WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden wants Ukraine to win the war against Russia. But he doesn’t want World War III — especially with nuclear weapons.

(click below to watch the President's comments)

Balancing those two goals has been difficult, and the tension was on particular display at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-summit-ukraine-biden-2e7d25531e659bb9aa7274e203b0711b">the NATO summit in Vilnius</a>&nbsp;this week.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-joe-biden-ukraine-turkey-sweden-babfa62c0e9f0a76e5417a50c7701b2d">an emotional, even caustic, demand</a>&nbsp;for a clear path toward joining the alliance.

But Biden, who was to try to showcase NATO's strength in a sum-up speech Wednesday evening, was not willing to take that step, even as the United States continues to provide more weapons and ammunition than any other country to Ukraine.

The competing priorities in the midst of Europe’s bloodiest war in generations created an undercurrent of friction even as Biden and Zelenskyy projected a united front during their meeting as the summit drew to a close.

The public encounter had the vibe of two leaders clearing the air, and each conspicuously heaped praise on his counterpart.

Biden lauded Zelenskyy and Ukrainians for their courage by saying it's “been a model for the whole world to see.” Zelenskyy thanked Biden and the American people for billions of dollars in military assistance, saying that “you spend this money for our lives.”

Wearing a blue-and-yellow-striped tie in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, Biden acknowledged that Zelenskyy has occasionally been unsatisfied by unfulfilled requests for weapons.

“The frustration, I can only imagine," Biden said. "I know that you're many times frustrated about whether things get to you quickly enough, what's getting to you and how we're getting it. But I promise you, the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need.”

Biden also said the war had created a sense of unity about opposing international aggression.

“It’s bringing the world together," he said. "It’s a hell of a price to pay, but it’s bringing the world together.”

The meeting came after a few other encounters between Biden and Zelenskyy at the summit. They sat close to each other at the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a new forum that's intended to give Kyiv a greater voice within the alliance.

And they shared the stage as the Group of Seven, which includes the world's most powerful democratic countries, announced plans for long-term security assistance for Ukraine.

But Wednesday afternoon was the first opportunity for Biden and Zelenskyy to sit down privately with their advisers — after their public comments.

And by then, Zelenskyy had softened his tone considerably. En route to Vilnius on Tuesday, he had blasted NATO's vague plans for Ukraine's eventual membership, tweeting, “It’s unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine’s membership.”

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, said everyone “needs to look squarely at the fact” that allowing Ukraine to join NATO at this point “means war with Russia.”

“That is an inescapable fact,” he told CNN.

Sullivan credited Biden with ensuring that NATO is “more unified and more determined and more decisive than at any point.”

“That’s President Biden’s legacy when it comes to NATO, and it’s one that he can be very proud of," he said.

In an interview with The Associated Press before Biden left on his trip, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the president has been “heading in the right direction but not fast enough” when it comes to supporting Ukraine.

“The weapons transfers never seem to happen as soon as they’re announced,” said McConnell, a Kentucky Republican. Although Ukrainians are “extremely grateful for the help,” he said, the assistance "frequently doesn’t get there soon enough to be the most effective.”

Although McConnell has been a firm supporter of sending help to Ukraine, other Republicans have voiced skepticism, creating uncertainty about Biden's ability to make long-term financial commitments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689177961581.png" alt="Biden lauded Zelenskyy and Ukrainians for their courage by saying it's “been a model for the whole world to see.”-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Biden lauded Zelenskyy and Ukrainians for their courage by saying it's “been a model for the whole world to see.”-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden wants Ukraine to win the war against Russia. But he doesn’t want World War III — especially with nuclear weapons.(click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F199272586432539%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=119" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Balancing those two goals has been difficult, and the tension was on particular display at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-summit-ukraine-biden-2e7d25531e659bb9aa7274e203b0711b">the NATO summit in Vilnius</a>&nbsp;this week.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-joe-biden-ukraine-turkey-sweden-babfa62c0e9f0a76e5417a50c7701b2d">an emotional, even caustic, demand</a>&nbsp;for a clear path toward joining the alliance.But Biden, who was to try to showcase NATO's strength in a sum-up speech Wednesday evening, was not willing to take that step, even as the United States continues to provide more weapons and ammunition than any other country to Ukraine.The competing priorities in the midst of Europe’s bloodiest war in generations created an undercurrent of friction even as Biden and Zelenskyy projected a united front during their meeting as the summit drew to a close.The public encounter had the vibe of two leaders clearing the air, and each conspicuously heaped praise on his counterpart.Biden lauded Zelenskyy and Ukrainians for their courage by saying it's “been a model for the whole world to see.” Zelenskyy thanked Biden and the American people for billions of dollars in military assistance, saying that “you spend this money for our lives.”Wearing a blue-and-yellow-striped tie in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, Biden acknowledged that Zelenskyy has occasionally been unsatisfied by unfulfilled requests for weapons.“The frustration, I can only imagine," Biden said. "I know that you're many times frustrated about whether things get to you quickly enough, what's getting to you and how we're getting it. But I promise you, the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need.”Biden also said the war had created a sense of unity about opposing international aggression.“It’s bringing the world together," he said. "It’s a hell of a price to pay, but it’s bringing the world together.”The meeting came after a few other encounters between Biden and Zelenskyy at the summit. They sat close to each other at the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a new forum that's intended to give Kyiv a greater voice within the alliance.And they shared the stage as the Group of Seven, which includes the world's most powerful democratic countries, announced plans for long-term security assistance for Ukraine.But Wednesday afternoon was the first opportunity for Biden and Zelenskyy to sit down privately with their advisers — after their public comments.And by then, Zelenskyy had softened his tone considerably. En route to Vilnius on Tuesday, he had blasted NATO's vague plans for Ukraine's eventual membership, tweeting, “It’s unprecedented and absurd when a time frame is set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine’s membership.”Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, said everyone “needs to look squarely at the fact” that allowing Ukraine to join NATO at this point “means war with Russia.”“That is an inescapable fact,” he told CNN.Sullivan credited Biden with ensuring that NATO is “more unified and more determined and more decisive than at any point.”“That’s President Biden’s legacy when it comes to NATO, and it’s one that he can be very proud of," he said.In an interview with The Associated Press before Biden left on his trip, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the president has been “heading in the right direction but not fast enough” when it comes to supporting Ukraine.“The weapons transfers never seem to happen as soon as they’re announced,” said McConnell, a Kentucky Republican. Although Ukrainians are “extremely grateful for the help,” he said, the assistance "frequently doesn’t get there soon enough to be the most effective.”Although McConnell has been a firm supporter of sending help to Ukraine, other Republicans have voiced skepticism, creating uncertainty about Biden's ability to make long-term financial commitments.

🎥Biden, Zelenskyy praise each other despite divisions over Ukraine war

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/u-s-department-of-agriculture-to-spend-300m-to-boost-climate-data-in-farming-forestry/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend $300 million to better measure the effectiveness of techniques to lower carbon emissions in farming and forestry, the department said Wednesday.

The funding comes from a $20 billion allocation for climate-smart agriculture in the climate and social policy law Democrats in Congress passed along party lines and President Joe Biden signed last year.

It will be used to establish standards and reporting networks to give farmers and foresters better data to inform their climate practices, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on a Tuesday call with reporters previewing the announcement.

Agriculture and forestry are key sectors in advancing Biden’s climate agenda, Vilsack said. Biden has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by at least 50% from 2005 levels by 2030.

“But to do that, we’ve got to get the science and innovation right,” Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, said. “We have to have accurate, reliable measurements of the impact and effect of the changes and the practices that we’re embracing.

“We get those from constantly monitoring those practices and making sure that we’re reporting them and verifying those results. That’s going to allow us to know what works and, frankly, what doesn’t.”

About 10% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 came from agriculture,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=Agriculture%20Sector%20Emissions&amp;text=Total%20Emissions%20in%202021%20%3D%206%2C340%20Million%20Metric%20Tons%20of%20CO%E2%82%82%20equivalent.,-Percentages%20may%20not">according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</a>

The department will establish a soil carbon monitoring and research network, create a greenhouse gas research network, expand data management infrastructure and improve models and other tools for measuring greenhouse gas outcomes, according to a USDA statement.

The agriculture sector already collects data and provides estimates on carbon emissions and sequestration, said Bill Hohenstein, the director of the USDA’s Office of Energy and Environmental Policy. But existing data collection is done haphazardly, leaving some areas uncovered and others with only out-of-date information, he added.

