<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/27/petition-signatures-turned-in-for-nebraska-paid-sick-leave-ballot-measure/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The 250,000 Nebraskans who work at least 30 hours a week but don’t have paid sick leave from their employers will likely get the chance to help secure the benefit at the ballot box.

Organizers of Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans announced Thursday that they were turning in 138,000 voter signatures aimed at putting a minimum level of sick leave into state law.

Jo Giles of Women’s Fund of Omaha, one of many groups helping with the petition drive, said they are confident the push has the 90,000 valid voter signatures required to reach the general election ballot.

The ballot initiative would require businesses with 20 or fewer employees to fund a minimum of five paid sick days a year for full-time employees. Bigger businesses would be required to fund seven days.

Full- and part-time employees would earn an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, organizers said. They could use it to handle personal and family illnesses.

“It’s a process of earning that time and then being able to use it when you need it,” Giles said.

If approved, those changes would take effect in October 2025. Other state ballot initiatives are in the final stretch of gathering signatures, which are due at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Supporters say the changes would help people in every industry, particularly those in factory, agricultural and service jobs, including manufacturing, restaurants, farm work and retail.&nbsp;

Rosa Pinto of the Heartland Workers Center, which advocates for worker rights and civic leadership, said no Nebraskan should have to choose between work and family or health.

She shared stories from a worker with diabetes who felt ill but couldn’t leave work for fear of being fired for missing work and others who had to leave their sick children home alone because of work.

“We deserve to fully recover before having to go back to work,” she said. “We deserve to take care of our loved ones without the pressure of suffering retaliation when we go back.”

Norberto Cazares Sanchez, a farm worker from near North Bend, said he drove two hours to attend the signature celebration in the basement of the Cornhusker Marriott in downtown Lincoln.

He said when you work 12 or 13 hours in the field, rest is sometimes hard to come by. He said as a single father, the flexibility would be helpful.&nbsp;

“I only have one kid of my own, but … my heart goes to everybody that has two or three,” Cazares Sanchez said.

Amelia Rosser, who owns Sheelytown Market, a small business in Omaha that sells plants and local artwork, said she is proud to support the effort to require paid sick leave.&nbsp;

She said she already offers sick time to her employees, as part of showing them that they and their families matter. She said some business owners won’t do that unless required.

“That is our responsibility to make sure that there’s a bare minimum requirement for everybody, and then to be able to go above and beyond that,” Rosser said.

Sue Martin of the state AFL-CIO union said too many employees feel pressured to keep working when sick. She said the change would help Nebraska businesses hire and retain workers.

Giles said it was frustrating to have to spend so much time and money on a workers rights issue the public supports but that the Legislature has failed to address.

“We’re glad that there are so many Nebraskans that rallied around this issue, that it’s a common sense issue,” she said. “Everyone’s faced a need to take paid sick time off.”

State lawmakers who have resisted requiring a minimum level of sick leave would have the option of changing a voter-approved law.&nbsp;

Becky Gould of Nebraska Appleseed said she hopes the Legislature would respect the will of the voters. Most observers expect the measure to pass if it reaches the ballot.

The group raised more than $424,000 to support the effort and still listed $310,000 in cash on hand at the end of May. Much of that backing came from nonprofit organizations.

No group has filed to raise funds to oppose the measure.

Alex Reuss, executive vice president of legislation and policy at the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce, said most Nebraska businesses already offer paid personal time or sick leave to compete for talent.

She said, “That’s why we prefer a federal approach that incentivizes even more businesses to offer paid leave, rather than a patchwork of state laws with inconsistent mandates that make it harder for them to care for their most valuable assets: Their employees.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719584875612.jpeg" alt="Advocates to enshrine a minimum level of paid sick leave for Nebraska workers in state law celebrate the announcement they gathered more than 138,000 signatures in hopes to qualify for the November ballot Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Advocates to enshrine a minimum level of paid sick leave for Nebraska workers in state law celebrate the announcement they gathered more than 138,000 signatures in hopes to qualify for the November ballot Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/27/petition-signatures-turned-in-for-nebraska-paid-sick-leave-ballot-measure/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The 250,000 Nebraskans who work at least 30 hours a week but don’t have paid sick leave from their employers will likely get the chance to help secure the benefit at the ballot box.Organizers of Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans announced Thursday that they were turning in 138,000 voter signatures aimed at putting a minimum level of sick leave into state law.Jo Giles of Women’s Fund of Omaha, one of many groups helping with the petition drive, said they are confident the push has the 90,000 valid voter signatures required to reach the general election ballot.<h2>How the change would work</h2>The ballot initiative would require businesses with 20 or fewer employees to fund a minimum of five paid sick days a year for full-time employees. Bigger businesses would be required to fund seven days.Full- and part-time employees would earn an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, organizers said. They could use it to handle personal and family illnesses.“It’s a process of earning that time and then being able to use it when you need it,” Giles said.If approved, those changes would take effect in October 2025. Other state ballot initiatives are in the final stretch of gathering signatures, which are due at 5 p.m. Wednesday.<h2>Who would be impacted</h2>Supporters say the changes would help people in every industry, particularly those in factory, agricultural and service jobs, including manufacturing, restaurants, farm work and retail.&nbsp;Rosa Pinto of the Heartland Workers Center, which advocates for worker rights and civic leadership, said no Nebraskan should have to choose between work and family or health.She shared stories from a worker with diabetes who felt ill but couldn’t leave work for fear of being fired for missing work and others who had to leave their sick children home alone because of work.“We deserve to fully recover before having to go back to work,” she said. “We deserve to take care of our loved ones without the pressure of suffering retaliation when we go back.”Norberto Cazares Sanchez, a farm worker from near North Bend, said he drove two hours to attend the signature celebration in the basement of the Cornhusker Marriott in downtown Lincoln.He said when you work 12 or 13 hours in the field, rest is sometimes hard to come by. He said as a single father, the flexibility would be helpful.&nbsp;“I only have one kid of my own, but … my heart goes to everybody that has two or three,” Cazares Sanchez said.<h2>Some businesses back change</h2>Amelia Rosser, who owns Sheelytown Market, a small business in Omaha that sells plants and local artwork, said she is proud to support the effort to require paid sick leave.&nbsp;She said she already offers sick time to her employees, as part of showing them that they and their families matter. She said some business owners won’t do that unless required.“That is our responsibility to make sure that there’s a bare minimum requirement for everybody, and then to be able to go above and beyond that,” Rosser said.Sue Martin of the state AFL-CIO union said too many employees feel pressured to keep working when sick. She said the change would help Nebraska businesses hire and retain workers.Giles said it was frustrating to have to spend so much time and money on a workers rights issue the public supports but that the Legislature has failed to address.“We’re glad that there are so many Nebraskans that rallied around this issue, that it’s a common sense issue,” she said. “Everyone’s faced a need to take paid sick time off.”<h2>Lawmakers could reverse any change</h2>State lawmakers who have resisted requiring a minimum level of sick leave would have the option of changing a voter-approved law.&nbsp;Becky Gould of Nebraska Appleseed said she hopes the Legislature would respect the will of the voters. Most observers expect the measure to pass if it reaches the ballot.The group raised more than $424,000 to support the effort and still listed $310,000 in cash on hand at the end of May. Much of that backing came from nonprofit organizations.No group has filed to raise funds to oppose the measure.Alex Reuss, executive vice president of legislation and policy at the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce, said most Nebraska businesses already offer paid personal time or sick leave to compete for talent.She said, “That’s why we prefer a federal approach that incentivizes even more businesses to offer paid leave, rather than a patchwork of state laws with inconsistent mandates that make it harder for them to care for their most valuable assets: Their employees.”

