By&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">CINDY GONZALEZ</a> Nebraska Examiner

OMAHA — A new group called No Forced Birth Nebraska on Wednesday night held the first of what it says will be a weekly series of vigils across the state in support of abortion rights.

Omaha’s event drew a dozen supporters to Memorial Park’s pedestrian bridge.

A Lincoln event at the Rock-Island Trail pedestrian bridge attracted about the same number.

Simultaneous vigils, both smaller, were held in Kearney and Hastings.

Spokesperson Tiffany Burns said the protests, to be held each Wednesday night through the end of September, are a way to engage like-minded voices across the state.&nbsp;

Volunteers said they also plan legislative and organizational action to “keep all abortions legal in Nebraska.”

Organizers expected small turnouts to start and hope for growth, Burns said.

The idea for weekly public protests was sparked during a meeting of friends and neighbors who met at a Lincoln coffee shop, discouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v.Wade.

The group thought it was important to connect with supporters in more rural areas, Burns said, noting: “This is not just a Lincoln and Omaha issue.”&nbsp;

In two weeks since the group began planning, she said, a Facebook page has grown to about 300 followers, and a few hundred have signed up for email via&nbsp; the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.noforcedbirthne.org/">group’s website.</a>

Burns said the group hopes that keeping vigils to a half hour will make their effort more sustainable.

“We want to make it easy but still have a consistent message going out every week.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659092297472.jpeg" alt="neb abortion rights group examiner.jpg" />
 <figcaption>neb abortion rights group examiner.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/cindygonzalez/">CINDY GONZALEZ</a> Nebraska ExaminerOMAHA — A new group called No Forced Birth Nebraska on Wednesday night held the first of what it says will be a weekly series of vigils across the state in support of abortion rights.Omaha’s event drew a dozen supporters to Memorial Park’s pedestrian bridge.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/image1-1-225x300.jpeg" alt="A Lincoln vigil organized by new abortion rights group drew 11 people. (Courtesy of Tiffany Burns)" />
 <figcaption>A Lincoln vigil organized by new abortion rights group drew 11 people. (Courtesy of Tiffany Burns)</figcaption>
 </figure>A Lincoln event at the Rock-Island Trail pedestrian bridge attracted about the same number.Simultaneous vigils, both smaller, were held in Kearney and Hastings.Spokesperson Tiffany Burns said the protests, to be held each Wednesday night through the end of September, are a way to engage like-minded voices across the state.&nbsp;Volunteers said they also plan legislative and organizational action to “keep all abortions legal in Nebraska.”Organizers expected small turnouts to start and hope for growth, Burns said.The idea for weekly public protests was sparked during a meeting of friends and neighbors who met at a Lincoln coffee shop, discouraged by the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v.Wade.The group thought it was important to connect with supporters in more rural areas, Burns said, noting: “This is not just a Lincoln and Omaha issue.”&nbsp;In two weeks since the group began planning, she said, a Facebook page has grown to about 300 followers, and a few hundred have signed up for email via&nbsp; the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.noforcedbirthne.org/">group’s website.</a>Burns said the group hopes that keeping vigils to a half hour will make their effort more sustainable.“We want to make it easy but still have a consistent message going out every week.”

New abortion rights group holds vigils at four Nebraska sites

SPRINGFIELD, Neb. (AP) — Facebook's parent company announced plans Thursday to expand a data center it is building in the Omaha suburbs again.

A Meta spokesperson said the social media giant now plans to build a ninth building in the complex it is constructing in Papillion and Springfield southwest of Omaha in Sarpy County.

The company said the data center would cost more than $1.5 billion and eventually include 4 million square feet.

Meta plans to complete the project it began in 2017 by the end of 2024. About 150 people are already maintaining computers at the site which is eventually expected to employ about 300. Six of the nine buildings are already operational.

Meta said all of the data center's electricity would come from renewable energy, including wind farms in northeast Nebraska and Kansas.

Several other major companies have built data centers in the area around the Meta data center, including Google, Yahoo, Travelers Insurance and Fidelity Investments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659091408102.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSPRINGFIELD, Neb. (AP) — Facebook's parent company announced plans Thursday to expand a data center it is building in the Omaha suburbs again.A Meta spokesperson said the social media giant now plans to build a ninth building in the complex it is constructing in Papillion and Springfield southwest of Omaha in Sarpy County.The company said the data center would cost more than $1.5 billion and eventually include 4 million square feet.Meta plans to complete the project it began in 2017 by the end of 2024. About 150 people are already maintaining computers at the site which is eventually expected to employ about 300. Six of the nine buildings are already operational.Meta said all of the data center's electricity would come from renewable energy, including wind farms in northeast Nebraska and Kansas.Several other major companies have built data centers in the area around the Meta data center, including Google, Yahoo, Travelers Insurance and Fidelity Investments.

Meta expands data center under construction near Omaha again

BEIJING (AP) — President Xi Jinping warned against meddling in China’s dealings with Taiwan<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2022/07/28/background-press-call-on-president-bidens-call-with-president-xi-jinping-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china/"> during a phone call </a>with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, that gave no indication of progress on trade, technology or other irritants, including Beijing’s opposition to a top American lawmaker’s possible visit to the island that the mainland claims as its own territory.

Xi also warned against splitting the world’s two biggest economies, according to a Chinese government summary of Thursday’s unusually lengthy, three-hour call. Businesspeople and economists warn such a change, brought on by Chinese industrial policy and U.S. curbs on technology exports, might hurt the global economy by slowing innovation and increasing costs.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-xi-jinping-nancy-pelosi-taiwan-f500d38f7ac98a191fe6ad817b528929">Xi and Biden are looking at the possibility of meeting in person</a>, according to a U.S. official who declined to be identified further. Xi has been invited to Indonesia in November for a meeting of the Group of 20 major economies, making it a potential location for a face-to-face meeting.

The Chinese government gave no indication Xi and Biden discussed possible plans by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-xi-jinping-hong-kong-2c2b95758dd6faa6eed87a7c5cf298d4">to visit Taiwan</a>, which the ruling Communist Party says has no right to conduct foreign relations. But Xi rejected “interference by external forces” that might encourage Taiwan to try to make its decades-old de facto independence permanent.

The tough language from Xi, who usually tries to appear to be above political disputes and makes blandly positive public comments, suggested Chinese leaders might believe Washington didn’t understand the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-pelosi-taiwan-visit-explainer-fd940b681b9a4165d2ace569bbfe33fb">seriousness of previous warnings</a>&nbsp;about Taiwan.

“Resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people,” foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Friday. “Those who play with fire will perish by it.”

Taiwan and China split in 1949 following a civil war that ended with a communist victory on the mainland. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership.

A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said ahead of Thursday’s call that Washington “must not arrange for Pelosi to visit Taiwan.” He said the ruling party’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army, would take “strong measures to thwart any external interference.”

Xi called on the United States to “honor the one-China principle,” according to Zhao, referring to Beijing’s position that the mainland and Taiwan are one country. The United States, by contrast, has a “one-China policy” that says Washington takes no position on the question but wants to see it resolved peacefully.

“China's opposition to to interactions between the United States and Taiwan is clear and consistent,” Zhao said.

A foreign ministry summary of the conversation cited Biden as saying the United States doesn’t support independence for Taiwan.

Coverage of the conversation in China’s entirely state-controlled media on Friday was limited to repeating government statements.

Pelosi has yet to confirm whether she will go to Taiwan, but if she does, the Democrat from California would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.

Beijing criticized Gingrich for saying the United States would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack but did little else in response to his three-hour visit to the island.

Since then, China’s position on Taiwan has hardened as the mainland economy grew to become second-largest after the United States. The ruling party poured hundreds of billions of dollars into developing fighter jets and other high-tech weapons including “carrier killer” missiles that are thought to be intended to block the U.S. Navy from helping to defend the island.

The conflict over a possible Pelosi visit is more sensitive to Beijing in a year when Xi, who took power in 2012, is expected to try to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as party leader.

Xi, who wants to be seen as restoring China's rightful historic role as a global leader, has promoted a more assertive policy abroad. The People’s Liberation Army has sent growing numbers of fighter planes and bombers to fly near Taiwan in an attempt to intimidate its democratically elected government.

The United States has no official relations with Taiwan but has extensive commercial ties and informal political connections. Washington is obliged by federal law to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.

Xi called for cooperation on reducing the risk of economic recession, coordinating macroeconomic policies, fighting COVID-19 and “de-escalation of regional hot spots," according to the government statement.

He also warned against decoupling, or separating, the U.S. and Chinese economies for strategic reasons.

Businesspeople and industry analysts have warned global industries might be split into separate markets with incompatible products due to China’s pressure on its companies to develop their own technology standards and U.S. restrictions on Chinese access to technology that Washington see as a security risk. That might slow innovation and increase costs.

“Attempts at decoupling or severing supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the U.S. economy,” the statement said. “They would only make the world economy more vulnerable.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spent more than two hours Thursday talking through the future of their complicated relationship, with the flashpoint of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taiwan">Taiwan</a>&nbsp;once again emerging as a key point of tension.

