WASHINGTON —This week, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This announcement is the Biden Administration's forty-fifth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. 

It includes additional air defense and artillery munitions, mine clearing equipment, medical vehicles, and other equipment to help Ukraine counter Russia's ongoing war of aggression on the battlefield and protect its people.

The capabilities in this package, valued at up to $250 million, include:

This security assistance package will utilize assistance previously authorized under Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) for Ukraine that remained after the PDA revaluation process concluded in June.

With the presidential drawdown authority package announced today, the U.S. has committed more than $43 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022.

The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693427437872.png" alt="U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cannon Ritzler, a munitions systems specialist with the Ohio National Guard, inspects an Air Intercept Missile, also known as an AIM-9M Sidewinder missile-Photo By:Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker, Air National Guard" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cannon Ritzler, a munitions systems specialist with the Ohio National Guard, inspects an Air Intercept Missile, also known as an AIM-9M Sidewinder missile-Photo By:Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker, Air National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —This week, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This announcement is the Biden Administration's forty-fifth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. It includes additional air defense and artillery munitions, mine clearing equipment, medical vehicles, and other equipment to help Ukraine counter Russia's ongoing war of aggression on the battlefield and protect its people.The capabilities in this package, valued at up to $250 million, include:<ul>
 <li>AIM-9M missiles for air defense;</li><li>Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);</li><li>155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;</li><li>Mine clearing equipment;</li><li>Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;</li><li>Javelin and other anti-armor systems and rockets;</li><li>Hydra-70 Rockets;</li><li>Over 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition;</li><li>Armored medical treatment vehicles and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) ambulances;</li><li>Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing; and</li><li>Spare parts, maintenance, and other field equipment.</li>
 </ul>This security assistance package will utilize assistance previously authorized under Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) for Ukraine that remained after the PDA revaluation process concluded in June.With the presidential drawdown authority package announced today, the U.S. has committed more than $43 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's invasion in February 2022.The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements.

U.S. sending Ukraine $250M more in military assistance

LINCOLN — A state lawmaker’s multi-year effort to allow the concealed carry of handguns without a permit or training takes effect Saturday, with Nebraska’s largest cities issuing guidance just before the law is enacted.

State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon advocated for years for a proposal such as Legislative Bill 77, which supporters describe as a “constitutional carry” measure after the Second Amendment. Under the law, persons over 21 can carry concealed firearms without a state permit or state-mandated gun safety training, joining&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/terminology/types-of-concealed-carry-licensurepermitting-policies/unrestricted/">26 other states</a>&nbsp;in doing so.

During the bill’s April 25&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/25/gov-jim-pillen-signs-bill-for-concealed-carry-of-handguns-without-permit-or-training/">signing ceremony</a>, Brewer thanked his colleagues for having his back during his seven years in office.

“They knew what right was and they knew that we had to get the Constitution back to where it should be and give the rights back that should have never been taken away in the first place,” Brewer said.

Beginning Saturday, firearm dealers will also be required to distribute information on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=69-2426">suicide prevention</a>, including evidence-based best practices in prevention and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or other similar resources. The change comes through a bill by State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha that was amended into LB 50.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert signed an executive order Wednesday prohibiting firearms at all City of Omaha owned or leased and managed buildings, facilities, parks and public spaces. This includes community and recreation centers, pools, libraries, parks, fire stations and Public Works and Parks Department maintenance yards.

The city will post a sign at each location prohibiting possession of firearms beginning Saturday, following a provision in LB 77 allowing Omaha to ban firearms.

“Our citizens and employees should feel safe when at work, visiting a city facility for business or enjoying our parks,” Stothert said in a statement. “We will be in compliance with state law.”

The Omaha order does not apply to federal, state, county or city law enforcement; trained security personnel with a government agency; the Harry A. Koch Trap &amp; Skeet facility in Seymour Smith Park; or anyone with prior approval from the Omaha chief of police.

A spokesperson for the City of Lincoln said officials will issue guidance for LB 77 on Friday.

LB 77 is one of a dozen laws taking effect this weekend. Laws passed by the Legislature that do not have an effective date automatically become law three calendar months and one day after the Legislature adjourns or, in this case, Sept. 2.

Several laws taking effect Saturday were included in legislative “packages” or “Christmas tree” bundles of multiple stand-alone bills. They include:

A handful of laws won’t take effect until later this year or sometime in 2024. A couple will not be enacted until 2025.

Three major laws or provisions still to come include&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49961">LB 574</a>, introduced by State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, related to gender-affirming care for minors;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49977">LB 138</a>, with a provision by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair related to the state’s helmet law; and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50326">LB 753</a>, the Opportunity Scholarships Act led by Linehan.

LB 574&nbsp;—&nbsp;The gender care provisions take effect Oct. 1, initially banning transition surgeries for minors. The law authorizes the state chief medical officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, to regulate puberty blockers and hormones, but if there are no rules in place by that time medications will be banned for new patients until new rules are approved. Because the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sos.nebraska.gov/regulations/overview-regulation-process#:~:text=Commonly%20referred%20to%20as%20%22rules,the%20hearing%20and%20adoption%20process.">process</a>&nbsp;requires a 30-day notice for a public hearing, the time has already passed to allow rules to be finalized by Oct. 1.

Planned Parenthood filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/30/nebraska-lawsuit-targets-combo-bill-on-abortion-gender-affirming-care/">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the law primarily regarding the state’s single subject requirement after lawmakers adopted an amendment to also restrict abortion access. A district court judge&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/12/judge-dismisses-lb-574-lawsuit-says-abortion-and-gender-care-are-health-care/">sided with the state</a>; opponents are&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/18/planned-parenthood-aclu-file-notice-to-appeal-ruling-on-new-abortion-law/">appealing</a>&nbsp;the decision.

LB 138&nbsp;—&nbsp;Beginning Jan. 1, Nebraska motorcyclists older than 21 who have completed the basic motorcycle safety course offered by the state can ride without a helmet on highways. Non-Nebraskans must complete an equivalent or substantially similar course and be able to show proof to law enforcement upon request. The Department of Motor Vehicles is authorized to modify its system to show course completion on a person’s record by Jan. 1.

LB 753&nbsp;—&nbsp;Scholarship tax credits will begin to be available for students on or after Jan. 1, initially capped annually at $25 million. Scholarship-granting organizations certified by the Nebraska Department of Revenue are authorized to assist eligible students attend a qualified nonpublic school.

Opponents appear to have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/30/support-our-schools-says-it-has-enough-signatures-to-reach-2024-nebraska-ballot/">qualified</a>&nbsp;for the November 2024 ballot in efforts to repeal the measure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693584033276.jpeg" alt="Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signs State Sen. Tom Brewer’s proposal to allow concealed carry of handguns without a permit or training on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Brewer, at left, and nearly half of Nebraska’s state senators joined the signing. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signs State Sen. Tom Brewer’s proposal to allow concealed carry of handguns without a permit or training on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Brewer, at left, and nearly half of Nebraska’s state senators joined the signing. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach WendlingNebraska ExaminerLINCOLN — A state lawmaker’s multi-year effort to allow the concealed carry of handguns without a permit or training takes effect Saturday, with Nebraska’s largest cities issuing guidance just before the law is enacted.State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon advocated for years for a proposal such as Legislative Bill 77, which supporters describe as a “constitutional carry” measure after the Second Amendment. Under the law, persons over 21 can carry concealed firearms without a state permit or state-mandated gun safety training, joining&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/terminology/types-of-concealed-carry-licensurepermitting-policies/unrestricted/">26 other states</a>&nbsp;in doing so.During the bill’s April 25&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/25/gov-jim-pillen-signs-bill-for-concealed-carry-of-handguns-without-permit-or-training/">signing ceremony</a>, Brewer thanked his colleagues for having his back during his seven years in office.“They knew what right was and they knew that we had to get the Constitution back to where it should be and give the rights back that should have never been taken away in the first place,” Brewer said.Beginning Saturday, firearm dealers will also be required to distribute information on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=69-2426">suicide prevention</a>, including evidence-based best practices in prevention and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or other similar resources. The change comes through a bill by State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha that was amended into LB 50.<h2>Omaha to post public notices</h2>Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert signed an executive order Wednesday prohibiting firearms at all City of Omaha owned or leased and managed buildings, facilities, parks and public spaces. This includes community and recreation centers, pools, libraries, parks, fire stations and Public Works and Parks Department maintenance yards.The city will post a sign at each location prohibiting possession of firearms beginning Saturday, following a provision in LB 77 allowing Omaha to ban firearms.“Our citizens and employees should feel safe when at work, visiting a city facility for business or enjoying our parks,” Stothert said in a statement. “We will be in compliance with state law.”The Omaha order does not apply to federal, state, county or city law enforcement; trained security personnel with a government agency; the Harry A. Koch Trap &amp; Skeet facility in Seymour Smith Park; or anyone with prior approval from the Omaha chief of police.A spokesperson for the City of Lincoln said officials will issue guidance for LB 77 on Friday.<h2>Other laws take effect Saturday</h2>LB 77 is one of a dozen laws taking effect this weekend. Laws passed by the Legislature that do not have an effective date automatically become law three calendar months and one day after the Legislature adjourns or, in this case, Sept. 2.Several laws taking effect Saturday were included in legislative “packages” or “Christmas tree” bundles of multiple stand-alone bills. They include:<ul>
 <li>Criminal justice reform&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50391">LB 50</a>, a series of reforms led by Omaha State Sen. Justin Wayne, the Judiciary Committee chair, includes provisions aimed at reducing the number of inmates who “jam out” of prison without some rehabilitation programming.&nbsp;One provision, offered by Brewer, requires the state to provide each correctional officer a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=83-919">protective vest</a>&nbsp;to protect against edged weapons and stabbings.</li><li>Domestic abuse protection orders&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50383">LB 157</a>, through a provision by State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, explicitly includes&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=42-924">household pets</a>&nbsp;in domestic abuse protection orders.</li><li>Dyslexia reporting&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50239">LB 298</a>, introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, mandates the reporting of information relating to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=79-11,157.01">dyslexia</a>. School districts must report certain information to the State Department of Education annually before July 1, and a department report will be sent to the Legislature on or before Sept. 1 each year.</li><li>Killing of wildlife predators&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50683">LB 565</a>, introduced by State Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard, includes a provision allowing some landowners to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=37-559">kill damage-causing predators</a>&nbsp;without a permit&nbsp;in select circumstances. Included are badgers, bobcats, coyotes, red or gray foxes, long-tailed weasels, minks, opossums, raccoons and skunks. The law also extends to landowners or tenants who encounter a mountain lion in the process of stalking, killing or consuming livestock, but additional requirements apply, such as notifying Game and Parks to arrange a transfer of the animal.</li><li>Prohibiting the suspension of students in pre-K through second grade&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50370">LB 705</a>, through a provision from State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, prohibits&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=79-265.01">suspensions</a>&nbsp;for children in these grades unless the student brings a weapon to school.</li>
 </ul><h2>More laws take effect later</h2>A handful of laws won’t take effect until later this year or sometime in 2024. A couple will not be enacted until 2025.Three major laws or provisions still to come include&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49961">LB 574</a>, introduced by State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, related to gender-affirming care for minors;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49977">LB 138</a>, with a provision by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair related to the state’s helmet law; and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=50326">LB 753</a>, the Opportunity Scholarships Act led by Linehan.LB 574&nbsp;—&nbsp;The gender care provisions take effect Oct. 1, initially banning transition surgeries for minors. The law authorizes the state chief medical officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer, to regulate puberty blockers and hormones, but if there are no rules in place by that time medications will be banned for new patients until new rules are approved. Because the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sos.nebraska.gov/regulations/overview-regulation-process#:~:text=Commonly%20referred%20to%20as%20%22rules,the%20hearing%20and%20adoption%20process.">process</a>&nbsp;requires a 30-day notice for a public hearing, the time has already passed to allow rules to be finalized by Oct. 1.Planned Parenthood filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/30/nebraska-lawsuit-targets-combo-bill-on-abortion-gender-affirming-care/">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the law primarily regarding the state’s single subject requirement after lawmakers adopted an amendment to also restrict abortion access. A district court judge&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/12/judge-dismisses-lb-574-lawsuit-says-abortion-and-gender-care-are-health-care/">sided with the state</a>; opponents are&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/18/planned-parenthood-aclu-file-notice-to-appeal-ruling-on-new-abortion-law/">appealing</a>&nbsp;the decision.LB 138&nbsp;—&nbsp;Beginning Jan. 1, Nebraska motorcyclists older than 21 who have completed the basic motorcycle safety course offered by the state can ride without a helmet on highways. Non-Nebraskans must complete an equivalent or substantially similar course and be able to show proof to law enforcement upon request. The Department of Motor Vehicles is authorized to modify its system to show course completion on a person’s record by Jan. 1.LB 753&nbsp;—&nbsp;Scholarship tax credits will begin to be available for students on or after Jan. 1, initially capped annually at $25 million. Scholarship-granting organizations certified by the Nebraska Department of Revenue are authorized to assist eligible students attend a qualified nonpublic school.Opponents appear to have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/30/support-our-schools-says-it-has-enough-signatures-to-reach-2024-nebraska-ballot/">qualified</a>&nbsp;for the November 2024 ballot in efforts to repeal the measure.

