after it became clear that the Trump administration would have trouble overcoming lawmakers’ concerns about the Saudi and UAE-led war in Yemen.Pompeo came under heavy criticism for the move, which some believed may have violated the law because many of the weapons involved had yet to be built and could not be delivered urgently. But he was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation.At least four administrations have used the authority since 1979. President George H.W. Bush’s administration used it during the Gulf War to get arms quickly to Saudi Arabia.

Bypassing Congress again: U.S. selling more weapons to Israel

LINDSBORG —Bethany College announce the appointment of Dr. Steve Eckman as the Interim President for the next 12-18 months, according to a media release from the school on Friday.

Currently serving as the Chancellor at York University in York, Nebraska, Dr. Eckman brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in higher education.

Prior to his role as Chancellor at York University, Dr. Eckman served as the President of York College for eleven years. His extensive career in academia includes nineteen years at Lubbock Christian University, where he held various roles, such as assistant director of admissions, dean of students, associate professor of Bible, vice president for student services, and director of institutional effectiveness and planning.

Dr. Eckman's commitment to academic excellence extends beyond the classroom. He also served as the Executive Vice President, CFO, and Senior VP for Advancement at Ohio Valley University. He also spent time as a minister at Taylor Street Church of Christ in New Mexico and worked as a senior grant administrator for the JF Maddox Foundation.

"We are pleased to welcome someone with Dr. Eckman’s breadth of experience to Bethany College," said Dr. Cheryl Rasmussen, Board Chair. "His expertise in academics, advancement, and student services, coupled with his successful presidency at York University, will serve Bethany College and the Lindsborg community well in the coming months."

Dr. Eckman holds an associate of arts degree from York College, a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Harding University, a master’s degree in Biblical and Related Studies from Abilene Christian University, a Master of Divinity from Abilene Christian University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Amridge University in Montgomery, Alabama.

Lindsborg and Bethany College are not unfamiliar to Dr. Eckman. During his tenure at York University, he frequented the campus for KCAC athletic events. As recently as this week, he drove through Lindsborg, anticipating the possibility of a call for the interim president position.

Dr. Eckman has expressed his commitment to maintaining a high level of visibility on campus and active involvement in campus events. He aims to establish open lines of communication with all campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students.

“Having served as executive vice president and CFO, I will bring operational expertise to my role as interim president,” said Dr. Eckman. “Since I am Swedish, I look forward to engaging with local culture! My grandfather immigrated from Sweden in the 1880’s.”

Dr. Eckman and his wife LaRee are parents of two married sons and grandparents to seven grandchildren. Steve plans to arrive in Lindsborg the first week of January to begin his service to Bethany College.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703887676564.png" alt="Bethany College Interim President, Steve Eckman -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Bethany College Interim President, Steve Eckman -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>LINDSBORG —Bethany College announce the appointment of Dr. Steve Eckman as the Interim President for the next 12-18 months, according to a media release from the school on Friday.Currently serving as the Chancellor at York University in York, Nebraska, Dr. Eckman brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in higher education.Prior to his role as Chancellor at York University, Dr. Eckman served as the President of York College for eleven years. His extensive career in academia includes nineteen years at Lubbock Christian University, where he held various roles, such as assistant director of admissions, dean of students, associate professor of Bible, vice president for student services, and director of institutional effectiveness and planning.Dr. Eckman's commitment to academic excellence extends beyond the classroom. He also served as the Executive Vice President, CFO, and Senior VP for Advancement at Ohio Valley University. He also spent time as a minister at Taylor Street Church of Christ in New Mexico and worked as a senior grant administrator for the JF Maddox Foundation."We are pleased to welcome someone with Dr. Eckman’s breadth of experience to Bethany College," said Dr. Cheryl Rasmussen, Board Chair. "His expertise in academics, advancement, and student services, coupled with his successful presidency at York University, will serve Bethany College and the Lindsborg community well in the coming months."Dr. Eckman holds an associate of arts degree from York College, a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Harding University, a master’s degree in Biblical and Related Studies from Abilene Christian University, a Master of Divinity from Abilene Christian University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Amridge University in Montgomery, Alabama.Lindsborg and Bethany College are not unfamiliar to Dr. Eckman. During his tenure at York University, he frequented the campus for KCAC athletic events. As recently as this week, he drove through Lindsborg, anticipating the possibility of a call for the interim president position.Dr. Eckman has expressed his commitment to maintaining a high level of visibility on campus and active involvement in campus events. He aims to establish open lines of communication with all campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students.“Having served as executive vice president and CFO, I will bring operational expertise to my role as interim president,” said Dr. Eckman. “Since I am Swedish, I look forward to engaging with local culture! My grandfather immigrated from Sweden in the 1880’s.”Dr. Eckman and his wife LaRee are parents of two married sons and grandparents to seven grandchildren. Steve plans to arrive in Lindsborg the first week of January to begin his service to Bethany College.

York University Chancellor named interim president at college in Kansas

LINCOLN, NE - Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters in November 2024, is making one final push to collect signatures this calendar year.&nbsp;

The event is focused on meeting end of year signature goals and positioning the group to come into 2024 with strong momentum. Patients, families, caregivers, and volunteers will be collecting&nbsp;signatures at all five Wine, Beer, and Spirits locations during the store's open hours. Locations include both the Oakview and Downtown stores in Omaha, as well as the stores in Lincoln, Fremont and Grand Island. Individuals who have petitions in hand are encouraged to drop them off at these locations as well.&nbsp;

NMM will continue collecting signatures on each of their two initiatives until the July 3, 2024 turn in deadline.&nbsp;

For more information on the event and the locations, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://nebraskamarijuana.org/wbs" target="_blank">nebraskamarijuana.org/wbs</a>

NMMLINCOLN, NE - Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters in November 2024, is making one final push to collect signatures this calendar year.&nbsp;The event is focused on meeting end of year signature goals and positioning the group to come into 2024 with strong momentum. Patients, families, caregivers, and volunteers will be collecting&nbsp;signatures at all five Wine, Beer, and Spirits locations during the store's open hours. Locations include both the Oakview and Downtown stores in Omaha, as well as the stores in Lincoln, Fremont and Grand Island. Individuals who have petitions in hand are encouraged to drop them off at these locations as well.&nbsp;NMM will continue collecting signatures on each of their two initiatives until the July 3, 2024 turn in deadline.&nbsp;For more information on the event and the locations, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://nebraskamarijuana.org/wbs" target="_blank">nebraskamarijuana.org/wbs</a>

MEDICAL CANNABIS BALLOT INITIATIVE HOSTS “LAST CHANCE TO SIGN” EVENT

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/28/minden-school-board-member-who-refused-to-wear-a-mask-is-ordered-reinstated-to-board-seat/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A Minden School Board member who was removed from the board in 2021 after refusing to wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic has been reinstated to her position.

A district judge, in a ruling last week, agreed with arguments made by Katherine Sinsel that her fellow board members had exceeded their authority in voting to remove her from the elected board in April 2021.

Kearney County District Judge Morgan Farquhar, following a two-day trial in August, ordered that Sinsel be reinstated as a board member in January and that a replacement appointed by the board, Darcie Reed, be removed.

Sinsel’s attorney, J.L. Spray of Lincoln, said his client was “elated” and eager to get back to work on the board.

“It was just a horrible public lynching of an elected official for no reason,” Spray said.

James Widdifield, the superintendent of the Minden School District, did not respond immediately Thursday to a request for comment.

The judge, in an 18-page ruling, stated&nbsp;that the school board had wrongly attempted to expand a state statute that allows for the removal of a board member for missing more than “two consecutive regular meetings” of the board.

The board, at its meeting in March 2021, passed a resolution requiring masks and allowing the board to consider a refusal to comply as an “unexcused absence from a (board) meeting.”

