OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 1, 2025) — The Nebraska State Patrol is reminding Husker fans that safety should be part of their gameday plan.

Colonel Bryan Waugh, of NSP, will announce the effort during a media event at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the NSP Troop A office, 4411 S. 108th St. in Omaha. The campaign will feature troopers from across the state, who will take part in events leading up to the delivery of the Huskers’ game ball to Memorial Stadium ahead of Saturday’s home opener against Akron.

The effort is designed to encourage safe travel to and from Lincoln on game days, with reminders for fans to drive sober, buckle up and stay alert on crowded roadways. 

This is also a good reminder that safety extends beyond the stadium and in Lincoln. Whether traveling to the game, gathering with friends or attending a large watch party, state patrol leaders say fans safety should be forefront. 

Nebraska enters Saturday's game following a 20-17 victory over Cincinnati in its season opener Aug. 28 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. 

The game ball handoff is expected to highlight both statewide teamwork among troopers and the importance of planning ahead so fans can enjoy the game safely.

The game ball will travel across all six NSP troop areas, starting in Omaha and finishing in Lincoln. Fans can follow the game ball’s trip around the state on NSP’s social media pages.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756819903027.jpeg" alt="Nebraska State Patrol to deliver game ball to Memorial Stadium as part of a safe driving campaign Sept. 2, 2025." />
 <figcaption>Nebraska State Patrol to deliver game ball to Memorial Stadium as part of a safe driving campaign Sept. 2, 2025.</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (Sept. 1, 2025) — The Nebraska State Patrol is reminding Husker fans that safety should be part of their gameday plan.Colonel Bryan Waugh, of NSP, will announce the effort during a media event at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the NSP Troop A office, 4411 S. 108th St. in Omaha. The campaign will feature troopers from across the state, who will take part in events leading up to the delivery of the Huskers’ game ball to Memorial Stadium ahead of Saturday’s home opener against Akron.The effort is designed to encourage safe travel to and from Lincoln on game days, with reminders for fans to drive sober, buckle up and stay alert on crowded roadways. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756835087345.jpeg" alt="Tuesday morning, Colonel Bryan Waugh kicked off a statewide campaign to promote safe travel for Husker home games." />
 <figcaption>Tuesday morning, Colonel Bryan Waugh kicked off a statewide campaign to promote safe travel for Husker home games.</figcaption>
 </figure>This is also a good reminder that safety extends beyond the stadium and in Lincoln. Whether traveling to the game, gathering with friends or attending a large watch party, state patrol leaders say fans safety should be forefront. Nebraska enters Saturday's game following a 20-17 victory over Cincinnati in its season opener Aug. 28 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756837058614.jpeg" alt="Governor Jim Pillen assists in Game Day football handoff Sept. 2, 2025." />
 <figcaption>Governor Jim Pillen assists in Game Day football handoff Sept. 2, 2025.</figcaption>
 </figure>The game ball handoff is expected to highlight both statewide teamwork among troopers and the importance of planning ahead so fans can enjoy the game safely.The game ball will travel across all six NSP troop areas, starting in Omaha and finishing in Lincoln. Fans can follow the game ball’s trip around the state on NSP’s social media pages.

Troopers to Hand Off Husker Game Ball in Campaign for Gameday Safety

Chase County sheriff called fed immigration officials amid fears of trap that hurt attendance

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/natalia-alamdari/">Natalia Alamdari</a>&nbsp;- Flatwater Free Press

IMPERIAL, Nebraska — In a dusty show barn, kids march out their prize-winning swine as an auctioneer sings out competing bids.

Outside, shrieks pierce this hot August night as families spin in loops on lit-up carnival rides. Vendors sell giant chocolate ice creams and funnel cakes, corn dogs and lemonades.

Every year, the Chase County Fair &amp; Expo draws 10,000 people to this county of 3,764. They come for the classic small-town rite of summer. And they come for the fair’s annual concerts.

This year, the county fair did something new. For the first time, fair organizers hired a Mexican band to perform, figuring that made practical sense in a community whose Latino population has grown sixfold since 2000. The announcement brought buzz and excitement on social media.

But in the hours leading up to the Thursday night concert, only 300 tickets had sold, low for the grandstand that can hold 3,500. Many local Latino residents had decided to stay home, afraid of what could happen.

“The rumor was that this was bait,” Imperial resident Cynthia Almanza said while waiting for the concert to start. “That ICE was going to show up.”

The local rumor mill also alleged that the county sheriff had been the one to make that call.

Versions of this story burned through Imperial and surrounding towns this summer, Almanza and other residents told the Flatwater Free Press.

The Chase County sheriff was upset the fair had booked a Mexican band, residents said. He had called the feds, they said. They even said the fair had planned the concert as a trap. The suspicion grew so strong that one Imperial police officer went so far as to ask Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Did the sheriff contact you?

Chase County Sheriff Kevin Mueller said in an emailed statement it was a “false and harmful rumor” that he “made a racist comment” during a fair board meeting discussing security needs for the concert.

But it was true that he called ICE, he said in an email Thursday evening.

“I did place a call to ICE,” Mueller wrote. “About a week later, someone returned my call … by that time, I had already determined that we had sufficient security in place through the Fair Board and the State Patrol.”

The idea that ICE agents could show up at the fair took root in people’s minds. Almanza had friends who skipped the show. “It terrified lots of people,” she said.

“It made me question if I should even be here,” said Judith Beltran, another concertgoer, who heard the story of the potential ICE raid shortly after arriving for the concert from Denver. “Just because of the chaos … I don’t want to be in the middle of it.”

In the eight months of immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration, fear of ICE raids has penetrated many aspects of immigrant life in Nebraska. Rumors of raids and government vehicle sightings flood Facebook groups and WhatsApp chats.

Some families are retreating from public life, including some who have legal status, advocates say. It’s keeping kids from attending school, they say, and parents from going to work.

In Imperial, it left some wondering: Is the county fair safe?

The Chase County Fair Board approached Rodolfo Aragon in April with a question: Would he join the committee to help book a Latino band? The board was trying to make the annual event more inclusive, Aragon said, and wanted “to thank people for being a part of the community.”

Aragon moved to the area 21 years ago to work for the feedlot Imperial Beef. He encouraged his brother to join him. They’re one of the many families from Chihuahua, Mexico, that found a home here, drawn by feedlot jobs or farm work at the potato grower Frenchman Valley Produce.

In 2000, only 5% of Imperial’s residents were Latino, according to census data. Now, nearly a third of the city’s residents are.

“The whole community has really shifted in the last two to three decades,” said Tyler Pribbeno, an Imperial native and the city administrator. “Imperial has sustained its population … we would have been much smaller, probably the size of Grant, if we didn’t have all these people coming in and choosing to live and work and play here.”

The fair board first suggested a smaller act to draw this ever-growing Latino crowd, maybe a show that didn’t play at the main grandstand, maybe a local band.

But the newly recruited Aragon and the concert committee wanted to go bigger. After all, Johnny Cash played the Chase County Fair. So did Alice Cooper.

“We didn’t want the Hispanic pick to be any different,” Aragon said. “Let’s pick someone from Chihuahua, everyone’s going to be drawn to that.”

In May, they hit what they thought was the Mexican music jackpot, hiring La Fiera de Ojinaga, an accordion-driven norteño band from northern Mexico with more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and hundreds of millions of streams.

Then, Aragon started hearing a rumor. White residents were telling their Latino friends: You might not want to be at that concert. People in the country legally worried about attending, scared that they could get detained because of the color of their skin, Aragon said.

The most out-there version of the rumor he heard: That the fair board had planned the concert as a trap.

“We can’t control fear. We can only control what we can control,” said Ryan Stromberger, president of the fair board. “It’s unfortunate that they felt that way, I don’t know how we can control that, though … Obviously we had no ill intentions, otherwise we wouldn’t have booked it.”

Much of this fear appeared to stem from the May fair board meeting, when the board convened weeks before fair leaders planned to announce the last-minute concert addition.

City police and the Sheriff’s Office attended to discuss concert security. They appeared to single out the Mexican concert as a specific worry.

The law enforcement officers “voiced concerns about disturbances during Thursday’s night concert,” meeting minutes read. “They want to know about security precautions for concert nights.”

The discussion lasted about 20 minutes, according to meeting minutes. There is no audio recording of that meeting. Fair board members deferred questions to Stromberger, who said discussion focused mostly on whether law enforcement agencies had the budget and manpower to accommodate an extra concert night.

But that discussion continued among law enforcement officers outside the meeting room, said Chris Bustillos, the Imperial police sergeant. After that meeting, the rumors started to spiral, several Imperial residents said in interviews.

Mueller, the county sheriff, said in an email that any rumors that he “made a racist comment during a fair board meeting” were false.

“We had concerns that an extra night would place additional strain on our resources,” he wrote. “Apparently, one member took offense to my comments and began spreading a false and harmful rumor about me … this allegation is baseless, damaging, and driven by personal agendas — not facts.”

Bustillos said he decided to fact-check the rumors himself.

“I believe our sheriff for Chase County contacted someone either in your office or on the hotline about a Hispanic concert we will be having for our Chase County Expo Fair,” he wrote to the North Platte ICE office in an email obtained by the Flatwater Free Press through a records request. “I was just hoping to find out if that is something you or anyone in the ICE office will be attending? Again, I was just informed our sheriff contacted you. I have no idea if he really did or if that’s something you do.”

Replying via email, a Department of Homeland Security agent replied that the office had “received a call regarding the concerts.”

Bustillos said he and the DHS agent then spoke by phone. The agent told him that yes, the Sheriff’s Office had contacted the ICE office, Bustillos said in an interview. No, the ICE agents weren’t planning to come to the fair.

Mueller didn’t return a phone call Thursday seeking additional comment. Instead, he had a Sheriff’s Office employee send the Flatwater Free Press his emailed statement. He had previously not returned two other phone calls and an email seeking comment, instead communicating via another emailed statement.

Calling ICE had “nothing to do with the false allegation that I made racist comments,” Mueller wrote. “My focus throughout has been solely on ensuring the safety and security of the fair, nothing more.”

An ICE spokesperson declined to discuss any interaction with the sheriff.

“Pushing something out about ICE speaking to a sheriff or other law enforcement officers, with whom we partner with on a daily basis, will do nothing but fear monger,” spokesperson Tanya Roman wrote in an email. “There is no reason why anyone not breaking the law should have any concerns about one law enforcement agency speaking to another.”

On a Sunday afternoon two weeks before the fair, about 20 people gathered in an Imperial United Methodist Church sanctuary. The day’s lecture: Knowing your rights if stopped by ICE.

After hearing the fair rumors, Jo Leyland felt moved to act. The retired city administrator started calling nonprofits, hoping to get a pamphlet she could hand out to people about immigration rights. Instead, staff members from Nebraska Appleseed, a nonprofit that advocates for immigrant rights, offered to make the nearly four-hour drive from Lincoln to Imperial.

