<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/18/pillen-pushes-school-boards-to-slow-spending-to-ease-property-taxes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen doubled down last week on his effort to curb higher spending by local school districts after the state invested in a tax shift meant to ease property tax bills.

Pillen sent a letter Wednesday to every school board member in the state, the Governor’s Office confirmed. He repeated his push to restrain spending that echoed his Sept. 1 call with superintendents.&nbsp;

Several board members said privately that schools are spending more because of inflationary costs, not greed. One described what the governor is doing as “bullying.” Board members declined to be quoted by name, citing fear of retribution.&nbsp;

Pillen’s letter urges school board members to use all but a sliver of the Legislature’s new $300 million investment in K-12 schools as he and state senators intended — for property tax relief, not for new spending.

“1. Are you collecting more in property taxes this year compared to last year? 2. Are you getting more in revenue authority than you currently need?”

If school districts collect more in property taxes this year over last year while accepting more money from the state, they are “operating contrary to the intent of the law,” Pillen writes.

Districts rushing to exceed the new law’s 3% a year cap on revenue authority without urgent needs are “working against the intent of the current state funding formula,” the letter says.

After the governor’s Sept. 1 call with superintendents, several school leaders told the Examiner they are only increasing spending for real needs. Among them: higher diesel fuel costs for buses, higher health care costs, higher staff salaries and higher energy costs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And many districts are struggling to hire enough teachers and other staff.

Not every school district has seen a windfall from the state’s changes. During a recent board meeting, Norfolk Public Schools officials&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://northeast.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49645197/nps-receiving-less-funding-after-state-education-reform">told News Channel Nebraska</a>&nbsp;that the district expects to receive $433,000 less in state aid funding under the new system than the old.

They and other, larger districts, including the Omaha Public Schools, hope to see their finances made whole by the increase in state funding for special education, which lawmakers tweaked for districts that previously received more in state aid.

Frustrations started bubbling out last week from teachers, school board members and school administrators. Several said Pillen’s pressure campaign proved that the state’s talk of “new funding for education” was just a tax shift and not new funds for improving education.

Lincoln middle school teacher Jake Bogus tweeted Pillen’s letter, joking with his followers: “Hi folks. Jim Pillen here. We have a major crisis happening in public education. Shortage of teachers, substitutes, paras, bus drivers, and other various staff. I value public education. But please, local school boards, don’t spend $ on it. Keep those property taxes down.”

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, a Pillen supporter, said this pushback is “why it’s so hard to fix property taxes.”

She said the state is trying to do what school leaders say they want by picking up more of the tab for K-12 education. School boards, she said, want state funding but also want local control of how much they spend.&nbsp;

“If the taxing entities want to keep their taxing authority, they need to become partners with the governor and the Legislature,” Linehan said. “They could lose their taxing authority.”

Linehan sponsored a bill this year that created a tax credit for donors who fund scholarships for needy students to attend private K-12 schools. Pillen supported the effort. Critics have argued the tax credit could eventually threaten the amount of state money available to fund public education.

Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, said school boards “will continue to be fiscally responsible in their budgeting while working to ensure students in their communities receive a quality education.”

She said they’ve been doing a difficult job well while the state has lagged at 49th nationally in the level of state support for K-12 education. (Nebraska’s ranking will likely improve once the new state spending is factored in.)

“It’s important to remember that local school board members are unpaid public servants who care about their communities … and they listen to their constituents and know the needs of their schools and communities,” Benson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695064580739.jpeg" alt="Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, at the podium, and State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood speak about the state’s first investments toward a $1 billion pledge to build an Education Future Fund. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, at the podium, and State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood speak about the state’s first investments toward a $1 billion pledge to build an Education Future Fund. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/18/pillen-pushes-school-boards-to-slow-spending-to-ease-property-taxes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen doubled down last week on his effort to curb higher spending by local school districts after the state invested in a tax shift meant to ease property tax bills.Pillen sent a letter Wednesday to every school board member in the state, the Governor’s Office confirmed. He repeated his push to restrain spending that echoed his Sept. 1 call with superintendents.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695064546264.png" alt=" This is the letter Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen sent to school board members across the state last week. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> This is the letter Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen sent to school board members across the state last week. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Several board members said privately that schools are spending more because of inflationary costs, not greed. One described what the governor is doing as “bullying.” Board members declined to be quoted by name, citing fear of retribution.&nbsp;Pillen’s letter urges school board members to use all but a sliver of the Legislature’s new $300 million investment in K-12 schools as he and state senators intended — for property tax relief, not for new spending.<h2>Two questions</h2>He asked them to consider two questions:“1. Are you collecting more in property taxes this year compared to last year? 2. Are you getting more in revenue authority than you currently need?”If school districts collect more in property taxes this year over last year while accepting more money from the state, they are “operating contrary to the intent of the law,” Pillen writes.Districts rushing to exceed the new law’s 3% a year cap on revenue authority without urgent needs are “working against the intent of the current state funding formula,” the letter says.<h2>Higher costs</h2>After the governor’s Sept. 1 call with superintendents, several school leaders told the Examiner they are only increasing spending for real needs. Among them: higher diesel fuel costs for buses, higher health care costs, higher staff salaries and higher energy costs.&nbsp;&nbsp;And many districts are struggling to hire enough teachers and other staff.Not every school district has seen a windfall from the state’s changes. During a recent board meeting, Norfolk Public Schools officials&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://northeast.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49645197/nps-receiving-less-funding-after-state-education-reform">told News Channel Nebraska</a>&nbsp;that the district expects to receive $433,000 less in state aid funding under the new system than the old.They and other, larger districts, including the Omaha Public Schools, hope to see their finances made whole by the increase in state funding for special education, which lawmakers tweaked for districts that previously received more in state aid.<h2>Frustrations on all sides</h2>Frustrations started bubbling out last week from teachers, school board members and school administrators. Several said Pillen’s pressure campaign proved that the state’s talk of “new funding for education” was just a tax shift and not new funds for improving education.Lincoln middle school teacher Jake Bogus tweeted Pillen’s letter, joking with his followers: “Hi folks. Jim Pillen here. We have a major crisis happening in public education. Shortage of teachers, substitutes, paras, bus drivers, and other various staff. I value public education. But please, local school boards, don’t spend $ on it. Keep those property taxes down.”State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha, a Pillen supporter, said this pushback is “why it’s so hard to fix property taxes.”She said the state is trying to do what school leaders say they want by picking up more of the tab for K-12 education. School boards, she said, want state funding but also want local control of how much they spend.&nbsp;“If the taxing entities want to keep their taxing authority, they need to become partners with the governor and the Legislature,” Linehan said. “They could lose their taxing authority.”Linehan sponsored a bill this year that created a tax credit for donors who fund scholarships for needy students to attend private K-12 schools. Pillen supported the effort. Critics have argued the tax credit could eventually threaten the amount of state money available to fund public education.<h2>Fiscal fight ahead</h2>Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, said school boards “will continue to be fiscally responsible in their budgeting while working to ensure students in their communities receive a quality education.”She said they’ve been doing a difficult job well while the state has lagged at 49th nationally in the level of state support for K-12 education. (Nebraska’s ranking will likely improve once the new state spending is factored in.)“It’s important to remember that local school board members are unpaid public servants who care about their communities … and they listen to their constituents and know the needs of their schools and communities,” Benson said.

Pillen pushes school boards to slow spending to ease property taxes

&nbsp;(QUANTICO, VA.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol is proud to announce that Major Russell Lewis has graduated from the 287th&nbsp;session of the FBI National Academy.

The graduation ceremony took place Thursday at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, with remarks delivered by FBI Director Christopher Wray.&nbsp;The 287th session consisted of 199 law enforcement officers from 46 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 21 countries, four military organizations, and three federal civilian organizations.

“Major Lewis has been a leader on numerous levels for the Nebraska State Patrol,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “The advanced training he received at the FBI National Academy is second-to-none. This experience will not only benefit Major Lewis, but our entire agency as well, as he continues to lead many divisions within NSP.”