Sinsel, who had voted against the mask mandate, was denied entrance at the board’s regular April meeting when she refused to wear a mask. She was arrested amid a disturbance and was charged with a felony, a charge that was later dropped.

At a special meeting later in April, the Minden School Board voted to remove Sinsel after deeming that she had missed three consecutive, regular meetings going back to March.

The judge ruled the board could not retroactively decide that Sinsel had violated the three-meeting rule by refusing to wear a mask at the March meeting, where she had been present and voting.

” … The retroactive decision of the Board to deem Sinsel absent from the (March) meeting was punitive and retaliatory,” Judge Farquhar ruled.

During the trial, Sinsel testified that she didn’t want to wear a mask because of her fear it could exacerbate a heart condition by restricting her breathing. She had also contested the board’s authority to issue a mask mandate.

The judge ruled that the school board did have the authority to issue a mask mandate but went too far when it declared, retroactively, that Sinsel had been “absent” from the board’s March meeting.

Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/28/minden-school-board-member-who-refused-to-wear-a-mask-is-ordered-reinstated-to-board-seat/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A Minden School Board member who was removed from the board in 2021 after refusing to wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic has been reinstated to her position.A district judge, in a ruling last week, agreed with arguments made by Katherine Sinsel that her fellow board members had exceeded their authority in voting to remove her from the elected board in April 2021.Kearney County District Judge Morgan Farquhar, following a two-day trial in August, ordered that Sinsel be reinstated as a board member in January and that a replacement appointed by the board, Darcie Reed, be removed.<h2>Eager to return</h2>Sinsel’s attorney, J.L. Spray of Lincoln, said his client was “elated” and eager to get back to work on the board.“It was just a horrible public lynching of an elected official for no reason,” Spray said.James Widdifield, the superintendent of the Minden School District, did not respond immediately Thursday to a request for comment.The judge, in an 18-page ruling, stated&nbsp;that the school board had wrongly attempted to expand a state statute that allows for the removal of a board member for missing more than “two consecutive regular meetings” of the board.The board, at its meeting in March 2021, passed a resolution requiring masks and allowing the board to consider a refusal to comply as an “unexcused absence from a (board) meeting.”Sinsel, who had voted against the mask mandate, was denied entrance at the board’s regular April meeting when she refused to wear a mask. She was arrested amid a disturbance and was charged with a felony, a charge that was later dropped.At a special meeting later in April, the Minden School Board voted to remove Sinsel after deeming that she had missed three consecutive, regular meetings going back to March.<h2>‘Punitive and retaliatory’</h2>The judge ruled the board could not retroactively decide that Sinsel had violated the three-meeting rule by refusing to wear a mask at the March meeting, where she had been present and voting.” … The retroactive decision of the Board to deem Sinsel absent from the (March) meeting was punitive and retaliatory,” Judge Farquhar ruled.During the trial, Sinsel testified that she didn’t want to wear a mask because of her fear it could exacerbate a heart condition by restricting her breathing. She had also contested the board’s authority to issue a mask mandate.The judge ruled that the school board did have the authority to issue a mask mandate but went too far when it declared, retroactively, that Sinsel had been “absent” from the board’s March meeting.

Minden School Board member who refused to wear a mask is ordered reinstated to board seat

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A hard-hit Israeli kibbutz on Thursday announced the death of Judith Weinstein — an American woman who had been thought to be held hostage in Gaza.

The news came six days after Weinstein's husband, Gad Haggai, was also pronounced dead.

Weinstein, 70, who also had -Canadian-Israeli citizenship, and Haggai, 73, were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hostages-portraits-hamas-captives-e7213e6262cdb9c51ab174326874538c">taking an early morning walk</a>&nbsp;near their home in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-hostages-0c14750240138853a70e38b0c09ef157">Kibbutz Nir Oz</a>&nbsp;on the morning of Oct. 7 when Hamas militants burst across the border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others.

In the early hours of the morning, Weinstein was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family.

Weinstein and her husband had been thought to be among the hostages still held in captivity in Gaza. But six days ago, the kibbutz announced that Haggai was killed Oct. 7 and his body was taken to Gaza.

On Thursday, the kibbutz said it had learned that Weinstein was also killed on Oct. 7 and her body is also being held in Gaza.

It was not immediately clear how Israeli authorities determined their deaths.

The couple are survived by two sons and two daughters and seven grandchildren, the kibbutz said.

President Joe Biden said he was “devastated” to learn of Weinstein's death, especially after hearing about the couple during a meeting with their daughter.

The families "have been living through hell for weeks. No family should have to endure such an ordeal,” he said in a statement.

Weinstein was born in New York and was an active member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small community near the Gaza border where she taught English to children with special needs. The kibbutz said she also taught meditation techniques to children and teenagers who suffered from anxiety as a result of rocket fire from Gaza. Haggai was a retired chef and jazz musician.

“Judy dedicated her life to serving others, spending years teaching English and using her passions for poetry, puppeteering, and mindfulness to empower children of all backgrounds,” her family said in a statement.

Al Haggai, one of the couple's sons, told Israel's Channel 13 that the family had originally hoped their mother's multiple citizenships would allow her to be released during the week-long ceasefire in late November, when 105 hostages were let go. Almost all were women and children.

He said that when his mother's name was not on any of the daily lists, he started to suspect that something happened to her.

According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, at least 23 of the approximately 129 hostages believed to be held in Gaza have either died or been killed in captivity.

Nir Oz was one of the hardest-hit Israeli communities on Oct. 7, with roughly one- quarter of its residents killed or kidnapped.

The families of missing hostages have drawn widespread support and sympathy in Israel as they press the government to reach a new cease-fire deal to bring home their loved-ones.

Netanyahu met Thursday in Tel Aviv with some of the families, where he told them there were behind-the-scene efforts to bring the hostages home, according to a statement from his office.

“I can’t elaborate on the details, we are working to return everyone,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703800478199.png" alt="Weinstein photo courtesy <a href="https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/">Hostages and Missing Families Forum</a>" />
 <figcaption>Weinstein photo courtesy <a href="https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/">Hostages and Missing Families Forum</a></figcaption>
 </figure>TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A hard-hit Israeli kibbutz on Thursday announced the death of Judith Weinstein — an American woman who had been thought to be held hostage in Gaza.The news came six days after Weinstein's husband, Gad Haggai, was also pronounced dead.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703271147260.png" alt="Gag Haggai photo courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/">Hostages and Missing Families Forum</a>" />
 <figcaption>Gag Haggai photo courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/">Hostages and Missing Families Forum</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Weinstein, 70, who also had -Canadian-Israeli citizenship, and Haggai, 73, were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hostages-portraits-hamas-captives-e7213e6262cdb9c51ab174326874538c">taking an early morning walk</a>&nbsp;near their home in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-hostages-0c14750240138853a70e38b0c09ef157">Kibbutz Nir Oz</a>&nbsp;on the morning of Oct. 7 when Hamas militants burst across the border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others.In the early hours of the morning, Weinstein was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family.Weinstein and her husband had been thought to be among the hostages still held in captivity in Gaza. But six days ago, the kibbutz announced that Haggai was killed Oct. 7 and his body was taken to Gaza.On Thursday, the kibbutz said it had learned that Weinstein was also killed on Oct. 7 and her body is also being held in Gaza.It was not immediately clear how Israeli authorities determined their deaths.The couple are survived by two sons and two daughters and seven grandchildren, the kibbutz said.President Joe Biden said he was “devastated” to learn of Weinstein's death, especially after hearing about the couple during a meeting with their daughter.The families "have been living through hell for weeks. No family should have to endure such an ordeal,” he said in a statement.Weinstein was born in New York and was an active member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, a small community near the Gaza border where she taught English to children with special needs. The kibbutz said she also taught meditation techniques to children and teenagers who suffered from anxiety as a result of rocket fire from Gaza. Haggai was a retired chef and jazz musician.“Judy dedicated her life to serving others, spending years teaching English and using her passions for poetry, puppeteering, and mindfulness to empower children of all backgrounds,” her family said in a statement.Al Haggai, one of the couple's sons, told Israel's Channel 13 that the family had originally hoped their mother's multiple citizenships would allow her to be released during the week-long ceasefire in late November, when 105 hostages were let go. Almost all were women and children.He said that when his mother's name was not on any of the daily lists, he started to suspect that something happened to her.According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, at least 23 of the approximately 129 hostages believed to be held in Gaza have either died or been killed in captivity.Nir Oz was one of the hardest-hit Israeli communities on Oct. 7, with roughly one- quarter of its residents killed or kidnapped.The families of missing hostages have drawn widespread support and sympathy in Israel as they press the government to reach a new cease-fire deal to bring home their loved-ones.Netanyahu met Thursday in Tel Aviv with some of the families, where he told them there were behind-the-scene efforts to bring the hostages home, according to a statement from his office.“I can’t elaborate on the details, we are working to return everyone,” he said.