According to a description of the call released by Beijing, Xi emphasized China's claim over the island, which has governed itself for decades.

“Those who play with fire will perish by it,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “It is hoped that the U.S. will be clear-eyed about this."

The White House has not yet released its own readout on the call, which began at 8:33 a.m. EDT and ended at 10:50 a.m. EDT.

As usual, China left no doubt that it blames the U.S. for the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.

“President Xi underscored that to approach and define China-US relations in terms of strategic competition and view China as the primary rival and the most serious long-term challenge would be misperceiving China-U.S. relations and misreading China’s development, and would mislead the people of the two countries and the international community,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The call took place as Biden aims to find new ways to work with China and contain its influence around the world. Differing perspectives on global health, economic policy and human rights have long tested the relationship — with China's refusal to condemn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;adding further strain.

The latest pressure point has been House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-china-beijing-foreign-policy-nancy-pelosi-07eefea303f4da179554abcd3b2845af">potential visit to Taiwan</a>, which has a democratic government and receives informal defensive support from the U.S., but which China considers part of its territory. Beijing has said it would view such a trip as a provocation, a threat U.S. officials are taking with heightened seriousness in light of Russia's incursion into Ukraine.

“If the U.S. insists on going its own way and challenging China’s bottom line, it will surely be met with forceful responses,” Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, told reporters earlier this week. “All ensuing consequences shall be borne by the U.S.”

Pelosi would be the highest-ranking U.S. elected official to travel to Taiwan since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-xi-jinping-hong-kong-2c2b95758dd6faa6eed87a7c5cf298d4">Republican Newt Gingrich visited the island in 1997</a>&nbsp;when he was House speaker. Biden last week told reporters that U.S. military officials believed it was “not a good idea” for the speaker to visit the island at the moment.

John Kirby, a U.S. national security spokesman, said Wednesday that it was important for Biden and Xi to regularly touch base.

“The president wants to make sure that the lines of communication with President Xi remain open because they need to,” Kirby told reporters at a White House briefing. “There are issues where we can cooperate with China on, and there are issues where obviously there are friction and tension.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-jen-psaki-83c387554e08610bd973051dbd28fcf9">Biden and Xi last spoke in March,</a>&nbsp;shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“This is one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in the world today, with ramifications well beyond both individual countries,” Kirby said.

Biden has moved to shift U.S. reliance off Chinese manufacturing, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-united-states-congress-government-and-politics-eaccb8daecf3ddc2217f22eb3de5a260">Senate passage Wednesday of legislation to encourage semiconductor companies to build more high-tech plants in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;Biden wants to marshal global democracies to support infrastructure investments in low- and middle-income nations as an alternative to China’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” which aims to boost China trade with other global markets.

Biden has kept in place Trump-era tariffs on many Chinese-manufactured goods in order to maintain leverage over Beijing. But he is weighing whether to ease at least some of them to lessen the impact of soaring inflation on American households.

U.S. officials have also criticized China's “zero-COVID” policy of mass testing and lockdowns in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in its territory, labeling it misguided and fretting that it will further slow global economic growth.

Other points of strain include China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, which the U.S. has declared a genocide, its militarization in the South China Sea and its global campaign of economic and political espionage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659031007084.png" alt="A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said ahead of Thursday’s call that Washington “must not arrange for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to visit Taiwan.” He said the ruling party’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army, would take “strong measures to thwart any external interference.”-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said ahead of Thursday’s call that Washington “must not arrange for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to visit Taiwan.” He said the ruling party’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army, would take “strong measures to thwart any external interference.”-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BEIJING (AP) — President Xi Jinping warned against meddling in China’s dealings with Taiwan<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2022/07/28/background-press-call-on-president-bidens-call-with-president-xi-jinping-of-the-peoples-republic-of-china/"> during a phone call </a>with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, that gave no indication of progress on trade, technology or other irritants, including Beijing’s opposition to a top American lawmaker’s possible visit to the island that the mainland claims as its own territory.Xi also warned against splitting the world’s two biggest economies, according to a Chinese government summary of Thursday’s unusually lengthy, three-hour call. Businesspeople and economists warn such a change, brought on by Chinese industrial policy and U.S. curbs on technology exports, might hurt the global economy by slowing innovation and increasing costs.Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-xi-jinping-nancy-pelosi-taiwan-f500d38f7ac98a191fe6ad817b528929">Xi and Biden are looking at the possibility of meeting in person</a>, according to a U.S. official who declined to be identified further. Xi has been invited to Indonesia in November for a meeting of the Group of 20 major economies, making it a potential location for a face-to-face meeting.The Chinese government gave no indication Xi and Biden discussed possible plans by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-xi-jinping-hong-kong-2c2b95758dd6faa6eed87a7c5cf298d4">to visit Taiwan</a>, which the ruling Communist Party says has no right to conduct foreign relations. But Xi rejected “interference by external forces” that might encourage Taiwan to try to make its decades-old de facto independence permanent.The tough language from Xi, who usually tries to appear to be above political disputes and makes blandly positive public comments, suggested Chinese leaders might believe Washington didn’t understand the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-pelosi-taiwan-visit-explainer-fd940b681b9a4165d2ace569bbfe33fb">seriousness of previous warnings</a>&nbsp;about Taiwan.“Resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people,” foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Friday. “Those who play with fire will perish by it.”Taiwan and China split in 1949 following a civil war that ended with a communist victory on the mainland. They have no official relations but are linked by billions of dollars of trade and investment. Both sides say they are one country but disagree over which government is entitled to national leadership.A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said ahead of Thursday’s call that Washington “must not arrange for Pelosi to visit Taiwan.” He said the ruling party’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army, would take “strong measures to thwart any external interference.”Xi called on the United States to “honor the one-China principle,” according to Zhao, referring to Beijing’s position that the mainland and Taiwan are one country. The United States, by contrast, has a “one-China policy” that says Washington takes no position on the question but wants to see it resolved peacefully.“China's opposition to to interactions between the United States and Taiwan is clear and consistent,” Zhao said.A foreign ministry summary of the conversation cited Biden as saying the United States doesn’t support independence for Taiwan.Coverage of the conversation in China’s entirely state-controlled media on Friday was limited to repeating government statements.Pelosi has yet to confirm whether she will go to Taiwan, but if she does, the Democrat from California would be the highest-ranking elected American official to visit since then-Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.Beijing criticized Gingrich for saying the United States would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack but did little else in response to his three-hour visit to the island.Since then, China’s position on Taiwan has hardened as the mainland economy grew to become second-largest after the United States. The ruling party poured hundreds of billions of dollars into developing fighter jets and other high-tech weapons including “carrier killer” missiles that are thought to be intended to block the U.S. Navy from helping to defend the island.The conflict over a possible Pelosi visit is more sensitive to Beijing in a year when Xi, who took power in 2012, is expected to try to break with tradition and award himself a third five-year term as party leader.Xi, who wants to be seen as restoring China's rightful historic role as a global leader, has promoted a more assertive policy abroad. The People’s Liberation Army has sent growing numbers of fighter planes and bombers to fly near Taiwan in an attempt to intimidate its democratically elected government.The United States has no official relations with Taiwan but has extensive commercial ties and informal political connections. Washington is obliged by federal law to see that Taiwan has the means to defend itself.Xi called for cooperation on reducing the risk of economic recession, coordinating macroeconomic policies, fighting COVID-19 and “de-escalation of regional hot spots," according to the government statement.He also warned against decoupling, or separating, the U.S. and Chinese economies for strategic reasons.Businesspeople and industry analysts have warned global industries might be split into separate markets with incompatible products due to China’s pressure on its companies to develop their own technology standards and U.S. restrictions on Chinese access to technology that Washington see as a security risk. That might slow innovation and increase costs.“Attempts at decoupling or severing supply chains in defiance of underlying laws would not help boost the U.S. economy,” the statement said. “They would only make the world economy more vulnerable.”------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spent more than two hours Thursday talking through the future of their complicated relationship, with the flashpoint of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taiwan">Taiwan</a>&nbsp;once again emerging as a key point of tension.According to a description of the call released by Beijing, Xi emphasized China's claim over the island, which has governed itself for decades.“Those who play with fire will perish by it,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “It is hoped that the U.S. will be clear-eyed about this."The White House has not yet released its own readout on the call, which began at 8:33 a.m. EDT and ended at 10:50 a.m. EDT.As usual, China left no doubt that it blames the U.S. for the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.“President Xi underscored that to approach and define China-US relations in terms of strategic competition and view China as the primary rival and the most serious long-term challenge would be misperceiving China-U.S. relations and misreading China’s development, and would mislead the people of the two countries and the international community,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.The call took place as Biden aims to find new ways to work with China and contain its influence around the world. Differing perspectives on global health, economic policy and human rights have long tested the relationship — with China's refusal to condemn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's invasion of Ukraine</a>&nbsp;adding further strain.The latest pressure point has been House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-china-beijing-foreign-policy-nancy-pelosi-07eefea303f4da179554abcd3b2845af">potential visit to Taiwan</a>, which has a democratic government and receives informal defensive support from the U.S., but which China considers part of its territory. Beijing has said it would view such a trip as a provocation, a threat U.S. officials are taking with heightened seriousness in light of Russia's incursion into Ukraine.“If the U.S. insists on going its own way and challenging China’s bottom line, it will surely be met with forceful responses,” Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, told reporters earlier this week. “All ensuing consequences shall be borne by the U.S.”Pelosi would be the highest-ranking U.S. elected official to travel to Taiwan since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-xi-jinping-hong-kong-2c2b95758dd6faa6eed87a7c5cf298d4">Republican Newt Gingrich visited the island in 1997</a>&nbsp;when he was House speaker. Biden last week told reporters that U.S. military officials believed it was “not a good idea” for the speaker to visit the island at the moment.John Kirby, a U.S. national security spokesman, said Wednesday that it was important for Biden and Xi to regularly touch base.“The president wants to make sure that the lines of communication with President Xi remain open because they need to,” Kirby told reporters at a White House briefing. “There are issues where we can cooperate with China on, and there are issues where obviously there are friction and tension.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-jen-psaki-83c387554e08610bd973051dbd28fcf9">Biden and Xi last spoke in March,</a>&nbsp;shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.“This is one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in the world today, with ramifications well beyond both individual countries,” Kirby said.Biden has moved to shift U.S. reliance off Chinese manufacturing, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-united-states-congress-government-and-politics-eaccb8daecf3ddc2217f22eb3de5a260">Senate passage Wednesday of legislation to encourage semiconductor companies to build more high-tech plants in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;Biden wants to marshal global democracies to support infrastructure investments in low- and middle-income nations as an alternative to China’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” which aims to boost China trade with other global markets.Biden has kept in place Trump-era tariffs on many Chinese-manufactured goods in order to maintain leverage over Beijing. But he is weighing whether to ease at least some of them to lessen the impact of soaring inflation on American households.U.S. officials have also criticized China's “zero-COVID” policy of mass testing and lockdowns in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in its territory, labeling it misguided and fretting that it will further slow global economic growth.Other points of strain include China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, which the U.S. has declared a genocide, its militarization in the South China Sea and its global campaign of economic and political espionage.

