WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden" target="_blank">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday said it was “stunning” that Congress has not yet approved tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine, as his administration warned of dire consequences for Kyiv — and a “gift” to Russia’s Vladimir Putin — if lawmakers don’t act.

Speaking at the White House, Biden said Republicans who are insisting on border policy changes as a condition for voting for the aid “are playing chicken with our national security,” even as he expressed openness to some policy changes.

“Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the greatest gift he could hope for,” Biden said, saying American credibility was on the line both with other would-be aggressors and with its allies. “Any disruption in our ability to supply Ukraine clearly strengthen’s Putin’s position.”

“If we don’t support Ukraine, what is the rest of the world going to do?” he added.

Biden’s address comes hours after he huddled with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/Volodymyr-Zelenskyy" target="_blank">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;and leaders of the Group of Seven advanced democracies, which have staunchly supported Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Biden has asked Congress for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb" target="_blank">nearly $106 billion</a>&nbsp;to fund the wars in Ukraine, Israel and other security needs, but has faced stiff resistance on Capitol Hill. Some Republicans have grown tired of providing support to Ukraine after the U.S. has already sent $111 billion, and other GOP lawmakers are insisting on stiff changes to U.S. border policy as a condition of voting for the measure.

Biden said he supports more funding for border security. “I am willing to make significant compromises on the border,” he said. “We need to fix the broken border system. It is broken.” He added that he’s ”ready to change policy as well,” but accused Republicans of wanting a political issue more than bipartisan compromise.

“Republicans think they get everything they want without any bipartisan compromise,” Biden said. “Now they’re willing to literally kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield and damage our national security in the process.”

But Biden has not publicly said what policy changes he would embrace.

The White House has sent increasingly sharp warnings to lawmakers of what would happen if they don’t approve the measure before the end of the year, saying Ukraine’s military would be stalled, or worse.

“We’re the reason Putin hasn’t totally overrun Ukraine,” Biden said.

On Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats were trying to advance the aid package later Wednesday, but the legislation had no way forward as Republicans vowed to withhold support unless it includes changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-congress-zelenskyy-border-security-8592ddcb1627fc6d0b43349bac3fe329" target="_blank">U.S. border policy</a>. Negotiations over the legislation all but collapsed this week.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been an ardent supporter of aid to Ukraine, has told fellow Republicans to vote against the security package advancing.

“Legislation that doesn’t include policy changes to secure our borders will not pass the Senate,” McConnell said in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday. “The situation unfolding at our southern border on President Biden’s watch is a crisis of historic proportions.”

Republicans pointed to the record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border and argued it posed a security threat because border authorities cannot adequately screen them. But their demand that Congress pass significant changes to U.S. border policy interjects into the debate an issue that lawmakers have grappled over for decades with little success.

By holding the test vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is daring his Republican counterparts to vote against the cause of Ukraine funding that most have previously supported. He said in a speech the Senate is facing a question that “goes to the actual preservation of Western and democratic values in the world.”

Democrats were also making their case through a series of events on Capitol Hill with Ukrainian officials, including the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament.

The pressure appeared to have little affect on the GOP’s stance. But senators expressed some hope that Biden’s remarks would revive the talks over border security policy.

“This kind of thorny, difficult problem is exactly what Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell have worked on before. And we could use their help and their leadership on this,” said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., one of the senators involved in negotiations over border policy.

As they look past the test vote, GOP senators have prepared a proposal for the bipartisan group in the talks. So far, senators have found some agreement on raising the initial standard for migrants to enter the asylum system but were stuck over placing limitations on humanitarian parole, a program that allows the executive branch to temporarily admit migrants.

“We’re clearly engaging in the negotiations, trying to be able to solve this,” said Sen. James Lankford, a Republican of Oklahoma who is involved in the talks.

But even if senators somehow find a way forward on the aid package, it still faces significant obstacles in the House. Hardline conservatives who control the chamber have vowed to block it unless it tacks to a broad set of hard-line border and immigration policies.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, already deeply skeptical of funding for Ukraine, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-ukraine-border-security-zelenskyy-bf932727abd5e8ff3cf5c9c848a3cf78" target="_blank">signaled he won’t support the aid package</a>&nbsp;if it does not adhere to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-immigration-bill-255921c69678468580d0d106282623f0" target="_blank">H.R. 2</a>, a bill that would remake the U.S. immigration system with conservative priorities. It passed the House on a party-line vote in May, but has been rejected by Senate Democrats.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is expected to announce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-weapons-funding-24735694f4f93e5a571f30004957e1a9" target="_blank">a $175 million package</a>&nbsp;of military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, including guided missiles for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), anti-armor systems and high-speed anti-radiation missiles, according to U.S. officials.

Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said Tuesday there is about $1.1 billion left in funding to replenish U.S. military stockpiles for weapons and equipment sent to Ukraine. And he said there is roughly $4.8 billion in drawdown authority still available.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden" target="_blank">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday said it was “stunning” that Congress has not yet approved tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance for Ukraine, as his administration warned of dire consequences for Kyiv — and a “gift” to Russia’s Vladimir Putin — if lawmakers don’t act.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1420064122200539%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=3" 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>Speaking at the White House, Biden said Republicans who are insisting on border policy changes as a condition for voting for the aid “are playing chicken with our national security,” even as he expressed openness to some policy changes.“Republicans in Congress are willing to give Putin the greatest gift he could hope for,” Biden said, saying American credibility was on the line both with other would-be aggressors and with its allies. “Any disruption in our ability to supply Ukraine clearly strengthen’s Putin’s position.”“If we don’t support Ukraine, what is the rest of the world going to do?” he added.Biden’s address comes hours after he huddled with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/Volodymyr-Zelenskyy" target="_blank">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;and leaders of the Group of Seven advanced democracies, which have staunchly supported Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing invasion.Biden has asked Congress for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb" target="_blank">nearly $106 billion</a>&nbsp;to fund the wars in Ukraine, Israel and other security needs, but has faced stiff resistance on Capitol Hill. Some Republicans have grown tired of providing support to Ukraine after the U.S. has already sent $111 billion, and other GOP lawmakers are insisting on stiff changes to U.S. border policy as a condition of voting for the measure.Biden said he supports more funding for border security. “I am willing to make significant compromises on the border,” he said. “We need to fix the broken border system. It is broken.” He added that he’s ”ready to change policy as well,” but accused Republicans of wanting a political issue more than bipartisan compromise.“Republicans think they get everything they want without any bipartisan compromise,” Biden said. “Now they’re willing to literally kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield and damage our national security in the process.”But Biden has not publicly said what policy changes he would embrace.The White House has sent increasingly sharp warnings to lawmakers of what would happen if they don’t approve the measure before the end of the year, saying Ukraine’s military would be stalled, or worse.“We’re the reason Putin hasn’t totally overrun Ukraine,” Biden said.On Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats were trying to advance the aid package later Wednesday, but the legislation had no way forward as Republicans vowed to withhold support unless it includes changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-congress-zelenskyy-border-security-8592ddcb1627fc6d0b43349bac3fe329" target="_blank">U.S. border policy</a>. Negotiations over the legislation all but collapsed this week.Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been an ardent supporter of aid to Ukraine, has told fellow Republicans to vote against the security package advancing.“Legislation that doesn’t include policy changes to secure our borders will not pass the Senate,” McConnell said in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday. “The situation unfolding at our southern border on President Biden’s watch is a crisis of historic proportions.”Republicans pointed to the record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border and argued it posed a security threat because border authorities cannot adequately screen them. But their demand that Congress pass significant changes to U.S. border policy interjects into the debate an issue that lawmakers have grappled over for decades with little success.By holding the test vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is daring his Republican counterparts to vote against the cause of Ukraine funding that most have previously supported. He said in a speech the Senate is facing a question that “goes to the actual preservation of Western and democratic values in the world.”Democrats were also making their case through a series of events on Capitol Hill with Ukrainian officials, including the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament.The pressure appeared to have little affect on the GOP’s stance. But senators expressed some hope that Biden’s remarks would revive the talks over border security policy.“This kind of thorny, difficult problem is exactly what Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell have worked on before. And we could use their help and their leadership on this,” said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., one of the senators involved in negotiations over border policy.As they look past the test vote, GOP senators have prepared a proposal for the bipartisan group in the talks. So far, senators have found some agreement on raising the initial standard for migrants to enter the asylum system but were stuck over placing limitations on humanitarian parole, a program that allows the executive branch to temporarily admit migrants.“We’re clearly engaging in the negotiations, trying to be able to solve this,” said Sen. James Lankford, a Republican of Oklahoma who is involved in the talks.But even if senators somehow find a way forward on the aid package, it still faces significant obstacles in the House. Hardline conservatives who control the chamber have vowed to block it unless it tacks to a broad set of hard-line border and immigration policies.House Speaker Mike Johnson, already deeply skeptical of funding for Ukraine, has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-ukraine-border-security-zelenskyy-bf932727abd5e8ff3cf5c9c848a3cf78" target="_blank">signaled he won’t support the aid package</a>&nbsp;if it does not adhere to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-immigration-bill-255921c69678468580d0d106282623f0" target="_blank">H.R. 2</a>, a bill that would remake the U.S. immigration system with conservative priorities. It passed the House on a party-line vote in May, but has been rejected by Senate Democrats.Meanwhile, the U.S. is expected to announce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-weapons-funding-24735694f4f93e5a571f30004957e1a9" target="_blank">a $175 million package</a>&nbsp;of military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, including guided missiles for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), anti-armor systems and high-speed anti-radiation missiles, according to U.S. officials.Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said Tuesday there is about $1.1 billion left in funding to replenish U.S. military stockpiles for weapons and equipment sent to Ukraine. And he said there is roughly $4.8 billion in drawdown authority still available.

🎥Biden pushes for Ukraine aid, offers border security compromises

KEARNEY – University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen, a native Nebraskan, lifelong public servant and the longest-serving chancellor in the history of the University of Nebraska, announced today that he will be stepping away after 22 years in the role.

Kristensen will step down from the chancellor’s role at the end of the current academic year, providing the University of Nebraska President’s Office a runway to determine next steps for UNK leadership. Kristensen will take a one-year professional development leave, after which he intends to remain engaged on strategic projects within the university community.

“Central Nebraska is home to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live, work and raise our family,” Kristensen said. “It has been a great privilege to be part of a community that cares so deeply about UNK and the University of Nebraska’s mission to educate the people of our state.”

