LINCOLN, NEB. – In a letter to Homeland Security, Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) expressed grave concern over the recent decision to close international railway entry points in Texas. The organization says&nbsp;suspending operations at the crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas will likely lead to substantial economic harm.

“The recent decision by the Biden administration to shut down two railway entries at the U.S.-Mexico border is as asinine as it is economically harmful. The crisis at our nation’s Southern border and our nation’s broken immigration and guest worker systems are all in dire need of attention. However, the repurposing of a very small handful of U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees away from these vital rail entries won’t fix these problems,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB president.

NEFB says the value of Nebraska’s agricultural trade relationship with Mexico cannot be understated as Mexico remains our largest export partner. In 2021, Nebraska farmers exported 89 percent of the state’s corn exports or $590.4 million worth of corn into Mexico. Mexico also remains Nebraska’s largest soybean customer, importing over $280.6 million worth of soybeans and soybean products.

“What this move will do is block over 60 trains or 10,000 rail cars a day from carrying grain and other consumer goods into Mexico from the United States. What this move will do is disrupt supply chains and negatively impact both the U.S. and Mexican economies. The issues that exist at our southern border didn’t appear overnight, and it absolutely will not be fixed by adding a few employees who should remain at their posts at the Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas rail crossings,” said McHargue

In the letter, NEFB pointed out the closures come at a critical time for farmers and that the rail network connecting the U.S. and Mexico is vital to the economic success of both countries.

“The timing could not be worse in that many farmers sell and deliver grain from storage during the Jan-March timeframe when prices and local basis tend to strengthen post-harvest and into the earlier part of the marketing year, said McHargue.

NEFB’s letter calls for the return of employees and reopening of the Eagle Pass and El Paso rail crossings.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

Nebraska Farm BureauLINCOLN, NEB. – In a letter to Homeland Security, Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) expressed grave concern over the recent decision to close international railway entry points in Texas. The organization says&nbsp;suspending operations at the crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas will likely lead to substantial economic harm.“The recent decision by the Biden administration to shut down two railway entries at the U.S.-Mexico border is as asinine as it is economically harmful. The crisis at our nation’s Southern border and our nation’s broken immigration and guest worker systems are all in dire need of attention. However, the repurposing of a very small handful of U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees away from these vital rail entries won’t fix these problems,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB president.NEFB says the value of Nebraska’s agricultural trade relationship with Mexico cannot be understated as Mexico remains our largest export partner. In 2021, Nebraska farmers exported 89 percent of the state’s corn exports or $590.4 million worth of corn into Mexico. Mexico also remains Nebraska’s largest soybean customer, importing over $280.6 million worth of soybeans and soybean products.“What this move will do is block over 60 trains or 10,000 rail cars a day from carrying grain and other consumer goods into Mexico from the United States. What this move will do is disrupt supply chains and negatively impact both the U.S. and Mexican economies. The issues that exist at our southern border didn’t appear overnight, and it absolutely will not be fixed by adding a few employees who should remain at their posts at the Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas rail crossings,” said McHargueIn the letter, NEFB pointed out the closures come at a critical time for farmers and that the rail network connecting the U.S. and Mexico is vital to the economic success of both countries.“The timing could not be worse in that many farmers sell and deliver grain from storage during the Jan-March timeframe when prices and local basis tend to strengthen post-harvest and into the earlier part of the marketing year, said McHargue.NEFB’s letter calls for the return of employees and reopening of the Eagle Pass and El Paso rail crossings.The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

Nebraska Farm Bureau Calls for Ending of Border Rail Crossing Closures

On Sunday morning, December 17th, 2023, at approximately 3:15am, the Hastings Police Department and Hastings Fire and Rescue were called to 618 South Boston Avenue in reference to a house explosion. Through the investigation it was determined that the initial explosion, as well as the multiple secondary explosions, were likely due to explosive/destructive devices. 

The scene was secured and with the assistance of the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad, the debris of the home was thoroughly searched. The explosions caused the collapse of the residence, causing a majority of the first floor to fall into the basement of the home. Multiple homemade destructive devices were located within the debris and on the property. A deceased, unidentified person, was also located within the debris. An autopsy was conducted in Omaha, on the morning of December 18th and the identity was confirmed.

At this time, next of kin have been notified. The deceased person located within the home was the resident, 52-year-old, Jeffery Ponder. Two other occupants of the home were away at the time of the explosions.  Crews consisting of law enforcement and fire personnel worked diligently Sunday, to make the scene secure, identify evidence and remove destructive devices. 

Due to the extent of damage to the residence, the Hastings Street Department and Ben Engel Construction also assisted in removal of debris with heavy machinery so all areas could be safely searched. All destructive devices and explosive materials were disposed of safely at an alternative, undisclosed, location Sunday morning and afternoon.

This is an ongoing criminal investigation, but preliminarily it has been determined that Ponder was illegally constructing and storing his own destructive devices within his property at 618 S Boston Ave. At this time, there is no indication that Ponder had intentions to use these destructive devices as weapons against other persons or property and the explosion is believed to be accidental. Our thoughts are with all individuals affected by this tragic incident. 

Social Media is an excellent platform to be able to disseminate information quickly but can also be a place for very hurtful comments during difficult times. We ask everyone to please be respectful to the family and friends of Mr. Ponder as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Information will be updated as it becomes available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703004436998.jpeg" alt="House explosion at 618 South Boston Avenue/Photo provided by Hastings Police Department" />
 <figcaption>House explosion at 618 South Boston Avenue/Photo provided by Hastings Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>Hastings Police DepartmentOn Sunday morning, December 17th, 2023, at approximately 3:15am, the Hastings Police Department and Hastings Fire and Rescue were called to 618 South Boston Avenue in reference to a house explosion. Through the investigation it was determined that the initial explosion, as well as the multiple secondary explosions, were likely due to explosive/destructive devices. The scene was secured and with the assistance of the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad, the debris of the home was thoroughly searched. The explosions caused the collapse of the residence, causing a majority of the first floor to fall into the basement of the home. Multiple homemade destructive devices were located within the debris and on the property. A deceased, unidentified person, was also located within the debris. An autopsy was conducted in Omaha, on the morning of December 18th and the identity was confirmed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703004522078.jpeg" alt="Photo provided by Hastings PD" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by Hastings PD</figcaption>
 </figure>At this time, next of kin have been notified. The deceased person located within the home was the resident, 52-year-old, Jeffery Ponder. Two other occupants of the home were away at the time of the explosions. Crews consisting of law enforcement and fire personnel worked diligently Sunday, to make the scene secure, identify evidence and remove destructive devices. Due to the extent of damage to the residence, the Hastings Street Department and Ben Engel Construction also assisted in removal of debris with heavy machinery so all areas could be safely searched. All destructive devices and explosive materials were disposed of safely at an alternative, undisclosed, location Sunday morning and afternoon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703004584356.jpeg" alt="Photo provided by Hastings PD" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by Hastings PD</figcaption>
 </figure>This is an ongoing criminal investigation, but preliminarily it has been determined that Ponder was illegally constructing and storing his own destructive devices within his property at 618 S Boston Ave. At this time, there is no indication that Ponder had intentions to use these destructive devices as weapons against other persons or property and the explosion is believed to be accidental. Our thoughts are with all individuals affected by this tragic incident. Social Media is an excellent platform to be able to disseminate information quickly but can also be a place for very hurtful comments during difficult times. We ask everyone to please be respectful to the family and friends of Mr. Ponder as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Information will be updated as it becomes available.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHastingsPoliceDepartmentNebraska%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02pn3T8FEhoq7tHR1QNMtP2zEiBJEc8oN3coS9PWAo5S1KCkYxMvwimdKQZg7xAH4nl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="786" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

52-year-old identify in Sundays Hastings home explosion

(SUPERIOR, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— A suspect has been arrested for second degree murder following a shooting that occurred late Sunday evening in Superior.

The incident occurred shortly before midnight in Superior. The Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office and Superior Police Department responded to the report of a shooting at 1216 Idaho Street in Superior. Upon arrival, deputies located a victim inside the home with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Molly Gruber, 35, was transported to Brodstone Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Authorities also located the suspect, who had remained at the scene. He was taken into custody without incident. The Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol to investigate the shooting. There was a child in the residence at the time and was placed in protective custody.

The suspect has been identified as Sebastian Dunbar, 30. The two had been involved in a relationship. Following preliminary investigation, investigators have determined that the shooting occurred during a domestic dispute between Dunbar and Gruber.

Dunbar has been arrested for second degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and domestic violence. He has been lodged in Clay County Jail.

Cody Thomas(SUPERIOR, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— A suspect has been arrested for second degree murder following a shooting that occurred late Sunday evening in Superior.The incident occurred shortly before midnight in Superior. The Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office and Superior Police Department responded to the report of a shooting at 1216 Idaho Street in Superior. Upon arrival, deputies located a victim inside the home with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Molly Gruber, 35, was transported to Brodstone Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.Authorities also located the suspect, who had remained at the scene. He was taken into custody without incident. The Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol to investigate the shooting. There was a child in the residence at the time and was placed in protective custody.The suspect has been identified as Sebastian Dunbar, 30. The two had been involved in a relationship. Following preliminary investigation, investigators have determined that the shooting occurred during a domestic dispute between Dunbar and Gruber.Dunbar has been arrested for second degree murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and domestic violence. He has been lodged in Clay County Jail.The investigation remains ongoing.

Suspect, Victim Identified in Superior Homicide Investigation

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines will pay a $35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement to resolve a federal investigation into a debacle in December 2022 when the airline canceled thousands of flights and stranded more than 2 million travelers over the holidays.