“I wanted to educate people, both with brown and white faces, about what could be done if the worst thing happened and ICE did show up,” Leyland said.

After the presentation at the church, Leyland took Know Your Rights cards from an Appleseed rep to pass out at the fair. The city took pamphlets to keep at the library and city offices. By the end of the session, all the paper handouts had been taken.

Appleseed has held worker’s rights safety trainings for years, said Ruby Méndez López, a community organizer with the nonprofit. But since January, the nonprofit has held about 20 Know Your Rights meetings across the state, educating immigrants and Americans on what they can and can’t do during a crackdown.

People are desperate for this information, Méndez López said, and grateful to get it. But getting people to attend Know Your Rights sessions can be a challenge.

“If we publicly post Know Your Rights information, people get really nervous about showing up,” Méndez López said. “People start to think it’s a trap put on by whoever is planning it.”

At the Imperial meeting, most of the attendees were white. Méndez López tried to set up a smaller Know Your Rights session with migrant workers in town. People were too scared to come, she said. The fear of going out in public has come and gone in waves through 2025, Méndez López said.

It was strong at the start of the year, when President Donald Trump took office. It peaked again after the immigration raid at Glenn Valley in Omaha, when ICE detained about 75 people. In the aftermath, rumors of potential ICE raids in towns like Lexington and Grand Island flooded social media. No other large raid has yet happened.

“People were just not showing up to work,” Méndez López said. “When there’s rumors that are unverified, it disrupts people’s lives entirely … it’s hard to know what to believe.”

On Thursday night at the fair, excitement over the concert mixed with unease and uncertainty. At a large booth on the midway, young members of the Lions Club shouted out bingo numbers — in English and Spanish.

Further down the midway, a cutout of Donald and Melania Trump advertised a booth selling MAGA hats and T-shirts, thermoses proclaiming “Don’t Tread on Me” and “I voted for the felon.”

No immigration authorities showed up that night. And fewer concertgoers than usual showed up, too — roughly 500 people ended up buying tickets to see La Fiera de Ojinaga, Stromberger said, far fewer than the combined 6,000 attendees at the Friday and Saturday country acts.

But the hundreds of mostly Latino fans who did attend came dressed in their best cowboy hats, jeans and boots. Some, like Almanza, never thought they would see a day when one of their favorite Mexican bands played their small-town American fair.

As the band played, couples paired off and whirled their way around the empty back half of the venue, stepping in time with the band’s bouncy drumbeat in the glowing light of the stage. The notes of an accordion and saxophone rang out into the crowd.And when the band shouted out their home state of Chihuahua, whoops and cheers erupted from the crowd.

Behind the crowd, a lit-up Ferris wheel looped kids into the sky. Vendors handed out cotton candy and fried Oreos. For a moment, it felt like another night at the fair.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/spinning-rides-swirling-rumors-talk-of-ice-raid-mars-county-fairs-attempt-to-showcase-mexican-band/" target="_blank">Flatwater Free Press</a>&nbsp;is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756819605143.png" alt=" Concertgoers listen as La Fiera de Ojinaga performs at the Chase County Fair in Imperial on Aug. 14. Most Mexicans who call Imperial home hail from the northern state of Chihuahua, where the band is also from. (Bob Alberts/Flatwater Free Press)" />
 <figcaption> Concertgoers listen as La Fiera de Ojinaga performs at the Chase County Fair in Imperial on Aug. 14. Most Mexicans who call Imperial home hail from the northern state of Chihuahua, where the band is also from. (Bob Alberts/Flatwater Free Press)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Chase County sheriff called fed immigration officials amid fears of trap that hurt attendance</h2>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/natalia-alamdari/">Natalia Alamdari</a>&nbsp;- Flatwater Free PressIMPERIAL, Nebraska — In a dusty show barn, kids march out their prize-winning swine as an auctioneer sings out competing bids.Outside, shrieks pierce this hot August night as families spin in loops on lit-up carnival rides. Vendors sell giant chocolate ice creams and funnel cakes, corn dogs and lemonades.Every year, the Chase County Fair &amp; Expo draws 10,000 people to this county of 3,764. They come for the classic small-town rite of summer. And they come for the fair’s annual concerts.This year, the county fair did something new. For the first time, fair organizers hired a Mexican band to perform, figuring that made practical sense in a community whose Latino population has grown sixfold since 2000. The announcement brought buzz and excitement on social media.But in the hours leading up to the Thursday night concert, only 300 tickets had sold, low for the grandstand that can hold 3,500. Many local Latino residents had decided to stay home, afraid of what could happen.“The rumor was that this was bait,” Imperial resident Cynthia Almanza said while waiting for the concert to start. “That ICE was going to show up.”The local rumor mill also alleged that the county sheriff had been the one to make that call.Versions of this story burned through Imperial and surrounding towns this summer, Almanza and other residents told the Flatwater Free Press.The Chase County sheriff was upset the fair had booked a Mexican band, residents said. He had called the feds, they said. They even said the fair had planned the concert as a trap. The suspicion grew so strong that one Imperial police officer went so far as to ask Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Did the sheriff contact you?Chase County Sheriff Kevin Mueller said in an emailed statement it was a “false and harmful rumor” that he “made a racist comment” during a fair board meeting discussing security needs for the concert.But it was true that he called ICE, he said in an email Thursday evening.“I did place a call to ICE,” Mueller wrote. “About a week later, someone returned my call … by that time, I had already determined that we had sufficient security in place through the Fair Board and the State Patrol.”The idea that ICE agents could show up at the fair took root in people’s minds. Almanza had friends who skipped the show. “It terrified lots of people,” she said.“It made me question if I should even be here,” said Judith Beltran, another concertgoer, who heard the story of the potential ICE raid shortly after arriving for the concert from Denver. “Just because of the chaos … I don’t want to be in the middle of it.”In the eight months of immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration, fear of ICE raids has penetrated many aspects of immigrant life in Nebraska. Rumors of raids and government vehicle sightings flood Facebook groups and WhatsApp chats.Some families are retreating from public life, including some who have legal status, advocates say. It’s keeping kids from attending school, they say, and parents from going to work.In Imperial, it left some wondering: Is the county fair safe?<h2>A Latino band</h2>The Chase County Fair Board approached Rodolfo Aragon in April with a question: Would he join the committee to help book a Latino band? The board was trying to make the annual event more inclusive, Aragon said, and wanted “to thank people for being a part of the community.”Aragon moved to the area 21 years ago to work for the feedlot Imperial Beef. He encouraged his brother to join him. They’re one of the many families from Chihuahua, Mexico, that found a home here, drawn by feedlot jobs or farm work at the potato grower Frenchman Valley Produce.In 2000, only 5% of Imperial’s residents were Latino, according to census data. Now, nearly a third of the city’s residents are.“The whole community has really shifted in the last two to three decades,” said Tyler Pribbeno, an Imperial native and the city administrator. “Imperial has sustained its population … we would have been much smaller, probably the size of Grant, if we didn’t have all these people coming in and choosing to live and work and play here.”The fair board first suggested a smaller act to draw this ever-growing Latino crowd, maybe a show that didn’t play at the main grandstand, maybe a local band.But the newly recruited Aragon and the concert committee wanted to go bigger. After all, Johnny Cash played the Chase County Fair. So did Alice Cooper.“We didn’t want the Hispanic pick to be any different,” Aragon said. “Let’s pick someone from Chihuahua, everyone’s going to be drawn to that.”In May, they hit what they thought was the Mexican music jackpot, hiring La Fiera de Ojinaga, an accordion-driven norteño band from northern Mexico with more than 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and hundreds of millions of streams.Then, Aragon started hearing a rumor. White residents were telling their Latino friends: You might not want to be at that concert. People in the country legally worried about attending, scared that they could get detained because of the color of their skin, Aragon said.The most out-there version of the rumor he heard: That the fair board had planned the concert as a trap.“We can’t control fear. We can only control what we can control,” said Ryan Stromberger, president of the fair board. “It’s unfortunate that they felt that way, I don’t know how we can control that, though … Obviously we had no ill intentions, otherwise we wouldn’t have booked it.”<h2>Rumors roll</h2>Much of this fear appeared to stem from the May fair board meeting, when the board convened weeks before fair leaders planned to announce the last-minute concert addition.City police and the Sheriff’s Office attended to discuss concert security. They appeared to single out the Mexican concert as a specific worry.The law enforcement officers “voiced concerns about disturbances during Thursday’s night concert,” meeting minutes read. “They want to know about security precautions for concert nights.”The discussion lasted about 20 minutes, according to meeting minutes. There is no audio recording of that meeting. Fair board members deferred questions to Stromberger, who said discussion focused mostly on whether law enforcement agencies had the budget and manpower to accommodate an extra concert night.But that discussion continued among law enforcement officers outside the meeting room, said Chris Bustillos, the Imperial police sergeant. After that meeting, the rumors started to spiral, several Imperial residents said in interviews.Mueller, the county sheriff, said in an email that any rumors that he “made a racist comment during a fair board meeting” were false.“We had concerns that an extra night would place additional strain on our resources,” he wrote. “Apparently, one member took offense to my comments and began spreading a false and harmful rumor about me … this allegation is baseless, damaging, and driven by personal agendas — not facts.”Bustillos said he decided to fact-check the rumors himself.“I believe our sheriff for Chase County contacted someone either in your office or on the hotline about a Hispanic concert we will be having for our Chase County Expo Fair,” he wrote to the North Platte ICE office in an email obtained by the Flatwater Free Press through a records request. “I was just hoping to find out if that is something you or anyone in the ICE office will be attending? Again, I was just informed our sheriff contacted you. I have no idea if he really did or if that’s something you do.”Replying via email, a Department of Homeland Security agent replied that the office had “received a call regarding the concerts.”Bustillos said he and the DHS agent then spoke by phone. The agent told him that yes, the Sheriff’s Office had contacted the ICE office, Bustillos said in an interview. No, the ICE agents weren’t planning to come to the fair.Mueller didn’t return a phone call Thursday seeking additional comment. Instead, he had a Sheriff’s Office employee send the Flatwater Free Press his emailed statement. He had previously not returned two other phone calls and an email seeking comment, instead communicating via another emailed statement.Calling ICE had “nothing to do with the false allegation that I made racist comments,” Mueller wrote. “My focus throughout has been solely on ensuring the safety and security of the fair, nothing more.”An ICE spokesperson declined to discuss any interaction with the sheriff.“Pushing something out about ICE speaking to a sheriff or other law enforcement officers, with whom we partner with on a daily basis, will do nothing but fear monger,” spokesperson Tanya Roman wrote in an email. “There is no reason why anyone not breaking the law should have any concerns about one law enforcement agency speaking to another.”<h2>Knowing your rights</h2>On a Sunday afternoon two weeks before the fair, about 20 people gathered in an Imperial United Methodist Church sanctuary. The day’s lecture: Knowing your rights if stopped by ICE.After hearing the fair rumors, Jo Leyland felt moved to act. The retired city administrator started calling nonprofits, hoping to get a pamphlet she could hand out to people about immigration rights. Instead, staff members from Nebraska Appleseed, a nonprofit that advocates for immigrant rights, offered to make the nearly four-hour drive from Lincoln to Imperial.“I wanted to educate people, both with brown and white faces, about what could be done if the worst thing happened and ICE did show up,” Leyland said.After the presentation at the church, Leyland took Know Your Rights cards from an Appleseed rep to pass out at the fair. The city took pamphlets to keep at the library and city offices. By the end of the session, all the paper handouts had been taken.Appleseed has held worker’s rights safety trainings for years, said Ruby Méndez López, a community organizer with the nonprofit. But since January, the nonprofit has held about 20 Know Your Rights meetings across the state, educating immigrants and Americans on what they can and can’t do during a crackdown.People are desperate for this information, Méndez López said, and grateful to get it. But getting people to attend Know Your Rights sessions can be a challenge.“If we publicly post Know Your Rights information, people get really nervous about showing up,” Méndez López said. “People start to think it’s a trap put on by whoever is planning it.”At the Imperial meeting, most of the attendees were white. Méndez López tried to set up a smaller Know Your Rights session with migrant workers in town. People were too scared to come, she said. The fear of going out in public has come and gone in waves through 2025, Méndez López said.It was strong at the start of the year, when President Donald Trump took office. It peaked again after the immigration raid at Glenn Valley in Omaha, when ICE detained about 75 people. In the aftermath, rumors of potential ICE raids in towns like Lexington and Grand Island flooded social media. No other large raid has yet happened.“People were just not showing up to work,” Méndez López said. “When there’s rumors that are unverified, it disrupts people’s lives entirely … it’s hard to know what to believe.”<h2>How it went</h2>On Thursday night at the fair, excitement over the concert mixed with unease and uncertainty. At a large booth on the midway, young members of the Lions Club shouted out bingo numbers — in English and Spanish.Further down the midway, a cutout of Donald and Melania Trump advertised a booth selling MAGA hats and T-shirts, thermoses proclaiming “Don’t Tread on Me” and “I voted for the felon.”No immigration authorities showed up that night. And fewer concertgoers than usual showed up, too — roughly 500 people ended up buying tickets to see La Fiera de Ojinaga, Stromberger said, far fewer than the combined 6,000 attendees at the Friday and Saturday country acts.But the hundreds of mostly Latino fans who did attend came dressed in their best cowboy hats, jeans and boots. Some, like Almanza, never thought they would see a day when one of their favorite Mexican bands played their small-town American fair.As the band played, couples paired off and whirled their way around the empty back half of the venue, stepping in time with the band’s bouncy drumbeat in the glowing light of the stage. The notes of an accordion and saxophone rang out into the crowd.And when the band shouted out their home state of Chihuahua, whoops and cheers erupted from the crowd.Behind the crowd, a lit-up Ferris wheel looped kids into the sky. Vendors handed out cotton candy and fried Oreos. For a moment, it felt like another night at the fair.The&nbsp;<a href="https://flatwaterfreepress.org/spinning-rides-swirling-rumors-talk-of-ice-raid-mars-county-fairs-attempt-to-showcase-mexican-band/" target="_blank">Flatwater Free Press</a>&nbsp;is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