The national networks will allow for sharing high-quality information, Vilsack said.

“This is going to put a finer point on our ability to collect information and data. It’s going to allow us to better coordinate that information,” Vilsack said. “It’s going to allow us to accumulate more information from a variety of sources, not just what’s happening on the ground.”

More accurate data could also help make a stronger case for continuing to fund agriculture programs dedicated to climate solutions as lawmakers write a new farm bill this year, Vilsack said.

The spending is part of a larger federal strategy on greenhouse gas measurement and monitoring for agriculture and forestry that the Biden administration plans to introduce Wednesday, Vilsack said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689173287177.jpeg" alt="Farmer with digital tablet. (Getty Images)" />
 <figcaption>Farmer with digital tablet. (Getty Images)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Jacob Fischler<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/u-s-department-of-agriculture-to-spend-300m-to-boost-climate-data-in-farming-forestry/">Nebraska Examiner</a>The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend $300 million to better measure the effectiveness of techniques to lower carbon emissions in farming and forestry, the department said Wednesday.The funding comes from a $20 billion allocation for climate-smart agriculture in the climate and social policy law Democrats in Congress passed along party lines and President Joe Biden signed last year.It will be used to establish standards and reporting networks to give farmers and foresters better data to inform their climate practices, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on a Tuesday call with reporters previewing the announcement.Agriculture and forestry are key sectors in advancing Biden’s climate agenda, Vilsack said. Biden has set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by at least 50% from 2005 levels by 2030.“But to do that, we’ve got to get the science and innovation right,” Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, said. “We have to have accurate, reliable measurements of the impact and effect of the changes and the practices that we’re embracing.“We get those from constantly monitoring those practices and making sure that we’re reporting them and verifying those results. That’s going to allow us to know what works and, frankly, what doesn’t.”About 10% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 came from agriculture,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=Agriculture%20Sector%20Emissions&amp;text=Total%20Emissions%20in%202021%20%3D%206%2C340%20Million%20Metric%20Tons%20of%20CO%E2%82%82%20equivalent.,-Percentages%20may%20not">according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</a>The department will establish a soil carbon monitoring and research network, create a greenhouse gas research network, expand data management infrastructure and improve models and other tools for measuring greenhouse gas outcomes, according to a USDA statement.The agriculture sector already collects data and provides estimates on carbon emissions and sequestration, said Bill Hohenstein, the director of the USDA’s Office of Energy and Environmental Policy. But existing data collection is done haphazardly, leaving some areas uncovered and others with only out-of-date information, he added.The national networks will allow for sharing high-quality information, Vilsack said.“This is going to put a finer point on our ability to collect information and data. It’s going to allow us to better coordinate that information,” Vilsack said. “It’s going to allow us to accumulate more information from a variety of sources, not just what’s happening on the ground.”More accurate data could also help make a stronger case for continuing to fund agriculture programs dedicated to climate solutions as lawmakers write a new farm bill this year, Vilsack said.The spending is part of a larger federal strategy on greenhouse gas measurement and monitoring for agriculture and forestry that the Biden administration plans to introduce Wednesday, Vilsack said.

U.S. Department of Agriculture to spend $300M to boost climate data in farming, forestry

By Paul Hammel <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 North Bend, Nebraska, child care center, Tiny Tigers, has been closed after being cited for multiple violations by the state.

The center, which had a capacity of 29 children from infants to 12-year-olds, was subject of an emergency closure order, effective June 14.

The licensure unit at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services cited 16 alleged violations of state statutes concerning child care facilities in its monthly report, issued last week.

They ranged from improper use of “time out,” improper training of staff and a lack of checks of registries for past sex offenses or child abuse/neglect.

A call left at the center was not immediately returned &nbsp;Tuesday.

Messages and calls to Health and Human Services officials over the past two days, seeking more detail on the allegations, did not elicit a response.

State records indicate the Tiny Tigers Child Care center was first licensed in 2020.

By Paul Hammel <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 North Bend, Nebraska, child care center, Tiny Tigers, has been closed after being cited for multiple violations by the state.The center, which had a capacity of 29 children from infants to 12-year-olds, was subject of an emergency closure order, effective June 14.The licensure unit at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services cited 16 alleged violations of state statutes concerning child care facilities in its monthly report, issued last week.They ranged from improper use of “time out,” improper training of staff and a lack of checks of registries for past sex offenses or child abuse/neglect.A call left at the center was not immediately returned &nbsp;Tuesday.Messages and calls to Health and Human Services officials over the past two days, seeking more detail on the allegations, did not elicit a response.State records indicate the Tiny Tigers Child Care center was first licensed in 2020.

State orders closure of North Bend child care center, citing multiple violations

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence for her participation in two infamous murders.

Van Houten “was released to parole supervision,” the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.

She left the California Institution for Women in Corona, east of Los Angeles, in the early morning hours and was driven to transitional housing, her attorney Nancy Tetreault said.

“She’s still trying to get used to the idea that this real,” Tetreault told The Associated Press.

Days earlier Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole. He said it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would consider an appeal.

Van Houten, now in her 70s, received a life sentence for helping Manson’s followers carry out the August 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles, and his wife, Rosemary.

The LaBiancas were killed in their home, and their blood was smeared on the walls afterward. Van Houten later described holding Rosemary LaBianca down with a pillowcase over her head as others stabbed her. Then, ordered by Manson follower Charles “Tex” Watson to “do something,” Van Houten said, she picked up a knife and stabbed the woman more than a dozen times.

The slayings happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten, who was 19 at the time, did not participate in the Tate killings.

Van Houten is expected to spend about a year at a halfway house, learning basic skills such as how to drive a car, go to the grocery store and get a debit card, according to her attorney.

“She has to learn to use to use the internet. She has to learn to buy things without cash,” Tetreault said. “It's a very different world than when she went in.”

Van Houten, who will likely be on parole for about three years, hopes to get a job as soon as possible, Tetreault said. She earned a bachelors and a masters degree in counseling while in prison and worked as a tutor for other incarcerated people.

Van Houten was found suitable for parole after a July 2020 hearing, but her release was blocked by Newsom, who maintained she was still a threat to society.

She filed an appeal with a trial court, which rejected it, and then turned to the appellate courts. The Second District Court of Appeal in May reversed Newsom's rejection of her parole.

Newsom was disappointed by the appeals court decision, his office said.

“More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims’ families still feel the impact,” the governor’s office said in a July 7 statement.

In all, Van Houten had been recommended for parole five times since 2016. All of those recommendations were denied by either Newsom or former Gov. Jerry Brown.

Cory LaBianca, Leno LaBianca’s daughter, said last week that her family was heartbroken by the possibility that Van Houten could be released.

Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader and homecoming princess, saw her life spiral out of control at 14 following her parents’ divorce. She turned to drugs and became pregnant but said her mother forced her to abort the fetus and bury it in the family’s backyard.

Van Houten met Manson at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles where he had established his so-called family of followers.

Manson died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83 after nearly half a century behind bars.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689111766612.png" alt="Leslie Van Houten photo California Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Leslie Van Houten photo California Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten walked out of a California prison Tuesday after serving more than 50 years of a life sentence for her participation in two infamous murders.Van Houten “was released to parole supervision,” the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.She left the California Institution for Women in Corona, east of Los Angeles, in the early morning hours and was driven to transitional housing, her attorney Nancy Tetreault said.“She’s still trying to get used to the idea that this real,” Tetreault told The Associated Press.Days earlier Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he would not fight a state appeals court ruling that Van Houten should be granted parole. He said it was unlikely the state Supreme Court would consider an appeal.Van Houten, now in her 70s, received a life sentence for helping Manson’s followers carry out the August 1969 killings of Leno LaBianca, a grocer in Los Angeles, and his wife, Rosemary.The LaBiancas were killed in their home, and their blood was smeared on the walls afterward. Van Houten later described holding Rosemary LaBianca down with a pillowcase over her head as others stabbed her. Then, ordered by Manson follower Charles “Tex” Watson to “do something,” Van Houten said, she picked up a knife and stabbed the woman more than a dozen times.The slayings happened the day after Manson followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten, who was 19 at the time, did not participate in the Tate killings.Van Houten is expected to spend about a year at a halfway house, learning basic skills such as how to drive a car, go to the grocery store and get a debit card, according to her attorney.“She has to learn to use to use the internet. She has to learn to buy things without cash,” Tetreault said. “It's a very different world than when she went in.”Van Houten, who will likely be on parole for about three years, hopes to get a job as soon as possible, Tetreault said. She earned a bachelors and a masters degree in counseling while in prison and worked as a tutor for other incarcerated people.Van Houten was found suitable for parole after a July 2020 hearing, but her release was blocked by Newsom, who maintained she was still a threat to society.She filed an appeal with a trial court, which rejected it, and then turned to the appellate courts. The Second District Court of Appeal in May reversed Newsom's rejection of her parole.Newsom was disappointed by the appeals court decision, his office said.“More than 50 years after the Manson cult committed these brutal killings, the victims’ families still feel the impact,” the governor’s office said in a July 7 statement.In all, Van Houten had been recommended for parole five times since 2016. All of those recommendations were denied by either Newsom or former Gov. Jerry Brown.Cory LaBianca, Leno LaBianca’s daughter, said last week that her family was heartbroken by the possibility that Van Houten could be released.Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader and homecoming princess, saw her life spiral out of control at 14 following her parents’ divorce. She turned to drugs and became pregnant but said her mother forced her to abort the fetus and bury it in the family’s backyard.Van Houten met Manson at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles where he had established his so-called family of followers.Manson died in prison in 2017 of natural causes at age 83 after nearly half a century behind bars.

