LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day, September 11, 2023. Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on that date.

“September 11 marks a solemn day in our nation’s history – one that will never be forgotten,” said Gov. Pillen. “That date will be marked with many fitting remembrances.&nbsp; Twenty-two years have passed, but our memories have barely dimmed. By lowering our flags, we pay tribute to those who perished, we honor the heroes, and we acknowledge the service of our military men and women, who have also made sacrifices so that we can continue to live under a banner of freedom today.”

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day, September 11, 2023. Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on that date.“September 11 marks a solemn day in our nation’s history – one that will never be forgotten,” said Gov. Pillen. “That date will be marked with many fitting remembrances.&nbsp; Twenty-two years have passed, but our memories have barely dimmed. By lowering our flags, we pay tribute to those who perished, we honor the heroes, and we acknowledge the service of our military men and women, who have also made sacrifices so that we can continue to live under a banner of freedom today.”

Flags to Fly at Half-Staff in Honor of Patriot Day

Lincoln, NE – Ryan Voss of Wood River won $250,000 playing Nebraska Pick 5 from the Nebraska Lottery.

Voss purchased his ticket at Pump &amp; Pantry #52 at 3210 Old Potash Hwy. in Grand Island. The ticket contained one quick pick play for the September 6 drawing which matched the winning numbers 08, 14, 26, 35 and 38.

September seems to be a lucky month for Voss, seeing as he won $5,000 on Lucky for Life in September of 2022 and a $2,022 second chance drawing prize in September of 2021.

That’s not to say every other month hasn’t been as fortunate for Voss.

“I hit $500 the first day the game changed,” Voss said, referring to the August 13 addition of Pick 5 enhancements that raised the second prize by $50. “Before that I won $450 about 75 times.”

Voss is a daily player and sometimes picks his own numbers and sometimes goes with a quick pick, it just depends on his mood, he said.

Voss said he’s planning on buying himself a new pickup truck with his winnings, but there’s one thing he’s not going to be changing.

“My nickname at the store is 450,” he said. “Some people asked me if I wanted to be 500 now, but 450 is fine with me.”

Nebraska Pick 5 is Nebraska’s unique Lottery game: all the proceeds from Nebraska Pick 5 stay in Nebraska, and all the winning tickets are sold in Nebraska at Nebraska Lottery Lotto game retailers. The odds of winning the Nebraska Pick 5 jackpot, which starts at $50,000 and grows by $10,000 each drawing that is not won, are 1 in 658,008 while the overall odds of winning a prize in the game, which has drawings seven nights a week, are 1 in 9.2.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $936 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Neil WatsonLincoln, NE – Ryan Voss of Wood River won $250,000 playing Nebraska Pick 5 from the Nebraska Lottery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694171064358.jpeg" alt="Ryan Voss/Photo courtesy of Nebraska Lottery" />
 <figcaption>Ryan Voss/Photo courtesy of Nebraska Lottery</figcaption>
 </figure>Voss purchased his ticket at Pump &amp; Pantry #52 at 3210 Old Potash Hwy. in Grand Island. The ticket contained one quick pick play for the September 6 drawing which matched the winning numbers 08, 14, 26, 35 and 38.September seems to be a lucky month for Voss, seeing as he won $5,000 on Lucky for Life in September of 2022 and a $2,022 second chance drawing prize in September of 2021.That’s not to say every other month hasn’t been as fortunate for Voss.“I hit $500 the first day the game changed,” Voss said, referring to the August 13 addition of Pick 5 enhancements that raised the second prize by $50. “Before that I won $450 about 75 times.”Voss is a daily player and sometimes picks his own numbers and sometimes goes with a quick pick, it just depends on his mood, he said.Voss said he’s planning on buying himself a new pickup truck with his winnings, but there’s one thing he’s not going to be changing.“My nickname at the store is 450,” he said. “Some people asked me if I wanted to be 500 now, but 450 is fine with me.”Nebraska Pick 5 is Nebraska’s unique Lottery game: all the proceeds from Nebraska Pick 5 stay in Nebraska, and all the winning tickets are sold in Nebraska at Nebraska Lottery Lotto game retailers. The odds of winning the Nebraska Pick 5 jackpot, which starts at $50,000 and grows by $10,000 each drawing that is not won, are 1 in 658,008 while the overall odds of winning a prize in the game, which has drawings seven nights a week, are 1 in 9.2.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $936 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Wood River Man Wins $250,000 Playing Nebraska Pick 5

CUPERTINO, CAL (AP) —Apple released a&nbsp;<a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213905">significant security update</a>&nbsp;for iPhones and iPads Thursday to patch newly discovered security vulnerabilities in the devices’ system software.

The issue was discovered by researchers at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, who said the software flaw was being “actively exploited” to deliver commercial spyware called Pegasus developed and sold by the Israeli company NSO Group.

Pegasus is an expensive tool typically used to target dissidents, journalists and political opponents, so ordinary users likely have little to fear. Still, Citizen Lab recommends that all users should “immediately" update their devices.

To install the update, open Settings on your iPhone, then select “General” followed by “Software Update.” You should see the iOS 16.6.1 software update there; tap to begin the installation.

If you don't see the update, go back to the General page, then tap “About” to check your iOS version number. If it's 16.6.1, you already have the update installed. If your phone is still using 16.6 or an earlier version, repeat the above steps. If you still don't see an update, try restarting your phone. If that doesn't make the update appear, double-check your internet connection and then wait a bit before trying again.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658501234756.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CUPERTINO, CAL (AP) —Apple released a&nbsp;<a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213905">significant security update</a>&nbsp;for iPhones and iPads Thursday to patch newly discovered security vulnerabilities in the devices’ system software.The issue was discovered by researchers at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, who said the software flaw was being “actively exploited” to deliver commercial spyware called Pegasus developed and sold by the Israeli company NSO Group.Pegasus is an expensive tool typically used to target dissidents, journalists and political opponents, so ordinary users likely have little to fear. Still, Citizen Lab recommends that all users should “immediately" update their devices.To install the update, open Settings on your iPhone, then select “General” followed by “Software Update.” You should see the iOS 16.6.1 software update there; tap to begin the installation.If you don't see the update, go back to the General page, then tap “About” to check your iOS version number. If it's 16.6.1, you already have the update installed. If your phone is still using 16.6 or an earlier version, repeat the above steps. If you still don't see an update, try restarting your phone. If that doesn't make the update appear, double-check your internet connection and then wait a bit before trying again.

Update your iPhone: Apple just pushed out significant security update

Lincoln, September 7, 2023- September 11-15 is National Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week and the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) is encouraging qualified consumers to get and stay connected to voice and broadband networks by taking advantage of federal and state discount programs.

“Voice and broadband services play a crucial role in our everyday lives by connecting us to theworld around us,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier. “It’s important that citizens knowthere are programs available that can help them get and stay connected.”

Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers" target="_blank">Federal Lifeline Program</a>&nbsp;consumers who participate in certain public assistance andveterans’ programs or qualify based on income can receive a discount of up to $9.25 per monthoff of their bill for phone, broadband, or bundled phone and broadband service.The PSC helps to supplement the federal program through the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/phone-internet-discount-programs" target="_blank">Nebraska Telephone AssistanceProgram (NTAP)</a>. NTAP provides an additional $3.50 in assistance for qualified Nebraskans onone landline/wireless phone bill or by providing minutes to an eligible cellular phone service.Consumers must be participating in the federal Lifeline program and meet eligibilityrequirements to receive the NTAP discount. Learn more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/phone-internet-discount-programs" target="_blank">NTAP/Lifeline program</a>&nbsp;andhow you can apply on the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/nebraska-telephone-assistance-programlifeline" target="_blank">NTAP/Lifeline page</a>&nbsp;of the PSC website.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also offers the Affordable ConnectivityProgram (ACP). ACP provides a monthly discount on internet services and a one-time devicediscount for qualifying low-income household. To apply, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/" target="_blank">affordableconnectivity.gov</a>&nbsp;or call1-877-384-2575 to request an application.

Commissioner Watermeier said, “Help is available, and we encourage qualified recipients to get connected by taking advantage of these discount programs.”

Deb Collins PSCLincoln, September 7, 2023- September 11-15 is National Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week and the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) is encouraging qualified consumers to get and stay connected to voice and broadband networks by taking advantage of federal and state discount programs.“Voice and broadband services play a crucial role in our everyday lives by connecting us to theworld around us,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier. “It’s important that citizens knowthere are programs available that can help them get and stay connected.”Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers" target="_blank">Federal Lifeline Program</a>&nbsp;consumers who participate in certain public assistance andveterans’ programs or qualify based on income can receive a discount of up to $9.25 per monthoff of their bill for phone, broadband, or bundled phone and broadband service.The PSC helps to supplement the federal program through the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/phone-internet-discount-programs" target="_blank">Nebraska Telephone AssistanceProgram (NTAP)</a>. NTAP provides an additional $3.50 in assistance for qualified Nebraskans onone landline/wireless phone bill or by providing minutes to an eligible cellular phone service.Consumers must be participating in the federal Lifeline program and meet eligibilityrequirements to receive the NTAP discount. Learn more about the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/phone-internet-discount-programs" target="_blank">NTAP/Lifeline program</a>&nbsp;andhow you can apply on the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/nebraska-telephone-assistance-programlifeline" target="_blank">NTAP/Lifeline page</a>&nbsp;of the PSC website.The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also offers the Affordable ConnectivityProgram (ACP). ACP provides a monthly discount on internet services and a one-time devicediscount for qualifying low-income household. To apply, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/" target="_blank">affordableconnectivity.gov</a>&nbsp;or call1-877-384-2575 to request an application.Commissioner Watermeier said, “Help is available, and we encourage qualified recipients to get connected by taking advantage of these discount programs.”

