ATLANTA (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;surrendered Thursday on charges that he illegally schemed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3">overturn the 2020 election in Georgia</a>, a brisk 20-minute booking that yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president.

He was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey.

<a href="https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/editorialfiles/2023/08/14/23SC188947_-_CRIMINAL_INDICTMENT.pdf">Click here to read the full</a>&nbsp;indictment

Trump’s surrender to law enforcement authorities has become by now a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president being booked, in four different cities, on felony criminal charges.

But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail — rather than a courthouse — and not in a liberal bastion like New York or Washington but rather in the heart of a battleground state vital to the 2024 presidential election. And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken, according to a person familiar with the proceedings.

Trump landed in Atlanta shortly after 7 p.m. and was driven, through the city's rush-hour traffic, to jail for the booking process. Wearing his signature white shirt and red tie, he offered a wave and thumbs up as he descended the steps of his private plane.

He completed the process in 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair.

The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted</a>. Since then, he's faced federal charges in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">Florida</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">Washington</a>, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others — including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-giuliani-georgia-election-indictment-fulton-county-203b1e69cbff227a0bf8cc59a6bb645f">Rudy Giuliani</a>&nbsp;— under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime.

Giuliani surrendered on Wednesday and posed for a mug shot. Meadows, who had sought to avoid having to turn himself in while he seeks to move the case to federal court, turned himself in Thursday. Bond was set at $100,000.

The criminal cases have spurred a succession of bookings and arraignments, with Trump making brief court appearances before returning to the 2024 campaign trail. He's turned the appearances into campaign events amid a far lighter schedule than his rivals, with staff delighting in wall-to-wall media coverage that has included news helicopters tracking his every move.

The campaign has also used the appearances to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-jan-6-presidential-race-alabama-805ab1fe729b4cc0b7562b7802ad68ef">solicit fundraising contributions</a>&nbsp;from his supporters as aides paint the charges as part of a politically motivated effort to damage his reelection chances. As Trump was en route from New Jersey to Atlanta, his campaign sent a message saying, “I’m writing to you from Trump Force One, on my way to Atlanta where I will be ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME.”

As afternoon turned to evening, scores of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maga-fans-surrender-jail-atlanta-election-c30e4836e3d9f2c9751cc38a6975c2bb">Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;had gathered outside the jail where the ex-president was to surrender, some waving flags with Trump’s name, as officials tightened security measures.

District Attorney Fani Willis has given all of the defendants until Friday afternoon to turn themselves in at the main Fulton County jail. On Thursday, her office proposed an October 23 trial date, though the complexities of the 19-person case — and potential scheduling conflicts with other Trump prosecutions — would appear to make it all but impossible. The date seemed to be a response to early legal maneuvering by at least one defendant, Kenneth Chesebro, who requested a speedy trial.

Just ahead of his expected surrender, Trump hired a new lead attorney for the Georgia case.

Prominent Atlanta criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow took the place of another high-profile criminal defense attorney, Drew Findling, who had represented Trump as recently as Monday when his bond terms were negotiated. But by Thursday Findling was no longer part of the team, according to a person with knowledge of the change who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Sadow, who has represented a rapper, Gunna,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-crime-atlanta-hip-hop-and-rap-2b84724c182d165c1704c4873e9dc6e8">who pleaded guilty last year in a racketeering case also brought by Willis</a>, said in a statement that “the president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him.”

“We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open minded jury finding the president not guilty," he added. "Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system.”

It’s not the first time this year that Trump has shaken up his legal team either in the run-up to an indictment or in the immediate aftermath. One of his lead lawyers, Tim Parlatore, left the legal team weeks before Trump was indicted in Florida on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-indictment-miami-court-e9412bb71b63ab1b7cfb8e8b122e9809">charges of illegally hoarding classified documents</a>, citing conflicts with a top Trump adviser. Two other lawyers, James Trusty and John Rowley, announced their resignations the morning after that indictment was returned.

Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He said in a social media post this week that he was being prosecuted for what he described in capital letters as a “perfect phone call” in which he asked the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to help him&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-georgia-elections-a7b4aa4d8ce3bf52301ddbe620c6bff6">“find 11,780 votes”</a>&nbsp;for him to overturn his loss in the state to Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump is expected to turn himself in at the Fulton County jail, which has long been a troubled facility. The Justice Department last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-fulton-county-jail-investigation-6851ae2610d8265ce793abde99695fd8">opened a civil rights investigation</a>&nbsp;into conditions, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jail’s psychiatric wing. Three people have died in Fulton County custody in the past month.

But Trump is not expected to spend much time there.

His attorneys and prosecutors have already agreed to a $200,000 bond, plus conditions that include barring the former president from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case.

When defendants arrive at the jail, they typically pass through a security checkpoint before checking in for formal booking in the lobby. During the booking process, defendants are typically photographed and fingerprinted and asked to provide certain personal information. Since Trump’s bond has already been set, he will be released from custody once the booking process is complete.

Unlike in other jurisdictions, in Fulton County, arraignments — in which a defendant appears in court for the first time — generally happen after a defendant surrenders at the jail and completes the booking process, not on the same day. That means Trump could have to make two trips to Georgia in the coming weeks though the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has said some arraignments in the case may happen virtually if the judge allows, or he could waive Trump's arraignment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692924558227.png" alt="Former President Donald Trump as shown in his Fulton Co. booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Former President Donald Trump as shown in his Fulton Co. booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;surrendered Thursday on charges that he illegally schemed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3">overturn the 2020 election in Georgia</a>, a brisk 20-minute booking that yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president.He was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692923629903.png" alt="Former President Donald Trump steps off his plane as he arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Trump is headed to the Fulton County Jail. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)" />
 <figcaption>Former President Donald Trump steps off his plane as he arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Trump is headed to the Fulton County Jail. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/editorialfiles/2023/08/14/23SC188947_-_CRIMINAL_INDICTMENT.pdf">Click here to read the full</a>&nbsp;indictmentTrump’s surrender to law enforcement authorities has become by now a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president being booked, in four different cities, on felony criminal charges.But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail — rather than a courthouse — and not in a liberal bastion like New York or Washington but rather in the heart of a battleground state vital to the 2024 presidential election. And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken, according to a person familiar with the proceedings.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former president Trump arrives in Atlanta, Georgia. <a href="https://t.co/P9iyVsE0BV">pic.twitter.com/P9iyVsE0BV</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1694857602835026097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump landed in Atlanta shortly after 7 p.m. and was driven, through the city's rush-hour traffic, to jail for the booking process. Wearing his signature white shirt and red tie, he offered a wave and thumbs up as he descended the steps of his private plane.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former president Trump arrives at Fulton County Jail for booking. <a href="https://t.co/fXSNtxKkWl">pic.twitter.com/fXSNtxKkWl</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1694866936809885897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He completed the process in 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692701458714.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692906724354.png" alt="Meadows-photo Fulton Co." />
 <figcaption>Meadows-photo Fulton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted</a>. Since then, he's faced federal charges in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">Florida</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">Washington</a>, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others — including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-giuliani-georgia-election-indictment-fulton-county-203b1e69cbff227a0bf8cc59a6bb645f">Rudy Giuliani</a>&nbsp;— under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692827609455.png" alt="Giuliani-photo Fulton Co." />
 <figcaption>Giuliani-photo Fulton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Giuliani surrendered on Wednesday and posed for a mug shot. Meadows, who had sought to avoid having to turn himself in while he seeks to move the case to federal court, turned himself in Thursday. Bond was set at $100,000.The criminal cases have spurred a succession of bookings and arraignments, with Trump making brief court appearances before returning to the 2024 campaign trail. He's turned the appearances into campaign events amid a far lighter schedule than his rivals, with staff delighting in wall-to-wall media coverage that has included news helicopters tracking his every move.The campaign has also used the appearances to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-jan-6-presidential-race-alabama-805ab1fe729b4cc0b7562b7802ad68ef">solicit fundraising contributions</a>&nbsp;from his supporters as aides paint the charges as part of a politically motivated effort to damage his reelection chances. As Trump was en route from New Jersey to Atlanta, his campaign sent a message saying, “I’m writing to you from Trump Force One, on my way to Atlanta where I will be ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME.”As afternoon turned to evening, scores of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maga-fans-surrender-jail-atlanta-election-c30e4836e3d9f2c9751cc38a6975c2bb">Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;had gathered outside the jail where the ex-president was to surrender, some waving flags with Trump’s name, as officials tightened security measures.District Attorney Fani Willis has given all of the defendants until Friday afternoon to turn themselves in at the main Fulton County jail. On Thursday, her office proposed an October 23 trial date, though the complexities of the 19-person case — and potential scheduling conflicts with other Trump prosecutions — would appear to make it all but impossible. The date seemed to be a response to early legal maneuvering by at least one defendant, Kenneth Chesebro, who requested a speedy trial.Just ahead of his expected surrender, Trump hired a new lead attorney for the Georgia case.Prominent Atlanta criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow took the place of another high-profile criminal defense attorney, Drew Findling, who had represented Trump as recently as Monday when his bond terms were negotiated. But by Thursday Findling was no longer part of the team, according to a person with knowledge of the change who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.Sadow, who has represented a rapper, Gunna,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-crime-atlanta-hip-hop-and-rap-2b84724c182d165c1704c4873e9dc6e8">who pleaded guilty last year in a racketeering case also brought by Willis</a>, said in a statement that “the president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him.”“We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open minded jury finding the president not guilty," he added. "Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system.”It’s not the first time this year that Trump has shaken up his legal team either in the run-up to an indictment or in the immediate aftermath. One of his lead lawyers, Tim Parlatore, left the legal team weeks before Trump was indicted in Florida on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-indictment-miami-court-e9412bb71b63ab1b7cfb8e8b122e9809">charges of illegally hoarding classified documents</a>, citing conflicts with a top Trump adviser. Two other lawyers, James Trusty and John Rowley, announced their resignations the morning after that indictment was returned.Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He said in a social media post this week that he was being prosecuted for what he described in capital letters as a “perfect phone call” in which he asked the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to help him&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-georgia-elections-a7b4aa4d8ce3bf52301ddbe620c6bff6">“find 11,780 votes”</a>&nbsp;for him to overturn his loss in the state to Democrat Joe Biden.Trump is expected to turn himself in at the Fulton County jail, which has long been a troubled facility. The Justice Department last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-fulton-county-jail-investigation-6851ae2610d8265ce793abde99695fd8">opened a civil rights investigation</a>&nbsp;into conditions, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jail’s psychiatric wing. Three people have died in Fulton County custody in the past month.But Trump is not expected to spend much time there.His attorneys and prosecutors have already agreed to a $200,000 bond, plus conditions that include barring the former president from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case.When defendants arrive at the jail, they typically pass through a security checkpoint before checking in for formal booking in the lobby. During the booking process, defendants are typically photographed and fingerprinted and asked to provide certain personal information. Since Trump’s bond has already been set, he will be released from custody once the booking process is complete.Unlike in other jurisdictions, in Fulton County, arraignments — in which a defendant appears in court for the first time — generally happen after a defendant surrenders at the jail and completes the booking process, not on the same day. That means Trump could have to make two trips to Georgia in the coming weeks though the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has said some arraignments in the case may happen virtually if the judge allows, or he could waive Trump's arraignment.