“The faculty and staff of UNK are as talented as they come, and students are at the heart of everything they do. UNK has a strong future ahead because of them. This is not an easy decision for me, but in talking with my family, we believe now is the right time for me to step away and allow a new leader to carry on UNK’s vital work in providing education and economic development for central and western Nebraska.”

Since his appointment in July 2002, Kristensen has built a record of strong and passionate advocacy for UNK and rural Nebraska, including a focus on access and affordability that has yielded consistently high rankings for UNK in quality and value.

He has also overseen a dramatic renewal of the Kearney campus. Perhaps most notably, in collaboration with UNMC and public and private partners across the state, Kristensen has played the lead role in the development of what will become the largest rural health education center in the country: the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, to be named in his honor following recent Board of Regents approval. The first facility in the complex, the Health Science Education Complex, opened in 2015 and brought UNMC nursing and allied health programs to UNK. Student cohorts filled quickly and 85% of graduates so far have started their careers in rural Nebraska, advancing the project’s goal to grow the rural health care workforce.

A second, 110,000-square-foot rural health education facility will bring programs in medicine, pharmacy, public health and behavioral health services to Kearney when it opens in 2026. That facility also represents a public-private partnership.

The health facilities follow Kristensen’s launch in 2010 of the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, a partnership with UNMC to recruit and educate students who want to return to rural Nebraska to practice health care. The acceptance rate of UNK students to various health care professional programs is now more than 93%.

Kristensen also led the planning and launch of University Village, a 107-acre urban village with academic and community spaces including Village Flats student apartments, the LaVonne Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center, Grundy Tennis Center, Element 30 residences and retail complex; and a Nebraska Medicine cancer treatment center and the Regional Engagement Center which are under construction.

Those major developments come on top of more than $360 million in new construction and major renovation that Kristensen has overseen at UNK, including the 90,000-square-foot STEM education building Discovery Hall, Greek housing, renovation or new construction of every residence hall, athletics and student wellness facilities, improvements to the Nebraskan Student Union and campus dining facilities, renovations to the Bruner Hall of Science, Calvin T. Ryan Library and Warner Hall, a new central utilities plant, and more.

“There is no better champion for UNK and rural Nebraska than Doug Kristensen. His selfless leadership and relentless dedication to UNK’s mission will benefit students and Nebraskans for generations to come,” said University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter. “This news is bittersweet. Doug has been a great friend and adviser to me and is a beloved leader to the campus and community. I have tremendous admiration for his loyalty and deep understanding of our state and university system. This is a well-earned decision for Doug, Terri and their family.”

Kristensen became UNK’s chancellor following a distinguished 14-year career in the Nebraska Legislature. At the time of his retirement from the Legislature, he was the longest-serving speaker in history. He was one of the sponsors of the legislation that brought then-Kearney State College into the University of Nebraska System. At the time he held political office, Kristensen was a partner at a law firm in Minden. He earned his law degree from Drake University and bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In addition to being the longest-serving chancellor in NU history, Kristensen also is the longest currently-serving leader of any higher education institution in Nebraska.

Kristensen and his wife, District Judge Terri S. Harder, have multiple University of Nebraska degrees. Both of their daughters have bachelor’s degrees from UNK, with Paige earning an MBA from UNO, and Morgan a master’s in public health from UNMC and law degree from UNL.

University of Nebraska System interim President Chris Kabourek, who assumes the role on Jan. 1, said he will quickly formulate a process to identify the next leader for UNK.

“Chancellor Kristensen is a great leader, friend and champion for UNK and higher education. We are a better university because of his leadership and his commitment to students and rural Nebraska,” Kabourek said. “Our entire state, and our rural communities in particular, depend on a strong and thriving UNK and University of Nebraska.

“Especially as we bring our rural health education facilities to full operation and move forward with our goals to grow enrollment and excellence, we can’t afford to lose momentum. It will be crucial that we find someone who can seamlessly pick up where Chancellor Kristensen will leave off.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701900893760.jpeg" alt="University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen" />
 <figcaption>University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen</figcaption>
 </figure>Todd GottulaUNK CommunicationsKEARNEY – University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen, a native Nebraskan, lifelong public servant and the longest-serving chancellor in the history of the University of Nebraska, announced today that he will be stepping away after 22 years in the role.Kristensen will step down from the chancellor’s role at the end of the current academic year, providing the University of Nebraska President’s Office a runway to determine next steps for UNK leadership. Kristensen will take a one-year professional development leave, after which he intends to remain engaged on strategic projects within the university community.“Central Nebraska is home to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live, work and raise our family,” Kristensen said. “It has been a great privilege to be part of a community that cares so deeply about UNK and the University of Nebraska’s mission to educate the people of our state.”“The faculty and staff of UNK are as talented as they come, and students are at the heart of everything they do. UNK has a strong future ahead because of them. This is not an easy decision for me, but in talking with my family, we believe now is the right time for me to step away and allow a new leader to carry on UNK’s vital work in providing education and economic development for central and western Nebraska.”Since his appointment in July 2002, Kristensen has built a record of strong and passionate advocacy for UNK and rural Nebraska, including a focus on access and affordability that has yielded consistently high rankings for UNK in quality and value.He has also overseen a dramatic renewal of the Kearney campus. Perhaps most notably, in collaboration with UNMC and public and private partners across the state, Kristensen has played the lead role in the development of what will become the largest rural health education center in the country: the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, to be named in his honor following recent Board of Regents approval. The first facility in the complex, the Health Science Education Complex, opened in 2015 and brought UNMC nursing and allied health programs to UNK. Student cohorts filled quickly and 85% of graduates so far have started their careers in rural Nebraska, advancing the project’s goal to grow the rural health care workforce.A second, 110,000-square-foot rural health education facility will bring programs in medicine, pharmacy, public health and behavioral health services to Kearney when it opens in 2026. That facility also represents a public-private partnership.The health facilities follow Kristensen’s launch in 2010 of the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, a partnership with UNMC to recruit and educate students who want to return to rural Nebraska to practice health care. The acceptance rate of UNK students to various health care professional programs is now more than 93%.Kristensen also led the planning and launch of University Village, a 107-acre urban village with academic and community spaces including Village Flats student apartments, the LaVonne Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center, Grundy Tennis Center, Element 30 residences and retail complex; and a Nebraska Medicine cancer treatment center and the Regional Engagement Center which are under construction.Those major developments come on top of more than $360 million in new construction and major renovation that Kristensen has overseen at UNK, including the 90,000-square-foot STEM education building Discovery Hall, Greek housing, renovation or new construction of every residence hall, athletics and student wellness facilities, improvements to the Nebraskan Student Union and campus dining facilities, renovations to the Bruner Hall of Science, Calvin T. Ryan Library and Warner Hall, a new central utilities plant, and more.“There is no better champion for UNK and rural Nebraska than Doug Kristensen. His selfless leadership and relentless dedication to UNK’s mission will benefit students and Nebraskans for generations to come,” said University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter. “This news is bittersweet. Doug has been a great friend and adviser to me and is a beloved leader to the campus and community. I have tremendous admiration for his loyalty and deep understanding of our state and university system. This is a well-earned decision for Doug, Terri and their family.”Kristensen became UNK’s chancellor following a distinguished 14-year career in the Nebraska Legislature. At the time of his retirement from the Legislature, he was the longest-serving speaker in history. He was one of the sponsors of the legislation that brought then-Kearney State College into the University of Nebraska System. At the time he held political office, Kristensen was a partner at a law firm in Minden. He earned his law degree from Drake University and bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.In addition to being the longest-serving chancellor in NU history, Kristensen also is the longest currently-serving leader of any higher education institution in Nebraska.Kristensen and his wife, District Judge Terri S. Harder, have multiple University of Nebraska degrees. Both of their daughters have bachelor’s degrees from UNK, with Paige earning an MBA from UNO, and Morgan a master’s in public health from UNMC and law degree from UNL.University of Nebraska System interim President Chris Kabourek, who assumes the role on Jan. 1, said he will quickly formulate a process to identify the next leader for UNK.“Chancellor Kristensen is a great leader, friend and champion for UNK and higher education. We are a better university because of his leadership and his commitment to students and rural Nebraska,” Kabourek said. “Our entire state, and our rural communities in particular, depend on a strong and thriving UNK and University of Nebraska.“Especially as we bring our rural health education facilities to full operation and move forward with our goals to grow enrollment and excellence, we can’t afford to lose momentum. It will be crucial that we find someone who can seamlessly pick up where Chancellor Kristensen will leave off.”

Doug Kristensen to retire as University of Nebraska at Kearney chancellor after 22 years

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-holding-up-better-than-the-region-says-director-of-nine-state-economic-survey/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — While Nebraska’s manufacturing engine may be “losing steam,” it’s still chugging along better than most of its neighboring states and the nation, the director of a regional economic survey said Monday.

“There’s little doubt, almost everything confirms, that the manufacturing sector is either in a recession or right on the edge of it,” said Creighton University’s Ernie Goss, whose Economic Forecasting Group produces a monthly business conditions report based on a survey of manufacturing supply managers in a nine-state area.

“But Nebraska has held up better than the region and the nation,” Goss said.&nbsp;

Regionally, the business conditions index overall for the nine states slumped in November below the 50.0 growth neutral threshold. That drop, to 42.2, followed two consecutive months of above growth neutral readings.

Goss called it the lowest reading recorded since June 2020, or early in the pandemic.

Nebraska’s index also sank, from 48.8 in October to 39.3. But the Cornhusker state’s manufacturing sector boosted employment over the past year by 2,000. And its average manufacturing hourly rate climbed by 6.3% for that period, above the regional average of 3.4% and well above the 3.2% increase in consumer prices, Goss said, citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Goss said the Nebraska outlook has much to do with the weight food processing carries in its manufacturing sector.

Creighton has conducted the monthly survey of manufacturing supply managers since 1994 as a barometer of economic health for “Mid-America” states. Besides Nebraska, states surveyed are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma.

Looking ahead six months, the economic optimism captured in the region’s November survey increased “to a weak 35.8 from October’s anemic 25.0,” Goss said. “Only 14% of supply managers expect expanding business conditions over the next six months.”

He said the survey indicated “labor hoarding” by some manufacturers who didn’t want to let employees go for fear they wouldn’t be able to staff up again.

“Even so, government data show that the region has lost 12,000 manufacturing jobs since April of this year,” he said.

Asked to identify the greatest economic threat for their firm in the next six months, six of 10 supply managers surveyed said a recession; two of 10 said labor shortages; one of 10 said inflation; and one of 10 said higher interest rates.