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.

Participants in the FBI National Academy are leaders of state, local, county, tribal, military, federal, and international law enforcement agencies. Participation is by invitation only, through a nomination process, and participants are drawn from every U.S. state and territory, as well as from international partner nations. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to participate.

Lewis is a 25-year veteran of the State Patrol and has served in numerous capacities, including Patrol, Carrier Enforcement, Police Service Dog Division, and Internal Affairs. He is currently the commander of the NSP Administrative Services Division.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695042787573.jpeg" alt="Major Russell Lewis/Photo provided by Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Major Russell Lewis/Photo provided by Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody Thomas&nbsp;(QUANTICO, VA.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol is proud to announce that Major Russell Lewis has graduated from the 287th&nbsp;session of the FBI National Academy.The graduation ceremony took place Thursday at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, with remarks delivered by FBI Director Christopher Wray.&nbsp;The 287th session consisted of 199 law enforcement officers from 46 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 21 countries, four military organizations, and three federal civilian organizations.“Major Lewis has been a leader on numerous levels for the Nebraska State Patrol,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “The advanced training he received at the FBI National Academy is second-to-none. This experience will not only benefit Major Lewis, but our entire agency as well, as he continues to lead many divisions within NSP.”Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.Participants in the FBI National Academy are leaders of state, local, county, tribal, military, federal, and international law enforcement agencies. Participation is by invitation only, through a nomination process, and participants are drawn from every U.S. state and territory, as well as from international partner nations. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to participate.Lewis is a 25-year veteran of the State Patrol and has served in numerous capacities, including Patrol, Carrier Enforcement, Police Service Dog Division, and Internal Affairs. He is currently the commander of the NSP Administrative Services Division.

Major Russell Lewis Graduates from FBI National Academy

LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Marilyn Manson was sentenced to 20 hours of community service and a fine on Monday after pleading no contest to blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert in New Hampshire.

The shock rocker, 54, wanted to appear via video for his hearing on the misdemeanor charge, but the judge required him to be in the courtroom in Laconia, about 30 miles north of Concord, the state capital.

Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, was charged with two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-new-hampshire-marilyn-manson-8eb3bd54c1e3c116e6dc5b4d73bd1e8a">misdemeanor counts of simple assault</a>&nbsp;stemming from the encounter with the videographer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019.

Manson pleaded no contest to just the nose-blowing charge in a fully negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors. The prosecutors agreed to dismiss the other charge, which alleged that he spit on the videographer. A no contest plea means Manson is not contesting the charge and does not admit guilt.

Manson was fined a little more than $1,400 as part of the deal, with $200 suspended. He needs to remain arrest-free and notify local police of any New Hampshire performances for two years.

The judge, who called Manson's acts “egregious,” agreed to allow Manson to do his community service in California. Manson mentioned to reporters that he might choose to work with people in recovery. He has to give proof of his community service by Feb. 4.

According to a police affidavit, Manson approached videographer Susan Fountain in the venue’s stage pit area, put his face close to her camera and spit a “big lougee” at her. She was struck on both hands with saliva. He approached her again later, kneeling and covering one nostril before blowing the other on her arms and hands.

Manson “blows a significant amount of mucous at Fountain," a police sergeant who reviewed concert video footage said in the affidavit. After that, the camera view changes and people can see Manson "point and laugh at Fountain as she gets down and walks away,” the affidavit said.

After that, the camera view changes to another one and people can see Manson “point and laugh” etc.

Fountain was not in court, but submitted a statement that was read aloud.

“For me, I’m a professional person and I’ve been in this industry for 30 years. I’ve worked for a lot of companies, and in all the years I’ve worked with people, I’ve never been humiliated or treated the way I was by this defendant,” it read. “For him to spit on me and blow his nose on me was the most disgusting thing a human being has ever done.

“I understand this was not a big criminal charge to begin with, but I was hoping that the defendant would receive a sentence that would make him think twice before doing something like this again,” the statement read.

Monday, Manson walked into the main entrance of the courthouse, through security. He was wearing a suit, dressed head to toe in black, and dark sunglasses. Security staff referred to him as “Mr. Warner," and he identified himself in court as “Brian Warner,” using a soft speaking voice.

He otherwise only answered “yes” to the judge’s questions asking if he understood the proceeding, and made no statement. Prosecutor Andrew Livernois said it was his first offense and he had no prior record.

Manson initially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-a5969dba2210ab909cb9cbc343009c2f">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;to both charges in 2021. He was scheduled to go to trial in August. His lawyer had said that the type of filming Fountain was doing commonly exposes videographers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-new-hampshire-marilyn-manson-25144ce8c8390a9da34e96d6bbfb3f72">“incidental contact” with bodily fluids</a>.

“The defendant’s performance for the past twenty years are well known to include shocking and evocative antics similar to those that occurred here,” attorney Kent Barker wrote. “The alleged victim consented to exposing herself to potential contact with sweat, saliva and phlegm in close quarters.”

Barker also had said Manson planned to argue that any contact related to spitting or sneezing was unintentional.

If Manson had gone to trial on the charges, each could have resulted in a jail sentence of less than a year and a $2,000 fine if convicted.

Manson emerged as a musical star in the mid-1990s, known as much for courting public controversy as for hit songs like “The Beautiful People” and hit album’s like 1996’s “Antichrist Superstar” and 1998’s “Mechanical Animals."

In May, a California judge threw out key sections of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-media-lawsuits-sexual-abuse-97b5bc35a7e957adf087efb065dc004d">Manson’s lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against his former fiancee, “Westworld” actor Evan Rachel Wood, claiming she fabricated public allegations that he sexually and physically abused her during their relationship and encouraged other women to do the same. He is appealing the ruling.

Manson’s suit, filed last year, alleges that Wood and another woman named as a defendant, Illma Gore, defamed Manson, intentionally caused him emotional distress and derailed his career in music, TV and film.