NATIONAL DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY AND LIFELINE AWARENESS WEEK

LONDON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/freddie-mercury">Freddie Mercury</a>&nbsp;’s prized piano that he used to compose “Bohemian Rhapsody” and other hits by Queen sold for more than $2 million Wednesday as some of the late singer’s massive collection of flamboyant stage costumes, fine art and original lyrics were auctioned in a sale that broke records.

Items connected to the operatic “Rhapsody,” the band's most enduring hit, brought a premium with hand-written lyrics to the song selling for about 1.4 million pounds ($1.7 million) and a gold Cartier brooch saying “Queen number 1” given to each band member by their manager after the song topped the charts, selling for 165,000 pounds ($208,000).

A Victorian-style silver snake bangle Mercury wore with an ivory satin catsuit in a video for the song — long before the days of MTV — set a record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of jewelry owned by a rock star, Sotheby's said.

The bracelet went for 698,500 pounds ($881,000) — 100 times its estimated low price. The item broke a record set when John Lennon’s leather and bead talisman sold for 295,000 pounds ($368,000) in 2008, Sotheby’s said.

The eclectic collection of objects were amassed by Mercury after Queen’s glam-rock produced an avalanche of hits that allowed the singer to achieve his dream of living a Victorian life “surrounded by exquisite clutter.”

Mercury’s close friend, Mary Austin, to whom he left his house and his possessions when he died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991 at 45, is selling it all — more than 1,400 items.

A mere 59 items of that “clutter” sold for 12.2 million pounds ($15.4 million), including a buyer's premium, that blew away estimates in the four-and-a-half hour auction. Bidders from 61 countries took part in person, online and by phone.

Mercury wrote, “Easy come, easy go, will you let me go?” in "Rhapsody," and the answer to the question from well-heeled fans seemed to be "No,” as they bid fortunes — large and larger — to grab a piece of the late singer’s clothing, awards and original hand-written drafts to classics such as “Killer Queen” and “We Are the Champions.”

Depending how you looked at it, the champions of the night may have been Sotheby’s or Austin or a few charities she’s promised to donate an undisclosed portion of the proceeds to.

Or it could have been the buyers of one-of-a-kind memorabilia who won. One man raised his hands over his head in victory and hugged the woman seated next to him after bidding 635,000 pounds ($801,500) for the rhinestone-studded crown and red fake fur cloak Mercury wore on stage at the end of every show during Queen's last tour in 1986.

The auction opened with the sale of the graffiti-tagged door to the garden of Mercury's home that quickly blew past the high estimate of 25,000 pounds ($31,250) projected before the sale and led to a bidding war that lasted nearly 20 minutes.

The green door covered in hand-painted love notes from fans who made a pilgrimage to the house in the tony Kensington section of London sold for an eye-popping 412,750 pounds ($521,000).

All of the proceeds of the sale of a Cartier onyx and diamond ring given to Mercury by his friend, Elton John, that sold for 273,000 pounds ($344,000) were to go to the “Rocket Man” singer's AIDS charity.

Art sold at the auction included prints by Pablo Picasso (190,500 pounds; $240,000), Salvador Dalí (48,260 pounds; $60,900); and Marc Chagall (63,500; $80,000), antique furniture and numerous cat figurines.

For the past month, fans of Mercury who couldn't afford those kind of prices — or just wanted to see his high-top Adidas, diamond brooches, or a sequined jacket — could view them for free in Sotheby's galleries. More than 140,000 visitors from around the world queued up outside the elegant auction house to take a tour.

Publicity from “Freddie Mercury: A World of his Own” drove up bidding for online auctions that began last month and closes next week.

Even items being sold online that had seemed like they might be in reach for some average buyers eclipsed pre-sale estimates.

A collection of chopsticks once estimated to fetch 40-60 British pounds ($50-75) had a current bid 1,200 pounds ($1,500) Wednesday.

One of the quirkier items, a silver moustache comb from Tiffany &amp; Co, that had been expected to set a buyer back 400 to 600 pounds ($500—750) had a bid at 35,000 pounds ($43,750).

The Yamaha baby grand piano that Mercury wrote some of Queen's greatest hits on was one of the few items that sold for less than its estimated price tag, though it still sold for the most amount of money.

It had been expected to sell for as much as 3 million pounds ($3.75 million) but sold for 1.7 million pounds ($2.2 million). Sotheby's said it was the highest price ever paid for a composer's piano, but they didn't provide information on the previous record.

Other items that were treasured by fans were Mercury's draft lyrics to "Somebody to Love” (241,000 pounds; $304,000), and “Don’t Stop Me Now" and “We Are the Champions,” which both fetched the same final prices: 317,500 pounds; $400,700.

The drafts showed songs at their inception, with “Bohemian Rhapsody” scratched on stationery from the defunct British Midland Airways. The song was originally named “Mongolian Rhapsody” before that was crossed out.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694098565647.jpeg" alt="Freddie Mercury's signature crown worn throughout the 'Magic' Tour, on display at Sotheby's auction rooms in London, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. A Victorian-style silver snake bangle Freddie Mercury wore with an ivory satin catsuit in the “Bohemian Rhapsody” video has sold for the highest price ever paid for a piece of jewelry owned by a rock star. Sotheby's says the sale price of nearly 700,000 pounds more than doubled the amount paid for John Lennon’s leather and bead talisman in 2008. The auction includes Mercury's flamboyant stage costumes, drafts to hits such as “We are the Champions.” (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)" />
 <figcaption>Freddie Mercury's signature crown worn throughout the 'Magic' Tour, on display at Sotheby's auction rooms in London, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. A Victorian-style silver snake bangle Freddie Mercury wore with an ivory satin catsuit in the “Bohemian Rhapsody” video has sold for the highest price ever paid for a piece of jewelry owned by a rock star. Sotheby's says the sale price of nearly 700,000 pounds more than doubled the amount paid for John Lennon’s leather and bead talisman in 2008. The auction includes Mercury's flamboyant stage costumes, drafts to hits such as “We are the Champions.” (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/freddie-mercury">Freddie Mercury</a>&nbsp;’s prized piano that he used to compose “Bohemian Rhapsody” and other hits by Queen sold for more than $2 million Wednesday as some of the late singer’s massive collection of flamboyant stage costumes, fine art and original lyrics were auctioned in a sale that broke records.Items connected to the operatic “Rhapsody,” the band's most enduring hit, brought a premium with hand-written lyrics to the song selling for about 1.4 million pounds ($1.7 million) and a gold Cartier brooch saying “Queen number 1” given to each band member by their manager after the song topped the charts, selling for 165,000 pounds ($208,000).A Victorian-style silver snake bangle Mercury wore with an ivory satin catsuit in a video for the song — long before the days of MTV — set a record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of jewelry owned by a rock star, Sotheby's said.The bracelet went for 698,500 pounds ($881,000) — 100 times its estimated low price. The item broke a record set when John Lennon’s leather and bead talisman sold for 295,000 pounds ($368,000) in 2008, Sotheby’s said.The eclectic collection of objects were amassed by Mercury after Queen’s glam-rock produced an avalanche of hits that allowed the singer to achieve his dream of living a Victorian life “surrounded by exquisite clutter.”Mercury’s close friend, Mary Austin, to whom he left his house and his possessions when he died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991 at 45, is selling it all — more than 1,400 items.A mere 59 items of that “clutter” sold for 12.2 million pounds ($15.4 million), including a buyer's premium, that blew away estimates in the four-and-a-half hour auction. Bidders from 61 countries took part in person, online and by phone.Mercury wrote, “Easy come, easy go, will you let me go?” in "Rhapsody," and the answer to the question from well-heeled fans seemed to be "No,” as they bid fortunes — large and larger — to grab a piece of the late singer’s clothing, awards and original hand-written drafts to classics such as “Killer Queen” and “We Are the Champions.”Depending how you looked at it, the champions of the night may have been Sotheby’s or Austin or a few charities she’s promised to donate an undisclosed portion of the proceeds to.Or it could have been the buyers of one-of-a-kind memorabilia who won. One man raised his hands over his head in victory and hugged the woman seated next to him after bidding 635,000 pounds ($801,500) for the rhinestone-studded crown and red fake fur cloak Mercury wore on stage at the end of every show during Queen's last tour in 1986.The auction opened with the sale of the graffiti-tagged door to the garden of Mercury's home that quickly blew past the high estimate of 25,000 pounds ($31,250) projected before the sale and led to a bidding war that lasted nearly 20 minutes.The green door covered in hand-painted love notes from fans who made a pilgrimage to the house in the tony Kensington section of London sold for an eye-popping 412,750 pounds ($521,000).All of the proceeds of the sale of a Cartier onyx and diamond ring given to Mercury by his friend, Elton John, that sold for 273,000 pounds ($344,000) were to go to the “Rocket Man” singer's AIDS charity.Art sold at the auction included prints by Pablo Picasso (190,500 pounds; $240,000), Salvador Dalí (48,260 pounds; $60,900); and Marc Chagall (63,500; $80,000), antique furniture and numerous cat figurines.For the past month, fans of Mercury who couldn't afford those kind of prices — or just wanted to see his high-top Adidas, diamond brooches, or a sequined jacket — could view them for free in Sotheby's galleries. More than 140,000 visitors from around the world queued up outside the elegant auction house to take a tour.Publicity from “Freddie Mercury: A World of his Own” drove up bidding for online auctions that began last month and closes next week.Even items being sold online that had seemed like they might be in reach for some average buyers eclipsed pre-sale estimates.A collection of chopsticks once estimated to fetch 40-60 British pounds ($50-75) had a current bid 1,200 pounds ($1,500) Wednesday.One of the quirkier items, a silver moustache comb from Tiffany &amp; Co, that had been expected to set a buyer back 400 to 600 pounds ($500—750) had a bid at 35,000 pounds ($43,750).The Yamaha baby grand piano that Mercury wrote some of Queen's greatest hits on was one of the few items that sold for less than its estimated price tag, though it still sold for the most amount of money.It had been expected to sell for as much as 3 million pounds ($3.75 million) but sold for 1.7 million pounds ($2.2 million). Sotheby's said it was the highest price ever paid for a composer's piano, but they didn't provide information on the previous record.Other items that were treasured by fans were Mercury's draft lyrics to "Somebody to Love” (241,000 pounds; $304,000), and “Don’t Stop Me Now" and “We Are the Champions,” which both fetched the same final prices: 317,500 pounds; $400,700.The drafts showed songs at their inception, with “Bohemian Rhapsody” scratched on stationery from the defunct British Midland Airways. The song was originally named “Mongolian Rhapsody” before that was crossed out.