🎥Trump completes Georgia jail booking process in record time

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-colorado-74ad3bbbe6dea7e9122b946e22b1cef3">charged with killing 10 people at a Boulder supermarket</a>&nbsp;in 2021 is mentally competent to move toward trial, prosecutors announced Wednesday, raising the possibility that criminal proceedings stalled for over 1 ½ years could resume soon.

In a court filing, they wrote that experts at the state mental hospital said in their latest report that they now think Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is competent because he is consistently taking his medication, including a new, unidentifed drug. However, the filing says they believe his competency is “tenuous” and recommend Alissa, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, continue with ongoing psychiatric care and medications to remain competent.

Prosecutors therefore asked Judge Ingrid Bakke to keep Alissa at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo rather than return him to the jail in Boulder, which cannot provide the same level of care. They say he can be transported to and from Boulder, 140 miles (225 kilometers) away, for court hearings.

The latest mental health evaluation by the state's mental health experts noted Alissa's medication regime and a stable therapeutic environment have played "a significant role in him maintaining competency,” according to prosecutors.

Bakke still must accept the hospital's conclusion in order for criminal proceedings to resume. Prosecutors also noted Alissa's lawyers have until Sept. 1 to request another evaluation of their client's competency.

A hearing to discuss the status of the case is scheduled for Tuesday.

Alissa is charged with murder and multiple attempted murder counts for also endangering the lives of 26 other people. He has not been asked yet to enter a plea and his lawyers have not commented about the allegations.

Earlier this year, defense&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boulder-schizophrenia-ahmad-al-aliwi-alissa-colorado-health-db44d8b60d120a088220786a7025bace">lawyers confirmed Alissa has schizophrenia</a>, a mental disorder which causes people to have trouble understanding reality.

Being deemed mentally competent does not mean Alissa has been cured, just that experts think he is able to understand the proceedings and help lawyers working on his defense.

The March 22, 2021, attack at a King Soopers grocery shocked a state that has seen its share of mass shootings, including the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and the 2012 Aurora movie theater shooting. The mass shooting killed a police officer whose team rushed into the building, shoppers and several employees at the supermarket in Boulder, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Denver.

The remodeled King Soopers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-shootings-colorado-boulder-boulder-supermarket-shooting-1bfaa0a1a22a47b4dd336a138f6296dd">reopened</a>&nbsp;last year with about half of those who worked there previously choosing to return.

Robert Olds, whose niece Rikki Olds was killed in the shooting, has faithfully attended status hearings in the case. He said he and Rikki's mother Jeanette Olds, who raised her, learned the news about Alissa on Friday, the day the hospital issued its report.

“My mom and I are overjoyed that after 2 1/2 years since the senseless murder of Rikki and nine others that there will be movement toward justice,” said Olds, adding he regrets the death penalty is no longer allowed in Colorado.

The court case has been on hold since December 2021 when a judge first ruled that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-boulder-3e9a7f842870d31b556d1019d9b8abca">Alissa was mentally incompetent</a>&nbsp;and sent him to the state hospital for treatment.

Staff at the hospital continued to find he was incompetent but their reports are not made public under Colorado law. District Attorney Michael Dougherty previously alleged that Alissa was refusing to participate in some of his treatment. After he pressed for a prosecution expert to be able evaluate Alissa, defense attorneys revealed Alissa’s diagnosis in court filings in February and provided the most information about his mental state so far.

His lawyers also said he had a limited ability to interact with others and his symptoms are resistant to treatment with medication.

“He speaks in repetitive non-responsive answers and cannot tolerate contact with others for more than a very brief period,” they said at the time.

Alissa is being represented by public defenders who do not comment to the media on their cases.

Dougherty's office said it has asked a judge to rule that Alissa is competent and schedule an evidentiary hearing as soon as possible to determine if the case will proceed to a trial.

“Our office will continue fighting for justice in this case,” Dougherty said.

Authorities have never disclosed a motive for the shooting and not much is known about what led Alissa to carry out the killings. His family immigrated from Syria, he became a U.S. citizen and they lived in a middle-class neighborhood in a Denver suburb, where the family also had a restaurant.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ahmad-al-aliwi-alissa-1st-court-appearance-boulder-shooting-d870b03a763d8b20fdfa04a26a1379a1">The only known problems</a>&nbsp;prior to the shooting was ab incident in high school in 2018 when he was convicted of assaulting a fellow student, according to police documents. A former classmate also told The Associated Press that Alissa was kicked off the wrestling team after yelling he would kill everyone following a loss in a practice match.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657797730027.jpg" alt="Photo on File" />
 <figcaption>Photo on File</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-colorado-74ad3bbbe6dea7e9122b946e22b1cef3">charged with killing 10 people at a Boulder supermarket</a>&nbsp;in 2021 is mentally competent to move toward trial, prosecutors announced Wednesday, raising the possibility that criminal proceedings stalled for over 1 ½ years could resume soon.In a court filing, they wrote that experts at the state mental hospital said in their latest report that they now think Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa is competent because he is consistently taking his medication, including a new, unidentifed drug. However, the filing says they believe his competency is “tenuous” and recommend Alissa, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, continue with ongoing psychiatric care and medications to remain competent.Prosecutors therefore asked Judge Ingrid Bakke to keep Alissa at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo rather than return him to the jail in Boulder, which cannot provide the same level of care. They say he can be transported to and from Boulder, 140 miles (225 kilometers) away, for court hearings.The latest mental health evaluation by the state's mental health experts noted Alissa's medication regime and a stable therapeutic environment have played "a significant role in him maintaining competency,” according to prosecutors.Bakke still must accept the hospital's conclusion in order for criminal proceedings to resume. Prosecutors also noted Alissa's lawyers have until Sept. 1 to request another evaluation of their client's competency.A hearing to discuss the status of the case is scheduled for Tuesday.Alissa is charged with murder and multiple attempted murder counts for also endangering the lives of 26 other people. He has not been asked yet to enter a plea and his lawyers have not commented about the allegations.Earlier this year, defense&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boulder-schizophrenia-ahmad-al-aliwi-alissa-colorado-health-db44d8b60d120a088220786a7025bace">lawyers confirmed Alissa has schizophrenia</a>, a mental disorder which causes people to have trouble understanding reality.Being deemed mentally competent does not mean Alissa has been cured, just that experts think he is able to understand the proceedings and help lawyers working on his defense.The March 22, 2021, attack at a King Soopers grocery shocked a state that has seen its share of mass shootings, including the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and the 2012 Aurora movie theater shooting. The mass shooting killed a police officer whose team rushed into the building, shoppers and several employees at the supermarket in Boulder, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Denver.The remodeled King Soopers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-shootings-colorado-boulder-boulder-supermarket-shooting-1bfaa0a1a22a47b4dd336a138f6296dd">reopened</a>&nbsp;last year with about half of those who worked there previously choosing to return.Robert Olds, whose niece Rikki Olds was killed in the shooting, has faithfully attended status hearings in the case. He said he and Rikki's mother Jeanette Olds, who raised her, learned the news about Alissa on Friday, the day the hospital issued its report.“My mom and I are overjoyed that after 2 1/2 years since the senseless murder of Rikki and nine others that there will be movement toward justice,” said Olds, adding he regrets the death penalty is no longer allowed in Colorado.The court case has been on hold since December 2021 when a judge first ruled that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-boulder-3e9a7f842870d31b556d1019d9b8abca">Alissa was mentally incompetent</a>&nbsp;and sent him to the state hospital for treatment.Staff at the hospital continued to find he was incompetent but their reports are not made public under Colorado law. District Attorney Michael Dougherty previously alleged that Alissa was refusing to participate in some of his treatment. After he pressed for a prosecution expert to be able evaluate Alissa, defense attorneys revealed Alissa’s diagnosis in court filings in February and provided the most information about his mental state so far.His lawyers also said he had a limited ability to interact with others and his symptoms are resistant to treatment with medication.“He speaks in repetitive non-responsive answers and cannot tolerate contact with others for more than a very brief period,” they said at the time.Alissa is being represented by public defenders who do not comment to the media on their cases.Dougherty's office said it has asked a judge to rule that Alissa is competent and schedule an evidentiary hearing as soon as possible to determine if the case will proceed to a trial.“Our office will continue fighting for justice in this case,” Dougherty said.Authorities have never disclosed a motive for the shooting and not much is known about what led Alissa to carry out the killings. His family immigrated from Syria, he became a U.S. citizen and they lived in a middle-class neighborhood in a Denver suburb, where the family also had a restaurant.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ahmad-al-aliwi-alissa-1st-court-appearance-boulder-shooting-d870b03a763d8b20fdfa04a26a1379a1">The only known problems</a>&nbsp;prior to the shooting was ab incident in high school in 2018 when he was convicted of assaulting a fellow student, according to police documents. A former classmate also told The Associated Press that Alissa was kicked off the wrestling team after yelling he would kill everyone following a loss in a practice match.

