<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/27/nebraska-advocates-say-womens-bill-of-rights-does-not-focus-on-needed-priorities/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Two of the state’s largest women’s rights groups say a new “Women’s Bill of Rights” misses the mark when seeking to support Nebraska women.

Gov. Jim Pillen on Aug. 30 signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/30/nebraska-gov-pillen-enacts-second-governor-led-womens-bill-of-rights/">executive order</a>, which defines “male” and “female” for the state’s executive branch and varying agencies, boards and commissions based on the development of peoples’ reproductive systems.

In that “Women’s Bill of Rights,” a “female” is defined as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova and a “male” as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female.&nbsp;

Legislatures in Kansas and Tennessee have passed laws with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://womensliberationfront.org/womens-bill-of-rights">similar definitions</a>&nbsp;while Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, like Pillen, signed an executive order in August.

However, Erin Feichtinger, policy director for the Women’s Fund of Omaha, said she thinks there are no rights included in the “bill of rights.” It also comes after countless policies and ideas have been brought to the Legislature.

“Instead, what we got was an executive order that tells us what our genitals are,” Feichtinger said. “I fail to see in even the wildest stretches of my imagination how this gives women rights.”

Pillen said in a statement nearly identical to the one he issued when he signed the order that it is “common sense” that men do not belong in women-only spaces.

“I will continue to protect our kids and women’s athletics by ensuring single-sex spaces are provided for women’s sports, bathrooms and changing rooms,” Pillen said in a statement.

The statement did not answer a question of what further protections Pillen would support.

Since its founding, the Women’s Fund has fought for thoughtful policies to support women in all aspects of their lives, Feichtinger said. However, lawmakers are seeking to use transgender women to “protect” women, she added, when what women need is support.

“Please do not use some faux concern for Nebraska women to further marginalize a population that we identify with,” Feichtinger added.

MaryLee Moulton, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, said Pillen’s order is “another volley” in a culture fight that continues to be waged in Nebraska.

“As a woman, personally, I don’t want to have my womanhood held up to oppress somebody else,” Moulton said.

Moulton said the state needs to address issues as if they’ve asked “average Sally on the street” what they would want, which is “not rocket science.”

Feichtinger and Moulton listed alternative efforts the state could do to support women, such as:

“Why are you releasing a woman’s bill of rights that doesn’t address any of the substantive real issues of what’s important to women in Nebraska?” Moulton questioned.

Feichtinger said there are things to address “to infinity” and policies remain pending in the Legislature for diaper changing station accommodations in men’s bathrooms or to provide a sales and use tax exemption for diapers. They are led, respectively, by Omaha State Sens. Terrell McKinney and John Cavanaugh.

Deb Portz, president of the Nebraska Federation of Republican Women, said the executive order provides reinforcement of the federation’s defined membership.

The federation’s organizational bylaws limit primary membership to Republican women and have since 1956, according to Portz. She said the order allows the federation to fulfill its mission “with even more effectiveness to promote the ideals and policies of the Republican party.”

“NeFRW welcomes this added clarification with Governor Pillen’s executive order to help us increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through political participation,” Portz said in an email.

Susan Spahn, president of the Omaha Liberty Ladies, said she and her board support the executive order “100%.”

“He acknowledged women are women and men are men,” Spahn said in an email. “Changing one’s appearance does not alter the reality of biology.”

Spahn said the Omaha Liberty Ladies, a multi-partisan collaboration of conservative women united to education and advocate for liberties enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, is also supporting State Sen. Kathleen Kauth’s Legislative Bill 575, the Sports and Spaces Act.

LB 575 would define K-12 sports, bathrooms and locker rooms as male or female based on sex at birth. Kauth has indicated it will be her&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/05/kearney-norfolk-school-officials-explain-trans-student-athlete-policies/">personal priority</a>&nbsp;in 2024.

Pillen’s order is set to expire at the effective date of state law governing sports participation and prescribing when single-sex dedicated services or facilities should be provided.

Kauth’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/19/nebraska-passes-stricter-abortion-ban-limits-on-gender-affirming-care/">2023 legislative priority</a>, LB 574, the Let Them Grow Act, restricts gender care for minors,&nbsp;including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones,&nbsp;and bans transition surgeries after this Sunday, Oct. 1. The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/10/final-say-on-nebraska-gender-care-legislation-would-be-delegated-to-executive-appointee-and-dhhs/">state chief medical officer</a>, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, is charged to regulate blockers and hormones.

The executive order does not include the word “transgender” nor does it carry the weight of law or judicial rulings. However, it does provide guidance to agencies,&nbsp;such as Tesmer in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Feichtinger said the order creates fear and intolerance and puts more women in danger because it gives a “license” to interpret or police anyone’s body.

“We don’t need protection from anyone,” Feichtinger said. “What we need is full recognition as human beings.”

Moulton said she thinks the role of a leader, such as Pillen, is to take the tone down. Instead, it remains at a “hot boil” and has caused the Legislature “to basically be ripped apart.”

There are ways to discuss issues in a much more nuanced, friendlier way, she added, and some of the issues proponents have identified in LB 575 could be done in a way that doesn’t ostracize or target what is a small handful of trans youths.

“Let’s find ways to support all Nebraskans and not tear all Nebraskans down. Find ways to uplift them all,” Moulton said. “I don’t think that that’s asking too much.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695912988381.jpeg" alt=" A parade in favor of women’s suffrage, the right to vote, in 1913. (National Archives)" />
 <figcaption> A parade in favor of women’s suffrage, the right to vote, in 1913. (National Archives)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/27/nebraska-advocates-say-womens-bill-of-rights-does-not-focus-on-needed-priorities/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;Two of the state’s largest women’s rights groups say a new “Women’s Bill of Rights” misses the mark when seeking to support Nebraska women.Gov. Jim Pillen on Aug. 30 signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/30/nebraska-gov-pillen-enacts-second-governor-led-womens-bill-of-rights/">executive order</a>, which defines “male” and “female” for the state’s executive branch and varying agencies, boards and commissions based on the development of peoples’ reproductive systems.In that “Women’s Bill of Rights,” a “female” is defined as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova and a “male” as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female.&nbsp;Legislatures in Kansas and Tennessee have passed laws with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://womensliberationfront.org/womens-bill-of-rights">similar definitions</a>&nbsp;while Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, like Pillen, signed an executive order in August.However, Erin Feichtinger, policy director for the Women’s Fund of Omaha, said she thinks there are no rights included in the “bill of rights.” It also comes after countless policies and ideas have been brought to the Legislature.“Instead, what we got was an executive order that tells us what our genitals are,” Feichtinger said. “I fail to see in even the wildest stretches of my imagination how this gives women rights.”<h2>Pillen to advocate for single-sex spaces</h2>Pillen said in a statement nearly identical to the one he issued when he signed the order that it is “common sense” that men do not belong in women-only spaces.“I will continue to protect our kids and women’s athletics by ensuring single-sex spaces are provided for women’s sports, bathrooms and changing rooms,” Pillen said in a statement.The statement did not answer a question of what further protections Pillen would support.<h2>Other priorities exist ‘to infinity’</h2>Since its founding, the Women’s Fund has fought for thoughtful policies to support women in all aspects of their lives, Feichtinger said. However, lawmakers are seeking to use transgender women to “protect” women, she added, when what women need is support.“Please do not use some faux concern for Nebraska women to further marginalize a population that we identify with,” Feichtinger added.MaryLee Moulton, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, said Pillen’s order is “another volley” in a culture fight that continues to be waged in Nebraska.“As a woman, personally, I don’t want to have my womanhood held up to oppress somebody else,” Moulton said.Moulton said the state needs to address issues as if they’ve asked “average Sally on the street” what they would want, which is “not rocket science.”Feichtinger and Moulton listed alternative efforts the state could do to support women, such as:<ul>
 <li>Closing the gender wage gap.</li><li>Improving maternal mortality rates and health care deserts.</li><li>Fully funding domestic violence shelters or programming.</li><li>Ending gender-based violence.</li><li>Providing free period products or mammograms.</li><li>Establishing a system for family or paid sick leave.</li><li>Reducing the cost of child care.</li><li>Building affordable, safe and habitable housing.</li>
 </ul>“Why are you releasing a woman’s bill of rights that doesn’t address any of the substantive real issues of what’s important to women in Nebraska?” Moulton questioned.Feichtinger said there are things to address “to infinity” and policies remain pending in the Legislature for diaper changing station accommodations in men’s bathrooms or to provide a sales and use tax exemption for diapers. They are led, respectively, by Omaha State Sens. Terrell McKinney and John Cavanaugh.<h2>Two organizations in support</h2>Deb Portz, president of the Nebraska Federation of Republican Women, said the executive order provides reinforcement of the federation’s defined membership.The federation’s organizational bylaws limit primary membership to Republican women and have since 1956, according to Portz. She said the order allows the federation to fulfill its mission “with even more effectiveness to promote the ideals and policies of the Republican party.”“NeFRW welcomes this added clarification with Governor Pillen’s executive order to help us increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government through political participation,” Portz said in an email.Susan Spahn, president of the Omaha Liberty Ladies, said she and her board support the executive order “100%.”“He acknowledged women are women and men are men,” Spahn said in an email. “Changing one’s appearance does not alter the reality of biology.”Spahn said the Omaha Liberty Ladies, a multi-partisan collaboration of conservative women united to education and advocate for liberties enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, is also supporting State Sen. Kathleen Kauth’s Legislative Bill 575, the Sports and Spaces Act.LB 575 would define K-12 sports, bathrooms and locker rooms as male or female based on sex at birth. Kauth has indicated it will be her&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/05/kearney-norfolk-school-officials-explain-trans-student-athlete-policies/">personal priority</a>&nbsp;in 2024.Pillen’s order is set to expire at the effective date of state law governing sports participation and prescribing when single-sex dedicated services or facilities should be provided.Kauth’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/19/nebraska-passes-stricter-abortion-ban-limits-on-gender-affirming-care/">2023 legislative priority</a>, LB 574, the Let Them Grow Act, restricts gender care for minors,&nbsp;including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones,&nbsp;and bans transition surgeries after this Sunday, Oct. 1. The&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/10/final-say-on-nebraska-gender-care-legislation-would-be-delegated-to-executive-appointee-and-dhhs/">state chief medical officer</a>, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, is charged to regulate blockers and hormones.The executive order does not include the word “transgender” nor does it carry the weight of law or judicial rulings. However, it does provide guidance to agencies,&nbsp;such as Tesmer in the Department of Health and Human Services.<h2>‘Full recognition as human beings’</h2>Feichtinger said the order creates fear and intolerance and puts more women in danger because it gives a “license” to interpret or police anyone’s body.“We don’t need protection from anyone,” Feichtinger said. “What we need is full recognition as human beings.”Moulton said she thinks the role of a leader, such as Pillen, is to take the tone down. Instead, it remains at a “hot boil” and has caused the Legislature “to basically be ripped apart.”There are ways to discuss issues in a much more nuanced, friendlier way, she added, and some of the issues proponents have identified in LB 575 could be done in a way that doesn’t ostracize or target what is a small handful of trans youths.“Let’s find ways to support all Nebraskans and not tear all Nebraskans down. Find ways to uplift them all,” Moulton said. “I don’t think that that’s asking too much.”