Most of the settlement will go toward compensating future passengers, which the U.S. Department of Transportation considers an incentive for Southwest to avoid repeating last winter’s mess.

The government said the assessment was the largest it has ever imposed on an airline for violating consumer protection laws.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the settlement demonstrates his agency’s resolve to make airlines take care of their passengers.

Southwest said it was “grateful to have reached a consumer-friendly settlement” that gives the airline credit for compensation it already provided to customers. The airline said it has “learned from the event, and now can shift its entire focus to the future.”

The assessment stems from nearly 17,000 canceled flights a year ago, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-plants-dallas-district-of-columbia-business-d2034f41df7a4f78de02db8aa4ba11df" target="_blank">started as</a>&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-forecast-updates-d0808da42ce16e8a0ca4541b747572cb" target="_blank">winter storm</a>&nbsp;paralyzed Southwest operations in Denver and Chicago and then snowballed when a crew-rescheduling system couldn’t keep up with the chaos.

Even before the settlement, the nation’s fourth-biggest airline by revenue said the meltdown cost it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-c679b26a8efe039f1881a2edb6535d01" target="_blank">more than $1.1 billion</a>&nbsp;in refunds and reimbursements, extra costs and lost ticket sales over several months.

The government said in a consent decree dated Friday that Southwest “violated the law on numerous occasions,” including by failing to help customers who were stranded in airports and hotels, leaving many of them to scramble for other flights.

Many who called the airline’s overwhelmed customer service center got a busy signal or were stuck on hold for hours.

Southwest also did not keep customers updated about canceled and delayed flights, failing to fulfill a requirement that airlines notify the public within 30 minutes of a change. Some said they never got an email or text notice and couldn’t access Southwest’s website.

The government also charged Southwest did not provide refunds quickly enough. People who made a mistake entering details in refund requests to a special Southwest website were not told to fix the error; they simply didn’t get the money. Others didn’t receive immediate refunds for things like pet fees and boarding upgrades that went unused because of canceled flights, according to the department.

In the consent order, Dallas-based Southwest disputed many of the Transportation Department’s findings.

Southwest said that only a small percentage of refunds were issued late and that it never gave false promises about long wait times for reaching customer service during weather-related disruptions. Still, the company said it entered the agreement just to settle the matter.

Southwest said the 2022 storm that produced record cold temperatures, blizzards and power outages a few days before Christmas created “unanticipated operational challenges.” The airline said it quickly began reimbursing travelers for meals, hotels and alternative transportation and also distributed frequent flyer points.

Southwest has added trucks and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-cancellations-technology-weather-314069ab4bb9de5eb804c566927606ec" target="_blank">de-icing equipment</a>&nbsp;and will increase staff during extreme cold temperatures at key airports such as Denver, CEO Robert Jordan said.

Southwest had previously agreed to make more than $600 million in refunds and reimbursements. Still, the carrier disclosed in October that federal officials found its efforts fell short and the carrier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-december-cancellations-04b7dcd50716b5ce0cccfc32457160e0" target="_blank">could face a civil penalty</a>&nbsp;over its service to customers.

The settlement provides that in addition to the $35 million fine, Southwest will get $33 million in credit for compensation already handed out, mostly for giving 25,000 frequent flyer points each, worth about $300, to affected customers. The company promised to give out $90 million in vouchers to future travelers.

Starting next spring and running until April 2027, Southwest will provide a voucher of at least $75 to travelers who request them if they reach their destination at least three hours late because of a delay or flight cancellation caused by the airline.

The government values vouchers at 80% of their face value, so Southwest received credit for $72 million for the future vouchers, not the full $90 million to be distributed over three years. If Southwest pays out less than $30 million in any of those years, it will owe the government a penalty of 80% of any shortfall.

In exchange for Southwest agreeing to the fine and other measures, the government stopped short of deciding whether the airline advertised a flight schedule that it knew could not be kept. Buttigieg had raised that charge publicly.

The Transportation Department said it reviewed thousands of consumer complaints, visited Southwest facilities and met with senior company officials during the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672191058148.png" alt="Southwest Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights last December in the aftermath of the massive winter storm that wrecked Christmas travel plans across the U.S- photo courtesy KMGH" />
 <figcaption>Southwest Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights last December in the aftermath of the massive winter storm that wrecked Christmas travel plans across the U.S- photo courtesy KMGH</figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines will pay a $35 million fine as part of a $140 million settlement to resolve a federal investigation into a debacle in December 2022 when the airline canceled thousands of flights and stranded more than 2 million travelers over the holidays.Most of the settlement will go toward compensating future passengers, which the U.S. Department of Transportation considers an incentive for Southwest to avoid repeating last winter’s mess.The government said the assessment was the largest it has ever imposed on an airline for violating consumer protection laws.Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the settlement demonstrates his agency’s resolve to make airlines take care of their passengers.Southwest said it was “grateful to have reached a consumer-friendly settlement” that gives the airline credit for compensation it already provided to customers. The airline said it has “learned from the event, and now can shift its entire focus to the future.”The assessment stems from nearly 17,000 canceled flights a year ago, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-plants-dallas-district-of-columbia-business-d2034f41df7a4f78de02db8aa4ba11df" target="_blank">started as</a>&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-storm-forecast-updates-d0808da42ce16e8a0ca4541b747572cb" target="_blank">winter storm</a>&nbsp;paralyzed Southwest operations in Denver and Chicago and then snowballed when a crew-rescheduling system couldn’t keep up with the chaos.Even before the settlement, the nation’s fourth-biggest airline by revenue said the meltdown cost it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-c679b26a8efe039f1881a2edb6535d01" target="_blank">more than $1.1 billion</a>&nbsp;in refunds and reimbursements, extra costs and lost ticket sales over several months.The government said in a consent decree dated Friday that Southwest “violated the law on numerous occasions,” including by failing to help customers who were stranded in airports and hotels, leaving many of them to scramble for other flights.Many who called the airline’s overwhelmed customer service center got a busy signal or were stuck on hold for hours.Southwest also did not keep customers updated about canceled and delayed flights, failing to fulfill a requirement that airlines notify the public within 30 minutes of a change. Some said they never got an email or text notice and couldn’t access Southwest’s website.The government also charged Southwest did not provide refunds quickly enough. People who made a mistake entering details in refund requests to a special Southwest website were not told to fix the error; they simply didn’t get the money. Others didn’t receive immediate refunds for things like pet fees and boarding upgrades that went unused because of canceled flights, according to the department.In the consent order, Dallas-based Southwest disputed many of the Transportation Department’s findings.Southwest said that only a small percentage of refunds were issued late and that it never gave false promises about long wait times for reaching customer service during weather-related disruptions. Still, the company said it entered the agreement just to settle the matter.Southwest said the 2022 storm that produced record cold temperatures, blizzards and power outages a few days before Christmas created “unanticipated operational challenges.” The airline said it quickly began reimbursing travelers for meals, hotels and alternative transportation and also distributed frequent flyer points.Southwest has added trucks and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-cancellations-technology-weather-314069ab4bb9de5eb804c566927606ec" target="_blank">de-icing equipment</a>&nbsp;and will increase staff during extreme cold temperatures at key airports such as Denver, CEO Robert Jordan said.Southwest had previously agreed to make more than $600 million in refunds and reimbursements. Still, the carrier disclosed in October that federal officials found its efforts fell short and the carrier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/southwest-airlines-december-cancellations-04b7dcd50716b5ce0cccfc32457160e0" target="_blank">could face a civil penalty</a>&nbsp;over its service to customers.The settlement provides that in addition to the $35 million fine, Southwest will get $33 million in credit for compensation already handed out, mostly for giving 25,000 frequent flyer points each, worth about $300, to affected customers. The company promised to give out $90 million in vouchers to future travelers.Starting next spring and running until April 2027, Southwest will provide a voucher of at least $75 to travelers who request them if they reach their destination at least three hours late because of a delay or flight cancellation caused by the airline.The government values vouchers at 80% of their face value, so Southwest received credit for $72 million for the future vouchers, not the full $90 million to be distributed over three years. If Southwest pays out less than $30 million in any of those years, it will owe the government a penalty of 80% of any shortfall.In exchange for Southwest agreeing to the fine and other measures, the government stopped short of deciding whether the airline advertised a flight schedule that it knew could not be kept. Buttigieg had raised that charge publicly.The Transportation Department said it reviewed thousands of consumer complaints, visited Southwest facilities and met with senior company officials during the investigation.

$90M in vouchers for future travelers after holiday travel nightmare

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/Legal%20experts%20have%20called%20the%20measure%20a%20flagrant%20violation%20of%20the%20U.S.%20government's%20purview%20over%20immigration%20enforcement.">Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott</a>&nbsp;on Monday approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-migrants-arrest-explainer-306f644e8bb95333b078ed3923adacf0">sweeping new powers</a>&nbsp;that allow police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the U.S. border and give local judges authority to order them to leave the country, testing the limits of how far a state can go to enforce immigration laws.

Opponents have called the measure the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since a 2010 Arizona law — denounced by critics as the “Show Me Your Papers” bill — that was largely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/57fd255191214d54b420a39a96b82451">struck down</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Supreme Court. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and Texas’ law is also likely to face swift legal challenges.

The law, which takes effect in March, allows any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest people who are suspected of entering the country illegally. Once in custody, they could either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. Migrants who don’t leave could face arrest again under more serious felony charges.