Several Nebraska laws take effect Saturday, including permitless concealed carry

As part of its strategy to grow Nebraska's rural behavioral health workforce, the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska has launched its BHECN Northeast Site at Wayne State College.

The Northeast Site is BHECN’s third rural site – joining the BHECN Central Site at the University of Nebraska&nbsp;at&nbsp;Kearney, which launched in 2015, and the BHECN Panhandle Site, which started at Chadron State College in 2019.

The rural sites help ensure BHECN’s efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce are tailored to meet the unique training, recruitment and retention needs of various regions in the state, said Marley Doyle, MD, director of BHECN.

“Nebraska is a geographically and demographically diverse state and that means providers, students and trainees face different challenges based on what part the state in which they work,” Dr. Doyle said. “We’re thrilled to see the Northeast site come online and help us better serve the needs of those who live and work in that part of the state.”

Wayne State College is “excited and honored to serve and support the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska's mission to recruit and retain behavioral health professionals in Northeast Nebraska,” said Steven Elliott, vice president for academic affairs at Wayne State. “I have been impressed with the level of collaboration between UNMC and Wayne State throughout the development of this important partnership with BHECN and look forward to supporting the expansion of training opportunities for the rural behavioral health workforce in Nebraska.”

Like most of the state, Northeast Nebraska faces a shortage of behavioral health workers, said Ciera Afrank, director of BHECN Northeast, but the area also presents region-specific challenges and opportunities.

For example, Afrank said, Northeast Nebraska is a “tri-state area,” expanding the region beyond river borders with Iowa and South Dakota. Providers encounter complex licensure and telehealth regulations with clients seeking services across state lines. However, the area presents opportunities to recruit and train the behavioral health workforce for the benefit of interstate rural populations.

In addition, Northeast Nebraska communities are remarkably diverse. Behavioral health providers exemplify cultural competence and advocacy for varied client backgrounds, lifestyles and needs. Afrank, who is also Wayne State College’s director of counseling services, said BHECN Northeast will support efforts to ensure all populations have equitable access to behavioral health care.

BHECN Northeast aims to foster connection and mentorship across all levels of involvement in behavioral health, including high school and college students envisioning their futures, those evolving into the workforce from other pathways, new professionals navigating first experiences, and seasoned providers expanding their skills and networks.

Dr. Doyle said it was important to recognize the contributions of former BHECN Director Susan Boust, MD, in helping establish BHECN Northeast.

“Dr. Boust played an instrumental role in starting and advancing conversations around establishing a BHECN site at Wayne State,” Dr. Doyle said. “We likely wouldn’t be celebrating this exciting development were it not for Dr. Boust and her efforts.”&nbsp;

While BHECN Northeast is officially up and running now, an official opening ceremony later in the fall to recognize the site’s opening. More details about that event will be announced soon.

“We could not be more excited to begin this partnership with Wayne State College,” Dr. Doyle said. “We know BHECN Northeast will be a powerful force that will help improve behavioral health in the region for years to come.”

Photo:&nbsp;Ciera Afrank, director of BHECN Northeast

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693574612074.jpeg" alt="Ciera Afrank, director of BHECN Northeast" />
 <figcaption>Ciera Afrank, director of BHECN Northeast</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCAs part of its strategy to grow Nebraska's rural behavioral health workforce, the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska has launched its BHECN Northeast Site at Wayne State College.The Northeast Site is BHECN’s third rural site – joining the BHECN Central Site at the University of Nebraska&nbsp;at&nbsp;Kearney, which launched in 2015, and the BHECN Panhandle Site, which started at Chadron State College in 2019.The rural sites help ensure BHECN’s efforts to strengthen the state’s workforce are tailored to meet the unique training, recruitment and retention needs of various regions in the state, said Marley Doyle, MD, director of BHECN.“Nebraska is a geographically and demographically diverse state and that means providers, students and trainees face different challenges based on what part the state in which they work,” Dr. Doyle said. “We’re thrilled to see the Northeast site come online and help us better serve the needs of those who live and work in that part of the state.”Wayne State College is “excited and honored to serve and support the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska's mission to recruit and retain behavioral health professionals in Northeast Nebraska,” said Steven Elliott, vice president for academic affairs at Wayne State. “I have been impressed with the level of collaboration between UNMC and Wayne State throughout the development of this important partnership with BHECN and look forward to supporting the expansion of training opportunities for the rural behavioral health workforce in Nebraska.”Like most of the state, Northeast Nebraska faces a shortage of behavioral health workers, said Ciera Afrank, director of BHECN Northeast, but the area also presents region-specific challenges and opportunities.For example, Afrank said, Northeast Nebraska is a “tri-state area,” expanding the region beyond river borders with Iowa and South Dakota. Providers encounter complex licensure and telehealth regulations with clients seeking services across state lines. However, the area presents opportunities to recruit and train the behavioral health workforce for the benefit of interstate rural populations.In addition, Northeast Nebraska communities are remarkably diverse. Behavioral health providers exemplify cultural competence and advocacy for varied client backgrounds, lifestyles and needs. Afrank, who is also Wayne State College’s director of counseling services, said BHECN Northeast will support efforts to ensure all populations have equitable access to behavioral health care.BHECN Northeast aims to foster connection and mentorship across all levels of involvement in behavioral health, including high school and college students envisioning their futures, those evolving into the workforce from other pathways, new professionals navigating first experiences, and seasoned providers expanding their skills and networks.Dr. Doyle said it was important to recognize the contributions of former BHECN Director Susan Boust, MD, in helping establish BHECN Northeast.“Dr. Boust played an instrumental role in starting and advancing conversations around establishing a BHECN site at Wayne State,” Dr. Doyle said. “We likely wouldn’t be celebrating this exciting development were it not for Dr. Boust and her efforts.”&nbsp;While BHECN Northeast is officially up and running now, an official opening ceremony later in the fall to recognize the site’s opening. More details about that event will be announced soon.“We could not be more excited to begin this partnership with Wayne State College,” Dr. Doyle said. “We know BHECN Northeast will be a powerful force that will help improve behavioral health in the region for years to come.”Photo:&nbsp;Ciera Afrank, director of BHECN Northeast

BHECN Northeast launches at Wayne State College

OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 1, 2023)&nbsp;— After climbing above growth neutral for five straight months, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, fell below the growth neutral threshold for a second straight month.

Overall Index:&nbsp;The Business Conditions Index, which uses the identical methodology as the national&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ism.ws%2f&amp;c=E,1,Fa7c969gcLGMTPigrPIkiT9OkHEvr74edjdEvfpuvgn8o85Rd__GYTAX_5536Iqb_FxPS1zzqi_ECCS_4JhKTrK2IDMZaYiDRilqdeFFsGjA2w4D8jVwlgJDHA,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Institute for Supply Management</a>&nbsp;(ISM)&nbsp;and ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, increased to 49.5 in August from 46.1 in July.

“The Mid-America regional manufacturing economy is definitely losing momentum.&nbsp; Government data indicate that the regional manufacturing economy has lost jobs for the last three months,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group and the Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics in the&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fbusiness.creighton.edu%2f&amp;c=E,1,h8pVvpW4z7jFv-mvoeK0vid_58ngG3ie-2SkuaEnx0gdaAvgG7LrmfgAyhvkmHVEP-8d0gIzlfyXtin4DZES8sWbnjqYyLXa8WeuuFYUojOfW8NADh2Tx_tnzEQ,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Heider College of Business</a>.