American woman believed held hostage in Gaza is dead

RENO COUNTY—A veterinary service in Reno County is reporting a case of rabies.

On Thursday afternoon,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nvscares?__cft__[0]=AZW30lIKDqa6rfQCYG3NkIlWa441ZWleXtPybltiEf8z9ONna1ISzoEm5HcGJPMLdHfr8ru-6m662CoKS1IMe14G6eHOelYT67iGLjNVYOO-JpivlP1gvt_vbGMBZZJJZcmu1ZSvLzlbcTdacgqCQUYv&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Ninnescah Veterinary Service LLC</a>,&nbsp;13408 S. Mohawk Road, Hutchinson, shared on social media they. had just diagnosed a positive case of rabies in a farm cat.

"We treat every bite wound from a non vaccinated animal very serious as it may life or death situation."&nbsp; "We had a client pick up a farm cat and was severely bit on the arm."

"Under the advice of Dr Clay the farm cat was brought into the clinic and euthanized for testing. Dr Clay informed the client to go to the emergency room and start rabies vaccinations immediately and not to wait for the test to come back from the lab."

"The owner complied to this recommendation and received her rabies vaccine and immunoglobulins."

"Two days later we got the results that the cat was indeed positive for rabies.  This is the exact reason we push rabies vaccinations in pets so hard. We receive a lot of push back on rabies vaccine daily as if we are trying to up sale that vaccine to pet owners.  We are truly pushing rabies vaccine as a public safety service."

"Rabies is a deadly disease but fortunately the vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease. Please get you pets vaccinated for rabies. It could be a matter of life and death for not only your pet but also you."

RENO COUNTY—A veterinary service in Reno County is reporting a case of rabies.On Thursday afternoon,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nvscares?__cft__[0]=AZW30lIKDqa6rfQCYG3NkIlWa441ZWleXtPybltiEf8z9ONna1ISzoEm5HcGJPMLdHfr8ru-6m662CoKS1IMe14G6eHOelYT67iGLjNVYOO-JpivlP1gvt_vbGMBZZJJZcmu1ZSvLzlbcTdacgqCQUYv&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Ninnescah Veterinary Service LLC</a>,&nbsp;13408 S. Mohawk Road, Hutchinson, shared on social media they. had just diagnosed a positive case of rabies in a farm cat. "We treat every bite wound from a non vaccinated animal very serious as it may life or death situation."&nbsp; "We had a client pick up a farm cat and was severely bit on the arm." "Under the advice of Dr Clay the farm cat was brought into the clinic and euthanized for testing. Dr Clay informed the client to go to the emergency room and start rabies vaccinations immediately and not to wait for the test to come back from the lab.""The owner complied to this recommendation and received her rabies vaccine and immunoglobulins.""Two days later we got the results that the cat was indeed positive for rabies. This is the exact reason we push rabies vaccinations in pets so hard. We receive a lot of push back on rabies vaccine daily as if we are trying to up sale that vaccine to pet owners. We are truly pushing rabies vaccine as a public safety service.""Rabies is a deadly disease but fortunately the vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease. Please get you pets vaccinated for rabies. It could be a matter of life and death for not only your pet but also you."

Kansas veterinarian reports a person bit by cat with rabies

JERUSALEM —The USS MASON (DDG 87) shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in the Southern Red Sea that were fired by the Houthis between 5:45 - 6: 10 p.m. (Sanaa time) on Thursday, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

There was no damage to any of the 18 ships in the area or reported injuries. This is the 22nd attempted attack by Houthis on international shipping since Oct. 19.

Meanwhile, a Hamas official said Thursday that a “partial or temporary cessation of aggression” wouldn’t be enough to free the more than 100 hostages who Israel says remain in captivity in Gaza.

The Israeli-Hamas war has already driven around 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million people from their homes, leveling the northern part of the territory and heightening fears about a similar fate for the south as Israel's air and ground offensive widens.

Dozens were killed Thursday during Israel's bombardment of cities, towns and refugee camps across Gaza. More than 20,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed since the start of the war, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza</a>, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants among the dead.

Hamas has put up steep resistance despite Israel's vow to dismantle the militant group.

About 1,200 people were killed after Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-attack-military-war-a8f63b07641212f0de61861844e5e71e">raided southern Israel</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 7, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hostages-gaza-b6ffc286ca7d4b48caaada43e9c6e411">around 240 people taken hostage</a>.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke Thursday with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the next steps in the war, with Austin stressing “the importance of protecting Gaza’s civilians and accelerating humanitarian assistance.”

The talks came as a hard-hit Israeli kibbutz announced the death of an American-Canadian-Israeli woman who was believed to have been held hostage and whose husband was recently declared dead.

JERUSALEM —The USS MASON (DDG 87) shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in the Southern Red Sea that were fired by the Houthis between 5:45 - 6: 10 p.m. (Sanaa time) on Thursday, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.There was no damage to any of the 18 ships in the area or reported injuries. This is the 22nd attempted attack by Houthis on international shipping since Oct. 19.Meanwhile, a Hamas official said Thursday that a “partial or temporary cessation of aggression” wouldn’t be enough to free the more than 100 hostages who Israel says remain in captivity in Gaza.The Israeli-Hamas war has already driven around 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million people from their homes, leveling the northern part of the territory and heightening fears about a similar fate for the south as Israel's air and ground offensive widens.Dozens were killed Thursday during Israel's bombardment of cities, towns and refugee camps across Gaza. More than 20,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed since the start of the war, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza</a>, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants among the dead.Hamas has put up steep resistance despite Israel's vow to dismantle the militant group.About 1,200 people were killed after Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-attack-military-war-a8f63b07641212f0de61861844e5e71e">raided southern Israel</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 7, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hostages-gaza-b6ffc286ca7d4b48caaada43e9c6e411">around 240 people taken hostage</a>.Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke Thursday with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the next steps in the war, with Austin stressing “the importance of protecting Gaza’s civilians and accelerating humanitarian assistance.”The talks came as a hard-hit Israeli kibbutz announced the death of an American-Canadian-Israeli woman who was believed to have been held hostage and whose husband was recently declared dead.

U.S. warship shot down another ballistic missile in Red Sea

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — Donald Wildmon, the founder of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian advocacy group, has died, the organization announced Thursday.

The 85-year-old Mississippi native died on Thursday from complications related to Lewy body dementia, an obituary published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wtva.com/donald-wildmon-obituary/pdf_2ef075aa-a5bc-11ee-bb6c-b796ddf3dbe1.html">WTVA-TV</a>&nbsp;said. Wildmon died in Tupelo, Mississippi, the city where the American Family Association is based. The obituary referred to Wildmon as “one of the legendary leaders of American conservatism.”

“His impressive legacy of Christian ministry will live on for many years to come,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Wildmon founded the AFA, first known as the National Federation for Decency, in 1977 after working as a pastor for the United Methodist Church.