Several women have sued Manson in recent years with allegations of sexual and other abuse. Most have been dismissed or settled, including a suit filed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legal-proceedings-los-angeles-england-esme-bianco-0d9469a68d4abd611673413065cc838a">“Game of Thrones” actor Esme Bianco</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695061907210.jpeg" alt="Musical artist Marilyn Manson, whose legal name is Brian Hugh Warner, leaves after appearing in Belknap Superior Court,Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Laconia, N.H. Manson, who was charged with charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault, was accused of approaching a videographer at his 2019 concert in New Hampshire and allegedly spitting and blowing his nose on her. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)" />
 <figcaption>Musical artist Marilyn Manson, whose legal name is Brian Hugh Warner, leaves after appearing in Belknap Superior Court,Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Laconia, N.H. Manson, who was charged with charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault, was accused of approaching a videographer at his 2019 concert in New Hampshire and allegedly spitting and blowing his nose on her. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)</figcaption>
 </figure>LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Marilyn Manson was sentenced to 20 hours of community service and a fine on Monday after pleading no contest to blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert in New Hampshire.The shock rocker, 54, wanted to appear via video for his hearing on the misdemeanor charge, but the judge required him to be in the courtroom in Laconia, about 30 miles north of Concord, the state capital.Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, was charged with two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-new-hampshire-marilyn-manson-8eb3bd54c1e3c116e6dc5b4d73bd1e8a">misdemeanor counts of simple assault</a>&nbsp;stemming from the encounter with the videographer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019.Manson pleaded no contest to just the nose-blowing charge in a fully negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors. The prosecutors agreed to dismiss the other charge, which alleged that he spit on the videographer. A no contest plea means Manson is not contesting the charge and does not admit guilt.Manson was fined a little more than $1,400 as part of the deal, with $200 suspended. He needs to remain arrest-free and notify local police of any New Hampshire performances for two years.The judge, who called Manson's acts “egregious,” agreed to allow Manson to do his community service in California. Manson mentioned to reporters that he might choose to work with people in recovery. He has to give proof of his community service by Feb. 4.According to a police affidavit, Manson approached videographer Susan Fountain in the venue’s stage pit area, put his face close to her camera and spit a “big lougee” at her. She was struck on both hands with saliva. He approached her again later, kneeling and covering one nostril before blowing the other on her arms and hands.Manson “blows a significant amount of mucous at Fountain," a police sergeant who reviewed concert video footage said in the affidavit. After that, the camera view changes and people can see Manson "point and laugh at Fountain as she gets down and walks away,” the affidavit said.After that, the camera view changes to another one and people can see Manson “point and laugh” etc.Fountain was not in court, but submitted a statement that was read aloud.“For me, I’m a professional person and I’ve been in this industry for 30 years. I’ve worked for a lot of companies, and in all the years I’ve worked with people, I’ve never been humiliated or treated the way I was by this defendant,” it read. “For him to spit on me and blow his nose on me was the most disgusting thing a human being has ever done.“I understand this was not a big criminal charge to begin with, but I was hoping that the defendant would receive a sentence that would make him think twice before doing something like this again,” the statement read.Monday, Manson walked into the main entrance of the courthouse, through security. He was wearing a suit, dressed head to toe in black, and dark sunglasses. Security staff referred to him as “Mr. Warner," and he identified himself in court as “Brian Warner,” using a soft speaking voice.He otherwise only answered “yes” to the judge’s questions asking if he understood the proceeding, and made no statement. Prosecutor Andrew Livernois said it was his first offense and he had no prior record.Manson initially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-a5969dba2210ab909cb9cbc343009c2f">pleaded not guilty</a>&nbsp;to both charges in 2021. He was scheduled to go to trial in August. His lawyer had said that the type of filming Fountain was doing commonly exposes videographers to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-new-hampshire-marilyn-manson-25144ce8c8390a9da34e96d6bbfb3f72">“incidental contact” with bodily fluids</a>.“The defendant’s performance for the past twenty years are well known to include shocking and evocative antics similar to those that occurred here,” attorney Kent Barker wrote. “The alleged victim consented to exposing herself to potential contact with sweat, saliva and phlegm in close quarters.”Barker also had said Manson planned to argue that any contact related to spitting or sneezing was unintentional.If Manson had gone to trial on the charges, each could have resulted in a jail sentence of less than a year and a $2,000 fine if convicted.Manson emerged as a musical star in the mid-1990s, known as much for courting public controversy as for hit songs like “The Beautiful People” and hit album’s like 1996’s “Antichrist Superstar” and 1998’s “Mechanical Animals."In May, a California judge threw out key sections of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-media-lawsuits-sexual-abuse-97b5bc35a7e957adf087efb065dc004d">Manson’s lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against his former fiancee, “Westworld” actor Evan Rachel Wood, claiming she fabricated public allegations that he sexually and physically abused her during their relationship and encouraged other women to do the same. He is appealing the ruling.Manson’s suit, filed last year, alleges that Wood and another woman named as a defendant, Illma Gore, defamed Manson, intentionally caused him emotional distress and derailed his career in music, TV and film.Several women have sued Manson in recent years with allegations of sexual and other abuse. Most have been dismissed or settled, including a suit filed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legal-proceedings-los-angeles-england-esme-bianco-0d9469a68d4abd611673413065cc838a">“Game of Thrones” actor Esme Bianco</a>.

Marilyn Manson pleads no contest to blowing nose on videographer, gets fine, community service

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/robinopsahl/">ROBIN OPSAHL</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jaywaagemeester/">JAY WAAGEMEESTER</a>

Republican presidential candidates emphasized their support for abortion restrictions, parental rights and Israel while working Saturday night to win over evangelical Iowa caucusgoers.

More than 1,000 people gathered in Des Moines for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition annual fall banquet. The conservative Christian organization has played an influential role in the Republican presidential race in Iowa, bringing candidates together for events and asking them about issues related to “religious liberties.”

The nine candidates who addressed the crowd all spoke of the importance of faith in their life and politics and said they would bring those values to the Oval Office if elected.

But there were areas where candidates differed: Ralph Reed, the founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, asked former Vice President Mike Pence and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley to defend their comments at the first Republican presidential debate on the feasibility of a federal abortion ban.

Reed said Christian conservatives are going to play an important role in the 2024 election, and said the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s goal was to “get out the biggest Christian vote that has happened in modern American history.”

“We’re going to create a margin so big they can’t even steal it if they try,” he said.

Not all 2024 presidential candidates attended. Most notably, former President Donald Trump skipped the event. Trump, who led in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/08/21/reynolds-says-iowans-expect-trump-to-stay-on-caucus-trail-despite-poll-lead/">August Des Moines Register/Mediacom/NBC News Iowa Poll,</a>&nbsp;has avoided many of the traditional stops on the Iowa caucus trail, but has visited the state in September. He came to the Iowa-Iowa State football game earlier in the month and has a rally planned in Dubuque on Wednesday.

Cleon Babcock of Des Moines, said he liked what candidates like Haley and Ramaswamy had to say at the coalition event, but that Trump was still his top pick for nominee.

“Right now, (my choice) would be Trump, because he has a better chance,” Babcock said. “But I’m never close-minded. I mean, I learned some things tonight as I listened, that’s what it’s all about.”

Here are some highlights from the candidates’ remarks:

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley had more time on the stage than other candidates at the event. Reed asked about her decision as governor to relocate the Confederate flag atop the South Carolina Capitol after a shooter used it as a manifesto during a shooting in the state.

Haley complimented South Carolina’s response to the tragedy and said, “I was able to see South Carolina through in a way that she showed real strength and greatness. We didn’t have riots. We had vigils. We didn’t have protests, we had hugs.”

Haley also defended her remarks about abortion that she made on the Republican debate stage in August. She said she was “unapologetically pro-life” but said a respectful approach to the topic is necessary.

“I’m going to fight on the side of life every chance I get, but I’m not going to demonize people in the process,” she said.

As she did during the first debate, Haley said said abortion bans from a federal level are unrealistic. “No Republican president can anymore ban abortions than a Democrat president can ban their state laws. So my goal is how do we save as many babies as possible and support as many moms as possible.”

The only way to pass abortion bans is to humanize the issue, according to Haley.

“If you go and you put these restrictions that make people demonize each other,” she said, “I’m not going to be a part of the demonize and we have to humanize this issue if we’re ever going to pass it and do more.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would be open to “pro-life” federal abortion legislation.

The Republican candidate signed a law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.flgov.com/2023/04/13/governor-ron-desantis-signs-heartbeat-protection-act/#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Today%2C%20Governor%20Ron%20DeSantis%20signed,%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Governor%20Ron%20DeSantis.">in April</a>&nbsp;that bans most abortions after six weeks. When asked by Reed if he sees the future of abortion law in the hands of states or the federal government, DeSantis praised states like Florida and Iowa for enacting abortion restrictions after the fall of Roe v. Wade.

“I think the states have done a better job thus far, Congress has really struggled to make a meaningful impact over the years,” DeSantis said. “As president, I’m going to welcome pro-life policies across the board, you know, at both levels.”

Additionally, the candidate said he supports U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2023/09/troops-reject-abortion-travel-policy-fueling-tuberville-blockade-00116276">blockade stopping hundreds of military promotions</a>&nbsp;over a policy allowing troops and their dependents to take paid leave and travel reimbursements for abortion procedures.

He said he supported Tuberville calling out the Defense Department for “violating the law by funding abortion tourism with tax dollars.”

While DeSantis emphasized his pro-life positions, he said it’s important also to remember the women who “need our support” in these positions. Many abortions are driven by financial considerations, DeSantis said, and pointed to Florida policies like eliminating taxes on infant products to help expectant mothers. He also pointed to “Hope Florida,” a program spearheaded by his wife, Casey DeSantis, that focuses on connecting people in need with non-government organizations like charities, churches and businesses, that can offer support.

“A lot of these women have no support,” he said. “The fathers are nowhere to be found. And so they look at it, and they say how can I actually make this work? … We’ve got to do better. So what I did in Florida said, ‘OK, I want to make sure that this is doable.’”