<a>The Mid-America report is produced independently from the national ISM.</a>

“Creighton University’s survey results indicate that contrary to the Federal Reserve consensus, a recession in 2023 is still ‘on the table.’<a></a><a>&nbsp;Approximately 45% of supply managers expect a recession in the second half of 2023</a>,” said Goss.

Said one supply manger, “We are definitely slower this month than last month and year.”

“The rapid expansion in federal government spending will push the Federal Reserve to keep its foot on the economic brakes via raising short-term rates. I expect one more rate hike in quarter four of 2023 with no change at the Fed’s Sept. 19-20 meetings. Furthermore, I expect Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to restate the Fed’s commitment to reducing the Fed’s balance sheet, which will put upward pressure on long-term interest rates,” said Goss.

Employment:&nbsp;<a>The regional hiring gauge slumped below growth neutral to 47.7, but up from 45.6 in July. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, seasonally adjusted&nbsp;</a><a>manufacturing employment in the region has decreased for three consecutive months</a>.&nbsp;<a>Creighton’s monthly survey results indicate these manufacturing job losses will increase in the months ahead.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

“For the first half of 2023, Creighton’s monthly survey indicated steady employment growth with levels maintained due to manufacturers’ labor hoarding. However, employment readings over the past several months signal layoffs in the region,” said Goss.

As reported by one supply manager, “Why can’t we hire the people we need — why can’t the government allow us to hire the illegals they let in?”

Other comments from supply managers in August:

Wholesale Prices:&nbsp;<a></a><a>The wholesale inflation gauge for the month rose to 63.7 from July’s 52.2</a>. Supply managers expect wholesale prices for the products and services their firms purchase to increase by approximately 5.0% over the next 12 months.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Even with consumer inflation above their 2.0% target, I expect the Federal Reserve to make no change to their short-term interest rates at their September 19-20 meetings, but raise rates by 25 basis points (0.25%) in the last quarter of this year,” said Goss.

According to one supply manager, “Inflation is in labor, materials, transportation, fuel, etc. Everyone in the chain is raising prices and keeping them there.”

Confidence:&nbsp;<a>Looking ahead six months, economic optimism as captured by the August Business Confidence Index slumped to 26.3 from July’s weak 32.6. “</a><a></a><a>Approximately 45% of supply managers expect a recession in the next six months,</a>” said Goss.

Inventories:&nbsp;The regional inventory index, reflecting levels of raw materials and supplies, expanded to 54.6 from July’s 52.3. “Manufacturing firms have been expanding inventory levels since February of this year,” said Goss.

Trade:&nbsp;<a>Trade numbers were once again weak for the month with new export orders climbing to 39.3 from July’s 30.8.</a>&nbsp;August imports increased to 41.2 from July’s 35.3.&nbsp;

Despite the recent downturn in exports, U.S. International Trade Association data indicate that the region expanded exports in the first half of 2023. Manufacturing exports expanded to $46.7 billion from $44.4 billion during this same time period in 2022, indicating growth of 5.2%.

Other survey components of the August Business Conditions Index were: new orders increased to 45.3 from 43.5 in July; the production or sales index rose to 47.8 from 41.3; and the speed of deliveries of raw materials and supplies climbed to 52.3 from July’s 47.3. The increase indicates an upturn in supply chain disruptions and delivery bottlenecks for the month.

The Creighton Economic Forecasting Group has conducted the monthly survey of supply managers in nine states since 1994 to produce leading economic indicators of the Mid-America economy. States included in the survey are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Arkansas:&nbsp;The state’s August Business Conditions Index expanded to 59.5 from 54.6 in July. Components from the August survey of supply managers were: new orders at 46.3, production or sales at 48.0, delivery lead time at 57.0, inventories at 72.0 and employment at 74.2.<a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>&nbsp;</a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Arkansas’ manufacturing exports expanded from $2.6 billion for the first half of 2022 to $2.7 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 0.6%.</a><a>&nbsp;The state’s leading manufacturing export, transportation equipment, declined by 4.8% from 2022 to 2023.</a>

Iowa:&nbsp;The state’s Business Conditions Index for August advanced to 47.9 from July’s 46.0. Components of the overall August index were: new orders at 46.6, production or sales at 46.3, delivery lead time at 48.4, employment at 48.7 and inventories at 49.5.<a></a><a></a><a>&nbsp;</a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Iowa’s manufacturing exports expanded from $7.7 billion for the first half of 2022 to $8.6 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 11.8%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, machinery, soared by 28.5% from 2022 to 2023.</a>

Kansas:&nbsp;The Kansas Business Conditions Index for August increased to 42.3 from 38.9 in July. Components of the leading economic indicator from the monthly survey of supply managers for August were: new orders at 45.0, production or sales at 46.7, delivery lead time at 50.3, employment at 31.7 and inventories at 37.7.&nbsp;<a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Kansas’ manufacturing exports expanded from $5.5 billion for the first half of 2022 to $6.0 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 7.7%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, transportation equipment, soared by 16.9% from 2022 to 2023.</a>

Minnesota:&nbsp;The August Business Conditions Index for Minnesota improved to 46.0 from 43.3 in July. Components of the overall August index were: new orders at 45.3, production or sales at 46.9, delivery lead time at 51.8, inventories at 45.1 and employment at&nbsp;<a>40.9.</a><a>&nbsp;</a><a></a><a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Minnesota’s manufacturing exports expanded from $11.5 billion for the first half of 2022 to $11.6 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 0.2%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, computers and electronic products, expanded by 8.7% from 2022 to 2023.</a>

Missouri:&nbsp;Missouri’s August Business Conditions Index climbed to 59.5 from 52.6 in July. Components of the overall index from the survey of supply managers for August were: new orders at 46.3, production or sales at 48.0, delivery lead time at 57.0, inventories at 72.0 and employment at 74.1.&nbsp;<a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Missouri’s manufacturing exports expanded from $7.2 billion for the first half of 2022 to $7.7 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 6.3%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, transportation equipment, soared by 28.5% from 2022 to 2023.</a>

Nebraska:&nbsp;For a third straight month, Nebraska’s Business Conditions Index slumped below the growth neutral threshold. The overall reading for August increased to 44.4 from 40.4 in July. Components of the index from the monthly survey of supply managers for August were: new orders at 45.2, production or sales at 46.8, delivery lead time at 51.2, inventories at 41.9 and employment at 36.9.<a>&nbsp;</a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Nebraska’s manufacturing exports dropped from $3.6 billion for the first half of 2022 to $3.5 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a&nbsp;decline&nbsp;of 2.4%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, processed food, slumped by 12.0% from 2022 to 2023.</a>

North Dakota:&nbsp;After two straight months of below growth neutral readings, the state’s Business Conditions Index soared to a healthy 58.6 in August from 49.5 in July. Components of the overall index for August were: new orders at 46.2, production or sales at 47.9, delivery lead time at 56.7, employment at 71.9 and inventories at 70.2. According to U.S. International Trade Association data, North Dakota’s manufacturing exports expanded from $2.0 billion for the first half of 2022 to $2.8 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 37.5%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, petroleum and petroleum products, soared by 64.4% from 2022 to 2023.

Oklahoma:&nbsp;Oklahoma’s Business Conditions Index slumped below growth neutral for a third straight month. The August index increased to 46.9 from 41.1 in July. Components of the overall August index were: new orders at 45.4, production or sales at 47.0, delivery lead time at 52.1, inventories at 46.8 and employment at 43.0. According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Oklahoma’s manufacturing exports contracted from $3.2 billion for the first half of 2022 to $2.9 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a&nbsp;decline&nbsp;of 9.0%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, machinery, contracted by 6.1% from 2022 to 2023.

South Dakota:&nbsp;The August Business Conditions Index for South Dakota declined to 43.4 from 43.9 in July. Components of the overall index were: new orders at 45.1, production or sales at 46.7, delivery lead time at 50.8, inventories at 49.9 and employment at 43.0. According to U.S. International Trade Association data, South Dakota’s manufacturing exports expanded from $1.1 billion for the first half of 2022 to $1.2 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 7.6%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, processed food, declined by 3.4% from 2022 to 2023.

Survey results for the month of September will be released on Oct. 2, 2023, the first business day of the month.