Nebraska advocates say ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ does not focus on needed priorities

We will continue to update the story when more information becomes available.

Bradley Garcia is in police custody. According to media outlets, Garcia is being transported to Regional West for minor injuries.

According to media outlets in Gering, the hostage has been released. Authorities are still working on getting 37 year old suspect Bradley Garcia to surrender.

Joint press release from Gering Police Department and Scotts Bluff County Sheriff

On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, a Scotts Bluff County Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle in Gering for a traffic violation. The driver, later identified as Bradley Garcia, age 37, refused to stop. A brief pursuit ensued that included Gering Police, ending when Garcia crashed his car into a garage in the 2300 block of 19th Street in Gering.

Garcia discharged a firearm towards the Deputy’s vehicle during the pursuit but did not strike the vehicle. Garcia then entered the home and took the three female occupants hostage.

Eventually, he allowed two juvenile females to leave the house unharmed, but the adult female remains inside. As the situation continued, Garcia fired multiple gunshots towards officers from more than one weapon. No officers or citizens were injured, and no rounds were fired by law enforcement.&nbsp;

GERING, NEB.- Multiple Law Enforcement agencies from across the state of Nebraska and the FBI are in Gering as the hostage standoff continues this morning.&nbsp;

The incident started yesterday afternoon with reported shots fired and Scotts Bluff Sheriff deputies pursued a suspect who entered a home with children inside according to Gering Police. The suspect released the children around 5:25 pm.&nbsp;

Due to the situation happening in a nearby neighborhood of Gering High School, Gering Public Schools went on lockdown which later transitioned to a controlled release for Geil and Lincoln, as well as the Gering Junior High School. Sometime after 5 pm, Gering High initiated a control release. All after school activities were cancelled.

Yesterday, the Ogallala volleyball team was scheduled to take on the Gering Bulldogs at 6 pm mountain time. Due to the lockdown, the volleyball team was safe inside the school. Ogallala public schools posted on Facebook that the matches were cancelled, and the volleyball team had safely loaded up the bus and headed back to Ogallala.

Gering Public Schools has cancelled all classes for today. District Officials have released the following statement: Out of an abundance of caution and because the stand-off incident near Gering High School still remains active, Gering Public Schools is canceling school for all buildings Wednesday, September 27th. The safety of our staff and students is priority and we encourage families to respect the areas and boundaries marked by law enforcement. We will make an early afternoon decision regarding after-school activity practices based on continued evaluation and communication with law enforcement and update families accordingly.

The situation is ongoing in Gering at this time and more information will be released when available.

North Platte PostWe will continue to update the story when more information becomes available.Update****Bradley Garcia is in police custody. According to media outlets, Garcia is being transported to Regional West for minor injuries.Update****According to media outlets in Gering, the hostage has been released. Authorities are still working on getting 37 year old suspect Bradley Garcia to surrender.Update****&nbsp;Joint press release from Gering Police Department and Scotts Bluff County SheriffOn Tuesday, September 26, 2023, a Scotts Bluff County Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle in Gering for a traffic violation. The driver, later identified as Bradley Garcia, age 37, refused to stop. A brief pursuit ensued that included Gering Police, ending when Garcia crashed his car into a garage in the 2300 block of 19th Street in Gering.Garcia discharged a firearm towards the Deputy’s vehicle during the pursuit but did not strike the vehicle. Garcia then entered the home and took the three female occupants hostage.Eventually, he allowed two juvenile females to leave the house unharmed, but the adult female remains inside. As the situation continued, Garcia fired multiple gunshots towards officers from more than one weapon. No officers or citizens were injured, and no rounds were fired by law enforcement.&nbsp;Original&nbsp;StoryGERING, NEB.- Multiple Law Enforcement agencies from across the state of Nebraska and the FBI are in Gering as the hostage standoff continues this morning.&nbsp;The incident started yesterday afternoon with reported shots fired and Scotts Bluff Sheriff deputies pursued a suspect who entered a home with children inside according to Gering Police. The suspect released the children around 5:25 pm.&nbsp;Due to the situation happening in a nearby neighborhood of Gering High School, Gering Public Schools went on lockdown which later transitioned to a controlled release for Geil and Lincoln, as well as the Gering Junior High School. Sometime after 5 pm, Gering High initiated a control release. All after school activities were cancelled.Yesterday, the Ogallala volleyball team was scheduled to take on the Gering Bulldogs at 6 pm mountain time. Due to the lockdown, the volleyball team was safe inside the school. Ogallala public schools posted on Facebook that the matches were cancelled, and the volleyball team had safely loaded up the bus and headed back to Ogallala.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FOgallalaSchools%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02wY4TXxNYJT1ChQg7Xm6qzb82UZ7gSjSxewcp9uoMyECPCG3wfCNTUJ2U4wfkqKTRl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="284" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Gering Public Schools has cancelled all classes for today. District Officials have released the following statement: Out of an abundance of caution and because the stand-off incident near Gering High School still remains active, Gering Public Schools is canceling school for all buildings Wednesday, September 27th. The safety of our staff and students is priority and we encourage families to respect the areas and boundaries marked by law enforcement. We will make an early afternoon decision regarding after-school activity practices based on continued evaluation and communication with law enforcement and update families accordingly.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgeringbulldogs%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0Ni6KBsDrYEivNvbbH3KCLZZAbZ9JdDfy4fYkHf7uwmA6CfGoDC3Y66x7R9BnZ5gTl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="284" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The situation is ongoing in Gering at this time and more information will be released when available.

Update: After an almost 29-hour standoff, Gering suspect is in custody

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dozens of people faced criminal charges Wednesday after authorities said groups of young people, apparently working together, smashed their way into stores in several areas of Philadelphia, stuffing plastic bags with merchandise and fleeing.

Police said they made at least 52 arrests. Burglary, theft and other counts have been filed so far against at least 30 people, three of whom are minors, according to Jane Roh, spokesperson for the Philadelphia district attorney's office.