China gives Biden fiery warning on Taiwan during 3-hour call

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas man accused of assaulting a federal officer during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol will go to trial on several felony and misdemeanor charges, a federal judge has ruled.

A federal judge this week set a Nov. 28 trial date for Michael Eckerman, of Wichita, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;reported. He will be the first Kansan charged in the Capitol riot to face trial.

The felony charges against Eckerman include civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers.

His attorney declined to comment on Thursday, The Star reported.

Charging documents allege that Eckerman entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and at one point pushed a Capitol Police officer, who fell down a small set of stairs and was sprayed with a fire extinguisher by an unknown person, according to the documents. That allowed the crowd to move past the police.

Eckerman and two women with him then went to Statuary Hall on the second floor, where he pushed his way forward to another police line and yelled at officers for several minutes, according to court records.

He then took a picture in front of the portrait of George Washington and left the building.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659042081555.png" alt="Photograph included in the FBI’s affidavit filed against Michael Eckerman" />
 <figcaption>Photograph included in the FBI’s affidavit filed against Michael Eckerman</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas man accused of assaulting a federal officer during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol will go to trial on several felony and misdemeanor charges, a federal judge has ruled.A federal judge this week set a Nov. 28 trial date for Michael Eckerman, of Wichita, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;reported. He will be the first Kansan charged in the Capitol riot to face trial.The felony charges against Eckerman include civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers.His attorney declined to comment on Thursday, The Star reported.Charging documents allege that Eckerman entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and at one point pushed a Capitol Police officer, who fell down a small set of stairs and was sprayed with a fire extinguisher by an unknown person, according to the documents. That allowed the crowd to move past the police.Eckerman and two women with him then went to Statuary Hall on the second floor, where he pushed his way forward to another police line and yelled at officers for several minutes, according to court records.He then took a picture in front of the portrait of George Washington and left the building.

Kansas man faces trial for alleged actions in Jan. 6 riot

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The federal government is pledging $401 million in grants and loans to expand the reach and improve the speed of internet for rural residents, tribes and businesses in remote parts of 11 states from Alaska to Arkansas.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters Wednesday, ahead of the Thursday announcement, that farmers, store owners, schoolchildren and people seeking telehealth medical checkups will benefit from the ReConnect and Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee programs.

“Connectivity is critical to economic success in rural America,” Vilsack said in a statement tallying the number of people who could be helped at about 31,000 in states also including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota and Texas.

The statement said the Department of Agriculture plans more spending on high-speed internet in coming weeks as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-54bd38c58aaa30114eee72f352998fa4">$65 billion Biden administration plan</a>&nbsp;to expand affordable, high-speed internet to all communities in the U.S.

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto joined Vilsack and Mitch Landrieu, White House infrastructure coordinator, to point to the effect the grants and loans are expected to have in the northern Nevada community of Lovelock, home to fewer than 2,000 people, and the Lovelock Indian Colony.

“There is a need for this connectivity on so many levels,” Cortez Masto said, “whether it brings telehealth, telemedicine, e-learning, workforce development. A connection is so important for so many Nevadans.”

Internet provider Uprise LLC will receive more than $27 million to connect almost 4,900 people, 130 businesses, 22 farms, and seven public schools in Lovelock and surrounding Pershing County, officials said.

Masto, a Democrat, seeking reelection in November, said federal funds will offer eligible Nevada residents a $30-per-month discount on their internet bill discount and up to $100 toward a computer.

Elsewhere, Midvale Telephone Co. will get $10.6 million to bring high-speed fiber-optic internet to people, businesses and farms in four central Idaho counties — Elmore, Blaine, Custer, and Boise — and five southeast Arizona counties: Gila, Graham, Pinal, Cochise and Pima.

The Arkansas Telephone Co. will receive $12 million to connect almost 1,000 people, 10 businesses and 145 farms to high-speed internet in Searcy and Van Buren counties with low-cost voice and voice/data starter packages.

Alaska Power &amp; Telephone, Unicom Inc. and Cordova Telephone Cooperative, combined, are slated to receive almost $55.4 million in to connect almost 3,300 people, 118 businesses and seven schools in remote areas by a fiber-optic network.

In New Mexico, Continental Divide Electric Cooperative and ENMP Telephone Cooperative are due to receive a combined $18 million in grants to install affordable fiber networks, and Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative will get a nearly $29 million loan to connect “socially vulnerable communities” in Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln and Otero counties.

Vilsack said the programs would particularly help residents in what he called “persistent poverty counties,” where he said most have access to broadband, but about one in three don’t have high-speed networks needed for telemedicine and distance learning.

He said the goal was “to do what is necessary to make sure every rural resident, regardless of ZIP code, has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.”

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659042752773.jpeg" alt="Carl Roath, left, a worker with the Mason County (Wash.) Public Utility District, pulls fiber optic cable off of a spool, as he works with a team to install broadband internet service to homes in a rural area surrounding Lake Christine near Belfair, Wash., on Aug. 4, 2021. Federal officials announced plans Thursday, July 28, 2022, to spend $401 million in grants and loans to expand the reach and improve the speed of internet for rural residents, tribes and businesses in 11 West and Central U.S. states. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)" />
 <figcaption>Carl Roath, left, a worker with the Mason County (Wash.) Public Utility District, pulls fiber optic cable off of a spool, as he works with a team to install broadband internet service to homes in a rural area surrounding Lake Christine near Belfair, Wash., on Aug. 4, 2021. Federal officials announced plans Thursday, July 28, 2022, to spend $401 million in grants and loans to expand the reach and improve the speed of internet for rural residents, tribes and businesses in 11 West and Central U.S. states. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSLAS VEGAS (AP) — The federal government is pledging $401 million in grants and loans to expand the reach and improve the speed of internet for rural residents, tribes and businesses in remote parts of 11 states from Alaska to Arkansas.U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters Wednesday, ahead of the Thursday announcement, that farmers, store owners, schoolchildren and people seeking telehealth medical checkups will benefit from the ReConnect and Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee programs.“Connectivity is critical to economic success in rural America,” Vilsack said in a statement tallying the number of people who could be helped at about 31,000 in states also including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota and Texas.The statement said the Department of Agriculture plans more spending on high-speed internet in coming weeks as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-54bd38c58aaa30114eee72f352998fa4">$65 billion Biden administration plan</a>&nbsp;to expand affordable, high-speed internet to all communities in the U.S.U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto joined Vilsack and Mitch Landrieu, White House infrastructure coordinator, to point to the effect the grants and loans are expected to have in the northern Nevada community of Lovelock, home to fewer than 2,000 people, and the Lovelock Indian Colony.“There is a need for this connectivity on so many levels,” Cortez Masto said, “whether it brings telehealth, telemedicine, e-learning, workforce development. A connection is so important for so many Nevadans.”Internet provider Uprise LLC will receive more than $27 million to connect almost 4,900 people, 130 businesses, 22 farms, and seven public schools in Lovelock and surrounding Pershing County, officials said.Masto, a Democrat, seeking reelection in November, said federal funds will offer eligible Nevada residents a $30-per-month discount on their internet bill discount and up to $100 toward a computer.Elsewhere, Midvale Telephone Co. will get $10.6 million to bring high-speed fiber-optic internet to people, businesses and farms in four central Idaho counties — Elmore, Blaine, Custer, and Boise — and five southeast Arizona counties: Gila, Graham, Pinal, Cochise and Pima.The Arkansas Telephone Co. will receive $12 million to connect almost 1,000 people, 10 businesses and 145 farms to high-speed internet in Searcy and Van Buren counties with low-cost voice and voice/data starter packages.Alaska Power &amp; Telephone, Unicom Inc. and Cordova Telephone Cooperative, combined, are slated to receive almost $55.4 million in to connect almost 3,300 people, 118 businesses and seven schools in remote areas by a fiber-optic network.In New Mexico, Continental Divide Electric Cooperative and ENMP Telephone Cooperative are due to receive a combined $18 million in grants to install affordable fiber networks, and Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative will get a nearly $29 million loan to connect “socially vulnerable communities” in Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln and Otero counties.Vilsack said the programs would particularly help residents in what he called “persistent poverty counties,” where he said most have access to broadband, but about one in three don’t have high-speed networks needed for telemedicine and distance learning.He said the goal was “to do what is necessary to make sure every rural resident, regardless of ZIP code, has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.”<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WQVflw5e4EpHHRlXtBY-KVcAF0Xm8IKxYpB3n97TwaDZAzisQPOVU4YVChrR0HgXwXdKff881JeY0OQoOB0zl9hR16Zl1df0bobITrQApi4vXRQ-LP5alzySShCQF9B0zqCkpeXeM0C1WmYwedwWzg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Feds: $401M will add high-speed internet to rural US places