Jon Nyatawa&nbsp;OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 1, 2023)&nbsp;— After climbing above growth neutral for five straight months, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, fell below the growth neutral threshold for a second straight month.Overall Index:&nbsp;The Business Conditions Index, which uses the identical methodology as the national&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ism.ws%2f&amp;c=E,1,Fa7c969gcLGMTPigrPIkiT9OkHEvr74edjdEvfpuvgn8o85Rd__GYTAX_5536Iqb_FxPS1zzqi_ECCS_4JhKTrK2IDMZaYiDRilqdeFFsGjA2w4D8jVwlgJDHA,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Institute for Supply Management</a>&nbsp;(ISM)&nbsp;and ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, increased to 49.5 in August from 46.1 in July.“The Mid-America regional manufacturing economy is definitely losing momentum.&nbsp; Government data indicate that the regional manufacturing economy has lost jobs for the last three months,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group and the Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics in the&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fbusiness.creighton.edu%2f&amp;c=E,1,h8pVvpW4z7jFv-mvoeK0vid_58ngG3ie-2SkuaEnx0gdaAvgG7LrmfgAyhvkmHVEP-8d0gIzlfyXtin4DZES8sWbnjqYyLXa8WeuuFYUojOfW8NADh2Tx_tnzEQ,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">Heider College of Business</a>.<a>The Mid-America report is produced independently from the national ISM.</a>“Creighton University’s survey results indicate that contrary to the Federal Reserve consensus, a recession in 2023 is still ‘on the table.’<a></a><a>&nbsp;Approximately 45% of supply managers expect a recession in the second half of 2023</a>,” said Goss.Said one supply manger, “We are definitely slower this month than last month and year.”“The rapid expansion in federal government spending will push the Federal Reserve to keep its foot on the economic brakes via raising short-term rates. I expect one more rate hike in quarter four of 2023 with no change at the Fed’s Sept. 19-20 meetings. Furthermore, I expect Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to restate the Fed’s commitment to reducing the Fed’s balance sheet, which will put upward pressure on long-term interest rates,” said Goss.Employment:&nbsp;<a>The regional hiring gauge slumped below growth neutral to 47.7, but up from 45.6 in July. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, seasonally adjusted&nbsp;</a><a>manufacturing employment in the region has decreased for three consecutive months</a>.&nbsp;<a>Creighton’s monthly survey results indicate these manufacturing job losses will increase in the months ahead.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>“For the first half of 2023, Creighton’s monthly survey indicated steady employment growth with levels maintained due to manufacturers’ labor hoarding. However, employment readings over the past several months signal layoffs in the region,” said Goss.As reported by one supply manager, “Why can’t we hire the people we need — why can’t the government allow us to hire the illegals they let in?”Other comments from supply managers in August:<ul>
 <li>“The dark times are upon us … inflation is a huge anchor on the overall economy and is the tax most people don’t even comprehend.”</li><li>“The grocery market industry is still in a steady growth pattern for new and remodeled stores. Our business is manufacturing merchandising fixtures for the grocery industry.&nbsp; Looks pretty solid at least through the rest of 2023.”</li><li>“Orders and shipments are down between 2023 and 2022.”</li><li>“We are going to have to pay the piper at some point as we can't keep printing money and increasing interest rates and consumer prices without some significant consequences.”</li><li>“There are markets with reduced sales but to call it a recession would be misleading.”</li><li>“I've been waiting for this ‘recession’ since Obama was in office. I thought the ramped-up printing of money then would have caused hyper-inflation and with everything that's happened since it still hasn't. Since we don't have a free market anymore, I just don't know what to think.”</li><li>“We are seeing mixed signals, with some industries such as RV's, lawn care, etc. slowing down, while others in the agriculture and construction industries seemingly not affected by a slowdown in the economy.”</li>
 </ul>Wholesale Prices:&nbsp;<a></a><a>The wholesale inflation gauge for the month rose to 63.7 from July’s 52.2</a>. Supply managers expect wholesale prices for the products and services their firms purchase to increase by approximately 5.0% over the next 12 months.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Even with consumer inflation above their 2.0% target, I expect the Federal Reserve to make no change to their short-term interest rates at their September 19-20 meetings, but raise rates by 25 basis points (0.25%) in the last quarter of this year,” said Goss.According to one supply manager, “Inflation is in labor, materials, transportation, fuel, etc. Everyone in the chain is raising prices and keeping them there.”Confidence:&nbsp;<a>Looking ahead six months, economic optimism as captured by the August Business Confidence Index slumped to 26.3 from July’s weak 32.6. “</a><a></a><a>Approximately 45% of supply managers expect a recession in the next six months,</a>” said Goss.Inventories:&nbsp;The regional inventory index, reflecting levels of raw materials and supplies, expanded to 54.6 from July’s 52.3. “Manufacturing firms have been expanding inventory levels since February of this year,” said Goss.Trade:&nbsp;<a>Trade numbers were once again weak for the month with new export orders climbing to 39.3 from July’s 30.8.</a>&nbsp;August imports increased to 41.2 from July’s 35.3.&nbsp;Despite the recent downturn in exports, U.S. International Trade Association data indicate that the region expanded exports in the first half of 2023. Manufacturing exports expanded to $46.7 billion from $44.4 billion during this same time period in 2022, indicating growth of 5.2%.Other survey components of the August Business Conditions Index were: new orders increased to 45.3 from 43.5 in July; the production or sales index rose to 47.8 from 41.3; and the speed of deliveries of raw materials and supplies climbed to 52.3 from July’s 47.3. The increase indicates an upturn in supply chain disruptions and delivery bottlenecks for the month.The Creighton Economic Forecasting Group has conducted the monthly survey of supply managers in nine states since 1994 to produce leading economic indicators of the Mid-America economy. States included in the survey are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.Below are the state reports:Arkansas:&nbsp;The state’s August Business Conditions Index expanded to 59.5 from 54.6 in July. Components from the August survey of supply managers were: new orders at 46.3, production or sales at 48.0, delivery lead time at 57.0, inventories at 72.0 and employment at 74.2.<a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>&nbsp;</a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Arkansas’ manufacturing exports expanded from $2.6 billion for the first half of 2022 to $2.7 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 0.6%.</a><a>&nbsp;The state’s leading manufacturing export, transportation equipment, declined by 4.8% from 2022 to 2023.</a>Iowa:&nbsp;The state’s Business Conditions Index for August advanced to 47.9 from July’s 46.0. Components of the overall August index were: new orders at 46.6, production or sales at 46.3, delivery lead time at 48.4, employment at 48.7 and inventories at 49.5.<a></a><a></a><a>&nbsp;</a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Iowa’s manufacturing exports expanded from $7.7 billion for the first half of 2022 to $8.6 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 11.8%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, machinery, soared by 28.5% from 2022 to 2023.</a>Kansas:&nbsp;The Kansas Business Conditions Index for August increased to 42.3 from 38.9 in July. Components of the leading economic indicator from the monthly survey of supply managers for August were: new orders at 45.0, production or sales at 46.7, delivery lead time at 50.3, employment at 31.7 and inventories at 37.7.&nbsp;<a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Kansas’ manufacturing exports expanded from $5.5 billion for the first half of 2022 to $6.0 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 7.7%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, transportation equipment, soared by 16.9% from 2022 to 2023.</a>Minnesota:&nbsp;The August Business Conditions Index for Minnesota improved to 46.0 from 43.3 in July. Components of the overall August index were: new orders at 45.3, production or sales at 46.9, delivery lead time at 51.8, inventories at 45.1 and employment at&nbsp;<a>40.9.</a><a>&nbsp;</a><a></a><a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Minnesota’s manufacturing exports expanded from $11.5 billion for the first half of 2022 to $11.6 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 0.2%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, computers and electronic products, expanded by 8.7% from 2022 to 2023.</a>Missouri:&nbsp;Missouri’s August Business Conditions Index climbed to 59.5 from 52.6 in July. Components of the overall index from the survey of supply managers for August were: new orders at 46.3, production or sales at 48.0, delivery lead time at 57.0, inventories at 72.0 and employment at 74.1.&nbsp;<a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Missouri’s manufacturing exports expanded from $7.2 billion for the first half of 2022 to $7.7 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 6.3%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, transportation equipment, soared by 28.5% from 2022 to 2023.</a>Nebraska:&nbsp;For a third straight month, Nebraska’s Business Conditions Index slumped below the growth neutral threshold. The overall reading for August increased to 44.4 from 40.4 in July. Components of the index from the monthly survey of supply managers for August were: new orders at 45.2, production or sales at 46.8, delivery lead time at 51.2, inventories at 41.9 and employment at 36.9.<a>&nbsp;</a><a></a><a></a><a></a><a>According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Nebraska’s manufacturing exports dropped from $3.6 billion for the first half of 2022 to $3.5 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a&nbsp;decline&nbsp;of 2.4%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, processed food, slumped by 12.0% from 2022 to 2023.</a>North Dakota:&nbsp;After two straight months of below growth neutral readings, the state’s Business Conditions Index soared to a healthy 58.6 in August from 49.5 in July. Components of the overall index for August were: new orders at 46.2, production or sales at 47.9, delivery lead time at 56.7, employment at 71.9 and inventories at 70.2. According to U.S. International Trade Association data, North Dakota’s manufacturing exports expanded from $2.0 billion for the first half of 2022 to $2.8 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 37.5%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, petroleum and petroleum products, soared by 64.4% from 2022 to 2023.Oklahoma:&nbsp;Oklahoma’s Business Conditions Index slumped below growth neutral for a third straight month. The August index increased to 46.9 from 41.1 in July. Components of the overall August index were: new orders at 45.4, production or sales at 47.0, delivery lead time at 52.1, inventories at 46.8 and employment at 43.0. According to U.S. International Trade Association data, Oklahoma’s manufacturing exports contracted from $3.2 billion for the first half of 2022 to $2.9 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a&nbsp;decline&nbsp;of 9.0%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, machinery, contracted by 6.1% from 2022 to 2023.South Dakota:&nbsp;The August Business Conditions Index for South Dakota declined to 43.4 from 43.9 in July. Components of the overall index were: new orders at 45.1, production or sales at 46.7, delivery lead time at 50.8, inventories at 49.9 and employment at 43.0. According to U.S. International Trade Association data, South Dakota’s manufacturing exports expanded from $1.1 billion for the first half of 2022 to $1.2 billion for the same period in 2023, representing a growth rate of 7.6%. The state’s leading manufacturing export, processed food, declined by 3.4% from 2022 to 2023.Survey results for the month of September will be released on Oct. 2, 2023, the first business day of the month.

Mid-America Manufacturing Index Remains Below Growth Neutral

(LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— An unforgettable experience combined with safe roadways made the perfect combination for Volleyball Day in Nebraska. Troopers partnered with local agencies to help keep the record-breaking crowd safe as they traveled to and from Memorial Stadium Wednesday.

“Nebraskans showed up in record-breaking numbers yesterday and put on a show for the whole world to see,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Thanks to safe driving by the vast majority of fans, Volleyball Day in Nebraska will be remembered for the incredible experience inside the stadium and not for a tragedy on the road.”

Troopers performed high-visibility patrols on roadways in and around Lincoln as part of this operation, which was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office. Troopers also patrolled from the air in the NSP helicopter to assist with traffic flow.

Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, troopers made four arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol in the Lincoln area. NSP reminds everyone to always have a sober driver.

Cody Thomas Nebraska State Patrol(LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— An unforgettable experience combined with safe roadways made the perfect combination for Volleyball Day in Nebraska. Troopers partnered with local agencies to help keep the record-breaking crowd safe as they traveled to and from Memorial Stadium Wednesday.“Nebraskans showed up in record-breaking numbers yesterday and put on a show for the whole world to see,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Thanks to safe driving by the vast majority of fans, Volleyball Day in Nebraska will be remembered for the incredible experience inside the stadium and not for a tragedy on the road.”Troopers performed high-visibility patrols on roadways in and around Lincoln as part of this operation, which was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office. Troopers also patrolled from the air in the NSP helicopter to assist with traffic flow.Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, troopers made four arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol in the Lincoln area. NSP reminds everyone to always have a sober driver.