Colorado man accused of killing 10 at supermarket in 2021 is competent for trial, prosecutors say

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/24/diplomats-from-south-of-the-u-s-border-open-two-new-consulates-to-serve-nebraska-migrants/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — A third Latin American government is setting up an Omaha office to serve its citizens who have settled across Nebraska — a sign of continued cultural shifts and an unprecedented consular presence in the Cornhusker state.

When the Consulate of Guatemala officially opens in a few weeks, it will join the nearby Consulate of El Salvador, which established a local base earlier this year.

The pacesetter Mexican Consulate made its entrance back in 2000.

While separate entities, the three embassy-like satellites collectively reflect the growing influence of Latino immigrants, who account for about half the state’s estimated 150,000 or so foreign-born residents.

Consider this data, from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Immigration Research Initiative:

It is those numbers that spurred the Guatemalan and Salvadoran governments (and before that, the Mexican government) to turn attention to Nebraska and to assign official diplomats to organize consulates in the state’s biggest city.&nbsp;

“We know that Nebraska is an important state for our people,” said Javier Prudencio, the interim Salvadoran consul. “It looks like they’ve discovered the life you have here, the good life.”

Such operations, headed by a government-appointed diplomat called a consul, serve as a link to expatriates, providing them with official documents such as passports and identification, and support services for health, finances and education.

Without a nearby consulate, migrants often travel hours to a bigger city where one is established, or wait for a mobile consulate to swing into town. In their absence, protection and advocacy services fall largely to civil rights attorneys and community advocates.

Nebraska as a whole also benefits from consulates, say those familiar with the services.

Consulates are staffed with bicultural natives adept not only in Spanish but in less common indigenous languages, who can intercede to bridge gaps in communities.

They understand customs and needs of their constituents, and can open doors to business, academic and labor markets, said Yesenia Peck, who heads the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s going to be easier for us to approach the consuls and learn from them and to understand the challenges, say, of the entrepreneur from El Salvador,” she said.

Cobus Block, director of international and business recruitment for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, said consulates also host events and activities that inform Nebraskans about newcomers.

“It is a two-way street that often reaps benefits in terms of economic growth, educational opportunities and, hopefully, the building of lasting relationships,” he said.

Already, Guatemalan Consul Billy Muñoz, along with Mexican Consul Jorge Ernesto Espejel Montes and Prudencio, met with Gov. Jim Pillen in the governor’s hometown of Columbus. Other area public officials, education and business leaders also joined the discussions.

Last week, leaders from all three Omaha-based consulates shared the stage at a public forum at Bellevue University that drew about 75 constituents.

“Historic” is how Muñoz described the joint appearance with his counterparts. But he and the others expect more to come.

“Billy is my brother,” said Prudencio, a nod to how their countries share a border. And just on the other side of Guatemala’s border is Mexico.

Muñoz, who said he is preparing to open his office in coming weeks, expects the issuance of official documents and protection services to be among the most pressing needs for his team. Reunification of unaccompanied minors, he said, is a growing concern for Guatemalan migrants.

But a strength in having three Latino-serving diplomatic branches will be in outreach and advocacy efforts, say Muñoz and others. They say their constituents share many common challenges and interests.

“This is going to help inclusion,” said Peck. “How amazing that we will be able to help individuals that felt they were left behind.”

Gina Ponce, director of Latino Community Outreach at Bellevue University, and Maria Arriaga, of the Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans, hosted the recent Bellevue forum that featured leaders of the three consulates.

Especially at times when immigration becomes a political hot potato, a united front from&nbsp; the leaders south of the U.S. border can be a comfort, said Ponce.&nbsp;

“They want to show the community the unity between the three of them,” she said.

Arriaga sees such gatherings as a “big step” to a more concerted effort to improve the well-being of Latinos in Nebraska. The Census puts the share of Hispanics, regardless of country of origin, at an estimated 12.3% of Nebraska’s population.

Others are pleased for practical reasons.

Saul Lopez, an Omahan originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, said local consular services are good news especially for many migrants who hurriedly leave their homelands in distress, pushed by natural or political disaster — and without all the paperwork they need for a new start.&nbsp;

Walter Garcia Rodriguez also was at the recent forum. As the new executive director of the Council Bluffs-based Centro Latino of Iowa, and a U.S. citizen with a wife who is a Guatemalan national, he wanted to hear the consuls first-hand.

The Omaha consulates for Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador all serve Iowa, too. The coverage area for the Guatemala and El Salvador offices extends into a few other states as well.&nbsp;

“It’s a great blessing and will save us time, mainly traveling,” he said of the local Guatemalan branch. The nearest others are in Chicago and Denver.

Garcia Rodriguez recalled aligning about four years ago with a small group of Nebraska residents from Guatemala who worked to bring a branch of their government to the area. They wanted representation.

He also sees value in the foreign diplomats engaging with Nebraska’s public officials and in local community events. He sees that happening.