Karen Fesler from Coralville said her favorite candidate is DeSantis. Although Fesler said she likes Trump, she said one thing that puts DeSantis above Trump for her is that DeSantis has an opportunity to serve two terms, whereas Trump is a lame duck on inauguration day.

“It’s not that I don’t like him or I don’t support his policies,” Fesler said. “I do. I think it’s going to be incredibly hard for him to focus on a campaign. And then if he would have been elected, focus on being president.”

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson faced questions about “Bidenomics,” immigration and abortion and said he would support any deal made by Congress to limit abortion as president.

“If our members of Congress can reach a consensus and pass a pro-life bill that has reasonable exceptions to it, that we all agree upon, I will sign that as a pro-life president,“ Hutchinson said.

He acknowledged a criticism Trump made on Hutchinson’s stance on abortion: “There is another candidate that I respect but is not here tonight, that told NBC News that I’m going to make both sides happy on this issue.”

Hutchinson said that both sides will not like him, and “this is going to be a fight for life.”

Hutchinson also supported the U.S. House Republicans’&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/09/12/u-s-house-speaker-mccarthy-tells-committees-to-launch-biden-impeachment-probe/">impeachment inquiry</a>&nbsp;on Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy directed committees earlier this month to open an inquiry into unproven allegations that as vice president, Biden profited from his son’s business dealings.

“I haven’t seen enough evidence yet, but there’s certainly enough evidence to do an inquiry and I applaud the House for investigating this matter, getting to the bottom of it because President Biden has not sufficiently answered those questions.”

On the topic of the economy, the former governor said the first step to “reversing Bidenomics” is to produce energy domestically, and he said “I want the private sector of the economy to grow faster than the government sector.”

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott had an important life update for Iowans: He’s in a relationship.

“Can we just pray together for me?” he joked, kneeling on the stage in front of the crowd. Scott has faced media questions about his unmarried status.

The South Carolina Republican&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.advocate.com/politics/tim-scott-sexual-orientation-gop#:~:text=Brian%20Kilmeade%20asked%20Scott.,with%20a%20smart%20Christian%20woman.%E2%80%9D">announced earlier</a>&nbsp;in September that he had a girlfriend – his first public relationship since entering office.

Scott also went over his support for anti-abortion and “school choice” laws, both at the state and federal levels. He praised Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ private school scholarship program, passed earlier this year and kicked off for the 2023-2024 school year, which allows families to use state funding for private school tuition and associated costs.

“I would take the model of Gov. Kim Reynolds in this great state and make it a nationwide model,” Scott said.

He said he would take Title I money in a “proverbial backpack” and allow the federal funding to leave the public school system if a parent decides to send their child to a private school. He also said he would support changes to 529 savings plans for homeschool expenses.

“Actually, if you think about it, you’re paying taxes for someone else’s kid to go to school, and then you’re punished because you can’t get a tax credit for educating your own kid,” Scott said. “That’s just wrong.”

The candidate also railed against states that chose to continue remote learning in public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was immoral, what happened then,” Scott said. “No mandates: If your kid can’t go to the school where they’re supposed to go, under my legislation I’ll sign as president, they can go to any other school that’s open. Catholic school, public school, private school, homeschool, virtual school – all kinds of schools.”

While discussing Roe v. Wade,&nbsp; former California gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder said abortion is not up to the federal government.

“One of the reasons I believe we did so poorly in the midterms is because the pro-abortion side was able to say to people, this now means that there’ll be a law passed at the federal level to outlaw abortion or put time limits on abortion.”

Elder said he believes life begins at conception and said he believes conservatives have “walked the walk” when it comes to taking care of pregnant women.

“People who are so-called in crisis pregnancies, as they say, have all sorts of options, and we are talking the talk and walking the walk,” Elder said.

Elder also spoke on policing and George Floyd, a Black man killed by Minneapolis police in May 2020, sparking protests around the country. “This defund the police, assault on a police movement, is an outrage and it is getting people killed,” he said.

He said 35 people were killed during protests, 2,000 police officers were wounded and there was more about $2 billion in property damage, “all because of an assumption that what happened to George Floyd, however you feel about it, happened because of his race.”

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd said the U.S. needs to hold fast in supporting Israel, especially while considering potential conflicts with other countries like Iran in the Middle East.

Hurd, a former CIA agent, criticized President Joe Biden’s administration for issuing a waiver allowing international banks to allow the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian oil revenue currently blocked by U.S. sanctions. The exchange was to carry out a prisoner exchange with Iran – in addition to freeing five Iranians held in the U.S. for five Americans in Iranian detention, according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/biden-administration-takes-steps-to-free-up-6-billion-in-iranian-funds-in-prisoner-swap-deal-56f2b7b9">State Department document.</a>

He said the prison exchange was just one of the “crazy foreign policy” decisions made by the Biden administration, pointing also to the military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the “lack of engagement” with Latin America on southern border security.

He said giving Iran money in this situation was a poor decision.

“They are destabilizing the region, the broader Middle East,” Hurd said. “You cannot trust the Iranians, you should never trust the Iranians. You shouldn’t be giving them $6 billion and you have nothing to show for it.”

He also said the country’s relations in the Middle East have been made worse by Biden’s “lack of support” for Israel. He also criticized former President Barack Obama, when Biden served as vice president, for not providing sufficient support to Israel.

“We should be supporting Israel,” Hurd said. “And those that are running for the highest office in the land need to recognize who are our friends who are enemies. Israel is a friend, and we should be supporting them.”

Entrepreneur Perry Johnson did not mention his 2-cents plan until his last sentences, and instead spoke on family values, abortion and judge selection.

The Michigander said school choice is a right for parents and received a round of applause when he said he wanted to get rid of the federal Department of Education.

“We’re going to make sure that the family unit is core that freedom is now here, and we’re not going to have the government tell us how to teach our kids, what to teach our kids anymore,” Johnson said.

On abortion, Johnson said he believes that life begins at conception, and as he teared up, said, “The greatest joy in my life are my kids. I mean, when you think of the greatest joys you’ve had in all your life, doesn’t it boil down to your kids and your family?”

Johnson did not share a legislative or executive plan to handle abortion during his time on stage, though he did say Republicans have a winning case to fight late-term abortions.

Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley said he felt called by God to run for president in the 2024 election to restore faith in the United States.

“Our nation, I really believe this was created by God to be this lamppost of freedom,” Binkley said. “ … God spoke to me to run, because he wants to brighten that lamp of freedom up once again.”

Binkley said religious liberties and Christian values are under attack by Democrats and the Biden administration. He said he has been encouraged to talk less about religion on the campaign trail, but that he wanted Americans to remember that the U.S. has “freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.”

Fixing many problems in American society will come from doing a better job of bringing back faith into American life, he said.

“The main message I’m sharing with people regardless of their faith, because I come across so many people everywhere, is listening to the main words Jesus gave us,” Binkley said. “Let’s demonstrate our love for God by showing our love for other people. You know, Jesus never said ‘Hire the government to take care of your neighborhood.’ He said ‘love your neighbor.’ So that’s what I’m sharing, let’s demonstrate our faith by loving each other.”

One of the “greatest divisive issues” in America was conflicts between religious beliefs and LGBTQ issues, he said. While he said there was a need to fight against the “far-left woke agenda” targeting young children, which he said can be defeated by speaking the truth and a love for God.

But he also said he has talked with LGBTQ people during his campaign and found a way to connect.

“But in a better sense, we need to really start working on ‘how do we win the middle?’” Binkley said. “How do we win the hearts of people and show love? And so when we were in our meeting just the other day, we shared with them truth, we shared with them love but also just shared with them this: it’s time for us to respect each other.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence cited his pro-life history as a representative, governor and vice president. Pence, who has spent much of his time on the campaign trail speaking on his Christian values, expressed pride in the Trump administration’s judicial appointments.

“To have been a part of the administration that appointed three of the justices that sent Roe versus Wade to the ash heap of history, where it belongs, is something I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Pence said.