Safe Driving Keeps Memories Focused on an Unforgettable Event

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-b7c8b3e967efba728b31bf7b6fa1f429">Trump-era rule</a>&nbsp;allowing railroads to haul highly flammable liquefied natural gas will now be formally put on hold to allow more time to study the safety concerns related to transporting that fuel and other substances like hydrogen that must be kept at extremely low temperatures when they are shipped, regulators announced Thursday.

Right after it was announced in the summer of 2020, the rule was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4437223e3ef350ef884523aa1027c59b">challenged in court</a>&nbsp;by a number of environmental groups and 14 states. The uncertainty about the rule on transporting the fuel known as LNG kept railroads from shipping it. The Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration says no one has ever even ordered one of the specially fortified rail cars that would have been required to ship LNG, and several hundred of those cars that would each take at least 18 months to build would likely be needed to make the idea viable.

“We need to do more safety investigative work,” said Tristan Brown, the deputy administrator who is leading the agency. “Until we do that work, we don't want someone to, you know, make investments and deploy something where we haven't fully done the process we normally do need to do.”

Brown acknowledged that the rule was rushed under a directive from former President Donald Trump, so it needs to be refined.

This latest action ensures the rule that was backed by the freight rail and natural gas industries will remain on hold at least until regulators finalize changes to the rule the Biden administration wants to make or the end of June 2025 — whichever comes first.

One of the big railroads that said it may have been interested in hauling the fuel, CSX, abandoned any plans to build the infrastructure needed to load and unload LNG from railcars after the agency first announced this proposal to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-environment-4dcd036f9745bf627553cba1fd1c1df9">suspend the rule</a>&nbsp;in 2021.

Current federal rules do allow trucks to haul LNG but not rail. But Brown said there's only a tiny amount of natural gas that isn't delivered by pipelines, so there was never much demand for rail shipments of LNG. After pipelines deliver gas to ports, ships haul the LNG that is exported.

The rail industry maintains that it is the safest option to transport hazardous materials across land. The Association of American Railroads trade group touts railroads' record of delivering more than 99% of all toxic shipments without incident.

But rail safety has been in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">spotlight</a>&nbsp;this year ever since a Norfolk Southern train&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">derailed</a>&nbsp;in eastern Ohio in February and spilled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-updates-bf5a60de2243cd6f7f730096aa33294c">several chemicals</a>&nbsp;that caught fire. That railroad is still cleaning the mess that prompted calls for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/east-palestine-train-derailment-safety-regulations-railroad-4db52c68daf68da05425b5b70363fb0a">reforms</a>&nbsp;and fears of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-contamination-fears-brockovich-fc68b402096a4f5f8598a657f7e399f8">possible health problems</a>&nbsp;for people who live in and around East Palestine.

Brown said he thinks the East Palestine derailment highlighted the importance of some of his agency's previous rules because the tougher tank cars recommended in 2015 performed better in the wreck. But that derailment highlights the need for railroad regulations.

“I think that has that has underscored the need to address rail safety — generally hazmat transportation by rail,” Brown said.

U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-climate-politics-lake-charles-043352f951b3c8fec787c51c6836a4ae">natural gas production</a>&nbsp;has continued to surge in recent years amid strong global demand for the fuel. Natural gas exports have grown steadily over the past two decades, and the U.S. has become the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine only added to global demand. That's particularly the case in Europe, where many nations were accustomed to relying on Russian energy before the war prompted them to sever those ties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693577504701.jpeg" alt="A CSX freight train passes through Homestead, Pa., Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. A Trump-era rule allowing railroads to haul highly flammable liquefied natural gas will now be formally put on hold to allow more time to study the safety concerns related to transporting that fuel and other substances like hydrogen that must be kept at extremely low temperatures when they are shipped, regulators announced Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)" />
 <figcaption>A CSX freight train passes through Homestead, Pa., Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. A Trump-era rule allowing railroads to haul highly flammable liquefied natural gas will now be formally put on hold to allow more time to study the safety concerns related to transporting that fuel and other substances like hydrogen that must be kept at extremely low temperatures when they are shipped, regulators announced Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-b7c8b3e967efba728b31bf7b6fa1f429">Trump-era rule</a>&nbsp;allowing railroads to haul highly flammable liquefied natural gas will now be formally put on hold to allow more time to study the safety concerns related to transporting that fuel and other substances like hydrogen that must be kept at extremely low temperatures when they are shipped, regulators announced Thursday.Right after it was announced in the summer of 2020, the rule was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4437223e3ef350ef884523aa1027c59b">challenged in court</a>&nbsp;by a number of environmental groups and 14 states. The uncertainty about the rule on transporting the fuel known as LNG kept railroads from shipping it. The Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration says no one has ever even ordered one of the specially fortified rail cars that would have been required to ship LNG, and several hundred of those cars that would each take at least 18 months to build would likely be needed to make the idea viable.“We need to do more safety investigative work,” said Tristan Brown, the deputy administrator who is leading the agency. “Until we do that work, we don't want someone to, you know, make investments and deploy something where we haven't fully done the process we normally do need to do.”Brown acknowledged that the rule was rushed under a directive from former President Donald Trump, so it needs to be refined.This latest action ensures the rule that was backed by the freight rail and natural gas industries will remain on hold at least until regulators finalize changes to the rule the Biden administration wants to make or the end of June 2025 — whichever comes first.One of the big railroads that said it may have been interested in hauling the fuel, CSX, abandoned any plans to build the infrastructure needed to load and unload LNG from railcars after the agency first announced this proposal to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-environment-4dcd036f9745bf627553cba1fd1c1df9">suspend the rule</a>&nbsp;in 2021.Current federal rules do allow trucks to haul LNG but not rail. But Brown said there's only a tiny amount of natural gas that isn't delivered by pipelines, so there was never much demand for rail shipments of LNG. After pipelines deliver gas to ports, ships haul the LNG that is exported.The rail industry maintains that it is the safest option to transport hazardous materials across land. The Association of American Railroads trade group touts railroads' record of delivering more than 99% of all toxic shipments without incident.But rail safety has been in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">spotlight</a>&nbsp;this year ever since a Norfolk Southern train&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">derailed</a>&nbsp;in eastern Ohio in February and spilled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-updates-bf5a60de2243cd6f7f730096aa33294c">several chemicals</a>&nbsp;that caught fire. That railroad is still cleaning the mess that prompted calls for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/east-palestine-train-derailment-safety-regulations-railroad-4db52c68daf68da05425b5b70363fb0a">reforms</a>&nbsp;and fears of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-contamination-fears-brockovich-fc68b402096a4f5f8598a657f7e399f8">possible health problems</a>&nbsp;for people who live in and around East Palestine.Brown said he thinks the East Palestine derailment highlighted the importance of some of his agency's previous rules because the tougher tank cars recommended in 2015 performed better in the wreck. But that derailment highlights the need for railroad regulations.“I think that has that has underscored the need to address rail safety — generally hazmat transportation by rail,” Brown said.U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-climate-politics-lake-charles-043352f951b3c8fec787c51c6836a4ae">natural gas production</a>&nbsp;has continued to surge in recent years amid strong global demand for the fuel. Natural gas exports have grown steadily over the past two decades, and the U.S. has become the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.Russia's invasion of Ukraine only added to global demand. That's particularly the case in Europe, where many nations were accustomed to relying on Russian energy before the war prompted them to sever those ties.

Rule allowing rail shipments of LNG will be put on hold to allow more study of safety concerns

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft around the moon has found the likely crash site of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-moon-luna25-spacecraft-mission-33c9884c907998f06bf9562be6d47445">Russia’s lost lunar lander</a>.

The Luna 25 lander&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">slammed into the moon</a>&nbsp;last month, a harsh end to Russia’s first moon mission in almost half a century. Based on observations by its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, NASA said Thursday that it appears the impact created a crater 33 feet (10 meters) across.

This fresh crater is about 250 miles (400 kilometers) short of the spacecraft’s intended landing site at the lunar south pole, and farther north. NASA's spacecraft found no evidence of a crater in this spot in pictures taken during a flyover last year.

It's located on the steep inner rim of an ancient and considerably larger crater.

Since the newfound crater is close to where scientists believe Russia's lunar lander crashed, "it is likely to be from that mission, rather than a natural impactor,” NASA said in a statement.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India’s rover is exploring</a>&nbsp;the moon’s south polar region after successfully touching down a few days after Russia’s failure. India became only the fourth country to pull off a lunar landing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693577253327.jpeg" alt="This image provided by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University shows an LROC NAC image enlarged four times centered on the likely Luna 25 crater. A NASA spacecraft around the moon has found the likely crash site of Russia's lost lunar lander, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The Luna 25 lander slammed into the moon last month, a harsh end to Russia's first moon mission in almost half a century. (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This image provided by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University shows an LROC NAC image enlarged four times centered on the likely Luna 25 crater. A NASA spacecraft around the moon has found the likely crash site of Russia's lost lunar lander, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. The Luna 25 lander slammed into the moon last month, a harsh end to Russia's first moon mission in almost half a century. (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft around the moon has found the likely crash site of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-moon-luna25-spacecraft-mission-33c9884c907998f06bf9562be6d47445">Russia’s lost lunar lander</a>.The Luna 25 lander&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-space-roscosmos-crash-658f5118c34cfa0f1501cc7522074323">slammed into the moon</a>&nbsp;last month, a harsh end to Russia’s first moon mission in almost half a century. Based on observations by its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, NASA said Thursday that it appears the impact created a crater 33 feet (10 meters) across.This fresh crater is about 250 miles (400 kilometers) short of the spacecraft’s intended landing site at the lunar south pole, and farther north. NASA's spacecraft found no evidence of a crater in this spot in pictures taken during a flyover last year.It's located on the steep inner rim of an ancient and considerably larger crater.Since the newfound crater is close to where scientists believe Russia's lunar lander crashed, "it is likely to be from that mission, rather than a natural impactor,” NASA said in a statement.Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-spacecraft-chandrayaan-moon-landing-b31109bb08197f33b829e7a6e4edfc6d">India’s rover is exploring</a>&nbsp;the moon’s south polar region after successfully touching down a few days after Russia’s failure. India became only the fourth country to pull off a lunar landing.