Freddie Mercury's prized piano and a 'Bohemian Rhapsody' draft are champions at a lucrative auction

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — In an aggressive move that angered Republicans, the Biden administration canceled the seven remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, overturning sales held in the Trump administration's waning days, and proposed stronger protections against development on vast swaths of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

The Department of Interior's scrapping of the leases comes after the Biden administration disappointed environmental groups earlier this year by approving the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve, a massive project by ConocoPhillips Alaska that could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope. Protections are proposed for more than 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers) of land in the reserve in the western Arctic.

Some critics who said the approval of Willow flew in the face of Biden's pledges to address climate change lauded Wednesday's announcement. But they said more could be done. Litigation over the approval of the Willow project is pending.

"Alaska is home to many of America's most breathtaking natural wonders and culturally significant areas. As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages," Biden said in a statement.

His actions "meet the urgency of the climate crisis" and will "protect our lands and waters for generations to come," Biden said.

Alaska's Republican governor condemned Biden's moves and threatened to sue. And at least one Democratic lawmaker said the decision could hurt Indigenous communities in an isolated region where oil development is an important economic driver.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who drew criticism for her role in the approval of the Willow project, said Wednesday that "no one will have rights to drill for oil in one of the most sensitive landscapes on earth." However, a 2017 law mandates another lease sale by late 2024. Administration officials said they intend to comply with the law.

The Biden administration also announced proposed rules aimed at providing stronger protections against new leasing and development in portions of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska that are designated as special areas for their wildlife, subsistence, scenic or other values. The proposal still must go through public comment. Willow lies within the reserve but was not expected to be affected by the proposed rules.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's 1.5-million-acre (600,000-hectare) coastal plain, which lies along the Beaufort Sea on Alaska's northeastern edge, is seen as sacred by the Indigenous Gwich'in because it is where caribou they rely on migrate and come to give birth. The plain is marked by hills, rivers and small lakes and tundra. Migratory birds and caribou pass through the plain, which provides habitat for wildlife including polar bears and wolves.

Alaska political leaders — including some Democrats — have long pushed to allow oil and gas drilling in the refuge in part because of its economic impact on Indigenous communities in an area with few other jobs. Many of those same voices pressed Biden to approve the Willow project for the same reason.

"I am deeply frustrated by the reversal of these leases in ANWR," said U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, using a common shorthand for the refuge. "This administration showed that it is capable of listening to Alaskans with the approval of the Willow Project, and it is some of those same Inupiat North Slope communities who are most impacted by this decision. I will continue to advocate for them and for Alaska's ability to explore and develop our natural resources."

Alaska's congressional delegation in 2017 succeeded in getting language added to a federal tax law that called for the U.S. government to hold two lease sales in the region by late 2024.

Drilling opponents on Wednesday urged Congress to repeal the leasing provision from the 2017 law and permanently make the coastal plain off limits to drilling.

"It is nearly impossible to overstate the importance of today's announcements for Arctic conservation," said Jamie Williams, president of the Wilderness Society. "Once again, the Arctic Refuge is free of oil leases. Our climate is a bit safer and there is renewed hope for permanently protecting one of the last great wild landscapes in America."

Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan denounced Biden's actions as the latest volley in what he called a "war on Alaska."

Two other leases that were issued as part of the first-of-its-kind sale for the refuge in January 2021 were previously given up by the small companies that held them amid legal wrangling and uncertainty over the drilling program.

After taking office, Biden issued an executive order calling for a temporary moratorium on activities related to the leasing program and for the Interior secretary to review the program. Haaland later in 2021 ordered a new environmental review after concluding there were "multiple legal deficiencies" underlying the Trump-era leasing program. Haaland halted activities related to the leasing program pending the new analysis.

A draft environmental review was released Wednesday.

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state corporation that won seven leases in the 2021 sale, sued over the moratorium. But a federal judge recently found the delay by Interior to conduct a new review was not unreasonable.

The corporation obtained the leases to preserve drilling rights in case oil companies did not come forward. Major oil companies sat out the sale, held after prominent banks had announced they would not finance Arctic oil and gas projects.

Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, thanked the administration for the lease cancellation — but issued a warning.

"We know that our sacred land is only temporarily safe from oil and gas development," she said. "We urge the administration and our leaders in Congress to repeal the oil and gas program and permanently protect the Arctic Refuge."

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — In an aggressive move that angered Republicans, the Biden administration canceled the seven remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, overturning sales held in the Trump administration's waning days, and proposed stronger protections against development on vast swaths of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is canceling all remaining oil and gas leases issued under the previous administration in the Arctic Refuge. The Administration also took new action to protect more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic. <a href="https://t.co/YNStbtLKtZ">pic.twitter.com/YNStbtLKtZ</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1699614544316817445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Department of Interior's scrapping of the leases comes after the Biden administration disappointed environmental groups earlier this year by approving the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve, a massive project by ConocoPhillips Alaska that could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope. Protections are proposed for more than 20,000 square miles (51,800 square kilometers) of land in the reserve in the western Arctic.Some critics who said the approval of Willow flew in the face of Biden's pledges to address climate change lauded Wednesday's announcement. But they said more could be done. Litigation over the approval of the Willow project is pending."Alaska is home to many of America's most breathtaking natural wonders and culturally significant areas. As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages," Biden said in a statement.His actions "meet the urgency of the climate crisis" and will "protect our lands and waters for generations to come," Biden said.Alaska's Republican governor condemned Biden's moves and threatened to sue. And at least one Democratic lawmaker said the decision could hurt Indigenous communities in an isolated region where oil development is an important economic driver.Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who drew criticism for her role in the approval of the Willow project, said Wednesday that "no one will have rights to drill for oil in one of the most sensitive landscapes on earth." However, a 2017 law mandates another lease sale by late 2024. Administration officials said they intend to comply with the law.The Biden administration also announced proposed rules aimed at providing stronger protections against new leasing and development in portions of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska that are designated as special areas for their wildlife, subsistence, scenic or other values. The proposal still must go through public comment. Willow lies within the reserve but was not expected to be affected by the proposed rules.The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's 1.5-million-acre (600,000-hectare) coastal plain, which lies along the Beaufort Sea on Alaska's northeastern edge, is seen as sacred by the Indigenous Gwich'in because it is where caribou they rely on migrate and come to give birth. The plain is marked by hills, rivers and small lakes and tundra. Migratory birds and caribou pass through the plain, which provides habitat for wildlife including polar bears and wolves.Alaska political leaders — including some Democrats — have long pushed to allow oil and gas drilling in the refuge in part because of its economic impact on Indigenous communities in an area with few other jobs. Many of those same voices pressed Biden to approve the Willow project for the same reason."I am deeply frustrated by the reversal of these leases in ANWR," said U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, using a common shorthand for the refuge. "This administration showed that it is capable of listening to Alaskans with the approval of the Willow Project, and it is some of those same Inupiat North Slope communities who are most impacted by this decision. I will continue to advocate for them and for Alaska's ability to explore and develop our natural resources."Alaska's congressional delegation in 2017 succeeded in getting language added to a federal tax law that called for the U.S. government to hold two lease sales in the region by late 2024.Drilling opponents on Wednesday urged Congress to repeal the leasing provision from the 2017 law and permanently make the coastal plain off limits to drilling."It is nearly impossible to overstate the importance of today's announcements for Arctic conservation," said Jamie Williams, president of the Wilderness Society. "Once again, the Arctic Refuge is free of oil leases. Our climate is a bit safer and there is renewed hope for permanently protecting one of the last great wild landscapes in America."Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan denounced Biden's actions as the latest volley in what he called a "war on Alaska."Two other leases that were issued as part of the first-of-its-kind sale for the refuge in January 2021 were previously given up by the small companies that held them amid legal wrangling and uncertainty over the drilling program.After taking office, Biden issued an executive order calling for a temporary moratorium on activities related to the leasing program and for the Interior secretary to review the program. Haaland later in 2021 ordered a new environmental review after concluding there were "multiple legal deficiencies" underlying the Trump-era leasing program. Haaland halted activities related to the leasing program pending the new analysis.A draft environmental review was released Wednesday.The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state corporation that won seven leases in the 2021 sale, sued over the moratorium. But a federal judge recently found the delay by Interior to conduct a new review was not unreasonable.The corporation obtained the leases to preserve drilling rights in case oil companies did not come forward. Major oil companies sat out the sale, held after prominent banks had announced they would not finance Arctic oil and gas projects.Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, thanked the administration for the lease cancellation — but issued a warning."We know that our sacred land is only temporarily safe from oil and gas development," she said. "We urge the administration and our leaders in Congress to repeal the oil and gas program and permanently protect the Arctic Refuge."___

