NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden raised “hard issues,” including protecting the “checks and balances” in a democracy, in a Wednesday meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pushing the Israeli leader to find a compromise on a judicial overhaul that has set off months of mass protests in Israel and concerns in Washington.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/20/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-meeting-with-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-of-israel/">Click here to</a> view the White House readout of the meeting

Biden also raised concerns about the far-right Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians, urging Netanyahu to take steps to improve conditions in the West Bank at a time of heightened violence in the occupied territory.

The two leaders sat down and took time to chat one-on-one on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. It was their first meeting since Netanyahu took office at the helm of his country’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-protests-judiciary-overhaul-netanyahu-tel-aviv-8369021c593bafbe7abe84c8aee6bba8">far-right government</a>&nbsp;late last year.

Relations have cooled since Netanyahu returned to office with a coalition of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist partners. His new government has stepped up construction in West Bank settlements, angering the U.S., and pressed ahead with its contentious judicial overhaul plan despite deep divisions at home and criticism from the U.S. and other allies.

Netanyahu tried to play down concerns about the plan, saying there is “one thing that will never change and that is Israel's commitment to democracy."

Biden opened the meeting by stressing the U.S. friendship with Israel as being “ironclad” and saying that “without Israel, there’s not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential.” But Biden also acknowledged the tensions with Netanyahu’s government and its policies.

“We’re going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems,” Biden said. He said they would also talk about a path to a negotiated two-state solution with Palestinians and “ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon.”

A senior Biden administration official said Biden pushed Netanyahu to find a compromise on his planned changes to the Israeli court system. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting, did not want to characterize Netanyahu's reaction to what Biden said, only that the Israeli leader understood the need for a compromise.

Israeli media, citing a senior official, said Netanyahu assured Biden he was seeking a compromise. However, Netanyahu has made similar pledges in recent months while pushing ahead with the plan, drawing accusations from his opponents that he is not negotiating in good faith. His coalition pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-israel-hospital-judicial-overhaul-protests-closures-fb595629e7033ee34d246ee9a367c4d4">the first major piece of the legislation</a>&nbsp;through parliament in July.

A statement by Netanyahu's office said the meeting with Biden was primarily about brokering a peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

The prospect of an agreement was also raised by Saudi Crown Prince&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-dubai-united-arab-emirates-saudi-arabia-jamal-khashoggi-aba648586c12cf5438836252408b6a76">Mohammed bin Salman</a>, who said in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6337512022112">interview with Fox News</a>&nbsp;being aired Wednesday that the two countries are getting closer to normalizing relations. But Saudi Arabia's de facto leader also said it was “very important” to reach a pact on the treatment of Palestinians as part of any agreement.

“We got to see where we go,” he said. “We hope that will reach a place, that it will ease the life of the Palestinians, get Israel as a player in the Middle East.”

The location of Biden and Netanyahu's long-anticipated meeting — a New York hotel room on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meetings rather than the grandeur of the Oval Office — has been widely interpreted in Israel as a sign of U.S. displeasure with Netanyahu’s new government.

Netanyahu has been a frequent White House visitor over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of starting their tenure to the Oval Office. But his judicial proposals have raised concerns within Israel as well as the U.S. about his commitment to a democratic system.

Bien held out the possibility of the coveted Oval Office meeting, saying, “I hope we’ll see each other in Washington by the end of the year.” The U.S. later formally invited Netanyahu to the White House, eyeing a meeting in November or December.

Biden himself has repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahu’s plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-court-overhaul-judicial-8a20142f39006e9489e58411c39671fb">overhaul Israel’s judicial system</a>.

Netanyahu says the country’s unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. His plan seeks to give more authority to the ruling coalition in parliament, which he heads. Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward authoritarian rule.

The plan has divided the nation and led to months of mass protests against his government. Those demonstrations followed him to the United States, with large numbers of Israeli expatriates waving the country's flag in protest Wednesday in New York. Hundreds of Israelis also protested outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Early this year, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-united-states-biden-netanyahu-judicial-overhaul-5d53ba11bfd5ebe0d2e2e668ad2ee5f1">voiced his unhappiness</a>&nbsp;over the judicial overhaul, saying Netanyahu “cannot continue down this road” and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise.

The Israeli government’s treatment of the Palestinians has also drawn American ire. Netanyahu’s coalition is dominated by far-right ultranationalists who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-occupation-west-bank-smotrich-netanyahu-e262d0bca6a637d217852ea238ab45b2">greatly expanded Israeli settlement construction</a>&nbsp;on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Israel’s government also opposes a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians — a cornerstone of White House policy in the region. The deadlock has coincided with a spike in fighting in the West Bank.

According to a White House summary of the talks, Biden stressed the “need to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation” in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-killed-gaza-west-bank-0454cf65390d6d8c27ddb55d51a083c4">West Bank</a>, where violence between Israelis and Palestinians over the past 18 months has intensified to its worst levels in roughly two decades. The two leaders also reaffirmed their intention to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The Biden-Netanyahu meeting came at a time of cooling ties between Israel and the Democratic Party. A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while Americans generally view Israel as a partner or ally, many are questioning whether Netanyahu’s government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-israel-united-states-biden-netanyahu-41ba5cb189185f3e4956f4465c00999f">shares American values</a>. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to call Israel an ally with shared values.

Topping Netanyahu’s wish list were discussions on U.S. efforts to broker a deal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-saudi-arabia-normalization-jake-sullivan-mbs-peace-deal-377e3c1e4b4732124b565ed968c5f0c8">establishing full diplomatic relations</a>&nbsp;between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House statement said Biden and Netanyahu discussed the shipping and rail corridor announced at the Group of 20 summit that would connect Israel with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Netanyahu, who also led Israel when President Donald Trump brokered the “Abraham Accords” between Israel and four Arab countries, said a similar deal with Saudi Arabia would “go a long way” to promoting Israel's relations with the broader Arab and Muslim world and help advance “a genuine peace” with the Palestinians.

The White House has acknowledged that it is seeking such a deal, but obstacles lie in the way. Saudi Arabia is pushing for a nuclear cooperation deal and defense guarantees from the U.S.

The Saudis have also said they expect Israel to make significant concessions to the Palestinians.