Abbott, who signed the law in front of a section of border fence in Brownsville, predicted the number of people crossing illegally into Texas would drop by “well over 50%, maybe 75%." He did not offer evidence for that estimate.

“The consequences of it are so extreme that the people being smuggled by the cartels, they will not want to be coming into the state of Texas," he said.

The law adds another tension point over immigration amid a struggle between the White House and Senate negotiators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-security-ukraine-congress-senate-biden-cb8d4e3ad8271323cfd9294b527d6615">to reach a deal on border security</a>. Republicans in Congress are demanding changes to the immigration system in exchange for any help for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs.

Texas Republicans have increasingly challenged the U.S. government’s authority over immigration, saying President Joe Biden's administration isn’t doing enough to control the 1,950-mile (3,149-kilometer) southern border. Texas has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/migrants-los-angeles-california-texas-immigration-abbott-3fdb47985b34cd8301b61251b590778c">bused more than 65,000 migrants</a>&nbsp;to cities across America since August 2022 and recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-border-wire-522e993680a4d729e538a53a788ec185">installed razor wire</a>&nbsp;along the banks of the Rio Grande, which has snagged and injured some asylum-seekers.

The U.S. government on Monday temporarily shut down two railroad border crossings in Texas, a move that rail operators said would hamper trade ahead of Christmas. Troy Miller, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s acting commissioner, said the closures at Eagle Pass and El Paso were a response to more migrants traveling on freight trains, particularly over the last week.

Miller said authorities are seeing “unprecedented” arrivals at the border, topping 10,000 crossings on some days this month.

Shortly after Abbott signed the new law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said it would challenge the measure in court. More than 20 congressional Democrats also signed a letter urging the U.S. Justice Department to sue to stop the law, known as Senate Bill 4.

“SB 4 is dangerous for the people of Texas and interferes with the federal government’s exclusive authority over immigration and foreign affairs," the letter read.

Mexico’s government also has rebuked the measure. Under bilateral and international agreements, Mexico is required to accept deportations of its own citizens, but not those of other countries. Under the Texas law, migrants ordered to leave would be sent to ports of entry along the border with Mexico, even if they are not Mexican citizens. In September and October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-arrests-venezuela-mexico-a89f66759ac97c7ec62e4559af4e48a3">Venezuelans were the largest nationality</a>&nbsp;arrested for illegally crossing the U.S. border.

During debate in the Texas House in November, GOP state Rep. David Spiller pushed back against concerns that the law would be used as a dragnet to arrest immigrants statewide. He said enforcement would mostly take place in border counties. But he also rebuffed several efforts by Democrats to narrow the law, including a proposed carve-out for police on college campuses.

Because the illegal entry charge is a misdemeanor, which has a statue of limitation of two years, Spiller has said the law will not be used to target immigrants who have long been settled in the U.S.

“This is not, ‘Round up everyone who is here illegally and ship them back to Mexico,’” he said during debate over the bill.

Opponents have accused Texas Republicans of using the law as a vehicle to force the Supreme Court’s new conservative majority to revisit its landmark 2012 Arizona decision. At the time, Justice Anthony Kennedy said Arizona may have “understandable frustrations” with immigrants who are in the country illegally but that it can’t pursue policies that “undermine federal law.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702952665492.png" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott signed three bills into law at a border wall construction site in Brownsville, Texas on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, that will broaden his border security plans and add funding for more infrastructure to deter illegal immigration. (AP Photo/Valerie Gonzalez)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Greg Abbott signed three bills into law at a border wall construction site in Brownsville, Texas on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, that will broaden his border security plans and add funding for more infrastructure to deter illegal immigration. (AP Photo/Valerie Gonzalez)</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/Legal%20experts%20have%20called%20the%20measure%20a%20flagrant%20violation%20of%20the%20U.S.%20government's%20purview%20over%20immigration%20enforcement.">Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott</a>&nbsp;on Monday approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-migrants-arrest-explainer-306f644e8bb95333b078ed3923adacf0">sweeping new powers</a>&nbsp;that allow police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the U.S. border and give local judges authority to order them to leave the country, testing the limits of how far a state can go to enforce immigration laws.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTexasGovernor%2Fvideos%2F1979749065731909%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=40" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Opponents have called the measure the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since a 2010 Arizona law — denounced by critics as the “Show Me Your Papers” bill — that was largely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/57fd255191214d54b420a39a96b82451">struck down</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Supreme Court. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and Texas’ law is also likely to face swift legal challenges.The law, which takes effect in March, allows any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest people who are suspected of entering the country illegally. Once in custody, they could either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. Migrants who don’t leave could face arrest again under more serious felony charges.Abbott, who signed the law in front of a section of border fence in Brownsville, predicted the number of people crossing illegally into Texas would drop by “well over 50%, maybe 75%." He did not offer evidence for that estimate.“The consequences of it are so extreme that the people being smuggled by the cartels, they will not want to be coming into the state of Texas," he said.The law adds another tension point over immigration amid a struggle between the White House and Senate negotiators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-security-ukraine-congress-senate-biden-cb8d4e3ad8271323cfd9294b527d6615">to reach a deal on border security</a>. Republicans in Congress are demanding changes to the immigration system in exchange for any help for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs.Texas Republicans have increasingly challenged the U.S. government’s authority over immigration, saying President Joe Biden's administration isn’t doing enough to control the 1,950-mile (3,149-kilometer) southern border. Texas has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/migrants-los-angeles-california-texas-immigration-abbott-3fdb47985b34cd8301b61251b590778c">bused more than 65,000 migrants</a>&nbsp;to cities across America since August 2022 and recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-border-wire-522e993680a4d729e538a53a788ec185">installed razor wire</a>&nbsp;along the banks of the Rio Grande, which has snagged and injured some asylum-seekers.The U.S. government on Monday temporarily shut down two railroad border crossings in Texas, a move that rail operators said would hamper trade ahead of Christmas. Troy Miller, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s acting commissioner, said the closures at Eagle Pass and El Paso were a response to more migrants traveling on freight trains, particularly over the last week.Miller said authorities are seeing “unprecedented” arrivals at the border, topping 10,000 crossings on some days this month.Shortly after Abbott signed the new law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said it would challenge the measure in court. More than 20 congressional Democrats also signed a letter urging the U.S. Justice Department to sue to stop the law, known as Senate Bill 4.“SB 4 is dangerous for the people of Texas and interferes with the federal government’s exclusive authority over immigration and foreign affairs," the letter read.Mexico’s government also has rebuked the measure. Under bilateral and international agreements, Mexico is required to accept deportations of its own citizens, but not those of other countries. Under the Texas law, migrants ordered to leave would be sent to ports of entry along the border with Mexico, even if they are not Mexican citizens. In September and October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-arrests-venezuela-mexico-a89f66759ac97c7ec62e4559af4e48a3">Venezuelans were the largest nationality</a>&nbsp;arrested for illegally crossing the U.S. border.During debate in the Texas House in November, GOP state Rep. David Spiller pushed back against concerns that the law would be used as a dragnet to arrest immigrants statewide. He said enforcement would mostly take place in border counties. But he also rebuffed several efforts by Democrats to narrow the law, including a proposed carve-out for police on college campuses.Because the illegal entry charge is a misdemeanor, which has a statue of limitation of two years, Spiller has said the law will not be used to target immigrants who have long been settled in the U.S.“This is not, ‘Round up everyone who is here illegally and ship them back to Mexico,’” he said during debate over the bill.Opponents have accused Texas Republicans of using the law as a vehicle to force the Supreme Court’s new conservative majority to revisit its landmark 2012 Arizona decision. At the time, Justice Anthony Kennedy said Arizona may have “understandable frustrations” with immigrants who are in the country illegally but that it can’t pursue policies that “undermine federal law.”___

Immigration showdown: New Texas law lets police arrest illegals

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The U.S. and a host of other nations are creating a new force to protect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-ship-attacks-bp-yemen-houthis-dcece18717aa59648ff9a6b04fbc798c">ships transiting the Red Sea</a>&nbsp;that have come under attack by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-ship-attack-israel-hamas-69289146266b9042b5896aa4679605ef">drones and ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Tuesday in Bahrain.

The seriousness of the attacks, several of which have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-ship-attacks-us-navy-1727df3d95e548c6e4d20b51f096268f">damaged vessels,</a>&nbsp;has led multiple shipping companies to order their ships to hold in place and not enter the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the security situation can be addressed.

The U.S. military's Central Command reported two more of the attacks on commercial vessels Monday. A strike by an attack drone and a ballistic missile hit a tanker off Yemen, at roughly the same time a cargo ship reported an explosive detonating in the water near them, the military said.

“This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement released just after midnight in Bahrain. “Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative.”

There are about 400 commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, an area roughly the size of Washington D.C. to Boston, at any given time, a senior military official told reporters who are traveling with Austin in the region.

Under the new mission, the military ships will not necessarily escort a specific vessel, but will be positioned to provide umbrella protection to as many as possible at a given time, the official said on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details not made public on how the new operation will work.

Mohammed Abdel-Salam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator and spokesman, on Tuesday, challenged the U.S.-created coalition, saying the Iranian-backed rebels would continue targeting Israel-linked vessels off Yemen.

“The American-formed coalition is to protect Israel and militarize the sea without any justification, and will not stop Yemen from continuing its legitimate operations in support of Gaza,” he wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

He said the Houthis’ attacks “are not a show of force nor a challenge to anyone,” adding, “Whoever seeks to expand the conflict must bear the consequences of his actions.”