Since its inception, the conservative advocacy group has launched campaigns and boycotts to pressure corporations to avoid supporting causes the group opposed, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-2bb49cfbc4c14c208269d24267b5b943">LGBT anti-discrimination measures</a>.

In 1991, Wildmon launched American Family Radio, which set up radio stations across the U.S. to spread the AFA's message. Wildmon led the AFA for 33 years, the obituary said. He stepped down in 2010, and his son, Tim Wildmon, now leads the organization.

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — Donald Wildmon, the founder of the American Family Association, a conservative Christian advocacy group, has died, the organization announced Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Brother Don Wildmon, founder of the American Family Association, has been called home. Today, we reflect on a life well-lived, a journey marked by unwavering faith, profound dedication, and an unyielding commitment to the values he held dear. <a href="https://t.co/k9ijMdT2sO">pic.twitter.com/k9ijMdT2sO</a>&mdash; American Family Assc (@AmericanFamAssc) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmericanFamAssc/status/1740467203797893260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The 85-year-old Mississippi native died on Thursday from complications related to Lewy body dementia, an obituary published by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wtva.com/donald-wildmon-obituary/pdf_2ef075aa-a5bc-11ee-bb6c-b796ddf3dbe1.html">WTVA-TV</a>&nbsp;said. Wildmon died in Tupelo, Mississippi, the city where the American Family Association is based. The obituary referred to Wildmon as “one of the legendary leaders of American conservatism.”“His impressive legacy of Christian ministry will live on for many years to come,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.Wildmon founded the AFA, first known as the National Federation for Decency, in 1977 after working as a pastor for the United Methodist Church.Since its inception, the conservative advocacy group has launched campaigns and boycotts to pressure corporations to avoid supporting causes the group opposed, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-2bb49cfbc4c14c208269d24267b5b943">LGBT anti-discrimination measures</a>.In 1991, Wildmon launched American Family Radio, which set up radio stations across the U.S. to spread the AFA's message. Wildmon led the AFA for 33 years, the obituary said. He stepped down in 2010, and his son, Tim Wildmon, now leads the organization.

Founder of the American Family Association has died

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Democratic secretary of state on Thursday removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause, becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally in a decision that has potential Electoral College consequences.

While Maine has just four electoral votes, it’s one of two states to split them. Trump won one of Maine’s electors in 2020, so having him off the ballot there should he emerge as the Republican general election candidate could have outsized implications in a race that is expected to be narrowly decided.

The decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows follows a December ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Colorado is a Democratic-leaning state that is not expected to be competitive for Republicans in November.

Bellows found that Trump could no longer run for his prior job because his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol violated Section 3, which bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection.” Bellows made the ruling after some state residents, including a bipartisan group of former lawmakers, challenged Trump’s position on the ballot.

Her decision came one day after Trump’s lawyers asked her to disqualify herself over tweets that they said showed bias. She called the U.S. Capitol attack an “insurrection” and bemoaned that Trump wasn’t convicted by the U.S. Senate after being impeached by the U.S. House.

Bellows won’t have the final word on Trump’s political career. Her decision can be appealed to Maine’s courts. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make a final decision on whether Trump can still run for president early next year.

Activists have asked state election officials across the country to remove Trump from their states’ primary ballots under Section 3. Until Bellows’ ruling, all of them rejected the request, often saying they were waiting for courts to give direction on how to interpret the clause, which has been used only a handful of times since the years following the Civil War.

Maine law mandated that Bellows hold a public hearing over the issue, which she did in December. A lawyer and former executive director of the Maine chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Bellows allowed each side to submit additional arguments after the Colorado Supreme Court’s historic Dec. 19 decision that Section 3 barred Trump from the ballot.

Trump’s campaign has said it will appeal that court’s 4-3 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has never ruled on Section 3. Whatever the high court decides will apply to every state, including Maine.

The Maine decision shows the potential perils to Trump if the issue is decided on a state-by-state basis. He lost Colorado by 13 percentage points in 2020 and does not need it to win the presidency. But Maine divides its electoral votes by congressional districts, and Trump has twice won the state’s second congressional district.

If he’s not on the ballot there, he would start his 2024 campaign down one Electoral College vote.

The secretary of state’s office said it’s not aware of the office previously striking a presidential candidate from the ballot, but other candidates for lower offices have been removed that way.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703030684419.png" alt="Trump’s campaign has said it will appeal that court’s 4-3 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Trump’s campaign has said it will appeal that court’s 4-3 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s Democratic secretary of state on Thursday removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause, becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally in a decision that has potential Electoral College consequences.While Maine has just four electoral votes, it’s one of two states to split them. Trump won one of Maine’s electors in 2020, so having him off the ballot there should he emerge as the Republican general election candidate could have outsized implications in a race that is expected to be narrowly decided.The decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows follows a December ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. Colorado is a Democratic-leaning state that is not expected to be competitive for Republicans in November.Bellows found that Trump could no longer run for his prior job because his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol violated Section 3, which bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection.” Bellows made the ruling after some state residents, including a bipartisan group of former lawmakers, challenged Trump’s position on the ballot.Her decision came one day after Trump’s lawyers asked her to disqualify herself over tweets that they said showed bias. She called the U.S. Capitol attack an “insurrection” and bemoaned that Trump wasn’t convicted by the U.S. Senate after being impeached by the U.S. House.Bellows won’t have the final word on Trump’s political career. Her decision can be appealed to Maine’s courts. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make a final decision on whether Trump can still run for president early next year.Activists have asked state election officials across the country to remove Trump from their states’ primary ballots under Section 3. Until Bellows’ ruling, all of them rejected the request, often saying they were waiting for courts to give direction on how to interpret the clause, which has been used only a handful of times since the years following the Civil War.Maine law mandated that Bellows hold a public hearing over the issue, which she did in December. A lawyer and former executive director of the Maine chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Bellows allowed each side to submit additional arguments after the Colorado Supreme Court’s historic Dec. 19 decision that Section 3 barred Trump from the ballot.Trump’s campaign has said it will appeal that court’s 4-3 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has never ruled on Section 3. Whatever the high court decides will apply to every state, including Maine.The Maine decision shows the potential perils to Trump if the issue is decided on a state-by-state basis. He lost Colorado by 13 percentage points in 2020 and does not need it to win the presidency. But Maine divides its electoral votes by congressional districts, and Trump has twice won the state’s second congressional district.If he’s not on the ballot there, he would start his 2024 campaign down one Electoral College vote.The secretary of state’s office said it’s not aware of the office previously striking a presidential candidate from the ballot, but other candidates for lower offices have been removed that way.

Another state bars Trump from presidential primary ballot 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state prosecutors are vowing to try a man for a fourth time following a third mistrial on charges accusing him of killing two people in an Omaha home in 2019.

Last week, a judge declared a mistrial in the case against 24-year-old Nyir Kuek after jurors reported they were hopelessly deadlocked, 6-6, on whether to convict him.

Kuek stands&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-357c6c4f12da46f3910f02401270e210">charged</a>&nbsp;with two counts of first-degree murder and other felony counts in the June 2019 shooting deaths of 50-year-old Tracy Atkins and 57-year-old Michael Sykora in their home. Investigators have said witnesses reported that Kuek and Sykora argued in the basement of the home before Kuek shot Sykora. Police believe Kuek then shot Atkins in Atkins' bedroom.

Prosecutors have relied on circumstantial evidence, including the eyewitnesses, to try Kuek.