NASA spacecraft around moon spots likely crash site of Russia's lost lunar lander

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

Support for unions is growing amid shifting working conditions and labor disputes around the country, according to Liz Shuler, the president of the largest labor group in the country.

In Shuler’s comments Tuesday at the AFL-CIO’s first State of the Unions event in Washington, she cited polling that showed support for unions cut across party lines. The AFL-CIO commissioned<a target="_blank" href="https://aflcio.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/GBAO%20AFL-CIO%20Labor%20Day%20Poll%20Memo.pdf">&nbsp;a poll</a>&nbsp;by GBAO, a Democratic polling and research firm, that found 91% of Democratic respondents and 52% of Republicans approved of unions, with even higher numbers supporting the right to strike.

United Auto Workers at Detroit’s “Big Three” car companies<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/blog/get-strike-ready-uaw-votes-to-authorize-strike-against-detroit-automakers/">&nbsp;voted overwhelmingly</a>&nbsp;Aug. 25 to authorize a strike if a deal with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis is not reached before their contract expires Sept. 14.

Shuler characterized that vote as part of a trend in stronger union activity in the face of “a systematic attack” on labor, including many state laws that make union organizing more difficult and the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed workers in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues.

“What’s different about this Labor Day is the awakening happening all across this country,” Shuler said. “It’s up in Detroit, where just a few days ago, 97% of our UAW members said they were ready to walk off the job and push back against the Big Three.”

More than 200 strikes comprising 320,000 workers have happened so far this year, she said, noting that was 10 times the number of striking workers than just two years ago.

“It’s been a long time since this country has seen workers united like this,” she said. “A long time.”

Support for unions reflects an uncertain future for many Americans, Shuler said.

The shift toward a gig economy has left workers unsure about their long-term financial security, she said.

Technological advances in artificial intelligence can help workers do their jobs better, she said, but also threaten workers. She urged companies adopting artificial intelligence to listen to labor concerns about the technology.

Concerns felt more broadly across the country also impacted union members, Shuler said, referencing issues that may have appealed more to labor’s traditional Democratic supporters than the bipartisan support shown in polling.

Workers are concerned about climate change and democratic issues such as voting rights, abortion rights and censorship in schools, she said. Unions will work to elect politicians who reflect those values, she said.

“We will not be silent while extremist politicians attack our rights: Our right to vote and have our votes counted, our right to read the books we want to read, our right to think and speak freely on or off the job,” she said. “We will show up and organize and vote.”

Unions would support President Joe Biden in his reelection campaign next year, Shuler said, praising the president’s work to deliver federal infrastructure spending.

Biden campaigned on infrastructure improvements and supported the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-signs-historic-infrastructure-bill">&nbsp;Congress passed in 2021</a>.

The law supports millions of jobs, she said, not only in construction and transportation but in the service industry as well. Every job created by the federal spending should be a union position, Shuler said.

Biden<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/08/16/ahead-of-potential-auto-worker-strike-biden-calls-for-cooperation-in-union-negotiations/">&nbsp;has called for</a>&nbsp;autoworkers and manufacturers to work together to come to an agreement before their contract expires.

Biden said the day of the UAW vote he’d “been talking to” the union and was “concerned” about the prospect of a strike, according to a White House pool report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693566762046.png" alt="UAW members rally for a new contract at the labor organization’s Region 1 headquarters on Aug. 20, 2023 (UAW photo)." />
 <figcaption>UAW members rally for a new contract at the labor organization’s Region 1 headquarters on Aug. 20, 2023 (UAW photo).</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACOB FISCHLER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>Support for unions is growing amid shifting working conditions and labor disputes around the country, according to Liz Shuler, the president of the largest labor group in the country.In Shuler’s comments Tuesday at the AFL-CIO’s first State of the Unions event in Washington, she cited polling that showed support for unions cut across party lines. The AFL-CIO commissioned<a target="_blank" href="https://aflcio.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/GBAO%20AFL-CIO%20Labor%20Day%20Poll%20Memo.pdf">&nbsp;a poll</a>&nbsp;by GBAO, a Democratic polling and research firm, that found 91% of Democratic respondents and 52% of Republicans approved of unions, with even higher numbers supporting the right to strike.United Auto Workers at Detroit’s “Big Three” car companies<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/blog/get-strike-ready-uaw-votes-to-authorize-strike-against-detroit-automakers/">&nbsp;voted overwhelmingly</a>&nbsp;Aug. 25 to authorize a strike if a deal with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis is not reached before their contract expires Sept. 14.Shuler characterized that vote as part of a trend in stronger union activity in the face of “a systematic attack” on labor, including many state laws that make union organizing more difficult and the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed workers in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues.“What’s different about this Labor Day is the awakening happening all across this country,” Shuler said. “It’s up in Detroit, where just a few days ago, 97% of our UAW members said they were ready to walk off the job and push back against the Big Three.”More than 200 strikes comprising 320,000 workers have happened so far this year, she said, noting that was 10 times the number of striking workers than just two years ago.“It’s been a long time since this country has seen workers united like this,” she said. “A long time.”Support for unions reflects an uncertain future for many Americans, Shuler said.The shift toward a gig economy has left workers unsure about their long-term financial security, she said.Technological advances in artificial intelligence can help workers do their jobs better, she said, but also threaten workers. She urged companies adopting artificial intelligence to listen to labor concerns about the technology.Concerns felt more broadly across the country also impacted union members, Shuler said, referencing issues that may have appealed more to labor’s traditional Democratic supporters than the bipartisan support shown in polling.Workers are concerned about climate change and democratic issues such as voting rights, abortion rights and censorship in schools, she said. Unions will work to elect politicians who reflect those values, she said.“We will not be silent while extremist politicians attack our rights: Our right to vote and have our votes counted, our right to read the books we want to read, our right to think and speak freely on or off the job,” she said. “We will show up and organize and vote.”Unions would support President Joe Biden in his reelection campaign next year, Shuler said, praising the president’s work to deliver federal infrastructure spending.Biden campaigned on infrastructure improvements and supported the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-signs-historic-infrastructure-bill">&nbsp;Congress passed in 2021</a>.The law supports millions of jobs, she said, not only in construction and transportation but in the service industry as well. Every job created by the federal spending should be a union position, Shuler said.Biden<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/08/16/ahead-of-potential-auto-worker-strike-biden-calls-for-cooperation-in-union-negotiations/">&nbsp;has called for</a>&nbsp;autoworkers and manufacturers to work together to come to an agreement before their contract expires.Biden said the day of the UAW vote he’d “been talking to” the union and was “concerned” about the prospect of a strike, according to a White House pool report.

Labor leader touts union support as possible auto strikes loom

Nebraska Public Service Commission

Lincoln, September 1, 2023- Service has been restored following an outage that affected multiple911 centers across the state.&nbsp;

Lumen reported the outage caused by a fiber cut to its network in the Omaha area, began at 7:05p.m., Thursday, August 31, and affected multiple 911 centers across the state. Service wasrestored at 5:30 a.m., Friday, September 1. Lumen is working to determine the cause of the fiber cut.

“We want to thank the 911 centers affected by the outage, for their quick work in getting the word outon the outage and for utilizing alternative means for the public to contact emergencyservices,” said Director David Sankey, PSC State 911 Department.

The PSC determined, that 39 of the 68 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) or 911 centersacross the state were affected by the outage in various ways. The PSC is working with Lumen todetermine the cause of the fiber cut. ###

Nebraska Public Service CommissionLincoln, September 1, 2023- Service has been restored following an outage that affected multiple911 centers across the state.&nbsp;Lumen reported the outage caused by a fiber cut to its network in the Omaha area, began at 7:05p.m., Thursday, August 31, and affected multiple 911 centers across the state. Service wasrestored at 5:30 a.m., Friday, September 1. Lumen is working to determine the cause of the fiber cut.“We want to thank the 911 centers affected by the outage, for their quick work in getting the word outon the outage and for utilizing alternative means for the public to contact emergencyservices,” said Director David Sankey, PSC State 911 Department.The PSC determined, that 39 of the 68 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) or 911 centersacross the state were affected by the outage in various ways. The PSC is working with Lumen todetermine the cause of the fiber cut. ###

911 SERVICE RESTORED

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has delivered a recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marijuana-legalization" target="_blank">marijuana policy</a>, and Senate leaders hailed it this week as a first step toward easing federal restrictions on the drug.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the agency has responded to President Joe Biden's request “to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA.”

“We’ve worked to ensure that a scientific evaluation be completed and shared expeditiously,” he added.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that HHS had recommended that marijuana be moved from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance.

“HHS has done the right thing,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “DEA should now follow through on this important step to greatly reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.”

Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD.

According to the DEA, Schedule I drugs "have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse."

Schedule III drugs “have a potential for abuse less than substances in Schedules I or II and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.” They currently include ketamine and some anabolic steroids.

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8" target="_blank">requested the review in October 2022</a>&nbsp;as he pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued a statement calling for marijuana to be completely descheduled. “However, the recommendation of HHS to reschedule cannabis as a Schedule III drug is not inconsequential," he added. “If HHS’s recommendation is ultimately implemented, it will be a historic step for a nation whose cannabis policies have been out of touch with reality.”

Bloomberg News first reported on the HHS recommendation.