“We are hosting a Latino festival next month,” Garcia Rodriguez said. “They agreed to have a table here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692902388363.jpeg" alt="Guatemalan Consul Billy Muñoz, left, is in Omaha preparing to open the Consulate of Guatemala, which will join the Consulates of Mexico and El Salvador. El Salvador opened its first office earlier this year, and the Mexican consulate opened in 2000. Mexican Consul Jorge Ernesto Espejel Montes, is in the center, with acting Salvadoran Consul Javier Prudencio at right. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Guatemalan Consul Billy Muñoz, left, is in Omaha preparing to open the Consulate of Guatemala, which will join the Consulates of Mexico and El Salvador. El Salvador opened its first office earlier this year, and the Mexican consulate opened in 2000. Mexican Consul Jorge Ernesto Espejel Montes, is in the center, with acting Salvadoran Consul Javier Prudencio at right. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/24/diplomats-from-south-of-the-u-s-border-open-two-new-consulates-to-serve-nebraska-migrants/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — A third Latin American government is setting up an Omaha office to serve its citizens who have settled across Nebraska — a sign of continued cultural shifts and an unprecedented consular presence in the Cornhusker state.When the Consulate of Guatemala officially opens in a few weeks, it will join the nearby Consulate of El Salvador, which established a local base earlier this year.The pacesetter Mexican Consulate made its entrance back in 2000.While separate entities, the three embassy-like satellites collectively reflect the growing influence of Latino immigrants, who account for about half the state’s estimated 150,000 or so foreign-born residents.Consider this data, from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Immigration Research Initiative:<ul>
 <li>Foreign-born Nebraskans of all nationalities make up more than 7% of Nebraskans.</li><li>That group represents 9% of Nebraska’s labor force and 8% of its earnings.</li><li>Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador represent three of the top four countries with the most expatriates in Nebraska (India is the other).</li>
 </ul>It is those numbers that spurred the Guatemalan and Salvadoran governments (and before that, the Mexican government) to turn attention to Nebraska and to assign official diplomats to organize consulates in the state’s biggest city.&nbsp;“We know that Nebraska is an important state for our people,” said Javier Prudencio, the interim Salvadoran consul. “It looks like they’ve discovered the life you have here, the good life.”Such operations, headed by a government-appointed diplomat called a consul, serve as a link to expatriates, providing them with official documents such as passports and identification, and support services for health, finances and education.Without a nearby consulate, migrants often travel hours to a bigger city where one is established, or wait for a mobile consulate to swing into town. In their absence, protection and advocacy services fall largely to civil rights attorneys and community advocates.Nebraska as a whole also benefits from consulates, say those familiar with the services.Consulates are staffed with bicultural natives adept not only in Spanish but in less common indigenous languages, who can intercede to bridge gaps in communities.They understand customs and needs of their constituents, and can open doors to business, academic and labor markets, said Yesenia Peck, who heads the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.“It’s going to be easier for us to approach the consuls and learn from them and to understand the challenges, say, of the entrepreneur from El Salvador,” she said.Cobus Block, director of international and business recruitment for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, said consulates also host events and activities that inform Nebraskans about newcomers.“It is a two-way street that often reaps benefits in terms of economic growth, educational opportunities and, hopefully, the building of lasting relationships,” he said.Already, Guatemalan Consul Billy Muñoz, along with Mexican Consul Jorge Ernesto Espejel Montes and Prudencio, met with Gov. Jim Pillen in the governor’s hometown of Columbus. Other area public officials, education and business leaders also joined the discussions.Last week, leaders from all three Omaha-based consulates shared the stage at a public forum at Bellevue University that drew about 75 constituents.“Historic” is how Muñoz described the joint appearance with his counterparts. But he and the others expect more to come.“Billy is my brother,” said Prudencio, a nod to how their countries share a border. And just on the other side of Guatemala’s border is Mexico.Muñoz, who said he is preparing to open his office in coming weeks, expects the issuance of official documents and protection services to be among the most pressing needs for his team. Reunification of unaccompanied minors, he said, is a growing concern for Guatemalan migrants.But a strength in having three Latino-serving diplomatic branches will be in outreach and advocacy efforts, say Muñoz and others. They say their constituents share many common challenges and interests.“This is going to help inclusion,” said Peck. “How amazing that we will be able to help individuals that felt they were left behind.”Gina Ponce, director of Latino Community Outreach at Bellevue University, and Maria Arriaga, of the Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans, hosted the recent Bellevue forum that featured leaders of the three consulates.Especially at times when immigration becomes a political hot potato, a united front from&nbsp; the leaders south of the U.S. border can be a comfort, said Ponce.&nbsp;“They want to show the community the unity between the three of them,” she said.Arriaga sees such gatherings as a “big step” to a more concerted effort to improve the well-being of Latinos in Nebraska. The Census puts the share of Hispanics, regardless of country of origin, at an estimated 12.3% of Nebraska’s population.Others are pleased for practical reasons.Saul Lopez, an Omahan originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, said local consular services are good news especially for many migrants who hurriedly leave their homelands in distress, pushed by natural or political disaster — and without all the paperwork they need for a new start.&nbsp;Walter Garcia Rodriguez also was at the recent forum. As the new executive director of the Council Bluffs-based Centro Latino of Iowa, and a U.S. citizen with a wife who is a Guatemalan national, he wanted to hear the consuls first-hand.The Omaha consulates for Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador all serve Iowa, too. The coverage area for the Guatemala and El Salvador offices extends into a few other states as well.&nbsp;“It’s a great blessing and will save us time, mainly traveling,” he said of the local Guatemalan branch. The nearest others are in Chicago and Denver.Garcia Rodriguez recalled aligning about four years ago with a small group of Nebraska residents from Guatemala who worked to bring a branch of their government to the area. They wanted representation.He also sees value in the foreign diplomats engaging with Nebraska’s public officials and in local community events. He sees that happening.“We are hosting a Latino festival next month,” Garcia Rodriguez said. “They agreed to have a table here.”

Diplomats from south of the U.S. border open two new consulates to serve Nebraska migrants

Ten undergraduate students received a total of $5,000 in awards&nbsp;

Ten undergraduate students from&nbsp;four&nbsp;Nebraska colleges and universities recently received the&nbsp;2023&nbsp;Richard Holland Future Scientist Award from Nebraska Cures.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The students received cash awards totaling $5,000 during the virtual INBRE (Institutional Development Award&nbsp;Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence Program) conference held&nbsp;Aug.&nbsp;6-8.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The awards are named in honor of the late Richard Holland, an Omaha philanthropist and longtime supporter of research. This is the 14th year&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;awards.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The students listed below were judged in two categories -- oral and poster presentations of the research work they conducted this summer as part of the INBRE program.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The INBRE program is overseen by Paul Sorgen, PhD, a professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Sorgen is the principal investigator of the $16.2 million grant funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Established in 2001, the INBRE Scholars program was created to expose students to serious biomedical research and build a statewide biomedical research infrastructure between undergraduate and graduate institutions.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The INBRE&nbsp;scholars&nbsp;enter the program after completing their sophomore year of college upon recommendation of their college professors. It is a two-year comprehensive training program to prepare the students for graduate school.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The award winners are listed below:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Oral&nbsp;&nbsp;

1st&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Brigid&nbsp;Toomey&nbsp;

3rd&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Sunayan&nbsp;Cheku&nbsp;

Honorable Mention –&nbsp;Hannah Ladwig&nbsp;

Honorable Mention –&nbsp;Noah Shackelford&nbsp;

1st&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Abigail Swoboda&nbsp;

2nd&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Grace Jaworski&nbsp;

3rd&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Keegan Nitsch&nbsp;

Honorable Mention –&nbsp;Cami Bisson&nbsp;

Honorable Mention –&nbsp;Amber Gadeken&nbsp;

As&nbsp;Nebraska’s&nbsp;only public academic health science center, the University of Nebraska Medical Center&nbsp;enrolls more than 4,400 students across six colleges, two institutes and a graduate studies program.&nbsp;Its mission is to&nbsp;create a healthier future for Nebraskans&nbsp;through premier education,&nbsp;research&nbsp;and clinical care,&nbsp;but its&nbsp;impact&nbsp;--&nbsp;rooted in a culture of collaboration,&nbsp;big ideas&nbsp;and public-private partnerships – goes far beyond,&nbsp;in areas&nbsp;that include&nbsp;infectious diseases, rural health, cancer research and treatments, global health security, and&nbsp;simulation and experiential learning technologies.&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/unmc" target="_blank">Twitter</a>  |  <a href="https://www.facebook.com/unmcedu" target="_blank">Facebook</a>  |  <a href="https://instagram.com/iamunmc" target="_blank">Instagram</a>  |  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/UNMCEDU" target="_blank">YouTube</a>  |  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/unmc/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>&nbsp;

UNMCTen undergraduate students received a total of $5,000 in awards&nbsp;Ten undergraduate students from&nbsp;four&nbsp;Nebraska colleges and universities recently received the&nbsp;2023&nbsp;Richard Holland Future Scientist Award from Nebraska Cures.&nbsp; &nbsp;The students received cash awards totaling $5,000 during the virtual INBRE (Institutional Development Award&nbsp;Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence Program) conference held&nbsp;Aug.&nbsp;6-8.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The awards are named in honor of the late Richard Holland, an Omaha philanthropist and longtime supporter of research. This is the 14th year&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;awards.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The students listed below were judged in two categories -- oral and poster presentations of the research work they conducted this summer as part of the INBRE program.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The INBRE program is overseen by Paul Sorgen, PhD, a professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Sorgen is the principal investigator of the $16.2 million grant funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Established in 2001, the INBRE Scholars program was created to expose students to serious biomedical research and build a statewide biomedical research infrastructure between undergraduate and graduate institutions.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The INBRE&nbsp;scholars&nbsp;enter the program after completing their sophomore year of college upon recommendation of their college professors. It is a two-year comprehensive training program to prepare the students for graduate school.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The award winners are listed below:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Oral&nbsp;&nbsp;1st&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Brigid&nbsp;Toomey&nbsp;2nd&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Emma Foley&nbsp;3rd&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Sunayan&nbsp;Cheku&nbsp;Honorable Mention –&nbsp;Hannah Ladwig&nbsp;Honorable Mention –&nbsp;Noah Shackelford&nbsp;Poster&nbsp;1st&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Abigail Swoboda&nbsp;2nd&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Grace Jaworski&nbsp;3rd&nbsp;place –&nbsp;Keegan Nitsch&nbsp;Honorable Mention –&nbsp;Cami Bisson&nbsp;Honorable Mention –&nbsp;Amber Gadeken&nbsp;About UNMC&nbsp;As&nbsp;Nebraska’s&nbsp;only public academic health science center, the University of Nebraska Medical Center&nbsp;enrolls more than 4,400 students across six colleges, two institutes and a graduate studies program.&nbsp;Its mission is to&nbsp;create a healthier future for Nebraskans&nbsp;through premier education,&nbsp;research&nbsp;and clinical care,&nbsp;but its&nbsp;impact&nbsp;--&nbsp;rooted in a culture of collaboration,&nbsp;big ideas&nbsp;and public-private partnerships – goes far beyond,&nbsp;in areas&nbsp;that include&nbsp;infectious diseases, rural health, cancer research and treatments, global health security, and&nbsp;simulation and experiential learning technologies.&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/unmc" target="_blank">Twitter</a>  |  <a href="https://www.facebook.com/unmcedu" target="_blank">Facebook</a>  |  <a href="https://instagram.com/iamunmc" target="_blank">Instagram</a>  |  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/UNMCEDU" target="_blank">YouTube</a>  |  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/unmc/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>&nbsp;

UNMC announces Holland Future Scientist award winners 

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen is inviting all Nebraskans to the Step Forward Awards on Friday, Oct. 6 at 11:00 a.m.. The ceremony recognizes exemplary volunteers across the state who have given their time and talents to make our communities better.