Reed brought up Pence’s disagreement with Haley at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/08/23/trump-absent-but-still-dominates-as-gop-presidential-rivals-clash-at-first-debate/">Milwaukee debate</a>, asking Pence to weigh in on the “spirited debate” happening within the GOP over a federal 15-week abortion ban.

“I believe that we owe it to the American people to elect a president who will fight for a minimum standard in Washington, D.C. I must tell you, I think we ought to ban abortion across America, from that point that a baby can experience pain in the womb, forward, it’s a 15-week minimum ban.”

Pence mentioned Ukraine,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/07/14/field-of-presidential-candidates-faces-crowd-of-christians/">a topic he received “boos” for</a>&nbsp;in an event held in the same venue in July.

“I think it’s absolutely in the national interest of the United States of America to give the Ukrainian military what they need to defeat and repel the Russian invasion,” Pence said. “So Russia doesn’t cross the border that we have to go fight on someday soon. I believe that that’s the way we prevent World War III.”

Pence also spoke on Social Security and Medicare, calling for reform. “The truth of the matter is these programs are driving a mountain range of debt on our children and our grandchildren,” Pence said.

Pence criticized Biden for his plan for the programs. “He won’t even talk about those programs, and most of the candidates in this field are the same.” Pence added that Trump’s plan is “identical to Joe Biden’s.”

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said all 2024 presidential candidates should put forward a list of their potential U.S. Supreme Court justice nominees.

Ramaswamy said he was the only candidate in the race so far to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ramaswamy-releases-conservative-pool-supreme-court-picks-rcna94534">release the names</a>&nbsp;of his picks for the federal courts, a list that includes U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, former Solicitor General Paul Clement and six current conservative federal appellate judges. He also has put forward a pool of judges currently serving on federal courts that he would select for U.S. circuit court if elected.

When asked what qualities he is looking for in judicial nominees, Ramaswamy said the most important issue is interpreting the Constitution “as it exists.”

He also said he would appoint people who share his beliefs that federal agencies have too much power.

“One of the key areas of the litmus test that I use for every judge on that list was to make sure that they share my fundamental skepticism of the existence of the administrative state itself,” Ramaswamy said. “… So anybody I put on that Supreme Court, I will share my view and conviction, as I believe six of the current justices actually do that the U.S. president can shut down agencies like the FBI or the U.S. Department of Education.”

Ramaswamy defended his position of shutting down the FBI, a stance U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley called “stupid” Friday on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/09/15/grassley-says-calls-to-defund-the-fbi-are-stupid/">“Iowa Press.”</a>&nbsp;He said he supported firing the “bureaucrats” working for the agency, but would have the FBI agents serving “on the front lines” moved to other federal agencies like the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and financial crimes network in the U.S. Treasury.

“I’m gonna be very candid about this, I don’t think reform of that agency is actually possible at this stage. It has 60 years of rot,” Ramaswamy said. “You cannot reform it. I think you have to shut down.” 

This article first appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/02/18/iowa-man-fights-to-save-his-hunting-preserve/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>,&nbsp;a sister&nbsp;site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

Presidential candidates focus on abortion, Israel, parental rights at evangelical event

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Five prisoners sought by the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoner-swap-4bcf25d9be7807a2882fd949f2ad8eb1">in a swap with Iran</a>&nbsp;were freed Monday and headed home as part of a deal that saw nearly $6 billion in Iranian assets unfrozen.

"Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home. Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Sharghi, and two citizens who wish to remain private will soon be reunited with their loved ones—after enduring years of agony, uncertainty, and suffering," President Joe Biden said in a statement released as the plane carrying the group from Tehran landed in Doha, Qatar.

"I am grateful to our partners at home and abroad for their tireless efforts to help us achieve this outcome, including the Governments of Qatar, Oman, Switzerland, and&nbsp;South Korea.I give special thanks to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, and to the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, both of whom helped facilitate this agreement&nbsp;over many months of difficult and principled American diplomacy," the President wrote.

"As we celebrate the return of these Americans, we also remember those who did not return. I call on the Iranian regime to give a full account of what happened to Bob Levinson."

"The Levinson family deserves answers. Today, we are sanctioning former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence under the Levinson Act for their involvement in wrongful detentions. And, we will continue to impose costs on Iran for their provocative actions in the region.&nbsp;And as we welcome home our fellow citizens, I once more remind all Americans of the serious risks of traveling to Iran. American passport holders should not travel there."

"The U.S. State Department has a longstanding travel warning that states: “Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens.” All Americans should heed those words and have no expectation that their release can be secured if they do not."

"Reuniting wrongfully detained Americans with their loved ones has been a priority for my Administration since day one. We have now brought home dozens of our fellow citizens, including from Afghanistan, Burma, Haiti, Russia, Rwanda, Venezuela, West Africa, and more locations globally. Still, too many remain unjustly held in Russia, Venezuela, Syria, and elsewhere around the world. We remain unflinching in our efforts to keep faith with them and their families—and we will not stop working until we bring home every American held hostage or wrongfully detained."

Despite the deal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-tensions-prisoner-swap-analysis-e168c0bd2f15e794caa0079a0a97b251">tensions are almost certain to remain high</a>&nbsp;between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in various disputes, including over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

The planned exchange has unfolded amid a major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf, with the possibility of U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/persian-gulf-tensions-us-armed-guards-57295a81dc45c9e0755bd6a83ece86d9">boarding and guarding commercial ships</a>&nbsp;in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil shipments pass.

After the plane slowed to a stop, three of the prisoners walked down the ramp and were greeted by the U.S. ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis. The former prisoners hugged the ambassador and others.

The three — Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz — then wrapped their arms around their shoulders and walked off to a building in the airport.

In a statement issued on his behalf after landing, Namazi said: “I would not be free today, if it wasn’t for all of you who didn’t allow the world to forget me.”

“Thank you for being my voice when I could not speak for myself and for making sure I was heard when I mustered the strength to scream from behind the impenetrable walls of Evin Prison,” Namazi said.

In addition to the five freed Americans, two U.S. family members flew out of Tehran, according to a senior Biden administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity when the exchange was ongoing.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that the exchange would take place Monday after nearly $6 billion in once-frozen Iranian assets reached Qatar.

“Fortunately Iran’s frozen assets in South Korea were released and God willing today the assets will start to be fully controlled by the government and the nation,” Kanaani said.

“On the subject of the prisoner swap, it will happen today and five prisoners, citizens of the Islamic Republic, will be released from the prisons in the U.S.,” he added. “Five imprisoned citizens who were in Iran will be given to the U.S. side.”

He said two of the Iranian prisoners will stay in the U.S. Meanwhile, Nour News, a website believed to be close to Iran’s security apparatus, said two of the Iranian prisoners had arrived in Doha for the swap.

Mohammad Reza Farzin, Iran’s Central Bank chief, later came on state television to acknowledge the receipt of over 5.5 billion euros — $5.9 billion — in accounts in Qatar. Months ago, Iran had anticipated getting as much as $7 billion.

The planned exchange comes ahead of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-general-assembly-2023-what-to-know-9f3f99a3c99594a2a36d83e11e206975">convening of world leaders</a>&nbsp;at the U.N. General Assembly this week in New York, where Iran’s hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi will speak.

The deal has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-hostage-state-department-51bb853cfd64bb824aed264038afe6d9">opened U.S. President Joe Biden to fresh criticism</a>&nbsp;from Republicans and others who say that the administration is helping boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to American troops and Mideast allies. That could have implications in his reelection campaign as well.

The prisoners freed Monday were: Namazi, who was detained in 2015 and was later sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges; Emad Sharghi, a venture capitalist sentenced to 10 years; and Morad Tahbaz, a British-American conservationist of Iranian descent who was arrested in 2018 and also received a 10-year sentence. All of their charges have been widely criticized by their families, activists and the U.S. government.

U.S. officials have declined to identify the fourth and fifth prisoner.

The five prisoners Iran has said it seeks are mostly held over allegedly trying to export banned material to Iran, such as dual use electronics that can be used by a military.