On Tuesday the shipping company Maersk announced that for now, it had decided to re-route its ships that have been paused for days outside the strait and Red Sea, and send them around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope instead — a much longer and less efficient passage. Maersk said it welcomed the international security effort, but at the present time, the much longer route would provide "more predictable outcomes” for its customers.

In the last four weeks,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-15d10ed74c7f3cc7fd36fa0f77f73e54">Houthi militants</a>&nbsp;have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times and still hold 25 members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthi-rebels-hijacked-ship-red-sea-dc9b6448690bcf5c70a0baf7c7c34b09">MV Galaxy Leader hostage in Yemen,</a>&nbsp;Austin said in remarks Tuesday in a ministerial meeting on the new maritime mission. The U.S. is still actively seeking member countries to join the mission, and increase the number of navies present and participating.

The United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain have joined the new maritime security mission, Austin said. Some of those countries will conduct joint patrols while others provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

One notably absent participant is China, which has warships in the region, but those ships have not responded to previous calls for assistance by commercial vessels, even though some of the ships attacked have had ties to Hong Kong, the military official said.

Several other countries have also agreed to be involved in the operation but prefer not to be publicly named, a defense official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss additional details of the new mission that have not been publicly announced.

The new maritime security mission will be coordinated by the already existing Combined Task Force 153, which was set up in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. While the task force has primarily provided a headquarters structure to date, the goal of the new mission is to provide ships and other assets to carry out the protection. There have been 39 member nations in CTF 153, but officials were working to determine which of them would participate in this latest effort.

Separately, the United States has also called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the attacks.

In a letter to council members obtained Monday by The Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels legally transiting the international waterways continue to threaten “navigational rights and freedoms, international maritime security, and international commerce.”

The 15 council members discussed the Houthi threat behind closed doors Monday but took no immediate action.

Two U.S. warships — the USS Carney and the USS Mason, Navy destroyers — are currently moving through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to help deter and respond to attacks from the Houthis.

The move to set up the expanded operation came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-houthi-yemen-ships-attack-israel-hamas-war-gaza-strip-716770f0a780160e9abed98d3c48fbde">three commercial vessels were struck by missiles</a>&nbsp;fired by Iranian-back Houthis in Yemen on Dec. 3. Those attacks were part of an escalating campaign of violence that also included armed and other drones launched in the direction of U.S. warships.

To date, the U.S. has not struck back at the Iranian-back Houthis operating in Yemen or targeted any of the militants’ weapons or other sites. On Monday Austin did not answer a question as to why the Pentagon had not conducted a counterstrike.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702947351254.png" alt="Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III greets Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dec. 18, 2023. Austin traveled to Israel to meet with counterparts and underscore unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad McNeeley, DOD" />
 <figcaption>Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III greets Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dec. 18, 2023. Austin traveled to Israel to meet with counterparts and underscore unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad McNeeley, DOD</figcaption>
 </figure>MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The U.S. and a host of other nations are creating a new force to protect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-ship-attacks-bp-yemen-houthis-dcece18717aa59648ff9a6b04fbc798c">ships transiting the Red Sea</a>&nbsp;that have come under attack by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-ship-attack-israel-hamas-69289146266b9042b5896aa4679605ef">drones and ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Tuesday in Bahrain.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>The seriousness of the attacks, several of which have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-ship-attacks-us-navy-1727df3d95e548c6e4d20b51f096268f">damaged vessels,</a>&nbsp;has led multiple shipping companies to order their ships to hold in place and not enter the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the security situation can be addressed.The U.S. military's Central Command reported two more of the attacks on commercial vessels Monday. A strike by an attack drone and a ballistic missile hit a tanker off Yemen, at roughly the same time a cargo ship reported an explosive detonating in the water near them, the military said.“This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement released just after midnight in Bahrain. “Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative.”There are about 400 commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, an area roughly the size of Washington D.C. to Boston, at any given time, a senior military official told reporters who are traveling with Austin in the region.Under the new mission, the military ships will not necessarily escort a specific vessel, but will be positioned to provide umbrella protection to as many as possible at a given time, the official said on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details not made public on how the new operation will work.Mohammed Abdel-Salam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator and spokesman, on Tuesday, challenged the U.S.-created coalition, saying the Iranian-backed rebels would continue targeting Israel-linked vessels off Yemen.“The American-formed coalition is to protect Israel and militarize the sea without any justification, and will not stop Yemen from continuing its legitimate operations in support of Gaza,” he wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.He said the Houthis’ attacks “are not a show of force nor a challenge to anyone,” adding, “Whoever seeks to expand the conflict must bear the consequences of his actions.”On Tuesday the shipping company Maersk announced that for now, it had decided to re-route its ships that have been paused for days outside the strait and Red Sea, and send them around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope instead — a much longer and less efficient passage. Maersk said it welcomed the international security effort, but at the present time, the much longer route would provide "more predictable outcomes” for its customers.In the last four weeks,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-15d10ed74c7f3cc7fd36fa0f77f73e54">Houthi militants</a>&nbsp;have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times and still hold 25 members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthi-rebels-hijacked-ship-red-sea-dc9b6448690bcf5c70a0baf7c7c34b09">MV Galaxy Leader hostage in Yemen,</a>&nbsp;Austin said in remarks Tuesday in a ministerial meeting on the new maritime mission. The U.S. is still actively seeking member countries to join the mission, and increase the number of navies present and participating.The United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain have joined the new maritime security mission, Austin said. Some of those countries will conduct joint patrols while others provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.One notably absent participant is China, which has warships in the region, but those ships have not responded to previous calls for assistance by commercial vessels, even though some of the ships attacked have had ties to Hong Kong, the military official said.Several other countries have also agreed to be involved in the operation but prefer not to be publicly named, a defense official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss additional details of the new mission that have not been publicly announced.The new maritime security mission will be coordinated by the already existing Combined Task Force 153, which was set up in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. While the task force has primarily provided a headquarters structure to date, the goal of the new mission is to provide ships and other assets to carry out the protection. There have been 39 member nations in CTF 153, but officials were working to determine which of them would participate in this latest effort.Separately, the United States has also called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the attacks.In a letter to council members obtained Monday by The Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels legally transiting the international waterways continue to threaten “navigational rights and freedoms, international maritime security, and international commerce.”The 15 council members discussed the Houthi threat behind closed doors Monday but took no immediate action.Two U.S. warships — the USS Carney and the USS Mason, Navy destroyers — are currently moving through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to help deter and respond to attacks from the Houthis.The move to set up the expanded operation came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-houthi-yemen-ships-attack-israel-hamas-war-gaza-strip-716770f0a780160e9abed98d3c48fbde">three commercial vessels were struck by missiles</a>&nbsp;fired by Iranian-back Houthis in Yemen on Dec. 3. Those attacks were part of an escalating campaign of violence that also included armed and other drones launched in the direction of U.S. warships.To date, the U.S. has not struck back at the Iranian-back Houthis operating in Yemen or targeted any of the militants’ weapons or other sites. On Monday Austin did not answer a question as to why the Pentagon had not conducted a counterstrike.___

Operation Prosperity Guardian: US will focus on attacks in the Red Sea

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conservatives-synod-lgbtq-5c6e33d4d45aea1b0b5553d3acc799e1">sent to two conservative cardinals</a>&nbsp;that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.

The new document repeats that condition and elaborates on it, reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman. And it stresses that blessings in question must be non-liturgical in nature and should not be conferred at the same time as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-endorse-same-sex-civil-unions-eb3509b30ebac35e91aa7cbda2013de2">a civil union</a>, using set rituals or even with the clothing and gestures that belong in a wedding.

But it says requests for such blessings for same-sex couples should not be denied full stop. It offers an extensive and broad definition of the term “blessing” in Scripture to insist that people seeking a transcendent relationship with God and looking for his love and mercy should not be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” as a precondition for receiving it.

“Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the document said. “The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live.”

He added: "It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.”

The document marks the latest gesture of outreach from a pope who has made welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics a hallmark of his papacy. From his 2013 quip, “Who am I to judge?” about a purportedly gay priest, to his 2023 comment to The Associated Press that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212">“Being homosexual is not a crime,”</a>&nbsp;Francis has distinguished himself from all his predecessors with his message of welcome.

“The significance of this news cannot be overstated,” said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which supports LGBTQ+ Catholics. “It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be subjected to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive God’s love and mercy is an even more significant step.”

The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed same-sex marriage.

And in 2021, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said flat-out that the church couldn’t bless the unions of two men or two women because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-decree-same-sex-unions-cannot-bless-sin-077944750c975313ad253328e4cf7443">“God cannot bless sin.”</a>

That document created an outcry, one it appeared even Francis was blindsided by even though he had technically approved its publication. Soon after it was published, he removed the official responsible for it and set about laying the groundwork for a reversal.

In the new document, the Vatican said the church must shy away from “doctrinal or disciplinary schemes, especially when they lead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism whereby instead of evangelizing, one analyzes and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying."

It stressed that people in “irregular” unions of extramarital sex — gay or straight — are in a state of sin. But it said that shouldn’t deprive them of God’s love or mercy. “Even when a person’s relationship with God is clouded by sin, he can always ask for a blessing, stretching out his hand to God,” the document said.

Offering such a blessing isn't legitimizing anything. But at the same time, the church shouldn't judge, he said.

“Thus, when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it,” the document said.

The Rev. James Martin, who advocates for a greater welcome for LGBTQ+ Catholics, praised the new document as a “huge step forward” and a “dramatic shift” from the Vatican's 2021 policy.