Eleven Nebraskans will be honored at the event, held in Lincoln. Special recognition will be given to awardees receiving the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Service Award.

The Lifetime Achievement award is the highest honor bestowed upon a Nebraska citizen for volunteer service. Marah Shai of Gering is the 2023 recipient and is being honored for her lifelong dedication in helping others not only in Nebraska, but around the world.

The Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Service Award was named in honor of founding ServeNebraska Commissioner Jamesena Moore. The award was created in 2019 as a part of the 25th-anniversary celebration of ServeNebraska. This year’s recipient is&nbsp;State Senator Mike McDonnell for his support in safeguarding Nebraska’s commitment to expanding the state’s culture of service.

“Volunteers are a vital part of keeping Nebraska communities strong,” said Governor Pillen. “I’m proud to be Governor of a state where community service is central to our culture. I encourage all Nebraskans to join us in thanking and celebrating them.”

For more information or to register to attend the Step Forward Awards, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://serve.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">serve.nebraska.gov</a>. Registration closes September 15, 2023.

Adult Volunteer:&nbsp;Beverly Hansen – Bertrand, Neb.

Hansen serves on several boards in her community and is praised for her unique ability to assess what challenges affect the quality of life in her area. When she saw that her community was critically lacking in childcare services, she rallied various groups to open a childcare facility at the local church.

Youth Volunteer Leadership:&nbsp;Mattie Kucera – Raymond, Neb.

Kucera serves as president of her school’s student council. She attends all school board meetings to ensure the council is engaged and leads the group in completing service projects including serving at food kitchens and collecting coats for those in need. She also supports school athletic events as the unofficial assistant to the athletic director.

Veteran Volunteer:&nbsp;Dennis Hynes, U.S. Air Force – Bellevue, Neb.

Hynes is an U.S. Air Force veteran who has volunteered with the Durham Museum for almost a decade. He leads tours and teaches students about the exhibits. Hynes goes the extra mile by dressing up in costume to engage students in the material. He also organizes a private tour for servicemen from the USS Omaha several times a year.

Senior Volunteer:&nbsp;Rolaine Blaser – Columbus, Neb.

Blaser has served as a court-appointed special advocate with CASA connection for over 22 years and with the Center for Survivors for 20 years. At the Center for Survivors, she does everything from cleaning to providing childcare for mothers in crisis to fixing up the facility.

National Service:&nbsp;Robert and Helen Arnold, AmeriCorps Seniors – Crawford, Neb.

The Arnolds are AmeriCorps senior volunteers with RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). They are responsible for countless duties at food pantries and blood drives. They even spearheaded the RSVP Literacy Campaign in Crawford.

Volunteer Group:&nbsp;Wood River Vision 20/20 – Wood River, Neb.

Wood River Vision 20/20 was formed as a nonprofit in 2014. A community needs assessment survey identified lacking resources such as housing, childcare, and a community pool. The group opened an aquatic center in 2018, the Child Development Center in 2021, and helped with a community-wide effort to refurbish 11 owner-occupied homes in the community.

Small Business:&nbsp;Uniti Med – Omaha, Neb.

Uniti Med’s Community Outreach Program was created to support employees’ desire to give back and engage with the community. Employees are given the opportunity to champion a cause about which they are passionate and utilize business time to volunteer.

Large Business:&nbsp;Thrasher Foundation Repair – Papillion, Neb.

Employees and leadership at Thrasher Foundation Repair believe that it’s everyone’s responsibility, even business, to advocate for the community. They give back annually through a multitude of partnerships. Many of those are employee-led, such as building maintenance at the Humane Society and raising money for school supplies.

Disaster Volunteer:&nbsp;Roger Peek – Omaha, Neb.

Peek has served as a volunteer firefighter for the Irvington Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years and is a member of the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team, which provides rehab supplies, refreshments, and support to other firefighters working to save lives.

Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Service Award:&nbsp;Senator Mike McDonnell– Omaha, Neb.

Senator Mike McDonnell believes in the power of community service and has supported ServeNebraska by introducing legislation to safeguard Nebraska’s commitment to service.

Lifetime Achievement Award:&nbsp;Marah Shai – Gering, Neb.

At age 94, Shai has lived a life full of public service. When she was younger, she served in the Peace Corps in the Andes Mountains. She was also a volunteer at St. Thomas Orphanage, and at a radio station in Alaska. In Nebraska, Shai has been heavily involved with service projects through her church and has served at the Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center for over a decade.

Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen is inviting all Nebraskans to the Step Forward Awards on Friday, Oct. 6 at 11:00 a.m.. The ceremony recognizes exemplary volunteers across the state who have given their time and talents to make our communities better.Eleven Nebraskans will be honored at the event, held in Lincoln. Special recognition will be given to awardees receiving the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Service Award.The Lifetime Achievement award is the highest honor bestowed upon a Nebraska citizen for volunteer service. Marah Shai of Gering is the 2023 recipient and is being honored for her lifelong dedication in helping others not only in Nebraska, but around the world.The Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Service Award was named in honor of founding ServeNebraska Commissioner Jamesena Moore. The award was created in 2019 as a part of the 25th-anniversary celebration of ServeNebraska. This year’s recipient is&nbsp;State Senator Mike McDonnell for his support in safeguarding Nebraska’s commitment to expanding the state’s culture of service.“Volunteers are a vital part of keeping Nebraska communities strong,” said Governor Pillen. “I’m proud to be Governor of a state where community service is central to our culture. I encourage all Nebraskans to join us in thanking and celebrating them.”For more information or to register to attend the Step Forward Awards, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://serve.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">serve.nebraska.gov</a>. Registration closes September 15, 2023.2023 Step Forward Award Honorees are:Adult Volunteer:&nbsp;Beverly Hansen – Bertrand, Neb.Hansen serves on several boards in her community and is praised for her unique ability to assess what challenges affect the quality of life in her area. When she saw that her community was critically lacking in childcare services, she rallied various groups to open a childcare facility at the local church.Youth Volunteer Leadership:&nbsp;Mattie Kucera – Raymond, Neb.Kucera serves as president of her school’s student council. She attends all school board meetings to ensure the council is engaged and leads the group in completing service projects including serving at food kitchens and collecting coats for those in need. She also supports school athletic events as the unofficial assistant to the athletic director.Veteran Volunteer:&nbsp;Dennis Hynes, U.S. Air Force – Bellevue, Neb.Hynes is an U.S. Air Force veteran who has volunteered with the Durham Museum for almost a decade. He leads tours and teaches students about the exhibits. Hynes goes the extra mile by dressing up in costume to engage students in the material. He also organizes a private tour for servicemen from the USS Omaha several times a year.Senior Volunteer:&nbsp;Rolaine Blaser – Columbus, Neb.Blaser has served as a court-appointed special advocate with CASA connection for over 22 years and with the Center for Survivors for 20 years. At the Center for Survivors, she does everything from cleaning to providing childcare for mothers in crisis to fixing up the facility.National Service:&nbsp;Robert and Helen Arnold, AmeriCorps Seniors – Crawford, Neb.The Arnolds are AmeriCorps senior volunteers with RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). They are responsible for countless duties at food pantries and blood drives. They even spearheaded the RSVP Literacy Campaign in Crawford.Volunteer Group:&nbsp;Wood River Vision 20/20 – Wood River, Neb.Wood River Vision 20/20 was formed as a nonprofit in 2014. A community needs assessment survey identified lacking resources such as housing, childcare, and a community pool. The group opened an aquatic center in 2018, the Child Development Center in 2021, and helped with a community-wide effort to refurbish 11 owner-occupied homes in the community.Corporate Community Volunteers:Small Business:&nbsp;Uniti Med – Omaha, Neb.Uniti Med’s Community Outreach Program was created to support employees’ desire to give back and engage with the community. Employees are given the opportunity to champion a cause about which they are passionate and utilize business time to volunteer.Large Business:&nbsp;Thrasher Foundation Repair – Papillion, Neb.Employees and leadership at Thrasher Foundation Repair believe that it’s everyone’s responsibility, even business, to advocate for the community. They give back annually through a multitude of partnerships. Many of those are employee-led, such as building maintenance at the Humane Society and raising money for school supplies.Disaster Volunteer:&nbsp;Roger Peek – Omaha, Neb.Peek has served as a volunteer firefighter for the Irvington Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years and is a member of the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team, which provides rehab supplies, refreshments, and support to other firefighters working to save lives.Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Service Award:&nbsp;Senator Mike McDonnell– Omaha, Neb.Senator Mike McDonnell believes in the power of community service and has supported ServeNebraska by introducing legislation to safeguard Nebraska’s commitment to service.Lifetime Achievement Award:&nbsp;Marah Shai – Gering, Neb.At age 94, Shai has lived a life full of public service. When she was younger, she served in the Peace Corps in the Andes Mountains. She was also a volunteer at St. Thomas Orphanage, and at a radio station in Alaska. In Nebraska, Shai has been heavily involved with service projects through her church and has served at the Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center for over a decade.