Biden cancels remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic

Lincoln, NE ‐ September 7, 2023 ‐ One lucky player who bought a Nebraska Pick 5 ticket for the Wednesday, September 6 drawing is holding a ticket worth $250,000.

The Nebraska Lottery has confirmed that one ticket sold for Wednesday's Nebraska Pick 5 draw matched all five winning numbers for the $250,000 jackpot. The ticket was sold at Pump &amp; Pantry #52, 3210 Old Potash Hwy, in Grand Island. The winning numbers from Wednesday's Nebraska Pick 5 draw were 08, 14, 26, 35, 38. Players are encouraged to check their tickets at any Nebraska Lottery retailer, online at&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling the Lottery office at 402-471-6100.

Winning Nebraska Lottery Lotto tickets expire 180 days after the drawing. Prizes of $20,000 or more must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. Additional information about claiming prizes can be found at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling 800-587-5200.

Nebraska Pick 5 is Nebraska's unique Lottery game: all the proceeds from Nebraska Pick 5 stay in Nebraska, and all the winning tickets are sold in Nebraska at Nebraska Lottery Lotto game retailers. The odds of winning the Nebraska Pick 5 jackpot, which starts at $50,000 and grows by $10,000 each drawing that it is not won, are 1 in 658,008. The overall odds of winning any Nebraska Pick 5 prize which has drawings seven nights a week, are 1 in 9.2.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $936 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery's beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Neil Watson Nebraska LotteryLincoln, NE ‐ September 7, 2023 ‐ One lucky player who bought a Nebraska Pick 5 ticket for the Wednesday, September 6 drawing is holding a ticket worth $250,000.The Nebraska Lottery has confirmed that one ticket sold for Wednesday's Nebraska Pick 5 draw matched all five winning numbers for the $250,000 jackpot. The ticket was sold at Pump &amp; Pantry #52, 3210 Old Potash Hwy, in Grand Island. The winning numbers from Wednesday's Nebraska Pick 5 draw were 08, 14, 26, 35, 38. Players are encouraged to check their tickets at any Nebraska Lottery retailer, online at&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling the Lottery office at 402-471-6100.Winning Nebraska Lottery Lotto tickets expire 180 days after the drawing. Prizes of $20,000 or more must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. Additional information about claiming prizes can be found at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling 800-587-5200.Nebraska Pick 5 is Nebraska's unique Lottery game: all the proceeds from Nebraska Pick 5 stay in Nebraska, and all the winning tickets are sold in Nebraska at Nebraska Lottery Lotto game retailers. The odds of winning the Nebraska Pick 5 jackpot, which starts at $50,000 and grows by $10,000 each drawing that it is not won, are 1 in 658,008. The overall odds of winning any Nebraska Pick 5 prize which has drawings seven nights a week, are 1 in 9.2.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $936 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery's beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

$250,000 Nebraska Pick 5 Winning Ticket Sold in Grand Island

DETROIT (AP) — The head of the United Auto Workers warned Wednesday that the union plans to go on strike against any Detroit automaker that hasn't reached a new agreement by the time contracts expire next week.

“That’s the plan,” President Shawn Fain responded when asked if the union would strike any of the companies that haven’t reached a tentative deal by the time their national contracts end.

A strike against all three major automakers — General Motors, Stellantis and Ford — could cause damage not only to the industry as a whole but also to the Midwest economy. A prolonged strike could lead eventually to higher vehicle prices.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Fain left open the possibility of avoiding a strike. He acknowledged, more explicitly than he has before, that the union will have to give up some of its demands to reach agreements. Contracts with the three companies will all expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.

“There’s a lot of back and forth in bargaining," he said, "and naturally, when you go into bargaining, you don’t always get everything you demand. Our workers have high expectations. We made a lot of sacrifices going back to the economic recession.”

In the interview, Fain did report some progress in the negotiations, saying the union will meet Thursday with GM to hear the company’s response to the UAW’s economic demands. In addition, discussions are under way with Ford on wages and benefits. Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, has yet to make a counteroffer on wage and benefit demands, he said.

Stellantis declined to comment Wednesday.

The union’s demands include 46% across-the-board pay raises, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, restoration of traditional pensions for new hires, union representation of workers at new battery plants and a restoration of traditional pensions. Top-scale UAW assembly plant workers make about $32 an hour, plus annual profit sharing checks.

In his remarks to the AP, Fain argued that worker pay isn’t what has driven up vehicle prices. The average price of a new car has leaped to more than $48,000 on average, in part because of still-scarce supplies resulting from a global shortage of computer chips.

“In the last four years, the price of vehicles went up 30%," he said. “Our wages went up 6%. There were billions of dollars in shareholder dividends. So our wages aren’t the problem.”

While saying a strike by up to 146,000 members against all three major automakers is a real possibility, Fain said the union doesn't want to strike and would prefer to to reach new contracts with them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693911296614.png" alt="Auto workers marched over Labor Day weekend-photo UAW" />
 <figcaption>Auto workers marched over Labor Day weekend-photo UAW</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — The head of the United Auto Workers warned Wednesday that the union plans to go on strike against any Detroit automaker that hasn't reached a new agreement by the time contracts expire next week.“That’s the plan,” President Shawn Fain responded when asked if the union would strike any of the companies that haven’t reached a tentative deal by the time their national contracts end.A strike against all three major automakers — General Motors, Stellantis and Ford — could cause damage not only to the industry as a whole but also to the Midwest economy. A prolonged strike could lead eventually to higher vehicle prices.In an interview with The Associated Press, Fain left open the possibility of avoiding a strike. He acknowledged, more explicitly than he has before, that the union will have to give up some of its demands to reach agreements. Contracts with the three companies will all expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.“There’s a lot of back and forth in bargaining," he said, "and naturally, when you go into bargaining, you don’t always get everything you demand. Our workers have high expectations. We made a lot of sacrifices going back to the economic recession.”In the interview, Fain did report some progress in the negotiations, saying the union will meet Thursday with GM to hear the company’s response to the UAW’s economic demands. In addition, discussions are under way with Ford on wages and benefits. Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, has yet to make a counteroffer on wage and benefit demands, he said.Stellantis declined to comment Wednesday.The union’s demands include 46% across-the-board pay raises, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, restoration of traditional pensions for new hires, union representation of workers at new battery plants and a restoration of traditional pensions. Top-scale UAW assembly plant workers make about $32 an hour, plus annual profit sharing checks.In his remarks to the AP, Fain argued that worker pay isn’t what has driven up vehicle prices. The average price of a new car has leaped to more than $48,000 on average, in part because of still-scarce supplies resulting from a global shortage of computer chips.“In the last four years, the price of vehicles went up 30%," he said. “Our wages went up 6%. There were billions of dollars in shareholder dividends. So our wages aren’t the problem.”While saying a strike by up to 146,000 members against all three major automakers is a real possibility, Fain said the union doesn't want to strike and would prefer to to reach new contracts with them.

UAW chief: Union set to strike; contracts end next week

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian missile tore through an outdoor market in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, killing 17 people and wounding dozens, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine, including military and humanitarian aid.

Blinken’s fourth visit to the country was overshadowed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-blinken-counteroffensive-6c1545768d77d927a5cda148fc197e3c">strike in the city of Kostiantynivka</a>, near the front line in the Donetsk region, that turned the marketplace into an inferno. It was one of the deadliest bombardments of civilians in the 18-month-old war. In addition to the dead, at least 32 people were wounded.

“Those who know this place are well aware that it is a civilian area,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference with the Danish prime minister in Kyiv. “There aren’t any military units nearby. The strike was deliberate.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said such brutal Russian attacks underscore "the importance of continuing to support the people of Ukraine.”