Kuek’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-b6af592fae40be893aab07d09a55b7b9">first trial</a>&nbsp;ended in mistrial in 2020 when someone in the courtroom tested positive for COVID-19. His&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-omaha-6b0540a0daa96d0edc5f07d1e2c81823">second trial</a>&nbsp;also ended in mistrial when one person on the jury declined to find him guilty.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state prosecutors are vowing to try a man for a fourth time following a third mistrial on charges accusing him of killing two people in an Omaha home in 2019.Last week, a judge declared a mistrial in the case against 24-year-old Nyir Kuek after jurors reported they were hopelessly deadlocked, 6-6, on whether to convict him.Kuek stands&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-357c6c4f12da46f3910f02401270e210">charged</a>&nbsp;with two counts of first-degree murder and other felony counts in the June 2019 shooting deaths of 50-year-old Tracy Atkins and 57-year-old Michael Sykora in their home. Investigators have said witnesses reported that Kuek and Sykora argued in the basement of the home before Kuek shot Sykora. Police believe Kuek then shot Atkins in Atkins' bedroom.Prosecutors have relied on circumstantial evidence, including the eyewitnesses, to try Kuek.Kuek’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-b6af592fae40be893aab07d09a55b7b9">first trial</a>&nbsp;ended in mistrial in 2020 when someone in the courtroom tested positive for COVID-19. His&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-omaha-6b0540a0daa96d0edc5f07d1e2c81823">second trial</a>&nbsp;also ended in mistrial when one person on the jury declined to find him guilty.

Third mistrial is declared in Nebraska double murder case, but prosecutors vow to try man again

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/27/federal-judge-says-norfolk-area-nrd-went-too-far-in-sanctioning-board-member/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

Editor’s note: This has been updated to include comment from the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District.

LINCOLN — A Norfolk-area natural resources district board likely went too far in censuring a member of its board for confirming to a newspaper she had filed a complaint against a fellow board member.

U.S. District Judge John Gerrard issued an order Wednesday granting a preliminary injunction sought by Melissa Temple against the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District. Temple represents eastern Norfolk for the 15-county NRD.&nbsp;

Gerrard wrote that the board likely violated Temple’s First Amendment rights by retaliating against her and limiting her access to travel reimbursements and per diem payments while doing board business. Temple was represented by the new First Amendment Clinic at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Nebraska law requires NRDs to reimburse board members “for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with their duties,” Gerrard wrote. He found that the board’s actions had a potential “chilling effect” on Temple’s speech.&nbsp;

“If Temple continues to engage in protected speech, such as informing the press of how the sanctions are affecting her ability to govern, she might be subject to further sanctions,” Gerrard wrote. “Temple’s right to publicly criticize the LENRD’s decision is enshrined by the First Amendment.”

Gerrard wrote that based on history and tradition, a government “cannot suspend the pay of an elected official as a sanction” and that suspending “Temple’s right to receive reimbursements for out-of-district travel materially affects her ability to perform her duties for her constituents.”&nbsp;

The board, he wrote, has the authority to remove Temple from subcommittees but, the judge wrote, the NRD and its voters should question whether it should.

In August, the NRD board prohibited Temple for a year from being reimbursed for any board-related travel expenses outside the district or per-diem payments while working on board business. The board also stripped her position on any NRD subcommittees for the year.

In April, the board had rejected Temple’s complaint alleging fellow board member Scott Clausen had spoken condescendingly to women testifying to the board, dismissed public health threats to women and children and disparaged Temple’s intellect.

Clausen soon filed his own complaint, criticizing Temple for confirming her complaint to the Norfolk Daily News.

Temple on Wednesday said she was pleased with the judge’s order and that her case was “much larger than just me.” She said the order upholds and preserves “our fundamental freedoms.”

“It’s about the freedom to speak up without fear of retribution, the freedom to file complaints and not face unconstitutional forms of retaliation, and the freedom to fully do the job I was elected to do,” she said.

One of her lawyers, Daniel Gutman, said Temple and the clinic want to “vindicate these First Amendment rights.”&nbsp;

NRD attorney Don Blankenau had argued that as a legislative body, the board had wide discretion to discipline its members.&nbsp;

Blankenau and the NRD’s legal team argued Temple had not been limited in any way that infringed her rights or the rights of her voters.&nbsp;

Brian Bruckner, the NRD’s new general manager, said Thursday that the organization and its attorneys were aware of the judge’s order.

“The District has no other comment on the matter at this particular time other than to state that we respect the opinion of the Court and that we will comply with the terms of the order,” he said.&nbsp;

Gerrard had called on both parties earlier this month to find a way forward. Wednesday’s injunction stays in place until a trial is held or the case is otherwise resolved.

“Frankly, this whole ordeal has the potential to erode public confidence in the LENRD’s ability to govern,” the judge wrote. “The LENRD simply does not have the power, under Nebraska law and the United States Constitution, to withhold Temple’s reimbursement and per diem payments.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703783164678.jpeg" alt="Norfolk-area Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District board member Melissa Temple (Courtesy of Lower Elkhorn NRD)" />
 <figcaption>Norfolk-area Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District board member Melissa Temple (Courtesy of Lower Elkhorn NRD)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/27/federal-judge-says-norfolk-area-nrd-went-too-far-in-sanctioning-board-member/">Nebraska Examiner</a>Editor’s note: This has been updated to include comment from the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District.LINCOLN — A Norfolk-area natural resources district board likely went too far in censuring a member of its board for confirming to a newspaper she had filed a complaint against a fellow board member.U.S. District Judge John Gerrard issued an order Wednesday granting a preliminary injunction sought by Melissa Temple against the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District. Temple represents eastern Norfolk for the 15-county NRD.&nbsp;Gerrard wrote that the board likely violated Temple’s First Amendment rights by retaliating against her and limiting her access to travel reimbursements and per diem payments while doing board business. Temple was represented by the new First Amendment Clinic at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.Nebraska law requires NRDs to reimburse board members “for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in connection with their duties,” Gerrard wrote. He found that the board’s actions had a potential “chilling effect” on Temple’s speech.&nbsp;“If Temple continues to engage in protected speech, such as informing the press of how the sanctions are affecting her ability to govern, she might be subject to further sanctions,” Gerrard wrote. “Temple’s right to publicly criticize the LENRD’s decision is enshrined by the First Amendment.”<h2>‘Cannot suspend’ pay as sanction</h2>Gerrard wrote that based on history and tradition, a government “cannot suspend the pay of an elected official as a sanction” and that suspending “Temple’s right to receive reimbursements for out-of-district travel materially affects her ability to perform her duties for her constituents.”&nbsp;The board, he wrote, has the authority to remove Temple from subcommittees but, the judge wrote, the NRD and its voters should question whether it should.In August, the NRD board prohibited Temple for a year from being reimbursed for any board-related travel expenses outside the district or per-diem payments while working on board business. The board also stripped her position on any NRD subcommittees for the year.In April, the board had rejected Temple’s complaint alleging fellow board member Scott Clausen had spoken condescendingly to women testifying to the board, dismissed public health threats to women and children and disparaged Temple’s intellect.Clausen soon filed his own complaint, criticizing Temple for confirming her complaint to the Norfolk Daily News.<h2>Discretion to discipline</h2>Temple on Wednesday said she was pleased with the judge’s order and that her case was “much larger than just me.” She said the order upholds and preserves “our fundamental freedoms.”“It’s about the freedom to speak up without fear of retribution, the freedom to file complaints and not face unconstitutional forms of retaliation, and the freedom to fully do the job I was elected to do,” she said.One of her lawyers, Daniel Gutman, said Temple and the clinic want to “vindicate these First Amendment rights.”&nbsp;NRD attorney Don Blankenau had argued that as a legislative body, the board had wide discretion to discipline its members.&nbsp;Blankenau and the NRD’s legal team argued Temple had not been limited in any way that infringed her rights or the rights of her voters.&nbsp;Brian Bruckner, the NRD’s new general manager, said Thursday that the organization and its attorneys were aware of the judge’s order.“The District has no other comment on the matter at this particular time other than to state that we respect the opinion of the Court and that we will comply with the terms of the order,” he said.&nbsp;Gerrard had called on both parties earlier this month to find a way forward. Wednesday’s injunction stays in place until a trial is held or the case is otherwise resolved.“Frankly, this whole ordeal has the potential to erode public confidence in the LENRD’s ability to govern,” the judge wrote. “The LENRD simply does not have the power, under Nebraska law and the United States Constitution, to withhold Temple’s reimbursement and per diem payments.”