Talk of possible ICE raid mars county fair’s push to feature Mexican band

The billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot is still on the rise! The prize has surged to an estimated $1.30 billion for the next drawing on Wednesday night,&nbsp;according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $589.0 million.

Wednesday’s jackpot ranks as the fifth largest in the Powerball game and the ninth largest among U.S. lottery jackpot games.

The Powerball jackpot climbed higher after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn last night – white balls 8, 23, 25, 40, 53 and red Powerball 5. The Power Play® multiplier was 3.

Despite there being no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as prizes are awarded for matching the red Powerball or a portion of the winning numbers.

Nationwide, ten tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The $1 million-winning tickets were sold in California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey (2), New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.&nbsp;Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

Two tickets matched all five white balls and increased their winnings to $2 million, by including the Power Play® option for $1 more at purchase. The $2 million-winning tickets were sold in Montana and North Carolina.

There were also 124 tickets that won $50,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB) and 25 tickets that won $150,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB + Power Play).

Wednesday’s Powerball drawing will be the 41st drawing since the jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. To date, the longest Powerball jackpot run has been 42 consecutive drawings, which was set on April 6, 2024, with a $1.326 billion jackpot winner in Oregon.

If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.30 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $589.0 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

The billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot is still on the rise! The prize has surged to an estimated $1.30 billion for the next drawing on Wednesday night,&nbsp;according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $589.0 million.Wednesday’s jackpot ranks as the fifth largest in the Powerball game and the ninth largest among U.S. lottery jackpot games.The Powerball jackpot climbed higher after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn last night – white balls 8, 23, 25, 40, 53 and red Powerball 5. The Power Play® multiplier was 3.Despite there being no jackpot winner, U.S. lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets carefully, as prizes are awarded for matching the red Powerball or a portion of the winning numbers.Nationwide, ten tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes. The $1 million-winning tickets were sold in California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey (2), New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.&nbsp;Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.Two tickets matched all five white balls and increased their winnings to $2 million, by including the Power Play® option for $1 more at purchase. The $2 million-winning tickets were sold in Montana and North Carolina.There were also 124 tickets that won $50,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB) and 25 tickets that won $150,000 prizes (Match 4 + PB + Power Play).Wednesday’s Powerball drawing will be the 41st drawing since the jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. To date, the longest Powerball jackpot run has been 42 consecutive drawings, which was set on April 6, 2024, with a $1.326 billion jackpot winner in Oregon.If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.30 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $589.0 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.30 Billion (estimated) – Sept. 3, 2025</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li><li>$754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 - WA</li>
 </ol>

Powerball jackpot rises to an estimated $1.3 billion

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two members of the 2nd&nbsp;American Militia were sentenced last week in federal court for their roles in a 2022 conspiracy to murder U.S. Border Patrol agents and, related to their shooting at FBI agents during the execution of a search warrant, of attempting to murder federal agents, according to the United State's Attorney.

Bryan C. Perry, 39, of Clarksville, Tenn., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a total of 15 consecutive life terms in federal prison without parole for his convictions for one count of conspiracy to murder a federal officer and fourteen counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The court also sentenced Perry to concurrent terms of imprisonment of 20 years for his convictions for seven counts of attempted murder of a federal officer, seven counts of assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and one count of assault of a federal officer that inflicts bodily injury. Perry further received concurrent sentences of varying terms of imprisonment for his convictions for conspiracy to assault a federal officer, conspiracy to injure an officer, assault of a federal officer that involves physical contact, depredation of government property, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of body armor by a violent felon, and communicating a threat to injure. The court also sentenced Perry to five years of supervised release following his incarceration and a restitution amount of $3,717.98.

Jonathan S. O’Dell, 35, of Warsaw, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a total of 165 years in federal prison without parole for one count each of conspiracy to murder a federal officer, conspiracy to assault a federal officer, conspiracy to injure an officer, assault of a federal officer that inflicts bodily injury, depredation of government property, possession of a firearm while subject to a court order of protection, communicating a threat to injure, making a false statement, escape from custody, two counts of assault of a federal officer involving physical contact, seven counts each of attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and 14 counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The Court also sentenced O’Dell to five years of supervised release following his incarceration and a restitution amount of $19,234.63.

On Nov. 7, 2024, Perry and O’Dell were found guilty after a 9-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo. The jury deliberated for about two hours and 23 minutes before returning guilty verdicts, ending a trial that began on Oct. 28, 2024. On the morning of the first day of trial, O’Dell pleaded guilty to one count of illegally possessing a firearm while subject to a court order of protection, one count of making a false statement to a federal agent, and one count of escaping from custody.

Evidence introduced during the trial showed that, throughout the summer, and fall of 2022, Perry and O’Dell recruited and attempted to recruit other individuals to join the 2nd&nbsp;American Militia, a group they co-founded, and join in their plan to travel to the United States-Mexico border to go to war with U.S. Border Patrol. Perry posted several videos on TikTok in an attempt to recruit other members into their conspiracy and they advertised a recruitment event in Warsaw.

On Sept. 5, 2022, Perry, bringing at least two stolen firearms, body armor, and gas masks with him, traveled from Tennessee to Warsaw to live with O’Dell. They used O’Dell’s residence as a staging site as they prepared for their trip to the border and collected firearms, paramilitary gear, ammunition, and other supplies.

On Sept. 12, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he discussed illegal immigrants coming into the United States from Mexico. Perry stated that the U.S. Border Patrol was committing treason by allowing these illegal immigrants to enter the United States, and that the penalty for treason was death. Perry posted another video on TikTok the next day in which he stated that he was “ready to go to war against this government.”

On Sept. 22, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he stated, “we’re out to shoot to kill” and that “our group is gonna go protect this country.” On Oct. 3, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he stated, “we were going out huntin’,” that his group was taking their “full kits,” and that they were leaving for the United States – Mexico border on Oct. 8, 2022.

O’Dell and Perry continued to conduct preparatory steps to further their conspiracy, including continuing to recruit others, attempting to acquire other gear, and practicing shooting at targets with firearms.

On Oct. 7, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at O’Dell’s residence. Federal agents approached the property at about 6 a.m. in vehicles with red and blue lights activated. As the FBI approached, an agent utilized a loudspeaker in the lead armored vehicle, the “Bearcat,” to announce they were with the FBI and that they had a search warrant for the residence. Seven agents were inside or behind the Bearcat. The FBI agent began to repeat the announcement, again stating that they were with the FBI, when gunshots were fired from a front window at the lead FBI vehicle. Perry fired 11 shots from his Voodoo Innovations multi-caliber rifle with an AM-15 lower receiver. Several rounds hit the lead FBI vehicle.

Agents responded by deploying flash bangs around the residence. Agents used the Bearcat to conduct a breach of the front door of the residence using an affixed ram. Agents did not return fire and, after the gunshots ceased, the FBI established a perimeter and began communicating with the persons inside the residence to come out.

O’Dell and his girlfriend came out of the residence and surrendered to authorities. Perry eventually came out of the residence. Perry took down an American flag from the front porch of the residence and walked down the steps while waving the flag. After beginning to walk to the agents, Perry then turned around and moved back to the residence. Agents pursued Perry, who began to fight and swing his fists, striking the agents several times and causing injury to at least one agent before he was taken into custody.

Agents then searched the residence and found six firearms, 23 magazines filled with ammunition, 1,770 rounds of various other ammunition, 11 spent casings, two sets of body armor with corresponding plate carrier vests, one handheld radio, two sniper rests, two gas masks, two ballistic helmets, multiple containers of a binary explosive mixture commonly sold as an exploding target, zip ties, medical supplies, and two 2nd American Militia patches. Agents also found two go-bags that contained food, provisions, and other gear.