The flash mob-style ransacking Tuesday night at stores including Foot Locker, Lululemon and Apple came after a peaceful protest over a judge’s decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-police-officer-murder-charge-fatal-shooting-c938e3c940ee5c1d598e0cf70c04a635">dismiss murder and other charges</a>&nbsp;against a Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a driver, Eddie Irizarry, through a rolled-up window.

Those doing the ransacking were not affiliated with the protest, Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford said at a news conference, calling the group “a bunch of criminal opportunists.”

At least 18 state-run liquor stores were broken into, leading the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to close all 48 of its Philadelphia retail locations and one in suburban Cheltenham on Wednesday. No employees were hurt Tuesday night, but “some were understandably shaken,” said liquor board spokesperson Shawn Kelly.

The stores were “closed in the interest of employee safety and while we assess the damage and loss that occurred. We will reopen stores when it is safe to do so and when the damage is repaired,” Kelly said.

Video on social media showed masked people in hoodies running out of Lululemon with merchandise and police officers grabbing several and tackling them to the sidewalk. Photos of a sporting goods store at a mall showed mannequins and sneakers scattered on the sidewalk.

The thefts and unrest stretched from downtown to northeast and west Philadelphia, leaving smashed display windows and broken storefront coverings. Police said seven cars were stolen from a lot in the northeast. One of the cars had been recovered as of Wednesday afternoon,

“This destructive and illegal behavior cannot and will not be tolerated in our city,” Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PhillyMayor/status/1707009868261945364">said on social media,</a>&nbsp;calling it a “sickening display of opportunistic criminal activity.”

His administration is working with police to assess “which areas of the city may need increased coverage or additional resources,” he said.

People appeared to have organized efforts on social media, Stanford said. Police are investigating “that there was possibly a caravan of a number of different vehicles that were going from location to location" and that a couple of people in the caravan were in custody.

There was a high number of young people in Philadelphia's downtown business corridor, called Center City, shortly before 8 p.m., and some officers stopped a group of males “dressed in black attire and wearing masks," according to a police news release.

At that time, reports and 911 calls came in about the Foot Locker store. When police arrived, they found it had been “ransacked in a coordinated attack,” the news release said. The juveniles fled, and at least one adult as arrested.

By 8:12 p.m., police responded to similar calls at Lululemon, where people were arrested. Shortly afterward, calls directed police to the Apple Store. No arrests were made there, but the store lost phones and tablets, although many have been recovered, the news release said.

No injuries were immediately reported, but CBS Philadelphia&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/center-city-stores-ransacked-looted/">reported that</a>&nbsp;a security guard was assaulted at the Foot Locker.

In North Philadelphia, a pharmacy owner said his store was broken into for a third time and items taken.

“I understand, you know, desperate times for people call for desperate measures and there are plenty of opportunists that just see drugs," Benjamin Nachum told CBS. He said, though, that a safe in his store did its job, “so there won't be any illicit narcotics hitting the street.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695843272232.jpeg" alt="Shown is the aftermath of ransacked liquor store in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Police say groups of teenagers swarmed into stores across Philadelphia in an apparently coordinated effort, stuffed bags with merchandise and fled. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)" />
 <figcaption>Shown is the aftermath of ransacked liquor store in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Police say groups of teenagers swarmed into stores across Philadelphia in an apparently coordinated effort, stuffed bags with merchandise and fled. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dozens of people faced criminal charges Wednesday after authorities said groups of young people, apparently working together, smashed their way into stores in several areas of Philadelphia, stuffing plastic bags with merchandise and fleeing.Police said they made at least 52 arrests. Burglary, theft and other counts have been filed so far against at least 30 people, three of whom are minors, according to Jane Roh, spokesperson for the Philadelphia district attorney's office.The flash mob-style ransacking Tuesday night at stores including Foot Locker, Lululemon and Apple came after a peaceful protest over a judge’s decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-police-officer-murder-charge-fatal-shooting-c938e3c940ee5c1d598e0cf70c04a635">dismiss murder and other charges</a>&nbsp;against a Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a driver, Eddie Irizarry, through a rolled-up window.Those doing the ransacking were not affiliated with the protest, Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford said at a news conference, calling the group “a bunch of criminal opportunists.”At least 18 state-run liquor stores were broken into, leading the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to close all 48 of its Philadelphia retail locations and one in suburban Cheltenham on Wednesday. No employees were hurt Tuesday night, but “some were understandably shaken,” said liquor board spokesperson Shawn Kelly.The stores were “closed in the interest of employee safety and while we assess the damage and loss that occurred. We will reopen stores when it is safe to do so and when the damage is repaired,” Kelly said.Video on social media showed masked people in hoodies running out of Lululemon with merchandise and police officers grabbing several and tackling them to the sidewalk. Photos of a sporting goods store at a mall showed mannequins and sneakers scattered on the sidewalk.The thefts and unrest stretched from downtown to northeast and west Philadelphia, leaving smashed display windows and broken storefront coverings. Police said seven cars were stolen from a lot in the northeast. One of the cars had been recovered as of Wednesday afternoon,“This destructive and illegal behavior cannot and will not be tolerated in our city,” Mayor Jim Kenney, a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PhillyMayor/status/1707009868261945364">said on social media,</a>&nbsp;calling it a “sickening display of opportunistic criminal activity.”His administration is working with police to assess “which areas of the city may need increased coverage or additional resources,” he said.People appeared to have organized efforts on social media, Stanford said. Police are investigating “that there was possibly a caravan of a number of different vehicles that were going from location to location" and that a couple of people in the caravan were in custody.There was a high number of young people in Philadelphia's downtown business corridor, called Center City, shortly before 8 p.m., and some officers stopped a group of males “dressed in black attire and wearing masks," according to a police news release.At that time, reports and 911 calls came in about the Foot Locker store. When police arrived, they found it had been “ransacked in a coordinated attack,” the news release said. The juveniles fled, and at least one adult as arrested.By 8:12 p.m., police responded to similar calls at Lululemon, where people were arrested. Shortly afterward, calls directed police to the Apple Store. No arrests were made there, but the store lost phones and tablets, although many have been recovered, the news release said.No injuries were immediately reported, but CBS Philadelphia&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/center-city-stores-ransacked-looted/">reported that</a>&nbsp;a security guard was assaulted at the Foot Locker.In North Philadelphia, a pharmacy owner said his store was broken into for a third time and items taken.“I understand, you know, desperate times for people call for desperate measures and there are plenty of opportunists that just see drugs," Benjamin Nachum told CBS. He said, though, that a safe in his store did its job, “so there won't be any illicit narcotics hitting the street.”

Over 50 arrested after mobs ransacked Philadelphia stores. Dozens of liquor outlets are shut down

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska National Guard will hold a signing ceremony Thursday to announce participation in the U.S. Army PaYS (Partnership for Your Success) program.

The ceremony will take place Thursday, September 28, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nebraska State Patrol Headquarters, at 4600 Innovation Drive in Lincoln. The ceremony will feature comments from Brigadier General Craig Strong, Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard, and Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.

The PaYS program helps current soldiers of the U.S. Army, including the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, prepare for a career following their military service. This partnership will allow the State Patrol to work alongside U.S. Army recruiters to make connections with soldiers who desire to continue serving the public after they complete their service in the Army.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska National Guard will hold a signing ceremony Thursday to announce participation in the U.S. Army PaYS (Partnership for Your Success) program.The ceremony will take place Thursday, September 28, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nebraska State Patrol Headquarters, at 4600 Innovation Drive in Lincoln. The ceremony will feature comments from Brigadier General Craig Strong, Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard, and Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.The PaYS program helps current soldiers of the U.S. Army, including the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, prepare for a career following their military service. This partnership will allow the State Patrol to work alongside U.S. Army recruiters to make connections with soldiers who desire to continue serving the public after they complete their service in the Army.

State Patrol, National Guard to Partner with PaYS Program

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won’t recuse herself from Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">2020 election interference case in Washington</a>, rejecting the former president’s claims that her past comments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-3e5039d9d9bb5f47282ba517de5f0e7d">raise doubts about whether she can be fair</a>.

Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama and was randomly assigned to Trump’s case, said in her written decision that she sees no reason to step aside. The case, scheduled for trial in March, accuses the Republican of illegally scheming to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

There’s a high bar for recusal, and legal experts had widely considered Trump’s request to be a long shot aimed at undermining the legitimacy of the case publicly that could only sour the relationship between the judge and the defense in court.