Blinken’s visit was aimed at assessing Ukraine’s 3-month-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-counteroffensive-explainer-ff774fce8608b464a406ae087b1a3607">counteroffensive</a>&nbsp;and signaling continued U.S. support as some Western allies express worries about Kyiv’s slow progress against invading Russian forces.

“We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counteroffensive but has what it needs for the long-term, to make sure that it has a strong deterrent,” Blinken said. “We’re also determined to continue to work with our partners as they build and rebuild a strong economy, strong democracy.”

About $175 million of the total is in the form of weaponry to be provided from Pentagon stockpiles and another $100 million is in the form of grants to allow the Ukrainians to purchase additional arms and equipment, according to the State Department.

Noting progress in the counteroffensive, Blinken said the new aid "will help sustain it and build further momentum.” He said the new military assistance would be bolstered by the arrival of U.S. Abrams tanks in the fall and the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets to complement training in Europe.

In addition to the military assistance, Blinken announced nearly $805 million in non-arms-related aid for Ukraine, including $300 million for law enforcement, $206 million in humanitarian aid, $203 million to combat corruption and $90.5 million for removing mines, the State Department said.

The package also includes a previously announced $5.4 million transfer to Ukraine of frozen Russian oligarch assets.

The aid announced by Blinken comes from money previously approved by Congress. President Joe Biden has requested another $21 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine for the final months of 2023, but it’s not clear how much — if any — will be approved.

Many Republican lawmakers are wary of providing more aid, and the party’s presidential front-runner, former President Donald Trump, has criticized U.S. financial support. Opinion polls also have shown a decline in support for the war by the American public.

Biden and the Pentagon have said repeatedly they will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. As of Aug. 29, there was approximately $5.75 billion left in the already approved funding for weapons and equipment taken from existing Pentagon stocks.

Blinken was to discuss other issues, including support for Ukraine’s economy, building on his June announcement of $1.3 billion to help Kyiv rebuild, with a focus on modernizing its energy network, which was bombarded by Russia last winter.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said U.S. assistance to Ukraine “can’t influence the course of the special military operation” — Moscow’s euphemism for the war.

Blinken arrived in Kyiv for an overnight visit hours after Russia launched a missile attack on the city.

On the train to Kyiv, Blinken met with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who was also on an official visit, and thanked her for Denmark’s leadership in training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and for promising to donate the fighter jets to Ukraine, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Washington officials said there will be discussions of alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-turkey-putin-erdogan-sochi-ac41cb453a6d6c597d543873850414eb">Russia’s exit</a>&nbsp;from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-odesa-grain-port-cathedral-055bd34b40ba271e89084fda83c34fb0">frequent attacks</a>&nbsp;on port facilities in the Odesa region.

Those alternatives may include new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-global-trade-romania-blockades-020ec081ae0dd77e66874364766635d5">overland routes</a>&nbsp;or ships hugging coastlines to keep out of international waters where they could be targeted by Russia’s navy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also mentioned the potential to develop the Danube River corridor for grain exports.

After arriving in Kyiv, Blinken laid a wreath at the city’s Berkovetske cemetery to commemorate Ukrainian troops killed defending the country.

In a meeting, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine is grateful the U.S. money is coming in the form of grants, not loans that would drive it into debt.

In other developments, Russia fired cruise missiles overnight at Kyiv in its first aerial attack on the capital since Aug. 30, according to Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv’s regional military administration. Debris from a downed missile caused a fire and damage but no casualties.

One person was killed in the Odesa region in a Russian missile and drone attack on the port of Izmail that damaged grain elevators, administrative buildings and agricultural enterprises, authorities said.

The trip was Blinken’s fourth to Ukraine since the war began, including one brief excursion over the Polish-Ukrainian border in March 2022, just a month after the Russian invasion. But it will be the first time America’s top diplomat spends the night in Kyiv since January 2022, before the invasion, in what U.S. officials called another sign of American support.

Blinken’s visit comes after some of Ukraine’s allies have privately expressed concern that Ukrainian troops may fail to reach their objectives.

While the U.S. has been concerned by some day-to-day battlefield setbacks, American officials said, they are still generally encouraged by Ukraine’s handling of the military situation, particularly its air defense capabilities in knocking down Russian drones aimed at Kyiv.

Western analysts and military officials caution that the counteroffensive’s success is far from certain and that it could take years to rid Ukraine of entrenched, powerfully armed and skilled Russian troops.

Both sides will have to assess their supply shortages, with more battles of attrition likely over the winter. A long war could stretch deep into next year and beyond, according to experts.

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Lolita Baldor and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694033844262.png" alt="&nbsp;U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine- photo U.S. Dept. of State" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine- photo U.S. Dept. of State</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian missile tore through an outdoor market in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, killing 17 people and wounding dozens, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the country with more than $1 billion in new American funding for Ukraine, including military and humanitarian aid.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he and U.S. officials thought Ukraine&#39;s progress in its counteroffensive against Russian forces to be &quot;very, very encouraging.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xKcZu9aiDT">https://t.co/xKcZu9aiDT</a> <a href="https://t.co/NrkgTNY99o">pic.twitter.com/NrkgTNY99o</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1699458407311306838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Blinken’s fourth visit to the country was overshadowed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-blinken-counteroffensive-6c1545768d77d927a5cda148fc197e3c">strike in the city of Kostiantynivka</a>, near the front line in the Donetsk region, that turned the marketplace into an inferno. It was one of the deadliest bombardments of civilians in the 18-month-old war. In addition to the dead, at least 32 people were wounded.“Those who know this place are well aware that it is a civilian area,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a news conference with the Danish prime minister in Kyiv. “There aren’t any military units nearby. The strike was deliberate.”White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said such brutal Russian attacks underscore "the importance of continuing to support the people of Ukraine.”Blinken’s visit was aimed at assessing Ukraine’s 3-month-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-counteroffensive-explainer-ff774fce8608b464a406ae087b1a3607">counteroffensive</a>&nbsp;and signaling continued U.S. support as some Western allies express worries about Kyiv’s slow progress against invading Russian forces.“We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counteroffensive but has what it needs for the long-term, to make sure that it has a strong deterrent,” Blinken said. “We’re also determined to continue to work with our partners as they build and rebuild a strong economy, strong democracy.”About $175 million of the total is in the form of weaponry to be provided from Pentagon stockpiles and another $100 million is in the form of grants to allow the Ukrainians to purchase additional arms and equipment, according to the State Department.Noting progress in the counteroffensive, Blinken said the new aid "will help sustain it and build further momentum.” He said the new military assistance would be bolstered by the arrival of U.S. Abrams tanks in the fall and the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets to complement training in Europe.In addition to the military assistance, Blinken announced nearly $805 million in non-arms-related aid for Ukraine, including $300 million for law enforcement, $206 million in humanitarian aid, $203 million to combat corruption and $90.5 million for removing mines, the State Department said.The package also includes a previously announced $5.4 million transfer to Ukraine of frozen Russian oligarch assets.The aid announced by Blinken comes from money previously approved by Congress. President Joe Biden has requested another $21 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine for the final months of 2023, but it’s not clear how much — if any — will be approved.Many Republican lawmakers are wary of providing more aid, and the party’s presidential front-runner, former President Donald Trump, has criticized U.S. financial support. Opinion polls also have shown a decline in support for the war by the American public.Biden and the Pentagon have said repeatedly they will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. As of Aug. 29, there was approximately $5.75 billion left in the already approved funding for weapons and equipment taken from existing Pentagon stocks.Blinken was to discuss other issues, including support for Ukraine’s economy, building on his June announcement of $1.3 billion to help Kyiv rebuild, with a focus on modernizing its energy network, which was bombarded by Russia last winter.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said U.S. assistance to Ukraine “can’t influence the course of the special military operation” — Moscow’s euphemism for the war.Blinken arrived in Kyiv for an overnight visit hours after Russia launched a missile attack on the city.On the train to Kyiv, Blinken met with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who was also on an official visit, and thanked her for Denmark’s leadership in training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and for promising to donate the fighter jets to Ukraine, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.Washington officials said there will be discussions of alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-turkey-putin-erdogan-sochi-ac41cb453a6d6c597d543873850414eb">Russia’s exit</a>&nbsp;from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-odesa-grain-port-cathedral-055bd34b40ba271e89084fda83c34fb0">frequent attacks</a>&nbsp;on port facilities in the Odesa region.Those alternatives may include new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-global-trade-romania-blockades-020ec081ae0dd77e66874364766635d5">overland routes</a>&nbsp;or ships hugging coastlines to keep out of international waters where they could be targeted by Russia’s navy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also mentioned the potential to develop the Danube River corridor for grain exports.After arriving in Kyiv, Blinken laid a wreath at the city’s Berkovetske cemetery to commemorate Ukrainian troops killed defending the country.In a meeting, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine is grateful the U.S. money is coming in the form of grants, not loans that would drive it into debt.In other developments, Russia fired cruise missiles overnight at Kyiv in its first aerial attack on the capital since Aug. 30, according to Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv’s regional military administration. Debris from a downed missile caused a fire and damage but no casualties.One person was killed in the Odesa region in a Russian missile and drone attack on the port of Izmail that damaged grain elevators, administrative buildings and agricultural enterprises, authorities said.The trip was Blinken’s fourth to Ukraine since the war began, including one brief excursion over the Polish-Ukrainian border in March 2022, just a month after the Russian invasion. But it will be the first time America’s top diplomat spends the night in Kyiv since January 2022, before the invasion, in what U.S. officials called another sign of American support.Blinken’s visit comes after some of Ukraine’s allies have privately expressed concern that Ukrainian troops may fail to reach their objectives.While the U.S. has been concerned by some day-to-day battlefield setbacks, American officials said, they are still generally encouraged by Ukraine’s handling of the military situation, particularly its air defense capabilities in knocking down Russian drones aimed at Kyiv.Western analysts and military officials caution that the counteroffensive’s success is far from certain and that it could take years to rid Ukraine of entrenched, powerfully armed and skilled Russian troops.Both sides will have to assess their supply shortages, with more battles of attrition likely over the winter. A long war could stretch deep into next year and beyond, according to experts.___Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Lolita Baldor and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