The new document “recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence and help in their committed relationships,” he said in an email. "Along with many Catholic priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex marriages.”

Traditionalists, however, were outraged. The traditionalist blogger Luigi Casalini of Messa in Latino (Latin Mass) blog wrote that the document appeared to be a form of heresy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603292366279.png" alt="File photo Pope Francis photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Pope Francis photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conservatives-synod-lgbtq-5c6e33d4d45aea1b0b5553d3acc799e1">sent to two conservative cardinals</a>&nbsp;that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.The new document repeats that condition and elaborates on it, reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman. And it stresses that blessings in question must be non-liturgical in nature and should not be conferred at the same time as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-endorse-same-sex-civil-unions-eb3509b30ebac35e91aa7cbda2013de2">a civil union</a>, using set rituals or even with the clothing and gestures that belong in a wedding.But it says requests for such blessings for same-sex couples should not be denied full stop. It offers an extensive and broad definition of the term “blessing” in Scripture to insist that people seeking a transcendent relationship with God and looking for his love and mercy should not be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” as a precondition for receiving it.“Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the document said. “The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live.”He added: "It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.”The document marks the latest gesture of outreach from a pope who has made welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics a hallmark of his papacy. From his 2013 quip, “Who am I to judge?” about a purportedly gay priest, to his 2023 comment to The Associated Press that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212">“Being homosexual is not a crime,”</a>&nbsp;Francis has distinguished himself from all his predecessors with his message of welcome.“The significance of this news cannot be overstated,” said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which supports LGBTQ+ Catholics. “It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be subjected to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive God’s love and mercy is an even more significant step.”The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed same-sex marriage.And in 2021, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said flat-out that the church couldn’t bless the unions of two men or two women because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-decree-same-sex-unions-cannot-bless-sin-077944750c975313ad253328e4cf7443">“God cannot bless sin.”</a>That document created an outcry, one it appeared even Francis was blindsided by even though he had technically approved its publication. Soon after it was published, he removed the official responsible for it and set about laying the groundwork for a reversal.In the new document, the Vatican said the church must shy away from “doctrinal or disciplinary schemes, especially when they lead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism whereby instead of evangelizing, one analyzes and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying."It stressed that people in “irregular” unions of extramarital sex — gay or straight — are in a state of sin. But it said that shouldn’t deprive them of God’s love or mercy. “Even when a person’s relationship with God is clouded by sin, he can always ask for a blessing, stretching out his hand to God,” the document said.Offering such a blessing isn't legitimizing anything. But at the same time, the church shouldn't judge, he said.“Thus, when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it,” the document said.The Rev. James Martin, who advocates for a greater welcome for LGBTQ+ Catholics, praised the new document as a “huge step forward” and a “dramatic shift” from the Vatican's 2021 policy.The new document “recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence and help in their committed relationships,” he said in an email. "Along with many Catholic priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex marriages.”Traditionalists, however, were outraged. The traditionalist blogger Luigi Casalini of Messa in Latino (Latin Mass) blog wrote that the document appeared to be a form of heresy.

Pope issues controversial new document on same-sex unions

DECEMBER 18, 2023 (SUPERIOR, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office and Superior Police Department, have arrested one person following a fatal shooting that occurred late Sunday in Superior.

At approximately 11:55 p.m. Sunday, the Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol in responding to a reported shooting in Superior. The incident occurred in the 1200 block of Idaho Street.

Upon arrival, sheriff’s deputies and Superior police officers located an adult female inside the residence with an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to Brodstone Hospital in Superior where she was pronounced deceased. The suspect remained at the scene and was taken into custody.

Following preliminary investigation, investigators have determined that the shooting occurred during a domestic dispute between the two parties. There was a child in the residence at the time. The child has been placed in protective custody.

Names of those involved are being withheld at this time pending notification of the victim’s family. Additional information will be released once family notification is complete. The investigation remains ongoing.

Cody ThomasDECEMBER 18, 2023 (SUPERIOR, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office and Superior Police Department, have arrested one person following a fatal shooting that occurred late Sunday in Superior.At approximately 11:55 p.m. Sunday, the Nuckolls County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol in responding to a reported shooting in Superior. The incident occurred in the 1200 block of Idaho Street.Upon arrival, sheriff’s deputies and Superior police officers located an adult female inside the residence with an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to Brodstone Hospital in Superior where she was pronounced deceased. The suspect remained at the scene and was taken into custody.Following preliminary investigation, investigators have determined that the shooting occurred during a domestic dispute between the two parties. There was a child in the residence at the time. The child has been placed in protective custody.Names of those involved are being withheld at this time pending notification of the victim’s family. Additional information will be released once family notification is complete. The investigation remains ongoing.

One in Custody as NSP Investigates Homicide in Superior

KEARNEY – Patricia Hoehner’s impact on education extends across the state, from K-12 schools to colleges and universities.

She’s mentored and inspired countless students, teachers, administrators and colleagues during her career.

On Friday, the University of Nebraska at Kearney recognized Hoehner for her decades of dedication to the education field. She received the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award during UNK’s winter commencement ceremony.

The university’s most prestigious faculty honor, the award is presented each year to an individual who demonstrates excellence in teaching, research and service. It’s named after UNK alumnus Leland Holdt and comes with a $5,000 stipend.

Hoehner received a remarkable 13 letters of support, an indication of the many lives she’s influenced.

“Pat has truly dedicated her life’s work to impacting education. Students across Nebraska will continue to benefit from the influence she has had on administrators of public schools for many years to come,” stated Scott Unruh, a professor of athletic training and assistant dean in the UNK College of Education.

Born and raised on a wheat farm in Kansas, Hoehner attended high school in McCook before enrolling at UNK. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education, master’s degree in educational administration and education specialist degree from UNK, along with a Doctor of Education in administration, curriculum and instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Hoehner taught in Overton and Bertrand, then moved to McCook, where she developed a public school program for gifted learners. She also worked as a school administrator.

A faculty member since 1998, Hoehner was the first full-time professor in educational administration at UNK and later served as the first female chair of the department, a position she held for five years.

“When Dr. Hoehner arrived on campus, she became a windshield warrior. EDAD faculty were driving miles to teach their students,” Martonia Gaskill, an associate professor of teacher education, noted. “While she was the department chair, there was a move toward online classes, and she took the lead by attending workshops and seminars to ensure the quality of teaching was not going to diminish by moving from face-to-face classes to the online format.”

Thanks to her vision and guidance, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/edad/index.php">educational administration program</a>&nbsp;continues to grow.

More than 80 current Nebraska school superintendents and 200-plus principals have an educational administration degree from UNK, along with numerous special education directors. The program has its highest-ever enrollment this semester, with 145 people pursuing degrees or endorsements to serve in these positions.

“In the world of education, we encounter many individuals along the way who make a difference in our lives. Dr. Hoehner is one with whom I have the deepest gratitude and immense respect for the impact she has had on both my personal and professional lives,” wrote Stephanie Kaczor, superintendent at Riverside Public Schools. “Her dedication to teaching and her passion for lifelong learning have had a profound influence on my academic journey and shaped my future in ways I could not have imagined.”

Kaczor called Hoehner a role model for women in education who challenged her students to go above and beyond while providing continuous support both inside and outside the classroom.

“In the years following my time at UNK, her encouragement and guidance continued to inspire me to delve deeper into education, and her constructive feedback and advice motivated me to strive for excellence,” she wrote. “Her unwavering support has empowered me to overcome challenges and pursue academic and professional opportunities that at times I thought would be out of my reach.”

Mitch Kubicek, director of learning at Milford Public Schools, echoed those thoughts. He described Hoehner as a responsible, energetic and good-humored teacher who is passionate about education and the development of educational leaders.

“Dr. Hoehner is an outstanding educator in all respects. She possesses a strong background in content and experience in education, consistently demonstrates effective pedagogical skills, and has shown a commitment to supporting and advocating for her students and for the educational community. She is someone who I can contact to discuss a difficult issue, and she always provides sound advice and consistently offers guidance and support. I am fortunate to have been able to get to know her,” he stated.

A former president of the Nebraska Association of School Administrators, Hoehner also advances education through her service. She’s a member of the Nebraska Department of Education State Accreditation Committee and UNK Faculty Senate and has served on the UNK Alumni Association Board of Directors and numerous campus committees.

Her research has contributed to several textbooks and other publications, and she’s presented at state, national and international conferences as a recognized expert on education-related topics.

“Dr. Hoehner is an active participant in a number of the activities serving on state committees and leading conferences. She is always ready to help and represent central Nebraska. She helps ensure that topics at the state meetings and conferences focus on current research, bringing the best scholarship to the table or to the conferences. Her service to the profession is worthy of mention because she is good at it and takes it seriously. She is a leader in central Nebraska for both students and teachers. She carries the banner of the university and the banner of a model for service to the profession and to the university community,” stated Doug Christensen, the former state education commissioner and a professor emeritus at Doane University.

In addition to the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award, Hoehner has received the UNK Leadership in Education and Service Award, College of Education Outstanding Service Award, Nebraska Association for the Gifted Extra Mile Award and Fischer Family Hall of Fame Award recognizing outstanding contributions to Nebraska high school sports.

Hoehner and her family are longtime supporters of UNK athletic and academic programs, including a gift that allowed the College of Education to renovate and upgrade a frequently used conference room. That space is now known as the Hoehner Family Conference Room.

All told, members of the Hoehner family have received nearly 30 degrees from UNK.

“Dr. Hoehner bleeds blue and is a true supporter of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She exemplifies UNK in every sense,” according to her colleagues Gaskill and Unruh.