The two that Nour News said were in Doha were: Mehrdad Ansari, an Iranian sentenced to 63 months in prison in 2021 for obtaining equipment that could be used in missiles, electronic warfare, nuclear weapons and other military gear, and Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani, an Iranian charged in 2021 over allegedly unlawfully exporting laboratory equipment to Iran.

The cash represents money South Korea owed Iran — but had not yet paid — for oil purchased before the U.S. imposed sanctions on such transactions in 2019.

The U.S. maintains that, once in Qatar, the money will be held in restricted accounts and will only be able to be used for humanitarian goods, such as medicine and food. Those transactions are currently allowed under American sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic over its advancing nuclear program.

Iranian government officials have largely concurred with that explanation, though some hard-liners have insisted, without providing evidence, that there would be no restrictions on how Tehran spends the money.

Iran and the U.S. have a history of prisoner swaps dating back to the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis following the Islamic Revolution. Their most recent major exchange happened in 2016, when Iran came to a deal with world powers to restrict its nuclear program in return for an easing of sanctions.

The West accuses Iran of using foreign prisoners — including those with dual nationality — as bargaining chips, an allegation Tehran rejects.

Negotiations over a major prisoner swap faltered after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the nuclear deal in 2018. From the following year on, a series of attacks and ship seizures attributed to Iran have raised tensions.

Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear program now enriches closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. While the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has warned that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-iran-politics-government-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-6acdb64d36fcbe05b3ee725d8a585d96">Iran now has enough enriched uranium to produce “several” bombs</a>, months more would likely be needed to build a weapon and potentially miniaturize it to put it on a missile — if Iran decided to pursue one.

Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, and the U.S. intelligence community has kept its assessment that Iran is not pursuing an atomic bomb.

Iran has taken steps in recent months to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-iaea-uranium-enrichment-dded37dd0509ff0f469478b5db771027">settle some issues with the International Atomic Energy Agency.</a>&nbsp;But the advances in its program have led to fears of a wider regional conflagration as Israel, itself a nuclear power, has said it would not allow Tehran to develop the bomb. Israel bombed both Iraq and Syria to stop their nuclear programs, giving the threat more weight. It also is suspected in carrying out a series of killings targeting Iran’s nuclear scientists.

Iran also supplies Russia with the bomb-carrying drones Moscow uses to target sites in Ukraine in its war on Kyiv, which remains another major dispute between Tehran and Washington.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Five prisoners sought by the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoner-swap-4bcf25d9be7807a2882fd949f2ad8eb1">in a swap with Iran</a>&nbsp;were freed Monday and headed home as part of a deal that saw nearly $6 billion in Iranian assets unfrozen."Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home. Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Sharghi, and two citizens who wish to remain private will soon be reunited with their loved ones—after enduring years of agony, uncertainty, and suffering," President Joe Biden said in a statement released as the plane carrying the group from Tehran landed in Doha, Qatar.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Joe Biden releases 5 prisoners &amp; $6B to Iran, a leading state sponsor of terrorism. On the day we pay tribute &amp; remember the victims of 9/11, one of the most horrific attacks on American soil, the Biden Admin brokered a deal with terrorists who openly shout ‘Death to America.’ <a href="https://t.co/2AqTHG0Wso">https://t.co/2AqTHG0Wso</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1701355511201902602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"I am grateful to our partners at home and abroad for their tireless efforts to help us achieve this outcome, including the Governments of Qatar, Oman, Switzerland, and&nbsp;South Korea.I give special thanks to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, and to the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, both of whom helped facilitate this agreement&nbsp;over many months of difficult and principled American diplomacy," the President wrote."As we celebrate the return of these Americans, we also remember those who did not return. I call on the Iranian regime to give a full account of what happened to Bob Levinson.""The Levinson family deserves answers. Today, we are sanctioning former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence under the Levinson Act for their involvement in wrongful detentions. And, we will continue to impose costs on Iran for their provocative actions in the region.&nbsp;And as we welcome home our fellow citizens, I once more remind all Americans of the serious risks of traveling to Iran. American passport holders should not travel there." "The U.S. State Department has a longstanding travel warning that states: “Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens.” All Americans should heed those words and have no expectation that their release can be secured if they do not.""Reuniting wrongfully detained Americans with their loved ones has been a priority for my Administration since day one. We have now brought home dozens of our fellow citizens, including from Afghanistan, Burma, Haiti, Russia, Rwanda, Venezuela, West Africa, and more locations globally. Still, too many remain unjustly held in Russia, Venezuela, Syria, and elsewhere around the world. We remain unflinching in our efforts to keep faith with them and their families—and we will not stop working until we bring home every American held hostage or wrongfully detained."Despite the deal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-tensions-prisoner-swap-analysis-e168c0bd2f15e794caa0079a0a97b251">tensions are almost certain to remain high</a>&nbsp;between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in various disputes, including over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.The planned exchange has unfolded amid a major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf, with the possibility of U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/persian-gulf-tensions-us-armed-guards-57295a81dc45c9e0755bd6a83ece86d9">boarding and guarding commercial ships</a>&nbsp;in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil shipments pass.After the plane slowed to a stop, three of the prisoners walked down the ramp and were greeted by the U.S. ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis. The former prisoners hugged the ambassador and others.The three — Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz — then wrapped their arms around their shoulders and walked off to a building in the airport.In a statement issued on his behalf after landing, Namazi said: “I would not be free today, if it wasn’t for all of you who didn’t allow the world to forget me.”“Thank you for being my voice when I could not speak for myself and for making sure I was heard when I mustered the strength to scream from behind the impenetrable walls of Evin Prison,” Namazi said.In addition to the five freed Americans, two U.S. family members flew out of Tehran, according to a senior Biden administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity when the exchange was ongoing.Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that the exchange would take place Monday after nearly $6 billion in once-frozen Iranian assets reached Qatar.“Fortunately Iran’s frozen assets in South Korea were released and God willing today the assets will start to be fully controlled by the government and the nation,” Kanaani said.“On the subject of the prisoner swap, it will happen today and five prisoners, citizens of the Islamic Republic, will be released from the prisons in the U.S.,” he added. “Five imprisoned citizens who were in Iran will be given to the U.S. side.”He said two of the Iranian prisoners will stay in the U.S. Meanwhile, Nour News, a website believed to be close to Iran’s security apparatus, said two of the Iranian prisoners had arrived in Doha for the swap.Mohammad Reza Farzin, Iran’s Central Bank chief, later came on state television to acknowledge the receipt of over 5.5 billion euros — $5.9 billion — in accounts in Qatar. Months ago, Iran had anticipated getting as much as $7 billion.The planned exchange comes ahead of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-general-assembly-2023-what-to-know-9f3f99a3c99594a2a36d83e11e206975">convening of world leaders</a>&nbsp;at the U.N. General Assembly this week in New York, where Iran’s hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi will speak.The deal has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-hostage-state-department-51bb853cfd64bb824aed264038afe6d9">opened U.S. President Joe Biden to fresh criticism</a>&nbsp;from Republicans and others who say that the administration is helping boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to American troops and Mideast allies. That could have implications in his reelection campaign as well.The prisoners freed Monday were: Namazi, who was detained in 2015 and was later sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges; Emad Sharghi, a venture capitalist sentenced to 10 years; and Morad Tahbaz, a British-American conservationist of Iranian descent who was arrested in 2018 and also received a 10-year sentence. All of their charges have been widely criticized by their families, activists and the U.S. government.U.S. officials have declined to identify the fourth and fifth prisoner.The five prisoners Iran has said it seeks are mostly held over allegedly trying to export banned material to Iran, such as dual use electronics that can be used by a military.The two that Nour News said were in Doha were: Mehrdad Ansari, an Iranian sentenced to 63 months in prison in 2021 for obtaining equipment that could be used in missiles, electronic warfare, nuclear weapons and other military gear, and Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani, an Iranian charged in 2021 over allegedly unlawfully exporting laboratory equipment to Iran.The cash represents money South Korea owed Iran — but had not yet paid — for oil purchased before the U.S. imposed sanctions on such transactions in 2019.The U.S. maintains that, once in Qatar, the money will be held in restricted accounts and will only be able to be used for humanitarian goods, such as medicine and food. Those transactions are currently allowed under American sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic over its advancing nuclear program.Iranian government officials have largely concurred with that explanation, though some hard-liners have insisted, without providing evidence, that there would be no restrictions on how Tehran spends the money.Iran and the U.S. have a history of prisoner swaps dating back to the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis following the Islamic Revolution. Their most recent major exchange happened in 2016, when Iran came to a deal with world powers to restrict its nuclear program in return for an easing of sanctions.The West accuses Iran of using foreign prisoners — including those with dual nationality — as bargaining chips, an allegation Tehran rejects.Negotiations over a major prisoner swap faltered after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the nuclear deal in 2018. From the following year on, a series of attacks and ship seizures attributed to Iran have raised tensions.Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear program now enriches closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. While the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has warned that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-iran-politics-government-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-6acdb64d36fcbe05b3ee725d8a585d96">Iran now has enough enriched uranium to produce “several” bombs</a>, months more would likely be needed to build a weapon and potentially miniaturize it to put it on a missile — if Iran decided to pursue one.Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, and the U.S. intelligence community has kept its assessment that Iran is not pursuing an atomic bomb.Iran has taken steps in recent months to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-iaea-uranium-enrichment-dded37dd0509ff0f469478b5db771027">settle some issues with the International Atomic Energy Agency.</a>&nbsp;But the advances in its program have led to fears of a wider regional conflagration as Israel, itself a nuclear power, has said it would not allow Tehran to develop the bomb. Israel bombed both Iraq and Syria to stop their nuclear programs, giving the threat more weight. It also is suspected in carrying out a series of killings targeting Iran’s nuclear scientists.Iran also supplies Russia with the bomb-carrying drones Moscow uses to target sites in Ukraine in its war on Kyiv, which remains another major dispute between Tehran and Washington.___