Later, on Sept. 29, 2023, while O’Dell was in custody awaiting trial on the charges, he escaped from the Phelps County, Mo. Jail and eventually led authorities on a high-speed chase in Ray County, Mo., before being apprehended.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Ashley Turner. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Ray County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Caldwell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756688125002.png" alt="Perry photo Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Perry photo Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two members of the 2nd&nbsp;American Militia were sentenced last week in federal court for their roles in a 2022 conspiracy to murder U.S. Border Patrol agents and, related to their shooting at FBI agents during the execution of a search warrant, of attempting to murder federal agents, according to the United State's Attorney.Bryan C. Perry, 39, of Clarksville, Tenn., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a total of 15 consecutive life terms in federal prison without parole for his convictions for one count of conspiracy to murder a federal officer and fourteen counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756688021668.png" alt="O'Dell photo Cole Co." />
 <figcaption>O'Dell photo Cole Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The court also sentenced Perry to concurrent terms of imprisonment of 20 years for his convictions for seven counts of attempted murder of a federal officer, seven counts of assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and one count of assault of a federal officer that inflicts bodily injury. Perry further received concurrent sentences of varying terms of imprisonment for his convictions for conspiracy to assault a federal officer, conspiracy to injure an officer, assault of a federal officer that involves physical contact, depredation of government property, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of body armor by a violent felon, and communicating a threat to injure. The court also sentenced Perry to five years of supervised release following his incarceration and a restitution amount of $3,717.98.Jonathan S. O’Dell, 35, of Warsaw, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a total of 165 years in federal prison without parole for one count each of conspiracy to murder a federal officer, conspiracy to assault a federal officer, conspiracy to injure an officer, assault of a federal officer that inflicts bodily injury, depredation of government property, possession of a firearm while subject to a court order of protection, communicating a threat to injure, making a false statement, escape from custody, two counts of assault of a federal officer involving physical contact, seven counts each of attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and 14 counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The Court also sentenced O’Dell to five years of supervised release following his incarceration and a restitution amount of $19,234.63.On Nov. 7, 2024, Perry and O’Dell were found guilty after a 9-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo. The jury deliberated for about two hours and 23 minutes before returning guilty verdicts, ending a trial that began on Oct. 28, 2024. On the morning of the first day of trial, O’Dell pleaded guilty to one count of illegally possessing a firearm while subject to a court order of protection, one count of making a false statement to a federal agent, and one count of escaping from custody.Evidence introduced during the trial showed that, throughout the summer, and fall of 2022, Perry and O’Dell recruited and attempted to recruit other individuals to join the 2nd&nbsp;American Militia, a group they co-founded, and join in their plan to travel to the United States-Mexico border to go to war with U.S. Border Patrol. Perry posted several videos on TikTok in an attempt to recruit other members into their conspiracy and they advertised a recruitment event in Warsaw.On Sept. 5, 2022, Perry, bringing at least two stolen firearms, body armor, and gas masks with him, traveled from Tennessee to Warsaw to live with O’Dell. They used O’Dell’s residence as a staging site as they prepared for their trip to the border and collected firearms, paramilitary gear, ammunition, and other supplies.On Sept. 12, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he discussed illegal immigrants coming into the United States from Mexico. Perry stated that the U.S. Border Patrol was committing treason by allowing these illegal immigrants to enter the United States, and that the penalty for treason was death. Perry posted another video on TikTok the next day in which he stated that he was “ready to go to war against this government.”On Sept. 22, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he stated, “we’re out to shoot to kill” and that “our group is gonna go protect this country.” On Oct. 3, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he stated, “we were going out huntin’,” that his group was taking their “full kits,” and that they were leaving for the United States – Mexico border on Oct. 8, 2022.O’Dell and Perry continued to conduct preparatory steps to further their conspiracy, including continuing to recruit others, attempting to acquire other gear, and practicing shooting at targets with firearms.On Oct. 7, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at O’Dell’s residence. Federal agents approached the property at about 6 a.m. in vehicles with red and blue lights activated. As the FBI approached, an agent utilized a loudspeaker in the lead armored vehicle, the “Bearcat,” to announce they were with the FBI and that they had a search warrant for the residence. Seven agents were inside or behind the Bearcat. The FBI agent began to repeat the announcement, again stating that they were with the FBI, when gunshots were fired from a front window at the lead FBI vehicle. Perry fired 11 shots from his Voodoo Innovations multi-caliber rifle with an AM-15 lower receiver. Several rounds hit the lead FBI vehicle.Agents responded by deploying flash bangs around the residence. Agents used the Bearcat to conduct a breach of the front door of the residence using an affixed ram. Agents did not return fire and, after the gunshots ceased, the FBI established a perimeter and began communicating with the persons inside the residence to come out.O’Dell and his girlfriend came out of the residence and surrendered to authorities. Perry eventually came out of the residence. Perry took down an American flag from the front porch of the residence and walked down the steps while waving the flag. After beginning to walk to the agents, Perry then turned around and moved back to the residence. Agents pursued Perry, who began to fight and swing his fists, striking the agents several times and causing injury to at least one agent before he was taken into custody.Agents then searched the residence and found six firearms, 23 magazines filled with ammunition, 1,770 rounds of various other ammunition, 11 spent casings, two sets of body armor with corresponding plate carrier vests, one handheld radio, two sniper rests, two gas masks, two ballistic helmets, multiple containers of a binary explosive mixture commonly sold as an exploding target, zip ties, medical supplies, and two 2nd American Militia patches. Agents also found two go-bags that contained food, provisions, and other gear.Later, on Sept. 29, 2023, while O’Dell was in custody awaiting trial on the charges, he escaped from the Phelps County, Mo. Jail and eventually led authorities on a high-speed chase in Ray County, Mo., before being apprehended.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Ashley Turner. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Ray County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Caldwell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Prison for conspiracy to kill U.S. Border Patrol officers

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sofia-resnick/">Sofia Resnick</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>

A federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.93.0.pdf" target="_blank">ruled Friday</a>&nbsp;against the Trump administration’s efforts to strip Medicaid funds from primarily Planned Parenthood-affiliated abortion providers.

Massachusetts U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani denied the federal government’s motion to lift a block on a new law, rejecting the U.S. Department of Justice’s argument that allowing Planned Parenthood to continue to bill for Medicaid while their lawsuit plays out would cause the government “irreparable injury.” She said the plaintiffs were more likely to suffer injury if the provision went into effect, such as having to close clinics and reduce services.

“Here, Defendants suffer no irreparable harm where Plaintiffs are substantially likely to succeed in establishing that Section 71113 violates several constitutional provisions,” Talwani wrote in an order, denying the federal government’s request to stay two preliminary injunctions. “[I]t is precisely because Congress targeted only a ‘certain’ group of entities for exclusion from Medicaid programs — all but two of which are Planned Parenthood Federation Members — that Plaintiffs are likely to succeed in establishing that Section 71113 is unconstitutional.”

Late last month Talwani ordered a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/one-big-beautiful-law-provision-planned-parenthood-funding-partly-blocked-judge" target="_blank">partial</a>&nbsp;and then a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-issues-new-order-protecting-all-planned-parenthood-clinics-medicaid-defunding" target="_blank">full preliminary injunction</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/planned-parenthood-sues-trump-administration-officials-over-defunding-provision-budget-bill" target="_blank">Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its Massachusetts and Utah affiliates sued</a>&nbsp;in early July over the new federal reproductive health restriction. After unsuccessfully asking the district court to lift the block, the federal government&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.75.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">appealed the preliminary injunctions</a>&nbsp;to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Shortly after, the DOJ&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.85.0.pdf" target="_blank">filed a motion</a>&nbsp;asking the district court to reconsider the preliminary injunctions. Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.89.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">appellate court declined</a>&nbsp;the government’s request, pending the district court’s decision. Defendants are now expected to re-appeal the injunction to the First Circuit.&nbsp;

The provision, set to expire July 4, 2026, would primarily affect health clinics affiliated with Planned Parenthood, which has estimated it could lose 200 of its 600 clinics, many of which are in rural areas and others that are critical abortion-access points.&nbsp;

But two other affected organizations are Health Imperatives in Massachusetts, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/08/05/massachusetts-abortion-womens-health-federal-cuts?emci=d5dd797b-0b7e-f011-b481-6045bda9d23e&amp;emdi=4fdfb31e-7e7e-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;ceid=519099" target="_blank">according to WBUR</a>, operates seven clinics and serves about 10,000 patients, and Maine Family Planning, which has also sued over the provision. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Lance Walker in Maine, an appointee of President Donald Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://reproductiverights.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/MFP-Decision-August-2025.pdf" target="_blank">denied Maine Family Planning’s motion for a preliminary injunction</a>, despite the organization facing losses up to nearly $2 million, potential layoffs, and disruption of care for about 8,000 patients.

“This ruling is a devastating setback for Mainers who depend on us for basic primary care,” said George Hill, president and CEO of Maine Family Planning, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-oks-medicaid-defunding-maines-largest-reproductive-health-care-provider" target="_blank">Maine Morning Star</a>. “The loss of Medicaid funds — which nearly half our patients rely on — threatens our ability to provide life-saving services to communities across the state. Mainers’ health should never be jeopardized by political decisions, and we will continue to fight for them.”

Does the new federal Medicaid rule unlawfully target Planned Parenthood?

Federal funding of abortion is already prohibited in most cases under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/the-hyde-amendment-and-coverage-for-abortion-services-under-medicaid-in-the-post-roe-era/" target="_blank">Hyde Amendment</a>. But the new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text" target="_blank">funding rule</a>&nbsp;would bar from the Medicaid program reproductive health clinics that provide abortions and received more than $800,000 in federal and state Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2023 for health services like birth control, cancer and gender-affirming care.&nbsp;

The legislation has caused confusion throughout the Planned Parenthood network because its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ21/PLAW-119publ21.pdf#page=230" target="_blank">definition of “prohibited entity”</a>&nbsp;includes a barred organization’s “affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, and clinics.”

The nonprofit health network comprises its national membership and advocacy organization, PPFA, and nearly 50 independently structured and operated&nbsp;affiliates, some of which do not offer abortion, such as co-plaintiff Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. These organizations are reimbursed after the fact for specific health services covered by Medicaid.&nbsp;

Even though the provision is currently blocked, several Planned Parenthood clinics around the country have already closed, both because of the new rule and the Trump administration’s other restrictions stripping abortion providers of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/limited-judicial-relief-fallout-begins-planned-parenthood-clinics-facing-medicaid-cuts" target="_blank">federal family planning grants</a>.&nbsp;

Many of the recently shuttered clinics did not provide abortion, like in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/ohio-planned-parenthoods-will-remain-closed-despite-federal-success-ongoing-lawsuit" target="_blank">Ohio</a>, and some are in states where abortion is illegal, like in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/planned-parenthood-close-louisiana-clinics-landry-murrill-applaud-news" target="_blank">Louisiana</a>.&nbsp;

Planned Parenthood’s attorneys have argued that the new federal Medicaid rule violates their equal protection, speech and association rights, because it excludes their clinics from the Medicaid program on the basis of their association to other organizations — in this case organizations that provide abortions and advocate for abortion rights.