The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, told reporters “there is no other way” to solve the conflict than by establishing a Palestinian state. But senior ministers in Netanyahu’s government have already ruled out any concessions to the Palestinians.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695242635278.png" alt="Biden: We discussed several issues, from the progress we have made on integration efforts to the viability of a two-state solution, upholding our democratic values, and countering Iran.- White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Biden: We discussed several issues, from the progress we have made on integration efforts to the viability of a two-state solution, upholding our democratic values, and countering Iran.- White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden raised “hard issues,” including protecting the “checks and balances” in a democracy, in a Wednesday meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pushing the Israeli leader to find a compromise on a judicial overhaul that has set off months of mass protests in Israel and concerns in Washington.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/20/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-meeting-with-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-of-israel/">Click here to</a> view the White House readout of the meetingBiden also raised concerns about the far-right Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians, urging Netanyahu to take steps to improve conditions in the West Bank at a time of heightened violence in the occupied territory.The two leaders sat down and took time to chat one-on-one on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. It was their first meeting since Netanyahu took office at the helm of his country’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-protests-judiciary-overhaul-netanyahu-tel-aviv-8369021c593bafbe7abe84c8aee6bba8">far-right government</a>&nbsp;late last year.Relations have cooled since Netanyahu returned to office with a coalition of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist partners. His new government has stepped up construction in West Bank settlements, angering the U.S., and pressed ahead with its contentious judicial overhaul plan despite deep divisions at home and criticism from the U.S. and other allies.Netanyahu tried to play down concerns about the plan, saying there is “one thing that will never change and that is Israel's commitment to democracy."Biden opened the meeting by stressing the U.S. friendship with Israel as being “ironclad” and saying that “without Israel, there’s not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential.” But Biden also acknowledged the tensions with Netanyahu’s government and its policies.“We’re going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems,” Biden said. He said they would also talk about a path to a negotiated two-state solution with Palestinians and “ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon.”A senior Biden administration official said Biden pushed Netanyahu to find a compromise on his planned changes to the Israeli court system. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting, did not want to characterize Netanyahu's reaction to what Biden said, only that the Israeli leader understood the need for a compromise.Israeli media, citing a senior official, said Netanyahu assured Biden he was seeking a compromise. However, Netanyahu has made similar pledges in recent months while pushing ahead with the plan, drawing accusations from his opponents that he is not negotiating in good faith. His coalition pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-israel-hospital-judicial-overhaul-protests-closures-fb595629e7033ee34d246ee9a367c4d4">the first major piece of the legislation</a>&nbsp;through parliament in July.A statement by Netanyahu's office said the meeting with Biden was primarily about brokering a peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;The prospect of an agreement was also raised by Saudi Crown Prince&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-dubai-united-arab-emirates-saudi-arabia-jamal-khashoggi-aba648586c12cf5438836252408b6a76">Mohammed bin Salman</a>, who said in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6337512022112">interview with Fox News</a>&nbsp;being aired Wednesday that the two countries are getting closer to normalizing relations. But Saudi Arabia's de facto leader also said it was “very important” to reach a pact on the treatment of Palestinians as part of any agreement.“We got to see where we go,” he said. “We hope that will reach a place, that it will ease the life of the Palestinians, get Israel as a player in the Middle East.”The location of Biden and Netanyahu's long-anticipated meeting — a New York hotel room on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meetings rather than the grandeur of the Oval Office — has been widely interpreted in Israel as a sign of U.S. displeasure with Netanyahu’s new government.Netanyahu has been a frequent White House visitor over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of starting their tenure to the Oval Office. But his judicial proposals have raised concerns within Israel as well as the U.S. about his commitment to a democratic system.Bien held out the possibility of the coveted Oval Office meeting, saying, “I hope we’ll see each other in Washington by the end of the year.” The U.S. later formally invited Netanyahu to the White House, eyeing a meeting in November or December.Biden himself has repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahu’s plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-court-overhaul-judicial-8a20142f39006e9489e58411c39671fb">overhaul Israel’s judicial system</a>.Netanyahu says the country’s unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. His plan seeks to give more authority to the ruling coalition in parliament, which he heads. Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward authoritarian rule.The plan has divided the nation and led to months of mass protests against his government. Those demonstrations followed him to the United States, with large numbers of Israeli expatriates waving the country's flag in protest Wednesday in New York. Hundreds of Israelis also protested outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.Early this year, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-united-states-biden-netanyahu-judicial-overhaul-5d53ba11bfd5ebe0d2e2e668ad2ee5f1">voiced his unhappiness</a>&nbsp;over the judicial overhaul, saying Netanyahu “cannot continue down this road” and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise.The Israeli government’s treatment of the Palestinians has also drawn American ire. Netanyahu’s coalition is dominated by far-right ultranationalists who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-occupation-west-bank-smotrich-netanyahu-e262d0bca6a637d217852ea238ab45b2">greatly expanded Israeli settlement construction</a>&nbsp;on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Israel’s government also opposes a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians — a cornerstone of White House policy in the region. The deadlock has coincided with a spike in fighting in the West Bank.According to a White House summary of the talks, Biden stressed the “need to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation” in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-killed-gaza-west-bank-0454cf65390d6d8c27ddb55d51a083c4">West Bank</a>, where violence between Israelis and Palestinians over the past 18 months has intensified to its worst levels in roughly two decades. The two leaders also reaffirmed their intention to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.The Biden-Netanyahu meeting came at a time of cooling ties between Israel and the Democratic Party. A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while Americans generally view Israel as a partner or ally, many are questioning whether Netanyahu’s government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-israel-united-states-biden-netanyahu-41ba5cb189185f3e4956f4465c00999f">shares American values</a>. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to call Israel an ally with shared values.Topping Netanyahu’s wish list were discussions on U.S. efforts to broker a deal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-saudi-arabia-normalization-jake-sullivan-mbs-peace-deal-377e3c1e4b4732124b565ed968c5f0c8">establishing full diplomatic relations</a>&nbsp;between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House statement said Biden and Netanyahu discussed the shipping and rail corridor announced at the Group of 20 summit that would connect Israel with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.Netanyahu, who also led Israel when President Donald Trump brokered the “Abraham Accords” between Israel and four Arab countries, said a similar deal with Saudi Arabia would “go a long way” to promoting Israel's relations with the broader Arab and Muslim world and help advance “a genuine peace” with the Palestinians.The White House has acknowledged that it is seeking such a deal, but obstacles lie in the way. Saudi Arabia is pushing for a nuclear cooperation deal and defense guarantees from the U.S.The Saudis have also said they expect Israel to make significant concessions to the Palestinians.The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, told reporters “there is no other way” to solve the conflict than by establishing a Palestinian state. But senior ministers in Netanyahu’s government have already ruled out any concessions to the Palestinians.

Biden, Israel Prime Minister discuss two-state solution, Iran

Kai Koerber was a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a gunman murdered 14 students and three staff members there on Valentine’s Day in 2018. Seeing his peers — and himself — struggle with returning to normal, he wanted to do something to help people manage their emotions on their own terms.

While some of his classmates at the Parkland, Florida, school have worked on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-david-hogg-fort-lauderdale-gun-politics-parkland-florida-school-shooting-b5388b55a4face4f351efc55bfdee943">advocating for gun control</a>, entered politics or simply took a step back to heal and focus on their studies, Koerber’s background in technology — he’d originally wanted to be a rocket scientist — led him in a different direction: to build a smartphone app.

The result was&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/joy-ai-wellness-platform/id1618609385">Joy: AI Wellness Platform</a>, which uses artificial intelligence to suggest bite-sized mindfulness activities for people based on how they are feeling. The algorithm Koerber’s team built is designed to recognize how a person feels from the sound of their voice — regardless of the words or language they speak.

“In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the first thing that came to mind after we’ve experienced this horrible, traumatic event — how are we going to personally recover?” he said. “It’s great to say OK, we’re going to build a better legal infrastructure to prevent gun sales, increased background checks, all the legislative things. But people really weren’t thinking about ... the mental health side of things.”

Like many of his peers, Koerber said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for a "very long time" and only recently has it gotten a little better.

“So when I came to Cal, I was like, let me just start a research team that builds some groundbreaking AI and see if that’s possible,” said the 23-year-old, who graduated from the University of California at Berkeley earlier this year. “The idea was to provide a platform to people who were struggling with, let’s say sadness, grief, anger ... to be able to get a mindfulness practice or wellness practice on the go that meets our emotional needs on the go.”

He said it was important to offer activities that can be done quickly, sometimes lasting just a few seconds, wherever the user might be. It wasn’t going to be your parents’ mindfulness practice.

“The notion of mindfulness being a solo activity or something that’s confined to sitting in your room breathing is something that we’re very much trying to dispel,” Koerber said.

Mohammed Zareef-Mustafa, a former classmate of Koerber's who's been using the app for a few months, said the voice-emotion recognition part is “different than anything I've ever seen before.”

“I use the app about three times a week, because the practices are short and easy to get into. It really helps me quickly de-stress before I have to do things like job interviews,” he said.

To use Joy, you simply speak into the app. The AI is supposed to recognize how you are feeling from your voice, then suggest short activities.

It doesn’t always get your mood right, so it's possible to manually pick your disposition. Let’s say you are feeling “neutral” at the moment. The app suggests several activities, such as 15-second exercise called “mindful consumption” that encourages you to “think about all the lives and beings involved in producing what you eat or use that day.”

Yet another activity helps you practice making an effective apology. Another has you write a letter to your future self, with a pen and a paper — remember those? Feeling sad? A suggestion pops up asking you to track how many times you've laughed over a seven-day period and tally it up at the end of the week to see what moments gave you a sense of joy, purpose or satisfaction.

The iPhone app is available for a $8 monthly subscription, with a discount if you subscribe for a whole year. It’s a work in progress, and as it goes with AI, the more people use it, the more accurate it becomes.

“Kai is a leader of this next generation who are thinking intentionally and with focus about how to use technology to meet the mental, physical, and climate crises of our times,” said Dacher Keltner, a professor at UC Berkeley and Koerber’s faculty advisor on the project. “It comes out of his life experience, and, unlike past technologists, he seems to feel this has to be what technology does, make the world healthier.”

A plethora of wellness apps on the market claim to help people with mental health issues, but it’s not always clear whether they work, said Colin Walsh, a professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University who has studied the use of AI in suicide prevention. According to Walsh, it is feasible to take someone’s voice and glean some aspects of their emotional state.

“The challenge is if you as a user feel like it’s not really representing what you think your current state is like, that’s an issue," he said. "There should be some mechanism by which that feedback can go back.”

The stakes also matter. Facebook, for instance, has faced some criticism in the past for its suicide prevention tool, which used AI (as well as humans) to flag users who may be contemplating suicide, and — in some serious cases — contact law enforcement to check on the person. But if the stakes are lower, Walsh said, if the technology is simply directing someone to spend some time outside, it's unlikely to cause harm.

“The driver is there’s a huge demand there, or at least the perception of a huge demand there” Walsh said of the explosion of wellness and mental health apps in the past few years. “Despite the best of intentions with our current system — and it does a lot of good work — obviously, there’s still gaps. So I think people see technology as a tool to try to bridge that.”

Koerber said people tend to forget, after mass shootings, that survivors don’t just “bounce back right away” from the trauma they experienced. It takes years to recover.

“This is something that people carry with them, in some way, shape or form, for the rest of their lives,” he said.