Governor Pillen Invites Nebraskans to the Step Forward Awards to Honor State Volunteers

WASHINGTON (AP) — A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that the plane crash presumed to have killed Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was intentionally caused by an explosion, U.S. and Western officials said Thursday as Russian President Vladimir Putin eulogized the man who staged the biggest challenge to his 23-year rule.

One of the officials said the initial assessment determined it was “very likely” Prigozhin was targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin’s “long history of trying to silence his critics.”

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, did not offer any details on what caused the explosion, which was believed to have also killed several of Prigozhin's lieutenants to avenge a mutiny that challenged the Russian leader’s authority.

U.S. officials had no information to suggest a surface-to-air missile was launched against the private aircraft, according to one official.

Details of the U.S. assessment surfaced as Putin expressed his condolences to the families of those who were reported to be aboard the jet and referred to “serious mistakes" by Prigozhin.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-wagner-prigozhin-jet-crash-05cf962c8a218a685434b2f8a83297cd">founder of the Wagner military company</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f6cf109ccf19fea4cb87993c8f2d6aaa">six other passengers</a>&nbsp;were on the jet that crashed Wednesday soon after taking off from Moscow with a crew of three, according to Russia's civil aviation authority. Rescuers found 10 bodies, and Russian media cited anonymous sources in Wagner who said Prigozhin was dead. But there has been no official confirmation.

President Joe Biden, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said he believed Putin was behind the crash, though he acknowledged that he did not have information verifying his belief.

“I don’t know for a fact what happened, but I’m not surprised," Biden said. “There’s not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind."

The passenger manifest also included Prigozhin's second-in-command, who baptized the group with his nom de guerre, as well as Wagner's logistics chief, a fighter wounded by U.S. airstrikes in Syria and at least one possible bodyguard.

It was not clear why several high-ranking members of Wagner, including top leaders who are normally exceedingly careful about their security, were on the same flight. The purpose of their joint trip to St. Petersburg was unknown.

At Wagner’s headquarters in St. Petersburg, lights were turned on in the shape of a large cross, and Prigozhin supporters built a makeshift memorial, piling red and white flowers outside the building Thursday, along with company flags and candles.

In this first comments on the crash, Putin said the passengers had “made a significant contribution” to the fighting in Ukraine.

“We remember this, we know, and we will not forget,” the president said in a televised interview with the Russian-installed leader of Ukraine’s partially occupied Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin.

Putin recalled that he had known Prigozhin since the early 1990s and described him as “a man of difficult fate” who had “made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results he needed — both for himself and, when I asked him about it, for the common cause, as in these last months. He was a talented man, a talented businessman.”

Russian state media have not covered the crash extensively, instead focusing on Putin's remarks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brics-russia-china-summit-b5900168d165cc78b36d5d5c068b7a50">BRICS summit</a>&nbsp;in Johannesburg via video link and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Several Russian social media channels reported that the bodies were burned or disfigured beyond recognition and would need to be identified by DNA. The reports were picked up by independent Russian media, but The Associated Press was not able to independently confirm them.

Prigozhin supporters claimed on pro-Wagner messaging app channels that the plane was deliberately downed, including suggesting it could have been hit by a missile or targeted by a bomb on board. Those claims could not be independently verified.

Sergei Mironov, the leader of the pro-Kremlin Fair Russia party and former chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament suggested on his Telegram channel that Prigozhin had been deliberately killed.

“Prigozhin messed with too many people in Russia, Ukraine and the West,” Mironov wrote. It now seems that at some point his number of enemies reached a critical point."

Russian authorities have said the cause of the crash is under investigation.

Kuzhenkino resident Anastasia Bukharova, 27, said she was walking with her children Wednesday when she saw the jet, “and then — boom! — it exploded in the sky and began to fall down.” She said she was scared it would hit houses in the village and ran with the children, but it ended up crashing into a field.

“Something sort of was torn from it in the air, and it began to go down and down,” she added.

Numerous opponents and critics of Putin have been killed or gravely sickened in apparent assassination attempts, and U.S. and other Western officials long expected the Russian leader to go after Prigozhin, despite promising to drop charges in a deal that ended the June 23-24 mutiny.

"It is no coincidence that the whole world immediately looks at the Kremlin when a disgraced ex-confidant of Putin suddenly falls from the sky, two months after he attempted an uprising,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, while acknowledging that the facts were still unclear.

“We know this pattern … in Putin’s Russia — deaths and dubious suicides, falls from windows that all ultimately remain unexplained,” she added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also pointed the finger. “We have nothing to do with this. Everyone understands who does,” he said.

Soon after the plane went down, people on social media and news outlets began to report that it was a Wagner plane. Minutes after Russian state news agencies confirmed the crash, they cited the civil aviation authority as saying Prigozhin’s name was on the mainfest.

Prigozhin was long outspoken and critical of how Russian generals were waging the war in Ukraine, where his mercenaries were some of the fiercest fighters for the Kremlin. For a long time, Putin appeared content to allow such infighting — and Prigozhin seemed to have unusual latitude to speak his mind.

But Prigozhin's brief revolt raised the ante.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-war-russia-nuclear-647a545db4e4628676ff7db5b1bded34">His mercenaries</a>&nbsp;swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot. They then drove to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow and downed several military aircraft, killing more than a dozen Russian pilots.

Putin first denounced the rebellion — the most serious challenge to his 23-year rule — as “treason” and a “stab in the back.” He vowed to punish its perpetrators, and the world waited for his next move, particularly since Prigozhin had publicly questioned the Russian leader's justifications for the war in Ukraine.

But instead Putin made a deal that saw an end to the mutiny in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and permission for them to move to Belarus.

Now many are suggesting the punishment has finally come.

“The downing of the plane was certainly no mere coincidence,” Janis Sarts, director of NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, told Latvian television.

The Institute for the Study of War argued that Russian authorities likely moved against Prigozhin and his top associates as “the final step to eliminate Wagner as an independent organization.”

Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for President Putin turned political consultant, said Putin had to step in because, by carrying out the mutiny and remaining free, Prigozhin "shoved Putin's face into the dirt front of the whole world.”

Failing to punish Prigozhin would have offered an “open invitation for all potential rebels and troublemakers,” so Putin had to act, Gallyamov said.