“[S]ince this Court issued its decision, the government has now admitted that Section 71113 (the “Defund Provision”) was intended to punish Planned Parenthood for its ‘political advocacy,’” the plaintiffs wrote in a recent brief&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.92.0.pdf" target="_blank">opposing defendants’ motion</a>&nbsp;to lift the injunction.&nbsp;

Plaintiffs referred to a recent public statement made by Andrew G. Nixon, a spokesperson for co-defendant U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;

“States should not be forced to fund organizations that have chosen political advocacy over patient care,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/us/politics/trump-planned-parenthood.html" target="_blank">Nixon said</a>, after the district court’s initial preliminary injunction on July 22.&nbsp;

But in court, the federal government argued the tax and spending cuts law excludes large abortion providers only because they provide abortions. They say they are also excluding smaller or non-abortion-providing affiliates, not because of their speech or advocacy, but because of their “non-expressive activities of corporate control and financing.” Their basic argument is that money to any Planned Parenthood clinic — even for health services unrelated to abortion — is money for abortion.&nbsp;

“[B]ecause money is fungible, extending the funding restriction to affiliates prevents an organization from undermining federal policy not to subsidize abortion providers by shifting funds between entities that do not perform abortions and entities that do,”&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.85.0.pdf#page=6" target="_blank">defendants wrote</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The DOJ has also rejected plaintiffs’ claim that the federal legislation is a&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S9-C3-1/ALDE_00013186/" target="_blank">bill of attainder</a>, which refers to legislation that unconstitutionally imposes punishment on a specific person or group of people without a judicial trial.&nbsp;

“Halting the flow of federal Medicaid funds to those entities bears no resemblance to the forms of punishment that implicate the Bill of Attainder Clause,” reads the DOJ’s motion. “Historically, bills of attainder involved punishments such as ‘death,’ ‘banishment,’ and ‘imprisonment.’”

But Talwani disagrees with the DOJ’s reasoning.

“[T]here is no indication in the record that Planned Parenthood Members share revenues from Medicaid reimbursements,” she wrote. “The result is a restriction on associational freedom that is in no way ‘essential to the furtherance of [Defendants’] interest’ in withholding funds from certain abortion providers … and instead imposes a wholly unwarranted burden.”

While the new federal tax and spending cuts law does not mention Planned Parenthood by name, a bill introduced this year with similar language is explicitly titled, “<a href="https://click.everyaction.com/k/113700862/564667045/-4655086?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9TTldTUi9TTldTUi8xLzEwNTEzMSIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICI0ZmRmYjMxZS03ZTdlLWYwMTEtYjQ4NC02MDQ1YmRlYjc0MTMiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogInNyZXNuaWNrQHN0YXRlc25ld3Nyb29tLmNvbSINCn0%3D&amp;hmac=VzdAbS6Oa98XA62IADfNGZ3_6dvqDEvTmiY8Ar8EoZo=&amp;emci=d5dd797b-0b7e-f011-b481-6045bda9d23e&amp;emdi=4fdfb31e-7e7e-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;ceid=519099" target="_blank">Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2025</a>.” Meanwhile, several state legislatures have successfully stripped funding from the organization. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed South Carolina to exclude Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program in late June after a long legal fight, but the state’s affiliate just&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/planned-parenthood-files-new-challenge-stay-scs-medicaid-list-non-abortion-services" target="_blank">sued again</a>&nbsp;over Medicaid eligibility.

“You have to be living in a cave to believe this isn’t about Planned Parenthood,” said abortion law expert Mary Ziegler. “The reason Planned Parenthood is a target is because it’s a twofer. It’s both the nation’s largest abortion provider and also the nation’s best advocate for abortion rights. … But I think the problem for Planned Parenthood is that disaggregating the two is hard, and proving congressional intent to target one rather than the other is challenging.”

Anti-abortion activists and conservative commentators have accused Talwani, an Obama appointee, of judicial activism.

“Now the abortion industry is suing to block the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jun/23/poll-shows-voters-support-defunding-planned-parenthood-told/?utm_medium=SocialFlow&amp;utm_campaign=twtnl_x&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">will of the voters</a>, duly passed by Congress,” wrote Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, in a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/08/judicial-activism-wont-restore-planned-parenthoods-federal-funding/" target="_blank">op-ed for National Review</a>. “They argue they’re constitutionally entitled to our tax dollars in perpetuity, and they’ve&nbsp;<a href="https://sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-releases/sba-slams-activist-ruling-forcing-americans-to-fund-abortion-giant-planned-parenthood" target="_blank">found a single activist judge</a>&nbsp;willing to take their side and impose that view on the entire nation — for now.”

Ziegler said the bill of attainder argument is rarely used, but is plausible in this case.&nbsp;

“Generally, with a bill of attainder, you have to show that there’s no other kind of valid legislative purpose, and that it’s selectively targeting the person who’s suing,” she said. “In this case, it seems pretty clear that there’s some targeting of Planned Parenthood happening. … But I think there being no other purpose is more complicated.”

Ziegler said the case will likely be hard to win if it gets to the majority conservative Supreme Court. But if the injunction holds, Planned Parenthood could run out the clock on the one-year Medicaid restriction. She thinks it might seem too politically risky to renew this provision right before the 2026 midterm elections to more moderate Republicans in the House, like Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.notus.org/republicans/gop-defunding-planned-parenthood-reconciliation" target="_blank">told NOTUS</a>&nbsp;in May, “from the standpoint of providing health care to women, you know, I’m not for taking away people’s health care.”

“They’ll either have to say, ‘All our boasts about defunding Planned Parenthood were not real, because Planned Parenthood is going to get funded again,’ or they’re going to have to make the funding prohibition permanent, which could have the consequences that people like Lawler were afraid of.”