By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte Post

LINCOLN, Neb.-Police in Lincoln said they have arrested a man in connection to the sexual assault of a young girl.

Police said at around 10:00 a.m. on July 24, officers responded to the report of a child missing in the 1st St. and Cornhusker Highway area. Officers immediately began an intensive search for the girl.

Police said a couple of hours later, the girl was returned to her home by Mensah Gozo, 59, of Lincoln.

Officers investigated further, and police said they learned Gozo had driven the girl to his home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

Later that day, Gozo was arrested on suspicion of 1st-degree sexual assault of a child and child enticement.

Police said officers are working to determine if Gozo had previously met the girl online and if there are any other victims. Police said they do not have any evidence to suggest that there are more victims at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident or any other incidents is encouraged to contact police at 402.221.6000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659041010308.png" alt="Gozo" />
 <figcaption>Gozo</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte PostLINCOLN, Neb.-Police in Lincoln said they have arrested a man in connection to the sexual assault of a young girl.Police said at around 10:00 a.m. on July 24, officers responded to the report of a child missing in the 1st St. and Cornhusker Highway area. Officers immediately began an intensive search for the girl.Police said a couple of hours later, the girl was returned to her home by Mensah Gozo, 59, of Lincoln.Officers investigated further, and police said they learned Gozo had driven the girl to his home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.Later that day, Gozo was arrested on suspicion of 1st-degree sexual assault of a child and child enticement.Police said officers are working to determine if Gozo had previously met the girl online and if there are any other victims. Police said they do not have any evidence to suggest that there are more victims at this time.Anyone with information about this incident or any other incidents is encouraged to contact police at 402.221.6000.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WQVflw5e4EpHHRlXtBY-KVcAF0Xm8IKxYpB3n97TwaDZAzisQPOVU4YVChrR0HgXwXdKff881JeY0OQoOB0zl9hR16Zl1df0bobITrQApi4vXRQ-LP5alzySShCQF9B0zqCkpeXeM0C1WmYwedwWzg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Lincoln man accused of sexually assaulting 12-year-old girl

GRAND ISLAND, Neb.-A California man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle near Grand Island.

The Hall County Sheriff's office said at around 2:43 a.m., deputies responded to the report of a crash on Interstate 80 near mile marker 310 in the eastbound lanes.

Before deputies arrived on the scene, they were told there had been a secondary accident.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a Nissan pickup pulling a U-Haul trailer was being driven eastbound by Salvador Duque, of Moreno, California, when it was struck from behind by an eastbound Peterbilt semi driven by Helena Coop.

Deputies said a passenger in the Nissan, Hector Stanley Duque, 47, of Moreno, California, exited the vehicle to lend aid to others involved. As he exited the vehicle, he was struck by a passing vehicle.

Authorities said Duque was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol.

Interstate 80 was closed for about four hours due to the accident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559744286393.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte PostGRAND ISLAND, Neb.-A California man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle near Grand Island.The Hall County Sheriff's office said at around 2:43 a.m., deputies responded to the report of a crash on Interstate 80 near mile marker 310 in the eastbound lanes.Before deputies arrived on the scene, they were told there had been a secondary accident.A preliminary investigation revealed that a Nissan pickup pulling a U-Haul trailer was being driven eastbound by Salvador Duque, of Moreno, California, when it was struck from behind by an eastbound Peterbilt semi driven by Helena Coop.Deputies said a passenger in the Nissan, Hector Stanley Duque, 47, of Moreno, California, exited the vehicle to lend aid to others involved. As he exited the vehicle, he was struck by a passing vehicle.Authorities said Duque was pronounced dead at the scene.The accident remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Nebraska State Patrol.Interstate 80 was closed for about four hours due to the accident.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WQVflw5e4EpHHRlXtBY-KVcAF0Xm8IKxYpB3n97TwaDZAzisQPOVU4YVChrR0HgXwXdKff881JeY0OQoOB0zl9hR16Zl1df0bobITrQApi4vXRQ-LP5alzySShCQF9B0zqCkpeXeM0C1WmYwedwWzg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Man lending aid at crash near Grand Island struck, killed by vehicle

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Thursday passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-2022-midterm-elections-biden-technology-business-7aa66d84e150a4c1d54831677075cee9">$280 billion package</a>&nbsp;to boost the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-congress-asia-economy-2868a5c494e99a2050a3f9495ba2b544">semiconductor industry</a>&nbsp;and scientific research in a bid to create more high-tech jobs in the United States and help it better compete with international rivals, namely China.

The House approved the bill by a solid margin of 243-187, sending the measure to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-united-states-economy-c034db7e761cd99e621118aac9d4d1d0">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to be signed into law and providing the White House with a major domestic policy victory. About two-dozen Republicans voted for the legislation.

"My plea is put politics aside. Get it done,” Biden said before the vote, adding it would give the U.S. “the ability not only to compete with China for the future, but to lead the world and win the economic competition of the 21st century.”

Republicans argued the government should not spend billions to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-technology-congress-government-and-politics-7993ca0bb5e31d0f2141d0c2b349f370">subsidize the semiconductor industry</a>&nbsp;and GOP leadership in the House recommended a vote against the bill, telling members the plan would provide enormous subsidies and tax credits "to a specific industry that does not need additional government handouts.”

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., said the way to help the industry would be through tax cuts and easing federal regulations, “not by picking winners and losers” with subsidies — an approach that Rep. Joseph Morelle, D-N.Y., said was too narrow.

“This affects every industry in the United States," Morelle said. “Take, for example, General Motors announcing they have 95,000 automobiles awaiting chips. So, you want to increase the supply of goods to people and help bring down inflation? This is about increasing the supply of goods all over the United States in every single industry.”

Some Republicans viewed passing the legislation as important for national security. Rep. Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said it was critical to protect semiconductor capacity in the U.S., which he said was too reliant on Taiwan for the most advanced chips. That could prove to be a major vulnerability should China try to take over the self-governing island that Beijing views as a breakaway province

“I've got a unique insight in this. I get the classified briefing. Not all these members do," McCaul said. “This is vitally important for our national security."

The bill provides more than $52 billion in grants and other incentives for the semiconductor industry as well as a 25% tax credit for those companies that invest in chip plants in the U.S. It calls for increased spending on various research programs that would total about $200 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-technology-health-climate-and-environment-c62a6ea7beb1b570fd510336212e49be">A late development in the Senate</a>&nbsp;— progress announced by Wednesday night by Democrats on a $739 billion health and climate change package — threatened to make it harder for supporters to get the semiconductor bill over the finish line, based on concerns about government spending.

Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said he was “disgusted" by the turn of events on Capitol Hill.