“The impact she’s had on the scholastic landscape is indescribable and may never be measured,” Unruh added.

Here’s what others had to say about professor Patricia Hoehner:

“During the time I have known Dr. Hoehner, it has become obvious to me that she is a person of integrity. She works diligently to build relationships with those who surround her. She conscientiously states her opinion in a diplomatic manner while still being very straightforward. Additionally, she communicates high expectations for all and models what commitment to any process entails. In short, Dr. Hoehner is competent, articulate, genuine and people-centered. I consider her both a valued mentor and a friend.” –&nbsp;Jan Hoegh, educational author and consultant for Marzano Resources-Solution Tree and Leading, Aspiring, and Achieving, LLC

“During my time with UNK, I had the privilege of working with many wonderful, intelligent, creative people. In every category that I can think of, Dr. Patricia is at the top of every list. She is very deserving of the very prestigious and coveted Leland Holdt Award. I know there will be some wonderful and deserving faculty who should qualify for the Leland Holdt Award, too. There are none this year, however, who are as deserving as our Dr. Patricia Hoehner.”&nbsp;– Scott Fredrickson, UNK professor emeritus

“Dr. Hoehner’s unwavering commitment to the intellectual and personal development of her students is second to none. I have several advanced degrees, and I can honestly say the courses I have taken from Dr. Hoehner have been the most memorable and impactful. Importantly, I am not alone when it comes to this sentiment. Her stimulating and inclusive teaching methods are not only innovative, but also deeply rooted in pedagogical theory, ensuring that her students receive a comprehensive and stimulating education. Dr. Hoehner is not just a teacher; she is a mentor who invests considerable time and effort in nurturing the potential of her students. Her passion for education is infectious, inspiring both her colleagues and students alike.”&nbsp;– Kraig Lofquist, executive director, ESU Coordinating Council

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702920799330.jpeg" alt="UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen presents the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award to professor Patricia Hoehner during Friday’s winter commencement ceremony at the Health and Sports Center on campus. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)" />
 <figcaption>UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen presents the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award to professor Patricia Hoehner during Friday’s winter commencement ceremony at the Health and Sports Center on campus. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER ELLYSONUNK CommunicationsKEARNEY – Patricia Hoehner’s impact on education extends across the state, from K-12 schools to colleges and universities.She’s mentored and inspired countless students, teachers, administrators and colleagues during her career.On Friday, the University of Nebraska at Kearney recognized Hoehner for her decades of dedication to the education field. She received the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award during UNK’s winter commencement ceremony.The university’s most prestigious faculty honor, the award is presented each year to an individual who demonstrates excellence in teaching, research and service. It’s named after UNK alumnus Leland Holdt and comes with a $5,000 stipend.Hoehner received a remarkable 13 letters of support, an indication of the many lives she’s influenced.“Pat has truly dedicated her life’s work to impacting education. Students across Nebraska will continue to benefit from the influence she has had on administrators of public schools for many years to come,” stated Scott Unruh, a professor of athletic training and assistant dean in the UNK College of Education.Born and raised on a wheat farm in Kansas, Hoehner attended high school in McCook before enrolling at UNK. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education, master’s degree in educational administration and education specialist degree from UNK, along with a Doctor of Education in administration, curriculum and instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.Hoehner taught in Overton and Bertrand, then moved to McCook, where she developed a public school program for gifted learners. She also worked as a school administrator.A faculty member since 1998, Hoehner was the first full-time professor in educational administration at UNK and later served as the first female chair of the department, a position she held for five years.“When Dr. Hoehner arrived on campus, she became a windshield warrior. EDAD faculty were driving miles to teach their students,” Martonia Gaskill, an associate professor of teacher education, noted. “While she was the department chair, there was a move toward online classes, and she took the lead by attending workshops and seminars to ensure the quality of teaching was not going to diminish by moving from face-to-face classes to the online format.”Thanks to her vision and guidance, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/edad/index.php">educational administration program</a>&nbsp;continues to grow.More than 80 current Nebraska school superintendents and 200-plus principals have an educational administration degree from UNK, along with numerous special education directors. The program has its highest-ever enrollment this semester, with 145 people pursuing degrees or endorsements to serve in these positions.“In the world of education, we encounter many individuals along the way who make a difference in our lives. Dr. Hoehner is one with whom I have the deepest gratitude and immense respect for the impact she has had on both my personal and professional lives,” wrote Stephanie Kaczor, superintendent at Riverside Public Schools. “Her dedication to teaching and her passion for lifelong learning have had a profound influence on my academic journey and shaped my future in ways I could not have imagined.”Kaczor called Hoehner a role model for women in education who challenged her students to go above and beyond while providing continuous support both inside and outside the classroom.“In the years following my time at UNK, her encouragement and guidance continued to inspire me to delve deeper into education, and her constructive feedback and advice motivated me to strive for excellence,” she wrote. “Her unwavering support has empowered me to overcome challenges and pursue academic and professional opportunities that at times I thought would be out of my reach.”Mitch Kubicek, director of learning at Milford Public Schools, echoed those thoughts. He described Hoehner as a responsible, energetic and good-humored teacher who is passionate about education and the development of educational leaders.“Dr. Hoehner is an outstanding educator in all respects. She possesses a strong background in content and experience in education, consistently demonstrates effective pedagogical skills, and has shown a commitment to supporting and advocating for her students and for the educational community. She is someone who I can contact to discuss a difficult issue, and she always provides sound advice and consistently offers guidance and support. I am fortunate to have been able to get to know her,” he stated.A former president of the Nebraska Association of School Administrators, Hoehner also advances education through her service. She’s a member of the Nebraska Department of Education State Accreditation Committee and UNK Faculty Senate and has served on the UNK Alumni Association Board of Directors and numerous campus committees.Her research has contributed to several textbooks and other publications, and she’s presented at state, national and international conferences as a recognized expert on education-related topics.“Dr. Hoehner is an active participant in a number of the activities serving on state committees and leading conferences. She is always ready to help and represent central Nebraska. She helps ensure that topics at the state meetings and conferences focus on current research, bringing the best scholarship to the table or to the conferences. Her service to the profession is worthy of mention because she is good at it and takes it seriously. She is a leader in central Nebraska for both students and teachers. She carries the banner of the university and the banner of a model for service to the profession and to the university community,” stated Doug Christensen, the former state education commissioner and a professor emeritus at Doane University.In addition to the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award, Hoehner has received the UNK Leadership in Education and Service Award, College of Education Outstanding Service Award, Nebraska Association for the Gifted Extra Mile Award and Fischer Family Hall of Fame Award recognizing outstanding contributions to Nebraska high school sports.Hoehner and her family are longtime supporters of UNK athletic and academic programs, including a gift that allowed the College of Education to renovate and upgrade a frequently used conference room. That space is now known as the Hoehner Family Conference Room.All told, members of the Hoehner family have received nearly 30 degrees from UNK.“Dr. Hoehner bleeds blue and is a true supporter of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She exemplifies UNK in every sense,” according to her colleagues Gaskill and Unruh.“The impact she’s had on the scholastic landscape is indescribable and may never be measured,” Unruh added.<h2>Here’s what others had to say about professor Patricia Hoehner:</h2>“During the time I have known Dr. Hoehner, it has become obvious to me that she is a person of integrity. She works diligently to build relationships with those who surround her. She conscientiously states her opinion in a diplomatic manner while still being very straightforward. Additionally, she communicates high expectations for all and models what commitment to any process entails. In short, Dr. Hoehner is competent, articulate, genuine and people-centered. I consider her both a valued mentor and a friend.” –&nbsp;Jan Hoegh, educational author and consultant for Marzano Resources-Solution Tree and Leading, Aspiring, and Achieving, LLC“During my time with UNK, I had the privilege of working with many wonderful, intelligent, creative people. In every category that I can think of, Dr. Patricia is at the top of every list. She is very deserving of the very prestigious and coveted Leland Holdt Award. I know there will be some wonderful and deserving faculty who should qualify for the Leland Holdt Award, too. There are none this year, however, who are as deserving as our Dr. Patricia Hoehner.”&nbsp;– Scott Fredrickson, UNK professor emeritus“Dr. Hoehner’s unwavering commitment to the intellectual and personal development of her students is second to none. I have several advanced degrees, and I can honestly say the courses I have taken from Dr. Hoehner have been the most memorable and impactful. Importantly, I am not alone when it comes to this sentiment. Her stimulating and inclusive teaching methods are not only innovative, but also deeply rooted in pedagogical theory, ensuring that her students receive a comprehensive and stimulating education. Dr. Hoehner is not just a teacher; she is a mentor who invests considerable time and effort in nurturing the potential of her students. Her passion for education is infectious, inspiring both her colleagues and students alike.”&nbsp;– Kraig Lofquist, executive director, ESU Coordinating Council

‘She exemplifies UNK in every sense’: Patricia Hoehner recognized with Distinguished Faculty Award

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/18/more-than-200-at-unl-continue-to-protest-proposed-diversity-inclusion-cuts/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;When Nyarial Nyoak came to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in fall 2020, under the shadows of COVID-19,&nbsp;she says UNL’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts provided community.

Nyoak, a political science major now in her senior year, said efforts from UNL’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services smoothed the transition to college. Staff in those areas provided cultural awareness and lifelong learning, lessons that Nyoak says she and her friends are using to give back to those around them.