As for this year’s Christmas shopping season, Goss projected retail sales, adjusted to inflation, to grow about 1% in the nine-state region.

He said if shoppers are turning to online Amazon to deliver packages, much of the economic impact likely is going someplace other than Nebraska.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701892383517.jpeg" alt=" (Courtesy of Creighton University Economic Forecasting Group)" />
 <figcaption> (Courtesy of Creighton University Economic Forecasting Group)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-holding-up-better-than-the-region-says-director-of-nine-state-economic-survey/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — While Nebraska’s manufacturing engine may be “losing steam,” it’s still chugging along better than most of its neighboring states and the nation, the director of a regional economic survey said Monday.“There’s little doubt, almost everything confirms, that the manufacturing sector is either in a recession or right on the edge of it,” said Creighton University’s Ernie Goss, whose Economic Forecasting Group produces a monthly business conditions report based on a survey of manufacturing supply managers in a nine-state area.“But Nebraska has held up better than the region and the nation,” Goss said.&nbsp;Regionally, the business conditions index overall for the nine states slumped in November below the 50.0 growth neutral threshold. That drop, to 42.2, followed two consecutive months of above growth neutral readings.Goss called it the lowest reading recorded since June 2020, or early in the pandemic.Nebraska’s index also sank, from 48.8 in October to 39.3. But the Cornhusker state’s manufacturing sector boosted employment over the past year by 2,000. And its average manufacturing hourly rate climbed by 6.3% for that period, above the regional average of 3.4% and well above the 3.2% increase in consumer prices, Goss said, citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Goss said the Nebraska outlook has much to do with the weight food processing carries in its manufacturing sector.Creighton has conducted the monthly survey of manufacturing supply managers since 1994 as a barometer of economic health for “Mid-America” states. Besides Nebraska, states surveyed are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma.Looking ahead six months, the economic optimism captured in the region’s November survey increased “to a weak 35.8 from October’s anemic 25.0,” Goss said. “Only 14% of supply managers expect expanding business conditions over the next six months.”He said the survey indicated “labor hoarding” by some manufacturers who didn’t want to let employees go for fear they wouldn’t be able to staff up again.“Even so, government data show that the region has lost 12,000 manufacturing jobs since April of this year,” he said.Asked to identify the greatest economic threat for their firm in the next six months, six of 10 supply managers surveyed said a recession; two of 10 said labor shortages; one of 10 said inflation; and one of 10 said higher interest rates.As for this year’s Christmas shopping season, Goss projected retail sales, adjusted to inflation, to grow about 1% in the nine-state region.He said if shoppers are turning to online Amazon to deliver packages, much of the economic impact likely is going someplace other than Nebraska.“Buy local,” he said.

Nebraska holding up better than the region, says director of nine-state economic survey

KEARNEY, NEB. –Abygail Streff of Pierce took top honors at the 2023 Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Collegiate Discussion Meet. &nbsp;The award was announced Dec. 5 at the “We Love Our Members” luncheon at Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 106th&nbsp;Annual Convention in Kearney.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Streff’s earned the top score during the final round of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet held for the first time during the Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Convention. The contest aims to simulate a committee meeting rather than a debate where competitors offer solutions to timely problems facing agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Streff is currently a junior Agricultural Economics major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), where she also serves as the UNL Collegiate Farm Bureau President. Streff currently is an intern to the Governor’s Agriculture Advisor. She anticipates finishing her bachelor’s degree in December 2024. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Farm Bureau student members can compete in the Collegiate Discussion Meet through their senior year of college. As the Nebraska winner, Streff will receive $250 and an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 American Farm Bureau Leadership Conference in Omaha in March to compete with other state winners at the national level.

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 BureauKEARNEY, NEB. –Abygail Streff of Pierce took top honors at the 2023 Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Collegiate Discussion Meet. &nbsp;The award was announced Dec. 5 at the “We Love Our Members” luncheon at Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 106th&nbsp;Annual Convention in Kearney.&nbsp;&nbsp;Streff’s earned the top score during the final round of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Discussion Meet held for the first time during the Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Convention. The contest aims to simulate a committee meeting rather than a debate where competitors offer solutions to timely problems facing agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;Streff is currently a junior Agricultural Economics major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), where she also serves as the UNL Collegiate Farm Bureau President. Streff currently is an intern to the Governor’s Agriculture Advisor. She anticipates finishing her bachelor’s degree in December 2024. &nbsp;&nbsp;Farm Bureau student members can compete in the Collegiate Discussion Meet through their senior year of college. As the Nebraska winner, Streff will receive $250 and an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 American Farm Bureau Leadership Conference in Omaha in March to compete with other state winners at the national level.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>.

Abygail Streff is Named Collegiate Discussion Meet Champion 

Lincoln, Nebraska, Dec. 6, 2023 — A new Meat Processing Management Training program offered by Nebraska Extension is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals in the meat processing industry over a yearlong intensive course that will begin in March.

The program is tailored for owners, managers and management-track employees of small meat processing plants, with custom-exempt and federally inspected plants encouraged to apply. It will offer a blend of virtual and in-person sessions to deepen participants’ understanding of critical aspects of the industry and assist them with working toward a successful and profitable future.

Focus areas will include business operations, using data, retail strategies, regulatory compliance, human resources and more. The course will consist of three in-person meetings, a site visit to each plant by course instructors and monthly online programs that will include typically recorded lectures, live review and a presentation with a producer.

The program is being produced by Nebraska Extension, the Center for Agricultural Profitability and the Department of Animal Science’s Meat Science program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "This initiative represents a significant step in supporting and advancing the meat processing sector, offering a platform for professionals to grow and excel in their field," said Elliott Dennis, assistant professor and livestock marketing specialist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability.

To ensure effective learning and personalized attention, Dennis said, there is a $2,500 enrollment fee per processing plant, which includes a $2,000 deposit that will be returned to those who complete the program without missing more than two activities or the site visit. Up to two individuals per plant may participate.

More details, a program schedule and requirements are posted on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website,&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.lt.acemlnb.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZjYXAudW5sLmVkdSUyRnByb2Nlc3NvcnMlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQWN0aXZlQ2FtcGFpZ24lMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNEZW1haWwlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDElMkJJQU5SJTJCUmVsZWFzZSUyNTNBJTJCTmVicmFza2ElMkJFeHRlbnNpb24lMkJsYXVuY2hpbmclMkJuZXclMkJtYW5hZ2VtZW50JTJCdHJhaW5pbmclMkJwcm9ncmFtJTJCZm9yJTJCbWVhdCUyQnByb2Nlc3NvcnMlMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0QxJTJCSUFOUiUyQlJlbGVhc2UlMjUzQSUyQk5lYnJhc2thJTJCRXh0ZW5zaW9uJTJCbGF1bmNoaW5nJTJCbmV3JTJCbWFuYWdlbWVudCUyQnRyYWluaW5nJTJCcHJvZ3JhbSUyQmZvciUyQm1lYXQlMkJwcm9jZXNzb3Jz&amp;sig=ftA3uvbRrUmttb9Eqx1Nn1gG751BV74p3p8iWgzefZq&amp;iat=1701890773&amp;a=%7C%7C68108822%7C%7C&amp;account=unl233%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&amp;email=Njd4QVCtXcteLzSw0on5EM2quKdDPg%2FHztugSgOJqiS1tePXqfKtMns%3D%3A%2FZtPPkxMafqmUn8tDk8UKiM9qv1wU9D%2B&amp;s=073f67d35943f6c01a66f2eac84e284e&amp;i=524A609A50A10695" target="_blank">https://cap.unl.edu/processors</a>. The application is open there until Jan. 20.This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2022-70419-38561.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nebraska ExtensionLincoln, Nebraska, Dec. 6, 2023 — A new Meat Processing Management Training program offered by Nebraska Extension is designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals in the meat processing industry over a yearlong intensive course that will begin in March.The program is tailored for owners, managers and management-track employees of small meat processing plants, with custom-exempt and federally inspected plants encouraged to apply. It will offer a blend of virtual and in-person sessions to deepen participants’ understanding of critical aspects of the industry and assist them with working toward a successful and profitable future.Focus areas will include business operations, using data, retail strategies, regulatory compliance, human resources and more. The course will consist of three in-person meetings, a site visit to each plant by course instructors and monthly online programs that will include typically recorded lectures, live review and a presentation with a producer.The program is being produced by Nebraska Extension, the Center for Agricultural Profitability and the Department of Animal Science’s Meat Science program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "This initiative represents a significant step in supporting and advancing the meat processing sector, offering a platform for professionals to grow and excel in their field," said Elliott Dennis, assistant professor and livestock marketing specialist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability.To ensure effective learning and personalized attention, Dennis said, there is a $2,500 enrollment fee per processing plant, which includes a $2,000 deposit that will be returned to those who complete the program without missing more than two activities or the site visit. Up to two individuals per plant may participate.More details, a program schedule and requirements are posted on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website,&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.lt.acemlnb.com/Prod/link-tracker?redirectUrl=aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZjYXAudW5sLmVkdSUyRnByb2Nlc3NvcnMlM0Z1dG1fc291cmNlJTNEQWN0aXZlQ2FtcGFpZ24lMjZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtJTNEZW1haWwlMjZ1dG1fY29udGVudCUzRDElMkJJQU5SJTJCUmVsZWFzZSUyNTNBJTJCTmVicmFza2ElMkJFeHRlbnNpb24lMkJsYXVuY2hpbmclMkJuZXclMkJtYW5hZ2VtZW50JTJCdHJhaW5pbmclMkJwcm9ncmFtJTJCZm9yJTJCbWVhdCUyQnByb2Nlc3NvcnMlMjZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ24lM0QxJTJCSUFOUiUyQlJlbGVhc2UlMjUzQSUyQk5lYnJhc2thJTJCRXh0ZW5zaW9uJTJCbGF1bmNoaW5nJTJCbmV3JTJCbWFuYWdlbWVudCUyQnRyYWluaW5nJTJCcHJvZ3JhbSUyQmZvciUyQm1lYXQlMkJwcm9jZXNzb3Jz&amp;sig=ftA3uvbRrUmttb9Eqx1Nn1gG751BV74p3p8iWgzefZq&amp;iat=1701890773&amp;a=%7C%7C68108822%7C%7C&amp;account=unl233%2Eactivehosted%2Ecom&amp;email=Njd4QVCtXcteLzSw0on5EM2quKdDPg%2FHztugSgOJqiS1tePXqfKtMns%3D%3A%2FZtPPkxMafqmUn8tDk8UKiM9qv1wU9D%2B&amp;s=073f67d35943f6c01a66f2eac84e284e&amp;i=524A609A50A10695" target="_blank">https://cap.unl.edu/processors</a>. The application is open there until Jan. 20.This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2022-70419-38561.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nebraska Extension launching new management training program for meat processors

Update:&nbsp;Scotts Bluff County Attorney Dave Eubanks provided an update on Tuesday on the identity of the man that passed away on Friday night at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center.