His work has also been slower and deliberate than tech entrepreneurs of the past.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695237075177.jpeg" alt="Kai Koerber poses for a photograph Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. Koerber was a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a gunman murdered 14 students and three staff members on Valentine's Day in 2018. Seeing his peers — and himself — struggle with returning to normal, he says he wanted to do something to help people manage their emotions on their own terms. The result was Joy, an app built on AI that helps people struggling with sadness, grief or anger to find help in short, bite-sized prompts and tools. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)" />
 <figcaption>Kai Koerber poses for a photograph Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. Koerber was a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a gunman murdered 14 students and three staff members on Valentine's Day in 2018. Seeing his peers — and himself — struggle with returning to normal, he says he wanted to do something to help people manage their emotions on their own terms. The result was Joy, an app built on AI that helps people struggling with sadness, grief or anger to find help in short, bite-sized prompts and tools. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kai Koerber was a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a gunman murdered 14 students and three staff members there on Valentine’s Day in 2018. Seeing his peers — and himself — struggle with returning to normal, he wanted to do something to help people manage their emotions on their own terms.While some of his classmates at the Parkland, Florida, school have worked on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-david-hogg-fort-lauderdale-gun-politics-parkland-florida-school-shooting-b5388b55a4face4f351efc55bfdee943">advocating for gun control</a>, entered politics or simply took a step back to heal and focus on their studies, Koerber’s background in technology — he’d originally wanted to be a rocket scientist — led him in a different direction: to build a smartphone app.The result was&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/joy-ai-wellness-platform/id1618609385">Joy: AI Wellness Platform</a>, which uses artificial intelligence to suggest bite-sized mindfulness activities for people based on how they are feeling. The algorithm Koerber’s team built is designed to recognize how a person feels from the sound of their voice — regardless of the words or language they speak.“In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the first thing that came to mind after we’ve experienced this horrible, traumatic event — how are we going to personally recover?” he said. “It’s great to say OK, we’re going to build a better legal infrastructure to prevent gun sales, increased background checks, all the legislative things. But people really weren’t thinking about ... the mental health side of things.”Like many of his peers, Koerber said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for a "very long time" and only recently has it gotten a little better.“So when I came to Cal, I was like, let me just start a research team that builds some groundbreaking AI and see if that’s possible,” said the 23-year-old, who graduated from the University of California at Berkeley earlier this year. “The idea was to provide a platform to people who were struggling with, let’s say sadness, grief, anger ... to be able to get a mindfulness practice or wellness practice on the go that meets our emotional needs on the go.”He said it was important to offer activities that can be done quickly, sometimes lasting just a few seconds, wherever the user might be. It wasn’t going to be your parents’ mindfulness practice.“The notion of mindfulness being a solo activity or something that’s confined to sitting in your room breathing is something that we’re very much trying to dispel,” Koerber said.Mohammed Zareef-Mustafa, a former classmate of Koerber's who's been using the app for a few months, said the voice-emotion recognition part is “different than anything I've ever seen before.”“I use the app about three times a week, because the practices are short and easy to get into. It really helps me quickly de-stress before I have to do things like job interviews,” he said.To use Joy, you simply speak into the app. The AI is supposed to recognize how you are feeling from your voice, then suggest short activities.It doesn’t always get your mood right, so it's possible to manually pick your disposition. Let’s say you are feeling “neutral” at the moment. The app suggests several activities, such as 15-second exercise called “mindful consumption” that encourages you to “think about all the lives and beings involved in producing what you eat or use that day.”Yet another activity helps you practice making an effective apology. Another has you write a letter to your future self, with a pen and a paper — remember those? Feeling sad? A suggestion pops up asking you to track how many times you've laughed over a seven-day period and tally it up at the end of the week to see what moments gave you a sense of joy, purpose or satisfaction.The iPhone app is available for a $8 monthly subscription, with a discount if you subscribe for a whole year. It’s a work in progress, and as it goes with AI, the more people use it, the more accurate it becomes.“Kai is a leader of this next generation who are thinking intentionally and with focus about how to use technology to meet the mental, physical, and climate crises of our times,” said Dacher Keltner, a professor at UC Berkeley and Koerber’s faculty advisor on the project. “It comes out of his life experience, and, unlike past technologists, he seems to feel this has to be what technology does, make the world healthier.”A plethora of wellness apps on the market claim to help people with mental health issues, but it’s not always clear whether they work, said Colin Walsh, a professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University who has studied the use of AI in suicide prevention. According to Walsh, it is feasible to take someone’s voice and glean some aspects of their emotional state.“The challenge is if you as a user feel like it’s not really representing what you think your current state is like, that’s an issue," he said. "There should be some mechanism by which that feedback can go back.”The stakes also matter. Facebook, for instance, has faced some criticism in the past for its suicide prevention tool, which used AI (as well as humans) to flag users who may be contemplating suicide, and — in some serious cases — contact law enforcement to check on the person. But if the stakes are lower, Walsh said, if the technology is simply directing someone to spend some time outside, it's unlikely to cause harm.“The driver is there’s a huge demand there, or at least the perception of a huge demand there” Walsh said of the explosion of wellness and mental health apps in the past few years. “Despite the best of intentions with our current system — and it does a lot of good work — obviously, there’s still gaps. So I think people see technology as a tool to try to bridge that.”Koerber said people tend to forget, after mass shootings, that survivors don’t just “bounce back right away” from the trauma they experienced. It takes years to recover.“This is something that people carry with them, in some way, shape or form, for the rest of their lives,” he said.His work has also been slower and deliberate than tech entrepreneurs of the past.

Parkland school shooting survivor develops Joy, an app built on AI that helps people heal

LINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– Natural resources stakeholders and subject matter experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) Conference at the Younes Conference Center Sept. 25-26, 2023.

The conference brings together NRD employees, directors and others integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The event kicks off with the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf tournament on Sunday, Sept. 24, to raise money for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Foundation.

Natural resources partners will open the conference on Monday at 8:30 a.m. with updates from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Topics include an overview and discussion of successful natural resources programs, new technologies and research for future programs. Panelists at the forum will also provide insight on water quality, groundwater management, and natural resources projects.

Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts also will present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 25. Winners include:

Monday evening includes a silent auction for the NARD Foundation, which supports natural resources youth programs, followed by a dinner banquet. Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelley will give the welcome during the banquet and three NRD Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized including:

The annual NRD Conference is presented by Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors. Approximately 400 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference.

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

Megan GrimesLINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– Natural resources stakeholders and subject matter experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) Conference at the Younes Conference Center Sept. 25-26, 2023.The conference brings together NRD employees, directors and others integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The event kicks off with the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf tournament on Sunday, Sept. 24, to raise money for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Foundation.Natural resources partners will open the conference on Monday at 8:30 a.m. with updates from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.Topics include an overview and discussion of successful natural resources programs, new technologies and research for future programs. Panelists at the forum will also provide insight on water quality, groundwater management, and natural resources projects.Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts also will present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 25. Winners include:<ul>
 <li>2023 Tree Planter of the Year: Brian Moes Family – Osmond, Nebraska</li><li>2023 Community Conservation Award: Bob Hansen – Coleridge, Nebraska</li><li>2023 Water Conservation Award: Dave Condon – Creighton, Nebraska</li><li>2023 Soil Stewardship Conservation Award: Daryl Obermeyer – Brownville, Nebraska</li><li>2023 Director of the Year: Marcel Kramer, Lewis &amp; Clark NRD – Crofton, Nebraska</li><li>2023 Educator of the Year: Zeta Greene, Sandhills Public Schools – Dunning, Nebraska</li>
 </ul>Monday evening includes a silent auction for the NARD Foundation, which supports natural resources youth programs, followed by a dinner banquet. Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelley will give the welcome during the banquet and three NRD Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized including:<ul>
 <li>Darwin Anderson, Columbus, Nebraska (2023 NRD Director, Lower Loup NRD)</li><li>Kent O. Miller, North Platte, Nebraska (2023 NRD Employee, Twin Platte NRD)</li><li>Jim Cannia (posthumously), Aqua Geo Frameworks (2023 NRD Supporter)</li>
 </ul>The annual NRD Conference is presented by Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors. Approximately 400 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference.The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), the trade association for Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRD), works with individual districts to protect lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. NRDs are unique to Nebraska, and act as local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska’s natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond to local conservation and resource management needs. Learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nrdnet.org/" target="_blank">www.nrdnet.org</a>.

Annual NRD Conference Focuses on Water Quality, New Technology

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-afb3d15b59a0212d9297ed2794f91a2a">restarting a website</a>&nbsp;allowing Americans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-at-home-covid-tests-e98c4a7a4ee340345a5786c4c407c5fb">again order up to four free tests per household</a>&nbsp;— aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus cases</a>&nbsp;that has typically come during colder months.

The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covid.gov/tests">COVIDTests.gov</a>&nbsp;starting Sept. 25, and that no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service.

Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said. Federal officials said that will help guard against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-pandemics-ap-top-news-global-trade-fresno-4354f8e8026cf8135b74fa19f0d0f048">supply chain issues</a>&nbsp;that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases.

Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, said the website will remain functional to receive orders through the holidays and “we reserve the right to keep it open even longer if we're starting to see an increase in cases.”

“If there is a demand for these tests, we want to make sure that they're made available to the American people for free in this way,” O'Connell said. “But, at this point, our focus is getting through the holidays and making sure folks can take a test if they're going to see Grandma for Thanksgiving."

The tests are designed to detect COVID variants currently circulating, and are intended for use by the end of the year. But they will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates, the department said.

The initiative follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-home-test-78960c4c36422907a2eab3eb0dcdfadd">four previous rounds</a>&nbsp;where federal officials and the U.S. Postal Service provided more than 755 million tests for free to homes nationwide.

It is also meant to complement ongoing federal efforts to provide free COVID tests to long-term care facilities, schools, low-income senior housing, uninsured individuals and underserved communities which are already distributing 4 million per week and have distributed 500 million tests to date, the department said.

O’Connell said manufacturers would be able to spread out the 200 million tests they will produce for federal use over 18 months. That means that, as demand for home tests rises via the website or at U.S. retailers when COVID cases increase around the country, producers can focus on meeting those orders — but that they will then have an additional outlet for the tests they produce during period when demand declines.