Petition signatures turned in for Nebraska paid sick leave ballot measure 

AccuWeather Global Weather Center –&nbsp;AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists alerted AccuWeather business customers and Premium+ users in the Whitman, Nebraska area of the imminent tornado 12 minutes before a destructive tornado impacted the community Tuesday evening. &nbsp;&nbsp;A National Weather Service tornado warning was not issued until roughly 4 minutes after the tornado had hit the community of Whitman. &nbsp;

AccuWeather expert meteorologists have been closely monitoring the threat of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in Nebraska this month;&nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On June 7, AccuWeather expert meteorologists&nbsp;<a href="https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/severe-weather-advisories/severe-weather-advisory-june-7-2024/">accurately predicted a major pattern shift</a>&nbsp;that would increase the risk of destructive thunderstorms and tornadoes across much of Nebraska and the Midwest.&nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AccuWeather expert meteorologists issued forecasts on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/severe-weather-advisories/severe-weather-advisory-june-24-2024/">highlighting the threat of severe thunderstorms</a>&nbsp;across Nebraska Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists were specifically concerned about the development of rapidly developing severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in western Nebraska Tuesday evening. Our team at AccuWeather’s Severe Weather Center observed intensifying rotation and other radar signatures developing near Whitman. &nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based on the predefined criteria AccuWeather has established, focused on&nbsp;preserving life and preventing injuries from rapidly developing tornadoes,&nbsp;AccuWeather&nbsp;meteorologists issued a Tornado Warning to AccuWeather business customers in the area requesting such alerts at 7:44 pm MDT. &nbsp;At the same time, an ‘AccuWeather Alert - Dangerous Weather Imminent: Tornado’ notification was issued, which are delivered within the Premium+ feature of the AccuWeather app.&nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Whitman area at 7:49pm MDT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists detected the first radar signature of potential tornado debris at 7:52pm MDT. &nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tornado impacted the Whitman area at approximately 7:56pm MDT, according to radar data.&nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 8pm MDT, roughly four minutes after the tornado impacted Whitman.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter says the team of Storm Warning Meteorologists at AccuWeather’s Severe Weather Center in Wichita, Kansas are committed to monitoring severe weather threats and issuing timely, life-saving alerts, even in situations when government sources do not issue warnings to the public. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists believed that the thunderstorm had the potential to produce a tornado at any moment. When minutes matter, advance notice is critical, especially since this episode occurred around sunset,” said Porter. “Tornadoes at sunset into the overnight hours are more dangerous because many people are getting ready to go to bed or are sleeping and may not be as aware of what is going on around them, and therefore need extra time to move to safe shelter. Tornadoes that happen at night are two times more fatal than tornadoes that occur during the day.”&nbsp;

The warning issued by AccuWeather is the only known source to provide valuable advance notice of 12 minutes, providing people with time to prepare and take shelter before the tornado impacted Whitman. &nbsp;

The tornado resulted in significant damage to homes and businesses in the area. At least one injury was reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719582206104.jpeg" alt="EF-3 Tornado outside of Whitman, NE (Courtesy of Sheriff Rath)" />
 <figcaption>EF-3 Tornado outside of Whitman, NE (Courtesy of Sheriff Rath)</figcaption>
 </figure>Bill WadellAccuWeatherAccuWeather Global Weather Center –&nbsp;AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists alerted AccuWeather business customers and Premium+ users in the Whitman, Nebraska area of the imminent tornado 12 minutes before a destructive tornado impacted the community Tuesday evening. &nbsp;&nbsp;A National Weather Service tornado warning was not issued until roughly 4 minutes after the tornado had hit the community of Whitman. &nbsp;AccuWeather expert meteorologists have been closely monitoring the threat of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in Nebraska this month;&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On June 7, AccuWeather expert meteorologists&nbsp;<a href="https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/severe-weather-advisories/severe-weather-advisory-june-7-2024/">accurately predicted a major pattern shift</a>&nbsp;that would increase the risk of destructive thunderstorms and tornadoes across much of Nebraska and the Midwest.&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AccuWeather expert meteorologists issued forecasts on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/severe-weather-advisories/severe-weather-advisory-june-24-2024/">highlighting the threat of severe thunderstorms</a>&nbsp;across Nebraska Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists were specifically concerned about the development of rapidly developing severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in western Nebraska Tuesday evening. Our team at AccuWeather’s Severe Weather Center observed intensifying rotation and other radar signatures developing near Whitman. &nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Based on the predefined criteria AccuWeather has established, focused on&nbsp;preserving life and preventing injuries from rapidly developing tornadoes,&nbsp;AccuWeather&nbsp;meteorologists issued a Tornado Warning to AccuWeather business customers in the area requesting such alerts at 7:44 pm MDT. &nbsp;At the same time, an ‘AccuWeather Alert - Dangerous Weather Imminent: Tornado’ notification was issued, which are delivered within the Premium+ feature of the AccuWeather app.&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Whitman area at 7:49pm MDT.&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists detected the first radar signature of potential tornado debris at 7:52pm MDT. &nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tornado impacted the Whitman area at approximately 7:56pm MDT, according to radar data.&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at 8pm MDT, roughly four minutes after the tornado impacted Whitman.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter says the team of Storm Warning Meteorologists at AccuWeather’s Severe Weather Center in Wichita, Kansas are committed to monitoring severe weather threats and issuing timely, life-saving alerts, even in situations when government sources do not issue warnings to the public. &nbsp;&nbsp;“AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologists believed that the thunderstorm had the potential to produce a tornado at any moment. When minutes matter, advance notice is critical, especially since this episode occurred around sunset,” said Porter. “Tornadoes at sunset into the overnight hours are more dangerous because many people are getting ready to go to bed or are sleeping and may not be as aware of what is going on around them, and therefore need extra time to move to safe shelter. Tornadoes that happen at night are two times more fatal than tornadoes that occur during the day.”&nbsp;The warning issued by AccuWeather is the only known source to provide valuable advance notice of 12 minutes, providing people with time to prepare and take shelter before the tornado impacted Whitman. &nbsp;The tornado resulted in significant damage to homes and businesses in the area. At least one injury was reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

AccuWeather meteorologists issued life-saving tornado warning 12 minutes before a tornado hit Whitman, Nebraska 

Lincoln, NE - Dennis Winfrey of Hastings is the third winner of a 2024 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew truck in the 29th edition of the Nebraska Lottery’s $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game.

Winfrey purchased his winning Truck$ &amp; Buck$ ticket at Coach’s Corner at 3212 Osborne Drive E in Hastings. He was presented with his new truck at Coach’s Corner on Thursday, May 27 by Nebraska Lottery officials.

He’d been considering buying a new truck sometime in the near future, so Winfrey decided to give Truck$ &amp; Buck$ a go.

“Somebody’s gotta win it,” he said.

Winfrey lives nearby and whenever he grabbed something at Coach’s Corner, he’d usually grab a Truck$ &amp; Buck$ ticket.

In all, Winfrey estimated he’d only bought about 50 tickets total, about half of which won at least a small prize.

“I figure I’ve probably got $20 in this truck,” he said.

The 29th edition of the Nebraska Lottery’s popular $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game features the 2024 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew truck as its top prize. Players have the opportunity to win one of eight Ford F-150 trucks as well as thousands of cash prizes. The truck prize is valued at $81,500, which includes $976 for costs associated with ownership and state and federal withholding paid by the Nebraska Lottery of $4,075 and $19,560, respectively. The odds of winning the top prize in Truck$ &amp; Buck$ are 1 in 336,000, while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.69.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $978 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719581893428.jpeg" alt="Dennis Winfrey of Hastings won the third Ford F-150 truck prize in the 2024 edition of the Nebraska Lottery's $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game. He was presented with his new truck at an event at Coach’s Corner, 3212 Osborne Drive E in Hastings on June 27, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Dennis Winfrey of Hastings won the third Ford F-150 truck prize in the 2024 edition of the Nebraska Lottery's $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game. He was presented with his new truck at an event at Coach’s Corner, 3212 Osborne Drive E in Hastings on June 27, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure>Neil WatsonNebraska LotteryLincoln, NE - Dennis Winfrey of Hastings is the third winner of a 2024 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew truck in the 29th edition of the Nebraska Lottery’s $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game.Winfrey purchased his winning Truck$ &amp; Buck$ ticket at Coach’s Corner at 3212 Osborne Drive E in Hastings. He was presented with his new truck at Coach’s Corner on Thursday, May 27 by Nebraska Lottery officials.He’d been considering buying a new truck sometime in the near future, so Winfrey decided to give Truck$ &amp; Buck$ a go.“Somebody’s gotta win it,” he said.Winfrey lives nearby and whenever he grabbed something at Coach’s Corner, he’d usually grab a Truck$ &amp; Buck$ ticket.In all, Winfrey estimated he’d only bought about 50 tickets total, about half of which won at least a small prize.“I figure I’ve probably got $20 in this truck,” he said.The 29th edition of the Nebraska Lottery’s popular $2 Truck$ &amp; Buck$ Scratch game features the 2024 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCrew truck as its top prize. Players have the opportunity to win one of eight Ford F-150 trucks as well as thousands of cash prizes. The truck prize is valued at $81,500, which includes $976 for costs associated with ownership and state and federal withholding paid by the Nebraska Lottery of $4,075 and $19,560, respectively. The odds of winning the top prize in Truck$ &amp; Buck$ are 1 in 336,000, while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.69.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $978 million has been raised for the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery began in 1993. All 93 counties in Nebraska have benefited from projects funded with these Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

Hastings Man Claims Third Truck$ & Buck$ F150

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump pitched to undecided voters Thursday night during the first debate of the presidential campaign — trading insults over their policy differences, immigration and who represents a threat to democracy.