46-year-old David C. Roberts passed away Friday night after he was found unresponsive at the detention center. Foul play is not suspected, and his death is under investigation.

Roberts was arrested on November 29th on a violation of the Nebraska sex offender registry.

By Alex BenzegalaPanhandle PostUpdate:&nbsp;Scotts Bluff County Attorney Dave Eubanks provided an update on Tuesday on the identity of the man that passed away on Friday night at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center.46-year-old David C. Roberts passed away Friday night after he was found unresponsive at the detention center. Foul play is not suspected, and his death is under investigation.Roberts was arrested on November 29th on a violation of the Nebraska sex offender registry.

Update: Scottsbluff man identified as person found dead at Scotts Bluff County Detention Center

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two months after his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">historic ouster</a>&nbsp;as House speaker, Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy announced Wednesday that he is resigning from his congressional seat in California.

His announcement capped a stunning end for the one-time deli owner from Bakersfield, who ascended through state and national politics to become second in line to the presidency before a contingent of hard-right conservatives&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-kevin-mccarthy-ousted-house-republicans-f93cbd2c7f6f8f32dbb9cddf7905efa3">engineered his removal</a>&nbsp;in October.

McCarthy is the only speaker in history to be voted out of the job.

“No matter the odds, or personal cost, we did the right thing," McCarthy wrote in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, announcing his decision.

“It is in this spirit that I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways,” he wrote.

His toppling from the chamber’s top post was fueled by grievances from his party’s hard-right flank, including over his decision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open</a>&nbsp;rather than risk a shutdown.

McCarthy, 58, arrived in the House in January 2007 after a stint in the California Assembly, where he served as minority leader. In Congress, he maneuvered through his party’s hierarchy — serving as majority whip and Republican leader along the way — before being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">elected speaker</a>&nbsp;in January 2023.

The dayslong floor fight that preceded his elevation to the House’s top job foreshadowed a stormy tenure, at a time when former President Donald Trump remained the de facto leader of the party and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-republican-party-donald-trump-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-77c6e337644955bc3e64e1f7e3a094e5">deep divisions</a>&nbsp;within the GOP raised serious questions about the party’s ability to govern.

It took a record 15 votes over four days for McCarthy to line up the support he needed to win the post he had long coveted, finally prevailing on a 216-212 vote with Democrats backing leader Hakeem Jeffries and six Republican holdouts voting present. Not since the Civil War era has a speaker’s vote dragged through so many rounds of counting.

McCarthy emerged from the fight weakened, especially considering Republicans held only a fragile margin in the chamber after a predicted “red wave” failed to materialize in the 2022 elections.

Once installed as speaker, his well-known savvy for fundraising and political glad-handing appeared ill-suited for corralling his party’s disputatious hard-right faction. And deals he cut to become speaker — including a rules change that allowed any single lawmaker to file a motion to remove him — left him vulnerable.

When he became speaker, “he faced new challenges that required a different skill set,” said Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney, a one-time domestic policy analyst for House Republicans. And “the deals he made to become speaker made it almost impossible for him to succeed as speaker.”

McCarthy, the son of a firefighter and a homemaker, has long depicted himself as an unflagging battler. He is fond of quoting his father, who told him, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673356695369.png" alt="Rep. Kevin McCarthy on the night in January he was finally elected Speaker of the House" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Kevin McCarthy on the night in January he was finally elected Speaker of the House</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two months after his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">historic ouster</a>&nbsp;as House speaker, Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy announced Wednesday that he is resigning from his congressional seat in California.His announcement capped a stunning end for the one-time deli owner from Bakersfield, who ascended through state and national politics to become second in line to the presidency before a contingent of hard-right conservatives&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-kevin-mccarthy-ousted-house-republicans-f93cbd2c7f6f8f32dbb9cddf7905efa3">engineered his removal</a>&nbsp;in October.McCarthy is the only speaker in history to be voted out of the job.“No matter the odds, or personal cost, we did the right thing," McCarthy wrote in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, announcing his decision.“It is in this spirit that I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways,” he wrote.His toppling from the chamber’s top post was fueled by grievances from his party’s hard-right flank, including over his decision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open</a>&nbsp;rather than risk a shutdown.McCarthy, 58, arrived in the House in January 2007 after a stint in the California Assembly, where he served as minority leader. In Congress, he maneuvered through his party’s hierarchy — serving as majority whip and Republican leader along the way — before being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">elected speaker</a>&nbsp;in January 2023.The dayslong floor fight that preceded his elevation to the House’s top job foreshadowed a stormy tenure, at a time when former President Donald Trump remained the de facto leader of the party and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-republican-party-donald-trump-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-77c6e337644955bc3e64e1f7e3a094e5">deep divisions</a>&nbsp;within the GOP raised serious questions about the party’s ability to govern.It took a record 15 votes over four days for McCarthy to line up the support he needed to win the post he had long coveted, finally prevailing on a 216-212 vote with Democrats backing leader Hakeem Jeffries and six Republican holdouts voting present. Not since the Civil War era has a speaker’s vote dragged through so many rounds of counting.McCarthy emerged from the fight weakened, especially considering Republicans held only a fragile margin in the chamber after a predicted “red wave” failed to materialize in the 2022 elections.Once installed as speaker, his well-known savvy for fundraising and political glad-handing appeared ill-suited for corralling his party’s disputatious hard-right faction. And deals he cut to become speaker — including a rules change that allowed any single lawmaker to file a motion to remove him — left him vulnerable.When he became speaker, “he faced new challenges that required a different skill set,” said Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney, a one-time domestic policy analyst for House Republicans. And “the deals he made to become speaker made it almost impossible for him to succeed as speaker.”McCarthy, the son of a firefighter and a homemaker, has long depicted himself as an unflagging battler. He is fond of quoting his father, who told him, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

Rep. Kevin McCarthy resigns 2 months after ouster as House Speaker

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/05/first-organizations-are-certified-to-provide-private-scholarships-to-nebraska-k-12-students/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;The Nebraska Department of Revenue on Tuesday publicized a list of the first organizations certified to provide scholarships for K-12 students to attend private schools beginning Jan. 1.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/businesses/opportunity-scholarship-act/certified-scholarship-granting-organization-lists">list of certified scholarship granting organizations</a>&nbsp;includes Assistance for Individuals and Families without Borders in La Vista; Metro Area Christian Schools SGO in Omaha and Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska in Lincoln.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who tried for years to enact school choice legislation,&nbsp; introduced Legislative Bill 753 this year and ushered it to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/30/nebraska-gov-pillen-signs-opportunity-scholarships-proposal-into-law/">Gov. Jim Pillen for his approval</a>&nbsp;in May.&nbsp;

Linehan said Tuesday she was “thrilled” the organizations are off the ground.

“It’s very hopeful to me,” Linehan said. “I am very glad that there’s a group of people that know how important this is and they’ve been willing to go after it and help kids who need different choices than they currently have.”

For donors who give funds to a certified organization, the donation is eligible for a tax credit equal to the lesser of:

LB 753 will allow a total of $25 million in tax credits in its first three years and could grow to a total of $100 million annually, based on demand.

The Revenue Department will accept SGO applications year round. The nonprofits can accept contributions no earlier than Jan. 1 and must be certified before they can do so.&nbsp;

Opponents of LB 753, including the Nebraska State Education Association, argue taxpayer dollars should never be diverted to private schools. This summer, they formed Support Our Schools to gather signatures and let voters have the final say on the law.

Those efforts were successful, and LB 753 has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/10/public-school-advocates-qualify-referendum-on-opportunity-scholarship-law-for-2024-election/">qualified for the 2024 ballot</a>.

“Nothing has changed,” said Tim Royers, president of the Millard Education Association and treasurer of Support Our Schools. “If there’s one thing I learned this past summer it’s that Nebraskans want their public dollars to go to public schools.”

Rebecca Firestone, executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute, said in a statement the $25 million could be spent in better ways, such as investing in education for all of Nebraska’s children. Instead, it will go in the form of tax credits to wealthy Nebraskans and businesses, she said.

The Revenue Department would stop issuing determinations of available tax credits for SGOs if voters reject the law from the date election results are certified, according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/about/frequently-asked-questions/opportunity-scholarship-act-faqs">department FAQ</a>.

Taxpayers who contribute to SGOs before that date could still claim the tax credit.

A counter organization, Keep Kids First, formed to stop Support Our Schools.&nbsp;

The $25 million limit in the law is 0.46% of all new state aid, Linehan added, and is 1% of all funding directed toward pre-K-12 education. Gov. Pillen, at the bill’s signing, described this as a “drop in the bucket” compared to new funding for public schools and the state’s overall budget.

“This money goes to kids for scholarships,” Linehan said. “There is no benefit to the wealthy.”

Linehan and the Nebraska Catholic Conference said this summer that once Nebraskans saw the impact of LB 753 for families in need, they would&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/30/support-our-schools-says-it-has-enough-signatures-to-reach-2024-nebraska-ballot/">embrace the law</a>.

Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, led by familiar advocates who fought to keep LB 753 off the ballot, borrows its name from LB 753 — the Opportunity Scholarships Act.

Leading the SGO is Executive Director Jeremy Ekeler, the former associate director of education policy with the Nebraska Catholic Conference. He said the new organization is excited to engage families and accompany them through the scholarship application process.

“This transformational scholarship program is common sense, and education freedom is quickly becoming the standard across the country,” Ekeler said in a statement. “The reason is simple: every child learns differently.”

Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska is endorsed by Nebraska’s three Catholic dioceses and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod schools, among other private schools, according to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nebraskaopportunity.org/about-osn">organization’s website</a>.

Lauren Gage is its director of marketing and outreach. She previously served as state director of the American Federation for Children, which advocates for charter schools, vouchers and such tax credit scholarships to private schools.&nbsp;

Linehan’s daughter, Katie, is a spokesperson and registered Nebraska lobbyist for the state federation.&nbsp;

The American Federation for Children, along with its associated growth fund, contributed nearly half of the $1.4 million in total contributions to Keep Kids First —&nbsp;just over $661,000. Much of that went directly toward legal services, staff time and other expenses.