$6 Billon deal: Officials decline to ID 2 of 5 Americans released from Iran

LINCOLN--Attorney General Hilgers announced his office filed in the District Court of Lancaster County against Nfluence,&nbsp;an unincorporated association of Nebraska creatives,&nbsp;who the State believes violated the Consumer Protect Act (CPA) and the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act (UDTPA), by misleading and causing financial harm to consumers from Nebraska and other states.&nbsp;

The complaint alleges that, beginning&nbsp;in June of 2022,&nbsp;Nfluence&nbsp;advertised, offered for sale, and sold a product called “The Nebraska Game Day Experience.” The Nebraska Game Day Experience offered consumers the opportunity to watch a University of Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in a luxury suite, in person, with former University of Nebraska football players.&nbsp;Part of the proceeds were advertised to benefit non-profits associated with former Nebraska football players.

The complaint alleges that consumers paid at least one thousand dollars to purchase&nbsp;Nfluences’&nbsp;Nebraska Game Day Experience and were promised various additional perks. The Consumers did not receive what they were promised, and no money was given to charity.&nbsp;Instead, funds were used for non-charitable purchases.

The complaint&nbsp;alleges&nbsp;that&nbsp;Nfluence&nbsp;took advantage of Nebraskans’ charitable nature and desire to support the football team. Instead of helping charitable causes and giving the donors&nbsp;suite&nbsp;tickets to the home game,&nbsp;Nfluence&nbsp;took their money, used it for&nbsp;non-charitable&nbsp;purchases, and failed to provide the suite tickets. In doing so,&nbsp;the complaint alleges that&nbsp;Nfluence&nbsp;abused the public’s trust and engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices.&nbsp;

The Nebraska Attorney General is responsible for enforcement of the CPA, UDTPA, and other state and federal laws that affect Nebraska consumers. The Attorney General may bring an action in the name of the State of Nebraska against any person to restrain and prevent the doing of any act prohibited by the CPA and the UDTPA.&nbsp;

LINCOLN--Attorney General Hilgers announced his office filed in the District Court of Lancaster County against Nfluence,&nbsp;an unincorporated association of Nebraska creatives,&nbsp;who the State believes violated the Consumer Protect Act (CPA) and the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act (UDTPA), by misleading and causing financial harm to consumers from Nebraska and other states.&nbsp;The complaint alleges that, beginning&nbsp;in June of 2022,&nbsp;Nfluence&nbsp;advertised, offered for sale, and sold a product called “The Nebraska Game Day Experience.” The Nebraska Game Day Experience offered consumers the opportunity to watch a University of Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in a luxury suite, in person, with former University of Nebraska football players.&nbsp;Part of the proceeds were advertised to benefit non-profits associated with former Nebraska football players.The complaint alleges that consumers paid at least one thousand dollars to purchase&nbsp;Nfluences’&nbsp;Nebraska Game Day Experience and were promised various additional perks. The Consumers did not receive what they were promised, and no money was given to charity.&nbsp;Instead, funds were used for non-charitable purchases.The complaint&nbsp;alleges&nbsp;that&nbsp;Nfluence&nbsp;took advantage of Nebraskans’ charitable nature and desire to support the football team. Instead of helping charitable causes and giving the donors&nbsp;suite&nbsp;tickets to the home game,&nbsp;Nfluence&nbsp;took their money, used it for&nbsp;non-charitable&nbsp;purchases, and failed to provide the suite tickets. In doing so,&nbsp;the complaint alleges that&nbsp;Nfluence&nbsp;abused the public’s trust and engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices.&nbsp;The Nebraska Attorney General is responsible for enforcement of the CPA, UDTPA, and other state and federal laws that affect Nebraska consumers. The Attorney General may bring an action in the name of the State of Nebraska against any person to restrain and prevent the doing of any act prohibited by the CPA and the UDTPA.&nbsp;

AG Hilgers Files Complaint Against Nfluence for Selling Fraudulent Husker Tickets

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — With just weeks left before his scheduled execution, Oklahoma death row inmate Anthony Sanchez took the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-clemency-death-row-inmate-sanchez-37215eb35b41d410e065c8ea3f4db646">unusual step</a>&nbsp;of firing his attorneys and skipping a clemency hearing that many viewed as the last chance to spare his life.

Sanchez's decision, and his relationship with an activist pastor who is a spiritual adviser to death row inmates across the country, has drawn fierce criticism from capital defense attorneys and anti-death penalty groups.

They say the Rev. Jeff Hood is turning desperate inmates against their lawyers, who are often the last line of defense in a state with one of the busiest death chambers in the country.

Hood is a death row minister associated with national anti-capital punishment organization Death Penalty Action. He says his intention is to raise the profile of inmates and draw public attention to their cases to stop executions.

Critics say Hood is in it to keep himself in the limelight and raise money for Death Penalty Action.

Sanchez, 44, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Thursday for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legal-proceedings-crime-oklahoma-city-676722e9de2c75a3ed1da33e56d14351">1996 killing</a>&nbsp;of 21-year-old University of Oklahoma dance student Juli Busken. The slaying went unsolved for years until DNA recovered from her clothes linked Sanchez to the crime.

Sanchez previously exhausted his state appeals and his case has wound its way through federal court.

Sanchez's court-appointed federal attorneys who were recently removed from the case and members of a longtime advocacy group, the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, place the blame on Hood for Sanchez's decision to forgo clemency.

The Oklahoma group claims Hood has worked to drive a wedge between death row inmates and their court-appointed legal teams, sometimes offering misguided legal suggestions to the condemned inmates.

Don Heath, a minister and attorney who serves as executive director of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, said his group tries to work in conjunction with defense attorneys to coordinate strategy, unlike Hood and Death Penalty Action.

“Essentially, we think they're doing harm to the inmates,” Heath said. “I don't try to offer inmates legal advice. On some of the cases, especially the Sanchez case, they seem to be they’re giving their legal assessment of the case.”

Randall Coyne, Sanchez's former court-appointed attorney, is even more blunt in his assessment.