During the debate from CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta, the two men argued over who can do better for Americans during the next four years on a broad swath of issues, ranging from the economy to climate change to foreign policy. Each repeatedly accused the other of lying.

Biden early in the debate spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave several somewhat confusing answers. At one point, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought and ended an answer with the statement that “we finally beat Medicare.”

The two disagreed sharply over access to reproductive rights, including abortion, with Trump arguing Democrats’ position is “radical” and Biden saying that leaving decisions up to the states has been “terrible” for women.

Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, did not shake hands at the beginning, a break from past debates.

Near the end of the debate, Trump said political violence was “totally unacceptable,” though he went on to downplay the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, defending the conduct of his mob of supporters.

Trump initially did not directly answer a question about whether he would accept the results of the election if he lost. When pressed by moderator Dana Bash, Trump conditioned his answer.

Even with rules meant to minimize crosstalk, the debate — moderated by Bash, anchor and chief political correspondent, and Jake Tapper, anchor and chief Washington correspondent — saw many moments of acrimony.

While Trump had harsh words about Biden’s border policy and Biden blasted his predecessor for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, they saved their harshest criticism for the other’s personal conduct.

Referring to reports that, as president, Trump said veterans killed in action in France during World War II were “suckers and losers,” Biden, invoked his son, Beau, who was a National Guard veteran and later died of brain cancer.

“My son was not a loser and was not a sucker,” Biden told his predecessor, scowling. “You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”

Trump denied he ever made the remark, first reported in The Atlantic and confirmed in other reports.

Biden at several times attacked Trump’s credibility and truthfulness, saying after one answer, “Every single thing he said is a lie.”

“I never heard so much malarkey in my whole life,” he said in response to another of Trump’s answers.

Trump brought up the conviction of Biden’s son, Hunter, on federal gun charges this year. And he said that Joe Biden could face prosecution for his performance on border security.

Trump and his legal team argued in front of the Supreme Court in April that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution.

Thursday’s event was the first presidential debate where one participant was a convicted felon.

A New York state jury in May found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels for an affair she testified they had that Trump didn’t want to harm his 2016 election prospects.

Trump has denied the affair and it hasn’t affected his support within the GOP, though his sentencing July 11 could affect his campaign strategy.

Trump rejected his criminal conviction during the debate and reiterated his stance that he didn’t have a sexual relationship with an adult film star.

“I didn’t have sex with a porn star,” Trump said, marking the first time such words, or anything near them, have been uttered during a presidential debate.

“I did nothing wrong, we have a system that was rigged and disgusting,” Trump said. “I did nothing wrong.”

Trump also responded to the question by referring to Hunter Biden.

“When he talks about a convicted felon, his son is a convicted felon,” Trump said.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release a ruling within days in another trial involving Trump, this time on whether presidents enjoy complete immunity from criminal prosecution for their actions while in office.

The justices’ decision will determine whether a federal trial against Trump for election interference stemming from his actions on Jan. 6, 2021 can proceed.

During the debate, Trump said that “on January 6 we were respected all over the world,” but that changed after Biden took office.

Trump seemed to imply that the people who stormed the Capitol building were “innocent” and “patriotic,” saying that “you ought to be ashamed of yourself” for those people being in prison.

Biden said that Trump encouraged the “folks” who attacked the U.S. Capitol building and U.S. Capitol Police officers.

“If they’re convicted, he says he wants to commute their sentences,” Biden said, criticizing Trump’s behavior that day. “These people should be in jail. They should be the ones held accountable.”

Biden rejected the idea that the people who attacked the police and disrupted the electoral certification were patriots.

Reproductive rights — including access to abortion — sharply divided Biden and Trump, who sparred over which political party’s stance is better.

Trump said that he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision earlier this month to leave access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, in place. And he said he wouldn’t seek to limit access if elected president in November.

“I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it,” Trump said, adding that the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion was a good thing.

“We brought it back to the states and the country is now coming together on this issue,” Trump said. “It’s been a great thing.”

Trump said he supports exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the woman.

Biden rejected Trump’s classification that Democrats are “radical” on abortion policy and said he supports reinstating the protections that existed under Roe v. Wade.

“It’s been a terrible thing,” Biden said of leaving decisions about abortion access up to state lawmakers, comparing it to leaving civil rights decisions up to the states.

Trump said during an interview with Time magazine released in April that his campaign was on the brink of releasing a policy regarding mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion. The campaign has yet to release that policy.

Trump suggested that he would be okay with states limiting or barring access to contraception during a May interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station. But he quickly walked back those comments in a social media post.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative-leaning think tank, has suggested that another Trump administration could block the mailing of mifepristone by enforcing the Comstock Act.

The group included the proposal along with dozens of others in Project 2025, its 920-page blueprint for a second Trump administration.

The 1873 anti-obscenity law hasn’t been enforced in decades and is referred to as a “zombie law” by reproductive rights organizations, but it is still technically a law.

A future Republican attorney general seeking to enforce the law to block the mailing of mifepristone would likely see the law challenged in court, likely working its way up to the Supreme Court.

Mifepristone is one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions, which are approved for up to 10 weeks gestation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The two-drug regimen accounts for about 63% of all abortions within the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

The two presidential debates this year are a departure from past years, with both candidates ditching the proposed schedule from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.

Biden and Trump later agreed to two debates, the one held Thursday by CNN and another one on Sept. 10 that will be hosted by ABC News.

CNN opted to hold its debate at its studios in Atlanta, Georgia, without an audience. Thursday night’s debate was also earlier than any other presidential debates, which have traditionally begun in September or October.

The television news network created frustration ahead of the debate with the White House Correspondents Association when it decided to keep the pool, the group of journalists that travel everywhere with the president, out of the room.

Kelly O’Donnell, president of the WHCA, released a statement Thursday afternoon that the organization was “deeply concerned that CNN has rejected our repeated requests to include the White House travel pool inside the studio.”

“The pool is there for the ‘what ifs?’ in a world where the unexpected does happen,” wrote O’Donnell, who is also the senior White House correspondent for NBC News. “A pool reporter is present to provide context and insight by direct observation and not through the lens of the television production.”

CNN’s rules also said that neither Biden nor Trump was allowed to bring props or pre-written notes into the debate area.

Each stood behind “a uniform podium” and was not allowed to interact with campaign staff during the two commercial breaks.

Biden was scheduled to travel with first lady Jill Biden to Raleigh, North Carolina, immediately after the debate wrapped. They’re set to participate in campaign events on Friday morning before traveling to New York later in the day.

The Bidens are then expected to travel to Red Bank, New Jersey, on Saturday for more campaigning before heading back to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.