The co-chairs of the Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska board of directors, Rick Bettger of Omaha and Kim Schroll of North Platte, also financially contributed to Keep Kids First.

Bettger, who owns Omaha Car Care, donated $10,000. Schroll, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NebraskaLand Bank, donated $1,000.&nbsp;

Pillen also&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/03/governor-doubles-down-on-support-for-school-choice-with-100000-donation/">donated a sizable amount</a>&nbsp;to the Keep Kids First campaign: $100,000.

A website for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aifsf.org/">AIF-without Borders</a>&nbsp;states the nonprofit began in April 2014 in Lincoln, intending to help those who are deprived or in need. Additional objectives are assisting the integration of immigrants in the country, ending poverty, fighting against hunger and ensuring access to various needs, including health, education, gender equality and peace.

Further information about people involved with AIF-without Borders was not available. A website or more information could not immediately be found for Metro Area Christian Schools SGO.

‘They’re just wrong’: Revenue chair reacts to projected reductions in state funds

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, said Tuesday she does not accept projections that state tax cuts could lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/04/new-report-says-states-tax-cutting-spree-endangers-health-care-education/">deep reductions in state revenues</a>.

Linehan’s comments come less than a week after a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/states-recent-tax-cut-spree-creates-big-risks-for-families-and">Center on Budget and Policy Priorities</a>, reported that the state’s latest “tax-cutting spree” could result in some of the steepest state funding reductions in the country.

According to the report, the tax cuts are projected to reduce state revenues by $3.1 billion over the next five years, a 7.6% decline in general fund revenue.

“These permanent cuts built on temporary budget surpluses over time will threaten the sustainability of current investments in schools, health care and public safety,” Rebecca Firestone, executive director of the OpenSky Policy Institute, said in a statement.

Linehan, who was a major player behind the tax cuts, rejected those projections and warnings from OpenSky, a nonprofit that focuses on fiscal research and analysis.

“They’ve never been right,” Linehan said.

Linehan argued that OpenSky and the state’s fiscal office are ignoring the state’s money that remains on hand and is accruing interest.&nbsp;

“They don’t even take that into account,” Linehan said.

“This idea that we’re in trouble or we’re not going to be able to afford our obligations, they’re just wrong,” Linehan continued. “They’ve been saying that since I’ve been there and they have been wrong every time.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701877993235.jpeg" alt=" State Sens. Lou Ann Linehan and Justin Wayne flank Gov. Jim Pillen after he signed LB 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, into law on May 30. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Governor’s Office)" />
 <figcaption> State Sens. Lou Ann Linehan and Justin Wayne flank Gov. Jim Pillen after he signed LB 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, into law on May 30. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Governor’s Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/05/first-organizations-are-certified-to-provide-private-scholarships-to-nebraska-k-12-students/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;The Nebraska Department of Revenue on Tuesday publicized a list of the first organizations certified to provide scholarships for K-12 students to attend private schools beginning Jan. 1.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/businesses/opportunity-scholarship-act/certified-scholarship-granting-organization-lists">list of certified scholarship granting organizations</a>&nbsp;includes Assistance for Individuals and Families without Borders in La Vista; Metro Area Christian Schools SGO in Omaha and Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska in Lincoln.State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who tried for years to enact school choice legislation,&nbsp; introduced Legislative Bill 753 this year and ushered it to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/30/nebraska-gov-pillen-signs-opportunity-scholarships-proposal-into-law/">Gov. Jim Pillen for his approval</a>&nbsp;in May.&nbsp;Linehan said Tuesday she was “thrilled” the organizations are off the ground.“It’s very hopeful to me,” Linehan said. “I am very glad that there’s a group of people that know how important this is and they’ve been willing to go after it and help kids who need different choices than they currently have.”For donors who give funds to a certified organization, the donation is eligible for a tax credit equal to the lesser of:<ul>
 <li>The total amount of contributions made to an SGO during the tax year.</li><li>50% of the income tax liability of the taxpayer for such year.</li><li>$100,000, or $1 million for estates and trusts.</li>
 </ul>LB 753 will allow a total of $25 million in tax credits in its first three years and could grow to a total of $100 million annually, based on demand.The Revenue Department will accept SGO applications year round. The nonprofits can accept contributions no earlier than Jan. 1 and must be certified before they can do so.&nbsp;<h2>Opponents say ‘nothing has changed’</h2>Opponents of LB 753, including the Nebraska State Education Association, argue taxpayer dollars should never be diverted to private schools. This summer, they formed Support Our Schools to gather signatures and let voters have the final say on the law.Those efforts were successful, and LB 753 has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/10/public-school-advocates-qualify-referendum-on-opportunity-scholarship-law-for-2024-election/">qualified for the 2024 ballot</a>.“Nothing has changed,” said Tim Royers, president of the Millard Education Association and treasurer of Support Our Schools. “If there’s one thing I learned this past summer it’s that Nebraskans want their public dollars to go to public schools.”Rebecca Firestone, executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute, said in a statement the $25 million could be spent in better ways, such as investing in education for all of Nebraska’s children. Instead, it will go in the form of tax credits to wealthy Nebraskans and businesses, she said.The Revenue Department would stop issuing determinations of available tax credits for SGOs if voters reject the law from the date election results are certified, according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/about/frequently-asked-questions/opportunity-scholarship-act-faqs">department FAQ</a>.Taxpayers who contribute to SGOs before that date could still claim the tax credit.<h2>‘This money goes to kids’</h2>A counter organization, Keep Kids First, formed to stop Support Our Schools.&nbsp;The $25 million limit in the law is 0.46% of all new state aid, Linehan added, and is 1% of all funding directed toward pre-K-12 education. Gov. Pillen, at the bill’s signing, described this as a “drop in the bucket” compared to new funding for public schools and the state’s overall budget.“This money goes to kids for scholarships,” Linehan said. “There is no benefit to the wealthy.”Linehan and the Nebraska Catholic Conference said this summer that once Nebraskans saw the impact of LB 753 for families in need, they would&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/30/support-our-schools-says-it-has-enough-signatures-to-reach-2024-nebraska-ballot/">embrace the law</a>.<h2>Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska</h2>Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, led by familiar advocates who fought to keep LB 753 off the ballot, borrows its name from LB 753 — the Opportunity Scholarships Act.Leading the SGO is Executive Director Jeremy Ekeler, the former associate director of education policy with the Nebraska Catholic Conference. He said the new organization is excited to engage families and accompany them through the scholarship application process.“This transformational scholarship program is common sense, and education freedom is quickly becoming the standard across the country,” Ekeler said in a statement. “The reason is simple: every child learns differently.”Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska is endorsed by Nebraska’s three Catholic dioceses and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod schools, among other private schools, according to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nebraskaopportunity.org/about-osn">organization’s website</a>.Lauren Gage is its director of marketing and outreach. She previously served as state director of the American Federation for Children, which advocates for charter schools, vouchers and such tax credit scholarships to private schools.&nbsp;Linehan’s daughter, Katie, is a spokesperson and registered Nebraska lobbyist for the state federation.&nbsp;The American Federation for Children, along with its associated growth fund, contributed nearly half of the $1.4 million in total contributions to Keep Kids First —&nbsp;just over $661,000. Much of that went directly toward legal services, staff time and other expenses.The co-chairs of the Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska board of directors, Rick Bettger of Omaha and Kim Schroll of North Platte, also financially contributed to Keep Kids First.Bettger, who owns Omaha Car Care, donated $10,000. Schroll, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NebraskaLand Bank, donated $1,000.&nbsp;Pillen also&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/10/03/governor-doubles-down-on-support-for-school-choice-with-100000-donation/">donated a sizable amount</a>&nbsp;to the Keep Kids First campaign: $100,000.A website for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aifsf.org/">AIF-without Borders</a>&nbsp;states the nonprofit began in April 2014 in Lincoln, intending to help those who are deprived or in need. Additional objectives are assisting the integration of immigrants in the country, ending poverty, fighting against hunger and ensuring access to various needs, including health, education, gender equality and peace.Further information about people involved with AIF-without Borders was not available. A website or more information could not immediately be found for Metro Area Christian Schools SGO.<h2>‘They’re just wrong’: Revenue chair reacts to projected reductions in state funds</h2>State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, said Tuesday she does not accept projections that state tax cuts could lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/04/new-report-says-states-tax-cutting-spree-endangers-health-care-education/">deep reductions in state revenues</a>.Linehan’s comments come less than a week after a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/states-recent-tax-cut-spree-creates-big-risks-for-families-and">Center on Budget and Policy Priorities</a>, reported that the state’s latest “tax-cutting spree” could result in some of the steepest state funding reductions in the country.According to the report, the tax cuts are projected to reduce state revenues by $3.1 billion over the next five years, a 7.6% decline in general fund revenue.“These permanent cuts built on temporary budget surpluses over time will threaten the sustainability of current investments in schools, health care and public safety,” Rebecca Firestone, executive director of the OpenSky Policy Institute, said in a statement.Linehan, who was a major player behind the tax cuts, rejected those projections and warnings from OpenSky, a nonprofit that focuses on fiscal research and analysis.“They’ve never been right,” Linehan said.Linehan argued that OpenSky and the state’s fiscal office are ignoring the state’s money that remains on hand and is accruing interest.&nbsp;“They don’t even take that into account,” Linehan said.“This idea that we’re in trouble or we’re not going to be able to afford our obligations, they’re just wrong,” Linehan continued. “They’ve been saying that since I’ve been there and they have been wrong every time.”

First organizations are certified to provide private scholarships to Nebraska K-12 students

WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/Christopher-Wray" target="_blank">Christopher Wray</a>&nbsp;called Tuesday for the reauthorization of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-congress-surveillance-terrorism-1c89e362e82aefc36e029f29d0ec5c7f" target="_blank">U.S. government surveillance tool</a>&nbsp;set to expire at the end of the year, warning Senate lawmakers that there would be “devastating” consequences for public safety if the program is allowed to lapse.

At issue is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the U.S. government to collect without a warrant the communications of targeted foreigners outside the United States. Law enforcement and intelligence officials see the program as vital to combating terror attacks, cyber intrusions, espionage and other foreign threats.

The program, created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, is due to expire at the end of this month unless Congress votes to reauthorize it. But Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have balked at renewing the program in its current form, recommending a slew of reforms in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-surveillance-terrorism-congress-white-house-003e477ed7cc220b021084bd2210d472" target="_blank">competing legislative proposals</a>&nbsp;that are aimed at better safeguarding civil liberties and that are jockeying for support in the coming weeks.