Lawyers for Trump did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

In seeking Chutkan's recusal, defense lawyers cited statements she had made in two sentencing hearings of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol in which they said she had appeared to suggest that Trump deserved to be prosecuted and held accountable. They said the comments suggested a bias against him that could taint the proceedings.

But Chutkan vigorously objected to the those characterizations of her comments.

"It bears noting that the court has never taken the position the defense ascribes to it: that former ‘President Trump should be prosecuted and imprisoned,’” Chutkan wrote. “And the defense does not cite any instance of the court ever uttering those words or anything similar.”

It’s the second time Trump has tried unsuccessfully to get a judge removed from one of the criminal cases against him.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-judge-merchan-arraignment-032a097661c259709a948ce0e70a872a">Judge Juan Manuel Merchan</a>, who is overseeing Trump’s New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stormy-daniels-karen-mcdougal-payoffs-40dd9d1f3590dfcd5c494b1815e9eaa2">hush money criminal case</a>, rejected similar demands that he step aside, saying he is certain of his “ability to be fair and impartial.”

Chutkan has stood out as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-judge-tanya-chutkan-capitol-riot-9ba5c18d315697d759521425ea203012">one of the toughest punishers</a>&nbsp;of defendants charged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6 insurrection</a>, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the U.S. Capitol. Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7">the early front-runner</a>&nbsp;for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has personally assailed her on social media as he tries to make the case that the prosecution is politically motivated.

Federal special counsel Jack Smith’s team said there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-judge-chutkan-jan-6-special-counsel-87425b2199783648ca2bf48488da36db">no valid basis</a>&nbsp;to have Chutkan removed from the case. Like Chutkan, they said she never said that Trump was legally or morally to blame for the events of Jan. 6 or that he deserved to be punished.

Chutkan wrote in her order that though recusal is a valid step when merited, judges should not step aside “without cause,” as she suggested the Trump lawyers were asking her to do.

Trump's team had pointed in their recusal bid to a sentencing hearing for a Jan. 6 defendant in which Chutkan said the rioters had "blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.” Chutkan wrote in her decision Wednesday that she was merely stating an “undisputed fact,” – that Trump was free — “but it went no further.”

Chutkan is also considering a request by Smith’s team for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-67ca118260af4761f41bcffd18d09855">a narrow gag order</a>&nbsp;that would bar Trump from making “inflammatory” and “intimidating” comments about witnesses, lawyers and other people involved in the case. Trump's lawyers objected this week to that request.

Chutkan has scheduled trial to begin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4, 2024,</a>&nbsp;over the vigorous objections of defense lawyers who said that would not give them enough time to prepare. The case in Washington’s federal court is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-investigations-other-charges-b8b064a00caad4306fb54d2f6a320468">four criminal cases</a>&nbsp;confronting the former president as he seeks to regain the White House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692039434568.jpeg" alt="File Photo/Charlie Neibergall)" />
 <figcaption>File Photo/Charlie Neibergall)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won’t recuse herself from Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">2020 election interference case in Washington</a>, rejecting the former president’s claims that her past comments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-3e5039d9d9bb5f47282ba517de5f0e7d">raise doubts about whether she can be fair</a>.Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama and was randomly assigned to Trump’s case, said in her written decision that she sees no reason to step aside. The case, scheduled for trial in March, accuses the Republican of illegally scheming to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.There’s a high bar for recusal, and legal experts had widely considered Trump’s request to be a long shot aimed at undermining the legitimacy of the case publicly that could only sour the relationship between the judge and the defense in court.Lawyers for Trump did not immediately return an email seeking comment.In seeking Chutkan's recusal, defense lawyers cited statements she had made in two sentencing hearings of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol in which they said she had appeared to suggest that Trump deserved to be prosecuted and held accountable. They said the comments suggested a bias against him that could taint the proceedings.But Chutkan vigorously objected to the those characterizations of her comments."It bears noting that the court has never taken the position the defense ascribes to it: that former ‘President Trump should be prosecuted and imprisoned,’” Chutkan wrote. “And the defense does not cite any instance of the court ever uttering those words or anything similar.”It’s the second time Trump has tried unsuccessfully to get a judge removed from one of the criminal cases against him.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-judge-merchan-arraignment-032a097661c259709a948ce0e70a872a">Judge Juan Manuel Merchan</a>, who is overseeing Trump’s New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stormy-daniels-karen-mcdougal-payoffs-40dd9d1f3590dfcd5c494b1815e9eaa2">hush money criminal case</a>, rejected similar demands that he step aside, saying he is certain of his “ability to be fair and impartial.”Chutkan has stood out as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-judge-tanya-chutkan-capitol-riot-9ba5c18d315697d759521425ea203012">one of the toughest punishers</a>&nbsp;of defendants charged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6 insurrection</a>, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the U.S. Capitol. Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7">the early front-runner</a>&nbsp;for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has personally assailed her on social media as he tries to make the case that the prosecution is politically motivated.Federal special counsel Jack Smith’s team said there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-judge-chutkan-jan-6-special-counsel-87425b2199783648ca2bf48488da36db">no valid basis</a>&nbsp;to have Chutkan removed from the case. Like Chutkan, they said she never said that Trump was legally or morally to blame for the events of Jan. 6 or that he deserved to be punished.Chutkan wrote in her order that though recusal is a valid step when merited, judges should not step aside “without cause,” as she suggested the Trump lawyers were asking her to do.Trump's team had pointed in their recusal bid to a sentencing hearing for a Jan. 6 defendant in which Chutkan said the rioters had "blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.” Chutkan wrote in her decision Wednesday that she was merely stating an “undisputed fact,” – that Trump was free — “but it went no further.”Chutkan is also considering a request by Smith’s team for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-67ca118260af4761f41bcffd18d09855">a narrow gag order</a>&nbsp;that would bar Trump from making “inflammatory” and “intimidating” comments about witnesses, lawyers and other people involved in the case. Trump's lawyers objected this week to that request.Chutkan has scheduled trial to begin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4, 2024,</a>&nbsp;over the vigorous objections of defense lawyers who said that would not give them enough time to prepare. The case in Washington’s federal court is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-investigations-other-charges-b8b064a00caad4306fb54d2f6a320468">four criminal cases</a>&nbsp;confronting the former president as he seeks to regain the White House.

Judge denies Trump’s request to recuse herself in election subversion case

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-lawmaker-considers-legislation-for-advanced-fire-alarms-meant-to-save-lives/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A Nebraska lawmaker is looking to potentially require more advanced fire alarms in residential homes that he said Tuesday could save lives.

State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha introduced&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54129">Legislative Resolution 239</a>&nbsp;to examine the feasibility and benefits of requiring wireless interconnected fire alarms in residential dwellings, similar to a Norfolk, Nebraska, ordinance. The study is meant to inform possible legislation that would be among McDonnell’s final bills before he’s term-limited in 2024.

Norfolk officials, the state fire marshal and McDonnell testified before the Urban Affairs Committee. McDonnell, a former Omaha fire chief, said advanced safety measures could set a precedent for other cities or states to follow.

“It is our duty to lead by example and ensure that we are doing everything in our power to protect our communities from the devastating effects of fire,” McDonnell told the committee.

Steve Nordhues, building official for Norfolk, said the city moved to adopt more stringent regulations in 2020 after numerous deaths statewide.&nbsp;

Smoke alarms are required in new dwellings in every bedroom as well as one outside the bedrooms within 20 feet of the room, according to Nordhues. One alarm must be on each floor. The Norfolk ordinance requires homeowners or landlords to replace battery-operated alarms with interconnected ones at the change of ownership or occupancy.

By 2030, Nordhues said, every Norfolk dwelling will be protected by interconnected alarms, which utilize radio frequencies.

Wireless connected alarms cost an average of&nbsp; $50, compared to around $15 for battery operated alarms. Nordhues said smoke alarm costs are “virtually not an issue” based on current rent structure and the selling prices of existing homes.

“Why did the city of Norfolk pursue this? Frankly, because I was tired of reading and hearing about children dying in their beds,” Nordhues said.&nbsp;

“Our city ordinance will not prevent all fire-related fatalities,” he added. “But over time, it will save lives by warning families of a dangerous situation in their homes.”

State Fire Marshal Scott Cordes said he recently installed interconnected alarms in his home, because he is preparing to sell it, and the alarms audibly state where a fire has been detected. For example, in the “northeast bedroom, main floor.”

This could help someone determine a safe exit path, Cordes said.

“Anytime you can expand the early warning notification for life safety in a home is a great thing,” Cordes said.

McDonnell told the Nebraska Examiner that a dangerous job such as firefighting is made safer through training, technology and having the right number of people on the scene. The same can be done for citizens with early detection.