“We’ve seen every winter, as people move indoors into heated spaces, away from the outside that, over each of the seasons that COVID’s been a concern, that we have seen cases go up," O'Connell said.

She added that also “there’s always an opportunity or chance for another variant to come” but “we’re not anticipating that.”

“That’s not why we’re doing this,” O'Connell said. "We’re doing this for the fall and winter season ahead and the potential for an increase in cases as a result.”

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said that the "Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing.”

“These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus," Becerra said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646323179957.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-afb3d15b59a0212d9297ed2794f91a2a">restarting a website</a>&nbsp;allowing Americans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-at-home-covid-tests-e98c4a7a4ee340345a5786c4c407c5fb">again order up to four free tests per household</a>&nbsp;— aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus cases</a>&nbsp;that has typically come during colder months.The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covid.gov/tests">COVIDTests.gov</a>&nbsp;starting Sept. 25, and that no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service.Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said. Federal officials said that will help guard against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-pandemics-ap-top-news-global-trade-fresno-4354f8e8026cf8135b74fa19f0d0f048">supply chain issues</a>&nbsp;that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases.Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, said the website will remain functional to receive orders through the holidays and “we reserve the right to keep it open even longer if we're starting to see an increase in cases.”“If there is a demand for these tests, we want to make sure that they're made available to the American people for free in this way,” O'Connell said. “But, at this point, our focus is getting through the holidays and making sure folks can take a test if they're going to see Grandma for Thanksgiving."The tests are designed to detect COVID variants currently circulating, and are intended for use by the end of the year. But they will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates, the department said.The initiative follows&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-home-test-78960c4c36422907a2eab3eb0dcdfadd">four previous rounds</a>&nbsp;where federal officials and the U.S. Postal Service provided more than 755 million tests for free to homes nationwide.It is also meant to complement ongoing federal efforts to provide free COVID tests to long-term care facilities, schools, low-income senior housing, uninsured individuals and underserved communities which are already distributing 4 million per week and have distributed 500 million tests to date, the department said.O’Connell said manufacturers would be able to spread out the 200 million tests they will produce for federal use over 18 months. That means that, as demand for home tests rises via the website or at U.S. retailers when COVID cases increase around the country, producers can focus on meeting those orders — but that they will then have an additional outlet for the tests they produce during period when demand declines.“We’ve seen every winter, as people move indoors into heated spaces, away from the outside that, over each of the seasons that COVID’s been a concern, that we have seen cases go up," O'Connell said.She added that also “there’s always an opportunity or chance for another variant to come” but “we’re not anticipating that.”“That’s not why we’re doing this,” O'Connell said. "We’re doing this for the fall and winter season ahead and the potential for an increase in cases as a result.”HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said that the "Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing.”“These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus," Becerra said in a statement.

Biden admin. spending $600M to produce new COVID tests

Nebraska Department of Transportation

Sept. 20, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) — On Sept. 15, 2023, Governor Jim Pillen signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 18-24, 2023, as Rail Safety Week in Nebraska. A tie-in with the national campaign emphasizing the need for awareness and caution when walking, cycling or driving on or around railroad tracks, this year’s theme is “Stop Track Tragedies” with efforts aimed to avoid preventable crashes.&nbsp;

In 2022, 984 people were killed or injured nationwide in vehicle-train collisions, with 24 of those in Nebraska. Another 1,097 were killed or injured nationwide while walking on or around railroad tracks, with 11 of those in Nebraska. Across the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every three hours.&nbsp;

"Rail safety plays a critical role in the lives of those who work on our highways and railroads, the traveling public and our citizens," said Governor Pillen. "Nebraska remains committed to supporting these ongoing efforts to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries caused by rail-related incidents across our state.”&nbsp;

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is collaborating with a coalition of safety advocates, including Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the Rail Transportation Safety District (RTSD) and law enforcement to educate Nebraskans about railroad safety, as many incidents on railroad tracks and crossings are&nbsp; preventable.&nbsp;

Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit, public education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries on railroad tracks and at crossings. Their mission emphasizes education, enforcement and engineering to improve the safety of railroad crossings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I am proud of the partnerships we have with Operation Lifesaver, the RTSD and law enforcement as we work on our commitment to help educate and increase public safety on railroad tracks and crossings throughout Nebraska,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “It is important to continue to increase awareness as we work together to make all railroad crossings safe in Nebraska with zero fatalities.”&nbsp;

Check Operation Lifesaver’s Rail Safety Week for information on collaborative efforts to increase rail safety and ways to help stop track tragedies.

Nebraska Department of TransportationSept. 20, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) — On Sept. 15, 2023, Governor Jim Pillen signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 18-24, 2023, as Rail Safety Week in Nebraska. A tie-in with the national campaign emphasizing the need for awareness and caution when walking, cycling or driving on or around railroad tracks, this year’s theme is “Stop Track Tragedies” with efforts aimed to avoid preventable crashes.&nbsp;In 2022, 984 people were killed or injured nationwide in vehicle-train collisions, with 24 of those in Nebraska. Another 1,097 were killed or injured nationwide while walking on or around railroad tracks, with 11 of those in Nebraska. Across the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every three hours.&nbsp;"Rail safety plays a critical role in the lives of those who work on our highways and railroads, the traveling public and our citizens," said Governor Pillen. "Nebraska remains committed to supporting these ongoing efforts to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries caused by rail-related incidents across our state.”&nbsp;The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is collaborating with a coalition of safety advocates, including Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the Rail Transportation Safety District (RTSD) and law enforcement to educate Nebraskans about railroad safety, as many incidents on railroad tracks and crossings are&nbsp; preventable.&nbsp;Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit, public education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries on railroad tracks and at crossings. Their mission emphasizes education, enforcement and engineering to improve the safety of railroad crossings.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I am proud of the partnerships we have with Operation Lifesaver, the RTSD and law enforcement as we work on our commitment to help educate and increase public safety on railroad tracks and crossings throughout Nebraska,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “It is important to continue to increase awareness as we work together to make all railroad crossings safe in Nebraska with zero fatalities.”&nbsp;Check Operation Lifesaver’s Rail Safety Week for information on collaborative efforts to increase rail safety and ways to help stop track tragedies.

NDOT joins transportation partners in proclamation signing: Rail Safety Week is September 18-24 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for the second time in its past three meetings, a sign that it’s moderating its fight against inflation as price pressures have eased. But Fed officials also signaled that they expect to raise rates once more this year.

Consumer inflation has dropped from a year-over-year peak of 9.1% in June 2022 to 3.7%. Yet it’s still well above the Fed’s 2% target, and its policymakers made clear Wednesday that they aren’t close to declaring victory over the worst bout of inflation in 40 years. The Fed's latest decision left its benchmark rate at about 5.4%, the result of 11 rate hikes it unleashed beginning in March 2022.

The Fed’s hikes have significantly raised the costs of consumer and business loans. In fine-tuning its rate policies, the central bank is trying to guide the economy toward a tricky&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-economy-recession-c08901d250144a322f4c423517112e5e">“soft landing”</a>&nbsp;of cooling inflation without triggering a deep recession.

The Fed’s decisions Wednesday underscored that even while its policymakers approach a peak in their benchmark rate, they intend to keep it at or near its high for a prolonged period. Besides forecasting another hike by year’s end, the officials now envision keeping rates high deep into 2024.

They expect to cut interest rates just twice next year, fewer than the four rate cuts they had forecast in June. They predict that their key short-term rate will still be 5.1% at the end of 2024 — higher than it was from the 2008-2009 Great Recession until May of this year.

The policymakers' inclination to keep borrowing rates high for an extended period suggests that they remain concerned that inflation might not be falling fast enough toward their 2% target. The job market and the economy have remained resilient, confounding expectations that the Fed’s series of hikes would cause widespread layoffs and a recession.

“The process of getting inflation sustainably down to 2% has a long way to go," Chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference. “We’ve seen progress, and we welcome that, but we need to see more progress" before concluding that it's appropriate to end the rate hikes.

At the same time, Powell said he feels confident that the end of the rate-hiking cycle is near: “We’re fairly close, we think, to where we need to get.”

“We’re taking advantage of the fact that we moved quickly in the past, he added, to manage rates "a little more carefully now as we sort of find our way to the right level of restriction that we need to get inflation back down to 2%.”

Treasury yields moved sharply higher Wednesday after the Fed issued a statement after its latest policy meeting and updated its economic projections. The yield on the two-year Treasury note, which tends to track expectations of future Fed actions, spiked from 5.04% to 5.11%.

In their new quarterly projections, the policymakers estimate that the economy will grow faster this year and next year than they had previously envisioned. They now foresee growth reaching 2.1% this year, up from a 1% forecast in June, and 1.5% next year, up from their previous 1.1% forecast.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices and is considered a good predictor of future trends, is now expected to fall to 3.7% by year's end, better than the 3.9% forecast in June. Core inflation, under the Fed’s preferred measure, is now 4.2%.

The approach to rate increases the Fed is now taking reflects an awareness that the risks to the economy of raising rates too high is growing. Previously, the officials had focused more on the risks of not doing enough to slow inflation.

In generating sharply higher interest rates throughout the economy, the Fed has sought to slow borrowing — for houses, cars, home renovations, business investment and the like — to help ease spending, moderate the pace of growth and curb inflation.