Trump will attend a campaign rally Friday afternoon in Chesapeake, Virginia. In a release announcing the event, Trump criticized Biden on inflation, crime and drug addiction, and immigration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719543043285.png" alt="Image from the CNN video of the debate via CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image from the CNN video of the debate via CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump pitched to undecided voters Thursday night during the first debate of the presidential campaign — trading insults over their policy differences, immigration and who represents a threat to democracy.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: President Biden and former President Trump respond to question on abortion during CNN Presidential Debate. <a href="https://t.co/xsJ1ATvlTP">pic.twitter.com/xsJ1ATvlTP</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806500194055311622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump: &quot;I really don&#39;t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don&#39;t think he knows what he said either.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/V106E98OSy">pic.twitter.com/V106E98OSy</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806500264200851728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on January 6th: &quot;He didn&#39;t do a damn thing.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cVb3vIaD5r">pic.twitter.com/cVb3vIaD5r</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806506398454288835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump: &quot;On January 6th we had a great border...On January 6th we were energy independent...On January 6th we had the lowest taxes ever. We had the lowest regulations ever...On January 6th we were respected all over the world...and then he comes in and we&#39;re now laughed at...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mWxQEAwyFL">pic.twitter.com/mWxQEAwyFL</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806506179574579401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: CNN Presidential Debate segment on federal convictions and the right to go after political opponents. President Biden: &quot;You have the morals of an alley cat.&quot; Former President Trump: &quot;I didn&#39;t have sex with a porn star.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Gt3j4CzNXY">pic.twitter.com/Gt3j4CzNXY</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806509416331497560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fmr President Trump: &quot;He is the worst president...he&#39;s destroyed our country...If he wins this election our country doesn&#39;t have a chance.&quot; President Biden: &quot;We are the most admired country in the world. We are the United States of America. There&#39;s nothing beyond our capacity.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/osHgAAdEx2">pic.twitter.com/osHgAAdEx2</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806513139694895174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on his age: &quot;Well, I took two tests, cognitive tests. I aced them. Both of them as you know. We made it public. He took none. I&#39;d like to see him take one. Just one...I just won two club championships, not even senior...he can&#39;t hit a ball 50 yards.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/j60qKGNe2h">pic.twitter.com/j60qKGNe2h</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806516579305214145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: CNN Presidential Debate segment on federal convictions and the right to go after political opponents. President Biden: &quot;You have the morals of an alley cat.&quot; Former President Trump: &quot;I didn&#39;t have sex with a porn star.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Gt3j4CzNXY">pic.twitter.com/Gt3j4CzNXY</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806509416331497560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on if he&#39;ll accept the results of the presidential election and say that political violence is unacceptable: &quot;I shouldn&#39;t have to say that, but of course I&#39;ll believe that. It&#39;s totally unacceptable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Jxy3OHlnZW">pic.twitter.com/Jxy3OHlnZW</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806517240168325546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>During the debate from CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta, the two men argued over who can do better for Americans during the next four years on a broad swath of issues, ranging from the economy to climate change to foreign policy. Each repeatedly accused the other of lying.Biden early in the debate spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave several somewhat confusing answers. At one point, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought and ended an answer with the statement that “we finally beat Medicare.”The two disagreed sharply over access to reproductive rights, including abortion, with Trump arguing Democrats’ position is “radical” and Biden saying that leaving decisions up to the states has been “terrible” for women.Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, did not shake hands at the beginning, a break from past debates.Near the end of the debate, Trump said political violence was “totally unacceptable,” though he went on to downplay the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, defending the conduct of his mob of supporters.Trump initially did not directly answer a question about whether he would accept the results of the election if he lost. When pressed by moderator Dana Bash, Trump conditioned his answer.<h2>Jabs over personal conduct</h2>Even with rules meant to minimize crosstalk, the debate — moderated by Bash, anchor and chief political correspondent, and Jake Tapper, anchor and chief Washington correspondent — saw many moments of acrimony.While Trump had harsh words about Biden’s border policy and Biden blasted his predecessor for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, they saved their harshest criticism for the other’s personal conduct.Referring to reports that, as president, Trump said veterans killed in action in France during World War II were “suckers and losers,” Biden, invoked his son, Beau, who was a National Guard veteran and later died of brain cancer.“My son was not a loser and was not a sucker,” Biden told his predecessor, scowling. “You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”Trump denied he ever made the remark, first reported in The Atlantic and confirmed in other reports.Biden at several times attacked Trump’s credibility and truthfulness, saying after one answer, “Every single thing he said is a lie.”“I never heard so much malarkey in my whole life,” he said in response to another of Trump’s answers.Trump brought up the conviction of Biden’s son, Hunter, on federal gun charges this year. And he said that Joe Biden could face prosecution for his performance on border security.Trump and his legal team argued in front of the Supreme Court in April that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution.<h2>Trump’s conviction</h2>Thursday’s event was the first presidential debate where one participant was a convicted felon.A New York state jury in May found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels for an affair she testified they had that Trump didn’t want to harm his 2016 election prospects.Trump has denied the affair and it hasn’t affected his support within the GOP, though his sentencing July 11 could affect his campaign strategy.Trump rejected his criminal conviction during the debate and reiterated his stance that he didn’t have a sexual relationship with an adult film star.“I didn’t have sex with a porn star,” Trump said, marking the first time such words, or anything near them, have been uttered during a presidential debate.“I did nothing wrong, we have a system that was rigged and disgusting,” Trump said. “I did nothing wrong.”Trump also responded to the question by referring to Hunter Biden.“When he talks about a convicted felon, his son is a convicted felon,” Trump said.<h2>Jan. 6 disagreement</h2>The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release a ruling within days in another trial involving Trump, this time on whether presidents enjoy complete immunity from criminal prosecution for their actions while in office.The justices’ decision will determine whether a federal trial against Trump for election interference stemming from his actions on Jan. 6, 2021 can proceed.During the debate, Trump said that “on January 6 we were respected all over the world,” but that changed after Biden took office.Trump seemed to imply that the people who stormed the Capitol building were “innocent” and “patriotic,” saying that “you ought to be ashamed of yourself” for those people being in prison.Biden said that Trump encouraged the “folks” who attacked the U.S. Capitol building and U.S. Capitol Police officers.“If they’re convicted, he says he wants to commute their sentences,” Biden said, criticizing Trump’s behavior that day. “These people should be in jail. They should be the ones held accountable.”Biden rejected the idea that the people who attacked the police and disrupted the electoral certification were patriots.<h2>Divide on abortion rights</h2>Reproductive rights — including access to abortion — sharply divided Biden and Trump, who sparred over which political party’s stance is better.Trump said that he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision earlier this month to leave access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, in place. And he said he wouldn’t seek to limit access if elected president in November.“I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it,” Trump said, adding that the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion was a good thing.“We brought it back to the states and the country is now coming together on this issue,” Trump said. “It’s been a great thing.”Trump said he supports exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the woman.Biden rejected Trump’s classification that Democrats are “radical” on abortion policy and said he supports reinstating the protections that existed under Roe v. Wade.“It’s been a terrible thing,” Biden said of leaving decisions about abortion access up to state lawmakers, comparing it to leaving civil rights decisions up to the states.Trump said during an interview with Time magazine released in April that his campaign was on the brink of releasing a policy regarding mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion. The campaign has yet to release that policy.Trump suggested that he would be okay with states limiting or barring access to contraception during a May interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station. But he quickly walked back those comments in a social media post.The Heritage Foundation, a conservative-leaning think tank, has suggested that another Trump administration could block the mailing of mifepristone by enforcing the Comstock Act.The group included the proposal along with dozens of others in Project 2025, its 920-page blueprint for a second Trump administration.The 1873 anti-obscenity law hasn’t been enforced in decades and is referred to as a “zombie law” by reproductive rights organizations, but it is still technically a law.A future Republican attorney general seeking to enforce the law to block the mailing of mifepristone would likely see the law challenged in court, likely working its way up to the Supreme Court.Mifepristone is one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions, which are approved for up to 10 weeks gestation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The two-drug regimen accounts for about 63% of all abortions within the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute.<h2>First of two debates</h2>The two presidential debates this year are a departure from past years, with both candidates ditching the proposed schedule from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.Biden and Trump later agreed to two debates, the one held Thursday by CNN and another one on Sept. 10 that will be hosted by ABC News.CNN opted to hold its debate at its studios in Atlanta, Georgia, without an audience. Thursday night’s debate was also earlier than any other presidential debates, which have traditionally begun in September or October.The television news network created frustration ahead of the debate with the White House Correspondents Association when it decided to keep the pool, the group of journalists that travel everywhere with the president, out of the room.Kelly O’Donnell, president of the WHCA, released a statement Thursday afternoon that the organization was “deeply concerned that CNN has rejected our repeated requests to include the White House travel pool inside the studio.”“The pool is there for the ‘what ifs?’ in a world where the unexpected does happen,” wrote O’Donnell, who is also the senior White House correspondent for NBC News. “A pool reporter is present to provide context and insight by direct observation and not through the lens of the television production.”CNN’s rules also said that neither Biden nor Trump was allowed to bring props or pre-written notes into the debate area.Each stood behind “a uniform podium” and was not allowed to interact with campaign staff during the two commercial breaks.Biden was scheduled to travel with first lady Jill Biden to Raleigh, North Carolina, immediately after the debate wrapped. They’re set to participate in campaign events on Friday morning before traveling to New York later in the day.The Bidens are then expected to travel to Red Bank, New Jersey, on Saturday for more campaigning before heading back to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.Trump will attend a campaign rally Friday afternoon in Chesapeake, Virginia. In a release announcing the event, Trump criticized Biden on inflation, crime and drug addiction, and immigration.