Despite bipartisan support for the research initiatives, “regrettably, and it's more regrettably than you can possibly imagine, I will not be casting my vote for the chips and science act today."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659038218236.png" alt="President Biden spoke virtually on Monday with business executives and labor leaders to discuss the Chips Act, a proposal to bolster domestic manufacturing-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden spoke virtually on Monday with business executives and labor leaders to discuss the Chips Act, a proposal to bolster domestic manufacturing-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Thursday passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-2022-midterm-elections-biden-technology-business-7aa66d84e150a4c1d54831677075cee9">$280 billion package</a>&nbsp;to boost the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-congress-asia-economy-2868a5c494e99a2050a3f9495ba2b544">semiconductor industry</a>&nbsp;and scientific research in a bid to create more high-tech jobs in the United States and help it better compete with international rivals, namely China.The House approved the bill by a solid margin of 243-187, sending the measure to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-united-states-economy-c034db7e761cd99e621118aac9d4d1d0">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to be signed into law and providing the White House with a major domestic policy victory. About two-dozen Republicans voted for the legislation."My plea is put politics aside. Get it done,” Biden said before the vote, adding it would give the U.S. “the ability not only to compete with China for the future, but to lead the world and win the economic competition of the 21st century.”Republicans argued the government should not spend billions to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-technology-congress-government-and-politics-7993ca0bb5e31d0f2141d0c2b349f370">subsidize the semiconductor industry</a>&nbsp;and GOP leadership in the House recommended a vote against the bill, telling members the plan would provide enormous subsidies and tax credits "to a specific industry that does not need additional government handouts.”Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., said the way to help the industry would be through tax cuts and easing federal regulations, “not by picking winners and losers” with subsidies — an approach that Rep. Joseph Morelle, D-N.Y., said was too narrow.“This affects every industry in the United States," Morelle said. “Take, for example, General Motors announcing they have 95,000 automobiles awaiting chips. So, you want to increase the supply of goods to people and help bring down inflation? This is about increasing the supply of goods all over the United States in every single industry.”Some Republicans viewed passing the legislation as important for national security. Rep. Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said it was critical to protect semiconductor capacity in the U.S., which he said was too reliant on Taiwan for the most advanced chips. That could prove to be a major vulnerability should China try to take over the self-governing island that Beijing views as a breakaway province“I've got a unique insight in this. I get the classified briefing. Not all these members do," McCaul said. “This is vitally important for our national security."The bill provides more than $52 billion in grants and other incentives for the semiconductor industry as well as a 25% tax credit for those companies that invest in chip plants in the U.S. It calls for increased spending on various research programs that would total about $200 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-technology-health-climate-and-environment-c62a6ea7beb1b570fd510336212e49be">A late development in the Senate</a>&nbsp;— progress announced by Wednesday night by Democrats on a $739 billion health and climate change package — threatened to make it harder for supporters to get the semiconductor bill over the finish line, based on concerns about government spending.Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said he was “disgusted" by the turn of events on Capitol Hill.Despite bipartisan support for the research initiatives, “regrettably, and it's more regrettably than you can possibly imagine, I will not be casting my vote for the chips and science act today."___

Congress OKs bill to aid computer chip firms, counter China

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and asking the public for help to locate two suspects identified as&nbsp;Nicole R. A. Fox, 41, and London D. Pike, 20, both of Topeka.

Just after&nbsp;8p.m. July 16, sheriff's deputies were dispatched for an unknown problem in the 11,000 block of SW 29th Street in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

&nbsp;A 27-year-old female victim was taken at gun point from Topeka to this location.

During this time, the victim was struck in the head with a firearm, threatened and stripped of her outer clothing. The victim’s black 2017 Chevrolet Malibu was stolen and she was left in the roadway. A citizen found her walking and called 911.

The victim received medical attention on scene by American Medical Response&nbsp;and was then transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Christian.

Throughout the investigation, two suspects have been identified as Fox and Pike. Anyone with information on them is asked to contact police or call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659024111950.png" alt="Pike-photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Pike-photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and asking the public for help to locate two suspects identified as&nbsp;Nicole R. A. Fox, 41, and London D. Pike, 20, both of Topeka.Just after&nbsp;8p.m. July 16, sheriff's deputies were dispatched for an unknown problem in the 11,000 block of SW 29th Street in Shawnee County, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.&nbsp;A 27-year-old female victim was taken at gun point from Topeka to this location.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659024081286.png" alt="Fox photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Fox photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>During this time, the victim was struck in the head with a firearm, threatened and stripped of her outer clothing. The victim’s black 2017 Chevrolet Malibu was stolen and she was left in the roadway. A citizen found her walking and called 911.The victim received medical attention on scene by American Medical Response&nbsp;and was then transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Christian.Throughout the investigation, two suspects have been identified as Fox and Pike. Anyone with information on them is asked to contact police or call 911.

Woman stripped at gunpoint, left on rural Kan. road after robbery

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/google-aims-to-help-nebraskas-demand-for-construction-workers/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — At least 100 teens, mostly in
 Omaha and Lincoln, will be offered a jump-start to a career in the 
construction industry and skilled trades as the result of a $150,000 
Google grant.

The global technology giant on 
Wednesday announced a partnership with the Nebraska chapter of the 
Associated Builders and Contractors that will provide pre-apprentice 
training to high school seniors and recent graduates.

The building and contractors group is
 to supply teachers, job shadow experiences and career fairs for the 
Construction 101 Certification Program, which is to be based at training
 centers in Omaha, Lincoln and possibly Council Bluffs.

The Google funds are to cover tuition
 and book costs, transportation, child care and meals. Students are to 
receive a $300 stipend upon completion of the program that introduces 
them to foundational skills needed to land a job in the construction 
industry during an era of record demand for workers.&nbsp;

Nebraska employment data shows the state with its lowest unemployment rate ever.

The latest state data shows that 
private industries with the most job growth during the last month were 
leisure and hospitality and construction.

The goal of the training program, 
said Anne Klute, president and CEO of the Associated Builders and 
Contractors Nebraska South Dakota Chapter, is to help fill the demand 
for skilled construction professionals and to engage a population in 
need of workforce opportunities.

“Google’s support will help us reach 
more community members who lack access to education and support needed 
to get into the construction and trade industries,” Klute said. “These 
programs are designed to help individuals find a meaningful job that 
offers security, room to grow and financial stability for them and their
 families.”&nbsp;

Klute said that more than 46,000 
workers in Nebraska have already chosen a career in construction, yet a 
“massive” skilled workforce shortage still exists. She cited an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases/entryid/19255/abc-construction-industry-faces-workforce-shortage-of-650-000-in-2022">analysis by the ABC</a>,
 which reported that the construction industry nationally needs to 
attract nearly 650,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of 
hiring in 2022 to meet the demand for labor.

The report said the Infrastructure 
Investment Jobs Act and stimulus from pandemic relief is expected to 
pump billions in new spending into infrastructure projects.

Of the Google grant, Klute said: 
“Investments like these build the people who are building the places 
where we live, work, play, heal and learn, and this foundational program
 will equip these local workers with the tools they need to build their 
career dreams.”

Wendy Peterson, Google’s regional 
workforce development leader, said the company is thrilled to work with 
the ABC. The grant is part of a larger effort to connect more Americans 
to quality training and jobs.

This year, Google is contributing 
$1.2 million toward education and pre-apprenticeship training programs 
for construction and skilled trades in five states where it operates 
data centers.

Klute said the funds should cover enrollment of at least 100 students, and probably more, depending on various factors.

Participants are to receive insight into job opportunities, as well. For<a target="_blank" href="http://www.abcnebraska.org/"> more information</a> or applications call 402.477.4451.

<a target="_blank" href="https://economicimpact.google.com/state/ne/?utm_source=shortlink2">Google entered</a>
 Nebraska in 2019, with a data center in Papillion. Earlier this year, 
the company broke ground on a data center in northwest Omaha.