🎥 U.S. giving another $1 billion in new funding to Ukraine 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking the public’s assistance with obtaining&nbsp; identifying information regarding an unknown male who may have critical information pertaining to the&nbsp; identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation. Photographs and an&nbsp; informational poster depicting the unknown individual, known only as John Doe 47, are being&nbsp; disseminated to the public and can be found online at the FBI website at <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap/unknown-individual---john-doe-47">http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap.&nbsp;</a>

Initial video of the unidentified male, John Doe 47, shown with a child were first recorded by the&nbsp; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in August of 2020. The EXIF data embedded within&nbsp; the video files indicated that the files were produced prior to April of 2020.&nbsp;

John Doe 47 is described as a Black male, likely between the ages of 18 and 25 years old. John&nbsp; Doe 47 could be heard speaking English in the video.&nbsp;

Anyone with information to provide should submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov/, or call the&nbsp; FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The public is reminded no charges have&nbsp; been filed in this case and the pictured individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a&nbsp; court of law.&nbsp;

This individual is being sought as part of the FBI’s Operation Rescue Me and Endangered Child&nbsp; Alert Program (ECAP) initiatives, both of which represent strategic partnerships between the FBI and the&nbsp; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Operation Rescue Me focuses on utilizing clues&nbsp; obtained through in-depth image analysis to identify the child victims depicted in child exploitation&nbsp; material, while ECAP seeks national and international media exposure of unknown adults (referred to as&nbsp; John/Jane Does) who visibly display their faces and/or other distinguishing characteristics in association&nbsp; with child pornography images.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694015483404.jpeg" alt="Photo provided by FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>FBI Omaha Field OfficeThe Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking the public’s assistance with obtaining&nbsp; identifying information regarding an unknown male who may have critical information pertaining to the&nbsp; identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation. Photographs and an&nbsp; informational poster depicting the unknown individual, known only as John Doe 47, are being&nbsp; disseminated to the public and can be found online at the FBI website at <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap/unknown-individual---john-doe-47">http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap.&nbsp;</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694015515906.jpeg" alt="Photo provided by FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Initial video of the unidentified male, John Doe 47, shown with a child were first recorded by the&nbsp; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in August of 2020. The EXIF data embedded within&nbsp; the video files indicated that the files were produced prior to April of 2020.&nbsp;John Doe 47 is described as a Black male, likely between the ages of 18 and 25 years old. John&nbsp; Doe 47 could be heard speaking English in the video.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694015540628.jpeg" alt="Photo provided by FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo provided by FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Anyone with information to provide should submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov/, or call the&nbsp; FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The public is reminded no charges have&nbsp; been filed in this case and the pictured individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a&nbsp; court of law.&nbsp;This individual is being sought as part of the FBI’s Operation Rescue Me and Endangered Child&nbsp; Alert Program (ECAP) initiatives, both of which represent strategic partnerships between the FBI and the&nbsp; National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Operation Rescue Me focuses on utilizing clues&nbsp; obtained through in-depth image analysis to identify the child victims depicted in child exploitation&nbsp; material, while ECAP seeks national and international media exposure of unknown adults (referred to as&nbsp; John/Jane Does) who visibly display their faces and/or other distinguishing characteristics in association&nbsp; with child pornography images.&nbsp;

FBI Seeking Individual Who May Have Information Regarding the Identity of a Child  Sexual Assault Victim 

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/shovels-signal-construction-start-for-95m-medical-school-in-kearney/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Ceremonial shovels broke ground Tuesday for the $95 million Rural Health Education Building in Kearney, where a three-story, 110,000-square-foot medical school is soon to rise and then open in early 2026.

Leaders of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Omaha-based University of Nebraska Medical Center led the event signaling the construction start of the facility aimed at growing the state’s rural health care workforce.

“Our goal is to harness UNMC’s world-class skills to transform rural Nebraska through a unique endeavor not seen elsewhere in the United States: educating health care workers and professionals in rural areas,” said UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen.&nbsp;

He called the project a “game-changer” in helping to fill shortages in all medical professions across the state. UNMC estimated attendance at Tuesday’s event at more than 300.

The center will launch new programs to train physicians, pharmacists and public health professionals in Kearney, while also expanding the presence of other existing health and nursing programs.

It will contain state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories for pre-clinical education and complex clinical scenarios and primary care practice spaces.

Students will be able to enroll in the newly expanded programs beginning in fall 2025, using existing UNK facilities until the new facility opens, officials said. The new Rural Health Education Building will be operated by UNMC.

“Today is the beginning of transformational change for Nebraska,” UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey Gold said in a media statement. “This project — a public-private partnership to strengthen Nebraska’s rural health care workforce —&nbsp;will create many new opportunities for students who want to both pursue and practice their health careers in rural Nebraska.”

The project builds on a UNK and UNMC partnership. The institutions in 2015 opened a $19 million Health Science Education Complex on UNK’s west campus, where more than 300 students currently pursue degrees in areas such as cardiovascular interventional technology, diagnostic medical sonography, physical therapy, nursing and more.

The new Rural Health Education Building will allow for another 300 health care students, officials said, bringing the total number to&nbsp;more than 600.

According to UNMC, the combined facilities are expected to support about 240 local jobs and have an annual economic impact estimated at $34.5 million.

The latest project received support from numerous public and private sources, including $60 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding allocated by the Nebraska Legislature, $5 million from the city of Kearney and $1.5 million from Central Community College.

The William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation is serving as the lead donor to the project.

Past estimates have noted $85 million as the medical school’s projected construction costs. A separate $10 million from the state was to go toward technology startup costs. However, that $10 million recently was shifted to the capital budget because it involves special technical equipment that is to be installed and capitalized with the building project.

The change was approved recently by the Board of Regents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694011742539.jpeg" alt="More than 300 people attended Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new Rural Health Education Building on the UNK campus. (Courtesy of Todd Gottula, UNK Communications)" />
 <figcaption>More than 300 people attended Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new Rural Health Education Building on the UNK campus. (Courtesy of Todd Gottula, UNK Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/shovels-signal-construction-start-for-95m-medical-school-in-kearney/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Ceremonial shovels broke ground Tuesday for the $95 million Rural Health Education Building in Kearney, where a three-story, 110,000-square-foot medical school is soon to rise and then open in early 2026.Leaders of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Omaha-based University of Nebraska Medical Center led the event signaling the construction start of the facility aimed at growing the state’s rural health care workforce.“Our goal is to harness UNMC’s world-class skills to transform rural Nebraska through a unique endeavor not seen elsewhere in the United States: educating health care workers and professionals in rural areas,” said UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen.&nbsp;He called the project a “game-changer” in helping to fill shortages in all medical professions across the state. UNMC estimated attendance at Tuesday’s event at more than 300.The center will launch new programs to train physicians, pharmacists and public health professionals in Kearney, while also expanding the presence of other existing health and nursing programs.It will contain state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories for pre-clinical education and complex clinical scenarios and primary care practice spaces.Students will be able to enroll in the newly expanded programs beginning in fall 2025, using existing UNK facilities until the new facility opens, officials said. The new Rural Health Education Building will be operated by UNMC.“Today is the beginning of transformational change for Nebraska,” UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey Gold said in a media statement. “This project — a public-private partnership to strengthen Nebraska’s rural health care workforce —&nbsp;will create many new opportunities for students who want to both pursue and practice their health careers in rural Nebraska.”The project builds on a UNK and UNMC partnership. The institutions in 2015 opened a $19 million Health Science Education Complex on UNK’s west campus, where more than 300 students currently pursue degrees in areas such as cardiovascular interventional technology, diagnostic medical sonography, physical therapy, nursing and more.The new Rural Health Education Building will allow for another 300 health care students, officials said, bringing the total number to&nbsp;more than 600.According to UNMC, the combined facilities are expected to support about 240 local jobs and have an annual economic impact estimated at $34.5 million.The latest project received support from numerous public and private sources, including $60 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding allocated by the Nebraska Legislature, $5 million from the city of Kearney and $1.5 million from Central Community College.The William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation is serving as the lead donor to the project.Past estimates have noted $85 million as the medical school’s projected construction costs. A separate $10 million from the state was to go toward technology startup costs. However, that $10 million recently was shifted to the capital budget because it involves special technical equipment that is to be installed and capitalized with the building project.The change was approved recently by the Board of Regents.