🎥 Biden and Trump trade insults, accusations of lying in acrimonious presidential debate

PUEBLO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have captured a Kansas man wanted on multiple allegations.

Earlier this week, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that 40-year-old Ryan Antalek of Wichita was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City. 

Kansas authorities had been seeking Antalek, who was considered dangerous, on the warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.

Sheriff's detectives&nbsp; and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.

Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas that includes warrants for felony aggravated assault with a firearm; criminal discharge into a dwelling; felony stalking; felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement; two charges of criminal threats and criminal damage to property. He is being held in Pueblo County Jail where he will await extradition to Kansas

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719500728222.png" alt="Antalek photo Pueblo Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Antalek photo Pueblo Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PUEBLO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have captured a Kansas man wanted on multiple allegations.Earlier this week, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that 40-year-old Ryan Antalek of Wichita was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City. Kansas authorities had been seeking Antalek, who was considered dangerous, on the warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.Sheriff's detectives&nbsp; and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas that includes warrants for felony aggravated assault with a firearm; criminal discharge into a dwelling; felony stalking; felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement; two charges of criminal threats and criminal damage to property. He is being held in Pueblo County Jail where he will await extradition to Kansas

Wanted Kansas fugitive captured at hotel in Colorado 

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/26/questions-remain-as-gov-pillen-doubles-down-on-taking-over-k-12-public-school-funding/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

COLUMBUS, Nebraska —&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen confirmed Wednesday he is asking the State of Nebraska to take on most or all public K-12 school spending, instead of funding schools through local property taxes. The shift would be a national standout.

Speaking Wednesday in his hometown of Columbus, Pillen said having the state take on an additional $1.65 billion to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-eyes-nebraska-taking-over-k-12-school-funding-instead-of-local-property-taxes/">fund K-12 schools</a>,&nbsp;instead of funding schools through local property taxes, would be a win-win.&nbsp;

He is also seeking to cap local political subdivisions’ year-to-year spending increases, either at 0% or the level of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/cpi/" target="_blank">consumer price index</a>, a measure of inflation. CPI for May 2024 was at 3.3%.

“Having the state fund our children will do nothing but strengthen our education,” Pillen told reporters after the town hall event.

School advocates and multiple state senators told the Nebraska Examiner their understanding of Pillen’s plan was that the state would take over the general expenditures for schools, minus special building projects or bond levies that would be left up to local school boards.&nbsp;

However, Pillen confirmed at the town hall and with reporters he is eyeing all K-12 funding, which would be a dramatic shift from the state’s current model.&nbsp;

Ryan Loseke, a former Lakeview Community Schools board member who served from 2011 to 2023, expressed concern the idea would remove local control for the state’s 244 public school districts, which have their own culture and priorities.

“I’m concerned about how this looks and a little more comfortable with foundation aid,” Loseke told Pillen.

Pillen said the model would be similar to how the state has assumed funding of community colleges. Legislation passed in 2023 shifting the source of funding for community colleges, from property taxes to state funds. Still, the colleges retained a limited “backstop” to return to funding via property taxes if state funding dried up.

The governor also pointed to his previous political office on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, on which he served for about 10 years. The board is in charge of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/20/nu-regents-approve-inflationary-tuition-increases-millions-in-cuts-for-2024-25-budget/">delegating state funds for university spending</a>.

“You know how much authority the Board of Regents has on getting money? Zero,” Pillen said.

NU leaders publicize their two-year state funding request every other August and then testify alongside all other agencies before the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee each spring. The committee&nbsp; forwards its spending recommendations to the full Legislature.

In 2023, Pillen’s first year as governor, NU requested a 3% increase in state aid, for example. Pillen had included a 2% increase in his initial budget, and the Legislature landed in the middle. About 60% of NU’s state-aided $1.1 billion budget is from the state, while the rest is funded by tuition revenue.

Community colleges also set tuition levels. Local K-12 school boards have bond authority, but they do not charge tuition.&nbsp;

The Nebraska State Education Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday on Pillen’s ideas.

In Nebraska, for the 2022-23 school year, about 60% of the state’s $5.3 billion in property taxes went to K-12 schools — about&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2012.pdf" target="_blank">$2.8 billion in direct taxes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2014.pdf" target="_blank">$318 million in bonds</a>, according to the Nebraska Department of Revenue.&nbsp;

A report from the&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cma/public-school-revenue#fr4" target="_blank">Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics</a>&nbsp;states Nebraska property tax revenues were about 48% of total revenue sources for schools during the 2020-21 academic year. On average, about 36% of total school revenue sources came from property taxes.

Vermont’s total revenue from property taxes rounded to 0% because it had a state-administered property tax, which Nebraska voters outlawed in the 1960s.

Other states with the least total school revenue coming from property taxes were: Alaska, at 11%; New Mexico, at 14%; Alabama, at 15%; and Kansas, at 17%.

Hawaii, which has only one school district, does not fund public education through property taxes.

In Nebraska, a competing tax plan that is the subject of a petition initiative would eliminate the state’s current tax model and replace it with consumption and excise taxes alone. The so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/21/epic-tax-backers-say-petition-effort-cleared-38-county-hurdle/">EPIC Option</a>&nbsp;has a July 3 deadline to submit enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

Both the Pillen and EPIC proposals would change how the state funds K-12 education. Pillen has said he would work “day and night” to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/15/nebraska-gov-pillen-taking-potshots-at-state-senators-while-seeking-tax-relief-support/">defeat EPIC</a>&nbsp;if it qualifies for the November ballot.

Under Pillen’s proposal, which has not been formally outlined ahead of a special session expected to begin July 25, most school funding could be centralized at the Legislature, another line in the state budget. Pillen would wield the line-item veto pen, but he said local school boards and taxpayers could trust that the model would improve schools.

“I’ve not met a Nebraskan, anybody, who’s against our kids,” Pillen said.

Pillen is also seeking to end unfunded mandates in county, city and school governments. One superintendent in attendance Wednesday said that includes training and other staff requirements.

“We’re going to clear them out and not do them and save a bunch of money instead of continuing to do things status quo,” Pillen said of unfunded mandates, without offering specifics.

Pillen said that with hard spending caps would help simplify a complicated state aid formula that lawmakers have perennially tweaked since 1990.

He argued this would allow schools to increase teacher pay and hire fewer administrators.

But the “how” behind Pillen’s plan has not yet materialized, and it’s unclear whether spending levels would be frozen, and at what level, should the idea take root. It’s also unclear how schools would go about requesting spending increases, such as at the level of inflation or by a vote of their residents.

Asked whether the change would mean the state’s school districts would need to go to the Appropriations Committee every other year to seek state funding, Pillen said there would be exceptions to that rule. He gave no further explanation.

“Funding our schools is the highest priority for all Nebraskans,” Pillen said. “It’s one thing we agree on: We never give up on a kid.”

Between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, statewide school taxes (excluding bonds) went up 3.17%.&nbsp;

Of 244 school districts, 88 districts brought in&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2012.pdf" target="_blank">less tax revenue in 2023-24</a>&nbsp;than&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/revenue.nebraska.gov/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2022/annrpt2022%20table%2012.pdf" target="_blank">the year before</a>; and 70 had an increase of at least 3% in collected taxes —&nbsp;59 rose more than 4%, 48 rose more than 5% and 16 went up by double digits.