In reaction to the Bloomberg report, the nonprofit U.S. Cannabis Council said: “We enthusiastically welcome today’s news. ... Rescheduling will have a broad range of benefits, including signaling to the criminal justice system that cannabis is a lower priority and providing a crucial economic lifeline to the cannabis industry.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has delivered a recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marijuana-legalization" target="_blank">marijuana policy</a>, and Senate leaders hailed it this week as a first step toward easing federal restrictions on the drug.HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the agency has responded to President Joe Biden's request “to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I can now share that, following the data and science, <a href="https://twitter.com/HHSGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HHSGov</a> has responded to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>’ directive to me for the Department to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA. We’ve worked to ensure that a scientific evaluation be completed and shared expeditiously. <a href="https://t.co/p84x8p07sP">pic.twitter.com/p84x8p07sP</a>&mdash; Secretary Xavier Becerra (@SecBecerra) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBecerra/status/1696981120280084617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We’ve worked to ensure that a scientific evaluation be completed and shared expeditiously,” he added.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that HHS had recommended that marijuana be moved from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance.“HHS has done the right thing,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “DEA should now follow through on this important step to greatly reduce the harm caused by draconian marijuana laws.”Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD.According to the DEA, Schedule I drugs "have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse."Schedule III drugs “have a potential for abuse less than substances in Schedules I or II and abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.” They currently include ketamine and some anabolic steroids.Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-government-and-politics-2d5e3d9e2cfbbbe3ee114536738894a8" target="_blank">requested the review in October 2022</a>&nbsp;as he pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of “simple possession” of marijuana under federal law.Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued a statement calling for marijuana to be completely descheduled. “However, the recommendation of HHS to reschedule cannabis as a Schedule III drug is not inconsequential," he added. “If HHS’s recommendation is ultimately implemented, it will be a historic step for a nation whose cannabis policies have been out of touch with reality.”Bloomberg News first reported on the HHS recommendation.In reaction to the Bloomberg report, the nonprofit U.S. Cannabis Council said: “We enthusiastically welcome today’s news. ... Rescheduling will have a broad range of benefits, including signaling to the criminal justice system that cannabis is a lower priority and providing a crucial economic lifeline to the cannabis industry.”

Biden Admin. moves to classify marijuana as a lower-risk drug

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/30/new-federal-water-pollution-rule-draws-mixed-reaction/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

A federal rule limiting agencies’ power to regulate water pollution will severely restrict protections for waters and wetlands throughout the country, but could also be subject to challenges from conservative groups that maintain the new rule exerts more federal jurisdiction than the U.S. Supreme Court intended in a May decision.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-08/Pre-publication%20Version%20of%20the%20Final%20Rule%20-%20Amendments%20to%20the%20Revised%20Definition%20of%20Waters%20of%20the%20United%20States.pdf">rule</a>&nbsp;published Tuesday to redefine which “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, are covered under the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers aimed to bring the federal definition in line with the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-narrows-scope-clean-water-act">ruling this year</a>&nbsp;narrowing the scope of federal power.

In a 5-4 decision, the court held the federal government can only regulate waters with “a continuous surface connection” to the types of navigable waters indisputably covered by the Clean Water Act.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/wotus/amendments-2023-rule">revised rule</a>, which will take effect when it is published in the Federal Register in the coming days, removes the “significant nexus” standard that the court invalidated in the Sackett v. EPA case in May.

It also removes federal jurisdiction from wetlands that cross state lines and revised the definition of “adjacent” to mean “having a continuous surface connection,” which is consistent with Justice Samuel Alito’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/21-454_4g15.pdf">majority opinion</a>.

The new definition is broader than some expected, said Ashley Peck, an attorney with Holland and Hart LLP’s water practice, because the Sackett case was only about wetlands, but the agencies removed the significant nexus test for all waters. The EPA likely determined it would reduce future court battles by applying the ruling beyond wetlands, she added.

“EPA is reading the tea leaves to some extent based on the court’s broader holding,” she said. “I think this probably was a good middle ground…. You’re never going to please everybody. But I think this is an effort by EPA to head off more litigation.”

Environmental groups and Democrats in Congress described the updated rule as a faithful execution of the court ruling – even as they said the policy would remove protections from millions of acres across the country.

But key congressional Republicans and conservative legal groups said Tuesday and Wednesday the update resulted from a rushed process and overlooks major criteria the court outlined.

The new definition could impact millions of stream-miles and undermine the main goal of the Clean Water Act, Tannis Fox, a senior attorney with the legal group Western Environmental Law Center, said in a Wednesday interview.

“That purpose has been undermined by the Sackett decision because the federal government is no longer able to protect the biological, physical integrity of these waters,” she said.

Rick Larsen, a Washington Democrat who is the ranking minority member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said in a Tuesday statement he applauded the agencies’ work but disagreed with the court’s decision.

“Ultimately Congress needs to step in and correct the egregious misreading of the Clean Water Act by the Supreme Court to ensure communities continue to have access to clean and safe water,” he said.

Meanwhile, conservative legal activists and leading Republicans on key congressional committees called the rule an attempt to do the bare minimum required under the Sackett decision.

In a Tuesday statement, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Dave Rouzer, a North Carolina Republican, said the revised rule “barely pays lip service” to the court’s decision. They implied the agencies should have started from scratch with a new rule, rather than merely adjusting a definition.

“The Administration is now trying to make Sackett fit with a rule that never should have been issued in the first place,” they said. “This revised rule ignores fundamental concerns laid out in Sackett and is a missed opportunity to finally end longstanding confusion over what constitutes a WOTUS.”

The agencies said they skipped a more thorough rulemaking process because they were only doing as the court instructed.

“Because the sole purpose of this rule is to amend these specific provisions of the 2023 Rule to conform with Sackett, and such conforming amendments do not involve the exercise of the agencies’ discretion, providing advance public notice and seeking comment is unnecessary,” the rule’s preamble reads.

The expedited process was appropriate, Peck said, because the court decision that invalidated existing agency regulations put “jurisdictional determinations at a standstill,” she said. Developers and others who need federal approvals are still waiting, she said.

The agencies “felt compelled to get this rule out so that decisional determinations for industry could continue,” Fox, the environmental attorney, said.

The agencies “tried to hue closely to the decision,” she added.

But Damien Schiff, who successfully led the challenge to the WOTUS rule in the Sackett case as a senior attorney at the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation, said the revised definition missed basic parts of the court decision. Holding a normal public comment period would have prevented the agencies from advancing a flawed rule, he said.

Conservatives take issue with rule’s scope, process&nbsp;

Schiff said the agencies correctly disregarded the significant nexus test.

“That’s the end of where I would say the agencies did a good job,” he said.

The EPA and Army Corps “failed to accurately articulate” new criteria to replace the discarded significant nexus test, Schiff said.

The thrust of the majority opinion in the Sackett case was that only natural water features that could be reasonably described as streams, creeks or rivers could be considered waters of the United States, but the new definition doesn’t fully exclude things like human made ditches, he said.

And despite the rule’s preamble specifically noting that Sackett requires a surface connection between a wetland and a covered water for the wetland itself to be covered, the court actually went beyond that, Schiff said. Alito’s opinion would have required wetlands to be indistinguishable from covered waters, he said.

Such flaws could have been fixed in a normal rulemaking process, he added.

“I guarantee you that if they had offered a comment period that we and many, many other groups would have pulled this out and said, ‘Hey, you’re ignoring half the test,’” Schiff said.

While congressional Republicans and others have for years criticized WOTUS rules, which have changed with considerable frequency in the past decade with changing presidential administrations and court decisions. The changes leave interested parties unsure of how to plan for building projects that can take years.

The rule does not provide the regulatory certainty Republicans sought, they said.

“The administration continues to take an unserious approach to issuing a durable rule that provides stability to millions of Americans,” Senate Environment and Public Works ranking Republican Shelley Moore Capito, of West Virginia, said in a statement.

Peck disagreed, saying though the updated rule will require more agency guidance, it appears to be a step toward a firmer regulatory landscape.

“You’re never going to get exact certainty and an exact bright line with this issue,” Peck said. “And if you’re looking for that, it’s an impossible dream.”

The new standard will likely be challenged in court, Schiff said, if not in new cases, then in existing lawsuits against the larger Biden administration WOTUS rule.

More uncertainty will come from a lack of federal jurisdiction over more than half of the nation’s water features, Peck and Fox said.

The Sackett decision and regulatory update puts&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/alaska-has-more-half-americas-wetlands-new-ruling-could-change-how-theyre-managed">more</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/whats-river-supreme-court-wotus-ruling-will-be-costly-new-mexico-experts-warn">pressure</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/how-idaho-couples-fight-build-home-near-lake-might-affect-louisianas-wetlands">states</a>&nbsp;that want to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/virginia-offers-wetland-permit-guidance-following-supreme-courts-sackett-ruling">maintain</a>&nbsp;strong protections for waters and wetlands no longer covered by federal agencies. Other states may seek to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/indiana-lawmakers-could-further-dilute-state-wetlands-protections-following-scotus-decision">dilute protections</a>.

That will mean that the rules will differ state by state, creating more confusion, Peck said.