Shovels signal construction start for $95M medical school in Kearney

By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — More than 4 million federal student loan borrowers are enrolled in the Biden administration’s new repayment program, according to figures released Tuesday by the Department of Education.

With the pause of more than three years on federal student loan repayments coming to an end in October, and the Supreme Court’s summer decision to strike down the White House’s one-time debt relief program, the Department of Education has rolled out several repayment and loan forgiveness programs. One of those initiatives is the Saving on A Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan that for some borrowers could result in no monthly payments.

“Our top priority is to support borrowers as they prepare to return to repayment with the tools and resources that they need,” Jason Miller, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, said on a call with reporters Tuesday.

<a target="_blank" href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/08/22/heres-what-to-know-about-new-federal-policies-for-repaying-student-loans/">The new income-driven repayment plan</a>&nbsp;calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size and forgives balances after a set number of years. The Department of Education has estimated that most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.

Borrowers who are currently in the Revised Pay as You Earn plan, will automatically be enrolled in the SAVE program.

Democrats, such as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, are expecting legal challenges.

“While there will be those that will challenge this in court, the administration has carefully crossed the legal t’s and dotted the legal i’s,” Schumer said in a statement following the opening of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/idr/">applications</a>&nbsp;for the SAVE program on Aug. 22.

So far, the states with the highest number of borrowers enrolled in the program are Texas, with 345,800, California with 331,600, Florida with 291,100, New York with 212,800 and Pennsylvania with 170,200.

There are 82,300 borrowers enrolled in Missouri.

James Kvaal, the undersecretary of Education, said no borrowers will owe payments if they make $15 an hour while supporting a family, and that borrowers will not see their balances grow due to unpaid interest “as long as they keep up with their payments.”

“We’re not just lowering payments for today’s borrowers, we’re helping entire families and communities, and we’re making paying for college more affordable for millions of future students,” Kvaal said.

Borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans at any point will be able to enroll into the SAVE program through the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/default-fresh-start">Fresh Start program</a>, which is a one-time program for those who have defaulted on federal student loan repayment.

Even though the pause on federal student loans is set to end in October, borrowers will still have a year of leniency to begin repayments, but interest will accrue starting this month. The program starts Oct. 1 and will extend until Sept. 30 of next year.

By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — More than 4 million federal student loan borrowers are enrolled in the Biden administration’s new repayment program, according to figures released Tuesday by the Department of Education.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Folks, join the 4 million Americans who have already signed up for the most affordable student loan repayment plan ever created, our Administration&#39;s SAVE Plan. Don&#39;t wait – head to <a href="https://t.co/RlyR0iT5yU">https://t.co/RlyR0iT5yU</a>. <a href="https://t.co/dcMJ39NSy1">pic.twitter.com/dcMJ39NSy1</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1699460012161040878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>With the pause of more than three years on federal student loan repayments coming to an end in October, and the Supreme Court’s summer decision to strike down the White House’s one-time debt relief program, the Department of Education has rolled out several repayment and loan forgiveness programs. One of those initiatives is the Saving on A Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan that for some borrowers could result in no monthly payments.“Our top priority is to support borrowers as they prepare to return to repayment with the tools and resources that they need,” Jason Miller, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, said on a call with reporters Tuesday.<a target="_blank" href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/08/22/heres-what-to-know-about-new-federal-policies-for-repaying-student-loans/">The new income-driven repayment plan</a>&nbsp;calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size and forgives balances after a set number of years. The Department of Education has estimated that most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.Borrowers who are currently in the Revised Pay as You Earn plan, will automatically be enrolled in the SAVE program.Democrats, such as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, are expecting legal challenges.“While there will be those that will challenge this in court, the administration has carefully crossed the legal t’s and dotted the legal i’s,” Schumer said in a statement following the opening of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/idr/">applications</a>&nbsp;for the SAVE program on Aug. 22.So far, the states with the highest number of borrowers enrolled in the program are Texas, with 345,800, California with 331,600, Florida with 291,100, New York with 212,800 and Pennsylvania with 170,200.There are 82,300 borrowers enrolled in Missouri.James Kvaal, the undersecretary of Education, said no borrowers will owe payments if they make $15 an hour while supporting a family, and that borrowers will not see their balances grow due to unpaid interest “as long as they keep up with their payments.”“We’re not just lowering payments for today’s borrowers, we’re helping entire families and communities, and we’re making paying for college more affordable for millions of future students,” Kvaal said.Borrowers who have defaulted on their student loans at any point will be able to enroll into the SAVE program through the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/default-fresh-start">Fresh Start program</a>, which is a one-time program for those who have defaulted on federal student loan repayment.Even though the pause on federal student loans is set to end in October, borrowers will still have a year of leniency to begin repayments, but interest will accrue starting this month. The program starts Oct. 1 and will extend until Sept. 30 of next year.

Millions enrolled in new student loan repayment program

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government is taking a big step toward forcing a defiant Tennessee company to recall 52 million air bag inflators that could explode, hurl shrapnel and injure or kill people.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday said it has made an initial decision that the inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc., and under license by another company, are defective. The agency scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 5, a required step before seeking a court-ordered recall.

In May the agency asked ARC to recall the inflators, which it says are responsible for at least seven injuries and two deaths in the U.S. and Canada since 2009. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-bag-inflators-recall-tennessee-nhtsa-c10c943d69230763b68b6aa93e68eaf0">ARC has refused to issue a full-scale recall, setting the stage for the possible court fight.</a>

Messages were left Tuesday seeking comment from ARC. The company maintains that no safety defect exists, that NHTSA’s demand is based on a hypothesis rather than technical conclusions, and that the agency has no authority to order a parts manufacturer to announce recalls.

NHTSA is trying to force ARC to recall inflators in driver and passenger front air bags from at least a dozen automakers. Neither ARC nor the auto industry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-bag-deflators-explode-crash-arc-nhtsa-8393a55574147c712d11d62f50ff249f">has released a full list of vehicle models with the kind of air bag inflators that have exploded.</a>&nbsp;But at least 33 million of the 284 million vehicles on U.S. roads are believed to contain them.

Owners of vehicles made by at least a dozen automakers — Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Hyundai and Kia — are left to wonder anxiously whether their vehicles contain driver or front passenger inflators made by ARC.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576782225717.png" alt="Image National Highway Traffic Safety Admin" />
 <figcaption>Image National Highway Traffic Safety Admin</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government is taking a big step toward forcing a defiant Tennessee company to recall 52 million air bag inflators that could explode, hurl shrapnel and injure or kill people.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday said it has made an initial decision that the inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc., and under license by another company, are defective. The agency scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 5, a required step before seeking a court-ordered recall.In May the agency asked ARC to recall the inflators, which it says are responsible for at least seven injuries and two deaths in the U.S. and Canada since 2009. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-bag-inflators-recall-tennessee-nhtsa-c10c943d69230763b68b6aa93e68eaf0">ARC has refused to issue a full-scale recall, setting the stage for the possible court fight.</a>Messages were left Tuesday seeking comment from ARC. The company maintains that no safety defect exists, that NHTSA’s demand is based on a hypothesis rather than technical conclusions, and that the agency has no authority to order a parts manufacturer to announce recalls.NHTSA is trying to force ARC to recall inflators in driver and passenger front air bags from at least a dozen automakers. Neither ARC nor the auto industry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-bag-deflators-explode-crash-arc-nhtsa-8393a55574147c712d11d62f50ff249f">has released a full list of vehicle models with the kind of air bag inflators that have exploded.</a>&nbsp;But at least 33 million of the 284 million vehicles on U.S. roads are believed to contain them.Owners of vehicles made by at least a dozen automakers — Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Hyundai and Kia — are left to wonder anxiously whether their vehicles contain driver or front passenger inflators made by ARC.

US to force recall of 52 million air bag inflators that can explode

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Nebraska State Troopers arrested 94 impaired drivers during a three-week enforcement campaign to close-out the summer travel season. The&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;campaign ran from August 16 through September 4.

“As we move from the summer driving season into the fall months, drivers need to remain vigilant on the roads,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.

In addition to removing 94 impaired drivers from the road, troopers also issued citations for speeding (1,580), including 70 citations for speeding at or above 100 miles per hour, driving under suspension (120), no seat belt (47), improper child restraint (26), open alcohol container (31), and minor in possession (15). Troopers also performed 794 motorist assists and made 99 felony arrests.

Labor Day marks the traditional end of the summer travel season. From Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, troopers made 393 arrests for driving under the influence. Troopers also cited 357 drivers for speeding at or above 100 miles per hour and performed over 4,000 motorist assists throughout the state.

“With summer vacations in the rear view, now is the time to stay alert for changing weather conditions and keep an eye out for farm machinery moving from field to field,” said Colonel Bolduc. “When you’re driving, keep your focus on the road and help keep Nebraska roads safe.”

The&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;campaign is made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation - Highway Safety Office.