The thorny path to reauthorization was laid bare during Tuesday’s hearing, when lawmakers from both parties questioned Wray, at times aggressively, over periodic misuse of the program by FBI employees seeking out information about Americans. Though the program enables surveillance only of foreigners located outside the U.S, it also can capture the communications of American citizens and others in the U.S. when those people are in contact with those targeted foreigners.

Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, said that during his 13 years on the committee, he’d pressed multiple FBI directors about civil liberties violations associated with the surveillance program and had repeatedly been given false reassurances about the reforms being put in place.

“Every darn one of them has told me the same thing: ‘Don’t worry about it, we’ve got this taken care of it, we’ve got new procedures, it’s going to be different now’,” Lee said. “It’s never different. You haven’t changed.”

He added: “We have no reason to trust you because you haven’t behaved in a manner that is trustworthy.”

The fact that Wray devoted a significant portion of his prepared remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee to the issue underscores its importance to the FBI, particularly at a time when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war" target="_blank">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;has drawn heightened concern about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-hamas-attack-isis-bb1ceb7ce51cfc05ed751d2ce7983fcd" target="_blank">possibility of extremist violence on U.S. soil</a>&nbsp;and contributed to threats being at a “whole other level” since the Oct. 7 attacks.

“I think blinding us through either allowing 702 to lapse or amending it in a way that guts its effectiveness would be reckless at best and dangerous and irresponsible at worst,” Wray said.

Calling the authority indispensable, he told the committee, “702 allows us to stay a step ahead of foreign actors located outside the United States who pose a threat to national security. And the expiration of our 702 authorities would be devastating to the FBI’s ability to protect Americans from those threats.”

Wray, who took over as director in 2017, said that what made the current climate unique is that “so many of the threats are all elevated at the same time.”

But the 702 program has come under scrutiny in the last year following revelations that FBI analysts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-foreign-surveillance-section-702-a804ea3ee688d8670aa19610e6fa8494" target="_blank">improperly searched</a>&nbsp;the database of intelligence, including for information about people tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and the racial justice protests of 2020.

Those concerns have united longtime vocal champions of civil liberties, including Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, as well as Republican supporters of former President Donald Trump who are still angry over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/russia-probe-report-spurs-calls-for-fbi-surveillance-changes-9d79f3d1beb1e552d57e0a17d9cd8e28" target="_blank">surveillance missteps</a>&nbsp;made during the Russia investigation of 2016.

Wray and the White House have balked at the idea that the FBI should be required to get a warrant before searching the intelligence database for information about Americans and others inside the The FBI director said such a requirement would be both legally unnecessary and would hold up the bureau in trying to disrupt fast-moving national security threats.

If a warrant requirement is the path chosen, Wray said, “What if there were a terrorist attack that we had a shot to prevent, but couldn’t take it, because the FBI was deprived of the ability under 702 to look at key information already sitting in our holdings?”

One bipartisan proposal from Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, the two leaders of the Senate intelligence committee, would impose a more limited requirement, mandating a court order for when the FBI wants to conduct queries on Americans to find evidence of a crime but not for when the FBI is searching the intelligence database for foreign intelligence information.

Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat who said he had not yet made up his mind on how he’d vote, asked Wray whether that more narrow proposal might be more acceptable. The FBI director said that that proposal might provide a viable path forward, but noted that searches of the database for the sole purpose of finding evidence of a crime were very rare.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, summed up the issue by telling Wray that though “there was no question” that Section 702 was a “critical tool for collecting foreign intelligence” he would encourage significant reforms to protect the privacy of “innocent Americans.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701820707420.png" alt="“I think blinding us through either allowing 702 to lapse or amending it in a way that guts its effectiveness would be reckless at best and dangerous and irresponsible at worst,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said.-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>“I think blinding us through either allowing 702 to lapse or amending it in a way that guts its effectiveness would be reckless at best and dangerous and irresponsible at worst,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said.-photo courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/Christopher-Wray" target="_blank">Christopher Wray</a>&nbsp;called Tuesday for the reauthorization of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-congress-surveillance-terrorism-1c89e362e82aefc36e029f29d0ec5c7f" target="_blank">U.S. government surveillance tool</a>&nbsp;set to expire at the end of the year, warning Senate lawmakers that there would be “devastating” consequences for public safety if the program is allowed to lapse.At issue is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the U.S. government to collect without a warrant the communications of targeted foreigners outside the United States. Law enforcement and intelligence officials see the program as vital to combating terror attacks, cyber intrusions, espionage and other foreign threats.The program, created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, is due to expire at the end of this month unless Congress votes to reauthorize it. But Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have balked at renewing the program in its current form, recommending a slew of reforms in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-surveillance-terrorism-congress-white-house-003e477ed7cc220b021084bd2210d472" target="_blank">competing legislative proposals</a>&nbsp;that are aimed at better safeguarding civil liberties and that are jockeying for support in the coming weeks.The thorny path to reauthorization was laid bare during Tuesday’s hearing, when lawmakers from both parties questioned Wray, at times aggressively, over periodic misuse of the program by FBI employees seeking out information about Americans. Though the program enables surveillance only of foreigners located outside the U.S, it also can capture the communications of American citizens and others in the U.S. when those people are in contact with those targeted foreigners.Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, said that during his 13 years on the committee, he’d pressed multiple FBI directors about civil liberties violations associated with the surveillance program and had repeatedly been given false reassurances about the reforms being put in place.“Every darn one of them has told me the same thing: ‘Don’t worry about it, we’ve got this taken care of it, we’ve got new procedures, it’s going to be different now’,” Lee said. “It’s never different. You haven’t changed.”He added: “We have no reason to trust you because you haven’t behaved in a manner that is trustworthy.”The fact that Wray devoted a significant portion of his prepared remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee to the issue underscores its importance to the FBI, particularly at a time when the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war" target="_blank">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;has drawn heightened concern about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-hamas-attack-isis-bb1ceb7ce51cfc05ed751d2ce7983fcd" target="_blank">possibility of extremist violence on U.S. soil</a>&nbsp;and contributed to threats being at a “whole other level” since the Oct. 7 attacks.“I think blinding us through either allowing 702 to lapse or amending it in a way that guts its effectiveness would be reckless at best and dangerous and irresponsible at worst,” Wray said.Calling the authority indispensable, he told the committee, “702 allows us to stay a step ahead of foreign actors located outside the United States who pose a threat to national security. And the expiration of our 702 authorities would be devastating to the FBI’s ability to protect Americans from those threats.”Wray, who took over as director in 2017, said that what made the current climate unique is that “so many of the threats are all elevated at the same time.”But the 702 program has come under scrutiny in the last year following revelations that FBI analysts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-foreign-surveillance-section-702-a804ea3ee688d8670aa19610e6fa8494" target="_blank">improperly searched</a>&nbsp;the database of intelligence, including for information about people tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and the racial justice protests of 2020.Those concerns have united longtime vocal champions of civil liberties, including Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, as well as Republican supporters of former President Donald Trump who are still angry over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/russia-probe-report-spurs-calls-for-fbi-surveillance-changes-9d79f3d1beb1e552d57e0a17d9cd8e28" target="_blank">surveillance missteps</a>&nbsp;made during the Russia investigation of 2016.Wray and the White House have balked at the idea that the FBI should be required to get a warrant before searching the intelligence database for information about Americans and others inside the The FBI director said such a requirement would be both legally unnecessary and would hold up the bureau in trying to disrupt fast-moving national security threats.If a warrant requirement is the path chosen, Wray said, “What if there were a terrorist attack that we had a shot to prevent, but couldn’t take it, because the FBI was deprived of the ability under 702 to look at key information already sitting in our holdings?”One bipartisan proposal from Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, the two leaders of the Senate intelligence committee, would impose a more limited requirement, mandating a court order for when the FBI wants to conduct queries on Americans to find evidence of a crime but not for when the FBI is searching the intelligence database for foreign intelligence information.Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat who said he had not yet made up his mind on how he’d vote, asked Wray whether that more narrow proposal might be more acceptable. The FBI director said that that proposal might provide a viable path forward, but noted that searches of the database for the sole purpose of finding evidence of a crime were very rare.Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, summed up the issue by telling Wray that though “there was no question” that Section 702 was a “critical tool for collecting foreign intelligence” he would encourage significant reforms to protect the privacy of “innocent Americans.”

Ominous warning: FBI chief wants renewal of controversial spy program 

KEARNEY, NEB. – Hall County Farm Bureau members, Josh and Jill England, earned the 2023 Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. The award was announced Dec. 5 at the “We Love Our Members” luncheon at the Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 106th&nbsp;Annual Convention in Kearney.

The Englands are the fourth generation to farm their family’s land near Doniphan&nbsp;and were recognized for their ongoing involvement and commitment to agriculture. Candidates for the award are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic, service, and community organizations.&nbsp;Josh grew up at the farm that was homesteaded by his family in 1920 and they continue to raise corn and soybeans. After completing his degree in Criminal Justice, Josh knew he belonged on the family operation.

Jill grew up on a diversified row crop and cattle operation near Pender. Her love of agriculture started early on as she was very involved in her FFA program, serving as a Nebraska State FFA officer. Jill works as a recruiter for a hospital system while supporting their operation on the farm.

Josh and Jill were married in 2021 and have a 1-year-old daughter, Logan. Today the Englands farm over 1500 irrigated acres of corn and soybeans in Hall County. In the coming year, they will begin to transition the farm as Josh’s dad starts to retire.

As active Hall County Farm Bureau board members, Josh and Jill stay engaged in Farm Bureau. Josh was elected to serve as the 2024 chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers committee, where they both serve as the Central Region representatives. Jill also recently completed her 2023 Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy experience. The Englands are also involved in their community with Josh serving on the local fire department and both are involved in their community’s Legion.

Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35 can apply for the Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. As the Nebraska winner, the Englands will receive $500 and an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah in January to compete with other state winners at the national level.