Though clear progress on inflation has been achieved, gas prices have lurched higher again, reaching a national average of $3.88 a gallon as of Tuesday. Oil prices have surged more than 12% in just the past month.

And the economy is still expanding at a solid pace as Americans, buoyed by steady job growth and pay raises, have kept spending. Both trends could keep inflation and the Fed’s interest rates high enough and long enough to weaken household and corporate spending and the economy as a whole.

While overall inflation has declined, the costs of some services — from auto insurance and car repairs to veterinary services and hair salons — are still climbing faster than they were before the pandemic. Still, most recent data is pointing in the direction the Fed wants to see: Inflation in June and July, excluding volatile food and energy prices, posted its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-9ca16040f3824b498a7129e47b65f363/">two lowest monthly readings</a>&nbsp;in nearly two years.

And signs have grown that the job market isn’t as robust as it had been, which helps keep a check on inflation. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-9a0309b7644eb10f4069d9cab0d66687">pace of hiring has moderated</a>. The number of unfilled openings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-hiring-unemployment-economy-recession-be40718e68b9381d5925139d40e2fe8e">fell sharply in June and July</a>. And the number of Americans who have started seeking work has jumped. This has brought labor demand and supply into better balance and eased pressure on employers to raise pay to attract and keep workers – a trend that can lead them to raise prices to offset higher labor costs.

Still, the path back to lower inflation has become more uneven: On a monthly basis, consumer prices jumped 0.6% in August, the most in more than a year. Compared with a year earlier, prices rose 3.7%, the second straight such increase.

And some factors are threatening to re-ignite inflation, weaken the economy, or both. Rising oil prices, for example, are making gasoline steadily more expensive. Should that trend continue, it would worsen inflation and leave consumers with less money to spend. Even the so-far limited strike by the United Auto Workers union against the Big 3 U.S. automakers could eventually further inflate vehicle prices.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for the second time in its past three meetings, a sign that it’s moderating its fight against inflation as price pressures have eased. But Fed officials also signaled that they expect to raise rates once more this year.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announces a pause in interest rate hike: &quot;We decided to leave our policy interest rate unchanged....&quot; <a href="https://t.co/nNYKGIzc8d">pic.twitter.com/nNYKGIzc8d</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1704571273844605214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Consumer inflation has dropped from a year-over-year peak of 9.1% in June 2022 to 3.7%. Yet it’s still well above the Fed’s 2% target, and its policymakers made clear Wednesday that they aren’t close to declaring victory over the worst bout of inflation in 40 years. The Fed's latest decision left its benchmark rate at about 5.4%, the result of 11 rate hikes it unleashed beginning in March 2022.The Fed’s hikes have significantly raised the costs of consumer and business loans. In fine-tuning its rate policies, the central bank is trying to guide the economy toward a tricky&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-economy-recession-c08901d250144a322f4c423517112e5e">“soft landing”</a>&nbsp;of cooling inflation without triggering a deep recession.The Fed’s decisions Wednesday underscored that even while its policymakers approach a peak in their benchmark rate, they intend to keep it at or near its high for a prolonged period. Besides forecasting another hike by year’s end, the officials now envision keeping rates high deep into 2024.They expect to cut interest rates just twice next year, fewer than the four rate cuts they had forecast in June. They predict that their key short-term rate will still be 5.1% at the end of 2024 — higher than it was from the 2008-2009 Great Recession until May of this year.The policymakers' inclination to keep borrowing rates high for an extended period suggests that they remain concerned that inflation might not be falling fast enough toward their 2% target. The job market and the economy have remained resilient, confounding expectations that the Fed’s series of hikes would cause widespread layoffs and a recession.“The process of getting inflation sustainably down to 2% has a long way to go," Chair Jerome Powell said at a news conference. “We’ve seen progress, and we welcome that, but we need to see more progress" before concluding that it's appropriate to end the rate hikes.At the same time, Powell said he feels confident that the end of the rate-hiking cycle is near: “We’re fairly close, we think, to where we need to get.”“We’re taking advantage of the fact that we moved quickly in the past, he added, to manage rates "a little more carefully now as we sort of find our way to the right level of restriction that we need to get inflation back down to 2%.”Treasury yields moved sharply higher Wednesday after the Fed issued a statement after its latest policy meeting and updated its economic projections. The yield on the two-year Treasury note, which tends to track expectations of future Fed actions, spiked from 5.04% to 5.11%.In their new quarterly projections, the policymakers estimate that the economy will grow faster this year and next year than they had previously envisioned. They now foresee growth reaching 2.1% this year, up from a 1% forecast in June, and 1.5% next year, up from their previous 1.1% forecast.Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices and is considered a good predictor of future trends, is now expected to fall to 3.7% by year's end, better than the 3.9% forecast in June. Core inflation, under the Fed’s preferred measure, is now 4.2%.The approach to rate increases the Fed is now taking reflects an awareness that the risks to the economy of raising rates too high is growing. Previously, the officials had focused more on the risks of not doing enough to slow inflation.In generating sharply higher interest rates throughout the economy, the Fed has sought to slow borrowing — for houses, cars, home renovations, business investment and the like — to help ease spending, moderate the pace of growth and curb inflation.Though clear progress on inflation has been achieved, gas prices have lurched higher again, reaching a national average of $3.88 a gallon as of Tuesday. Oil prices have surged more than 12% in just the past month.And the economy is still expanding at a solid pace as Americans, buoyed by steady job growth and pay raises, have kept spending. Both trends could keep inflation and the Fed’s interest rates high enough and long enough to weaken household and corporate spending and the economy as a whole.While overall inflation has declined, the costs of some services — from auto insurance and car repairs to veterinary services and hair salons — are still climbing faster than they were before the pandemic. Still, most recent data is pointing in the direction the Fed wants to see: Inflation in June and July, excluding volatile food and energy prices, posted its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-9ca16040f3824b498a7129e47b65f363/">two lowest monthly readings</a>&nbsp;in nearly two years.And signs have grown that the job market isn’t as robust as it had been, which helps keep a check on inflation. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-9a0309b7644eb10f4069d9cab0d66687">pace of hiring has moderated</a>. The number of unfilled openings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-hiring-unemployment-economy-recession-be40718e68b9381d5925139d40e2fe8e">fell sharply in June and July</a>. And the number of Americans who have started seeking work has jumped. This has brought labor demand and supply into better balance and eased pressure on employers to raise pay to attract and keep workers – a trend that can lead them to raise prices to offset higher labor costs.Still, the path back to lower inflation has become more uneven: On a monthly basis, consumer prices jumped 0.6% in August, the most in more than a year. Compared with a year earlier, prices rose 3.7%, the second straight such increase.And some factors are threatening to re-ignite inflation, weaken the economy, or both. Rising oil prices, for example, are making gasoline steadily more expensive. Should that trend continue, it would worsen inflation and leave consumers with less money to spend. Even the so-far limited strike by the United Auto Workers union against the Big 3 U.S. automakers could eventually further inflate vehicle prices.

🎥Good news for borrowers: Fed declines to hike interest rates

(LINCOLN, Neb. September 20, 2023) – Governor Jim&nbsp;Pillen&nbsp;is calling attention to the importance of saving for a loved one’s future education by issuing a proclamation recognizing September as College Savings Month in Nebraska. Through this proclamation, parents and guardians are reminded of the value of saving.

The State of Nebraska understands the challenges that parents, grandparents, caregivers, and legal guardians face when trying to support loved ones’ future education. By acknowledging September as College Savings Month and facilitating access to post-secondary education, the State is encouraging children to soar toward their dreams.

In conjunction with College Savings Month, we hope that parents and guardians will take this opportunity to sit down with their loved ones to discuss how a 529 education savings plan can help them reach their goals.

Higher education costs continue to rise above the rate of inflation1&nbsp;and extend beyond just tuition and board to include books, laptops and institution fees. Scholarships and grants can only help cover some of those expenses. According to the non-profit,&nbsp;<a href="https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing" target="_blank">College Board</a>, in 2022-23, the average yearly costs2&nbsp;of higher education tuition and fees for a full-time student are as follows:

A&nbsp;NEST 529&nbsp;Plan is a&nbsp;tax-advantaged account for higher education expenses.&nbsp;NEST 529 Education Savings Plans can be used for everything from four-year universities to two-year technical schools. Opening a NEST 529 account doesn’t require a minimum deposit to get started, and contributions can be managed online. Account Owners in Nebraska may be eligible for an annual state income tax deduction of up to $10,000 for NEST 529 contributions or $5,000 if married filing separately.3&nbsp;Plus, any earnings growtax-free, and qualified withdrawals may be free from federal and state income tax.4

Parents and guardians may not know what their child’s future has in store, but a little planning today goes a long way toward their success. Plans allow families to start investing in their child’s future so they can soar toward their goals. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nest529.com/" target="_blank">NEST529.com</a>&nbsp;to read more about the benefits of a NEST 529 Education Savings Plan.

The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as the Program Trustee. All investments, including the portfolio structure offered through the NEST 529 program, are vetted and approved by the Nebraska Investment Council.