By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sofia-resnick/">Sofia Resnick</a> <a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/">States Newsroom</a>A federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.93.0.pdf" target="_blank">ruled Friday</a>&nbsp;against the Trump administration’s efforts to strip Medicaid funds from primarily Planned Parenthood-affiliated abortion providers.Massachusetts U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani denied the federal government’s motion to lift a block on a new law, rejecting the U.S. Department of Justice’s argument that allowing Planned Parenthood to continue to bill for Medicaid while their lawsuit plays out would cause the government “irreparable injury.” She said the plaintiffs were more likely to suffer injury if the provision went into effect, such as having to close clinics and reduce services.“Here, Defendants suffer no irreparable harm where Plaintiffs are substantially likely to succeed in establishing that Section 71113 violates several constitutional provisions,” Talwani wrote in an order, denying the federal government’s request to stay two preliminary injunctions. “[I]t is precisely because Congress targeted only a ‘certain’ group of entities for exclusion from Medicaid programs — all but two of which are Planned Parenthood Federation Members — that Plaintiffs are likely to succeed in establishing that Section 71113 is unconstitutional.”Late last month Talwani ordered a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/one-big-beautiful-law-provision-planned-parenthood-funding-partly-blocked-judge" target="_blank">partial</a>&nbsp;and then a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-issues-new-order-protecting-all-planned-parenthood-clinics-medicaid-defunding" target="_blank">full preliminary injunction</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/planned-parenthood-sues-trump-administration-officials-over-defunding-provision-budget-bill" target="_blank">Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its Massachusetts and Utah affiliates sued</a>&nbsp;in early July over the new federal reproductive health restriction. After unsuccessfully asking the district court to lift the block, the federal government&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.75.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">appealed the preliminary injunctions</a>&nbsp;to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Shortly after, the DOJ&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.85.0.pdf" target="_blank">filed a motion</a>&nbsp;asking the district court to reconsider the preliminary injunctions. Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.89.0_1.pdf" target="_blank">appellate court declined</a>&nbsp;the government’s request, pending the district court’s decision. Defendants are now expected to re-appeal the injunction to the First Circuit.&nbsp;The provision, set to expire July 4, 2026, would primarily affect health clinics affiliated with Planned Parenthood, which has estimated it could lose 200 of its 600 clinics, many of which are in rural areas and others that are critical abortion-access points.&nbsp;But two other affected organizations are Health Imperatives in Massachusetts, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/08/05/massachusetts-abortion-womens-health-federal-cuts?emci=d5dd797b-0b7e-f011-b481-6045bda9d23e&amp;emdi=4fdfb31e-7e7e-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;ceid=519099" target="_blank">according to WBUR</a>, operates seven clinics and serves about 10,000 patients, and Maine Family Planning, which has also sued over the provision. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Lance Walker in Maine, an appointee of President Donald Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://reproductiverights.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/MFP-Decision-August-2025.pdf" target="_blank">denied Maine Family Planning’s motion for a preliminary injunction</a>, despite the organization facing losses up to nearly $2 million, potential layoffs, and disruption of care for about 8,000 patients.“This ruling is a devastating setback for Mainers who depend on us for basic primary care,” said George Hill, president and CEO of Maine Family Planning, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-oks-medicaid-defunding-maines-largest-reproductive-health-care-provider" target="_blank">Maine Morning Star</a>. “The loss of Medicaid funds — which nearly half our patients rely on — threatens our ability to provide life-saving services to communities across the state. Mainers’ health should never be jeopardized by political decisions, and we will continue to fight for them.”<h2>Does the new federal Medicaid rule unlawfully target Planned Parenthood?</h2>Federal funding of abortion is already prohibited in most cases under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/the-hyde-amendment-and-coverage-for-abortion-services-under-medicaid-in-the-post-roe-era/" target="_blank">Hyde Amendment</a>. But the new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text" target="_blank">funding rule</a>&nbsp;would bar from the Medicaid program reproductive health clinics that provide abortions and received more than $800,000 in federal and state Medicaid funding in fiscal year 2023 for health services like birth control, cancer and gender-affirming care.&nbsp;The legislation has caused confusion throughout the Planned Parenthood network because its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ21/PLAW-119publ21.pdf#page=230" target="_blank">definition of “prohibited entity”</a>&nbsp;includes a barred organization’s “affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, and clinics.”The nonprofit health network comprises its national membership and advocacy organization, PPFA, and nearly 50 independently structured and operated&nbsp;affiliates, some of which do not offer abortion, such as co-plaintiff Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. These organizations are reimbursed after the fact for specific health services covered by Medicaid.&nbsp;Even though the provision is currently blocked, several Planned Parenthood clinics around the country have already closed, both because of the new rule and the Trump administration’s other restrictions stripping abortion providers of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/limited-judicial-relief-fallout-begins-planned-parenthood-clinics-facing-medicaid-cuts" target="_blank">federal family planning grants</a>.&nbsp;Many of the recently shuttered clinics did not provide abortion, like in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/ohio-planned-parenthoods-will-remain-closed-despite-federal-success-ongoing-lawsuit" target="_blank">Ohio</a>, and some are in states where abortion is illegal, like in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/planned-parenthood-close-louisiana-clinics-landry-murrill-applaud-news" target="_blank">Louisiana</a>.&nbsp;Planned Parenthood’s attorneys have argued that the new federal Medicaid rule violates their equal protection, speech and association rights, because it excludes their clinics from the Medicaid program on the basis of their association to other organizations — in this case organizations that provide abortions and advocate for abortion rights.“[S]ince this Court issued its decision, the government has now admitted that Section 71113 (the “Defund Provision”) was intended to punish Planned Parenthood for its ‘political advocacy,’” the plaintiffs wrote in a recent brief&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.92.0.pdf" target="_blank">opposing defendants’ motion</a>&nbsp;to lift the injunction.&nbsp;Plaintiffs referred to a recent public statement made by Andrew G. Nixon, a spokesperson for co-defendant U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;“States should not be forced to fund organizations that have chosen political advocacy over patient care,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/us/politics/trump-planned-parenthood.html" target="_blank">Nixon said</a>, after the district court’s initial preliminary injunction on July 22.&nbsp;But in court, the federal government argued the tax and spending cuts law excludes large abortion providers only because they provide abortions. They say they are also excluding smaller or non-abortion-providing affiliates, not because of their speech or advocacy, but because of their “non-expressive activities of corporate control and financing.” Their basic argument is that money to any Planned Parenthood clinic — even for health services unrelated to abortion — is money for abortion.&nbsp;“[B]ecause money is fungible, extending the funding restriction to affiliates prevents an organization from undermining federal policy not to subsidize abortion providers by shifting funds between entities that do not perform abortions and entities that do,”&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.286600/gov.uscourts.mad.286600.85.0.pdf#page=6" target="_blank">defendants wrote</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;The DOJ has also rejected plaintiffs’ claim that the federal legislation is a&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S9-C3-1/ALDE_00013186/" target="_blank">bill of attainder</a>, which refers to legislation that unconstitutionally imposes punishment on a specific person or group of people without a judicial trial.&nbsp;“Halting the flow of federal Medicaid funds to those entities bears no resemblance to the forms of punishment that implicate the Bill of Attainder Clause,” reads the DOJ’s motion. “Historically, bills of attainder involved punishments such as ‘death,’ ‘banishment,’ and ‘imprisonment.’”But Talwani disagrees with the DOJ’s reasoning.“[T]here is no indication in the record that Planned Parenthood Members share revenues from Medicaid reimbursements,” she wrote. “The result is a restriction on associational freedom that is in no way ‘essential to the furtherance of [Defendants’] interest’ in withholding funds from certain abortion providers … and instead imposes a wholly unwarranted burden.”While the new federal tax and spending cuts law does not mention Planned Parenthood by name, a bill introduced this year with similar language is explicitly titled, “<a href="https://click.everyaction.com/k/113700862/564667045/-4655086?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9TTldTUi9TTldTUi8xLzEwNTEzMSIsDQogICJEaXN0cmlidXRpb25VbmlxdWVJZCI6ICI0ZmRmYjMxZS03ZTdlLWYwMTEtYjQ4NC02MDQ1YmRlYjc0MTMiLA0KICAiRW1haWxBZGRyZXNzIjogInNyZXNuaWNrQHN0YXRlc25ld3Nyb29tLmNvbSINCn0%3D&amp;hmac=VzdAbS6Oa98XA62IADfNGZ3_6dvqDEvTmiY8Ar8EoZo=&amp;emci=d5dd797b-0b7e-f011-b481-6045bda9d23e&amp;emdi=4fdfb31e-7e7e-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&amp;ceid=519099" target="_blank">Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2025</a>.” Meanwhile, several state legislatures have successfully stripped funding from the organization. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed South Carolina to exclude Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program in late June after a long legal fight, but the state’s affiliate just&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/planned-parenthood-files-new-challenge-stay-scs-medicaid-list-non-abortion-services" target="_blank">sued again</a>&nbsp;over Medicaid eligibility.“You have to be living in a cave to believe this isn’t about Planned Parenthood,” said abortion law expert Mary Ziegler. “The reason Planned Parenthood is a target is because it’s a twofer. It’s both the nation’s largest abortion provider and also the nation’s best advocate for abortion rights. … But I think the problem for Planned Parenthood is that disaggregating the two is hard, and proving congressional intent to target one rather than the other is challenging.”Anti-abortion activists and conservative commentators have accused Talwani, an Obama appointee, of judicial activism.“Now the abortion industry is suing to block the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jun/23/poll-shows-voters-support-defunding-planned-parenthood-told/?utm_medium=SocialFlow&amp;utm_campaign=twtnl_x&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">will of the voters</a>, duly passed by Congress,” wrote Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, in a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/08/judicial-activism-wont-restore-planned-parenthoods-federal-funding/" target="_blank">op-ed for National Review</a>. “They argue they’re constitutionally entitled to our tax dollars in perpetuity, and they’ve&nbsp;<a href="https://sbaprolife.org/newsroom/press-releases/sba-slams-activist-ruling-forcing-americans-to-fund-abortion-giant-planned-parenthood" target="_blank">found a single activist judge</a>&nbsp;willing to take their side and impose that view on the entire nation — for now.”Ziegler said the bill of attainder argument is rarely used, but is plausible in this case.&nbsp;“Generally, with a bill of attainder, you have to show that there’s no other kind of valid legislative purpose, and that it’s selectively targeting the person who’s suing,” she said. “In this case, it seems pretty clear that there’s some targeting of Planned Parenthood happening. … But I think there being no other purpose is more complicated.”Ziegler said the case will likely be hard to win if it gets to the majority conservative Supreme Court. But if the injunction holds, Planned Parenthood could run out the clock on the one-year Medicaid restriction. She thinks it might seem too politically risky to renew this provision right before the 2026 midterm elections to more moderate Republicans in the House, like Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.notus.org/republicans/gop-defunding-planned-parenthood-reconciliation" target="_blank">told NOTUS</a>&nbsp;in May, “from the standpoint of providing health care to women, you know, I’m not for taking away people’s health care.”“They’ll either have to say, ‘All our boasts about defunding Planned Parenthood were not real, because Planned Parenthood is going to get funded again,’ or they’re going to have to make the funding prohibition permanent, which could have the consequences that people like Lawler were afraid of.”

Judge: Planned Parenthood clinics can remain Medicaid providers while lawsuit continues

Players will have another chance to go for the billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot before the holiday weekend ends! No ticket matched all six numbers drawn Saturday night, pushing the Powerball jackpot to an estimated $1.1 billion for the next drawing on Monday night – the game’s fifth-largest prize ever,&nbsp;according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Monday’s jackpot has an estimated cash value of $498.4 million.

“America has waited all year for the chance to play for a billion-dollar jackpot, and what better time than Labor Day for a $1.1 billion Powerball drawing!” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “With just one $2 ticket, you could win it all – all while helping to support good causes close to home.”

The winning numbers in the Saturday, Aug 30 drawing were white balls 3, 18, 22, 27, 33 and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 3.

Even though the Powerball jackpot rolled, participating lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets to see if they won a lower-tier cash prize.

Nine tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes in last night’s drawing. The $1 million-winning tickets were sold in California (4), Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.&nbsp;Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.

Three tickets matched all five white balls and increased the $1 million prize to $2 million, because the tickets included the Power Play® option for $1 more. The $2 million-winning tickets were sold in Colorado, Indiana and New Hampshire.

There were also 115 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 27 tickets that won $150,000 prizes.

Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 40th drawing since the jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. To date, the longest Powerball jackpot run has been 42 consecutive drawings, which was set on April 6, 2024, with a $1.326 billion jackpot winner in Oregon.

If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $498.4 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Players will have another chance to go for the billion-dollar Powerball® jackpot before the holiday weekend ends! No ticket matched all six numbers drawn Saturday night, pushing the Powerball jackpot to an estimated $1.1 billion for the next drawing on Monday night – the game’s fifth-largest prize ever,&nbsp;according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.Monday’s jackpot has an estimated cash value of $498.4 million.“America has waited all year for the chance to play for a billion-dollar jackpot, and what better time than Labor Day for a $1.1 billion Powerball drawing!” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “With just one $2 ticket, you could win it all – all while helping to support good causes close to home.”The winning numbers in the Saturday, Aug 30 drawing were white balls 3, 18, 22, 27, 33 and red Powerball 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 3.Even though the Powerball jackpot rolled, participating lotteries are reminding players to check their tickets to see if they won a lower-tier cash prize.Nine tickets matched all five white balls to win $1 million prizes in last night’s drawing. The $1 million-winning tickets were sold in California (4), Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.&nbsp;Note: In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.Three tickets matched all five white balls and increased the $1 million prize to $2 million, because the tickets included the Power Play® option for $1 more. The $2 million-winning tickets were sold in Colorado, Indiana and New Hampshire.There were also 115 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 27 tickets that won $150,000 prizes.Monday’s Powerball drawing will be the 40th drawing since the jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. To date, the longest Powerball jackpot run has been 42 consecutive drawings, which was set on April 6, 2024, with a $1.326 billion jackpot winner in Oregon.If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1.1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $498.4 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.1 Billion (estimated) – Sept 1, 2025</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li><li>$754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 - WA</li>
 </ol>

Powerball jackpot rolls to fifth-largest prize ever for Labor Day drawing

LEE COUNTY, Florida —A homeowner in his pajamas is credited with helping fight crime in his neighborhood.

Just after 2a.m. August 27, police responded to a burglary in progress at a home in Southeast Cape Coral, Florida, according to a media release. When officers arrived, they found the suspect already detained — by a neighbor wearing Batman pajamas.

The neighbor, Kyle Myvett, told detectives he had gone to bed when his home security cameras alerted him to someone breaking into his vehicle. Still dressed in his Batman pajamas, Kyle went outside to investigate and saw the suspect rummaging through his truck. Moments later, he found the same suspect in his neighbor’s garage and detained him until officers arrived. 

The suspect was identified as Justin Schimpl, 21,&nbsp; who is known to law enforcement from prior investigations. Detectives determined that Schimpl broke into Kyle’s vehicle, as well as his neighbors, and stole multiple items including two pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses valued at $300 each, cash, a woman’s wristlet, and more than $500 in gift cards.

Schimpl claimed another man was with him, but the name of that man changed multiple times. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter as well as a Cape Coral Police Department K9 searched the area, but no other suspects were located.