Charles Manson follower released from prison 53-years after grisly killings

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-amazon-prime-day-650d3c54766908c6d7351c6a9cc962dc" target="_blank">Amazon Prime Day</a>&nbsp;is here. And, once again, experts are warning consumers of scams.

Scams targeting online shoppers — often by impersonating companies like Amazon and other major retailers — are nothing new. But phishing attempts increase amid busy spending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/358ba82d8dd4ac55e0ddae24b1463b28" target="_blank">seen during significant sales events</a>&nbsp;— from Black Friday to, of course, Prime Day, according to the Better Business Bureau.

“This is a huge moment on the retail calendar,” Josh Planos, vice president of communications and public relations at the Better Business Bureau, told The Associated Press. “And because of that, it represents an enormous opportunity for a scammer, con artist or even just an unethical business or organization to capitalize on the moment and separate folks from their hard-earned money.”

Prime Day, a two-day discount event, kicks off on Tuesday and runs through Wednesday. In guidance published last week, the Better Business Bureau reminded consumers to watch out for lookalike websites, too-good-to-be-true social media ads, unsolicited emails or calls and more near Prime Day and other sales events this month beyond Amazon’s.

Scott Knapp, director of worldwide buyer risk prevention at Amazon, identifies two scams that the company has seen in recent years around Prime Day: Prime membership and order confirmation hoaxes.

Last year, for example, people reported getting unsolicited calls or emails saying that there was something wrong with their Prime membership. Then, they were asked for payment information, like a credit card, and sometimes login credentials as well, Knapp explained — adding that Amazon “or any reputable business” wouldn’t ask for those details in that way.

Urging consumers to confirm an order they didn’t place is also a common tactic at this time of year, he adds. Scammers might pick something expensive, like a smartphone, to get attention — and again ask for payment information or send a malicious link.

“We sell a lot of stuff and people know the (Amazon) name,” Knapp told the AP. “Bad actors try to take advantage of that.”

Of course, there’s loads of additional scams out there — it’s hard to identify more specifics for this year’s Prime Day before it begins. Still, experts add, scams will often iterate year after year.

“Typically, the bones remain the same,” Planos said, pointing to repeating fake delivery scams, email phishing and more. “It’s always a ploy to separate consumers from (their) personal and payment information.”

But online hoaxes are also constantly evolving to become more sophisticated, Planos and others warn. That means images might look more legit, text messages may sound more convincing and fake websites are starting to look very similar to your typical shopping destinations.

Artificial intelligence is also “starting to leak in,” Knapp said. “But they still follow the same approaches. It’s just now a machine is maybe populating the email or text.”

According to February data from the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing about $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, a 30% jump from 2021. Online shopping scams was the second most-reported form of fraud, following imposter scams, the FTC said.

Both the FTC and Better Business Bureau provide consumers with&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam" target="_blank">tips</a>&nbsp;to avoid scams year-round. Guidance includes blocking unwanted messages, not giving financial information to unsolicited callers and checking links before clicking — secure websites, for example, will have “HTTPS” in the URL, Planos notes, never “HTTP.”

Scammers will often pressure you to act immediately, experts say. It’s important to pause and trust your gut. Experts also urge consumers to report scams to regulators.

Beyond scams that impersonate companies or retailers, it’s also important to be cautious of counterfeit products and fake reviews which can be found on the sites of retailers you might trust. Just because you’re shopping on Amazon, for example, doesn’t mean you’re buying from Amazon, as the online shopping giant, like eBay, Walmart and others, has vast third-party marketplaces.

The quality and look of counterfeit products has significantly increased over recent years, Planos notes, making the activity difficult to police. A good rule of thumb is looking at the price tag — if the product is being sold for less than 75% of its year-round market rate “that’s a pretty big red flag,” he adds.

Sketchy sellers can show up on different platforms, including sites like Amazon, “all the time” Planos said, urging consumers to check out businesses at the Better Business Bureau’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/" target="_blank">website</a>. Like other scams, counterfeit products may increase around high spending periods like the holidays or, again, near sales events like Prime Day.

Amid increasing pressure to tackle counterfeit products, Amazon has reported getting rid of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-amazoncom-inc-business-a2acdc595acd792e45fc3e1bdbc5025e" target="_blank">millions of phony products over recent years</a>, and blocked billions of bad listings from making it on to its site. In 2022, the company&nbsp;<a href="https://brandservices.amazon.com/progressreport" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;more than 6 million counterfeit items were “identified, seized and appropriately disposed of.”

In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday, the Seattle-based e-commerce giant said it had “zero tolerance” for both counterfeit products and fake reviews, noting that the company blocked over 200 million suspected fake reviews in 2022.