State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, a former school board member, said she backs the state taking a larger role in financially supporting schools. She said it is time to modernize the state’s tax code, joining Pillen in calling for allowing taxes on more services as the economy has diverted from being goods-based to being more dominated by services.

“I think finding sustainable funds to support 100% of school funding seems like a big task, so I hope we can make progress toward that goal one step at a time,” Hughes said in a text. “If we can find an extra $1 billion this special session I will be very pleased.”

Hughes has led the charge to increase taxes on vaping, and the governor has set his sights on increasing other “sin” taxes for liquor and cigarettes.

Pillen on Wednesday floated changing how personal property is taxed so it could be done through sales taxes and suggested a two-tiered tax rate for certain goods or services. Beyond medicine and groceries, he said, all other sales tax exemptions are in play.

A previous&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">review of sales tax exemptions</a>&nbsp;by the Examiner showed at least $6.5 billion is annually not collected from taxpayers for services and certain goods —&nbsp;services are exempt unless taxed, and many services are not estimated for potential tax revenue.

Multiple senators have said taxing business or agricultural inputs is a non-starter, but Pillen, a hog farmer and veterinarian, has countered that a two-tiered sales tax rate could be created. The specifics — such as enforcement and tracking details — have not been outlined.

“I’ve had the suggestion of taxing our inputs 2% for putting a corn and a soybean crop in,” Pillen explained. “For easy math, you put a corn crop in or seed corn or chemicals and our fertilizer — $400. You tax at 2 [%], that’s $8. If property tax goes down 60%, you come back $8, it’s an extraordinary tax decrease.”

Pillen also pointed to pop and candy to illustrate that Nebraskans might not notice the change: Self-serve soft drinks as gas stations are taxed, for example, but bottled soft drinks are not.

“Does anybody know that?” Pillen asked the audience Wednesday. “Nobody does, because nobody pays attention to sales tax. It has the least impact on our economy.”

Asked by an audience member whether Pillen would look at gambling for revenue, whether by legalizing mobile betting or setting skill games and casinos at a similar tax rate, he said it could be another piece of the puzzle.

“I don’t like sports betting,” Pillen said, “but the hardcore reality is … whoever wants to do online sports betting in Nebraska is doing it and … we’re giving it [the revenue] to our neighbors.”

Another potential revenue source that senators have floated, however, is a nonstarter with Pillen: recreational marijuana.

“I’m going to protect kids,” Pillen said. “Legalizing marijuana, trying to have it for sales tax, I’ll veto it.”

Should legislation be filibustered, it would need 33 votes to end the filibuster. A veto override requires 30 votes. It’s uncertain whether Pillen will have the votes needed for his proposal by the special session, but he told reporters Wednesday he will talk to all 49 senators by the time the session convenes. He has six more town halls scheduled this week. No events have been scheduled in the two most populous cities: Omaha and Lincoln.

“I believe that with your help, we will have bipartisan support, and we won’t have to worry about counting 33,” Pillen said at the town hall. “But we got a lot of work to do between now and when the session starts.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719500229029.jpeg" alt=" Gov. Jim Pillen listens to a local farmer discuss possible impacts of proposed property tax reform ideas at a town hall in Pillen’s hometwon hometown of Columbus at the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. In front of Pillen is State Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus. State Treasurer Tom Briese, left, also watches during the event. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Jim Pillen listens to a local farmer discuss possible impacts of proposed property tax reform ideas at a town hall in Pillen’s hometwon hometown of Columbus at the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. In front of Pillen is State Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus. State Treasurer Tom Briese, left, also watches during the event. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/26/questions-remain-as-gov-pillen-doubles-down-on-taking-over-k-12-public-school-funding/">Nebraska Examiner</a>COLUMBUS, Nebraska —&nbsp;Gov. Jim Pillen confirmed Wednesday he is asking the State of Nebraska to take on most or all public K-12 school spending, instead of funding schools through local property taxes. The shift would be a national standout.Speaking Wednesday in his hometown of Columbus, Pillen said having the state take on an additional $1.65 billion to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-pillen-eyes-nebraska-taking-over-k-12-school-funding-instead-of-local-property-taxes/">fund K-12 schools</a>,&nbsp;instead of funding schools through local property taxes, would be a win-win.&nbsp;He is also seeking to cap local political subdivisions’ year-to-year spending increases, either at 0% or the level of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/cpi/" target="_blank">consumer price index</a>, a measure of inflation. CPI for May 2024 was at 3.3%.“Having the state fund our children will do nothing but strengthen our education,” Pillen told reporters after the town hall event.School advocates and multiple state senators told the Nebraska Examiner their understanding of Pillen’s plan was that the state would take over the general expenditures for schools, minus special building projects or bond levies that would be left up to local school boards.&nbsp;However, Pillen confirmed at the town hall and with reporters he is eyeing all K-12 funding, which would be a dramatic shift from the state’s current model.&nbsp;<h2>Local control concerns</h2>Ryan Loseke, a former Lakeview Community Schools board member who served from 2011 to 2023, expressed concern the idea would remove local control for the state’s 244 public school districts, which have their own culture and priorities.“I’m concerned about how this looks and a little more comfortable with foundation aid,” Loseke told Pillen.Pillen said the model would be similar to how the state has assumed funding of community colleges. Legislation passed in 2023 shifting the source of funding for community colleges, from property taxes to state funds. Still, the colleges retained a limited “backstop” to return to funding via property taxes if state funding dried up.The governor also pointed to his previous political office on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, on which he served for about 10 years. The board is in charge of&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/20/nu-regents-approve-inflationary-tuition-increases-millions-in-cuts-for-2024-25-budget/">delegating state funds for university spending</a>.“You know how much authority the Board of Regents has on getting money? Zero,” Pillen said.NU leaders publicize their two-year state funding request every other August and then testify alongside all other agencies before the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee each spring. The committee&nbsp; forwards its spending recommendations to the full Legislature.In 2023, Pillen’s first year as governor, NU requested a 3% increase in state aid, for example. Pillen had included a 2% increase in his initial budget, and the Legislature landed in the middle. About 60% of NU’s state-aided $1.1 billion budget is from the state, while the rest is funded by tuition revenue.Community colleges also set tuition levels. Local K-12 school boards have bond authority, but they do not charge tuition.&nbsp;The Nebraska State Education Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday on Pillen’s ideas.<h2>Nation-leading idea</h2>In Nebraska, for the 2022-23 school year, about 60% of the state’s $5.3 billion in property taxes went to K-12 schools — about&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2012.pdf" target="_blank">$2.8 billion in direct taxes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2014.pdf" target="_blank">$318 million in bonds</a>, according to the Nebraska Department of Revenue.&nbsp;A report from the&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cma/public-school-revenue#fr4" target="_blank">Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics</a>&nbsp;states Nebraska property tax revenues were about 48% of total revenue sources for schools during the 2020-21 academic year. On average, about 36% of total school revenue sources came from property taxes.Vermont’s total revenue from property taxes rounded to 0% because it had a state-administered property tax, which Nebraska voters outlawed in the 1960s.Other states with the least total school revenue coming from property taxes were: Alaska, at 11%; New Mexico, at 14%; Alabama, at 15%; and Kansas, at 17%.Hawaii, which has only one school district, does not fund public education through property taxes.In Nebraska, a competing tax plan that is the subject of a petition initiative would eliminate the state’s current tax model and replace it with consumption and excise taxes alone. The so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/21/epic-tax-backers-say-petition-effort-cleared-38-county-hurdle/">EPIC Option</a>&nbsp;has a July 3 deadline to submit enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.Both the Pillen and EPIC proposals would change how the state funds K-12 education. Pillen has said he would work “day and night” to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/15/nebraska-gov-pillen-taking-potshots-at-state-senators-while-seeking-tax-relief-support/">defeat EPIC</a>&nbsp;if it qualifies for the November ballot.<h2>Changing the ‘status quo’</h2>Under Pillen’s proposal, which has not been formally outlined ahead of a special session expected to begin July 25, most school funding could be centralized at the Legislature, another line in the state budget. Pillen would wield the line-item veto pen, but he said local school boards and taxpayers could trust that the model would improve schools.“I’ve not met a Nebraskan, anybody, who’s against our kids,” Pillen said.Pillen is also seeking to end unfunded mandates in county, city and school governments. One superintendent in attendance Wednesday said that includes training and other staff requirements.“We’re going to clear them out and not do them and save a bunch of money instead of continuing to do things status quo,” Pillen said of unfunded mandates, without offering specifics.Pillen said that with hard spending caps would help simplify a complicated state aid formula that lawmakers have perennially tweaked since 1990.He argued this would allow schools to increase teacher pay and hire fewer administrators.But the “how” behind Pillen’s plan has not yet materialized, and it’s unclear whether spending levels would be frozen, and at what level, should the idea take root. It’s also unclear how schools would go about requesting spending increases, such as at the level of inflation or by a vote of their residents.Asked whether the change would mean the state’s school districts would need to go to the Appropriations Committee every other year to seek state funding, Pillen said there would be exceptions to that rule. He gave no further explanation.“Funding our schools is the highest priority for all Nebraskans,” Pillen said. “It’s one thing we agree on: We never give up on a kid.”Between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, statewide school taxes (excluding bonds) went up 3.17%.&nbsp;Of 244 school districts, 88 districts brought in&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2023/annrpt2023%20table%2012.pdf" target="_blank">less tax revenue in 2023-24</a>&nbsp;than&nbsp;<a href="https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/revenue.nebraska.gov/files/doc/pad/research/annual-reports/2022/annrpt2022%20table%2012.pdf" target="_blank">the year before</a>; and 70 had an increase of at least 3% in collected taxes —&nbsp;59 rose more than 4%, 48 rose more than 5% and 16 went up by double digits.<h2>‘Nobody pays attention to sales tax’</h2>State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, a former school board member, said she backs the state taking a larger role in financially supporting schools. She said it is time to modernize the state’s tax code, joining Pillen in calling for allowing taxes on more services as the economy has diverted from being goods-based to being more dominated by services.“I think finding sustainable funds to support 100% of school funding seems like a big task, so I hope we can make progress toward that goal one step at a time,” Hughes said in a text. “If we can find an extra $1 billion this special session I will be very pleased.”Hughes has led the charge to increase taxes on vaping, and the governor has set his sights on increasing other “sin” taxes for liquor and cigarettes.Pillen on Wednesday floated changing how personal property is taxed so it could be done through sales taxes and suggested a two-tiered tax rate for certain goods or services. Beyond medicine and groceries, he said, all other sales tax exemptions are in play.A previous&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/10/everybodys-got-to-play-breaking-down-nebraskas-more-than-100-sales-tax-exemptions/">review of sales tax exemptions</a>&nbsp;by the Examiner showed at least $6.5 billion is annually not collected from taxpayers for services and certain goods —&nbsp;services are exempt unless taxed, and many services are not estimated for potential tax revenue.Multiple senators have said taxing business or agricultural inputs is a non-starter, but Pillen, a hog farmer and veterinarian, has countered that a two-tiered sales tax rate could be created. The specifics — such as enforcement and tracking details — have not been outlined.“I’ve had the suggestion of taxing our inputs 2% for putting a corn and a soybean crop in,” Pillen explained. “For easy math, you put a corn crop in or seed corn or chemicals and our fertilizer — $400. You tax at 2 [%], that’s $8. If property tax goes down 60%, you come back $8, it’s an extraordinary tax decrease.”Pillen also pointed to pop and candy to illustrate that Nebraskans might not notice the change: Self-serve soft drinks as gas stations are taxed, for example, but bottled soft drinks are not.“Does anybody know that?” Pillen asked the audience Wednesday. “Nobody does, because nobody pays attention to sales tax. It has the least impact on our economy.”<h2>Gambling and marijuana</h2>Asked by an audience member whether Pillen would look at gambling for revenue, whether by legalizing mobile betting or setting skill games and casinos at a similar tax rate, he said it could be another piece of the puzzle.“I don’t like sports betting,” Pillen said, “but the hardcore reality is … whoever wants to do online sports betting in Nebraska is doing it and … we’re giving it [the revenue] to our neighbors.”Another potential revenue source that senators have floated, however, is a nonstarter with Pillen: recreational marijuana.“I’m going to protect kids,” Pillen said. “Legalizing marijuana, trying to have it for sales tax, I’ll veto it.”Should legislation be filibustered, it would need 33 votes to end the filibuster. A veto override requires 30 votes. It’s uncertain whether Pillen will have the votes needed for his proposal by the special session, but he told reporters Wednesday he will talk to all 49 senators by the time the session convenes. He has six more town halls scheduled this week. No events have been scheduled in the two most populous cities: Omaha and Lincoln.“I believe that with your help, we will have bipartisan support, and we won’t have to worry about counting 33,” Pillen said at the town hall. “But we got a lot of work to do between now and when the session starts.”