Now, UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett has proposed significantly cutting&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/27/unl-proposes-restructuring-slashing-budget-of-diversity-and-inclusion-office/">the budget of the two offices</a>, and Nyoak was among more than 200 faculty, staff and students pushing back in a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Letter-to-Chancellor-Bennett.pdf">joint letter two weeks ago</a>.

Bennett proposed $12 million in budget cuts Nov. 8, including $800,000 to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services. The cuts are meant to close a budget deficit largely fueled by declining enrollment.&nbsp;

The $800,000 is a cut of about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraska.edu/-/media/projects/unca/offices-policies/business-and-finance-office/docs/budget-salary-information/2023-2024/2023-2024-budget-by-department_volume-1_unl.pdf">46% combined</a>&nbsp;for the two.

Under the proposal, the diversity and inclusion office would be restructured from a central hub to a role primarily supporting campus-wide priorities or initiatives. DEI work would be focused in colleges, departments and units. Three filled staff positions would be eliminated in the offices.

Nyoak said the programs changed her life for the better as students look for resources and seek out individuals who look like them. Those are the experiences that make college worthwhile, she added.

For example, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, of which Nyoak is president, hosted a study night last week during finals. Students stayed and talked about life in general, Nyoak said, remaining on campus until 5 a.m.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council nationwide consists of the nine historically Black Greek letter organizations.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.unl.edu/greek/national-pan-hellenic-council">Five are represented at UNL</a>.

Through the two programs, Nyoak also connected with Charlie Foster, known by many as Miss Charlie, who, like Nyoak, is a Zeta Phi Beta sorority sister.

“Being able to have her as a resource and a mentor to talk to has made my experience so much better on campus,” Nyoak said. “To see that that experience could potentially be taken away due to the budget cuts is kind of just heartbreaking.”

Two weeks ago, a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Letter-to-Chancellor-Bennett.pdf">letter</a>&nbsp;from 200 faculty, staff and students was circulated for about 24 hours by members of AFIRE —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cehs.unl.edu/afire/">Advocating for Inclusion, Respect and Equity</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;in the College of Education and Human Sciences before being sent to Bennett on Dec. 7.

“Budgets are moral documents as they reflect the values of an organization,” the letter states. “Such a drastic cut to diversity and inclusion efforts within our campus is the antithesis to the mission of the university.”

Other student organization leaders, in addition to Nyoak, signed on behalf of:

Crystal Garcia, an assistant professor of educational administration and co-leader of AFIRE, said she has not received a response or confirmation that their letter was received.

“It’s just been radio silence and … the uncertainty of, do we matter?” Garcia said. “Does our voice really matter? Does what we have to say matter?”

Leslie Reed, a UNL spokesperson, did not respond before publication to the question of whether the AFIRE letter was received but said she does not expect next steps on the budget until January.

She pointed to Bennett’s past comments that all those engaged with the budget process “recognize its significant effort on UNL faculty, students and staff.”

“The university has no choice but to make difficult decisions to address a structural budget deficit, and we are proceeding in a manner that allows us to continue to fulfill our mission as Nebraska’s land-grant and flagship university and remains consistent with our status as a Carnegie R1 institution,” Bennett said in the statement to the Nebraska Examiner.

Bennett started at UNL on&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/06/22/university-of-nebraska-president-details-five-point-plan-to-get-nu-back-on-offense/">July 1</a>&nbsp;and is the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/06/06/unl-chancellor-candidate-addresses-diversity-equity-inclusion-at-tuesday-forum/">first person of color</a>&nbsp;in the UNL chancellor role.

The University of Nebraska system still must close about&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/central-nebraskas-unk-finalizes-2-3-million-in-proposed-academic-cuts/">$54 million</a>&nbsp;of its&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/06/22/university-of-nebraska-president-details-five-point-plan-to-get-nu-back-on-offense/">$58 million budget shortfall</a>&nbsp;projected over the next two years, on top of the $12 million ongoing at UNL.

Garcia, whose research focuses on the experiences of minoritized college students, said there are significant disparities in educational attainment due to myriad identity factors, particularly race and ethnicity. She fears these gaps could increase with the proposed cuts.

DEI work isn’t going away, Garcia added, but work dynamics will change because of efforts to decentralize the central Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

“You’re going to be diluting those efforts, or you’re going to be expecting people to do a lot of unpaid work and add to already very stressful and overworked educators’ plates,” Garcia said.

Stephanie Bondi, an associate professor of practice in the Department of Educational Administration and AFIRE co-leader, said UNL is so large she can go a year without seeing her colleagues, so the DEI work will happen in pockets without central support.

“They threaten so many aspects of the institution as a whole,” Bondi said of the cuts, pointing to UNL’s strategic priorities, enrollment and graduation rates.

While she is thankful to graduate in May, Nyoak said, she worries about prospective students. Nyoak said she is talking about the proposals with her younger brothers.

“I hate saying expect the worst, pray for the best,” Nyoak said. “But right now, a lot of us are just expecting the worst to happen.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702916950099.jpeg" alt="Marco Barker, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. June 19, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Marco Barker, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. June 19, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/18/more-than-200-at-unl-continue-to-protest-proposed-diversity-inclusion-cuts/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;When Nyarial Nyoak came to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in fall 2020, under the shadows of COVID-19,&nbsp;she says UNL’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts provided community.Nyoak, a political science major now in her senior year, said efforts from UNL’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services smoothed the transition to college. Staff in those areas provided cultural awareness and lifelong learning, lessons that Nyoak says she and her friends are using to give back to those around them.Now, UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett has proposed significantly cutting&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/27/unl-proposes-restructuring-slashing-budget-of-diversity-and-inclusion-office/">the budget of the two offices</a>, and Nyoak was among more than 200 faculty, staff and students pushing back in a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Letter-to-Chancellor-Bennett.pdf">joint letter two weeks ago</a>.Bennett proposed $12 million in budget cuts Nov. 8, including $800,000 to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services. The cuts are meant to close a budget deficit largely fueled by declining enrollment.&nbsp;The $800,000 is a cut of about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraska.edu/-/media/projects/unca/offices-policies/business-and-finance-office/docs/budget-salary-information/2023-2024/2023-2024-budget-by-department_volume-1_unl.pdf">46% combined</a>&nbsp;for the two.Under the proposal, the diversity and inclusion office would be restructured from a central hub to a role primarily supporting campus-wide priorities or initiatives. DEI work would be focused in colleges, departments and units. Three filled staff positions would be eliminated in the offices.<h2>Finding community</h2>Nyoak said the programs changed her life for the better as students look for resources and seek out individuals who look like them. Those are the experiences that make college worthwhile, she added.For example, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, of which Nyoak is president, hosted a study night last week during finals. Students stayed and talked about life in general, Nyoak said, remaining on campus until 5 a.m.The National Pan-Hellenic Council nationwide consists of the nine historically Black Greek letter organizations.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.unl.edu/greek/national-pan-hellenic-council">Five are represented at UNL</a>.Through the two programs, Nyoak also connected with Charlie Foster, known by many as Miss Charlie, who, like Nyoak, is a Zeta Phi Beta sorority sister.“Being able to have her as a resource and a mentor to talk to has made my experience so much better on campus,” Nyoak said. “To see that that experience could potentially be taken away due to the budget cuts is kind of just heartbreaking.”<h2>Cuts ‘antithesis’ to UNL’s mission</h2>Two weeks ago, a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Letter-to-Chancellor-Bennett.pdf">letter</a>&nbsp;from 200 faculty, staff and students was circulated for about 24 hours by members of AFIRE —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cehs.unl.edu/afire/">Advocating for Inclusion, Respect and Equity</a>&nbsp;—&nbsp;in the College of Education and Human Sciences before being sent to Bennett on Dec. 7.“Budgets are moral documents as they reflect the values of an organization,” the letter states. “Such a drastic cut to diversity and inclusion efforts within our campus is the antithesis to the mission of the university.”Other student organization leaders, in addition to Nyoak, signed on behalf of:<ul>
 <li>Afrikan People’s Union.</li><li>Asian Student Union.</li><li>Define American Chapter.</li><li>First Generation Student Organization.</li><li>Mexican American Student Association.</li><li>oSTEM at UNL (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).</li><li>Spectrum UNL.</li><li>TRANScend.</li>
 </ul><h2>‘Do we matter?’</h2>Crystal Garcia, an assistant professor of educational administration and co-leader of AFIRE, said she has not received a response or confirmation that their letter was received.“It’s just been radio silence and … the uncertainty of, do we matter?” Garcia said. “Does our voice really matter? Does what we have to say matter?”Leslie Reed, a UNL spokesperson, did not respond before publication to the question of whether the AFIRE letter was received but said she does not expect next steps on the budget until January.She pointed to Bennett’s past comments that all those engaged with the budget process “recognize its significant effort on UNL faculty, students and staff.”“The university has no choice but to make difficult decisions to address a structural budget deficit, and we are proceeding in a manner that allows us to continue to fulfill our mission as Nebraska’s land-grant and flagship university and remains consistent with our status as a Carnegie R1 institution,” Bennett said in the statement to the Nebraska Examiner.Bennett started at UNL on&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/06/22/university-of-nebraska-president-details-five-point-plan-to-get-nu-back-on-offense/">July 1</a>&nbsp;and is the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/06/06/unl-chancellor-candidate-addresses-diversity-equity-inclusion-at-tuesday-forum/">first person of color</a>&nbsp;in the UNL chancellor role.The University of Nebraska system still must close about&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/central-nebraskas-unk-finalizes-2-3-million-in-proposed-academic-cuts/">$54 million</a>&nbsp;of its&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/06/22/university-of-nebraska-president-details-five-point-plan-to-get-nu-back-on-offense/">$58 million budget shortfall</a>&nbsp;projected over the next two years, on top of the $12 million ongoing at UNL.<h2>‘Expecting the worst’</h2>Garcia, whose research focuses on the experiences of minoritized college students, said there are significant disparities in educational attainment due to myriad identity factors, particularly race and ethnicity. She fears these gaps could increase with the proposed cuts.DEI work isn’t going away, Garcia added, but work dynamics will change because of efforts to decentralize the central Office of Diversity and Inclusion.“You’re going to be diluting those efforts, or you’re going to be expecting people to do a lot of unpaid work and add to already very stressful and overworked educators’ plates,” Garcia said.Stephanie Bondi, an associate professor of practice in the Department of Educational Administration and AFIRE co-leader, said UNL is so large she can go a year without seeing her colleagues, so the DEI work will happen in pockets without central support.“They threaten so many aspects of the institution as a whole,” Bondi said of the cuts, pointing to UNL’s strategic priorities, enrollment and graduation rates.While she is thankful to graduate in May, Nyoak said, she worries about prospective students. Nyoak said she is talking about the proposals with her younger brothers.“I hate saying expect the worst, pray for the best,” Nyoak said. “But right now, a lot of us are just expecting the worst to happen.”