Videos shared by the pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone showed a plane dropping like a stone from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly as it fell, one of its wings apparently missing. A free fall like that typically occurs when an aircraft sustains severe damage, and a frame-by-frame AP analysis of two videos was consistent with some sort of explosion mid-flight.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that the plane crash presumed to have killed Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was intentionally caused by an explosion, U.S. and Western officials said Thursday as Russian President Vladimir Putin eulogized the man who staged the biggest challenge to his 23-year rule.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on the death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin: &quot;I said I would be careful of what I drink and what I rode in. I don&#39;t know for a fact what happened, but I&#39;m not surprised.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/2J8dS8nqe8">pic.twitter.com/2J8dS8nqe8</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1694443355663733109?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>One of the officials said the initial assessment determined it was “very likely” Prigozhin was targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin’s “long history of trying to silence his critics.”The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, did not offer any details on what caused the explosion, which was believed to have also killed several of Prigozhin's lieutenants to avenge a mutiny that challenged the Russian leader’s authority.U.S. officials had no information to suggest a surface-to-air missile was launched against the private aircraft, according to one official.Details of the U.S. assessment surfaced as Putin expressed his condolences to the families of those who were reported to be aboard the jet and referred to “serious mistakes" by Prigozhin.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-wagner-prigozhin-jet-crash-05cf962c8a218a685434b2f8a83297cd">founder of the Wagner military company</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f6cf109ccf19fea4cb87993c8f2d6aaa">six other passengers</a>&nbsp;were on the jet that crashed Wednesday soon after taking off from Moscow with a crew of three, according to Russia's civil aviation authority. Rescuers found 10 bodies, and Russian media cited anonymous sources in Wagner who said Prigozhin was dead. But there has been no official confirmation.President Joe Biden, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said he believed Putin was behind the crash, though he acknowledged that he did not have information verifying his belief.“I don’t know for a fact what happened, but I’m not surprised," Biden said. “There’s not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind."The passenger manifest also included Prigozhin's second-in-command, who baptized the group with his nom de guerre, as well as Wagner's logistics chief, a fighter wounded by U.S. airstrikes in Syria and at least one possible bodyguard.It was not clear why several high-ranking members of Wagner, including top leaders who are normally exceedingly careful about their security, were on the same flight. The purpose of their joint trip to St. Petersburg was unknown.At Wagner’s headquarters in St. Petersburg, lights were turned on in the shape of a large cross, and Prigozhin supporters built a makeshift memorial, piling red and white flowers outside the building Thursday, along with company flags and candles.In this first comments on the crash, Putin said the passengers had “made a significant contribution” to the fighting in Ukraine.“We remember this, we know, and we will not forget,” the president said in a televised interview with the Russian-installed leader of Ukraine’s partially occupied Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin.Putin recalled that he had known Prigozhin since the early 1990s and described him as “a man of difficult fate” who had “made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results he needed — both for himself and, when I asked him about it, for the common cause, as in these last months. He was a talented man, a talented businessman.”Russian state media have not covered the crash extensively, instead focusing on Putin's remarks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brics-russia-china-summit-b5900168d165cc78b36d5d5c068b7a50">BRICS summit</a>&nbsp;in Johannesburg via video link and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Several Russian social media channels reported that the bodies were burned or disfigured beyond recognition and would need to be identified by DNA. The reports were picked up by independent Russian media, but The Associated Press was not able to independently confirm them.Prigozhin supporters claimed on pro-Wagner messaging app channels that the plane was deliberately downed, including suggesting it could have been hit by a missile or targeted by a bomb on board. Those claims could not be independently verified.Sergei Mironov, the leader of the pro-Kremlin Fair Russia party and former chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament suggested on his Telegram channel that Prigozhin had been deliberately killed.“Prigozhin messed with too many people in Russia, Ukraine and the West,” Mironov wrote. It now seems that at some point his number of enemies reached a critical point."Russian authorities have said the cause of the crash is under investigation.Kuzhenkino resident Anastasia Bukharova, 27, said she was walking with her children Wednesday when she saw the jet, “and then — boom! — it exploded in the sky and began to fall down.” She said she was scared it would hit houses in the village and ran with the children, but it ended up crashing into a field.“Something sort of was torn from it in the air, and it began to go down and down,” she added.Numerous opponents and critics of Putin have been killed or gravely sickened in apparent assassination attempts, and U.S. and other Western officials long expected the Russian leader to go after Prigozhin, despite promising to drop charges in a deal that ended the June 23-24 mutiny."It is no coincidence that the whole world immediately looks at the Kremlin when a disgraced ex-confidant of Putin suddenly falls from the sky, two months after he attempted an uprising,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, while acknowledging that the facts were still unclear.“We know this pattern … in Putin’s Russia — deaths and dubious suicides, falls from windows that all ultimately remain unexplained,” she added.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also pointed the finger. “We have nothing to do with this. Everyone understands who does,” he said.Soon after the plane went down, people on social media and news outlets began to report that it was a Wagner plane. Minutes after Russian state news agencies confirmed the crash, they cited the civil aviation authority as saying Prigozhin’s name was on the mainfest.Prigozhin was long outspoken and critical of how Russian generals were waging the war in Ukraine, where his mercenaries were some of the fiercest fighters for the Kremlin. For a long time, Putin appeared content to allow such infighting — and Prigozhin seemed to have unusual latitude to speak his mind.But Prigozhin's brief revolt raised the ante.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-war-russia-nuclear-647a545db4e4628676ff7db5b1bded34">His mercenaries</a>&nbsp;swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot. They then drove to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow and downed several military aircraft, killing more than a dozen Russian pilots.Putin first denounced the rebellion — the most serious challenge to his 23-year rule — as “treason” and a “stab in the back.” He vowed to punish its perpetrators, and the world waited for his next move, particularly since Prigozhin had publicly questioned the Russian leader's justifications for the war in Ukraine.But instead Putin made a deal that saw an end to the mutiny in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and permission for them to move to Belarus.Now many are suggesting the punishment has finally come.“The downing of the plane was certainly no mere coincidence,” Janis Sarts, director of NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, told Latvian television.The Institute for the Study of War argued that Russian authorities likely moved against Prigozhin and his top associates as “the final step to eliminate Wagner as an independent organization.”Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for President Putin turned political consultant, said Putin had to step in because, by carrying out the mutiny and remaining free, Prigozhin "shoved Putin's face into the dirt front of the whole world.”Failing to punish Prigozhin would have offered an “open invitation for all potential rebels and troublemakers,” so Putin had to act, Gallyamov said.Videos shared by the pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone showed a plane dropping like a stone from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly as it fell, one of its wings apparently missing. A free fall like that typically occurs when an aircraft sustains severe damage, and a frame-by-frame AP analysis of two videos was consistent with some sort of explosion mid-flight.

🎥Biden: Putin behind plane crash that killed Russian rival

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/23/ricketts-announces-run-for-election-to-his-appointed-seat-in-u-s-senate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts made it official Wednesday, launching a campaign to win election to the Senate seat he was appointed to fill by his successor as governor.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen tapped Ricketts, a two-term governor, to succeed Sen. Ben Sasse in January after Sasse resigned to become president of the University of Florida.&nbsp;

Ricketts touted his business and government experience during a campaign stop in downtown Omaha’s Blatt Beer &amp; Table. Ricketts is a businessman from Omaha whose family helped found the brokerage firm that became TD Ameritrade. His family also owns the Chicago Cubs MLB franchise. They are major Republican donors in Nebraska and nationally.

Ricketts said Nebraskans he hears from tell him they want Republicans in Washington who understand the value of a dollar that private citizens earn and who will push back against Democrats in the Senate and the White House.

“Nebraska is what America is supposed to be,” Ricketts said. “We have the values that our founders demonstrated when they created this country. We have the courage, the grit. We’re willing to sacrifice. We are resilient.”

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine, who introduced Ricketts at his Omaha event, said Nebraskans need him in the Senate because he has been an ally of police and prosecutors. Kleine said Ricketts understands the threat posed by fentanyl, which has become a top killer of young people nationally.

“Nine years ago, he took over that office (as governor) and showed us what Nebraska leadership really means,” Kleine said. “Lowering taxes. Cutting excess government. All the great things that are common sense for Nebraskans and leading in the Nebraska way.”

Ricketts, speaking to more than 40 people on his fourth campaign kick-off event of the day, said Congress needs more people willing to push back against “the radical left” attacking values and beliefs Nebraskans take for granted as common sense. He made stops earlier in the day in North Platte, Kearney and Norfolk.

Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb repeated criticisms of Ricketts made by many on the senator’s right flank: that he was a top contributor to Pillen’s campaign and didn’t earn his seat.

“The corrupt revolving door and pay-to-play trend by the Nebraska Republican Party, led by Ricketts, should concern all Nebraskans,” Kleeb said.&nbsp;

She said Nebraskans would be reminded soon that Ricketts’ values and positions conflict with those of most Nebraskans on issues including abortion and the use of public dollars for private schools.

Party spokesman Jose Flores Jr. said the Democrats will have candidates in both 2024 Senate races in Nebraska. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., is up for reelection next year to a six-year term. Ricketts is running to complete Sasse’s original term, which ends in 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As he did in a video announcing his bid, Ricketts criticized President Joe Biden, federal spending, inflation and border enforcement. He said he and his GOP colleagues want the Environmental Protection Agency to stick to its legal authority when regulating agriculture and other industries.

On border security, Ricketts said he would like to see Congress invest more in physical barriers, better monitoring technology including newer drones, more people and resources to hire more people working on law enforcement and legal systems to process cases faster.

He mentioned a bill he worked on with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., that would help the federal government penalize companies in China manufacturing the precursor chemicals that drug cartels in Mexico and Central America use to manufacture fentanyl.

He celebrated military service and first responders. He also embraced the strategy on parents’ rights in education that his friend Gov. Glenn Youngkin used to win in Virginia, highlighting the need to push back on what he called liberal encroachments into K-12 and higher education, “Hollywood and Big Tech.”

“America’s future is bright because of places like Nebraska that can show the rest of the country what to do and how it’s done,” he said to applause.

Ricketts’ campaign announcement appeared geared toward leaving little room to his right for candidates considering a GOP primary challenge in 2024. Several have kicked the tires, including 2022 Republican gubernatorial runner-up Charles Herbster.&nbsp;