Questions remain as Gov. Pillen doubles down on taking over K-12 public school funding

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/owners-of-two-shops-selling-delta-8-in-nebraska-settle-with-state-ag/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced settlements Wednesday with three of several owners targeted in 11 state lawsuits filed against vape shops selling legally murky variants of the THC-containing substance delta-8.

Hilgers has prioritized closing legal loopholes around delta-8, which he said opened when the 2018 federal farm bill limited delta-9, but not delta-8. The substance is often sold in modified food products made to look and taste like candy and snacks.

He and others have argued the potential health risks of solvents and substances that could be used in the loosely regulated manufacturing of the psychoactive products. Buyers and sellers of delta-8 products call such concerns a scare tactic.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration received more than 100 reports of “adverse events” from delta-8 products with THC, officials said, including anxiety and vomiting. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.&nbsp;

“I am proud to announce these settlements, which represent important steps towards getting these untested, mislabeled, and dangerous THC products off the shelves in Nebraska,” Hilgers said in a statement.&nbsp;

He called on the other retailers that the Attorney General’s Office has sued in Dawes, Hall, Keith, Lancaster, Lincoln, Madison, Platte, Saline, Sarpy and Scotts Bluff Counties to negotiate with the state soon or watch the window close.

“Time is running short to settle on favorable terms with our office,” Hilgers said. “The door will soon close on obtaining settlements that waive penalties, and for those who do not settle, we will seek relief to the fullest extent of the law.”&nbsp;

The state’s consumer protection lawsuits argue that the products are mislabeled, deceptively advertised and possibly contaminated. But lawyers for the targeted retailers say that Nebraska law regulating delta-8 products is at best unclear and that it might sidestep regulating the substance altogether.

The AG appeared to acknowledge the need to clarify the law by including more explicit language banning delta-8 products as part of his broader criminal justice proposals this year. State Sen. Teresa Ibach’s Legislative Bill 999 stalled in April.

W. Randall Paragas, an attorney for two of three defendants who settled, Stewart Scott Ritter and Alejandro Castro, criticized the state’s aggressive stance on the delta-8 products. Both owned the now-closed High Flow Cannabis of Grand Island.

For many of the affected vape shops, sellers of water pipes and similar retailers, these THC-containing products represent half of their sales and sometimes more, Paragas said. That can be the difference between keeping the doors open and not.

But he said business owners who lose these lawsuits risk paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and penalties, plus the potential of having to pay the state’s cost of suing them.&nbsp;

Those who settled agreed to stop selling any THC-containing hemp products and to turn over any of the unsold products already in their inventories for destruction. Failure to comply risks escalating six-figure costs for breaching the deal.

“The law in the State of Nebraska is not clear as to what’s prohibited and what is not prohibited,” he said. “The problem my clients run into, and I’m talking about small businesses, they don’t have the resources to fight the government.”