Cody Thomas Nebraska State PatrolSEPTEMBER 6, 2023 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Nebraska State Troopers arrested 94 impaired drivers during a three-week enforcement campaign to close-out the summer travel season. The&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;campaign ran from August 16 through September 4.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694015086420.jpeg" alt="8-31-DUI arrest/Photo courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>8-31-DUI arrest/Photo courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>“As we move from the summer driving season into the fall months, drivers need to remain vigilant on the roads,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.In addition to removing 94 impaired drivers from the road, troopers also issued citations for speeding (1,580), including 70 citations for speeding at or above 100 miles per hour, driving under suspension (120), no seat belt (47), improper child restraint (26), open alcohol container (31), and minor in possession (15). Troopers also performed 794 motorist assists and made 99 felony arrests.Labor Day marks the traditional end of the summer travel season. From Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, troopers made 393 arrests for driving under the influence. Troopers also cited 357 drivers for speeding at or above 100 miles per hour and performed over 4,000 motorist assists throughout the state.“With summer vacations in the rear view, now is the time to stay alert for changing weather conditions and keep an eye out for farm machinery moving from field to field,” said Colonel Bolduc. “When you’re driving, keep your focus on the road and help keep Nebraska roads safe.”The&nbsp;Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over&nbsp;campaign is made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation - Highway Safety Office.

Troopers Make 94 DUI Arrests in Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

LINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– Questions about trees, erosion, flood control or water quality? Stop in to visit Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts during Husker Harvest Days Sept. 12-14.

“This is a great opportunity for producers to meet with conservation agencies all in one place and learn more about cost-share programs that can benefit their operation and Nebraska’s natural resources,” said Dr. Orval Gigstad, president of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD).

Located in the Natural Resources Hub (39E), Nebraska’s NRDs are stationed with various organizations that offer conservation assistance, cost-share opportunities and producer programs. Attendees can visit with the Nebraska Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service’s Bessey Nursery, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, The Nature Conservancy, and Central Platte NRD’s Native Prairie and Pollination Awareness Program.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Water Well Standards Program will also be on site to provide free water testing and screen for nitrates in minutes. Private well owners should bring a cup-size sample of water in a clean container.

In addition, the&nbsp;Natural Resources Districts&nbsp;will announce three individuals&nbsp;to&nbsp;induct into the&nbsp;NRD&nbsp;Hall of Fame during a press conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, on the Hospitality Tent Stage (SE Quadrant, #33). These&nbsp;Hall of Fame inductees have&nbsp;made significant contributions to protect our state’s natural resources&nbsp;through the NRDs. Hall of Fame categories include:&nbsp;

During the three-day event, Husker Harvest attendees also will receive a free blue spruce tree seedling from the NRD Conservation Tree Program.&nbsp;All 23 Nebraska NRDs administer tree planting programs to provide trees and shrubs for local landowners. Each&nbsp;district&nbsp;varies, but possible services include: planting, weed barrier installation or weed control, and drip irrigation.&nbsp;Free prairie grass seed will also be available as part of the Native Prairie and Pollinator Awareness Project.

For more information on the Conservation Tree Program and other conservation resources, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nrdnet.org/" target="_blank">www.nrdnet.org</a>.

The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), the trade association for Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRD), works with individual districts to protect lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. NRDs are unique to Nebraska, and act as local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska’s natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond to local conservation and resource management needs. Learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nrdnet.org/" target="_blank">www.nrdnet.org</a>.

Megan GrimesLINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– Questions about trees, erosion, flood control or water quality? Stop in to visit Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts during Husker Harvest Days Sept. 12-14.“This is a great opportunity for producers to meet with conservation agencies all in one place and learn more about cost-share programs that can benefit their operation and Nebraska’s natural resources,” said Dr. Orval Gigstad, president of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD).Located in the Natural Resources Hub (39E), Nebraska’s NRDs are stationed with various organizations that offer conservation assistance, cost-share opportunities and producer programs. Attendees can visit with the Nebraska Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service’s Bessey Nursery, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, The Nature Conservancy, and Central Platte NRD’s Native Prairie and Pollination Awareness Program.The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Water Well Standards Program will also be on site to provide free water testing and screen for nitrates in minutes. Private well owners should bring a cup-size sample of water in a clean container.In addition, the&nbsp;Natural Resources Districts&nbsp;will announce three individuals&nbsp;to&nbsp;induct into the&nbsp;NRD&nbsp;Hall of Fame during a press conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, on the Hospitality Tent Stage (SE Quadrant, #33). These&nbsp;Hall of Fame inductees have&nbsp;made significant contributions to protect our state’s natural resources&nbsp;through the NRDs. Hall of Fame categories include:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Natural Resources District Board&nbsp;Member&nbsp;</li><li>Natural Resources District Employee&nbsp;</li><li>Natural Resources District Supporter</li>
 </ul>During the three-day event, Husker Harvest attendees also will receive a free blue spruce tree seedling from the NRD Conservation Tree Program.&nbsp;All 23 Nebraska NRDs administer tree planting programs to provide trees and shrubs for local landowners. Each&nbsp;district&nbsp;varies, but possible services include: planting, weed barrier installation or weed control, and drip irrigation.&nbsp;Free prairie grass seed will also be available as part of the Native Prairie and Pollinator Awareness Project.For more information on the Conservation Tree Program and other conservation resources, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nrdnet.org/" target="_blank">www.nrdnet.org</a>.The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), the trade association for Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRD), works with individual districts to protect lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. NRDs are unique to Nebraska, and act as local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska’s natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond to local conservation and resource management needs. Learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nrdnet.org/" target="_blank">www.nrdnet.org</a>.

Husker Harvest Days includes Free Trees and Water Testing

Lack of required ‘redundancy’ after two outages last week raise concerns about reliability of Nebraska emergency lines

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/29/did-state-treasurer-meet-the-qualifications-to-run-nebraskas-public-employees-retirement-agency/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A state agency is digging into why backup procedures failed to work after emergency 911 networks across Nebraska went down last week.

David Sankey, the 911 director for the Nebraska Public Service Commission, said Tuesday he has questions for both Omaha-based Lumen and Lincoln-based Windstream about why required “redundancy” in their 911 systems failed.

<h2>Lack of required ‘redundancy’ after two outages last week raise concerns about reliability of Nebraska emergency lines</h2>By Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/29/did-state-treasurer-meet-the-qualifications-to-run-nebraskas-public-employees-retirement-agency/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A state agency is digging into why backup procedures failed to work after emergency 911 networks across Nebraska went down last week.David Sankey, the 911 director for the Nebraska Public Service Commission, said Tuesday he has questions for both Omaha-based Lumen and Lincoln-based Windstream about why required “redundancy” in their 911 systems failed.It’s critical, Sankey said, that emergency calls can get through to responders.“When our citizens need emergency help, we want the system to be working all the time so they can get the help they need,” he said.<h2>Rare, twin outages</h2>Officials said they could not recall when two 911 systems failed in the same general time frame, and when the failures involved such a wide area.Nemaha County Sheriff Brent Lottman, who leads a group of 11 southeast Nebraska counties that cooperate on 911 services, said Tuesday that he wants to know why he could continue to call his neighbors but not 911 during the outage in his area.And State Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus, who heads the Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, said it will be important for state lawmakers to learn whether state laws need to be changed to avoid such outages in the future.The Public Service Commission, which regulates telecommunications companies, said that on Thursday at 7:05 p.m., Lumen reported an outage caused by two separate fiber cuts to its network in the Omaha area by two different contractors.That outage, which impacted&nbsp;39 of the state’s 68 911 centers, continued until 5:30 a.m. Friday, when service was restored.Then, about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Windstream reported a disruption in service caused by a fire at one of its switch centers, which resulted in 911 service being down until early Sunday morning in Gage, Otoe and Saunders Counties.A Windstream spokesman said that after the power went out, the company switched to an onsite generator, but that generator eventually stopped working.<h2>Generator, then batteries, failed</h2>The company then switched to battery power, but after a while, the batteries dropped to “dangerously low voltage levels,” according to spokesman Scott Morris. A decision was made to shut down one of the three switches operated out of the center, which caused the disruption in the four counties.A Lumen spokesman, in an email Tuesday afternoon, didn’t respond directly to questions seeking an explanation about why auxiliary systems did not keep its 911 services from failing.The spokesman, Mark Molzen, said that the cuts prevented calls from reaching Lumen, and that its network was not the problem.Sankey said he specifically wants to know why there wasn’t redundancy in Lumen’s 911 services and why backup options in the Windstream system failed.The expectation, he said, is that if a fiber line is cut, calls can be rerouted to other lines or to other 911 centers.The Lumen outage impacted the Omaha metropolitan area, as well as communities along the Platte River and Interstate 80, including Fremont, Kearney, Grand Island and North Platte.Both Sankey and Lottman said they were unaware of any problems, such as a tardy response to an emergency, caused by the two outages. Sankey praised 911 center employees for quickly getting the word out about the outages and providing alternative phone numbers to call.Sen. Moser said, however, that any time 911 response centers are down, it’s a serious matter.Sankey said the elected commissioners of the Public Service Commission, at a meeting next week, are expected to formally approve an investigation into the outages and the failure of backup options.Moser said lawmakers will wait for the results of that probe before deciding whether any changes in state laws need to be considered.