(LINCOLN, Neb. September 20, 2023) – Governor Jim&nbsp;Pillen&nbsp;is calling attention to the importance of saving for a loved one’s future education by issuing a proclamation recognizing September as College Savings Month in Nebraska. Through this proclamation, parents and guardians are reminded of the value of saving.The State of Nebraska understands the challenges that parents, grandparents, caregivers, and legal guardians face when trying to support loved ones’ future education. By acknowledging September as College Savings Month and facilitating access to post-secondary education, the State is encouraging children to soar toward their dreams.In conjunction with College Savings Month, we hope that parents and guardians will take this opportunity to sit down with their loved ones to discuss how a 529 education savings plan can help them reach their goals.Higher education costs continue to rise above the rate of inflation1&nbsp;and extend beyond just tuition and board to include books, laptops and institution fees. Scholarships and grants can only help cover some of those expenses. According to the non-profit,&nbsp;<a href="https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing" target="_blank">College Board</a>, in 2022-23, the average yearly costs2&nbsp;of higher education tuition and fees for a full-time student are as follows:<ul>
 <li>Public two year: $3,860</li><li>Public four year in-state: $10,940</li><li>Public four year out-of-state: $28,240</li><li>Private nonprofit four year: $39,400</li>
 </ul>A&nbsp;NEST 529&nbsp;Plan is a&nbsp;tax-advantaged account for higher education expenses.&nbsp;NEST 529 Education Savings Plans can be used for everything from four-year universities to two-year technical schools. Opening a NEST 529 account doesn’t require a minimum deposit to get started, and contributions can be managed online. Account Owners in Nebraska may be eligible for an annual state income tax deduction of up to $10,000 for NEST 529 contributions or $5,000 if married filing separately.3&nbsp;Plus, any earnings growtax-free, and qualified withdrawals may be free from federal and state income tax.4Parents and guardians may not know what their child’s future has in store, but a little planning today goes a long way toward their success. Plans allow families to start investing in their child’s future so they can soar toward their goals. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nest529.com/" target="_blank">NEST529.com</a>&nbsp;to read more about the benefits of a NEST 529 Education Savings Plan.The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as the Program Trustee. All investments, including the portfolio structure offered through the NEST 529 program, are vetted and approved by the Nebraska Investment Council.

Start Saving for Education this College Savings Month

KANSAS CITY —The strike by members of the United Auto Workers is expanding to Kansas City.

General Motors announced Wednesday afternoon they are going to stop work at the Fairfax plant in Kansas City due to the walkout at the Wentzville, Missouri plant.

Workers at the&nbsp;Kansas City plant&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.

“It is unfortunate that the UAW leadership’s decision to call a strike at Wentzville Assembly has already had a negative ripple effect with GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas being idled today and most of its represented team members leaving the plant as there is no work available,” according to the statement from the Fairfax plant.

“This is due to a shortage of critical stampings supplied by Wentzville’s stamping operations to Fairfax. The team members at Fairfax are not expected to return until the situation has been resolved. Due to the specific circumstances of this situation, impacted employees are not eligible for company-provided SUB-pay.”

"We have said repeatedly that nobody wins in a strike, and that effects go well beyond our employees on the plant floor and negatively impact our customers, suppliers and the communities where we do business, such as in greater Kansas City,” Harvey stated. “What happened to our Fairfax team members is a clear and immediate demonstration of that fact. We will continue to bargain in good faith with the union to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.”

The UAW is seeking wage increases of more than 30% over four years and other sweeteners. The union says workers deserve a bigger share of record profits that the companies posted as prices rose sharply on strong consumer demand and a limited supply of vehicles because of chip shortages and other issues.

The companies say they can't afford to meet the UAW's demands because they must invest those profits to help them make the transition to electric vehicles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695067603080.png" alt="Union members on picket lines in Missouri Tuesday-image UAW" />
 <figcaption>Union members on picket lines in Missouri Tuesday-image UAW</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The strike by members of the United Auto Workers is expanding to Kansas City.General Motors announced Wednesday afternoon they are going to stop work at the Fairfax plant in Kansas City due to the walkout at the Wentzville, Missouri plant.Workers at the&nbsp;Kansas City plant&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUAWLocal249%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02s6ktjMTcWU4F8Wi1bsxQcrRCwkmuHGnHGXSGGCgqLnn28gRbDD3iuZEYtng2gDXwl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="411" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>“It is unfortunate that the UAW leadership’s decision to call a strike at Wentzville Assembly has already had a negative ripple effect with GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas being idled today and most of its represented team members leaving the plant as there is no work available,” according to the statement from the Fairfax plant.“This is due to a shortage of critical stampings supplied by Wentzville’s stamping operations to Fairfax. The team members at Fairfax are not expected to return until the situation has been resolved. Due to the specific circumstances of this situation, impacted employees are not eligible for company-provided SUB-pay.”"We have said repeatedly that nobody wins in a strike, and that effects go well beyond our employees on the plant floor and negatively impact our customers, suppliers and the communities where we do business, such as in greater Kansas City,” Harvey stated. “What happened to our Fairfax team members is a clear and immediate demonstration of that fact. We will continue to bargain in good faith with the union to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.”The UAW is seeking wage increases of more than 30% over four years and other sweeteners. The union says workers deserve a bigger share of record profits that the companies posted as prices rose sharply on strong consumer demand and a limited supply of vehicles because of chip shortages and other issues.The companies say they can't afford to meet the UAW's demands because they must invest those profits to help them make the transition to electric vehicles.

🎥 GM plant in Kansas City goes idle amid UAW strike

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/20/unl-obtains-collection-of-papers-of-beatrice-born-poet-writer-artist-and-musician/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — During his life, Beatrice-born Weldon Kees ran with the hip crowd of writers, artists and musicians in New York City and San Fransisco.

His own Beat-era poetry, writings and paintings won acclaim before he disappeared, amid a battle with depression, into the fog at the Golden Gate Bridge in July 1955. It was a presumed suicide.

On Wednesday, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced the acquisition of a collection of Kees papers that were in the possession of a friend and collaborator, Michael Grieg.

The collection includes 12 diaries, manuscripts, audiotapes of Kees’ radio show, photographs and letters.

Obtaining the papers was hailed as a significant addition to the Kees materials and collections already held by both Archives &amp; Special Collections at UNL and the Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at the Lincoln City Libraries.

“This acquisition helps Lincoln, Nebraska, become a central destination for the study of Kees, a figure whose fascinating life and work is worthy of more attention,” said Melanie Griffin, chair of Archives &amp; Special Collections, in a press release.

Kees grew up in Beatrice — his playmates included actor Robert Taylor — and graduated from UNL in 1935.

He was a Renaissance man whose creative outlets included poetry, abstract painting, jazz, photography, radio broadcasting, playwriting and filmmaking.&nbsp;His poetry appeared regularly in The New Yorker magazine, and his 1943 book of poetry, “The Last Man,” has been recognized as an important work of that era.

He ran with the hip crowd of the day, including painter Willem de Koonig, film critic Pauline Kael, author Saul Bellow and the founder of the City Lights Bookstore, Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

The acquisition was made possible by a donation from the Herbert T. Weston Jr. and Marian S. Weston Foundation. The Westons, who knew Kees, were lifelong residents of Beatrice.

“My grandmother used to sit on the porch with ‘Weldie,’ as she used to call him, and talk for hours at a time,” said Matt Cohen, the president of the family foundation and a UNL English professor.

“She enjoyed his work,” Cohen said. “We donated her collection of his materials to the Archives &amp; Special Collections a few years ago and are happy to be able to be in the position to assist with the acquisition and the intake and cataloguing of this new collection.”

Cohen describes Kees as a “restless aesthetic figure,” who was always seeking, exploring and trying to get in touch with the explorer in all of us.

“His significance has to do with Kees’ origins in Nebraska and his place in the pantheon of figures, writers and artists from Nebraska who’ve influenced their fields,” he said.

&nbsp;“It shows the colossal creativity that emerges from this place,” Cohen added.&nbsp;