“You don’t have a crystal ball,” McDonnell said. “But every indication was that, yes, that [early detection] would have most likely made the difference between life and death.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695840700273.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, fourth from right, introduced an interim study to assess the feasibility of more advanced fire alarms for statewide regulations. McDonnell is joined by Norfolk officials to his left and right; State Fire Marshal Scott Cordes, second from left; and members of the Urban Affairs Committee on Sept. 26, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, fourth from right, introduced an interim study to assess the feasibility of more advanced fire alarms for statewide regulations. McDonnell is joined by Norfolk officials to his left and right; State Fire Marshal Scott Cordes, second from left; and members of the Urban Affairs Committee on Sept. 26, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-lawmaker-considers-legislation-for-advanced-fire-alarms-meant-to-save-lives/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A Nebraska lawmaker is looking to potentially require more advanced fire alarms in residential homes that he said Tuesday could save lives.State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha introduced&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54129">Legislative Resolution 239</a>&nbsp;to examine the feasibility and benefits of requiring wireless interconnected fire alarms in residential dwellings, similar to a Norfolk, Nebraska, ordinance. The study is meant to inform possible legislation that would be among McDonnell’s final bills before he’s term-limited in 2024.Norfolk officials, the state fire marshal and McDonnell testified before the Urban Affairs Committee. McDonnell, a former Omaha fire chief, said advanced safety measures could set a precedent for other cities or states to follow.“It is our duty to lead by example and ensure that we are doing everything in our power to protect our communities from the devastating effects of fire,” McDonnell told the committee.<h2>‘It will save lives’</h2>Steve Nordhues, building official for Norfolk, said the city moved to adopt more stringent regulations in 2020 after numerous deaths statewide.&nbsp;Smoke alarms are required in new dwellings in every bedroom as well as one outside the bedrooms within 20 feet of the room, according to Nordhues. One alarm must be on each floor. The Norfolk ordinance requires homeowners or landlords to replace battery-operated alarms with interconnected ones at the change of ownership or occupancy.By 2030, Nordhues said, every Norfolk dwelling will be protected by interconnected alarms, which utilize radio frequencies.Wireless connected alarms cost an average of&nbsp; $50, compared to around $15 for battery operated alarms. Nordhues said smoke alarm costs are “virtually not an issue” based on current rent structure and the selling prices of existing homes.“Why did the city of Norfolk pursue this? Frankly, because I was tired of reading and hearing about children dying in their beds,” Nordhues said.&nbsp;“Our city ordinance will not prevent all fire-related fatalities,” he added. “But over time, it will save lives by warning families of a dangerous situation in their homes.”<h2>Alarms identify fire location</h2>State Fire Marshal Scott Cordes said he recently installed interconnected alarms in his home, because he is preparing to sell it, and the alarms audibly state where a fire has been detected. For example, in the “northeast bedroom, main floor.”This could help someone determine a safe exit path, Cordes said.“Anytime you can expand the early warning notification for life safety in a home is a great thing,” Cordes said.<h2>‘Difference between life and death’</h2>McDonnell told the Nebraska Examiner that a dangerous job such as firefighting is made safer through training, technology and having the right number of people on the scene. The same can be done for citizens with early detection.“You don’t have a crystal ball,” McDonnell said. “But every indication was that, yes, that [early detection] would have most likely made the difference between life and death.”

Nebraska lawmaker considers legislation for advanced fire alarms meant to save lives

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Senate marches ahead with a bipartisan approach to prevent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-biden-trump-mccarthy-f1b06964cf549b09977677e5f70bf9ff">government shutdown</a>, House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;is back to square one — asking his hard-right Republicans to do what they have said they would never do: approve their own temporary House measure to keep the government open.

The Republican speaker laid out his strategy Wednesday behind closed doors, urging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-house-republicans-spending-cuts-deff84c0e2ff7d3bd076b8c38e14cca4">his unruly Republican majority</a>&nbsp;to work together. He set up a test vote Friday, one day before Saturday's shutdown deadline, on a far-right bill. It would slash federal spending by 8% from many agencies and toughen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-house-republicans-border-security-0e19f7f27ef15c6edd73532c3813656a">border security</a>&nbsp;but has been rejected by President Joe Biden, Democrats and his own right-flank Republicans.

“I want to solve the problem,” McCarthy told reporters afterward at the Capitol.

But pressed on how he would pass a partisan Republican spending plan that even his own right flank doesn't want, McCarthy had few answers. He rejected outright the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-mccarthy-biden-trump-republicans-e4c37673b6507deaed2902f2166ef759">Senate's bipartisan bill</a>, which would fund the government to Nov. 17, adding $6 billion for Ukraine and $6 billion for U.S. disaster relief while talks continue. Instead, he insisted, as he often does, that he would never quit trying.

Congress is at a crossroads days before a disruptive federal shutdown that would halt paychecks for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-gop-federal-workers-congress-government-5978a4c7411eba06261d16c3aff3dfc5">millions of federal workers</a>&nbsp;and the military, close down many federal offices, and leave Americans who rely on the government in ways large and small in the lurch.

As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-government-shutdown-spending-house-right-wing-5c8af4f0a5ea3a9d93f54e6566d50aeb">Senate pushes ahead in bipartisan fashion</a>, McCarthy is demanding that Biden meet to discuss border security measures. But the beleaguered speaker has little leverage left with the White House without the power of his House majority behind him and after he walked away from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053#:~:text=Washington%20News-,Biden%20signs%20debt%20ceiling%20bill%20that%20pulls,from%20brink%20of%20unprecedented%20default&amp;text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20With%20just,on%20the%20federal%20government's%20debt.">debt deal he and Biden reached</a>&nbsp;earlier this year that is now law.

On the other side of the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer opened the chamber warning of the right-wing extremes that “seem to exult in shutting down government.”

Schumer said: “A reckless shutdown will serve no purpose.”

The Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was in rare agreement with the Democratic leader, urging his House colleagues to consider the Senate's stopgap approach that keeps funding at current levels, along with bolstered money for Ukraine and U.S. disaster relief, and move off the shutdown strategy.

“We can take the standard approach and fund the government for six weeks at the current rate of operations or we can shut the government down in exchange for zero meaningful progress on policy,” McConnell said.

McConnell said he, too, would like to do something about the “Democrats’ reckless spending” and boost border security. But “these important discussions cannot progress” if the functions of government “end up being taken hostage.”

With the Senate expected to spend the rest of this week working to pass its bill over the objections of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and others on the right flank who want to halt aid to Ukraine and push for steeper spending cuts, all action in Congress is crushing toward a last minute deadline.

The federal government would begin to shut down if funding is not secured by Sunday, Oct. 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year.