Nebraska Farm BureauKEARNEY, NEB. – Hall County Farm Bureau members, Josh and Jill England, earned the 2023 Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. The award was announced Dec. 5 at the “We Love Our Members” luncheon at the Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 106th&nbsp;Annual Convention in Kearney.The Englands are the fourth generation to farm their family’s land near Doniphan&nbsp;and were recognized for their ongoing involvement and commitment to agriculture. Candidates for the award are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, and involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic, service, and community organizations.&nbsp;Josh grew up at the farm that was homesteaded by his family in 1920 and they continue to raise corn and soybeans. After completing his degree in Criminal Justice, Josh knew he belonged on the family operation.Jill grew up on a diversified row crop and cattle operation near Pender. Her love of agriculture started early on as she was very involved in her FFA program, serving as a Nebraska State FFA officer. Jill works as a recruiter for a hospital system while supporting their operation on the farm.Josh and Jill were married in 2021 and have a 1-year-old daughter, Logan. Today the Englands farm over 1500 irrigated acres of corn and soybeans in Hall County. In the coming year, they will begin to transition the farm as Josh’s dad starts to retire.As active Hall County Farm Bureau board members, Josh and Jill stay engaged in Farm Bureau. Josh was elected to serve as the 2024 chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers committee, where they both serve as the Central Region representatives. Jill also recently completed her 2023 Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy experience. The Englands are also involved in their community with Josh serving on the local fire department and both are involved in their community’s Legion.Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35 can apply for the Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. As the Nebraska winner, the Englands will receive $500 and an all-expense paid trip to the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah in January to compete with other state winners at the national level.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>.

Josh and Jill England Take Home Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Agriculture Award

NEW YORK (AP) — Is the year of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;over now? Not yet.

Time Magazine named Swift its person of the year on Wednesday, a week after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spotify-2023-music-taylor-swift-bad-bunny-376192a822c7b1d38387a0f3b17e963f">Spotify announced</a>&nbsp;she was the most-played artist on the streaming platform.

Swift was picked from a group of nine finalists that included Barbie, King Charles III, and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, among others.

“While her popularity has grown across the decades, this is the year that Swift, 33, achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force,” Time said&nbsp;<a href="https://time.com/6342816/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift-choice/">about her selection</a>.

Her year included the wildly popular Eras Tour and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-review-2f409c638d2a9ea827f72c61b6b0d60a">concert movie</a>, the release of her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-a4002b50f70b5899a846baf3e20de5ab">reimagined ‘1989’ album</a>, and her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-packers-2a1a9e791afbf7a3cb86ec458b1aae67">closely watched relationship</a>&nbsp;with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She's even the subject of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-rick-ross-law-school-courses-fd00b458405b36acf281a5ab586ad320">college courses</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695606865962.png" alt="File photo Taylor Swift inside Arrowhead Stadium during the first half of a game between the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Kansas City (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>File photo Taylor Swift inside Arrowhead Stadium during the first half of a game between the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in Kansas City (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Is the year of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;over now? Not yet.Time Magazine named Swift its person of the year on Wednesday, a week after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spotify-2023-music-taylor-swift-bad-bunny-376192a822c7b1d38387a0f3b17e963f">Spotify announced</a>&nbsp;she was the most-played artist on the streaming platform.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Taylor Swift (<a href="https://twitter.com/taylorswift13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@taylorswift13</a>) is TIME&#39;s 2023 Person of the Year <a href="https://t.co/oyjR55azCZ">https://t.co/oyjR55azCZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/m2qbIbd5TX">pic.twitter.com/m2qbIbd5TX</a>&mdash; TIME (@TIME) <a href="https://twitter.com/TIME/status/1732379462644220275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Swift was picked from a group of nine finalists that included Barbie, King Charles III, and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, among others.“While her popularity has grown across the decades, this is the year that Swift, 33, achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force,” Time said&nbsp;<a href="https://time.com/6342816/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift-choice/">about her selection</a>.Her year included the wildly popular Eras Tour and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-movie-review-2f409c638d2a9ea827f72c61b6b0d60a">concert movie</a>, the release of her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-a4002b50f70b5899a846baf3e20de5ab">reimagined ‘1989’ album</a>, and her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-packers-2a1a9e791afbf7a3cb86ec458b1aae67">closely watched relationship</a>&nbsp;with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She's even the subject of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-rick-ross-law-school-courses-fd00b458405b36acf281a5ab586ad320">college courses</a>.

Taylor Swift is named Time Magazine's person of the year

Dec. 5, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;On Tuesday, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced the selection of five proposals for funding in the eighth round of the County Bridge Match Program (CBMP). The program was created as a result of the 2016 Transportation Innovation Act (TIA).

The CBMP provides funding to accelerate the repair and replacement of deficient bridges on county road systems. The $1 million of projects were selected from the next highest ranked project from the 2023 Request for Proposals.

NDOT in cooperation with representatives from Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), and Nebraska Association of County Engineers, County Highway Superintendents &amp; County Surveyors created the guideline for the County Bridge Match Program (CBMP) in 2016. NDOT credits the partnership with County Bridge Match Working Group, made up of county officials, county engineers and county highway superintendents, as a major reason for the success of the program.

“NDOT understands the value the County Bridge Match Program provides to local communities,” said Local Assistance Division Manager Jodi Gibson. “We are actively working on the next phase of the program, building on the strong success of the first seven rounds which has invested $39 million into 149 projects and generated $87 million in construction activities.” The CBMP funds 55% of eligible bridge construction costs (up to $250,000 for a single bridge

$300,000 for a multi-bridge proposal or $750,000 max for a multi-bridge and multi-county proposal) with counties providing a 45% match.

Dec. 5, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;On Tuesday, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced the selection of five proposals for funding in the eighth round of the County Bridge Match Program (CBMP). The program was created as a result of the 2016 Transportation Innovation Act (TIA). The CBMP provides funding to accelerate the repair and replacement of deficient bridges on county road systems. The $1 million of projects were selected from the next highest ranked project from the 2023 Request for Proposals.NDOT in cooperation with representatives from Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), and Nebraska Association of County Engineers, County Highway Superintendents &amp; County Surveyors created the guideline for the County Bridge Match Program (CBMP) in 2016. NDOT credits the partnership with County Bridge Match Working Group, made up of county officials, county engineers and county highway superintendents, as a major reason for the success of the program.“NDOT understands the value the County Bridge Match Program provides to local communities,” said Local Assistance Division Manager Jodi Gibson. “We are actively working on the next phase of the program, building on the strong success of the first seven rounds which has invested $39 million into 149 projects and generated $87 million in construction activities.” The CBMP funds 55% of eligible bridge construction costs (up to $250,000 for a single bridge$300,000 for a multi-bridge proposal or $750,000 max for a multi-bridge and multi-county proposal) with counties providing a 45% match.

 NDOT Announces Latest Selection of County Bridge Match Program Proposals

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television with such topical hits as "All in the Family" and “Maude” and propelled political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of sitcoms, has died. He was 101.

Lear died Tuesday night in his sleep, surrounded by family at his home in Los Angeles, said Lara Bergthold, a spokesperson for his family.

A liberal activist with an eye for mainstream entertainment, Lear fashioned bold and controversial comedies that were embraced by TV sitcom viewers who long had to watch the evening news to find out what was going on in the world. His shows helped define prime time comedy in the 1970s and after, launched the careers of such young performers as Rob Reiner and Valerie Bertinelli and made Carroll O'Connor, Bea Arthur and Redd Foxx among others into middle-aged superstars.

His signature production was “All in the Family,” which was immersed in the headlines of the day, while also drawing upon Lear's childhood memories of his tempestuous father. Racism, feminism, and the Vietnam War were flashpoints in the sitcom featuring blue collar conservative Archie Bunker, played by O'Connor, and liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic (Reiner). Jean Stapleton co-starred as Archie’s befuddled, but good-hearted wife, Edith, and Sally Struthers played the Bunkers' daughter, Gloria, who often clashed with Archie on behalf of her husband.

At the start of the 1970s, top-rated shows still included such old-fashioned programs as “Here’s Lucy,” “Ironside” and “Gunsmoke,” although the industry was beginning to change. CBS, Lear’s primary network, would soon enact its “rural purge” and cancel such standbys as “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Green Acres.” The groundbreaking sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” about a single career woman in Minneapolis, debuted on CBS in Sept. 1970, just months before “All in the Family” started.

But ABC passed on “All in the Family” twice and CBS was initially reluctant to take on the daring series, Lear would say. When the network finally aired “All in the Family,” it began with a disclaimer: “The program you are about to see is ‘All in the Family.’ It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns. By making them a source of laughter we hope to show, in a mature fashion, just how absurd they are.”

By the end of 1971, “All In the Family” was No. 1 in the ratings and Archie Bunker was a pop culture fixture, with President Richard Nixon among his fans. Some of his putdowns became catchphrases, whether calling his son-in-law “Meathead,” or his wife “Dingbat.” He would also snap at anyone who dared occupy his faded orange-yellow wing chair, the centerpiece of the Bunker home in the New York City borough of Queens and eventually an artifact in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Even the show’s opening segment was innovative: Instead of an off-screen theme song, Archie and Edith are seated at the piano in their living room, belting out a nostalgic number, “Those Were the Days,” with Edith screeching off-key and Archie crooning such lines “Didn’t need no welfare state” and “Girls were girls and men were men.”

“All in the Family,” based on the British sitcom, “Til Death Us Do Part,” was the No. 1-rated series for an unprecedented five years in a row and earned four Emmy Awards as best comedy series, finally eclipsed by five-time winner “Frasier” in 1998.

Hits continued for Lear and then-partner Bud Yorkin, including “Maude” and “The Jeffersons,” both spinoffs from “All in the Family” and both the same winning combination of one-liners and social conflict. In a 1972 two-part episode of “Maude,” the title character (played by Arthur) became the first on television to have an abortion, drawing a surge of protests along with the show’s high ratings. Nixon himself objected to an “All in the Family” episode about a close friend of Archie’s who turns out to be gay, privately fuming to White House aides that the show “glorified” same-sex relationships.

“Controversy suggests people are thinking about something. But there’d better be laughing first and foremost or it’s a dog,” Lear said in a 1994 interview with The Associated Press.

Lear and Yorkin also created “Good Times,” about a working class Black family in Chicago; “Sanford &amp; Son,” a showcase for Foxx as junkyard dealer Fred Sanford; and “One Day at a Time,” starring Bonnie Franklin as a single mother and Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips as her daughters. In the 1974-75 season, Lear and Yorkin produced five of the top 10 shows. Around the same time, “All in the Family” led off one of TV’s greatest evening lineups, a Saturday slate from CBS that also featured the non-Lear hits “M(asterisk)A(asterisk)S(asterisk)H,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”

The late Paddy Chayefsky, a leading writer of television’s early “golden age,” once said that Lear “took television away from dopey wives and dumb fathers, from the pimps, hookers, hustlers, private eyes, junkies, cowboys and rustlers that constituted television chaos, and in their place he put the American people.”