“It’s up to the states to fill in the gap,” Fox said. “And that’s going to look like a patchwork throughout the nation, depending on the politics in a particular state.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693512765045.jpeg" alt=" Federal officials have released new rules for applying the Clean Water Act to wetlands after a Supreme Court decision limited its scope in May 2023.(Courtesy of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources)" />
 <figcaption> Federal officials have released new rules for applying the Clean Water Act to wetlands after a Supreme Court decision limited its scope in May 2023.(Courtesy of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources)</figcaption>
 </figure>Jacob Fischler<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/30/new-federal-water-pollution-rule-draws-mixed-reaction/">Nebraska Examiner</a>A federal rule limiting agencies’ power to regulate water pollution will severely restrict protections for waters and wetlands throughout the country, but could also be subject to challenges from conservative groups that maintain the new rule exerts more federal jurisdiction than the U.S. Supreme Court intended in a May decision.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-08/Pre-publication%20Version%20of%20the%20Final%20Rule%20-%20Amendments%20to%20the%20Revised%20Definition%20of%20Waters%20of%20the%20United%20States.pdf">rule</a>&nbsp;published Tuesday to redefine which “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, are covered under the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers aimed to bring the federal definition in line with the Supreme Court’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-narrows-scope-clean-water-act">ruling this year</a>&nbsp;narrowing the scope of federal power.In a 5-4 decision, the court held the federal government can only regulate waters with “a continuous surface connection” to the types of navigable waters indisputably covered by the Clean Water Act.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/wotus/amendments-2023-rule">revised rule</a>, which will take effect when it is published in the Federal Register in the coming days, removes the “significant nexus” standard that the court invalidated in the Sackett v. EPA case in May.It also removes federal jurisdiction from wetlands that cross state lines and revised the definition of “adjacent” to mean “having a continuous surface connection,” which is consistent with Justice Samuel Alito’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/21-454_4g15.pdf">majority opinion</a>.The new definition is broader than some expected, said Ashley Peck, an attorney with Holland and Hart LLP’s water practice, because the Sackett case was only about wetlands, but the agencies removed the significant nexus test for all waters. The EPA likely determined it would reduce future court battles by applying the ruling beyond wetlands, she added.“EPA is reading the tea leaves to some extent based on the court’s broader holding,” she said. “I think this probably was a good middle ground…. You’re never going to please everybody. But I think this is an effort by EPA to head off more litigation.”<h2>Split reaction</h2>Environmental groups and Democrats in Congress described the updated rule as a faithful execution of the court ruling – even as they said the policy would remove protections from millions of acres across the country.But key congressional Republicans and conservative legal groups said Tuesday and Wednesday the update resulted from a rushed process and overlooks major criteria the court outlined.The new definition could impact millions of stream-miles and undermine the main goal of the Clean Water Act, Tannis Fox, a senior attorney with the legal group Western Environmental Law Center, said in a Wednesday interview.“That purpose has been undermined by the Sackett decision because the federal government is no longer able to protect the biological, physical integrity of these waters,” she said.Rick Larsen, a Washington Democrat who is the ranking minority member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said in a Tuesday statement he applauded the agencies’ work but disagreed with the court’s decision.“Ultimately Congress needs to step in and correct the egregious misreading of the Clean Water Act by the Supreme Court to ensure communities continue to have access to clean and safe water,” he said.Meanwhile, conservative legal activists and leading Republicans on key congressional committees called the rule an attempt to do the bare minimum required under the Sackett decision.In a Tuesday statement, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Dave Rouzer, a North Carolina Republican, said the revised rule “barely pays lip service” to the court’s decision. They implied the agencies should have started from scratch with a new rule, rather than merely adjusting a definition.“The Administration is now trying to make Sackett fit with a rule that never should have been issued in the first place,” they said. “This revised rule ignores fundamental concerns laid out in Sackett and is a missed opportunity to finally end longstanding confusion over what constitutes a WOTUS.”<h2>Rule eschews public comment</h2>The agencies said they skipped a more thorough rulemaking process because they were only doing as the court instructed.“Because the sole purpose of this rule is to amend these specific provisions of the 2023 Rule to conform with Sackett, and such conforming amendments do not involve the exercise of the agencies’ discretion, providing advance public notice and seeking comment is unnecessary,” the rule’s preamble reads.The expedited process was appropriate, Peck said, because the court decision that invalidated existing agency regulations put “jurisdictional determinations at a standstill,” she said. Developers and others who need federal approvals are still waiting, she said.The agencies “felt compelled to get this rule out so that decisional determinations for industry could continue,” Fox, the environmental attorney, said.The agencies “tried to hue closely to the decision,” she added.But Damien Schiff, who successfully led the challenge to the WOTUS rule in the Sackett case as a senior attorney at the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation, said the revised definition missed basic parts of the court decision. Holding a normal public comment period would have prevented the agencies from advancing a flawed rule, he said.<h2>Conservatives take issue with rule’s scope, process&nbsp;</h2>Schiff said the agencies correctly disregarded the significant nexus test.“That’s the end of where I would say the agencies did a good job,” he said.The EPA and Army Corps “failed to accurately articulate” new criteria to replace the discarded significant nexus test, Schiff said.The thrust of the majority opinion in the Sackett case was that only natural water features that could be reasonably described as streams, creeks or rivers could be considered waters of the United States, but the new definition doesn’t fully exclude things like human made ditches, he said.And despite the rule’s preamble specifically noting that Sackett requires a surface connection between a wetland and a covered water for the wetland itself to be covered, the court actually went beyond that, Schiff said. Alito’s opinion would have required wetlands to be indistinguishable from covered waters, he said.Such flaws could have been fixed in a normal rulemaking process, he added.“I guarantee you that if they had offered a comment period that we and many, many other groups would have pulled this out and said, ‘Hey, you’re ignoring half the test,’” Schiff said.<h2>Uncertainty remains</h2>While congressional Republicans and others have for years criticized WOTUS rules, which have changed with considerable frequency in the past decade with changing presidential administrations and court decisions. The changes leave interested parties unsure of how to plan for building projects that can take years.The rule does not provide the regulatory certainty Republicans sought, they said.“The administration continues to take an unserious approach to issuing a durable rule that provides stability to millions of Americans,” Senate Environment and Public Works ranking Republican Shelley Moore Capito, of West Virginia, said in a statement.Peck disagreed, saying though the updated rule will require more agency guidance, it appears to be a step toward a firmer regulatory landscape.“You’re never going to get exact certainty and an exact bright line with this issue,” Peck said. “And if you’re looking for that, it’s an impossible dream.”The new standard will likely be challenged in court, Schiff said, if not in new cases, then in existing lawsuits against the larger Biden administration WOTUS rule.More uncertainty will come from a lack of federal jurisdiction over more than half of the nation’s water features, Peck and Fox said.The Sackett decision and regulatory update puts&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/alaska-has-more-half-americas-wetlands-new-ruling-could-change-how-theyre-managed">more</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/whats-river-supreme-court-wotus-ruling-will-be-costly-new-mexico-experts-warn">pressure</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/how-idaho-couples-fight-build-home-near-lake-might-affect-louisianas-wetlands">states</a>&nbsp;that want to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/virginia-offers-wetland-permit-guidance-following-supreme-courts-sackett-ruling">maintain</a>&nbsp;strong protections for waters and wetlands no longer covered by federal agencies. Other states may seek to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/indiana-lawmakers-could-further-dilute-state-wetlands-protections-following-scotus-decision">dilute protections</a>.That will mean that the rules will differ state by state, creating more confusion, Peck said.“It’s up to the states to fill in the gap,” Fox said. “And that’s going to look like a patchwork throughout the nation, depending on the politics in a particular state.”

New federal water pollution rule draws mixed reaction

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;–&nbsp; Governor Jim Pillen joined Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird in announcing the new agreed upon site for the state’s new 1,512-bed correctional facility. The property, approximately 300 acres, is located north of I-80 adjacent to 70th&nbsp;Street. In exchange, the state will relinquish property it had previously contracted at 112th&nbsp;and Adams.&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen called the new location a “win-win-win” for the people of Nebraska, the city of Lincoln and the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS).

“This is the site we need, and this was the site initially identified by the state for building the new facility,” said Gov. Pillen. “I appreciate that my team and the team assembled by Mayor Gaylor Baird worked diligently to get the land swap accomplished in a short period of time.”

Construction on the site north of I-80 will begin in the fall of 2024, with completion scheduled in 2027. That is the same construction timeline that was announced for the property at 112th&nbsp;and Adams.

During the news conference today, Mayor Gaylor Baird said the property at 112th&nbsp;and Adams was a better alternative for future city planning.

“We thank the Governor and his team for their willingness to pivot and partner with us to achieve the best outcome for all involved,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “As we move forward, the State may count on continued collaboration with our city team. As Mayor, I will continue to advocate for the best interests of our community members throughout the planning and construction process ahead.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

During the news conference today, Gov. Pillen and Mayor Gaylor Baird signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets out the terms and conditions for exchanging the properties. Under that agreement, the city will provide water, sewer and electrical service to the site. In addition, the city will provide landscaping and will remove the wind turbine and other structures that currently exist.&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen said that 70 or more properties had been evaluated during the previous administration. When he was elected, the property at I-80 and 70th&nbsp;Street was presented as a possibility, in addition to the one at 112th&nbsp;and Adams.

“I knew the property at I-80 and 70th&nbsp;Street was the better option, especially in terms of location,” said Gov. Pillen. “When it was obvious the city was not interested in having the prison in Lincoln, I felt we needed to move forward with our next best option.”

Key considerations for keeping a prison close to Lincoln include an available workforce, travel distance for volunteers and visiting family members as well as access to utilities and emergency response services.&nbsp;

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;–&nbsp; Governor Jim Pillen joined Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird in announcing the new agreed upon site for the state’s new 1,512-bed correctional facility. The property, approximately 300 acres, is located north of I-80 adjacent to 70th&nbsp;Street. In exchange, the state will relinquish property it had previously contracted at 112th&nbsp;and Adams.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693488848578.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Governor Jim Pillen's office" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Governor Jim Pillen's office</figcaption>
 </figure>Gov. Pillen called the new location a “win-win-win” for the people of Nebraska, the city of Lincoln and the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS).“This is the site we need, and this was the site initially identified by the state for building the new facility,” said Gov. Pillen. “I appreciate that my team and the team assembled by Mayor Gaylor Baird worked diligently to get the land swap accomplished in a short period of time.”Construction on the site north of I-80 will begin in the fall of 2024, with completion scheduled in 2027. That is the same construction timeline that was announced for the property at 112th&nbsp;and Adams.During the news conference today, Mayor Gaylor Baird said the property at 112th&nbsp;and Adams was a better alternative for future city planning.“We thank the Governor and his team for their willingness to pivot and partner with us to achieve the best outcome for all involved,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “As we move forward, the State may count on continued collaboration with our city team. As Mayor, I will continue to advocate for the best interests of our community members throughout the planning and construction process ahead.”&nbsp;&nbsp;During the news conference today, Gov. Pillen and Mayor Gaylor Baird signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets out the terms and conditions for exchanging the properties. Under that agreement, the city will provide water, sewer and electrical service to the site. In addition, the city will provide landscaping and will remove the wind turbine and other structures that currently exist.&nbsp;Gov. Pillen said that 70 or more properties had been evaluated during the previous administration. When he was elected, the property at I-80 and 70th&nbsp;Street was presented as a possibility, in addition to the one at 112th&nbsp;and Adams.“I knew the property at I-80 and 70th&nbsp;Street was the better option, especially in terms of location,” said Gov. Pillen. “When it was obvious the city was not interested in having the prison in Lincoln, I felt we needed to move forward with our next best option.”Key considerations for keeping a prison close to Lincoln include an available workforce, travel distance for volunteers and visiting family members as well as access to utilities and emergency response services.&nbsp;NDCS Dir. Jeffreys echoed the Governor’s assessment that the property at I-80 and 70th&nbsp;Street was the premier choice.“We are pleased to be building the facility on the site near the interstate,” said Jeffreys. “This land was within the Department’s consideration all along and will provide an excellent site for the replacement facility. This investment is key to our ability to provide opportunities for change that people need to return to our communities and be successful.”The 1,512-bed prison will&nbsp;replace the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP), which is the oldest facility in the state’s prison system.