Federal judge says Norfolk-area NRD went too far in sanctioning board member 

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Demolition began Thursday on the house where four University of Idaho students were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-pennsylvania-indiana-education-homicide-9051569249b988b5afaa2414aa3f9bc8">killed last year</a>, marking an emotional step for the victims' families and a close-knit community that was shocked and devastated by the brutal stabbings.

The sounds of construction equipment pierced the early morning air as an excavator started tearing down the front part of the house. The former walls formed a large pile of crushed and smashed wood on the ground as debris was picked up and loaded into a dump truck.

The owner of the rental home near the university campus in Moscow, Idaho, donated it to the university earlier this year. It has since been boarded up and blocked off by a security fence. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022.

School officials, who in February&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colleges-and-universities-idaho-880b83391a0b356e4c97d9571feba4d9">announced plans to raze the house</a>, view the demolition as a key step toward finding closure, university spokesperson Jodi Walker said.

“That is an area that is dense with students, and many students have to look at it and live with it every day and have expressed to us how much it will help with the healing process to have that house removed,” she said.

Contractors estimated that it would take a few hours for the house to be razed and several more after that to clear the site of debris, Walker said, adding that weather also will be a factor.

The site will be planted with grass at some point after the demolition, Walker said. She said there are no other plans for it as of now but the university may revisit that in the future.

Some of the victims' families have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-idaho-four-killed-house-demolition-plans-7cc56c336de7df600a6c48f5a5666cf2">opposed the demolition</a>, calling for the house to be preserved until after the man accused of the slayings has been tried.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-idaho-students-killings-arrest-b3b1ffd8138827f0bdad16d20e17cf83">Bryan Kohberger</a>, a former criminology graduate student at Washington State University in neighboring Pullman, Washington, has been charged with four counts of murder.

A judge entered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-students-moscow-idaho-stabbings-kohberger-trial-1a827523479835293356998b51a1d897">not-guilty plea</a>&nbsp;on Kohberger's behalf earlier this year.

Prosecutors,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-kohberger-trial-dates-58258a8d58f1d30cd7e1afe31d07db3d">who hope to try Kohberger next summer</a>, told university officials in an email that they don't anticipate needing the house any further, as they were already able to gather measurements necessary for creating illustrative exhibits for a jury. They added that a jury visit to the site wouldn't be authorized given that the current condition of the house “is so substantially different” than at the time of the killings.

The Latah County prosecuting attorney’s office declined to comment, citing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-gag-order-idaho-killings-first-amendment-13eb9c5a669323bb4a71eb27ee086554">gag order</a>&nbsp;from an Idaho judge that restricts what lawyers in the case can say to the news media.

Kohberger’s defense team was given&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-students-killed-university-kohberger-home-demolish-2e55293f26f8ca7a6e4119cb61382576">access to the home earlier this month</a>&nbsp;to gather photos, measurements and other documentation. And in October, the FBI gathered at the house to collect data that could be used to create visual aids for jurors at the upcoming trial.

Kernodle, Mogen and Goncalves lived together in the rental home just across the street from campus. Chapin — Kernodle’s boyfriend — was there visiting on the night of the attack. All of them were friends and members of the university's Greek system. The killings left many of their classmates and residents of Moscow reeling with grief and fear.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672924870681.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Demolition began Thursday on the house where four University of Idaho students were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-pennsylvania-indiana-education-homicide-9051569249b988b5afaa2414aa3f9bc8">killed last year</a>, marking an emotional step for the victims' families and a close-knit community that was shocked and devastated by the brutal stabbings.The sounds of construction equipment pierced the early morning air as an excavator started tearing down the front part of the house. The former walls formed a large pile of crushed and smashed wood on the ground as debris was picked up and loaded into a dump truck.The owner of the rental home near the university campus in Moscow, Idaho, donated it to the university earlier this year. It has since been boarded up and blocked off by a security fence. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022.School officials, who in February&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colleges-and-universities-idaho-880b83391a0b356e4c97d9571feba4d9">announced plans to raze the house</a>, view the demolition as a key step toward finding closure, university spokesperson Jodi Walker said.“That is an area that is dense with students, and many students have to look at it and live with it every day and have expressed to us how much it will help with the healing process to have that house removed,” she said.Contractors estimated that it would take a few hours for the house to be razed and several more after that to clear the site of debris, Walker said, adding that weather also will be a factor.The site will be planted with grass at some point after the demolition, Walker said. She said there are no other plans for it as of now but the university may revisit that in the future.Some of the victims' families have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-idaho-four-killed-house-demolition-plans-7cc56c336de7df600a6c48f5a5666cf2">opposed the demolition</a>, calling for the house to be preserved until after the man accused of the slayings has been tried.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-idaho-students-killings-arrest-b3b1ffd8138827f0bdad16d20e17cf83">Bryan Kohberger</a>, a former criminology graduate student at Washington State University in neighboring Pullman, Washington, has been charged with four counts of murder.A judge entered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-students-moscow-idaho-stabbings-kohberger-trial-1a827523479835293356998b51a1d897">not-guilty plea</a>&nbsp;on Kohberger's behalf earlier this year.Prosecutors,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-kohberger-trial-dates-58258a8d58f1d30cd7e1afe31d07db3d">who hope to try Kohberger next summer</a>, told university officials in an email that they don't anticipate needing the house any further, as they were already able to gather measurements necessary for creating illustrative exhibits for a jury. They added that a jury visit to the site wouldn't be authorized given that the current condition of the house “is so substantially different” than at the time of the killings.The Latah County prosecuting attorney’s office declined to comment, citing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kohberger-gag-order-idaho-killings-first-amendment-13eb9c5a669323bb4a71eb27ee086554">gag order</a>&nbsp;from an Idaho judge that restricts what lawyers in the case can say to the news media.Kohberger’s defense team was given&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-students-killed-university-kohberger-home-demolish-2e55293f26f8ca7a6e4119cb61382576">access to the home earlier this month</a>&nbsp;to gather photos, measurements and other documentation. And in October, the FBI gathered at the house to collect data that could be used to create visual aids for jurors at the upcoming trial.Kernodle, Mogen and Goncalves lived together in the rental home just across the street from campus. Chapin — Kernodle’s boyfriend — was there visiting on the night of the attack. All of them were friends and members of the university's Greek system. The killings left many of their classmates and residents of Moscow reeling with grief and fear.

House where 4 University of Idaho students were killed is being demolished

On Wednesday, December 27, at approximately 10:47 p.m., the Chadron Police Department responded to a burglary alarm at a 301 East Third Street, Homer’s Eagles Roost.

Upon arrival, Officers located the glass of the front door to the business broken. The officers cleared the building, locating nobody inside the business at the time of their arrival.

Officer Cafferty and Officer Hanson took photographs and gathered evidence at the scene. In addition, they were provided with video surveillance and pictures of a male suspect, who is pictured below. The video showed the suspect fleeing east on East Third Street.

The investigation is ongoing. We would like to ask the public for assistance in identifying the suspect. If anyone has any information in reference to this crime, we would ask that you call the Chadron Communication Center at 308.432.0510 or email Officer Cafferty or Officer Hanson at scafferty@chadronpd.com or shanson@chadronpd.com.