“What they're doing is using this myth of Anthony Sanchez, an innocent man facing his death, as a publicity fundraising campaign,” Coyne said. “This is all about raising money."

Public filings with the IRS show Death Penalty Action has significantly boosted its fundraising in recent years, bringing in nearly $425,000 in 2021, the most recent year for which its filings were available. The group received around $90,000 in 2018.

In the last week, Death Penalty Action has sent fundraising solicitations out every day, many focused on Hood's plan to walk 120 miles (193 kilometers) from the state penitentiary in McAlester to deliver petitions to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt seeking a delay in Sanchez's execution.

The group's executive director, Abraham Bonowitz, earned about $76,500 in compensation in 2021, while the executive treasurer worked part-time for about $43,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694976802994.jpeg" alt="Rev. Jeff Hood speaks during a news conference, July 8, 2016, in Dallas. With just weeks left before his scheduled execution, Oklahoma death row inmate Sanchez took the unusual step of firing his attorneys and skipping a clemency hearing that many viewed as the last chance to spare his life. His decision, and his relationship with the pastor who is a spiritual adviser to death row inmates across the country, has drawn fierce criticism from capital defense attorneys and anti-death penalty groups. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)" />
 <figcaption>Rev. Jeff Hood speaks during a news conference, July 8, 2016, in Dallas. With just weeks left before his scheduled execution, Oklahoma death row inmate Sanchez took the unusual step of firing his attorneys and skipping a clemency hearing that many viewed as the last chance to spare his life. His decision, and his relationship with the pastor who is a spiritual adviser to death row inmates across the country, has drawn fierce criticism from capital defense attorneys and anti-death penalty groups. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — With just weeks left before his scheduled execution, Oklahoma death row inmate Anthony Sanchez took the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-clemency-death-row-inmate-sanchez-37215eb35b41d410e065c8ea3f4db646">unusual step</a>&nbsp;of firing his attorneys and skipping a clemency hearing that many viewed as the last chance to spare his life.Sanchez's decision, and his relationship with an activist pastor who is a spiritual adviser to death row inmates across the country, has drawn fierce criticism from capital defense attorneys and anti-death penalty groups.They say the Rev. Jeff Hood is turning desperate inmates against their lawyers, who are often the last line of defense in a state with one of the busiest death chambers in the country.Hood is a death row minister associated with national anti-capital punishment organization Death Penalty Action. He says his intention is to raise the profile of inmates and draw public attention to their cases to stop executions.Critics say Hood is in it to keep himself in the limelight and raise money for Death Penalty Action.Sanchez, 44, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Thursday for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legal-proceedings-crime-oklahoma-city-676722e9de2c75a3ed1da33e56d14351">1996 killing</a>&nbsp;of 21-year-old University of Oklahoma dance student Juli Busken. The slaying went unsolved for years until DNA recovered from her clothes linked Sanchez to the crime.Sanchez previously exhausted his state appeals and his case has wound its way through federal court.Sanchez's court-appointed federal attorneys who were recently removed from the case and members of a longtime advocacy group, the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, place the blame on Hood for Sanchez's decision to forgo clemency.The Oklahoma group claims Hood has worked to drive a wedge between death row inmates and their court-appointed legal teams, sometimes offering misguided legal suggestions to the condemned inmates.Don Heath, a minister and attorney who serves as executive director of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, said his group tries to work in conjunction with defense attorneys to coordinate strategy, unlike Hood and Death Penalty Action.“Essentially, we think they're doing harm to the inmates,” Heath said. “I don't try to offer inmates legal advice. On some of the cases, especially the Sanchez case, they seem to be they’re giving their legal assessment of the case.”Randall Coyne, Sanchez's former court-appointed attorney, is even more blunt in his assessment.“What they're doing is using this myth of Anthony Sanchez, an innocent man facing his death, as a publicity fundraising campaign,” Coyne said. “This is all about raising money."Public filings with the IRS show Death Penalty Action has significantly boosted its fundraising in recent years, bringing in nearly $425,000 in 2021, the most recent year for which its filings were available. The group received around $90,000 in 2018.In the last week, Death Penalty Action has sent fundraising solicitations out every day, many focused on Hood's plan to walk 120 miles (193 kilometers) from the state penitentiary in McAlester to deliver petitions to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt seeking a delay in Sanchez's execution.The group's executive director, Abraham Bonowitz, earned about $76,500 in compensation in 2021, while the executive treasurer worked part-time for about $43,000.“Nobody is getting rich here, I can tell you that,” said Bonowitz, who disputed suggestions that the group pits death row inmates against their attorneys.“We are not in the business of trying to get in the way of attorneys,” he said. “We're in the business of trying to get people off of death row.”Hood's critics also include District Court Judge Joe Heaton in the Western District of Oklahoma, who heard testimony at a hearing this summer about Hood's activity among death row inmates.Heaton described Hood as a “nominal spiritual adviser” who interjected himself between capital defendants and their attorneys, which Heaton said was at least partly motivated "by considerations other than the best interest of the client.”Hood was profiled in GQ magazine after organizing a Black Lives Matter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dae6c38b396f400b93d0ccf0c4289b10/leaders-black-lives-matter-condemn-violence-dallas">protest in Dallas</a>&nbsp;where five police officers were killed in 2016. He claims not to earn a salary from Death Penalty Action nor make any revenue from his podcast and YouTube channel featuring interviews with death row inmates. He also disputed the suggestion that he offers legal advice to death row inmates.“It's ludicrous to think that some spiritual adviser could come off of the street and say, ‘You need to get rid of your attorneys,’” Hood said. “If they were doing such a great job, then these guys wouldn't want to get rid of them.”Sanchez aid in a recent interview from death row that the decision to hire new attorneys was his alone.“I did not trust the lawyers that they have representing me,” he said. “There is no trust whatsoever.”Hood has been fiercely critical of the Oklahoma public defenders representing death row inmates, saying in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mcalesternews.com/news/federal-judge-denies-death-row-inmates-request-for-new-attorneys/article_1e5bc27a-061c-11ee-9c89-17dd1e8b07ae.html">recent interview</a>&nbsp;that they “seem to be good at one thing: making sure the slaughter continues.”Emma Rolls, the chief of the capital unit at the Federal Public Defender's office in Oklahoma City, declined to comment on Hood.But Dale Baich, a former federal public defender who has defended Oklahoma death row inmates, said it can be detrimental for an outside group to promote legal theories out of alignment with an inmate's legal claims.“The lawyers know the most about the case,” Baich said. “And someone on the outside may have an observation or an idea that could end up being harmful in some way.”Ellen Yaroshefsky, a professor of legal ethics at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in New York, said capital defense lawyers are highly specialized experts and described Hood's conduct as “very troubling.”“In numerous cases, he appears to interfere between highly skilled lawyers and their clients, who are emotionally distraught, extremely vulnerable and often mentally challenged,” Yaroshefsky said. “And he appears to discourage ongoing representation.”Oklahoma has executed more inmates per capita than any other state since the 1976 reinstatement of the death penalty. The state has carried out nine executions since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-prisons-executions-oklahoma-oklahoma-attorney-generals-office-6e5eedd1956a38f83db96187651f145c">resuming lethal injections</a>&nbsp;in October 2021 following a nearly six-year hiatus resulting from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-eb707c6c064444f29ab1bac58f890ac9">problems with executions</a>&nbsp;in 2014 and 2015.Since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-texas-executions-john-roberts-fcd32356dbb867063d324d7d33d6a21f">ruled last year</a>&nbsp;that death row inmates have a right to have a minister present with them inside the death chamber, Hood has been present for the executions earlier this year of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-execution-drug-robbery-four-killed-e5fae732feec073703cccc87bff18a4b">Arthur Brown Jr. in Texas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legal-proceedings-crime-texas-mcalester-oklahoma-0dd33bd726031c3881e641bed900d676">Scott Eizember in Oklahoma</a>.Hood said he plans to continue advocating for death row inmates and against the death penalty.