While the White House has said it's up to McCarthy and the House Republicans to “fix” the problem they have created, Biden's chief rival in the 2024 election, Donald Trump, is urging the right flank to fight for steep spending cuts. If Republicans don't get what they want, Trump the former president says, they should “shut it down.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Senate marches ahead with a bipartisan approach to prevent a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-biden-trump-mccarthy-f1b06964cf549b09977677e5f70bf9ff">government shutdown</a>, House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;is back to square one — asking his hard-right Republicans to do what they have said they would never do: approve their own temporary House measure to keep the government open.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerMcCarthy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerMcCarthy</a> (R-CA): &quot;We will move a continuing resolution, bring a rule to the floor, to secure our border and keep government open.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cIytzdIxAo">pic.twitter.com/cIytzdIxAo</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1706837579276902421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Republican speaker laid out his strategy Wednesday behind closed doors, urging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-house-republicans-spending-cuts-deff84c0e2ff7d3bd076b8c38e14cca4">his unruly Republican majority</a>&nbsp;to work together. He set up a test vote Friday, one day before Saturday's shutdown deadline, on a far-right bill. It would slash federal spending by 8% from many agencies and toughen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-house-republicans-border-security-0e19f7f27ef15c6edd73532c3813656a">border security</a>&nbsp;but has been rejected by President Joe Biden, Democrats and his own right-flank Republicans.“I want to solve the problem,” McCarthy told reporters afterward at the Capitol.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rep. Donalds (R-FL) said the Senate&#39;s proposal for a continuing resolution was dead-on-arrival with House Republicans because of its funding for Ukraine and lack of funding for border security. &quot;This government should not continue to be funded if we don&#39;t secure our border.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/isbqB8TJto">pic.twitter.com/isbqB8TJto</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1707047572479545679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But pressed on how he would pass a partisan Republican spending plan that even his own right flank doesn't want, McCarthy had few answers. He rejected outright the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-mccarthy-biden-trump-republicans-e4c37673b6507deaed2902f2166ef759">Senate's bipartisan bill</a>, which would fund the government to Nov. 17, adding $6 billion for Ukraine and $6 billion for U.S. disaster relief while talks continue. Instead, he insisted, as he often does, that he would never quit trying.Congress is at a crossroads days before a disruptive federal shutdown that would halt paychecks for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-gop-federal-workers-congress-government-5978a4c7411eba06261d16c3aff3dfc5">millions of federal workers</a>&nbsp;and the military, close down many federal offices, and leave Americans who rely on the government in ways large and small in the lurch.As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-government-shutdown-spending-house-right-wing-5c8af4f0a5ea3a9d93f54e6566d50aeb">Senate pushes ahead in bipartisan fashion</a>, McCarthy is demanding that Biden meet to discuss border security measures. But the beleaguered speaker has little leverage left with the White House without the power of his House majority behind him and after he walked away from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-debt-ceiling-budget-signing-f78a000d83cf85ffbaa2d08637844053#:~:text=Washington%20News-,Biden%20signs%20debt%20ceiling%20bill%20that%20pulls,from%20brink%20of%20unprecedented%20default&amp;text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20With%20just,on%20the%20federal%20government's%20debt.">debt deal he and Biden reached</a>&nbsp;earlier this year that is now law.On the other side of the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer opened the chamber warning of the right-wing extremes that “seem to exult in shutting down government.”Schumer said: “A reckless shutdown will serve no purpose.”The Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was in rare agreement with the Democratic leader, urging his House colleagues to consider the Senate's stopgap approach that keeps funding at current levels, along with bolstered money for Ukraine and U.S. disaster relief, and move off the shutdown strategy.“We can take the standard approach and fund the government for six weeks at the current rate of operations or we can shut the government down in exchange for zero meaningful progress on policy,” McConnell said.McConnell said he, too, would like to do something about the “Democrats’ reckless spending” and boost border security. But “these important discussions cannot progress” if the functions of government “end up being taken hostage.”With the Senate expected to spend the rest of this week working to pass its bill over the objections of Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and others on the right flank who want to halt aid to Ukraine and push for steeper spending cuts, all action in Congress is crushing toward a last minute deadline.The federal government would begin to shut down if funding is not secured by Sunday, Oct. 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year.While the White House has said it's up to McCarthy and the House Republicans to “fix” the problem they have created, Biden's chief rival in the 2024 election, Donald Trump, is urging the right flank to fight for steep spending cuts. If Republicans don't get what they want, Trump the former president says, they should “shut it down.”—

🎥 Government shutdown standoff: House Speaker back to square one

&nbsp;(OMAHA NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol Tech Crimes Unit have arrested an Omaha man after a child exploitation investigation.

Yesterday morning, NSP performed a search warrant at the residence of 4822 South 143rd&nbsp;Street, in Omaha. The search of the residence involved a child exploitation investigation.

The resident, Joesph R. Thompson, 48, was arrested for 1 count of possession of child pornography and 1 count of distribution of child pornography. Thompson was lodged in Douglas County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

&nbsp;(OMAHA NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol Tech Crimes Unit have arrested an Omaha man after a child exploitation investigation.Yesterday morning, NSP performed a search warrant at the residence of 4822 South 143rd&nbsp;Street, in Omaha. The search of the residence involved a child exploitation investigation.The resident, Joesph R. Thompson, 48, was arrested for 1 count of possession of child pornography and 1 count of distribution of child pornography. Thompson was lodged in Douglas County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

NSP Arrests Omaha Man in Child Exploitation Investigation

Lincoln, NE – September 27, 2023 – Due to high sales, the Multi-State Lottery Association has increased the estimated jackpot amount for the Wednesday, September 27 Powerball drawing to $850 million or $397.4 million with the cash option selected.

The Powerball jackpot starts at $20 million and continues to grow each drawing until it is won. There have been 29 consecutive Powerball drawings since July 22 without a jackpot winner.

Ten jackpots ranging from $2.5 million to $365 million have been won in Nebraska since the Nebraska Lottery began offering Powerball in July of 1994. The largest Powerball jackpot won in Nebraska occurred in February 2006 when a group of eight coworkers at the ConAgra Foods ham and corned beef plant in Lincoln split a $365 million jackpot.

Because of the high Powerball jackpot, the Nebraska Lottery encourages customers to play within their means. “It’s important for Nebraska Lottery players to remember that no matter how large the jackpot is, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million,” said Lottery Director Brian Rockey. “Your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of how many tickets are purchased or how many people play.” If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, free help is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://problemgambling.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">problemgambling.nebraska.gov</a>.

Lincoln, NE – September 27, 2023 – Due to high sales, the Multi-State Lottery Association has increased the estimated jackpot amount for the Wednesday, September 27 Powerball drawing to $850 million or $397.4 million with the cash option selected.The Powerball jackpot starts at $20 million and continues to grow each drawing until it is won. There have been 29 consecutive Powerball drawings since July 22 without a jackpot winner.Ten jackpots ranging from $2.5 million to $365 million have been won in Nebraska since the Nebraska Lottery began offering Powerball in July of 1994. The largest Powerball jackpot won in Nebraska occurred in February 2006 when a group of eight coworkers at the ConAgra Foods ham and corned beef plant in Lincoln split a $365 million jackpot.Play ResponsiblyBecause of the high Powerball jackpot, the Nebraska Lottery encourages customers to play within their means. “It’s important for Nebraska Lottery players to remember that no matter how large the jackpot is, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million,” said Lottery Director Brian Rockey. “Your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of how many tickets are purchased or how many people play.” If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, free help is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://problemgambling.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">problemgambling.nebraska.gov</a>.

Powerball® Jackpot Increased for Wednesday Drawing

LINCOLN, NEB. – "Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) appreciates the decision made by the Southeast Community College (SCC) Board of Governors to vote down the proposed levy increase in their 2024 budget. It is evident the SCC leadership heard the wishes of Nebraska’s taxpayers by voting to not increase their tax asking authority.”

“This vote comes after Nebraska Farm Bureau along with Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Independent Business Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, and Nebraska Soybean Association, urged the SCC Board of Governors to take an action of fiscal restraint as they set their budget. At a time when taxpayers are experiencing increased property valuations, we believe this shows a commonsense approach of working with the Legislature on community college operating budgets. And most importantly, it protects taxpayer dollars by following Governor Pillen’s tax reform plan of easing the burden on property taxpayers by having the State provide community college funding.”

“Nebraska Farm Bureau supports the mission of Southeast Community College and other community colleges throughout the state to provide workforce training and educational opportunities. We look forward to working with Nebraska’s community colleges in the future in promoting economic development.”

LINCOLN, NEB. – "Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) appreciates the decision made by the Southeast Community College (SCC) Board of Governors to vote down the proposed levy increase in their 2024 budget. It is evident the SCC leadership heard the wishes of Nebraska’s taxpayers by voting to not increase their tax asking authority.”“This vote comes after Nebraska Farm Bureau along with Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Independent Business Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, and Nebraska Soybean Association, urged the SCC Board of Governors to take an action of fiscal restraint as they set their budget. At a time when taxpayers are experiencing increased property valuations, we believe this shows a commonsense approach of working with the Legislature on community college operating budgets. And most importantly, it protects taxpayer dollars by following Governor Pillen’s tax reform plan of easing the burden on property taxpayers by having the State provide community college funding.”“Nebraska Farm Bureau supports the mission of Southeast Community College and other community colleges throughout the state to provide workforce training and educational opportunities. We look forward to working with Nebraska’s community colleges in the future in promoting economic development.”

Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding SCC Vote to Hold the Line on Levy Increase

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago was released into American custody, the White House announced Wednesday.

Earlier, North Korea had said it would expel Pvt. Travis King — though some had expected the North to drag out his detention in hopes of squeezing concessions from Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-peninsula-nuclear-b23f9c70307cfd095dc9a5cceecb1f5e">at a time of high tensions</a>&nbsp;between the two countries.

"U.S. officials have secured the return of Private Travis King from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. “We appreciate the dedication of the interagency team that has worked tirelessly out of concern for Private King’s wellbeing."

Officials said they did not know exactly why North Korea decided to expel King, but said they suspected that Pyongyang determined that as a low-ranking serviceman he had no real value in terms of either leverage or information. One official, who was not authorized to comment and requested anonymity, said the North Koreans may have decided that King was more trouble to keep than to simply release him.

Swedish officials took King to the Chinese border, where he was met by the U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, the Swedish ambassador to China, and at least one U.S. Defense Department official. Biden administration officials insisted they provided no concessions to North Korea to secure the soldier's release.