The third shop owner who settled, Lisa Lomack, who owns Ms. V Shop in Crete, did not immediately return calls seeking comment Wednesday afternoon. Her shop was still open Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719503124988.jpeg" alt="Attorney General Mike Hilgers speaks during a news conference in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Attorney General Mike Hilgers speaks during a news conference in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron Sanderford<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/owners-of-two-shops-selling-delta-8-in-nebraska-settle-with-state-ag/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced settlements Wednesday with three of several owners targeted in 11 state lawsuits filed against vape shops selling legally murky variants of the THC-containing substance delta-8.Hilgers has prioritized closing legal loopholes around delta-8, which he said opened when the 2018 federal farm bill limited delta-9, but not delta-8. The substance is often sold in modified food products made to look and taste like candy and snacks.He and others have argued the potential health risks of solvents and substances that could be used in the loosely regulated manufacturing of the psychoactive products. Buyers and sellers of delta-8 products call such concerns a scare tactic.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration received more than 100 reports of “adverse events” from delta-8 products with THC, officials said, including anxiety and vomiting. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.&nbsp;“I am proud to announce these settlements, which represent important steps towards getting these untested, mislabeled, and dangerous THC products off the shelves in Nebraska,” Hilgers said in a statement.&nbsp;<h2>Time running short for settlements</h2>He called on the other retailers that the Attorney General’s Office has sued in Dawes, Hall, Keith, Lancaster, Lincoln, Madison, Platte, Saline, Sarpy and Scotts Bluff Counties to negotiate with the state soon or watch the window close.“Time is running short to settle on favorable terms with our office,” Hilgers said. “The door will soon close on obtaining settlements that waive penalties, and for those who do not settle, we will seek relief to the fullest extent of the law.”&nbsp;The state’s consumer protection lawsuits argue that the products are mislabeled, deceptively advertised and possibly contaminated. But lawyers for the targeted retailers say that Nebraska law regulating delta-8 products is at best unclear and that it might sidestep regulating the substance altogether.The AG appeared to acknowledge the need to clarify the law by including more explicit language banning delta-8 products as part of his broader criminal justice proposals this year. State Sen. Teresa Ibach’s Legislative Bill 999 stalled in April.<h2>Businesses feel stuck</h2>W. Randall Paragas, an attorney for two of three defendants who settled, Stewart Scott Ritter and Alejandro Castro, criticized the state’s aggressive stance on the delta-8 products. Both owned the now-closed High Flow Cannabis of Grand Island.For many of the affected vape shops, sellers of water pipes and similar retailers, these THC-containing products represent half of their sales and sometimes more, Paragas said. That can be the difference between keeping the doors open and not.But he said business owners who lose these lawsuits risk paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and penalties, plus the potential of having to pay the state’s cost of suing them.&nbsp;Those who settled agreed to stop selling any THC-containing hemp products and to turn over any of the unsold products already in their inventories for destruction. Failure to comply risks escalating six-figure costs for breaching the deal.“The law in the State of Nebraska is not clear as to what’s prohibited and what is not prohibited,” he said. “The problem my clients run into, and I’m talking about small businesses, they don’t have the resources to fight the government.”The third shop owner who settled, Lisa Lomack, who owns Ms. V Shop in Crete, did not immediately return calls seeking comment Wednesday afternoon. Her shop was still open Wednesday.

Owners of two shops selling delta-8 in Nebraska settle with state AG

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/26/ne-auditor-alleges-mishandling-of-public-funds-by-nonprofit-helping-to-manage-niobrara-scenic-river/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s state auditor has questioned the handling of public funds by a small nonprofit that helps manage the Niobrara Scenic River corridor.

Among eyebrow-raising items described Wednesday by Auditor Mike Foley is nearly $40,000 in unused leave pay that went to a top executive who had a purported two-decade-long perfect attendance streak.

According to an audit of the Valentine-based Niobrara Council, executive director Kalli Kieborz had not recorded the use of a single day of sick or vacation leave during a 21-year period. As compensation for that unused leave, over time she reportedly received nearly $40,000.

Foley, however, noted Facebook posts from earlier this year that he said depicted Kieborz&nbsp; ice-fishing at Valentine Refuge Lake during what appeared to be normal business hours.&nbsp;

Said Foley: “Even a baseball hall of fame great like Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripkin, Jr., known as the ‘Iron Man,’ could compile a record of only 17 years without missing a game — and he rested during the off-season!”

The audit team said it received citizen complaints that the Niobrara Council office had been closed without explanation during working hours —&nbsp;”allegations that, if true, cast further doubt upon the already dubious proposition that the executive director managed incredibly to eschew any type of work leave for more than 21 years.”

The audit and a related media release laid out other alleged misuse of funds by the nonprofit, along with recommendations on tightening procedures.&nbsp;

Created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1998, the 16-member Niobrara Council is charged with managing and protecting the Niobrara corridor in conjunction with the National Park Service. Made up of various county commissioners and natural resources experts, the council gets administrative and accounting support from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The council has only two paid employees, the audit team said: the executive director and the education manager.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719502467044.jpeg" alt="The Niobrara National Scenic River. (Courtesy of NPS)" />
 <figcaption>The Niobrara National Scenic River. (Courtesy of NPS)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/06/26/ne-auditor-alleges-mishandling-of-public-funds-by-nonprofit-helping-to-manage-niobrara-scenic-river/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraska’s state auditor has questioned the handling of public funds by a small nonprofit that helps manage the Niobrara Scenic River corridor.Among eyebrow-raising items described Wednesday by Auditor Mike Foley is nearly $40,000 in unused leave pay that went to a top executive who had a purported two-decade-long perfect attendance streak.According to an audit of the Valentine-based Niobrara Council, executive director Kalli Kieborz had not recorded the use of a single day of sick or vacation leave during a 21-year period. As compensation for that unused leave, over time she reportedly received nearly $40,000.Foley, however, noted Facebook posts from earlier this year that he said depicted Kieborz&nbsp; ice-fishing at Valentine Refuge Lake during what appeared to be normal business hours.&nbsp;Said Foley: “Even a baseball hall of fame great like Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripkin, Jr., known as the ‘Iron Man,’ could compile a record of only 17 years without missing a game — and he rested during the off-season!”The audit team said it received citizen complaints that the Niobrara Council office had been closed without explanation during working hours —&nbsp;”allegations that, if true, cast further doubt upon the already dubious proposition that the executive director managed incredibly to eschew any type of work leave for more than 21 years.”<h2>Improper bonuses</h2>The audit and a related media release laid out other alleged misuse of funds by the nonprofit, along with recommendations on tightening procedures.&nbsp;Created by the Nebraska Legislature in 1998, the 16-member Niobrara Council is charged with managing and protecting the Niobrara corridor in conjunction with the National Park Service. Made up of various county commissioners and natural resources experts, the council gets administrative and accounting support from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.The council has only two paid employees, the audit team said: the executive director and the education manager.Combined, the pair reportedly received more than $7,500 last year in what the auditing team described as improper bonuses. Paid with state and federal funds, the bonuses reportedly violated federal regulations and were questionable under state law prohibiting gratuitous payments when no extra work has been performed.Among other findings in the<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/OE992607-06262024-January_1_2023_Through_December_31_2023_Attestation_Report.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;23-page audit report</a>, which focused on 2023:<ul>
 <li>A $500 payment made to the executive director’s sister last year for conducting eight river user counts fell short of required bidding procedures and created the appearance of a conflict of interest.&nbsp;</li><li>The council since 2016 reportedly failed to submit timely annual reports to the Legislature, as required by state law. Auditors said some tardy annual reports were filed between one and three years later without explanation.</li><li>The executive director was overpaid reportedly more than $1,800 for health insurance reimbursements that lacked support documentation or for which she was not entitled.</li><li>The executive director was an elected member of the Valentine City Council, despite a contract that barred her from “any other gainful employment” without documented council authorization. According to the auditors, Kieborz’s contract requires that she “devote her entire time and energy to the furtherance of the business” of the Niobrara Council. She reportedly did not get appropriate permission to serve the past dozen years as a Valentine council member, a position that currently pays $2,400 a year.</li>
 </ul><h2>Council pledges ‘closer examination’ of findings&nbsp;</h2>A reporter’s calls to the Niobrara Council and its representatives were not immediately answered Wednesday.The Niobrara Council did include a general and brief written response in the audit report.It said that the council decided by consensus that each item in the report will receive closer examination by council committees that have expertise in the respective area.The council said it hopes to have solutions and recommended action after its August public board meeting.“Although we are not providing line item comments to the report at this time, we would like it noted that we take the comments and recommendations very seriously and that is the reason the committees have been assigned,” the council wrote.Foley said the situation illustrates that “large and small entities alike are at risk for mishandling public funds.”He added, “No matter an organization’s size, proper oversight is always needed to safeguard the citizens’ tax dollars.”