So far, only former congressional candidate John Glen Weaver has thrown his hat into the ring against Ricketts. Weaver lost the 2022 GOP primary in the 1st District to U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692894364828.jpeg" alt=" U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., speaks to supporters during his campaign kickoff event Wednesday in Omaha. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., speaks to supporters during his campaign kickoff event Wednesday in Omaha. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/23/ricketts-announces-run-for-election-to-his-appointed-seat-in-u-s-senate/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts made it official Wednesday, launching a campaign to win election to the Senate seat he was appointed to fill by his successor as governor.Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen tapped Ricketts, a two-term governor, to succeed Sen. Ben Sasse in January after Sasse resigned to become president of the University of Florida.&nbsp;Ricketts touted his business and government experience during a campaign stop in downtown Omaha’s Blatt Beer &amp; Table. Ricketts is a businessman from Omaha whose family helped found the brokerage firm that became TD Ameritrade. His family also owns the Chicago Cubs MLB franchise. They are major Republican donors in Nebraska and nationally.<h2>Known commodity</h2>Ricketts said Nebraskans he hears from tell him they want Republicans in Washington who understand the value of a dollar that private citizens earn and who will push back against Democrats in the Senate and the White House.“Nebraska is what America is supposed to be,” Ricketts said. “We have the values that our founders demonstrated when they created this country. We have the courage, the grit. We’re willing to sacrifice. We are resilient.”Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine, who introduced Ricketts at his Omaha event, said Nebraskans need him in the Senate because he has been an ally of police and prosecutors. Kleine said Ricketts understands the threat posed by fentanyl, which has become a top killer of young people nationally.“Nine years ago, he took over that office (as governor) and showed us what Nebraska leadership really means,” Kleine said. “Lowering taxes. Cutting excess government. All the great things that are common sense for Nebraskans and leading in the Nebraska way.”Ricketts, speaking to more than 40 people on his fourth campaign kick-off event of the day, said Congress needs more people willing to push back against “the radical left” attacking values and beliefs Nebraskans take for granted as common sense. He made stops earlier in the day in North Platte, Kearney and Norfolk.<h2>Democrats see ‘pay-to-play’</h2>Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb repeated criticisms of Ricketts made by many on the senator’s right flank: that he was a top contributor to Pillen’s campaign and didn’t earn his seat.“The corrupt revolving door and pay-to-play trend by the Nebraska Republican Party, led by Ricketts, should concern all Nebraskans,” Kleeb said.&nbsp;She said Nebraskans would be reminded soon that Ricketts’ values and positions conflict with those of most Nebraskans on issues including abortion and the use of public dollars for private schools.Party spokesman Jose Flores Jr. said the Democrats will have candidates in both 2024 Senate races in Nebraska. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., is up for reelection next year to a six-year term. Ricketts is running to complete Sasse’s original term, which ends in 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Spending, inflation, border security</h2>As he did in a video announcing his bid, Ricketts criticized President Joe Biden, federal spending, inflation and border enforcement. He said he and his GOP colleagues want the Environmental Protection Agency to stick to its legal authority when regulating agriculture and other industries.On border security, Ricketts said he would like to see Congress invest more in physical barriers, better monitoring technology including newer drones, more people and resources to hire more people working on law enforcement and legal systems to process cases faster.He mentioned a bill he worked on with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., that would help the federal government penalize companies in China manufacturing the precursor chemicals that drug cartels in Mexico and Central America use to manufacture fentanyl.He celebrated military service and first responders. He also embraced the strategy on parents’ rights in education that his friend Gov. Glenn Youngkin used to win in Virginia, highlighting the need to push back on what he called liberal encroachments into K-12 and higher education, “Hollywood and Big Tech.”“America’s future is bright because of places like Nebraska that can show the rest of the country what to do and how it’s done,” he said to applause.<h2>Waiting on opponents</h2>Ricketts’ campaign announcement appeared geared toward leaving little room to his right for candidates considering a GOP primary challenge in 2024. Several have kicked the tires, including 2022 Republican gubernatorial runner-up Charles Herbster.&nbsp;So far, only former congressional candidate John Glen Weaver has thrown his hat into the ring against Ricketts. Weaver lost the 2022 GOP primary in the 1st District to U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb.&nbsp;Fischer has no announced opponents yet.

Ricketts announces run for election to his appointed seat in U.S. Senate

OMAHA, Neb., August 23, 2023 – Scooter’s Coffee is pumped for its customer-favorite: the all-vibrant Pumpkin Season. From refreshing blended and iced drinks to spice-infused warm beverages and bites, Scooter’s Coffee ushers in all the cozy feels of fall that make customers smile throughout their day.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-caramelicious">Pumpkin Caramelicious</a>: Fall so hard for a symphony of flavors that sings to your senses. World-class espresso melds with creamy caramel, hot, textured milk and all the pumpkin spice flavors, creating a perfect medley in a cup. Enjoy this drink with luscious whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-spice-latte">Pumpkin Spice Latte</a>: Make the most of every fall moment with all of the seasonal flavors that make you smile – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and more. These autumnal flavors that you crave are combined with robust espresso, steamed milk, a fluffy dollop of whipped cream, and a dusting of cinnamon.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-cold-foam">Pumpkin Cold Foam</a>: Layer on this fall must-have topping to any iced or blended drink. Pumpkin Cold Foam is made-to-order with nonfat, freshly frothed milk, smooth pumpkin flavor, and finishing touches of caramel drizzle or a dusting of sweet cinnamon.

<a href="http://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-spice-cake-bite">Pumpkin Spice Cake Bite</a>: The taste of fall now comes in an amazingly moist Pumpkin Spice Cake Bite. Traditional pumpkin spices are covered with rich, creamy frosting, and topped with festive autumn leaf sprinkles. Meet your new fall treat!

<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-caramelicious-muffin">Pumpkin Caramelicious Muffin</a>: Scooter’s Coffee took the buttery caramel flavor of its signature Caramelicious® drink, added the warm sweetness of pumpkin spice, and infused it into a freshly baked pastry.

<a href="http://www.scooterscoffee.com/autumn-caramel-crunch">Autumn Caramel Crunch</a>: This exquisite latte combines signature espresso, creamy caramel, hazelnut, and classic vanilla flavors to create the perfect pick-me-up on a crisp, fall day.

Scooter's CoffeeOMAHA, Neb., August 23, 2023 – Scooter’s Coffee is pumped for its customer-favorite: the all-vibrant Pumpkin Season. From refreshing blended and iced drinks to spice-infused warm beverages and bites, Scooter’s Coffee ushers in all the cozy feels of fall that make customers smile throughout their day.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-caramelicious">Pumpkin Caramelicious</a>: Fall so hard for a symphony of flavors that sings to your senses. World-class espresso melds with creamy caramel, hot, textured milk and all the pumpkin spice flavors, creating a perfect medley in a cup. Enjoy this drink with luscious whipped cream and caramel drizzle.<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-spice-latte">Pumpkin Spice Latte</a>: Make the most of every fall moment with all of the seasonal flavors that make you smile – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and more. These autumnal flavors that you crave are combined with robust espresso, steamed milk, a fluffy dollop of whipped cream, and a dusting of cinnamon.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-cold-foam">Pumpkin Cold Foam</a>: Layer on this fall must-have topping to any iced or blended drink. Pumpkin Cold Foam is made-to-order with nonfat, freshly frothed milk, smooth pumpkin flavor, and finishing touches of caramel drizzle or a dusting of sweet cinnamon.<a href="http://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-spice-cake-bite">Pumpkin Spice Cake Bite</a>: The taste of fall now comes in an amazingly moist Pumpkin Spice Cake Bite. Traditional pumpkin spices are covered with rich, creamy frosting, and topped with festive autumn leaf sprinkles. Meet your new fall treat!<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/pumpkin-caramelicious-muffin">Pumpkin Caramelicious Muffin</a>: Scooter’s Coffee took the buttery caramel flavor of its signature Caramelicious® drink, added the warm sweetness of pumpkin spice, and infused it into a freshly baked pastry.<a href="http://www.scooterscoffee.com/autumn-caramel-crunch">Autumn Caramel Crunch</a>: This exquisite latte combines signature espresso, creamy caramel, hazelnut, and classic vanilla flavors to create the perfect pick-me-up on a crisp, fall day.<a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/maple-waffle-sandwich">Maple Waffle Sandwich</a>: Fluffy, golden, maple-flavored waffles are married with juicy, just-enough-spice sausage, a perfectly cooked egg, and rich cheddar cheese.&nbsp;For an extra boost of energy to fuel your day, try Scooter’s Coffee exclusive energy drink <a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/scooters-scooot-energy">SCOOOT! Energy™</a> in a Blue Raspberry SCOOOT! Energy Infusion.&nbsp;Scooter’s Coffee also has added new drinks to its <a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/menu/kids-items">Kids’ Menu</a> which can be ordered as a Kids’ Snack Combo that comes with two <a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/mini-sugar-cookie-pair">Mini Sugar Cookies</a>. <a href="http://www.scooterscoffee.com/chocolicious-milk">Chocolicious Milk</a> melds creamy milk with the sweetness of white chocolate, all nestled inside a Smiley cup complete with chocolate drizzle. <a href="http://www.scooterscoffee.com/lemonberry-ade">Lemonberry-ade</a> infuses the tangy flavor of lemonade with the vibrant sweetness of blue raspberry, served over ice.Check out the Scooter’s Coffee website to view <a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/menu/limited-time">the pumpkin-filled fall menu</a>. For additional convenience, download and use the <a href="https://www.scooterscoffee.com/mobileapp">Scooter’s Coffee Mobile App</a> to order ahead and collect “Smiles” that can be redeemed for loyalty rewards.&nbsp;About Scooter’s Coffee Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooter’s Coffee uses only the finest coffee beans in the world, which are roasted by its affiliated company, Harvest Roasting, in Omaha, Nebraska. In over 25 years of business, the key to Scooter’s Coffee’s success is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company’s four core values, which are Integrity, Love, Humility and Courage. The Scooter’s Coffee Brand Promise, often recited to franchisees, customers and employees, is: “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks… Amazingly Fast!®” It represents the company’s business origins and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers.Scooter’s Coffee, celebrating its 25th&nbsp;anniversary in 2023, is at the dawn of a strategic growth phase. The company is approaching 700 stores in 29 states, with plans to have 1,000 franchise stores open by the end of 2024. The U.S. coffee market is an estimated&nbsp;$48 billion-a-year, recession-resistant industry, and Scooter’s Coffee is striving to become the #1 drive-thru specialty coffee franchise system in the nation. For more information, visit <a href="https://scooterscoffee.com/">scooterscoffee.com</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ScootersCoffee">facebook.com/scooterscoffee</a>, or <a href="https://ownascooters.com/">ownascooters.com</a>, or call 877-494-7004.