“We thank the government of Sweden for its diplomatic role serving as the protecting power for the United States in the DPRK and the government of the People’s Republic of China for its assistance in facilitating the transit of Private King,” Sullivan added.

King was being flown to a U.S. military base in South Korea before being returned to the U.S.

King’s expulsion almost certainly does not end his troubles or ensure the sort of celebratory homecoming that has accompanied the releases of other detained Americans.

And there remain unanswered questions about the episode, including why King went to North Korea in the first place. His fate also remains uncertain, having been declared AWOL by the U.S. government. That can mean punishment by time in military jail, forfeiture of pay or a dishonorable discharge.

In the near term, officials said that their focus would be on helping King reintegrate into U.S. society upon his return, including helping him address mental and emotional concerns, according to a senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters on the transfer.

The soldier was in “good spirits and good health” upon his release, according to one senior administration official. He was to be taken to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, and was expected to arrive overnight, officials said.

King, who had served in South Korea, ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.

At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

Sweden was the chief interlocutor with North Korea on the transfer, while China helped facilitate his transfer, administration officials said.

Biden administration officials expressed gratitude for China’s assistance with the transfer but underscored that Beijing did not play a mediating role in securing King's release. The U.S. first learned through Swedish officials earlier this month that North Korea was looking to expel King. That information accelerated the effort to release King with Sweden acting on the United States' behalf in its talks with the North, an official said.

On Wednesday, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that authorities had finished their questioning of King. It said that he confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”

It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible. Some previous foreign detainees have said after their releases that their declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion.

The White House did not address the North Korean state media reports that King fled because of his dismay about racial discrimination and inequality in the military and U.S. society. One senior administration official said that King was “very happy” to be on his way back to the United States.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had reason to want to come home. She thanked the U.S. government on Wednesday for securing her son's release.

“Ms. Gates will be forever grateful to the United States Army and all its interagency partners for a job well done," Jonathan Franks, spokesperson for Gates, said in a statement. "For the foreseeable future, the family asks for privacy and Ms. Gates does not intend to give any interviews.”

King, who is from Wisconsin, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.

Both Koreas ban anyone from crossing their heavily fortified shared border without special permissions. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">Americans who crossed into North Korea</a>&nbsp;in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.

North Korea’s decision to release King after 71 days appears relatively quick by the country’s standards, especially considering the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the North’s growing nuclear weapons and missile program and the United States' expanding military exercises with South Korea. Some had speculated that North Korea might treat King as a propaganda asset or bargaining chip.

The U.S. has also publicly accused North Korea of providing munitions to Russia for it's war with Ukraine and says that Moscow is pushing Pyongyang to provide even more military aid. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-kim-putin-summit-c44735b9903e6f30e7e8d673ef4c77f3">met for talks</a>&nbsp;in Russia's Far East earlier this month.

Biden administration officials on Wednesday downplayed any idea that the release could augur a broader shift by Kim, but reiterated that the U.S. remains ready to engage the North with diplomatic talks.

In the end, the North apparently concluded that King simply wasn’t worth keeping, possibly because of the cost of providing him food and accommodation and assigning him guards and translators when he was never to be a meaningful source of U.S. military intelligence, said Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute.

Captive Americans have been flown to China previously. In other cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve them.

That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0d4df528ce0745218e4d772b61a36b0a">an American college student</a>&nbsp;who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago was released into American custody Wednesday, according to two officials.

Earlier, North Korea said it would expel Pvt. Travis King — an announcement that surprised some observers who had expected the North to drag out his detention in the hopes of squeezing concessions from Washington at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-kim-jong-un-5a247c5612306bfd1901f851ffba47d3">high tensions</a>&nbsp;between the rivals.

King was transferred to American custody in China, according to one of the officials. The two U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss King’s status ahead of an announcement.

It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had reason to want to come home.

“I just can’t see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America. He has so many reasons to come home,” she said.

Unauthorized crossings across the Demilitarized Zone separating the Koreas are extremely rare. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">few Americans who crossed into North Korea</a>&nbsp;in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Wednesday that it will expel a U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who crossed into the country</a>&nbsp;through the heavily armed border between the Koreas in July.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said that authorities have finished their questioning of Pvt. Travis King. It did not say when officials plan to expel him or to where.

King, who had served in South Korea, sprinted into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.

On Wednesday, the state news agency said that King confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”

“The relevant organ of the DPRK decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK,” the state news agency said, using the initials of North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The White House, the State Department and the Pentagon did not have any immediate comment on the report.

Following weeks of silence, North Korea confirmed in August that it had detained King, 23, and was investigating the circumstances surrounding his border crossing.

King was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had “so many reasons” to want to come home.

Unauthorized crossings across the Demilitarized Zone separating the Koreas are extremely rare. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-north-korea-border-entry-4456952c66626ea2d5a04578d4e7bb31">few Americans who crossed</a>&nbsp;into North Korea in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.

It wasn’t immediately clear how King might be expelled. In some prior cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve captive Americans. That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.

In December 1994, Bill Richardson — who up until his death earlier this month served for many presidential administrations as an unofficial diplomatic troubleshooter — traveled to North Korea in 2007 to recover the remains of servicemembers killed in the Korea War.