Customers can also report fake reviews and other scams on Amazon’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GRGRY7AQ3LMPXVCV" target="_blank">website</a>, Knapp said. For “rare” cases when a customers purchase “an item that Amazon detects to be counterfeit,” the company added, “we proactively contact the customer, inform them that they purchased a counterfeit product and we fully refund their purchase.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689100350425.jpeg" alt="An Amazon Prime logo appears on the side of a delivery can as it departs an Amazon Warehouse location in Dedham, Mass. Oct. 1, 2020. Amazon Prime Day Kicks off on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. And, once again, experts are warning consumers of scams. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, file)ASSOCIATED PRESS" />
 <figcaption>An Amazon Prime logo appears on the side of a delivery can as it departs an Amazon Warehouse location in Dedham, Mass. Oct. 1, 2020. Amazon Prime Day Kicks off on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. And, once again, experts are warning consumers of scams. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, file)ASSOCIATED PRESS</figcaption>
 </figure>By Wyatte Grantham-PhilipsNEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-amazon-prime-day-650d3c54766908c6d7351c6a9cc962dc" target="_blank">Amazon Prime Day</a>&nbsp;is here. And, once again, experts are warning consumers of scams.Scams targeting online shoppers — often by impersonating companies like Amazon and other major retailers — are nothing new. But phishing attempts increase amid busy spending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/358ba82d8dd4ac55e0ddae24b1463b28" target="_blank">seen during significant sales events</a>&nbsp;— from Black Friday to, of course, Prime Day, according to the Better Business Bureau.“This is a huge moment on the retail calendar,” Josh Planos, vice president of communications and public relations at the Better Business Bureau, told The Associated Press. “And because of that, it represents an enormous opportunity for a scammer, con artist or even just an unethical business or organization to capitalize on the moment and separate folks from their hard-earned money.”Prime Day, a two-day discount event, kicks off on Tuesday and runs through Wednesday. In guidance published last week, the Better Business Bureau reminded consumers to watch out for lookalike websites, too-good-to-be-true social media ads, unsolicited emails or calls and more near Prime Day and other sales events this month beyond Amazon’s.Scott Knapp, director of worldwide buyer risk prevention at Amazon, identifies two scams that the company has seen in recent years around Prime Day: Prime membership and order confirmation hoaxes.Last year, for example, people reported getting unsolicited calls or emails saying that there was something wrong with their Prime membership. Then, they were asked for payment information, like a credit card, and sometimes login credentials as well, Knapp explained — adding that Amazon “or any reputable business” wouldn’t ask for those details in that way.Urging consumers to confirm an order they didn’t place is also a common tactic at this time of year, he adds. Scammers might pick something expensive, like a smartphone, to get attention — and again ask for payment information or send a malicious link.“We sell a lot of stuff and people know the (Amazon) name,” Knapp told the AP. “Bad actors try to take advantage of that.”Of course, there’s loads of additional scams out there — it’s hard to identify more specifics for this year’s Prime Day before it begins. Still, experts add, scams will often iterate year after year.“Typically, the bones remain the same,” Planos said, pointing to repeating fake delivery scams, email phishing and more. “It’s always a ploy to separate consumers from (their) personal and payment information.”But online hoaxes are also constantly evolving to become more sophisticated, Planos and others warn. That means images might look more legit, text messages may sound more convincing and fake websites are starting to look very similar to your typical shopping destinations.Artificial intelligence is also “starting to leak in,” Knapp said. “But they still follow the same approaches. It’s just now a machine is maybe populating the email or text.”According to February data from the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing about $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, a 30% jump from 2021. Online shopping scams was the second most-reported form of fraud, following imposter scams, the FTC said.Both the FTC and Better Business Bureau provide consumers with&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam" target="_blank">tips</a>&nbsp;to avoid scams year-round. Guidance includes blocking unwanted messages, not giving financial information to unsolicited callers and checking links before clicking — secure websites, for example, will have “HTTPS” in the URL, Planos notes, never “HTTP.”Scammers will often pressure you to act immediately, experts say. It’s important to pause and trust your gut. Experts also urge consumers to report scams to regulators.Beyond scams that impersonate companies or retailers, it’s also important to be cautious of counterfeit products and fake reviews which can be found on the sites of retailers you might trust. Just because you’re shopping on Amazon, for example, doesn’t mean you’re buying from Amazon, as the online shopping giant, like eBay, Walmart and others, has vast third-party marketplaces.The quality and look of counterfeit products has significantly increased over recent years, Planos notes, making the activity difficult to police. A good rule of thumb is looking at the price tag — if the product is being sold for less than 75% of its year-round market rate “that’s a pretty big red flag,” he adds.Sketchy sellers can show up on different platforms, including sites like Amazon, “all the time” Planos said, urging consumers to check out businesses at the Better Business Bureau’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/" target="_blank">website</a>. Like other scams, counterfeit products may increase around high spending periods like the holidays or, again, near sales events like Prime Day.Amid increasing pressure to tackle counterfeit products, Amazon has reported getting rid of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-amazoncom-inc-business-a2acdc595acd792e45fc3e1bdbc5025e" target="_blank">millions of phony products over recent years</a>, and blocked billions of bad listings from making it on to its site. In 2022, the company&nbsp;<a href="https://brandservices.amazon.com/progressreport" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;more than 6 million counterfeit items were “identified, seized and appropriately disposed of.”In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday, the Seattle-based e-commerce giant said it had “zero tolerance” for both counterfeit products and fake reviews, noting that the company blocked over 200 million suspected fake reviews in 2022.Customers can also report fake reviews and other scams on Amazon’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GRGRY7AQ3LMPXVCV" target="_blank">website</a>, Knapp said. For “rare” cases when a customers purchase “an item that Amazon detects to be counterfeit,” the company added, “we proactively contact the customer, inform them that they purchased a counterfeit product and we fully refund their purchase.”<figure>
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Be wary of scams as Amazon Prime Day kicks off, experts warn

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/former-nebraska-lawmaker-heath-mello-hired-as-top-executive-of-omaha-business-chamber/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce has announced that Nebraska native Heath Mello will take over as CEO and president of the business organization effective Aug. 2, his 44th birthday.

A former Nebraska state senator and Omaha mayoral candidate, Mello most recently has served as a lobbyist and vice president of external relations for the University of Nebraska system.

During his eight years in the Legislature, Mello served four years as chair of the Appropriations Committee. He also served on the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee.

Chamber representatives said in a news release that Mello brings a breadth of experience in public policy, fundraising and community leadership that should help him grow business and economic development in Omaha and eastern Nebraska.

“He is passionate about our community and has devoted his career to ensuring it is a great place to live, to prepare our next-generation workforce, and to do business,” said Carmen Tapio, chamber board chair.&nbsp;

Tapio served on the search committee along with Tim Burke, interim president and CEO of the Chamber, and Derek Leathers, chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises.

“Heath Mello has been a great friend and strategic partner during his time at the University of Nebraska, and he’s proven his commitment to our state and communities throughout his career,” said Ted Carter, president of the NU system. “We are fortunate that Heath will continue to call Omaha home and that he will continue to shape and influence the greater Omaha region.”

A graduate of Gretna High School, Mello received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

He has served on various state and regional boards and councils, including as chair of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry Education Policy Council and as a member of the Nebraska Advisory Committee for Global Leadership Coalition. He was a commissioner on the Nebraska Educational Telecommunication Commission.

Mello ran for Omaha and was defeated in 2017 by incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert.

He follows interim CEO and president Burke, who filled in temporarily after Veta Jeffery&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/less-than-a-year-into-the-job-veta-jeffery-is-exiting-as-ceo-of-greater-omaha-chamber/">abruptly exited</a>&nbsp;the CEO/president post less than a year after she started. A press release at the time offered no reason.

Jeffery, a former chief diversity officer for the State of Missouri’s St. Louis County, replaced longtime chamber head&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/retired-omaha-chamber-leader-takes-consulting-position-with-wisconsin-firm/">David Brown</a>, who retired after 20 years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689099930277.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Greater Omaha Chamber)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Greater Omaha Chamber)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/former-nebraska-lawmaker-heath-mello-hired-as-top-executive-of-omaha-business-chamber/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce has announced that Nebraska native Heath Mello will take over as CEO and president of the business organization effective Aug. 2, his 44th birthday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689099997104.jpeg" alt="Heath Mello is to assume CEO and president role of the Greater Omaha Chamber in early August (Courtesy of University of Nebraska system)" />
 <figcaption>Heath Mello is to assume CEO and president role of the Greater Omaha Chamber in early August (Courtesy of University of Nebraska system)</figcaption>
 </figure>A former Nebraska state senator and Omaha mayoral candidate, Mello most recently has served as a lobbyist and vice president of external relations for the University of Nebraska system.During his eight years in the Legislature, Mello served four years as chair of the Appropriations Committee. He also served on the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee.Chamber representatives said in a news release that Mello brings a breadth of experience in public policy, fundraising and community leadership that should help him grow business and economic development in Omaha and eastern Nebraska.“He is passionate about our community and has devoted his career to ensuring it is a great place to live, to prepare our next-generation workforce, and to do business,” said Carmen Tapio, chamber board chair.&nbsp;Tapio served on the search committee along with Tim Burke, interim president and CEO of the Chamber, and Derek Leathers, chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises.“Heath Mello has been a great friend and strategic partner during his time at the University of Nebraska, and he’s proven his commitment to our state and communities throughout his career,” said Ted Carter, president of the NU system. “We are fortunate that Heath will continue to call Omaha home and that he will continue to shape and influence the greater Omaha region.”A graduate of Gretna High School, Mello received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.He has served on various state and regional boards and councils, including as chair of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry Education Policy Council and as a member of the Nebraska Advisory Committee for Global Leadership Coalition. He was a commissioner on the Nebraska Educational Telecommunication Commission.Mello ran for Omaha and was defeated in 2017 by incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert.He follows interim CEO and president Burke, who filled in temporarily after Veta Jeffery&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/less-than-a-year-into-the-job-veta-jeffery-is-exiting-as-ceo-of-greater-omaha-chamber/">abruptly exited</a>&nbsp;the CEO/president post less than a year after she started. A press release at the time offered no reason.Jeffery, a former chief diversity officer for the State of Missouri’s St. Louis County, replaced longtime chamber head&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/retired-omaha-chamber-leader-takes-consulting-position-with-wisconsin-firm/">David Brown</a>, who retired after 20 years.

Former Nebraska lawmaker Heath Mello hired as top executive of Omaha business chamber

JULY 11, 2023 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division are taking part in the annual&nbsp;Operation Safe Driver&nbsp;campaign. The campaign focuses on enforcement and safe-driving education of both passenger vehicle drivers and commercial drivers.

Operation Safe Driver&nbsp;is an initiative coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). The campaign runs all this week and includes law enforcement agencies across North America. Troopers will be on the lookout for dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving while on patrol across the state.