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/google-aims-to-help-nebraskas-demand-for-construction-workers/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — At least 100 teens, mostly in
 Omaha and Lincoln, will be offered a jump-start to a career in the 
construction industry and skilled trades as the result of a $150,000 
Google grant.The global technology giant on 
Wednesday announced a partnership with the Nebraska chapter of the 
Associated Builders and Contractors that will provide pre-apprentice 
training to high school seniors and recent graduates.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659027334820.jpeg" alt="Bling at a 2022 Google event in Papillion to announce an investment. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Bling at a 2022 Google event in Papillion to announce an investment. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>The building and contractors group is
 to supply teachers, job shadow experiences and career fairs for the 
Construction 101 Certification Program, which is to be based at training
 centers in Omaha, Lincoln and possibly Council Bluffs.<h2>$300 stipend</h2>The Google funds are to cover tuition
 and book costs, transportation, child care and meals. Students are to 
receive a $300 stipend upon completion of the program that introduces 
them to foundational skills needed to land a job in the construction 
industry during an era of record demand for workers.&nbsp;Nebraska employment data shows the state with its lowest unemployment rate ever.The latest state data shows that 
private industries with the most job growth during the last month were 
leisure and hospitality and construction.The goal of the training program, 
said Anne Klute, president and CEO of the Associated Builders and 
Contractors Nebraska South Dakota Chapter, is to help fill the demand 
for skilled construction professionals and to engage a population in 
need of workforce opportunities.“Google’s support will help us reach 
more community members who lack access to education and support needed 
to get into the construction and trade industries,” Klute said. “These 
programs are designed to help individuals find a meaningful job that 
offers security, room to grow and financial stability for them and their
 families.”&nbsp;Klute said that more than 46,000 
workers in Nebraska have already chosen a career in construction, yet a 
“massive” skilled workforce shortage still exists. She cited an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abc.org/News-Media/News-Releases/entryid/19255/abc-construction-industry-faces-workforce-shortage-of-650-000-in-2022">analysis by the ABC</a>,
 which reported that the construction industry nationally needs to 
attract nearly 650,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of 
hiring in 2022 to meet the demand for labor. The report said the Infrastructure 
Investment Jobs Act and stimulus from pandemic relief is expected to 
pump billions in new spending into infrastructure projects.<h2>Build people who build places</h2>Of the Google grant, Klute said: 
“Investments like these build the people who are building the places 
where we live, work, play, heal and learn, and this foundational program
 will equip these local workers with the tools they need to build their 
career dreams.”Wendy Peterson, Google’s regional 
workforce development leader, said the company is thrilled to work with 
the ABC. The grant is part of a larger effort to connect more Americans 
to quality training and jobs.This year, Google is contributing 
$1.2 million toward education and pre-apprenticeship training programs 
for construction and skilled trades in five states where it operates 
data centers.Klute said the funds should cover enrollment of at least 100 students, and probably more, depending on various factors.Participants are to receive insight into job opportunities, as well. For<a target="_blank" href="http://www.abcnebraska.org/"> more information</a> or applications call 402.477.4451.<a target="_blank" href="https://economicimpact.google.com/state/ne/?utm_source=shortlink2">Google entered</a>
 Nebraska in 2019, with a data center in Papillion. Earlier this year, 
the company broke ground on a data center in northwest Omaha.

Google aims to help Nebraska’s demand for construction workers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy shrank from April through June for a second straight quarter, contracting at a 0.9% annual pace and raising fears that the nation may be approaching a recession.

The decline that the Commerce Department reported Thursday in the gross domestic product — the broadest gauge of the economy — followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-gross-domestic-product-3edd62d07a01d974971155506f235c59">a 1.6% annual drop from January through March</a>. Consecutive quarters of falling GDP constitute one informal, though not definitive, indicator of a recession.

The GDP report for last quarter pointed to weakness across the economy. Consumer spending slowed as Americans bought fewer goods. Business investment fell. Inventories tumbled as businesses slowed their restocking of shelves, shedding 2 percentage points from GDP.

Higher interest rates, a consequence of the Federal Reserve's series of rate hikes, clobbered home construction, which shrank at a 14% annual rate. Government spending dropped, too.

The report comes at a critical time. Consumers and businesses have been struggling under the weight of punishing inflation and higher borrowing costs. On Wednesday, the Fed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-interest-rate-hike-live-updates-6dab38b8235bc62bdf69b4710c6b84f5">raised its benchmark interest rate</a>&nbsp;by a sizable three-quarters of a point for a second straight time in its push to conquer the worst inflation outbreak in four decades.

The Fed is hoping to achieve a notoriously difficult “soft landing”: An economic slowdown that manages to rein in rocketing prices without triggering a recession.

Apart from the United States, the global economy as a whole is also grappling with high inflation and weakening growth, especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent energy and food prices soaring. Europe, highly dependent on Russian natural gas, appears especially vulnerable to a recession.

In the United States, the inflation surge and fear of a recession have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-consumer-confidence-540a7e866b29e504f67e1aec2e0ee547">eroded consumer confidence</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-inflation-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-economy-8702782d77505f711272f5f9d988d73f">stirred public anxiety about the economy</a>, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-economy-vital-signs-cec67f96f44d67d78edfd35f1dbd2522">sending frustratingly mixed signals</a>. And with the November midterm elections nearing, Americans’ discontent has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-russia-ukraine-biden-covid-health-b6d1751b2554555f7246f9e914b87c59">diminished President Joe Biden’s public approval ratings</a>&nbsp;and could increase the likelihood that the Democrats will lose control of the House and Senate.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell and many economists have said that while the economy is showing some weakening, they doubt it’s in recession. Many of them point, in particular, to a still-robust labor market, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-a8caceae5905d592eacf27e9972df7e1">11 million job openings</a>&nbsp;and an uncommonly low&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jobs-report-signs-of-economic-resilience-e83d996c4a6320b5785dde94d6c2f125">3.6% unemployment rate</a>, to suggest that a recession, if one does occur, is still a ways off.

“The back-to-back contraction of GDP will feed the debate about whether the U.S. is in, or soon headed for, a recession," said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets. “The fact that the economy created 2.7 million payrolls in the first half of the year would seem to argue against an official recession call for now."

Still, Guatieri said, “the economy has quickly lost steam in the face of four-decade high inflation, rapidly rising borrowing costs and a general tightening in financial conditions.”

In the meantime, Congress may be moving toward approving action to fight inflation under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-manchin-budget-agreement-7b0ee6e3e0b70357288fd69f44473b9b">an agreement announced Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat. Among other things,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-biden-health-climate-and-environment-7a267eeea21af0f44318e6b9d888c36c">the measure would allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices</a>&nbsp;with pharmaceutical companies, and the new revenue would be used to lower costs for seniors on medications. The measure would also extend subsidies that were provided early in the pandemic to help some Americans who buy health insurance on their own.

In the wake of Thursday’s second straight negative GDP report, Biden downplayed the news, pointing to continued low unemployment and strong hiring.

“Coming off of last year’s historic economic growth — and regaining all the private sector jobs lost during the pandemic crisis — it’s no surprise that the economy is slowing down as the Federal Reserve acts to bring down inflation," the president said in a statement. “But even as we face historic global challenges, we are on the right path and we will come through this transition stronger and more secure.’’

The government’s first of three estimates of GDP for the April-June quarter marks a drastic weakening from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-gross-domestic-product-fde10414fcf4fcd4994a88e6addc8dbd">5.7% growth the economy achieved last year</a>. That was the fastest calendar-year expansion since 1984, reflecting how vigorously the economy roared back from the brief but brutal pandemic recession of 2020.

But since then, the combination of mounting prices and higher borrowing costs have taken a toll. The Labor Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/cpi/#:~:text=The%20Consumer%20Price%20Index%20(CPI,U.S.%20and%20various%20geographic%20areas.">consumer price index skyrocketed 9.1%</a>&nbsp;in June from a year earlier, a pace not matched since 1981. And despite widespread pay raises, prices are surging faster than wages. In June, average hourly earnings, after adjusting for inflation, slid 3.6% from a year earlier, the 15th straight year-over-year drop.

Americans are still spending, though more tepidly. Thursday's report showed that consumer spending rose at a 1% annual pace from April through June, down from 1.8% in the first quarter and 2.5% in the final three months of 2021.

Spending on goods like appliances and furniture, which had soared while Americans were sheltering at home early in the pandemic, dropped at a 4.4% rate last quarter. Bit spending on services like airline trips and dinners out rose at a 4.1% rate, indicating that millions of consumers are venturing out more.

Before accounting for surging prices, the economy actually grew at a 7.8% annual pace in the April-June quarter. But inflation wiped out that gain and then some and produced a negative GDP number.

Against that backdrop, Americans are losing confidence. Their assessment of economic conditions six months from now has reached its lowest point since 2013, according to the Conference Board, a research group.

Recession risks have been growing as the Fed’s policymakers have pursued a campaign of rate hikes that will likely extend into 2023. The Fed’s hikes have already led to higher rates on credit cards and auto loans and to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-mortgages-mortgage-rates-195888d890ceb97524eb6fd1d766bd8e">a doubling of the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage</a>&nbsp;in the past year, to 5.5.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/home-sales-prices-mortgages-05b7ad48a6c13727ed160bae415d3baa">Home sales, which are especially sensitive to interest rate changes, have tumbled</a>.

Even with the economy recording a second straight quarter of negative GDP, many economists do not regard it as constituting a recession. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-covid-health-gross-domestic-product-economy-89cbfc145ad34a91679ffa43e617c896">definition of recession that is most widely accepted</a>&nbsp;is the one determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a group of economists whose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nber.org/news/business-cycle-dating-committee-announcement-july-19-2021">Business Cycle Dating Committee</a>&nbsp;defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and lasts more than a few months.”

The committee assesses a range of factors before publicly declaring the death of an economic expansion and the birth of a recession — and it often does so well after the fact.

“If we aren’t yet in a recession, we soon will be,'' said Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist for the economic consulting firm Maria Fiorini Ramirez Inc. “An economy rapidly losing momentum combined with aggressive monetary tightening is not a recipe for a soft landing or any other type of happy ending.''