Schimpl was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail on requested charges:–2 counts of Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance (Unarmed), a 3rd Degree Felony–2 counts of Petit Theft Under $750, a 1st Degree Misdemeanor–1 count of Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, a 2nd Degree FelonyThanks to a quick-thinking neighbor in his Batman pajamas, another burglary suspect was put behind bars.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756479561814.png" alt="Schimpi photo Cape Coral PD" />
 <figcaption>Schimpi photo Cape Coral PD</figcaption>
 </figure>LEE COUNTY, Florida —A homeowner in his pajamas is credited with helping fight crime in his neighborhood.Just after 2a.m. August 27, police responded to a burglary in progress at a home in Southeast Cape Coral, Florida, according to a media release. When officers arrived, they found the suspect already detained — by a neighbor wearing Batman pajamas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756479459496.png" alt="Photo Cape Coral Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Cape Coral Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The neighbor, Kyle Myvett, told detectives he had gone to bed when his home security cameras alerted him to someone breaking into his vehicle. Still dressed in his Batman pajamas, Kyle went outside to investigate and saw the suspect rummaging through his truck. Moments later, he found the same suspect in his neighbor’s garage and detained him until officers arrived. The suspect was identified as Justin Schimpl, 21,&nbsp; who is known to law enforcement from prior investigations. Detectives determined that Schimpl broke into Kyle’s vehicle, as well as his neighbors, and stole multiple items including two pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses valued at $300 each, cash, a woman’s wristlet, and more than $500 in gift cards.Schimpl claimed another man was with him, but the name of that man changed multiple times. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter as well as a Cape Coral Police Department K9 searched the area, but no other suspects were located.Schimpl was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail on requested charges:–2 counts of Burglary of an Unoccupied Conveyance (Unarmed), a 3rd Degree Felony–2 counts of Petit Theft Under $750, a 1st Degree Misdemeanor–1 count of Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, a 2nd Degree FelonyThanks to a quick-thinking neighbor in his Batman pajamas, another burglary suspect was put behind bars.

Homeowner in Batman pajamas helps catch burglary suspect

By Paul Hamel <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/08/state-approved-use-of-pesticide-coated-seed-corn-for-ethanol-plant-a-decade-ago/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A lawsuit can go forward challenging a Lincoln city ordinance banning the carrying of weapons – even by those with a state concealed carry permit – in city parks and other city property, the state’s highest court ruled on Friday.

The Nebraska Supreme Court, in a 22-page opinion on Friday, ruled that even though the law had not yet been enforced, four individual gun owners named in a lawsuit could challenge the law because there was a “credible threat” that they could be harmed by the ordinance in the future.

The ruling, written by Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke, agreed partly with a district judge’s prior ruling that the Nebraska Firearm Owners Association, as an organization, lacked the ability to challenge the Lincoln law.

But it stated that the individual firearm owners had legal standing and could sue – thus sending the lawsuit back to the Lancaster District Court for further proceedings.

The gun rights lawsuit was spawned by passage of Legislative Bill 77 in 2023 that eliminated the requirement to obtain a state permit to carry a concealed handgun. It also barred cities and villages from adopting “certain regulation of weapons.” Individuals can still obtain a state concealed carry permit, so they can legally carry in other states.

On the date the law went into effect, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird signed an executive order banning the carrying of “weapons” in “vehicles, buildings, or facilities owned, leased, controlled, or maintained by the city.” The order was later amended slightly, but continued to bar anyone — even those who had passed a gun safety class and obtained a state concealed carry permit — from carrying a weapon on city property, including public parks.

The NFOA and four individuals – Terry Fitzgerald, Dave Kendle, Raymond Bretthauer and D.J. Davis – sued to block the Lincoln order. They also challenged city ordinances that required any firearm purchase in the City of Lincoln to be reported to law enforcement and barred the sale or possession of “multiburst trigger activators and switch-blade knives.” Such trigger activators allow a semi-automatic weapon to significantly increase a gun’s rate of firing.

The individuals, all of whom had state concealed carry permits, argued that they regularly carry concealed guns in city parks and city trails to protect themselves and their families. Three of the plaintiffs said they carried concealed weapons “100% of the time.”

Lancaster County District Court Judge Andrew Jacobsen dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that both the NFOA and the four gun owners lacked standing, or the ability, to challenge a law that had not yet been enforced. The judge said the Nebraska Supreme Court had not yet determined how someone could establish standing to challenge a law who had not yet been impacted by the law.

The Supreme Court, in clarifying who has standing to sue, stated Friday that the individual gun owners, because they faced an “imminent and substantial” threat of harm, had the ability to sue the city. The ruling, however, stated that the NFOA, which claimed membership of 10,000, lacked standing to sue on behalf of its members.

There was one exception – the high court ruled that both the NFOA and the four gun owners lacked standing to challenge one Lincoln ordinance, one regulating the storage of guns in vehicles. Three Supreme Court judges – Lindsey Miller-Lerman, Jonathan Papik and Stephanie Stacy – issued brief concurring opinions to the unanimous ruling.

“We are pleased that now we can challenge these laws on the merits,” said Ryan Morrison, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center, which represented the gun owners. “Following this victory, we will show the local governments of Lincoln and Omaha, that their firearms regulations violate the Second Amendment and state law.”

Chris Triebsch, the chief communications officer for the City of Lincoln, said Friday that “public safety” is the top priority for the city and the reason for gun restrictions within the public spaces and city properties. Triebsch said the city stands ready to “demonstrate our case on the merits in district court.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756558800880.png" alt=" The bench of the Nebraska Supreme Court at the Capitol in Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> The bench of the Nebraska Supreme Court at the Capitol in Lincoln. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Paul Hamel <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/08/state-approved-use-of-pesticide-coated-seed-corn-for-ethanol-plant-a-decade-ago/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A lawsuit can go forward challenging a Lincoln city ordinance banning the carrying of weapons – even by those with a state concealed carry permit – in city parks and other city property, the state’s highest court ruled on Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756558756315.png" alt=" Local restrictions on handguns are at issue in a lawsuit heard in the Nebraska Supreme Court. (Courtesy of Aristide Economopoulos/NJ Monitor)" />
 <figcaption> Local restrictions on handguns are at issue in a lawsuit heard in the Nebraska Supreme Court. (Courtesy of Aristide Economopoulos/NJ Monitor)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Nebraska Supreme Court, in a 22-page opinion on Friday, ruled that even though the law had not yet been enforced, four individual gun owners named in a lawsuit could challenge the law because there was a “credible threat” that they could be harmed by the ordinance in the future.The ruling, written by Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke, agreed partly with a district judge’s prior ruling that the Nebraska Firearm Owners Association, as an organization, lacked the ability to challenge the Lincoln law.But it stated that the individual firearm owners had legal standing and could sue – thus sending the lawsuit back to the Lancaster District Court for further proceedings.The gun rights lawsuit was spawned by passage of Legislative Bill 77 in 2023 that eliminated the requirement to obtain a state permit to carry a concealed handgun. It also barred cities and villages from adopting “certain regulation of weapons.” Individuals can still obtain a state concealed carry permit, so they can legally carry in other states.On the date the law went into effect, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird signed an executive order banning the carrying of “weapons” in “vehicles, buildings, or facilities owned, leased, controlled, or maintained by the city.” The order was later amended slightly, but continued to bar anyone — even those who had passed a gun safety class and obtained a state concealed carry permit — from carrying a weapon on city property, including public parks.The NFOA and four individuals – Terry Fitzgerald, Dave Kendle, Raymond Bretthauer and D.J. Davis – sued to block the Lincoln order. They also challenged city ordinances that required any firearm purchase in the City of Lincoln to be reported to law enforcement and barred the sale or possession of “multiburst trigger activators and switch-blade knives.” Such trigger activators allow a semi-automatic weapon to significantly increase a gun’s rate of firing.The individuals, all of whom had state concealed carry permits, argued that they regularly carry concealed guns in city parks and city trails to protect themselves and their families. Three of the plaintiffs said they carried concealed weapons “100% of the time.”Lancaster County District Court Judge Andrew Jacobsen dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that both the NFOA and the four gun owners lacked standing, or the ability, to challenge a law that had not yet been enforced. The judge said the Nebraska Supreme Court had not yet determined how someone could establish standing to challenge a law who had not yet been impacted by the law.The Supreme Court, in clarifying who has standing to sue, stated Friday that the individual gun owners, because they faced an “imminent and substantial” threat of harm, had the ability to sue the city. The ruling, however, stated that the NFOA, which claimed membership of 10,000, lacked standing to sue on behalf of its members.There was one exception – the high court ruled that both the NFOA and the four gun owners lacked standing to challenge one Lincoln ordinance, one regulating the storage of guns in vehicles. Three Supreme Court judges – Lindsey Miller-Lerman, Jonathan Papik and Stephanie Stacy – issued brief concurring opinions to the unanimous ruling.“We are pleased that now we can challenge these laws on the merits,” said Ryan Morrison, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center, which represented the gun owners. “Following this victory, we will show the local governments of Lincoln and Omaha, that their firearms regulations violate the Second Amendment and state law.”Chris Triebsch, the chief communications officer for the City of Lincoln, said Friday that “public safety” is the top priority for the city and the reason for gun restrictions within the public spaces and city properties. Triebsch said the city stands ready to “demonstrate our case on the merits in district court.”

Gun rights lawsuit against Lincoln ordinance can proceed, state’s highest court rules

The Powerball® jackpot just hit an estimated $1 billion for Saturday night’s drawing. After reviewing national ticket sales, game leaders increased the Powerball jackpot estimate Friday morning from $950 million to $1 billion, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. Saturday’s jackpot has an estimated cash value of $453.1 million.

This is the sixth Powerball jackpot to reach the billion-dollar mark in the game’s 33-year history.

“We’re bringing extra excitement to Labor Day Weekend with a Powerball jackpot that’s climbed to a billion dollars!” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “For just $2, every ticket is a chance to win big, while also giving back to public programs and services that benefit communities wherever Powerball is played.”

Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be broadcast live at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. The Powerball drawing will also be live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $453.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Saturday’s drawing will be the 39th drawing since the Powerball jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. The summer jackpot streak has already created 62 winning tickets worth $1 million or more, and 608 winning tickets worth $50,000 or more.

The Powerball® jackpot just hit an estimated $1 billion for Saturday night’s drawing. After reviewing national ticket sales, game leaders increased the Powerball jackpot estimate Friday morning from $950 million to $1 billion, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. Saturday’s jackpot has an estimated cash value of $453.1 million.This is the sixth Powerball jackpot to reach the billion-dollar mark in the game’s 33-year history.“We’re bringing extra excitement to Labor Day Weekend with a Powerball jackpot that’s climbed to a billion dollars!” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “For just $2, every ticket is a chance to win big, while also giving back to public programs and services that benefit communities wherever Powerball is played.”Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be broadcast live at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. The Powerball drawing will also be live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $453.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Saturday’s drawing will be the 39th drawing since the Powerball jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. The summer jackpot streak has already created 62 winning tickets worth $1 million or more, and 608 winning tickets worth $50,000 or more.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 - OR</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$1.0 Billion (estimated) – Aug. 30, 2025</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li><li>$754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 - WA</li>
 </ol>

Powerball soars to sixth largest in game's 33-year history

The Nebraska State Fair welcomed more than 150,000 guests during its opening weekend, fueled by some of the best weather the Fair has seen in years. From Friday through Sunday, fairgoers packed the grounds to enjoy livestock shows, food, rides, and new attractions, leaving the Fair in a strong position heading into its second week.