“Operation Safe Driver week is about the common goal that we all reach our destination safely,” said Captain Marty Denton, Commander of NSP Carrier Enforcement. “Our troopers work closely with the trucking industry to keep roads safe and prevent serious crashes on our roadways, but we also need passenger vehicle drivers to practice safe driving around large trucks. Working together, we can keep Nebraska roads safe.”

NSP Carrier Enforcement troopers are conducting special enforcement efforts in various parts of the state throughout the week. Those efforts often include the Trooper in a Truck program, where a trooper will ride with a semi driver to spot dangerous driving behaviors of passenger vehicles around high-profile vehicles.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689099699788.jpeg" alt="2022 Trooper in a Truck (Photo courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)" />
 <figcaption>2022 Trooper in a Truck (Photo courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody Thomas Nebraska State PatrolJULY 11, 2023 (LINCOLN, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division are taking part in the annual&nbsp;Operation Safe Driver&nbsp;campaign. The campaign focuses on enforcement and safe-driving education of both passenger vehicle drivers and commercial drivers.Operation Safe Driver&nbsp;is an initiative coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). The campaign runs all this week and includes law enforcement agencies across North America. Troopers will be on the lookout for dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving while on patrol across the state.“Operation Safe Driver week is about the common goal that we all reach our destination safely,” said Captain Marty Denton, Commander of NSP Carrier Enforcement. “Our troopers work closely with the trucking industry to keep roads safe and prevent serious crashes on our roadways, but we also need passenger vehicle drivers to practice safe driving around large trucks. Working together, we can keep Nebraska roads safe.”NSP Carrier Enforcement troopers are conducting special enforcement efforts in various parts of the state throughout the week. Those efforts often include the Trooper in a Truck program, where a trooper will ride with a semi driver to spot dangerous driving behaviors of passenger vehicles around high-profile vehicles.&nbsp;

Operation Safe Driver Week is Underway

GENOA, Neb. (AP) — Archeologists resumed digging Tuesday at the remote site of a former Native American boarding school in central Nebraska, searching for the remains of children who died there&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-health-education-native-americans-86e005cc1f631fe1f3e52592af60aa52">decades ago</a>.

The search for a hidden cemetery near the former Genoa Indian Industrial School in Nebraska gained renewed interest after the discovery of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-456d8b4077bf2b86b5ed1d608bf97b63">hundreds of children’s remains</a>&nbsp;at other Native American boarding school sites across the U.S. and Canada since 2021, said Dave Williams, the state's archeologist whose team is digging at the site.

The team hasn't found human remains yet, Williams said, but the dig only began on Monday and is expected to last through the week.

Birds called into the sun- and wind-filled space as excavators worked within the confines of an orange fence and yellow caution tape. They sifted steadily through dirt and tossed water away while Native American leaders and community members watched intently from the sidelines.

“I came today to witness the dig because I had an aunt who died here, Mildred Lowe, in 1930, and she never came home. So I’m here to find out if they find any bones and how we’re going to go about identifying and all of that,” said Carolyn Fiscus, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Fiscus added: “As a tribal member and elder and grandma, I’m interested. I’ve got a lot of spiritual and emotional investment in this. And my mom too, who’s now passed away. That’s why I’m here.”

The school was part of a national system of more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-native-americans-cbd724ae4e423c788089ef98cec4315a">400 Native American boarding schools</a>&nbsp;that attempted to assimilate Indigenous people into white culture by separating children from their families, cutting them off from their heritage and inflicting physical and emotional abuse.

Newspaper clippings, records and a student’s letter indicate at least 86 students died at the school in Genoa, most due to diseases such as tuberculosis and typhoid. At least one death was blamed on an accidental shooting.

Researchers identified 49 of the children killed but have not been able to find names for 37 students. The bodies of some of those children were returned to their homes but others are believed to have been buried on the school grounds at a location long forgotten.

Judi Gaiashkibos, a member of the Ponca Tribe and the executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, whose mother attended the school in the late 1920s, has been involved in efforts to find the cemetery for years. She said it’s difficult to spend time in the community where many Native Americans suffered, but that the search can help to heal and bring the children’s voices to the surface.

Williams, the archeologist, said finding the cemetery could provide some peace and comfort to people who have suffered for years, not knowing what happened to their relatives who were sent to boarding schools but never came home.

The school, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of Omaha, opened in 1884 and at its height was home to nearly 600 students from more than 40 tribes across the country. It closed in 1931 and most buildings were demolished long ago.

In an effort to find the cemetery, dogs trained to detect the odor of decaying remains searched the area last summer and indicated there could be a burial site in a narrow piece of land bordered by a farm field, railroad tracks and a canal. In November, ground-penetrating radar showed an area that was consistent with graves, but there will be no guarantees until researchers finish digging, Williams said.

If the dig reveals human remains, the State Archeology Office will continue to work with the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs to decide on next steps. They could rebury the remains in the field and create a memorial or exhume and return the bodies to tribes.

Last year, the U.S. Interior Department — led by Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico and the first Native American Cabinet secretary — released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-native-americans-cultures-congress-1052724fc31b28f7addae7f5b2e50830">first-of-its-kind report</a>&nbsp;that named hundreds of schools the federal government supported to strip Native Americans of their cultures and identities.

At least 500 children died at some of the schools, but that number is expected to reach into the thousands or tens of thousands as research continues.

“I hope they find the cemetery so that we can do ceremony and lay our spiritual relatives to rest. So they know we know they’re here, and they’re ok,” Fiscus, of the Winnebago Tribe, said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689103801901.jpeg" alt="Archeological technician Makenzie Coufal clears soil away as workers dig for the suspected remains of children who once attended the Genoa Indian Industrial School, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Genoa, Neb. The mystery of where the bodies of more than 80 children are buried could be solved this week as archeologists dig in a Nebraska field that a century ago was part of a sprawling Native American boarding school. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)" />
 <figcaption>Archeological technician Makenzie Coufal clears soil away as workers dig for the suspected remains of children who once attended the Genoa Indian Industrial School, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Genoa, Neb. The mystery of where the bodies of more than 80 children are buried could be solved this week as archeologists dig in a Nebraska field that a century ago was part of a sprawling Native American boarding school. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)</figcaption>
 </figure>GENOA, Neb. (AP) — Archeologists resumed digging Tuesday at the remote site of a former Native American boarding school in central Nebraska, searching for the remains of children who died there&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-health-education-native-americans-86e005cc1f631fe1f3e52592af60aa52">decades ago</a>.The search for a hidden cemetery near the former Genoa Indian Industrial School in Nebraska gained renewed interest after the discovery of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-456d8b4077bf2b86b5ed1d608bf97b63">hundreds of children’s remains</a>&nbsp;at other Native American boarding school sites across the U.S. and Canada since 2021, said Dave Williams, the state's archeologist whose team is digging at the site.The team hasn't found human remains yet, Williams said, but the dig only began on Monday and is expected to last through the week.Birds called into the sun- and wind-filled space as excavators worked within the confines of an orange fence and yellow caution tape. They sifted steadily through dirt and tossed water away while Native American leaders and community members watched intently from the sidelines.“I came today to witness the dig because I had an aunt who died here, Mildred Lowe, in 1930, and she never came home. So I’m here to find out if they find any bones and how we’re going to go about identifying and all of that,” said Carolyn Fiscus, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.Fiscus added: “As a tribal member and elder and grandma, I’m interested. I’ve got a lot of spiritual and emotional investment in this. And my mom too, who’s now passed away. That’s why I’m here.”The school was part of a national system of more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-native-americans-cbd724ae4e423c788089ef98cec4315a">400 Native American boarding schools</a>&nbsp;that attempted to assimilate Indigenous people into white culture by separating children from their families, cutting them off from their heritage and inflicting physical and emotional abuse.Newspaper clippings, records and a student’s letter indicate at least 86 students died at the school in Genoa, most due to diseases such as tuberculosis and typhoid. At least one death was blamed on an accidental shooting.Researchers identified 49 of the children killed but have not been able to find names for 37 students. The bodies of some of those children were returned to their homes but others are believed to have been buried on the school grounds at a location long forgotten.Judi Gaiashkibos, a member of the Ponca Tribe and the executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, whose mother attended the school in the late 1920s, has been involved in efforts to find the cemetery for years. She said it’s difficult to spend time in the community where many Native Americans suffered, but that the search can help to heal and bring the children’s voices to the surface.Williams, the archeologist, said finding the cemetery could provide some peace and comfort to people who have suffered for years, not knowing what happened to their relatives who were sent to boarding schools but never came home.The school, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of Omaha, opened in 1884 and at its height was home to nearly 600 students from more than 40 tribes across the country. It closed in 1931 and most buildings were demolished long ago.In an effort to find the cemetery, dogs trained to detect the odor of decaying remains searched the area last summer and indicated there could be a burial site in a narrow piece of land bordered by a farm field, railroad tracks and a canal. In November, ground-penetrating radar showed an area that was consistent with graves, but there will be no guarantees until researchers finish digging, Williams said.The process is expected to take days.If the dig reveals human remains, the State Archeology Office will continue to work with the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs to decide on next steps. They could rebury the remains in the field and create a memorial or exhume and return the bodies to tribes.Last year, the U.S. Interior Department — led by Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico and the first Native American Cabinet secretary — released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-native-americans-cultures-congress-1052724fc31b28f7addae7f5b2e50830">first-of-its-kind report</a>&nbsp;that named hundreds of schools the federal government supported to strip Native Americans of their cultures and identities.At least 500 children died at some of the schools, but that number is expected to reach into the thousands or tens of thousands as research continues.“I hope they find the cemetery so that we can do ceremony and lay our spiritual relatives to rest. So they know we know they’re here, and they’re ok,” Fiscus, of the Winnebago Tribe, said.