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586444648763.png" alt="The report comes at a critical time. Consumers and businesses have been struggling under the weight of punishing inflation and higher borrowing costs." />
 <figcaption>The report comes at a critical time. Consumers and businesses have been struggling under the weight of punishing inflation and higher borrowing costs.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy shrank from April through June for a second straight quarter, contracting at a 0.9% annual pace and raising fears that the nation may be approaching a recession.The decline that the Commerce Department reported Thursday in the gross domestic product — the broadest gauge of the economy — followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-gross-domestic-product-3edd62d07a01d974971155506f235c59">a 1.6% annual drop from January through March</a>. Consecutive quarters of falling GDP constitute one informal, though not definitive, indicator of a recession.The GDP report for last quarter pointed to weakness across the economy. Consumer spending slowed as Americans bought fewer goods. Business investment fell. Inventories tumbled as businesses slowed their restocking of shelves, shedding 2 percentage points from GDP.Higher interest rates, a consequence of the Federal Reserve's series of rate hikes, clobbered home construction, which shrank at a 14% annual rate. Government spending dropped, too.The report comes at a critical time. Consumers and businesses have been struggling under the weight of punishing inflation and higher borrowing costs. On Wednesday, the Fed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-interest-rate-hike-live-updates-6dab38b8235bc62bdf69b4710c6b84f5">raised its benchmark interest rate</a>&nbsp;by a sizable three-quarters of a point for a second straight time in its push to conquer the worst inflation outbreak in four decades.The Fed is hoping to achieve a notoriously difficult “soft landing”: An economic slowdown that manages to rein in rocketing prices without triggering a recession.Apart from the United States, the global economy as a whole is also grappling with high inflation and weakening growth, especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent energy and food prices soaring. Europe, highly dependent on Russian natural gas, appears especially vulnerable to a recession.In the United States, the inflation surge and fear of a recession have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-consumer-confidence-540a7e866b29e504f67e1aec2e0ee547">eroded consumer confidence</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-inflation-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-economy-8702782d77505f711272f5f9d988d73f">stirred public anxiety about the economy</a>, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-economy-vital-signs-cec67f96f44d67d78edfd35f1dbd2522">sending frustratingly mixed signals</a>. And with the November midterm elections nearing, Americans’ discontent has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-russia-ukraine-biden-covid-health-b6d1751b2554555f7246f9e914b87c59">diminished President Joe Biden’s public approval ratings</a>&nbsp;and could increase the likelihood that the Democrats will lose control of the House and Senate.Fed Chair Jerome Powell and many economists have said that while the economy is showing some weakening, they doubt it’s in recession. Many of them point, in particular, to a still-robust labor market, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-a8caceae5905d592eacf27e9972df7e1">11 million job openings</a>&nbsp;and an uncommonly low&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jobs-report-signs-of-economic-resilience-e83d996c4a6320b5785dde94d6c2f125">3.6% unemployment rate</a>, to suggest that a recession, if one does occur, is still a ways off.“The back-to-back contraction of GDP will feed the debate about whether the U.S. is in, or soon headed for, a recession," said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets. “The fact that the economy created 2.7 million payrolls in the first half of the year would seem to argue against an official recession call for now."Still, Guatieri said, “the economy has quickly lost steam in the face of four-decade high inflation, rapidly rising borrowing costs and a general tightening in financial conditions.”In the meantime, Congress may be moving toward approving action to fight inflation under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-manchin-budget-agreement-7b0ee6e3e0b70357288fd69f44473b9b">an agreement announced Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat. Among other things,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-biden-health-climate-and-environment-7a267eeea21af0f44318e6b9d888c36c">the measure would allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices</a>&nbsp;with pharmaceutical companies, and the new revenue would be used to lower costs for seniors on medications. The measure would also extend subsidies that were provided early in the pandemic to help some Americans who buy health insurance on their own.In the wake of Thursday’s second straight negative GDP report, Biden downplayed the news, pointing to continued low unemployment and strong hiring.“Coming off of last year’s historic economic growth — and regaining all the private sector jobs lost during the pandemic crisis — it’s no surprise that the economy is slowing down as the Federal Reserve acts to bring down inflation," the president said in a statement. “But even as we face historic global challenges, we are on the right path and we will come through this transition stronger and more secure.’’The government’s first of three estimates of GDP for the April-June quarter marks a drastic weakening from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-gross-domestic-product-fde10414fcf4fcd4994a88e6addc8dbd">5.7% growth the economy achieved last year</a>. That was the fastest calendar-year expansion since 1984, reflecting how vigorously the economy roared back from the brief but brutal pandemic recession of 2020.But since then, the combination of mounting prices and higher borrowing costs have taken a toll. The Labor Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/cpi/#:~:text=The%20Consumer%20Price%20Index%20(CPI,U.S.%20and%20various%20geographic%20areas.">consumer price index skyrocketed 9.1%</a>&nbsp;in June from a year earlier, a pace not matched since 1981. And despite widespread pay raises, prices are surging faster than wages. In June, average hourly earnings, after adjusting for inflation, slid 3.6% from a year earlier, the 15th straight year-over-year drop.Americans are still spending, though more tepidly. Thursday's report showed that consumer spending rose at a 1% annual pace from April through June, down from 1.8% in the first quarter and 2.5% in the final three months of 2021.Spending on goods like appliances and furniture, which had soared while Americans were sheltering at home early in the pandemic, dropped at a 4.4% rate last quarter. Bit spending on services like airline trips and dinners out rose at a 4.1% rate, indicating that millions of consumers are venturing out more.Before accounting for surging prices, the economy actually grew at a 7.8% annual pace in the April-June quarter. But inflation wiped out that gain and then some and produced a negative GDP number.Against that backdrop, Americans are losing confidence. Their assessment of economic conditions six months from now has reached its lowest point since 2013, according to the Conference Board, a research group.Recession risks have been growing as the Fed’s policymakers have pursued a campaign of rate hikes that will likely extend into 2023. The Fed’s hikes have already led to higher rates on credit cards and auto loans and to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-mortgages-mortgage-rates-195888d890ceb97524eb6fd1d766bd8e">a doubling of the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage</a>&nbsp;in the past year, to 5.5.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/home-sales-prices-mortgages-05b7ad48a6c13727ed160bae415d3baa">Home sales, which are especially sensitive to interest rate changes, have tumbled</a>.Even with the economy recording a second straight quarter of negative GDP, many economists do not regard it as constituting a recession. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-covid-health-gross-domestic-product-economy-89cbfc145ad34a91679ffa43e617c896">definition of recession that is most widely accepted</a>&nbsp;is the one determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a group of economists whose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nber.org/news/business-cycle-dating-committee-announcement-july-19-2021">Business Cycle Dating Committee</a>&nbsp;defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and lasts more than a few months.”The committee assesses a range of factors before publicly declaring the death of an economic expansion and the birth of a recession — and it often does so well after the fact.“If we aren’t yet in a recession, we soon will be,'' said Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist for the economic consulting firm Maria Fiorini Ramirez Inc. “An economy rapidly losing momentum combined with aggressive monetary tightening is not a recipe for a soft landing or any other type of happy ending.''

Recession fear: US economy shrinks for a 2nd straight quarter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — More than 20 Republican attorneys general including Doug Peterson of Nebraska and Derek Schmidt of Kansas filed a lawsuit Tuesday against President Joe Biden's administration over a Department of Agriculture school meal program that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The challenge, led by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery, claims that the federal government is attempting to force states and schools to follow antidiscrimination requirements that “misconstrue the law.”

The coalition of attorneys general are hoping for a similar result to a separate challenge from earlier this month when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-sports-donald-trump-discrimination-gender-identity-bc841e715c2d93b2c2da2e10470aba13">Tennessee judge temporarily barred two federal agencies</a>&nbsp;from enforcing directives issued by Biden's administration that extended protections for LGBTQ people in schools and workplaces.

The judge sided with the attorneys general, ruling that the directives infringed on states’ right to enact laws, such as banning students from participating in sports based on their gender identity or requiring schools and businesses to provide bathrooms and showers to accommodate transgender people.

“This case is, yet again, about a federal agency trying to change law, which is Congress’ exclusive prerogative,” Slatery said in a statement. “The USDA simply does not have that authority. We have successfully challenged the Biden Administration’s other attempts to rewrite law and we will challenge this as well.”

In May, the USDA announced that it would include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as a violation of Title IX, the sweeping 1972 law that guarantees equity between the sexes in “any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The directive requires states to review allegations of discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as update their policies and signage.

The agency warned that states and schools that receive federal funds, which include the national school lunch program overseen by the USDA, have agreed to follow civil rights laws. Although the agency says it wants voluntary compliance, it also has promised to refer violations to the Department of Justice. It is not clear whether the federal government would hold back funding for school meal programs as part of its enforcement.

The directive followed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-supreme-courts-mi-state-wire-neil-gorsuch-ap-top-news-5a7b0e41a47a3c571dda69194758e7b1">landmark civil rights decision</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020 that, under a provision called Title VII, protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in the workplace.

According to the lawsuit, the attorneys general allege that the USDA's new directive is based on a “misreading” of the Supreme Court's ruling and did not provide states and other groups the opportunity to provide public comment.