Overall attendance through the first five days of the Fair reached&nbsp;154,464, with a handful of days remaining until the Fair concludes on Labor Day.

Vendors have reported record numbers during the opening weekend, with large crowds and steady foot traffic driving strong sales. “Saturday and Sunday were both incredible days out here at the Fair,” said Jaime Parr, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Fair. “Across the board the outdoor partners are experiencing an in increase in guest exposure while indoor partners celebrate business as comparable to, or up, compared to previous years.”

Parr said attendance was over 53,000 on Saturday alone – marking a 23% increase over first Saturday of last year’s event. Across the first 5 days overall attendance is up 19%, year over year.

“We saw a surge in sales opening weekend as weather delighted us with sunshine and 75-degree temperatures,” said Parr. “We don’t always get this lucky opening weekend, so our vendors and entertainers were ecstatic to have large crowds spending their entire day out here.”

Parr said she believes the increase in sales is likely attributed to the duration of time spent by guests at the Fair. The Fair reported an average duration of time of guests to be more than 6 hours each day through opening weekend, according to their guest survey.

Additional data gathered from their guest survey shows that 20% of guests who have attended the fair rated their overall experience 4 out of 5 stars while 65% rated their experience 5 out of 5 stars.

The Board of Directors credited the success to the efforts of staff and volunteers coming together to make opening weekend something folks looked forward to. “We’re incredibly proud of the teamwork that goes into making this event possible,” said Tom Schellpeper, Vice Chair of the Nebraska State Fair Board. “Nebraska is lucky to have so many dedicated individuals [superintendents, partners, volunteers, seasonal staff] that come back every year to make the Fair a fun place for families.”

With clear skies and cool August evenings helping set the tone, organizers are optimistic about continued strong attendance throughout the remaining five days. Guests can still look forward to a number of concerts, loads of kids activities and plenty of livestock as FFA takes the stage second weekend. The Fair wraps up on Labor Day at 7 p.m.

Heading into second weekend, guests can also look forward to Nebraska Lottery Outdoor Concert series which kicks off tonight (Aug. 28) with a free Sawyer Brown concert as well as a second drone and fireworks show after concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For schedules, ticket information, and more, visit&nbsp;statefair.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756408424937.jpeg" alt="2025 State Fair" />
 <figcaption>2025 State Fair</figcaption>
 </figure>The Nebraska State Fair welcomed more than 150,000 guests during its opening weekend, fueled by some of the best weather the Fair has seen in years. From Friday through Sunday, fairgoers packed the grounds to enjoy livestock shows, food, rides, and new attractions, leaving the Fair in a strong position heading into its second week.Overall attendance through the first five days of the Fair reached&nbsp;154,464, with a handful of days remaining until the Fair concludes on Labor Day.Vendors have reported record numbers during the opening weekend, with large crowds and steady foot traffic driving strong sales. “Saturday and Sunday were both incredible days out here at the Fair,” said Jaime Parr, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Fair. “Across the board the outdoor partners are experiencing an in increase in guest exposure while indoor partners celebrate business as comparable to, or up, compared to previous years.”Parr said attendance was over 53,000 on Saturday alone – marking a 23% increase over first Saturday of last year’s event. Across the first 5 days overall attendance is up 19%, year over year.“We saw a surge in sales opening weekend as weather delighted us with sunshine and 75-degree temperatures,” said Parr. “We don’t always get this lucky opening weekend, so our vendors and entertainers were ecstatic to have large crowds spending their entire day out here.”Parr said she believes the increase in sales is likely attributed to the duration of time spent by guests at the Fair. The Fair reported an average duration of time of guests to be more than 6 hours each day through opening weekend, according to their guest survey.Additional data gathered from their guest survey shows that 20% of guests who have attended the fair rated their overall experience 4 out of 5 stars while 65% rated their experience 5 out of 5 stars.The Board of Directors credited the success to the efforts of staff and volunteers coming together to make opening weekend something folks looked forward to. “We’re incredibly proud of the teamwork that goes into making this event possible,” said Tom Schellpeper, Vice Chair of the Nebraska State Fair Board. “Nebraska is lucky to have so many dedicated individuals [superintendents, partners, volunteers, seasonal staff] that come back every year to make the Fair a fun place for families.”With clear skies and cool August evenings helping set the tone, organizers are optimistic about continued strong attendance throughout the remaining five days. Guests can still look forward to a number of concerts, loads of kids activities and plenty of livestock as FFA takes the stage second weekend. The Fair wraps up on Labor Day at 7 p.m.Heading into second weekend, guests can also look forward to Nebraska Lottery Outdoor Concert series which kicks off tonight (Aug. 28) with a free Sawyer Brown concert as well as a second drone and fireworks show after concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.For schedules, ticket information, and more, visit&nbsp;statefair.org.

First half of Nebraska State Fair brings more than 150,000 guests through the gates

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

OVERLAND PARK — Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman pushed for deepening relationships and maintaining international growth opportunities for Kansas farmers at a meeting of state political and agricultural leaders Wednesday.&nbsp;

Glickman and U.S. Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids spoke about the effects of tariffs and federal policies on Kansas farmers during a U.S. Global Leadership Coalition luncheon. The event was closed to journalists, but Glickman shared thoughts on the current political climate afterward.&nbsp;

“My theory is pretty much don’t burn bridges, build bridges,” he said. “I got along very well with (Pat) Roberts, (Bob) Dole, (Nancy) Kassebaum. We didn’t try to kill each other.”

Glickman, a Democrat, said Dole, a longtime Republican senator, helped him get the position as secretary of agriculture, which he held from 1995 to 2001 during the Clinton administration.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756402390112.png" alt=" Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman talked about international trade and diplomacy along with other concerns of Kansas farmers at a Wednesday U.S. Global Leadership Coalition meeting in Overland Park. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman talked about international trade and diplomacy along with other concerns of Kansas farmers at a Wednesday U.S. Global Leadership Coalition meeting in Overland Park. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>OVERLAND PARK — Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman pushed for deepening relationships and maintaining international growth opportunities for Kansas farmers at a meeting of state political and agricultural leaders Wednesday.&nbsp;Glickman and U.S. Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids spoke about the effects of tariffs and federal policies on Kansas farmers during a U.S. Global Leadership Coalition luncheon. The event was closed to journalists, but Glickman shared thoughts on the current political climate afterward.&nbsp;“My theory is pretty much don’t burn bridges, build bridges,” he said. “I got along very well with (Pat) Roberts, (Bob) Dole, (Nancy) Kassebaum. We didn’t try to kill each other.”Glickman, a Democrat, said Dole, a longtime Republican senator, helped him get the position as secretary of agriculture, which he held from 1995 to 2001 during the Clinton administration.&nbsp;Politicians need to be able to reach across the aisle and have open discussions and agreements, Glickman said.&nbsp;“I hope we can create an environment where there’s trust in the system of government generally, because it’s not just agriculture, it’s everything,” he said. “And then we have some predictability in foreign policy, federal farm policy.”He would also like to see Republicans stand up to the president, something he said he had to do when he served under Clinton.&nbsp;“I’d like to see the Republicans show more courage and moxie in challenging the president – on the federal side, not so much on the Kansas side – when they think he’s wrong,” Glickman said. “It’s difficult to challenge a president if you’re in their party. When I would say to Clinton, ‘I think you’re wrong,’ I would do it very deliberately but still, I would do it at times, and I don’t see very much happening like that.”National reports that legislators fear retaliation if they speak up aren’t good, Glickman said.&nbsp;“I don’t think it’s healthy for democracy. You know, you’ve got to be able to speak out responsibly,” he said.<h2>International trade</h2>Building relationships extends beyond domestic politics, and Glickman is concerned international relationships may be impaired because of the way tariffs are being negotiated. He’s not against tariffs in general, he said, but he’s concerned about future trade effects.“I’ve never been a purist on tariffs and trade,” he said. “I mean, there are some countries that abuse their relationships with us, and that’s why you have tariff agreements and trade agreements, to build those things in there so one country can’t take advantage of another by being too self protective.”&nbsp;But Glickman said the way trade barriers are being implemented concerns him. Historically, international policies involved collaboration between Congress and the private sector to determine the best way to proceed, he said.“Because when you put your finger on one set of problems, if you’re not careful, you’re going to create another set of problems,” Glickman said. “Agriculture has often been the whipping boy for those other sets of problems, because of how much we rely on access to global markets. So I guess my real answer is, can we do this carefully, or do we have to do it with a sledgehammer?”Right now, the country is relying too much on the sledgehammer, Glickman said.Growth opportunities in agriculture lie in the international market, he said.&nbsp;“The president said something when he announced the original set of tariffs – ‘American farmers are going to love this, because they can finally take advantage of domestic markets,’ and I’m thinking to myself, no, that’s not where the growth is,” Glickman said. “There’s not really much growth in domestic markets. There might be a little here, a little there. All the growth is global, and so maybe he doesn’t understand it.”Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, attended the luncheon and agreed with Glickman.&nbsp;“As Secretary Glickman mentioned, we are becoming less and less of a reliable trading partner to the world,” he said. “Anymore, we are a global market, and you know, you can be upset with another country because maybe they don’t do as much trade with you and all that, but I’ve always believed that the carrot versus the stick does a lot more good.”Levendofsky said the potential of growing markets such as India are important to Kansas farmers.&nbsp;“If China is shutting the door on us, we’ve got to find an opening somewhere,” he said. “And that, to me, right now speaks to India.”<h2>Farm Bill</h2>Along with international trade, Glickman is watching the future of the Farm Bill. The reconciliation bill passed by Congress in July addressed some policies usually found in the Farm Bill, but it didn’t include all the elements that need to be addressed, he said.&nbsp;A Farm Bill has not passed this year, and Glickman said expert assessments that this may be the beginning of creating a different process for agricultural legislation is “astute.”“We’ve had in the last 40 or 50 years, these five-year farm bills,” he said. “But then lately, we’ve been having these extensions every year and with no real fundamental change.”Recent legislation added $40 to $50 billion of new or enhanced programs over the next 10 years, and also addressed commodity programs, crop insurance and risk management, Glickman said.&nbsp;He hopes this won’t be the new normal because there were many subjcts not addressed, such as research and nutrition programs.&nbsp;In his role as a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Council on American Politics at George Washington University, Glickman said he keeps in contact with concerns of farmers and trade groups.The real worry right now is instability, he said.“The big story in agriculture is lack of stability, lack of planning, lack of predictability,” Glickman said. “Agriculture is complicated, and then the volatile weather complicates it further. Changes in the weather, plant and animal disease, making sure our research budgets are adequately funded – that’s all part of a new Farm Bill.”