More than 200 at UNL continue to protest proposed diversity, inclusion cuts

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — A body was found early Sunday after a Nebraska house explosion that authorities say was likely caused by “destructive devices.”

Police in Hastings said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HastingsPoliceDepartmentNebraska/posts/pfbid09ZrLmQcjMGTQCJdCwacLTVfVgShhSBfmesxRBhrAxArmR1LTZzDtN9C3KYXBtg3Ql">news release</a>&nbsp;that emergency crews rushed to the home around 3:15 a.m. after a 911 caller reported the explosion. Police and firefighters encountered secondary explosions upon arriving.

Within the debris of the destroyed home, they found the victim, the release said. The person's name wasn't immediately released.

The release said crews have been working to locate additional explosives, and the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad is helping with testing.

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — A body was found early Sunday after a Nebraska house explosion that authorities say was likely caused by “destructive devices.”Police in Hastings said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HastingsPoliceDepartmentNebraska/posts/pfbid09ZrLmQcjMGTQCJdCwacLTVfVgShhSBfmesxRBhrAxArmR1LTZzDtN9C3KYXBtg3Ql">news release</a>&nbsp;that emergency crews rushed to the home around 3:15 a.m. after a 911 caller reported the explosion. Police and firefighters encountered secondary explosions upon arriving.Within the debris of the destroyed home, they found the victim, the release said. The person's name wasn't immediately released.The release said crews have been working to locate additional explosives, and the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad is helping with testing.

1 person dead after Hastings home exploded, sparking an investigation into 'destructive devices'

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sandra-day-oconnor">The late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor</a>, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism for more than two decades, lies in repose in the court's Great Hall on Monday.

O’Connor, an Arizona native,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-first-woman-justice-304f91633f069c46350bdfff540ff9fe">died Dec. 1</a>&nbsp;at age 93.

Her casket was carried up the steps in front of the court, passing under the iconic words engraved on the pediment, “Equal Justice Under Law," and placed in the court's Great Hall. C-SPAN will broadcast a private ceremony held before the hall is open to the public, allowing people to pay their respects afterward, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The last justice who lay in repose at the court was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruth-bader-ginsburg-voting-rights-politics-joe-biden-elections-bf6704fa6e900967a705054c801a5495">Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>, the second female justice. After her death in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-ruth-bader-ginsburg-ap-top-news-virus-outbreak-courts-1b5420d9b3582e7ab8419989cea43a6f">mourners passed by her casket</a>&nbsp;outside the building, on the portico at the top of the steps.

Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts are scheduled to speak.

O'Connor was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-politics-environment-kamala-harris-ddd600db8fd6930ebfd438c251b8a39a">subsequently confirmed by the Senate,</a>&nbsp;ending 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court. A rancher's daughter who was largely unknown on the national scene until her appointment, she received more letters than any one member in the court’s history in her first year and would come to be referred to as the nation’s most powerful woman.

She wielded considerable sway on the nine-member court, generally favoring states in disputes with the federal government and often siding with police when they faced claims of violating people’s rights. Her influence could perhaps best be seen, though, on the court’s rulings on abortion. She twice joined the majority in decisions that upheld and reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, the decision that said women have a constitutional right to abortion.

Thirty years after that decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">a more conservative court</a>&nbsp;overturned Roe, and the opinion was written by the man who took her place, Justice Samuel Alito.

O’Connor grew up riding horses, rounding up cattle and driving trucks and tractors on the family's sprawling Arizona ranch and developed a tenacious, independent spirit.

She was a top-ranked graduate of Stanford’s law school in 1952, but quickly discovered that most large law firms at the time did not hire women. One Los Angeles firm offered her a job as a secretary.

She built a career that included service as a member of the Arizona Legislature and state judge before her appointment to the Supreme Court at age 51. When she first arrived, she didn’t even have a place anywhere near the courtroom to go to the bathroom. That was soon rectified, but she remained the court’s only woman until 1993.

She retired at age 75, citing her husband’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease as her primary reason for leaving the court. John O'Connor died three years later, in 2009.

After her retirement, O'Connor remained active, sitting as a judge on several federal appeals courts, advocating for judicial independence and serving on the Iraq Study Group. President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

She expressed regret that a woman had not been chosen to replace her, but lived to see a record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-obituary-women-justices-fdda04cb0d18c0fd2086a062494f5f24">four women</a>&nbsp;now serving at the same time on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/members_text.aspx">Supreme Court</a>.

She died in Phoenix, of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. Her survivors include her three sons, Scott, Brian and Jay, six grandchildren and a brother.

The family has asked that donations be made to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icivics.org/">iCivics</a>, the group she founded to promote civics education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702914683695.png" alt="Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral,Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral,Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sandra-day-oconnor">The late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor</a>, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism for more than two decades, lies in repose in the court's Great Hall on Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Justice Sonia Sotomayor: &quot;Sandra was a living example that women could take on any challenge, could more than hold their own in spaces dominated by men and could do so with grace.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOTUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/oH7ZkE6IuZ">pic.twitter.com/oH7ZkE6IuZ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1736766873826443570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>O’Connor, an Arizona native,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-first-woman-justice-304f91633f069c46350bdfff540ff9fe">died Dec. 1</a>&nbsp;at age 93.Her casket was carried up the steps in front of the court, passing under the iconic words engraved on the pediment, “Equal Justice Under Law," and placed in the court's Great Hall. C-SPAN will broadcast a private ceremony held before the hall is open to the public, allowing people to pay their respects afterward, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702915002478.png" alt="Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first woman Supreme Court justice, lies in repose at the nation’s highest court in the land. She died at the age of 93 on December 1, 2023." />
 <figcaption>Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first woman Supreme Court justice, lies in repose at the nation’s highest court in the land. She died at the age of 93 on December 1, 2023.</figcaption>
 </figure>The last justice who lay in repose at the court was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruth-bader-ginsburg-voting-rights-politics-joe-biden-elections-bf6704fa6e900967a705054c801a5495">Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>, the second female justice. After her death in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-ruth-bader-ginsburg-ap-top-news-virus-outbreak-courts-1b5420d9b3582e7ab8419989cea43a6f">mourners passed by her casket</a>&nbsp;outside the building, on the portico at the top of the steps.Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts are scheduled to speak.O'Connor was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-politics-environment-kamala-harris-ddd600db8fd6930ebfd438c251b8a39a">subsequently confirmed by the Senate,</a>&nbsp;ending 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court. A rancher's daughter who was largely unknown on the national scene until her appointment, she received more letters than any one member in the court’s history in her first year and would come to be referred to as the nation’s most powerful woman.She wielded considerable sway on the nine-member court, generally favoring states in disputes with the federal government and often siding with police when they faced claims of violating people’s rights. Her influence could perhaps best be seen, though, on the court’s rulings on abortion. She twice joined the majority in decisions that upheld and reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, the decision that said women have a constitutional right to abortion.Thirty years after that decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">a more conservative court</a>&nbsp;overturned Roe, and the opinion was written by the man who took her place, Justice Samuel Alito.O’Connor grew up riding horses, rounding up cattle and driving trucks and tractors on the family's sprawling Arizona ranch and developed a tenacious, independent spirit.She was a top-ranked graduate of Stanford’s law school in 1952, but quickly discovered that most large law firms at the time did not hire women. One Los Angeles firm offered her a job as a secretary.She built a career that included service as a member of the Arizona Legislature and state judge before her appointment to the Supreme Court at age 51. When she first arrived, she didn’t even have a place anywhere near the courtroom to go to the bathroom. That was soon rectified, but she remained the court’s only woman until 1993.She retired at age 75, citing her husband’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease as her primary reason for leaving the court. John O'Connor died three years later, in 2009.After her retirement, O'Connor remained active, sitting as a judge on several federal appeals courts, advocating for judicial independence and serving on the Iraq Study Group. President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.She expressed regret that a woman had not been chosen to replace her, but lived to see a record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-obituary-women-justices-fdda04cb0d18c0fd2086a062494f5f24">four women</a>&nbsp;now serving at the same time on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/members_text.aspx">Supreme Court</a>.She died in Phoenix, of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. Her survivors include her three sons, Scott, Brian and Jay, six grandchildren and a brother.The family has asked that donations be made to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icivics.org/">iCivics</a>, the group she founded to promote civics education.