Lear’s series reflected his ardent political beliefs, which his business success allowed him to express in grand fashion. In 2000, he and a partner bought a copy of the Declaration of Independence for $8.14 million and sent it on a cross-country tour.

He founded the nonprofit, liberal advocacy group People for the American Way in 1980 in response to the growing strength of conservative religious groups. In a 1992 interview with Commonweal magazine, Lear said he acted because he felt people such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson were “abusing religion.”

“And I started to say, This is not my America. You don’t mix politics and religion this way,” Lear said. He also was an active donor to Democratic candidates.

With this wry smile and impish boat hat, Lear remained a youthful presence for much of life and continued creating television well into his 90s, rebooting “One Day at a Time” for Netflix in 2017 and exploring income inequality for the documentary series “America Divided” in 2016. He was also featured in two documentaries: 2016’s “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,” and HBO’s 2017 look at active nonagenarians such as Lear and Rob Reiner’s father, Carl Reiner, “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast.”

In 1984, he was lauded as the “innovative writer who brought realism to television” when he became one of the first seven people inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Hall of Fame. He later received a National Medal of Arts and was honored at the Kennedy Center. In 2020, he won an Emmy as executive producer of “Live In Front of a Studio Audience: ‘All In the Family’ and ‘Good Times’.’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701872361012.png" alt="Lear" />
 <figcaption>Lear</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television with such topical hits as "All in the Family" and “Maude” and propelled political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of sitcoms, has died. He was 101.Lear died Tuesday night in his sleep, surrounded by family at his home in Los Angeles, said Lara Bergthold, a spokesperson for his family.A liberal activist with an eye for mainstream entertainment, Lear fashioned bold and controversial comedies that were embraced by TV sitcom viewers who long had to watch the evening news to find out what was going on in the world. His shows helped define prime time comedy in the 1970s and after, launched the careers of such young performers as Rob Reiner and Valerie Bertinelli and made Carroll O'Connor, Bea Arthur and Redd Foxx among others into middle-aged superstars.His signature production was “All in the Family,” which was immersed in the headlines of the day, while also drawing upon Lear's childhood memories of his tempestuous father. Racism, feminism, and the Vietnam War were flashpoints in the sitcom featuring blue collar conservative Archie Bunker, played by O'Connor, and liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic (Reiner). Jean Stapleton co-starred as Archie’s befuddled, but good-hearted wife, Edith, and Sally Struthers played the Bunkers' daughter, Gloria, who often clashed with Archie on behalf of her husband.At the start of the 1970s, top-rated shows still included such old-fashioned programs as “Here’s Lucy,” “Ironside” and “Gunsmoke,” although the industry was beginning to change. CBS, Lear’s primary network, would soon enact its “rural purge” and cancel such standbys as “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Green Acres.” The groundbreaking sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” about a single career woman in Minneapolis, debuted on CBS in Sept. 1970, just months before “All in the Family” started.But ABC passed on “All in the Family” twice and CBS was initially reluctant to take on the daring series, Lear would say. When the network finally aired “All in the Family,” it began with a disclaimer: “The program you are about to see is ‘All in the Family.’ It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns. By making them a source of laughter we hope to show, in a mature fashion, just how absurd they are.”By the end of 1971, “All In the Family” was No. 1 in the ratings and Archie Bunker was a pop culture fixture, with President Richard Nixon among his fans. Some of his putdowns became catchphrases, whether calling his son-in-law “Meathead,” or his wife “Dingbat.” He would also snap at anyone who dared occupy his faded orange-yellow wing chair, the centerpiece of the Bunker home in the New York City borough of Queens and eventually an artifact in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.Even the show’s opening segment was innovative: Instead of an off-screen theme song, Archie and Edith are seated at the piano in their living room, belting out a nostalgic number, “Those Were the Days,” with Edith screeching off-key and Archie crooning such lines “Didn’t need no welfare state” and “Girls were girls and men were men.”“All in the Family,” based on the British sitcom, “Til Death Us Do Part,” was the No. 1-rated series for an unprecedented five years in a row and earned four Emmy Awards as best comedy series, finally eclipsed by five-time winner “Frasier” in 1998.Hits continued for Lear and then-partner Bud Yorkin, including “Maude” and “The Jeffersons,” both spinoffs from “All in the Family” and both the same winning combination of one-liners and social conflict. In a 1972 two-part episode of “Maude,” the title character (played by Arthur) became the first on television to have an abortion, drawing a surge of protests along with the show’s high ratings. Nixon himself objected to an “All in the Family” episode about a close friend of Archie’s who turns out to be gay, privately fuming to White House aides that the show “glorified” same-sex relationships.“Controversy suggests people are thinking about something. But there’d better be laughing first and foremost or it’s a dog,” Lear said in a 1994 interview with The Associated Press.Lear and Yorkin also created “Good Times,” about a working class Black family in Chicago; “Sanford &amp; Son,” a showcase for Foxx as junkyard dealer Fred Sanford; and “One Day at a Time,” starring Bonnie Franklin as a single mother and Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips as her daughters. In the 1974-75 season, Lear and Yorkin produced five of the top 10 shows. Around the same time, “All in the Family” led off one of TV’s greatest evening lineups, a Saturday slate from CBS that also featured the non-Lear hits “M(asterisk)A(asterisk)S(asterisk)H,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and “The Carol Burnett Show.”The late Paddy Chayefsky, a leading writer of television’s early “golden age,” once said that Lear “took television away from dopey wives and dumb fathers, from the pimps, hookers, hustlers, private eyes, junkies, cowboys and rustlers that constituted television chaos, and in their place he put the American people.”Lear’s series reflected his ardent political beliefs, which his business success allowed him to express in grand fashion. In 2000, he and a partner bought a copy of the Declaration of Independence for $8.14 million and sent it on a cross-country tour.He founded the nonprofit, liberal advocacy group People for the American Way in 1980 in response to the growing strength of conservative religious groups. In a 1992 interview with Commonweal magazine, Lear said he acted because he felt people such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson were “abusing religion.”“And I started to say, This is not my America. You don’t mix politics and religion this way,” Lear said. He also was an active donor to Democratic candidates.With this wry smile and impish boat hat, Lear remained a youthful presence for much of life and continued creating television well into his 90s, rebooting “One Day at a Time” for Netflix in 2017 and exploring income inequality for the documentary series “America Divided” in 2016. He was also featured in two documentaries: 2016’s “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,” and HBO’s 2017 look at active nonagenarians such as Lear and Rob Reiner’s father, Carl Reiner, “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast.”In 1984, he was lauded as the “innovative writer who brought realism to television” when he became one of the first seven people inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Hall of Fame. He later received a National Medal of Arts and was honored at the Kennedy Center. In 2020, he won an Emmy as executive producer of “Live In Front of a Studio Audience: ‘All In the Family’ and ‘Good Times’.’”Lear managed to beat the tough TV odds to an astounding degree. At least one of his shows placed in prime-time’s top 10 for 11 consecutive years (1971-82). But Lear had flops as well.Shows including “Hot L Baltimore,” “Palmerstown” and “a.k.a. Pablo,” a rare Hispanic series, drew critical favor but couldn’t find an audience; others, such as “All That Glitters” and “The Nancy Walker Show,” earned neither. He also faced resistance from cast members, including “Good Times” stars John Amos and Esther Rolle, who often objected to the scripts as racially insensitive, and endured a mid-season walkout by Foxx, who missed eight episodes in 1973-74 because of a contract dispute.In the 1990s, the comedy “704 Hauser,” which returned to the Bunker house with a new family, and the political satire “The Powers that Be” were both short-lived.Lear’s business moves, meanwhile, were almost consistently fruitful.Lear started T.A.T. Communications in 1974 to be “sole creative captain of his ship,” his former business partner Jerry Perenchio told the Los Angeles Times in 1990. The company became a major TV producer with shows including “One Day at a Time” and the soap-opera spoof “Mary Hartman Mary Hartman,” which Lear distributed himself after it was rejected by the networks.In 1982, Lear and Perenchio bought Avco-Embassy Pictures and formed Embassy Communications as T.A.T.’s successor, becoming successfully involved in movies, home video, pay TV and cable ownership. In 1985, Lear and Perenchio sold Embassy to Coca-Cola for $485 million. They had sold their cable holdings the year before, reportedly for a hefty profit.By 1986, Lear was on Forbes magazine’s list of the 400 richest people in America, with an estimated net worth of $225 million. He didn’t make the cut the next year after a $112 million divorce settlement for his second wife, Frances. They had been married 29 years and had two daughters.He married his third wife, psychologist Lyn Davis, in 1987 and the couple had three children. (Frances Lear, who went on to found the now-defunct Lear’s magazine with her settlement, died in 1996 at age 73.)Lear was born in New Haven, Conn. on July 27, 1922, to Herman Lear, a securities broker who for a time went to prison for selling fake bonds, and Jeanette, a homemaker who helped inspire Edith Bunker. Norman Lear would remember family life as a kind of sitcom, full of quirks and grudges, “a group of people living at the ends of their nerves and the tops of their lungs,” he explained during a 2004 appearance at the John F. Kennedy Presidential LIbrary in Boston.His political activism had deep roots. In a 1984 interview with The New York Times, Lear recalled how, at age 10, he went to live with his Russian immigrant grandfather for two years. His job was to mail Shia Seicol’s letters, which began “My dearest darling Mr. President,” to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Sometimes a reply came.“That my grandfather mattered made me feel every citizen mattered,” he said. By age 15, Lear was sending his own messages to Congress via Western Union.He dropped out of Emerson College 1942 to enlist in the Air Force and was awarded a Decorated Air Medal. He worked in public relations in New York after the war, then moved to California.Lear began his writing career in the early 1950s on shows including “The Colgate Comedy Hour” and working for such comedians as Martha Raye and George Gobel. In 1959, Lear and Yorkin founded Tandem Productions, which produced films including “Come Blow Your Horn,” “Start the Revolution Without Me” and “Divorce American Style.” Lear also directed the satire “Cold Turkey,” a 1971 release starring Dick Van Dyke about a small town that takes on a tobacco company’s offer of $25 million to quit smoking for 30 days.In his later years, Lear joined with Warren Buffett and James E. Burke to establish The Business Enterprise Trust, honoring businesses that take a long-term view of their effect on the country.He also founded the Norman Lear Center, based at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication, which explores the relationship between entertainment, commerce and society. In 2014, he published the memoir “Even This I Get to Experience.”