Dig resumes for children's remains at former Nebraska boarding school 

Lincoln, NE –July 11, 2023 – Due to high sales, officials in the states participating in the Mega Millions® Lotto game have increased the estimated jackpot amount for the Tuesday, July 11 drawing to $500 million or $251 million with the cash option selected.

The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $20 million and continues to grow each drawing until it is won. There have been 23 consecutive Mega Millions drawings since April 21 without a jackpot winner.

The Nebraska Lottery began offering Mega Millions in March of 2010. The largest Mega Millions jackpot on record occurred in October 2018 when one ticket was sold in South Carolina for a $1.537 billion jackpot.

Mega Millions jackpot winners have two options for collecting their payment: 30 annuity payments or one cash payment at present value. The annuity option provides annual payments that increase each year. The present cash value is less than the advertised jackpot, which is based on the 29-year annuity option. Winning Mega Millions numbers are announced every Tuesday and Friday at 10:00 p.m. Central Time and posted at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>.

Because of the high Mega Millions jackpot, the Nebraska Lottery encourages customers to play within their means. “It’s important for Nebraska Lottery players to remember that no matter how large the jackpot is, the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302 million,” said Lottery Director Brian Rockey. “Your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of how many tickets are purchased or how many people play.” If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, free help is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://problemgambling.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">problemgambling.nebraska.gov</a>.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $936 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Nebraska LotteryLincoln, NE –July 11, 2023 – Due to high sales, officials in the states participating in the Mega Millions® Lotto game have increased the estimated jackpot amount for the Tuesday, July 11 drawing to $500 million or $251 million with the cash option selected.The Mega Millions jackpot starts at $20 million and continues to grow each drawing until it is won. There have been 23 consecutive Mega Millions drawings since April 21 without a jackpot winner.The Nebraska Lottery began offering Mega Millions in March of 2010. The largest Mega Millions jackpot on record occurred in October 2018 when one ticket was sold in South Carolina for a $1.537 billion jackpot.Mega Millions jackpot winners have two options for collecting their payment: 30 annuity payments or one cash payment at present value. The annuity option provides annual payments that increase each year. The present cash value is less than the advertised jackpot, which is based on the 29-year annuity option. Winning Mega Millions numbers are announced every Tuesday and Friday at 10:00 p.m. Central Time and posted at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>.&nbsp;Play ResponsiblyBecause of the high Mega Millions jackpot, the Nebraska Lottery encourages customers to play within their means. “It’s important for Nebraska Lottery players to remember that no matter how large the jackpot is, the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302 million,” said Lottery Director Brian Rockey. “Your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of how many tickets are purchased or how many people play.” If you or someone you know has a problem with compulsive gambling, free help is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://problemgambling.nebraska.gov/" target="_blank">problemgambling.nebraska.gov</a>.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $936 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Mega Millions® Jackpot Increased for Tuesday Drawing

July 10, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – On July 6, Governor Jim Pillen visited five communities to share more about his vision for a strong and resilient Nebraska through targeted infrastructure investments. His vision to grow Nebraska’s economy through reliable transportation and broadband is part of his commitment to maintaining and strengthening the quality of life for all Nebraskans. He was accompanied by Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) Director Vicki Kramer, Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) Director K.C. Belitz, and State Broadband Director Patrick Haggerty. 

The fly-around tour comes on the heels of NDOT releasing its Surface Transportation Program for fiscal year 2024, which outlines more than $758 million in construction projects across the state as well as projects programmed for development 2025-2029. Nebraska’s state roads are critical to preserving the Good Life across the state – they connect Nebraskans and serve as the backbone of our economy. The projects in the Surface Transportation Program are not only intended to address crucial components to infrastructure, such as preserving existing roads and bridges and modernizations – they’re also crucial in improving safety, support farm to market needs and enhancing quality of life.

Governor Pillen also recently announced the award of $405 million to Nebraska through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The BEAD funding will help expand high-speed internet to rural communities as well as address issues of digital equity. The Office of Broadband was established within the Nebraska Department of Transportation by Executive Order No. 23-02, and will be overseen by the new&nbsp;Director of Broadband, Patrick Haggerty.

Identifying strong business potential within Nebraska is another key priority of Governor Pillen and newly appointed director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, K.C. Belitz. The fly-around tour was an optimal opportunity to highlight the hard work of DED to advance higher education opportunities, develop youth talent and apprenticeships, revitalize existing economies, expand housing incentive programs in both rural and urban communities, and so much more

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689089052467.jpeg" alt="Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen talking to attendees at the North Platte Regional Airport on July 6th during the Fly Around Connect Nebraska Tour. (Photo/Canon Rath)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen talking to attendees at the North Platte Regional Airport on July 6th during the Fly Around Connect Nebraska Tour. (Photo/Canon Rath)</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska Department of TransportationJuly 10, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – On July 6, Governor Jim Pillen visited five communities to share more about his vision for a strong and resilient Nebraska through targeted infrastructure investments. His vision to grow Nebraska’s economy through reliable transportation and broadband is part of his commitment to maintaining and strengthening the quality of life for all Nebraskans. He was accompanied by Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) Director Vicki Kramer, Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) Director K.C. Belitz, and State Broadband Director Patrick Haggerty. The fly-around tour comes on the heels of NDOT releasing its Surface Transportation Program for fiscal year 2024, which outlines more than $758 million in construction projects across the state as well as projects programmed for development 2025-2029. Nebraska’s state roads are critical to preserving the Good Life across the state – they connect Nebraskans and serve as the backbone of our economy. The projects in the Surface Transportation Program are not only intended to address crucial components to infrastructure, such as preserving existing roads and bridges and modernizations – they’re also crucial in improving safety, support farm to market needs and enhancing quality of life.Governor Pillen also recently announced the award of $405 million to Nebraska through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The BEAD funding will help expand high-speed internet to rural communities as well as address issues of digital equity. The Office of Broadband was established within the Nebraska Department of Transportation by Executive Order No. 23-02, and will be overseen by the new&nbsp;Director of Broadband, Patrick Haggerty.Identifying strong business potential within Nebraska is another key priority of Governor Pillen and newly appointed director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, K.C. Belitz. The fly-around tour was an optimal opportunity to highlight the hard work of DED to advance higher education opportunities, develop youth talent and apprenticeships, revitalize existing economies, expand housing incentive programs in both rural and urban communities, and so much more

Governor Pillen Visits Five Nebraska Communities in Fly Around Tour Focused on Connecting Nebraska

JULY 10, 2023 (SCOTTSBLUFF, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested three people after locating multiple controlled substances during a traffic stop in Scotts Bluff County.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. MT, Friday, July 7, a trooper observed a northbound Ford F-250 speeding on Highway 71, south of Gering. During the traffic stop, a Gering Police Department K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance in the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle revealed over 1,400 suspected fentanyl pills and smaller amounts of suspected methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia. One of the passengers in the vehicle also provided false identification.