The UNL Archives &amp; Special Collections holds manuscripts, university records and rare book collections. Its reading room is open by appointment only. Visits can be scheduled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://libraries.unl.edu/schedule-plan-your-visit">online</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695221196684.jpeg" alt="Portrait of Weldon Kees (Courtesy of Weldon Kees, Papers, Archives &amp; Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)" />
 <figcaption>Portrait of Weldon Kees (Courtesy of Weldon Kees, Papers, Archives &amp; Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/20/unl-obtains-collection-of-papers-of-beatrice-born-poet-writer-artist-and-musician/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — During his life, Beatrice-born Weldon Kees ran with the hip crowd of writers, artists and musicians in New York City and San Fransisco.His own Beat-era poetry, writings and paintings won acclaim before he disappeared, amid a battle with depression, into the fog at the Golden Gate Bridge in July 1955. It was a presumed suicide.On Wednesday, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced the acquisition of a collection of Kees papers that were in the possession of a friend and collaborator, Michael Grieg.<h2>Radio show recordings</h2>The collection includes 12 diaries, manuscripts, audiotapes of Kees’ radio show, photographs and letters.Obtaining the papers was hailed as a significant addition to the Kees materials and collections already held by both Archives &amp; Special Collections at UNL and the Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors at the Lincoln City Libraries.“This acquisition helps Lincoln, Nebraska, become a central destination for the study of Kees, a figure whose fascinating life and work is worthy of more attention,” said Melanie Griffin, chair of Archives &amp; Special Collections, in a press release.Kees grew up in Beatrice — his playmates included actor Robert Taylor — and graduated from UNL in 1935.He was a Renaissance man whose creative outlets included poetry, abstract painting, jazz, photography, radio broadcasting, playwriting and filmmaking.&nbsp;His poetry appeared regularly in The New Yorker magazine, and his 1943 book of poetry, “The Last Man,” has been recognized as an important work of that era.He ran with the hip crowd of the day, including painter Willem de Koonig, film critic Pauline Kael, author Saul Bellow and the founder of the City Lights Bookstore, Lawrence Ferlinghetti.The acquisition was made possible by a donation from the Herbert T. Weston Jr. and Marian S. Weston Foundation. The Westons, who knew Kees, were lifelong residents of Beatrice.<h2>Donors knew Kees</h2>“My grandmother used to sit on the porch with ‘Weldie,’ as she used to call him, and talk for hours at a time,” said Matt Cohen, the president of the family foundation and a UNL English professor.“She enjoyed his work,” Cohen said. “We donated her collection of his materials to the Archives &amp; Special Collections a few years ago and are happy to be able to be in the position to assist with the acquisition and the intake and cataloguing of this new collection.”Cohen describes Kees as a “restless aesthetic figure,” who was always seeking, exploring and trying to get in touch with the explorer in all of us.“His significance has to do with Kees’ origins in Nebraska and his place in the pantheon of figures, writers and artists from Nebraska who’ve influenced their fields,” he said.&nbsp;“It shows the colossal creativity that emerges from this place,” Cohen added.&nbsp;The UNL Archives &amp; Special Collections holds manuscripts, university records and rare book collections. Its reading room is open by appointment only. Visits can be scheduled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://libraries.unl.edu/schedule-plan-your-visit">online</a>.&nbsp;

UNL obtains collection of papers of Beatrice-born poet, writer, artist and musician

Kraft Heinz said Tuesday it's recalling more than 83,000 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices because part of the wrapper could stick to the slice and become a choking hazard.

The company, which is based in Chicago and Pittsburgh, said one of its wrapping machines developed a temporary issue that makes it possible for a thin strip of film to remain on the slice even after it's been removed from the wrapper. The machine has since been fixed.

Kraft Heinz said it initiated the voluntary recall after it received several consumer complaints. In six cases, people said the issue caused gagging or choking, but no injuries or serious health issues have been reported, Kraft Heinz said.

The recall affects 16-ounce Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 10, 2024, and Jan. 27, 2024. Also included in the recall are 3-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 9, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695219914760.png" alt="Photo Kraft Heinz" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kraft Heinz</figcaption>
 </figure>Kraft Heinz said Tuesday it's recalling more than 83,000 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices because part of the wrapper could stick to the slice and become a choking hazard.The company, which is based in Chicago and Pittsburgh, said one of its wrapping machines developed a temporary issue that makes it possible for a thin strip of film to remain on the slice even after it's been removed from the wrapper. The machine has since been fixed.Kraft Heinz said it initiated the voluntary recall after it received several consumer complaints. In six cases, people said the issue caused gagging or choking, but no injuries or serious health issues have been reported, Kraft Heinz said.The recall affects 16-ounce Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 10, 2024, and Jan. 27, 2024. Also included in the recall are 3-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 9, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2024.

Kraft issues recall of processed American cheese slices

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has declared September as National Preparedness Month in Nebraska. He is reminding all Nebraskans how important it is for individuals, families, and communities to prepare&nbsp;for disasters and emergencies.&nbsp;

“Working together, we can build a prepared and resilient Nebraska,” Gov. Pillen said. “While it’s important for all of us to be ready when disaster strikes, this year, the National Preparedness Month campaign is focused on providing information and resources to empower older adults as they make their preparations.”

“The state’s local emergency managers and NEMA have plans to address a wide range of natural and man-made disasters, but individuals and families must be prepared to assume a role in personal health and safety emergency preparedness as well,” said NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis.

“Plans should include where to meet if a home is destroyed and how family members would contact each other should phone service be out,” Portis said. “For instance, texting often works when phone calls don’t.”

Emergency managers recommend that individuals be prepared to shelter in place for a minimum of three days. Emergency workers may have a large number of people to reach in a disaster and the health of everyone could very well depend on the kit or plan Nebraskans have developed before a major disaster occurs.

To drive home preparation planning, Gov. Pillen signed a proclamation on Sept. 15, marking September as&nbsp;National Preparedness Month.

Visit NEMA’s website at:&nbsp;<a href="https://nema.nebraska.gov/assets/files/preparedness/preparedness-kit.pdf" target="_blank">https://nema.nebraska.gov/assets/files/preparedness/preparedness-kit.pdf</a>&nbsp;for a checklist of items to include in your Family Preparedness Kit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695215291587.jpeg" alt="Gov. Pillen and representatives from NEMA at the proclamation signing on September 15." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Pillen and representatives from NEMA at the proclamation signing on September 15.</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has declared September as National Preparedness Month in Nebraska. He is reminding all Nebraskans how important it is for individuals, families, and communities to prepare&nbsp;for disasters and emergencies.&nbsp;“Working together, we can build a prepared and resilient Nebraska,” Gov. Pillen said. “While it’s important for all of us to be ready when disaster strikes, this year, the National Preparedness Month campaign is focused on providing information and resources to empower older adults as they make their preparations.”“The state’s local emergency managers and NEMA have plans to address a wide range of natural and man-made disasters, but individuals and families must be prepared to assume a role in personal health and safety emergency preparedness as well,” said NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis.“Plans should include where to meet if a home is destroyed and how family members would contact each other should phone service be out,” Portis said. “For instance, texting often works when phone calls don’t.”Emergency managers recommend that individuals be prepared to shelter in place for a minimum of three days. Emergency workers may have a large number of people to reach in a disaster and the health of everyone could very well depend on the kit or plan Nebraskans have developed before a major disaster occurs.To drive home preparation planning, Gov. Pillen signed a proclamation on Sept. 15, marking September as&nbsp;National Preparedness Month.Visit NEMA’s website at:&nbsp;<a href="https://nema.nebraska.gov/assets/files/preparedness/preparedness-kit.pdf" target="_blank">https://nema.nebraska.gov/assets/files/preparedness/preparedness-kit.pdf</a>&nbsp;for a checklist of items to include in your Family Preparedness Kit.

Governor Pillen Declares September as National Preparedness Month in Nebraska

WASHINGTON (AP) — The stuffy Senate is now a bit less formal.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that staff for the chamber’s Sergeant-at-Arms — the Senate’s official clothes police — will no longer enforce a dress code on the Senate floor. The change comes after Pennsylvania&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fetterman-depression-senate-return-hoodies-shorts-771886ba8f3caee9be9674d186cd656b" target="_blank">Sen. John Fetterman</a>&nbsp;has been unapologetically wearing shorts as he goes about his duties, voting from doorways so he doesn’t get in trouble for his more casual attire.

“There has been an informal dress code that was enforced,” Schumer said in a statement. “Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.”

Schumer did not mention Fetterman in his statement about the dress code, which will only apply to senators, not staff.

The changes prompted outrage from some of the chamber’s more formal members, eroding a bit of the good will that first-term Fetterman had earned earlier this year when he checked himself into the hospital for clinical depression. He won bipartisan praise for being honest about his diagnosis, which came in the wake of a stroke he suffered on the campaign trail last year. When he returned from treatment, he started donning the more casual clothes, which he says make him more comfortable.

Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall said it’s a “sad day in the Senate” and that the people who Fetterman and Schumer represent should be embarrassed.

“I represent the people of Kansas, and much like when I get dressed up to go to a wedding, it’s to honor the bride and groom, you go to a funeral you get dressed up to honor the family of the deceased,” Marshall said. Senators should have a certain level of decorum, he added.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine agreed, arguing that the relaxed rules debase the institution of the Senate. “I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow to the Senate floor,” Collins joked.

Walking to Monday evening’s vote in a short-sleeved button-down shirt and shorts, Fetterman said he wasn’t sure if he’d take advantage of the new rules just yet.

“It’s nice to have the option, but I’m going to plan to be using it sparingly and not really overusing it,” he said.

Asked about the criticism, Fetterman feigned mock outrage.

“They’re freaking out, I don’t understand it,” he said of his critics. “Like, aren’t there more important things we should be working on right now instead of, you know, that I might be dressing like a slob?”

When Fetterman reached the Senate floor, he still voted from the doorway. “Baby steps,” he told reporters as he got on the elevator to go back to his office.

Not all Republicans were upset about the change. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was wearing jeans, boots and no tie on Monday evening, an outfit he says he normally wears when he flies in from his home state for the first votes of the week.

“Now I can vote from the Senate floor on Mondays,” Hawley said, noting that he usually wears a suit and tie every other day.

Nearby, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy was also tieless. The Democrat said he’s been reprimanded by Sergeant-at-Arms staff in the past for not wearing a tie on the floor.

“They would tell us when we were doing it wrong,” Murphy said.

It’s unclear if the rules for more formal attire were actually written down anywhere, but Schumer’s directive means that staff will no longer scold senators for their choice of clothing or ask them to vote from the doorway.