By Chadron Police DepartmentOn Wednesday, December 27, at approximately 10:47 p.m., the Chadron Police Department responded to a burglary alarm at a 301 East Third Street, Homer’s Eagles Roost.Upon arrival, Officers located the glass of the front door to the business broken. The officers cleared the building, locating nobody inside the business at the time of their arrival.Officer Cafferty and Officer Hanson took photographs and gathered evidence at the scene. In addition, they were provided with video surveillance and pictures of a male suspect, who is pictured below. The video showed the suspect fleeing east on East Third Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703777609566.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation is ongoing. We would like to ask the public for assistance in identifying the suspect. If anyone has any information in reference to this crime, we would ask that you call the Chadron Communication Center at 308.432.0510 or email Officer Cafferty or Officer Hanson at scafferty@chadronpd.com or shanson@chadronpd.com.

Chadron police investigate recent burglary

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Republican Party on Wednesday appealed that state's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-d16dd8f354eeaf450558378c65fd79a2">supreme court decision</a>&nbsp;that found former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is ineligible for the presidency, the potential first step to a showdown at the nation's highest court over the meaning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-79373b5043976588b599fc00ede049e8">a 155-year-old constitutional provision</a>&nbsp;that bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection.”

The first impact of the appeal is to extend the stay of the 4-3 ruling from Colorado's highest court, which put its decision on pause until Jan. 4, the day before the state's primary ballots are due at the printer, or until an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is finished. Trump himself has said he still plans to appeal the ruling to the nation's highest court as well.

The U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was added after the Civil War to prevent former Confederates from returning to government. It says that anyone who swore an oath to “support” the constitution and then “engaged in insurrection” against it cannot hold government office.

The Colorado high court ruled that applies to Trump in the wake of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, intended to stop the certification of President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. It was the first time in history that the provision was used to block a presidential contender's campaign.

“The Colorado Supreme Court has removed the leading Republican candidate from the primary and general ballots, fundamentally changing the course of American democracy,” the party's attorneys wrote. The filing was posted on the website of a group run by Jay Sekulow, a former attorney for Trump representing the Colorado Republican Party who announced he was filing the appeal Wednesday. Colorado Republican Party chairman Dave Williams also said the appeal was filed Wednesday.

The attorneys added: “Unless the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision is overturned, any voter will have the power to sue to disqualify any political candidate, in Colorado or in any other jurisdiction that follows its lead. This will not only distort the 2024 presidential election but will also mire courts henceforth in political controversies over nebulous accusations of insurrection.”

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take the case, either after the Colorado GOP's appeal or Trump's own appeal. If Trump ends up off the ballot in Colorado, it would have minimal effect on his campaign because he doesn't need the state, which he lost by 13 percentage points in 2020, to win the Electoral College in the presidential election. But it could open the door to courts or election officials striking him from the ballot in other must-win states.

Sean Grimsley, an attorney for the plaintiffs seeking to disqualify Trump in Colorado, said on a legal podcast last week that he hopes the nation's highest court hurries once it accepts the case, as he expects it will. “We obviously are going to ask for an extremely accelerated timeline because of all the reasons I’ve stated, we have a primary coming up on Super Tuesday and we need to know the answer,” Grimsley said.

More than a dozen states, including Colorado, are scheduled to hold primaries March 5 — Super Tuesday.

To date, no other court has sided with those who have filed dozens of lawsuits to disqualify Trump under Section 3, nor has any election official been willing to remove him from the ballot unilaterally without a court order.

The Colorado case was considered the one with the greatest chance of success, however, because it was filed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-2024-election-ballot-9c5f79203109ba221b35a48e708ad725">a Washington D.C.-based liberal group</a>&nbsp;with ample legal resources. All seven of the Colorado high court justices were appointed by Democrats.

However, the unprecedented constitutional questions in the case haven't split on neatly partisan lines. Several prominent conservative legal theorists are among the most vocal advocates of disqualifying Trump under Section 3. They argue the plain meaning of the constitutional language bars him from running again, just as clearly as if he didn't meet the document's minimum age of 35 for the presidency.

The half-dozen plaintiffs in the Colorado case are all Republican or unaffiliated voters.

Trump has been scathing about the cases, calling them “election interference.” He continued that on Wednesday as he cheered a ruling earlier that day by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-ballot-michigan-colorado-b5a5d9ffa75efa63ab4780b04329e2a2">Michigan Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;leaving him on the ballot, at least for the primary, in that state.

“The Colorado people have embarrassed our nation with what they did," Trump said on Sean Hannity's radio show.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703040304815.png" alt="“The Colorado people have embarrassed our nation with what they did," Trump said on Sean Hannity's radio show-File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“The Colorado people have embarrassed our nation with what they did," Trump said on Sean Hannity's radio show-File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Republican Party on Wednesday appealed that state's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-d16dd8f354eeaf450558378c65fd79a2">supreme court decision</a>&nbsp;that found former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is ineligible for the presidency, the potential first step to a showdown at the nation's highest court over the meaning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-2024-colorado-79373b5043976588b599fc00ede049e8">a 155-year-old constitutional provision</a>&nbsp;that bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection.”The first impact of the appeal is to extend the stay of the 4-3 ruling from Colorado's highest court, which put its decision on pause until Jan. 4, the day before the state's primary ballots are due at the printer, or until an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is finished. Trump himself has said he still plans to appeal the ruling to the nation's highest court as well.The U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was added after the Civil War to prevent former Confederates from returning to government. It says that anyone who swore an oath to “support” the constitution and then “engaged in insurrection” against it cannot hold government office.The Colorado high court ruled that applies to Trump in the wake of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, intended to stop the certification of President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. It was the first time in history that the provision was used to block a presidential contender's campaign.“The Colorado Supreme Court has removed the leading Republican candidate from the primary and general ballots, fundamentally changing the course of American democracy,” the party's attorneys wrote. The filing was posted on the website of a group run by Jay Sekulow, a former attorney for Trump representing the Colorado Republican Party who announced he was filing the appeal Wednesday. Colorado Republican Party chairman Dave Williams also said the appeal was filed Wednesday.The attorneys added: “Unless the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision is overturned, any voter will have the power to sue to disqualify any political candidate, in Colorado or in any other jurisdiction that follows its lead. This will not only distort the 2024 presidential election but will also mire courts henceforth in political controversies over nebulous accusations of insurrection.”The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take the case, either after the Colorado GOP's appeal or Trump's own appeal. If Trump ends up off the ballot in Colorado, it would have minimal effect on his campaign because he doesn't need the state, which he lost by 13 percentage points in 2020, to win the Electoral College in the presidential election. But it could open the door to courts or election officials striking him from the ballot in other must-win states.Sean Grimsley, an attorney for the plaintiffs seeking to disqualify Trump in Colorado, said on a legal podcast last week that he hopes the nation's highest court hurries once it accepts the case, as he expects it will. “We obviously are going to ask for an extremely accelerated timeline because of all the reasons I’ve stated, we have a primary coming up on Super Tuesday and we need to know the answer,” Grimsley said.More than a dozen states, including Colorado, are scheduled to hold primaries March 5 — Super Tuesday.To date, no other court has sided with those who have filed dozens of lawsuits to disqualify Trump under Section 3, nor has any election official been willing to remove him from the ballot unilaterally without a court order.The Colorado case was considered the one with the greatest chance of success, however, because it was filed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-2024-election-ballot-9c5f79203109ba221b35a48e708ad725">a Washington D.C.-based liberal group</a>&nbsp;with ample legal resources. All seven of the Colorado high court justices were appointed by Democrats.However, the unprecedented constitutional questions in the case haven't split on neatly partisan lines. Several prominent conservative legal theorists are among the most vocal advocates of disqualifying Trump under Section 3. They argue the plain meaning of the constitutional language bars him from running again, just as clearly as if he didn't meet the document's minimum age of 35 for the presidency.The half-dozen plaintiffs in the Colorado case are all Republican or unaffiliated voters.Trump has been scathing about the cases, calling them “election interference.” He continued that on Wednesday as he cheered a ruling earlier that day by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-insurrection-14th-amendment-ballot-michigan-colorado-b5a5d9ffa75efa63ab4780b04329e2a2">Michigan Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;leaving him on the ballot, at least for the primary, in that state.“The Colorado people have embarrassed our nation with what they did," Trump said on Sean Hannity's radio show.