The driver, Schuyler Lammers, 36, and passengers, Cory Croyle, 36, and Kaylonie Goff, 29, all of Rapid City, South Dakota, were arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver an exceptionally hazardous drug, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana – less than one ounce, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Goff was also cited for criminal impersonation. All three were lodged in Scotts Bluff County Jail.

Cody Thomas Nebraska State PatrolJULY 10, 2023 (SCOTTSBLUFF, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested three people after locating multiple controlled substances during a traffic stop in Scotts Bluff County.At approximately 5:30 p.m. MT, Friday, July 7, a trooper observed a northbound Ford F-250 speeding on Highway 71, south of Gering. During the traffic stop, a Gering Police Department K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance in the vehicle.A search of the vehicle revealed over 1,400 suspected fentanyl pills and smaller amounts of suspected methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia. One of the passengers in the vehicle also provided false identification.The driver, Schuyler Lammers, 36, and passengers, Cory Croyle, 36, and Kaylonie Goff, 29, all of Rapid City, South Dakota, were arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver an exceptionally hazardous drug, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana – less than one ounce, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Goff was also cited for criminal impersonation. All three were lodged in Scotts Bluff County Jail.

Troopers Find Fentanyl Pills, Arrest Three in Traffic Stop near Gering   

NEW YORK (AP) —Bank of America must reimburse customers more than $100 million and pay $150 million in fines for “double-dipping” on overdraft fees, withholding reward bonuses on credit cards and opening accounts without customer consent.

It is one of the highest financial penalties in years against Bank of America, which has largely spent the last 15 years trying to clean up its reputation and market itself to the public as a bank focused on financial health and not on overdraft fee income.

BofA will need to refund $100 million to customers, pay $90 million in penalties to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and $60 million to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. “Bank of America wrongfully withheld credit card rewards, double-dipped on fees, and opened accounts without consent,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, in a statement. “These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust."

Bank of America had a policy of charging customers $35 after the bank declined a transaction because the customer did not have enough funds in their account, the CFPB said. The agency determined that the bank double-dipped by allowing fees to be repeatedly charged for the same transaction.

BofA has been cutting down on its reliance on overdraft fee revenue for more than a decade, and cut how much it charges customers for an overdraft to $15 last year. Brian Moynihan, the bank's CEO and chairman, told The Associated Press in 2022 that under these new policies,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brian-moynihan-92e3aa312012c9d4bc54720bb2b5ba60">overdraft fee income was down 90% from 2021</a>. The bank said that it voluntarily reduced overdraft fees and eliminated all non-sufficient fund fees in the first half of last year.

Bank of America also offered people cash rewards and bonus points when signing up for a card, but the CFPB said the bank illegally withheld promised credit card account bonuses.

The CFPB also found that, since at least 2012, Bank of America employees illegally applied for and enrolled consumers in credit card accounts without their knowledge or authorization. It is a similar charge that was made against Wells Fargo, which paid billions in fines after it was determined that the San Francisco bank&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b5fd960b22a95d5968f6781f786ac754">opened millions of unauthorized bank accounts</a>&nbsp;in order to meet unrealistic sales goals.

In 2014 the CFPB ordered Bank of America to pay $727 million for illegal credit card practices. Last year it was ordered to pay a $10 million civil penalty over unlawful garnishments. Also in 2022, the CFPB and OCC fined Bank of America $225 million and required it to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in redress to consumers for botched disbursement of state unemployment benefits at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689083961974.png" alt="Photo courtesy Bank of America" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Bank of America</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —Bank of America must reimburse customers more than $100 million and pay $150 million in fines for “double-dipping” on overdraft fees, withholding reward bonuses on credit cards and opening accounts without customer consent.It is one of the highest financial penalties in years against Bank of America, which has largely spent the last 15 years trying to clean up its reputation and market itself to the public as a bank focused on financial health and not on overdraft fee income.BofA will need to refund $100 million to customers, pay $90 million in penalties to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and $60 million to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. “Bank of America wrongfully withheld credit card rewards, double-dipped on fees, and opened accounts without consent,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, in a statement. “These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust."Bank of America had a policy of charging customers $35 after the bank declined a transaction because the customer did not have enough funds in their account, the CFPB said. The agency determined that the bank double-dipped by allowing fees to be repeatedly charged for the same transaction.BofA has been cutting down on its reliance on overdraft fee revenue for more than a decade, and cut how much it charges customers for an overdraft to $15 last year. Brian Moynihan, the bank's CEO and chairman, told The Associated Press in 2022 that under these new policies,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brian-moynihan-92e3aa312012c9d4bc54720bb2b5ba60">overdraft fee income was down 90% from 2021</a>. The bank said that it voluntarily reduced overdraft fees and eliminated all non-sufficient fund fees in the first half of last year.Bank of America also offered people cash rewards and bonus points when signing up for a card, but the CFPB said the bank illegally withheld promised credit card account bonuses.The CFPB also found that, since at least 2012, Bank of America employees illegally applied for and enrolled consumers in credit card accounts without their knowledge or authorization. It is a similar charge that was made against Wells Fargo, which paid billions in fines after it was determined that the San Francisco bank&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b5fd960b22a95d5968f6781f786ac754">opened millions of unauthorized bank accounts</a>&nbsp;in order to meet unrealistic sales goals.In 2014 the CFPB ordered Bank of America to pay $727 million for illegal credit card practices. Last year it was ordered to pay a $10 million civil penalty over unlawful garnishments. Also in 2022, the CFPB and OCC fined Bank of America $225 million and required it to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in redress to consumers for botched disbursement of state unemployment benefits at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.---------

BofA hit with $250M in fines for 'double-dipping' fees, fake accounts

LINCOLN — State Sen. Tom Brewer, after his third trip to the battlefield in Ukraine, says the Ukrainians can win, but “it’s going to take them a while.”

“Now they walk with a lot more swagger,” Brewer said.

“They believe they can win because they think they’re in a much better position, whether it be their passion to win, their morale, their knowledge, their equipment … all of that is working to their advantage,” he said.

“That wasn’t true a year ago — a year ago they didn’t know if they would survive as a country.”

The decorated U.S. Army veteran, who was wounded twice during deployments to Afghanistan, spoke on Friday, less than a week after returning from a trip to Ukraine.

The trip included visits with Ukrainian military leaders in Kyiv, a few days near the Zaporizhia nuclear complex, and a precarious stop in the trenches near the war-torn city of Bahkmut.

“The place is just medieval,” the 64-year-old senator said.

Trees have been shredded into leafless trunks by months of artillery and rifle fire; dozens, maybe hundreds, of bodies of Russians remain unclaimed on the no-man’s land between the Ukrainian and Russian fronts.

Brewer said his first two trips,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/04/retired-solider-nebraska-state-senator-sees-no-quit-in-ukrainian-forces/">in June</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/06/nebraska-sen-brewer-headed-back-to-ukraine-this-time-to-take-bibles-evacuate-elderly/">November of 2022</a>, were mostly for church and humanitarian reasons, delivering aid to citizens still living in the war zone, giving E-Bibles and support to wounded soldiers and talking to the Ukrainian officials he could.

This trip, he said, mainly focused on visits to the front, where they slept in basements as refuge from the thud of artillery fire.

As he’s said before, it’s important that an American visits the battlefield — so Ukrainian soldiers can see and thank someone from the U.S. for their help — but it’s also important to discover if the billions in dollars of American aid and military goods are being used and used properly.

“A lot of the time forward, it’s just understanding what’s going on,” Brewer said. “How is the American taxpayer dollar being used?”

Once he gets settled, he said, he will prepare what the military calls a “trip report,” which — as in the past — he will share with Nebraska’s congressional delegation and other federal officials.

“You must get pretty close to understand what’s going on and see what’s effective,” Brewer said. “But you also don’t want to get so close that you get blown up.”

“I think we walked that tightrope probably as close as you want to,” he added. “There were days that were pretty hairy.”

He traveled with a friend, Noah Philson of Elmwood, as well as a Lincoln television reporter, John Grinvalds, and a Ukrainian driver/interpreter he didn’t want to identify for fear of reprisals against his family.

Last year, the Ukrainians were fighting mostly with old Russian equipment, but now they’re using modern German tanks, state-of-the-art American artillery and longer-range missiles — better equipment than the Russians use.

He said the delivery of U.S. “cluster bombs” — which are banned by many countries — and longer-range rockets are “game changers” that will help the Ukrainians break through the trench- and mine-infested lines built up by the Russians, and disrupt supply lines and ammunition deliveries.