For Fetterman, his signature hoodies and gym shorts were a sign of his recovery. Before he checked himself into the hospital, his staff had asked him to always wear suits, which he famously hates. But after a check with the Senate parliamentarian upon his return in April, it became clear that he could continue wearing the casual clothes that were often his uniform back at home in Pennsylvania, as long as he didn’t walk on to the Senate floor. He still wears suits to committee meetings when they are required.

In recent weeks, the Pennsylvania senator has become more comfortable joking around in the hallways and answering reporters’ questions. His words are still halting sometimes due to his stroke and an auditory processing disorder that makes it harder to speak fluidly and process spoken conversation. He uses iPads and iPhones in conversations that transcribe spoken words in real time.

“I think we should all want to be more comfortable,” Fetterman told a group of reporters on Monday. “And now we have that option, and if people prefer to wear a suit, then that’s great.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695136551099.png" alt="Senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and&nbsp; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania during a news conference in May -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and&nbsp; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania during a news conference in May -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The stuffy Senate is now a bit less formal.Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that staff for the chamber’s Sergeant-at-Arms — the Senate’s official clothes police — will no longer enforce a dress code on the Senate floor. The change comes after Pennsylvania&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fetterman-depression-senate-return-hoodies-shorts-771886ba8f3caee9be9674d186cd656b" target="_blank">Sen. John Fetterman</a>&nbsp;has been unapologetically wearing shorts as he goes about his duties, voting from doorways so he doesn’t get in trouble for his more casual attire.“There has been an informal dress code that was enforced,” Schumer said in a statement. “Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.”Schumer did not mention Fetterman in his statement about the dress code, which will only apply to senators, not staff.The changes prompted outrage from some of the chamber’s more formal members, eroding a bit of the good will that first-term Fetterman had earned earlier this year when he checked himself into the hospital for clinical depression. He won bipartisan praise for being honest about his diagnosis, which came in the wake of a stroke he suffered on the campaign trail last year. When he returned from treatment, he started donning the more casual clothes, which he says make him more comfortable.Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall said it’s a “sad day in the Senate” and that the people who Fetterman and Schumer represent should be embarrassed.“I represent the people of Kansas, and much like when I get dressed up to go to a wedding, it’s to honor the bride and groom, you go to a funeral you get dressed up to honor the family of the deceased,” Marshall said. Senators should have a certain level of decorum, he added.Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine agreed, arguing that the relaxed rules debase the institution of the Senate. “I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow to the Senate floor,” Collins joked.Walking to Monday evening’s vote in a short-sleeved button-down shirt and shorts, Fetterman said he wasn’t sure if he’d take advantage of the new rules just yet.“It’s nice to have the option, but I’m going to plan to be using it sparingly and not really overusing it,” he said.Asked about the criticism, Fetterman feigned mock outrage.“They’re freaking out, I don’t understand it,” he said of his critics. “Like, aren’t there more important things we should be working on right now instead of, you know, that I might be dressing like a slob?”When Fetterman reached the Senate floor, he still voted from the doorway. “Baby steps,” he told reporters as he got on the elevator to go back to his office.Not all Republicans were upset about the change. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was wearing jeans, boots and no tie on Monday evening, an outfit he says he normally wears when he flies in from his home state for the first votes of the week.“Now I can vote from the Senate floor on Mondays,” Hawley said, noting that he usually wears a suit and tie every other day.Nearby, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy was also tieless. The Democrat said he’s been reprimanded by Sergeant-at-Arms staff in the past for not wearing a tie on the floor.“They would tell us when we were doing it wrong,” Murphy said.It’s unclear if the rules for more formal attire were actually written down anywhere, but Schumer’s directive means that staff will no longer scold senators for their choice of clothing or ask them to vote from the doorway.For Fetterman, his signature hoodies and gym shorts were a sign of his recovery. Before he checked himself into the hospital, his staff had asked him to always wear suits, which he famously hates. But after a check with the Senate parliamentarian upon his return in April, it became clear that he could continue wearing the casual clothes that were often his uniform back at home in Pennsylvania, as long as he didn’t walk on to the Senate floor. He still wears suits to committee meetings when they are required.In recent weeks, the Pennsylvania senator has become more comfortable joking around in the hallways and answering reporters’ questions. His words are still halting sometimes due to his stroke and an auditory processing disorder that makes it harder to speak fluidly and process spoken conversation. He uses iPads and iPhones in conversations that transcribe spoken words in real time.“I think we should all want to be more comfortable,” Fetterman told a group of reporters on Monday. “And now we have that option, and if people prefer to wear a suit, then that’s great.”

Kansas Senator: Sad day as U.S. Senate ditches dress code

David’s Cookies is recalling 960 units of&nbsp;“Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake”&nbsp;lot # BS23212 that has been sold in Walmart retail stores across the country, according to a statement from the FDA.

This recall is due to that the 960 units of “Marketside Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake”&nbsp;were mislabeled with a label as&nbsp;“Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake”&nbsp;a name that does not depict peanut as a key ingredient and does not declare the peanut allergen warning on the label.

The product is in a 7-ounce, clear plastic package marked with lot # BS23212 on the top of the package. Photo below:

No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date in connection with this mislabel. If there are any consumers with concerns about illness or injury associated with this product, please contact a physician immediately.

Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused at the labeling and packaging stage.

In coordination with Walmart, they have blocked all&nbsp;Marketside Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake&nbsp;and&nbsp;Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake&nbsp;from their distribution centers and store registers, so no consumer is able to purchase either of these products until further investigation and resolutions have been completed by David’s Cookies and Walmart.

Consumers who have purchased the 7.9 oz&nbsp;Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake, lot # BS23212, are urged to return them to the location of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact David’s Cookies at 800-500-2800. Business hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 am, DST Eastern time zone.

The Walmart distribution center distributing the mislabeled product has been identified and David’s Cookies and Walmart will continue to work to correct the situation and prevent further shipments to stores.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695204304001.png" alt="photo FDA" />
 <figcaption>photo FDA</figcaption>
 </figure>David’s Cookies is recalling 960 units of&nbsp;“Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake”&nbsp;lot # BS23212 that has been sold in Walmart retail stores across the country, according to a statement from the FDA.This recall is due to that the 960 units of “Marketside Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake”&nbsp;were mislabeled with a label as&nbsp;“Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake”&nbsp;a name that does not depict peanut as a key ingredient and does not declare the peanut allergen warning on the label.The product is in a 7-ounce, clear plastic package marked with lot # BS23212 on the top of the package. Photo below:No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date in connection with this mislabel. If there are any consumers with concerns about illness or injury associated with this product, please contact a physician immediately.Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused at the labeling and packaging stage.In coordination with Walmart, they have blocked all&nbsp;Marketside Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake&nbsp;and&nbsp;Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake&nbsp;from their distribution centers and store registers, so no consumer is able to purchase either of these products until further investigation and resolutions have been completed by David’s Cookies and Walmart.Consumers who have purchased the 7.9 oz&nbsp;Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake, lot # BS23212, are urged to return them to the location of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact David’s Cookies at 800-500-2800. Business hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 am, DST Eastern time zone.The Walmart distribution center distributing the mislabeled product has been identified and David’s Cookies and Walmart will continue to work to correct the situation and prevent further shipments to stores.

Recall: Cake sold at Walmart stores nationwide

BOSTON (AP) — The family of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly discovered an iPhone taped to the back of a toilet seat on a recent flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston said they believe it was put there to record her by a member of the crew.

During the Sept. 2 American Airlines flight 1441, the girl was told by a male member of the crew to use the first-class bathroom. The crew member entered just before the 14-year-old, told her the seat was broken but not to worry about it and then re-entered the bathroom after she left, her family said in a written statement.

After using the toilet, the girl realized that a largely obscured iPhone had been affixed to the back of the toilet seat, apparently to record her. She took a picture of this with her own phone before leaving the bathroom.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695152869974.jpeg" alt="American Airlines planes are parked at Pittsburgh International Airport on March 31, 2020, in Imperial, Pa. The family of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly discovered an iPhone taped to the back of a toilet seat on a Sept. 2, 2023, flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston said they believe she was targeted by a member of the crew. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)" />
 <figcaption>American Airlines planes are parked at Pittsburgh International Airport on March 31, 2020, in Imperial, Pa. The family of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly discovered an iPhone taped to the back of a toilet seat on a Sept. 2, 2023, flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston said they believe she was targeted by a member of the crew. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — The family of a 14-year-old girl who allegedly discovered an iPhone taped to the back of a toilet seat on a recent flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Boston said they believe it was put there to record her by a member of the crew.During the Sept. 2 American Airlines flight 1441, the girl was told by a male member of the crew to use the first-class bathroom. The crew member entered just before the 14-year-old, told her the seat was broken but not to worry about it and then re-entered the bathroom after she left, her family said in a written statement.After using the toilet, the girl realized that a largely obscured iPhone had been affixed to the back of the toilet seat, apparently to record her. She took a picture of this with her own phone before leaving the bathroom.“These events have left our daughter — and entire family — shocked and profoundly disturbed,” the family wrote in a statement.Paul Llewellyn, a lawyer representing the family, said they have not yet filed a lawsuit.Law enforcement officers met the plane at the gate after it landed. Massachusetts State Police escorted a flight attendant off the flight.State police later deferred to the FBI as the primary investigating agency because the episode happened in the air, where the FBI has jurisdiction.An FBI spokesperson declined comment via email.