The attorneys general involved in the lawsuit filed Tuesday are from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

A spokesperson for the USDA did not immediately return a request for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560216903799.png" alt="Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — More than 20 Republican attorneys general including Doug Peterson of Nebraska and Derek Schmidt of Kansas filed a lawsuit Tuesday against President Joe Biden's administration over a Department of Agriculture school meal program that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.The challenge, led by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery, claims that the federal government is attempting to force states and schools to follow antidiscrimination requirements that “misconstrue the law.”The coalition of attorneys general are hoping for a similar result to a separate challenge from earlier this month when a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-sports-donald-trump-discrimination-gender-identity-bc841e715c2d93b2c2da2e10470aba13">Tennessee judge temporarily barred two federal agencies</a>&nbsp;from enforcing directives issued by Biden's administration that extended protections for LGBTQ people in schools and workplaces.The judge sided with the attorneys general, ruling that the directives infringed on states’ right to enact laws, such as banning students from participating in sports based on their gender identity or requiring schools and businesses to provide bathrooms and showers to accommodate transgender people.“This case is, yet again, about a federal agency trying to change law, which is Congress’ exclusive prerogative,” Slatery said in a statement. “The USDA simply does not have that authority. We have successfully challenged the Biden Administration’s other attempts to rewrite law and we will challenge this as well.”In May, the USDA announced that it would include discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as a violation of Title IX, the sweeping 1972 law that guarantees equity between the sexes in “any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The directive requires states to review allegations of discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as update their policies and signage.The agency warned that states and schools that receive federal funds, which include the national school lunch program overseen by the USDA, have agreed to follow civil rights laws. Although the agency says it wants voluntary compliance, it also has promised to refer violations to the Department of Justice. It is not clear whether the federal government would hold back funding for school meal programs as part of its enforcement.The directive followed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-supreme-courts-mi-state-wire-neil-gorsuch-ap-top-news-5a7b0e41a47a3c571dda69194758e7b1">landmark civil rights decision</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020 that, under a provision called Title VII, protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in the workplace.According to the lawsuit, the attorneys general allege that the USDA's new directive is based on a “misreading” of the Supreme Court's ruling and did not provide states and other groups the opportunity to provide public comment.The attorneys general involved in the lawsuit filed Tuesday are from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.A spokesperson for the USDA did not immediately return a request for comment.

Nebraska joins 19 other states in lawsuit over LGBTQ school guidance

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against rivals he says are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war.

Kim’s speech to war veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War was apparently meant to boost internal unity in the impoverished country amid pandemic-related economic difficulties. While Kim has increasingly threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, it’s unlikely that he would use them first against the superior militaries of the U.S. and its allies, observers say.

“Our armed forces are completely prepared to respond to any crisis, and our country’s nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilize its absolute power dutifully, exactly and swiftly in accordance with its mission,” Kim said in Wednesday's speech, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

He accused the United States of “demonizing” North Korea to justify its hostile policies. Kim said regular U.S.-South Korea military drills that he claimed target the North highlight U.S. “double standards” and “gangster-like” aspects because it brands North Korea’s routine military activities — an apparent reference to its missile tests — as provocations or threats.

Kim also alleged the new South Korean government of President Yoon Suk Yeol is led by “confrontation maniacs” and “gangsters” who have gone further than previous South Korean conservative governments. Since taking office in May, the Yoon government has moved to strengthen Seoul’s military alliance with the United States and bolster its own capacity to neutralize North Korean nuclear threats including a preemptive strike capability.

“Talking about military action against our nation, which possesses absolute weapons that they fear the most, is preposterous and is very dangerous suicidal action,” Kim said. “Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our powerful strength and the Yoon Suk Yeol government and his military will be annihilated.”

South Korea expressed “deep regret” over Kim’s threat and said it maintains a readiness to cope with any provocation by North Korea in “a powerful, effective manner.”

In a statement read by spokesperson Kang In-sun, Yoon’s presidential national security office said South Korea will safeguard its national security and citizens’ safety based on a solid alliance with the United States. It urged North Korea to return to talks to take steps toward denuclearization.

Earlier Thursday, South Korea's Defense Ministry repeated its earlier position that it's been boosting its military capacity and joint defense posture with the United States to cope with escalating North Korean nuclear threats.

In April, Kim said North Korea could preemptively use nuclear weapons if threatened, saying they would “never be confined to the single mission of war deterrent.” Kim’s military has also test-launched nuclear-capable missiles that place both the U.S. mainland and South Korea within striking distance. U.S. and South Korean officials have repeatedly said in the past few months that North Korea is ready to conduct its first nuclear test in five years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565180589720.png" alt="Former Kansas Congressman and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in 2018 part of an efforts to reinvigorate nuclear talks between the two countries-photo U.S. State Department" />
 <figcaption>Former Kansas Congressman and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in 2018 part of an efforts to reinvigorate nuclear talks between the two countries-photo U.S. State Department</figcaption>
 </figure>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday, as he unleashed fiery rhetoric against rivals he says are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war.Kim’s speech to war veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War was apparently meant to boost internal unity in the impoverished country amid pandemic-related economic difficulties. While Kim has increasingly threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, it’s unlikely that he would use them first against the superior militaries of the U.S. and its allies, observers say.“Our armed forces are completely prepared to respond to any crisis, and our country’s nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilize its absolute power dutifully, exactly and swiftly in accordance with its mission,” Kim said in Wednesday's speech, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.He accused the United States of “demonizing” North Korea to justify its hostile policies. Kim said regular U.S.-South Korea military drills that he claimed target the North highlight U.S. “double standards” and “gangster-like” aspects because it brands North Korea’s routine military activities — an apparent reference to its missile tests — as provocations or threats.Kim also alleged the new South Korean government of President Yoon Suk Yeol is led by “confrontation maniacs” and “gangsters” who have gone further than previous South Korean conservative governments. Since taking office in May, the Yoon government has moved to strengthen Seoul’s military alliance with the United States and bolster its own capacity to neutralize North Korean nuclear threats including a preemptive strike capability.“Talking about military action against our nation, which possesses absolute weapons that they fear the most, is preposterous and is very dangerous suicidal action,” Kim said. “Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our powerful strength and the Yoon Suk Yeol government and his military will be annihilated.”South Korea expressed “deep regret” over Kim’s threat and said it maintains a readiness to cope with any provocation by North Korea in “a powerful, effective manner.”In a statement read by spokesperson Kang In-sun, Yoon’s presidential national security office said South Korea will safeguard its national security and citizens’ safety based on a solid alliance with the United States. It urged North Korea to return to talks to take steps toward denuclearization.Earlier Thursday, South Korea's Defense Ministry repeated its earlier position that it's been boosting its military capacity and joint defense posture with the United States to cope with escalating North Korean nuclear threats.In April, Kim said North Korea could preemptively use nuclear weapons if threatened, saying they would “never be confined to the single mission of war deterrent.” Kim’s military has also test-launched nuclear-capable missiles that place both the U.S. mainland and South Korea within striking distance. U.S. and South Korean officials have repeatedly said in the past few months that North Korea is ready to conduct its first nuclear test in five years.Kim is seeking greater public support as his country’s economy has been battered by pandemic-related border shutdowns, U.S.-led sanctions and his own mismanagement. In May, North Korea also admitted to its first COVID-19 outbreak, though the scale of illness and death is widely disputed in a country that lacks the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-south-korea-north-herbal-medicine-4d852893a81b60c4bf759e52a5d27615">modern medical capacity</a>&nbsp;to handle it.“Kim’s rhetoric inflates external threats to justify his militarily focused and economically struggling regime,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. “North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs are in violation of international law, but Kim tries to depict his destabilizing arms buildup as a righteous effort at self-defense.”Experts say North Korea will likely intensify its threats against the U.S. and South Korea as the allies prepare to expand summertime exercises. In recent years, the South Korean and U.S. militaries have canceled or downsized some of their regular exercises due to concerns about COVID-19 and to support now-stalled U.S.-led diplomacy aimed at convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear program in return for economic and political benefits.During Wednesday’s speech, Kim said his government recently set tasks to improve its military capability more speedily to respond to military pressure campaigns by its enemies, suggesting that he intends to go ahead with an expected nuclear test.But Cheong Seong-Chang at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea said North Korea won’t likely conduct its nuclear test before China, its major ally and biggest aid benefactor, holds its Communist Party convention in the autumn. He said China worries that a North Korean nuclear test could give the United States a justification to boost its security partnerships with its allies that it could use to check Chinese influence in the region.North Korea recently said it is moving to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak amid plummeting fever cases, but experts say it’s unclear if the country can lift its strict restrictions soon because it could face a viral resurgence later this year. During Wednesday’s event, Kim, veterans and others didn’t wear masks, state media photos showed. On Thursday, North Korea reported 11 fever cases, a huge drop from the peak of about 400,000 a day in May.North Korea has rejected U.S. and South Korean offers for medical relief items. It has also said it won’t return to talks with the United States unless it first abandons its hostile polices on the North, in an apparent reference to U.S.-led sanctions and U.S.-South Korean military drills.