Brewer dismissed criticism of the cluster bombs, saying that it was “different” because the Ukrainians were using them on their own land and will be responsible for cleaning up any unexploded ordnance that might threaten Ukrainian civilians. Plus, he said, Russia has been using its own cluster bombs, and he said the Russian bombs’ failure rate is much higher than U.S. bombs, 20% compared to about 4%.

Brewer was at the front for the firing of M777 howitzer cannon that can launch an artillery shell guided to a target by a drone, which “paints” a target with a laser beam. He showed a reporter a video of the shell striking a Russian ammunition dump, sending trails of sparks flying in all directions.

“This is a drone war,” he said, with drones hitting targets, guiding missile strikes and providing real-time observation of the battlefield.

The American military, he said, may later regret not having observers in Ukraine to learn what they are about drone warfare.

Among their stops was the flooded city of Kherson, inundated when the Russians blew up a huge dam spanning the Dnipro River.

The inundated streets, Brewer said, reminded him of his deployment to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit with one difference: The Russians continued to shell Kherson even as rescue teams sought to evacuate flood victims.

“It just seems to be about as cruel as you could get,” he said.

Now, Brewer said, the big worry is whether the Russians will do something else considered unthinkable: blowing up the nuclear reactors at Zaporizhzhia.

The word is that the Russians have rigged the plant with explosives, he said. If the six nuclear reactors at Zaporizhzhia blew up there — compared to only one at Chernobyl — it could create a radioactive nightmare that could spread to nearby countries, Brewer said.

“If we start having countries in NATO being affected by the actions of the Russians, is that considered an attack on a NATO country?” he asked.

And what if Russia resorts to using tactical nuclear weapons, Brewer added. How will NATO respond? How will the United States?

"There’s a lot of really big issues that need to be addressed,” he said.

Brewer said while the Ukrainian offensive hasn’t advanced as quickly and as far as initially anticipated, it is progressing. The Ukrainians can’t afford to lose as many soldiers as the Russians, so, he said, they are advancing judiciously, probing for weaknesses in the Russian front.

America, and Europe, should stay the course, according to Brewer.

“They’re going to survive as a country,” he said. “The question is will they be forced into some kind of a truce and have give up a good share of their country, or can they take back their territory?”

Brewer said he doesn’t see the Ukrainians giving up until they recapture all the land taken by Russia.

“We are giving a lot of treasure, but not blood — in Afghanistan we gave both&nbsp;blood and treasure — to see them maintain a democracy, and they’re fighting like tigers to keep it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689078686574.png" alt="State Senator Tom Brewer, third from left, said that few Americans visit the front, so when Ukrainian soldiers see one, they are eager to embrace and thank Americans for their aid in fighting the war. (Courtesy of Noah Philson)" />
 <figcaption>State Senator Tom Brewer, third from left, said that few Americans visit the front, so when Ukrainian soldiers see one, they are eager to embrace and thank Americans for their aid in fighting the war. (Courtesy of Noah Philson)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Paul Hammel <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 — State Sen. Tom Brewer, after his third trip to the battlefield in Ukraine, says the Ukrainians can win, but “it’s going to take them a while.”“Now they walk with a lot more swagger,” Brewer said. “They believe they can win because they think they’re in a much better position, whether it be their passion to win, their morale, their knowledge, their equipment … all of that is working to their advantage,” he said.“That wasn’t true a year ago — a year ago they didn’t know if they would survive as a country.”<h2>‘Medieval’ battlefield</h2>The decorated U.S. Army veteran, who was wounded twice during deployments to Afghanistan, spoke on Friday, less than a week after returning from a trip to Ukraine.The trip included visits with Ukrainian military leaders in Kyiv, a few days near the Zaporizhia nuclear complex, and a precarious stop in the trenches near the war-torn city of Bahkmut.“The place is just medieval,” the 64-year-old senator said.Trees have been shredded into leafless trunks by months of artillery and rifle fire; dozens, maybe hundreds, of bodies of Russians remain unclaimed on the no-man’s land between the Ukrainian and Russian fronts.Brewer said his first two trips,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/04/retired-solider-nebraska-state-senator-sees-no-quit-in-ukrainian-forces/">in June</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/10/06/nebraska-sen-brewer-headed-back-to-ukraine-this-time-to-take-bibles-evacuate-elderly/">November of 2022</a>, were mostly for church and humanitarian reasons, delivering aid to citizens still living in the war zone, giving E-Bibles and support to wounded soldiers and talking to the Ukrainian officials he could.This trip, he said, mainly focused on visits to the front, where they slept in basements as refuge from the thud of artillery fire.As he’s said before, it’s important that an American visits the battlefield — so Ukrainian soldiers can see and thank someone from the U.S. for their help — but it’s also important to discover if the billions in dollars of American aid and military goods are being used and used properly.“A lot of the time forward, it’s just understanding what’s going on,” Brewer said. “How is the American taxpayer dollar being used?”Once he gets settled, he said, he will prepare what the military calls a “trip report,” which — as in the past — he will share with Nebraska’s congressional delegation and other federal officials.“You must get pretty close to understand what’s going on and see what’s effective,” Brewer said. “But you also don’t want to get so close that you get blown up.”<h2>‘Pretty hairy’</h2>“I think we walked that tightrope probably as close as you want to,” he added. “There were days that were pretty hairy.”He traveled with a friend, Noah Philson of Elmwood, as well as a Lincoln television reporter, John Grinvalds, and a Ukrainian driver/interpreter he didn’t want to identify for fear of reprisals against his family.Last year, the Ukrainians were fighting mostly with old Russian equipment, but now they’re using modern German tanks, state-of-the-art American artillery and longer-range missiles — better equipment than the Russians use.He said the delivery of U.S. “cluster bombs” — which are banned by many countries — and longer-range rockets are “game changers” that will help the Ukrainians break through the trench- and mine-infested lines built up by the Russians, and disrupt supply lines and ammunition deliveries.Brewer dismissed criticism of the cluster bombs, saying that it was “different” because the Ukrainians were using them on their own land and will be responsible for cleaning up any unexploded ordnance that might threaten Ukrainian civilians. Plus, he said, Russia has been using its own cluster bombs, and he said the Russian bombs’ failure rate is much higher than U.S. bombs, 20% compared to about 4%.<h2>‘A drone war’</h2>Brewer was at the front for the firing of M777 howitzer cannon that can launch an artillery shell guided to a target by a drone, which “paints” a target with a laser beam. He showed a reporter a video of the shell striking a Russian ammunition dump, sending trails of sparks flying in all directions.“This is a drone war,” he said, with drones hitting targets, guiding missile strikes and providing real-time observation of the battlefield.The American military, he said, may later regret not having observers in Ukraine to learn what they are about drone warfare.Among their stops was the flooded city of Kherson, inundated when the Russians blew up a huge dam spanning the Dnipro River.The inundated streets, Brewer said, reminded him of his deployment to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit with one difference: The Russians continued to shell Kherson even as rescue teams sought to evacuate flood victims.“It just seems to be about as cruel as you could get,” he said.Now, Brewer said, the big worry is whether the Russians will do something else considered unthinkable: blowing up the nuclear reactors at Zaporizhzhia.The word is that the Russians have rigged the plant with explosives, he said. If the six nuclear reactors at Zaporizhzhia blew up there — compared to only one at Chernobyl — it could create a radioactive nightmare that could spread to nearby countries, Brewer said.<h2>What if nuclear plant is blown up?</h2>“If we start having countries in NATO being affected by the actions of the Russians, is that considered an attack on a NATO country?” he asked.And what if Russia resorts to using tactical nuclear weapons, Brewer added. How will NATO respond? How will the United States?"There’s a lot of really big issues that need to be addressed,” he said.Brewer said while the Ukrainian offensive hasn’t advanced as quickly and as far as initially anticipated, it is progressing. The Ukrainians can’t afford to lose as many soldiers as the Russians, so, he said, they are advancing judiciously, probing for weaknesses in the Russian front.America, and Europe, should stay the course, according to Brewer.“They’re going to survive as a country,” he said. “The question is will they be forced into some kind of a truce and have give up a good share of their country, or can they take back their territory?”Brewer said he doesn’t see the Ukrainians giving up until they recapture all the land taken by Russia.“We are giving a lot of treasure, but not blood — in Afghanistan we gave both&nbsp;blood and treasure — to see them maintain a democracy, and they’re fighting like tigers to keep it.”