US Supreme Court asked to consider Trump's ballot ban in Colorado

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/26/appeals-court-reverses-fortenberrys-federal-conviction-based-on-trial-location/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Former Nebraska U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry is no longer a convicted felon. But he could face a second trial closer to home or nearer the seat of federal governance.&nbsp;

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Fortenberry’s conviction Tuesday for lying to or misleading FBI agents investigating foreign funds being funneled into congressional campaigns, including Fortenberry’s. Federal law prohibits raising or using foreign funds in congressional races to limit outside influence.&nbsp;

The appeals court, based in California, agreed with Fortenberry’s October appeal that federal prosecutors should have tried his case in one of two districts where his alleged offenses occurred instead of in Los Angeles, where the FBI agents were based and where the original fundraiser in question occurred.

In Fortenberry’s case, the court wrote, that should be in Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where FBI agents interviewed him.

The crux of his appeal was that he was not afforded a chance at a trial venue closer to where the alleged crimes occurred.&nbsp;

Federal prosecutors had argued that at least three circuit court decisions had concluded trials can have a proper venue where a crime was committed or where one was “directed.”&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2023/12/26/22-50144.pdf">The 9th Circuit judges wrote</a>&nbsp;that because the core of the alleged crime was the moment when Fortenberry allegedly lied or misled federal agents, it mattered little where the fundraising occurred or where the federal agents were based.&nbsp;

“The only connection between Fortenberry and the Central District of California, where he was tried and convicted, was that the agents worked in a Los Angeles office,” the appeals court wrote.

Fortenberry, in a statement, said his family was “gratified by the Ninth Circuit’s decision.”

“Celeste and I would like to thank everyone who has stood by us and supported us with their kindness and friendship,” he said, mentioning his wife.

California-based FBI agents in 2015 began looking into campaign donations by Lebanese billionaire Gilbert Chagoury. Former U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood were among the other officials whose campaign finances were probed. Terry has said he gave away a $5,200 donation he received after learning about the FBI investigation.

Court documents, testimony, and recordings indicate that Fortenberry denied knowing about the $30,000 in illegal contributions from Chagoury that his campaign collected during a 2016 fundraiser in Los Angeles.&nbsp;

During the trial, prosecutors played a June 2018 recording of Fortenberry speaking with the organizer of the L.A. fundraiser. On it, the organizer, a federal informant, told Fortenberry the $30,000 was likely illegal, that it had been delivered in a paper sack from an associate of Chagoury’s.

Fortenberry denied knowledge of any illegal contributions during an interview with the FBI at his home in March 2019. During a followup interview at his lawyer’s office later in 2019, he also denied any knowledge of the donations being illegal. His attorneys argued that he had misheard, forgot or had a bad connection during the call in which he was told the contributions were illegal.&nbsp;

Fortenberry had been a longtime supporter of the mission of Chagoury’s organization, In Defense of Christians, which works to protect Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East. Chagoury lives in France.&nbsp;

In March, a California jury convicted Fortenberry of three felonies: two counts of lying to or misleading federal investigators and one count of concealing an illegal campaign donation by failing to report the donation.

Prosecutors had sought a six-month prison sentence. The judge sentenced Fortenberry to two years’ probation, a $25,000 fine and 320 hours of community service. The congressman resigned from office in March 2022. After leaving Congress, he went to work in the private sector in Lincoln.

The ruling chided prosecutors for pursuing a trial in California when Fortenberry faced no federal charge alleged to have occurred in that state. It will be up to federal prosecutors whether to retry the case in a different venue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703773103780.jpeg" alt="U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, flanked by his wife and other family members, speaks to reporters after the guilty verdicts. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, flanked by his wife and other family members, speaks to reporters after the guilty verdicts. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/26/appeals-court-reverses-fortenberrys-federal-conviction-based-on-trial-location/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Former Nebraska U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry is no longer a convicted felon. But he could face a second trial closer to home or nearer the seat of federal governance.&nbsp;The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Fortenberry’s conviction Tuesday for lying to or misleading FBI agents investigating foreign funds being funneled into congressional campaigns, including Fortenberry’s. Federal law prohibits raising or using foreign funds in congressional races to limit outside influence.&nbsp;The appeals court, based in California, agreed with Fortenberry’s October appeal that federal prosecutors should have tried his case in one of two districts where his alleged offenses occurred instead of in Los Angeles, where the FBI agents were based and where the original fundraiser in question occurred.In Fortenberry’s case, the court wrote, that should be in Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where FBI agents interviewed him.<h2>Where crime was committed</h2>The crux of his appeal was that he was not afforded a chance at a trial venue closer to where the alleged crimes occurred.&nbsp;Federal prosecutors had argued that at least three circuit court decisions had concluded trials can have a proper venue where a crime was committed or where one was “directed.”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2023/12/26/22-50144.pdf">The 9th Circuit judges wrote</a>&nbsp;that because the core of the alleged crime was the moment when Fortenberry allegedly lied or misled federal agents, it mattered little where the fundraising occurred or where the federal agents were based.&nbsp;“The only connection between Fortenberry and the Central District of California, where he was tried and convicted, was that the agents worked in a Los Angeles office,” the appeals court wrote.Fortenberry, in a statement, said his family was “gratified by the Ninth Circuit’s decision.”“Celeste and I would like to thank everyone who has stood by us and supported us with their kindness and friendship,” he said, mentioning his wife.<h2>Foreign campaign funds</h2>California-based FBI agents in 2015 began looking into campaign donations by Lebanese billionaire Gilbert Chagoury. Former U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood were among the other officials whose campaign finances were probed. Terry has said he gave away a $5,200 donation he received after learning about the FBI investigation.Court documents, testimony, and recordings indicate that Fortenberry denied knowing about the $30,000 in illegal contributions from Chagoury that his campaign collected during a 2016 fundraiser in Los Angeles.&nbsp;During the trial, prosecutors played a June 2018 recording of Fortenberry speaking with the organizer of the L.A. fundraiser. On it, the organizer, a federal informant, told Fortenberry the $30,000 was likely illegal, that it had been delivered in a paper sack from an associate of Chagoury’s.Fortenberry denied knowledge of any illegal contributions during an interview with the FBI at his home in March 2019. During a followup interview at his lawyer’s office later in 2019, he also denied any knowledge of the donations being illegal. His attorneys argued that he had misheard, forgot or had a bad connection during the call in which he was told the contributions were illegal.&nbsp;Fortenberry had been a longtime supporter of the mission of Chagoury’s organization, In Defense of Christians, which works to protect Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East. Chagoury lives in France.&nbsp;<h2>Could lead to new trial</h2>In March, a California jury convicted Fortenberry of three felonies: two counts of lying to or misleading federal investigators and one count of concealing an illegal campaign donation by failing to report the donation.Prosecutors had sought a six-month prison sentence. The judge sentenced Fortenberry to two years’ probation, a $25,000 fine and 320 hours of community service. The congressman resigned from office in March 2022. After leaving Congress, he went to work in the private sector in Lincoln.The ruling chided prosecutors for pursuing a trial in California when Fortenberry faced no federal charge alleged to have occurred in that state. It will be up to federal prosecutors whether to retry the case in a different venue.“This outlandish outcome cannot be squared with the Constitution,” the court wrote. “The Venue and Vicinage Clauses command that a trial be held where the crime was committed.”In a statement from spokesman Thom Mrozek, federal prosecutors in Los Angeles said, “The ruling does not preclude a retrial on the charges that then-Congressman Fortenberry made multiple false statements to federal agents. We are evaluating potential next steps before deciding how best to move forward.”