U.S. officials have said that King has been declared AWOL, which can be punished by time in the brig, forfeiture of pay or dishonorable discharge with the severity based on the amount of time away and whether the service member was apprehended or returned on their own.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692140954260.png" alt="A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 24, 2023. The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over King who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)" />
 <figcaption>A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 24, 2023. The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over King who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago was released into American custody, the White House announced Wednesday.Earlier, North Korea had said it would expel Pvt. Travis King — though some had expected the North to drag out his detention in hopes of squeezing concessions from Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-peninsula-nuclear-b23f9c70307cfd095dc9a5cceecb1f5e">at a time of high tensions</a>&nbsp;between the two countries."U.S. officials have secured the return of Private Travis King from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. “We appreciate the dedication of the interagency team that has worked tirelessly out of concern for Private King’s wellbeing."Officials said they did not know exactly why North Korea decided to expel King, but said they suspected that Pyongyang determined that as a low-ranking serviceman he had no real value in terms of either leverage or information. One official, who was not authorized to comment and requested anonymity, said the North Koreans may have decided that King was more trouble to keep than to simply release him.Swedish officials took King to the Chinese border, where he was met by the U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, the Swedish ambassador to China, and at least one U.S. Defense Department official. Biden administration officials insisted they provided no concessions to North Korea to secure the soldier's release.“We thank the government of Sweden for its diplomatic role serving as the protecting power for the United States in the DPRK and the government of the People’s Republic of China for its assistance in facilitating the transit of Private King,” Sullivan added.King was being flown to a U.S. military base in South Korea before being returned to the U.S.King’s expulsion almost certainly does not end his troubles or ensure the sort of celebratory homecoming that has accompanied the releases of other detained Americans.And there remain unanswered questions about the episode, including why King went to North Korea in the first place. His fate also remains uncertain, having been declared AWOL by the U.S. government. That can mean punishment by time in military jail, forfeiture of pay or a dishonorable discharge.In the near term, officials said that their focus would be on helping King reintegrate into U.S. society upon his return, including helping him address mental and emotional concerns, according to a senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters on the transfer.The soldier was in “good spirits and good health” upon his release, according to one senior administration official. He was to be taken to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, and was expected to arrive overnight, officials said.King, who had served in South Korea, ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.Sweden was the chief interlocutor with North Korea on the transfer, while China helped facilitate his transfer, administration officials said.Biden administration officials expressed gratitude for China’s assistance with the transfer but underscored that Beijing did not play a mediating role in securing King's release. The U.S. first learned through Swedish officials earlier this month that North Korea was looking to expel King. That information accelerated the effort to release King with Sweden acting on the United States' behalf in its talks with the North, an official said.On Wednesday, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that authorities had finished their questioning of King. It said that he confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible. Some previous foreign detainees have said after their releases that their declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion.The White House did not address the North Korean state media reports that King fled because of his dismay about racial discrimination and inequality in the military and U.S. society. One senior administration official said that King was “very happy” to be on his way back to the United States.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had reason to want to come home. She thanked the U.S. government on Wednesday for securing her son's release.“Ms. Gates will be forever grateful to the United States Army and all its interagency partners for a job well done," Jonathan Franks, spokesperson for Gates, said in a statement. "For the foreseeable future, the family asks for privacy and Ms. Gates does not intend to give any interviews.”King, who is from Wisconsin, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.Both Koreas ban anyone from crossing their heavily fortified shared border without special permissions. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">Americans who crossed into North Korea</a>&nbsp;in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.North Korea’s decision to release King after 71 days appears relatively quick by the country’s standards, especially considering the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the North’s growing nuclear weapons and missile program and the United States' expanding military exercises with South Korea. Some had speculated that North Korea might treat King as a propaganda asset or bargaining chip.The U.S. has also publicly accused North Korea of providing munitions to Russia for it's war with Ukraine and says that Moscow is pushing Pyongyang to provide even more military aid. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-kim-putin-summit-c44735b9903e6f30e7e8d673ef4c77f3">met for talks</a>&nbsp;in Russia's Far East earlier this month.Biden administration officials on Wednesday downplayed any idea that the release could augur a broader shift by Kim, but reiterated that the U.S. remains ready to engage the North with diplomatic talks.In the end, the North apparently concluded that King simply wasn’t worth keeping, possibly because of the cost of providing him food and accommodation and assigning him guards and translators when he was never to be a meaningful source of U.S. military intelligence, said Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute.Captive Americans have been flown to China previously. In other cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve them.That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0d4df528ce0745218e4d772b61a36b0a">an American college student</a>&nbsp;who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.--------------SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas two months ago was released into American custody Wednesday, according to two officials.Earlier, North Korea said it would expel Pvt. Travis King — an announcement that surprised some observers who had expected the North to drag out his detention in the hopes of squeezing concessions from Washington at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-missile-kim-jong-un-5a247c5612306bfd1901f851ffba47d3">high tensions</a>&nbsp;between the rivals.King’s expulsion almost certainly does not end his troubles or ensure the sort of celebratory homecoming that has accompanied the releases of other detained Americans.And there remain unanswered questions about the episode, including why King went to North Korea in the first place. His fate also remains uncertain, having been declared AWOL by the U.S. government. That can mean punishment by time in military jail, forfeiture of pay or a dishonorable discharge.King was transferred to American custody in China, according to one of the officials. The two U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss King’s status ahead of an announcement.King, who had served in South Korea, ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.On Wednesday, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that authorities had finished their questioning of King. It said that he confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had reason to want to come home.“I just can’t see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America. He has so many reasons to come home,” she said.King, who is from Wisconsin, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.Unauthorized crossings across the Demilitarized Zone separating the Koreas are extremely rare. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">few Americans who crossed into North Korea</a>&nbsp;in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.North Korea’s decision to release King after 71 days appears relatively quick by the country’s standards, especially considering the tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the North’s growing nuclear weapons and missile program and the United States' expanding military exercises with South Korea. Some had speculated that North Korea might treat King as a propaganda asset or bargaining chip.In the end, the North apparently concluded that King simply wasn’t worth keeping, possibly because of the cost of providing him food and accommodation and assigning him guards and translators when he was never to be a meaningful source of U.S. military intelligence, said Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute.Captive Americans have been flown to China previously. In other cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve them.That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0d4df528ce0745218e4d772b61a36b0a">an American college student</a>&nbsp;who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.___SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Wednesday that it will expel a U.S. soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who crossed into the country</a>&nbsp;through the heavily armed border between the Koreas in July.The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said that authorities have finished their questioning of Pvt. Travis King. It did not say when officials plan to expel him or to where.King, who had served in South Korea, sprinted into North Korea while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.On Wednesday, the state news agency said that King confessed to illegally entering the North because he harbored “ill feeling against inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination” within the U.S. Army and was “disillusioned about the unequal U.S. society.”It has attributed similar comments to King before, and verifying their authenticity is impossible.“The relevant organ of the DPRK decided to expel Travis King, a soldier of the U.S. Army who illegally intruded into the territory of the DPRK,” the state news agency said, using the initials of North Korea’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.The White House, the State Department and the Pentagon did not have any immediate comment on the report.Following weeks of silence, North Korea confirmed in August that it had detained King, 23, and was investigating the circumstances surrounding his border crossing.King was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. U.S. officials had expressed concern about King’s well-being, citing the North’s harsh treatment of some American detainees in the past.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-army-travis-king-263c0800e507c0182e51f39df1047d29">interview last month with The Associated Press</a>, King’s mother, Claudine Gates, said her son had “so many reasons” to want to come home.“I just can’t see him ever wanting to just stay in Korea when he has family in America. He has so many reasons to come home,” she said.Unauthorized crossings across the Demilitarized Zone separating the Koreas are extremely rare. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-north-korea-border-entry-4456952c66626ea2d5a04578d4e7bb31">few Americans who crossed</a>&nbsp;into North Korea in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world’s most cloistered societies.It wasn’t immediately clear how King might be expelled. In some prior cases, an envoy has been sent to retrieve captive Americans. That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.In December 1994, Bill Richardson — who up until his death earlier this month served for many presidential administrations as an unofficial diplomatic troubleshooter — traveled to North Korea in 2007 to recover the remains of servicemembers killed in the Korea War.U.S. officials have said that King has been declared AWOL, which can be punished by time in the brig, forfeiture of pay or dishonorable discharge with the severity based on the amount of time away and whether the service member was apprehended or returned on their own.------------

White House: US soldier who crossed into North Korea is in American hands 

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 3.4 million vehicles in the U.S. and telling owners to park them outside due to the risk of engine compartment fires.

The recalls cover multiple car and SUV models from the 2010 through 2019 model years including&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCAK-23V651-3906.pdf">Hyundai's Santa Fe SUV</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCAK-23V652-7830.pdf">Kia's Sorrento SUV</a>.

Documents posted Wednesday by the U.S. U.S. safety regulators say the anti-lock brake control module can leak fluid and cause an electrical short, which can touch off a fire while the vehicles are parked or being driven.

The automakers are advising owners to park outdoors and away from structures until repairs are done.

Dealers will replace the anti-lock brake fuse at no cost to owners. Kia says in documents that it will send notification letters to owners starting Nov. 14. For Hyundai the date is Nov. 21.

Messages were left early Wednesday seeking comment from both companies.

Affected Kia models include the 2010 through 2019 Borrego, the 2014 to 2016 Cadenza, 2010 through 2013 Forte, Forte Koup and Sportage, the 2015 to 2018 K900, the 2011 to 2015 Optima, the 2011 to 2013 Optima Hybrid and Soul, the 2012 to 2017 Rio, the 2011 to 2014 Sorento, and the 2010 to 2011 Rondo.

Hyundai models covered by the recall include the 2011 to 2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, and Sonata Hybrid, the 2012 to 2015 Accent, Azera, and Veloster, the 2013 to 2015 Elantra Coupe and Santa Fe, the 2014 to 2015 Equus, the 2010 to 2012 Veracruz, the 2010 to 2013 Tucson, the 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and the 2013 Santa Fe Sport.

Owners can go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls">www.nhtsa.gov/recalls</a>&nbsp;and key in their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is affected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695818555586.png" alt="The automakers are advising owners to park outdoors and away from structures until repairs are done.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>The automakers are advising owners to park outdoors and away from structures until repairs are done.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling nearly 3.4 million vehicles in the U.S. and telling owners to park them outside due to the risk of engine compartment fires.The recalls cover multiple car and SUV models from the 2010 through 2019 model years including&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCAK-23V651-3906.pdf">Hyundai's Santa Fe SUV</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCAK-23V652-7830.pdf">Kia's Sorrento SUV</a>.Documents posted Wednesday by the U.S. U.S. safety regulators say the anti-lock brake control module can leak fluid and cause an electrical short, which can touch off a fire while the vehicles are parked or being driven.The automakers are advising owners to park outdoors and away from structures until repairs are done.Dealers will replace the anti-lock brake fuse at no cost to owners. Kia says in documents that it will send notification letters to owners starting Nov. 14. For Hyundai the date is Nov. 21.Messages were left early Wednesday seeking comment from both companies.Affected Kia models include the 2010 through 2019 Borrego, the 2014 to 2016 Cadenza, 2010 through 2013 Forte, Forte Koup and Sportage, the 2015 to 2018 K900, the 2011 to 2015 Optima, the 2011 to 2013 Optima Hybrid and Soul, the 2012 to 2017 Rio, the 2011 to 2014 Sorento, and the 2010 to 2011 Rondo.Hyundai models covered by the recall include the 2011 to 2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, and Sonata Hybrid, the 2012 to 2015 Accent, Azera, and Veloster, the 2013 to 2015 Elantra Coupe and Santa Fe, the 2014 to 2015 Equus, the 2010 to 2012 Veracruz, the 2010 to 2013 Tucson, the 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and the 2013 Santa Fe Sport.Owners can go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls">www.nhtsa.gov/recalls</a>&nbsp;and key in their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is affected.